2006 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 635 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 13 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 12 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EquipmentSep 3, 2010
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.
Campaign 10E043000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, glass, side/rearDec 11, 2007
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
Campaign 07E104000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, windshield wiper/washer, motorNov 9, 2005
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.
AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.
Campaign 05V520000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
301 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Nov 18, 2008
FAILURE #1--GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR VERY DIFFICULT TO MOVE FROM PARK; DEALER SAID FORD REDESIGNED, BUT NOT COVERED BY THEM. FAILURE #2--LEAK IN SEAM OF RADIATOR (BETWEEN PLASTIC & ALUMINUM). AGAIN, NOT COVERED BY FORD OR BY EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR
Power train, Oct 15, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH 10,000 MILES. WHEN THE VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP, THERE IS A KICK IN THE TRANSMISSION AS IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REAR ENDED. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR REPAIR. THEY REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER FOR THE TIMING IN THE TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE DEALER BLAMED THE CONTACT'S DRIVING AS THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WORSENS IN COLD WEATHER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Power train, Aug 31, 2008
WHILE RETURNING HOME FROM A ROUTINE SHOPPING TRIP WITH MY WIFE AND 2 KIDS, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE DIED COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET. THE ENTIRE DASH BOARD WENT DARK, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED RUNNING AND AS USUAL WHEN THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING THE STEERING AND BRAKES TYPICALLY DON'T WORK TOO WELL. LUCKILY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WORKED LIKE IT WAS DESIGNED SINCE WE WERE GOING DOWN HILL AT THE TIME. I COULDN'T EVEN TURN ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS (WHAT'S THE POINT OF THOSE WHEN YOU CAN'T USE THEM TO LET OTHERS KNOW YOU'VE NOW BECOME A HAZARD)? I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO HAD LAPSED AND PROCEEDED TO MOVE ONWARD TO OUR DESTINATION. THIS ISSUE OCCURRED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FROM 2ND GEAR TO 1ST GEAR AND GOING AT A SLOW SPEED ONLY 20MPH. HAD THIS HAPPENED WITH MY WIFE DRIVING I'M POSITIVE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ACCIDENT! THIS IS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER BOUGHT BRAND NEW OFF THE SHOW ROOM FLOOR AND ONLY HAS 10,356 MILES ON IT. PRACTICALLY STILL BRAND NEW! I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS ISN'T AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE. I'VE ALSO FOUND A FEW PLACES THAT MENTION THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE AS A THROTTLE BODY MALFUNCTION. I'M LOOKING TO FIND IF REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY RESOLVES THE ISSUE. IF THE ISSUE IS THIS COMMON WHY HASN'T FORD BEEN PROACTIVE AND REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE PARTS? OUR CONFIDENCE IN THIS CAR IS NOW GONE AND WE'RE AFRAID TO TAKE OUR CHILDREN ANYWHERE IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Jul 18, 2008
MY 06 EXPLORER HAS BEEN LURCHING EXTREMELY HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND VICE VERSA. IT'S TO THE POINT THAT WHEN STOPPING, I AM COMING LITERALLY WITHIN AN INCH OF HITTING ANOTHER CAR. THE SUV STOPS AND THEN LURCHES FORWARD. I AM SERIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS WHILE DRIVING MY SUV. THE WEBSITE CARCOMPLAINTS.COM SHOWS THERE ARE 73 OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 EXPLORER MODELS. FORD IS NOT TAKING ANY PROCEDURES INTO GETTING THE VEHICLES RECALLED. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY TRUCK; I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE ISN'T A RECALL. THE TRUCKS ARE STILL CONSIDERED VERY NEW AND YET THEY ARE LURCHING AND HAVING A HUGE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHEN I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE FORD DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NO PROBLEM, EVERYTHING IS WAS FINE! SOMETHING HAS GOT TO BE DONE TO GET THESE TRUCKS OFF THE ROAD. WE ARE DRIVING HAZARDS JUST WAITING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT!! I FEEL THAT IT WILL TAKE ANOTHER INCIDENT (LIKE THE FIRESTONE TIRE ONE) BEFORE FORD WILL COME OUT AND DO SOMETHING!!! MY TRUCK IS JOLTING WORSE THAN EVER AND I AM SERIOUSLY CONCERNED. *TR
Power train, Jul 14, 2008
I OWN A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE . ON 7/7/08, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN I PUT IT IN GEAR (REVERSE) TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. I DROVE IT A COUPLE OF BLOCKS WHILE KEEPING ONE FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE OTHER ON THE ACCELERATOR. AT THAT POINT, I CALLED FOR A TOW TO A FORD DEALER. ON 7/8/08, THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS INFORMED THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST OR THE FIRST OF SEPTEMBER. OBVIOUSLY, THIS PART IS IN GREAT DEMAND OR IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE PRIOR TO THAT ANTICIPATED DATE. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE IF I HAD BEEN ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED, IT COULD HAVE A TRAGIC ENDING. HOW MANY OTHER FREESTYLES HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM? HOW MANY WRECKS HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE OF A PART? MY VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES, AND IT WAS PURCHASED 8/06. I AM REQUESTING FORD PROVIDE ME WITH A VEHICLE (AT NO EXPENSE TO ME) TO DRIVE UNTIL MY CAR IS REPAIRED. THE REPAIR IS GOING TO COST ME $650. IN THE MEANTIME, I AM STILL HAVING TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON THE CAR. FORD HAS OFFERED ME 10 DAYS OF RENTAL WITH THEM PAYING ONLY $27 PER DAY. IT IS ONLY FAIR THEY PROVIDE ME WITH A COMPARABLE CAR RENT FREE. OBVIOUSLY THIS PART IS IN GREAT DEMAND--BUT I PERCEIVE THAT TO BE FORD'S ISSUE--NOT MINE. *TR
Power train, Jun 27, 2008
MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT CAUSE IT TO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN STOPPING WHICH FORD SAYS THEY ARE AWARE OF BUT CANNOT SEEM TO FIND THE PROPPER REMEDY FOR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION THAT COULD CAUSE ME TO RUN INTO OTHER STOPPED VEHICLES. I HAVE BROUGHT THE TRUCK IN THREE TIMES TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED WITH NO IMPROVEMENT WITH THE CONDITION.
Power train, Visibility, Equipment, Apr 30, 2008
WHEN THE CAR STOPS, STARTS OR DRIVES SLOW... IT JERKS WHEN CHANGING GEARS FROM 1ST THROUGH 3RD, BOTH UP- AND DOWN SHIFTING. IT HAS ALSO STARTED TO SLOW (FOR NO APPARENT REASON) WHEN DRIVING AT A STEADY SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY (GOING AROUND 65-70 MILES AN HOUR), I HAVE HAD MULLINAX FORD LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION 5 TIMES NOW, AND IT IS STILL THERE. CURRENTLY I AM INVOLVED IN A LEMON LAW CASE TRYING TO GET FORD TO BUY MY CAR BACK. THEY ARE STATING THAT THERE IS NO SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION AND AT THE SAME TIME SAYING THAT IT IS DUE TO ABUSE OR NEGLECT ON MY PART ???? I CAN ONLY SUGGEST THAT OTHERS TAKE THE SAME ROUTE - THE MORE THE BETTER TO GET THE ATTENTION OF FORD TO COMPLETELY FIX THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE HAD MY COMPASS WORKED ON (DID NOT SHOW ANYTHING OR JUST TWO LINES) , THE GEAR SHIFTER REPLACED (WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF 'P'), THE REAR WINDOW REPLACED (DUE TO WATER LEAK) AND THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM REPLACED AS THERE WAS SOMETHING BEND ???. I ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT WHEN WORK HAS BEEN DONE ON THE CAR THE BREAKS WORKED DIFFERENTLY AFTERWARDS. IN MY OPINION THE 2006 FORD EXPLORER IS A LEMON. *TR
Power train, Apr 3, 2008
MY 06 EXPLORER HAS BEEN LURCHING EXTREMELY HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND VICE VERSA. ITS TO THE POINT THAT WHEN STOPPING I AM COMING LITERALLY WITHIN AN INCH OF HITTING ANOTHER CAR B/C THE CAR STOPS AND THEN LURCHES FORWARD. MY CAR IS ALSO REVVING UP FOR NO REASON AT AROUND 3000-4000 RPM WHEN I DON'T EVEN PUSH ON THE GAS, OR BARELY TAP IT! I AM SERIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS WHILE DRIVING MY SUV. I CAME ACROSS THIS WEBSITE TODAY: CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE 66 OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 EXPLORER MODELS. FORD IS NOT TAKING ANY PROCEDURES INTO GETTING THE VEHICLES RECALLED. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY TRUCK, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE ISN'T A RECALL. THE TRUCKS ARE STILL CONSIDERED VERY NEW AND YET THEY ARE LURCHING AND HAVING A HUGE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHEN I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE FORD DEALER IN MIAMI, FL THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A BRAKE PROBLEM AND REPLACED MY BRAKES, YET WHEN I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED! THAT WAS IN NOV 2007. I AM NOW STATIONED IN ANCHORAGE ALASKA AT ELMENDORF AFB AND HAVE MADE AN APPT WITH THE FORD DEALER HERE ON MONDAY. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THERE IS NO PERMANENT FIX OUT THERE FOR THIS PROBLEM, EVERYTHING IS TEMPORARY. SOMETHING HAS GOT TO BE DONE TO GET THESE TRUCKS OFF THE ROAD. OBVIOUSLY WE ARE ALL DRIVING HAZARDS WAITING TO HAPPEN!! MY TRUCK IS JOLTING WORSE THAN EVER AND I AM SERIOUSLY CONCERNED. *TR
Power train, Mar 15, 2008, fire
CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI CASE NUMBER: 10185415 IN FOLLOW-UP TO THE ABOVE CASE, I HAVE BEEN READING THE SUBSEQUENT COMPLAINTS AND READ WITH DISGUST THAT ALOT OF THOSE PEOPLE WRITING NOW BOUGHT THE 2006 EXPLORER AS USED. WE WERE FORTUNATE TO HAVE TURNED OURS IN UNDER THE LEMON LAW FOR ALL OF THE SAME REASONS LISTED IN THE OTHER COMPLAINTS BUT WITHIN A DAY OR TWO OF TURNING THE VEHICLE IN, THERE WAS A BIG COLORED PICTURE OF MY EXPLORER IN MATHEWS CURRIE FORD'S USED CAR AD. MY PROBLEMS WERE JUST BEING RESOLD TO SOME UNSUSPECTING CUSTOMER WHO THOUGHT THEY WERE GETTING A DEAL ON A GOOD LOW MILEAGE CAR. IT'S IS A SHAME THAT FORD IS STILL ALLOWED TO SELL THOSE EXPLORERS AND THEY TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR SELLING DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. *TR
Power train, Jan 13, 2008
HARD JOLTS WHEN STOPPING AND WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES, FORD MOTOR CO. RECOMMENDS KEEP DRIVING IT. DEALERSHIP STATES THEY CAN'T FIX IT. *TR
Power train, Jan 7, 2008
WHEN COMING TO A STOP VEHICLE JOLTS AND LUNGES FORWARD. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Structure, Equipment, Dec 31, 2007
HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS STARTING WITH A LIFTER STUCK IN MOTOR AT 296 MILES, TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 15,700 MILES. BRAKES HAVE SQUEAKED SINCE IT WAS NEW, OVERHEAD CONSOLE HAS FALLEN OFF TWICE, SATELLITE RADIO WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. DOOR RUBBED ON RUNNING BOARD, NOW GAS MILEAGE HAS DROPPED UNDER 10 MILES PER GALLON. 14 TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP SO FAR AND STILL NOT ALL IS FIXED. *TR
Power train, Nov 7, 2007
WE OWN A 2006 FORD EXPLORER, AND ITS TRANSMISSION SLIPS, GETS CONFUSED DURING DOWNSHIFTS, AND NOW HAS DEVELOPED A LURCH FORWARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP. I HAD IT IN THE DEALERSHIP, WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER BROKE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS "NORMAL" BUT FORD IS WORKING ON A PROGRAM FOR THE COMPUTER THAT THEY ARE RELEASING IN MID NOVEMBER. FIRST OF ALL, IF THIS IS NORMAL WHY IS THIS THE SECOND ATTEMPT AT CREATING A FIX FOR A "NON-EXISTENT" PROBLEM WITH A "NORMALLY FUNCTIONING TRANSMISSION." FORD INSTRUCTED THE DEALERSHIPS TO LET IT BE UNTIL THE NEW "PROGRAM" COMES OUT IN NOVEMBER. WHERE EXACTLY DOES THAT LEAVE THE CONSUMER, I HAVE A TRANSMISSION THAT HAD HAS BEEN SLIPPING IN GEAR AND MIS-SHIFTING FOR THOUSANDS OF MILES AND A 60,000 MILE WARRANTY. IF THIS DOESN'T BECOME MORE OF A SAFETY CONCERN, WHICH I AM AFRAID IT WILL, I WILL LIKELY HAVE INCREASED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD BECAUSE OF IT. PLUS, NEVERMIND THIS CURRENT MODEL EXPLORER WILL NOW HAVE A SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER RESALE VALUE AS THESE TYPES OF COMPLAINTS INCREASE. PLEASE HELP! THIS WAS A LARGE INVESTMENT TO MAKE, AND NOW I WILL HAVE TO PAY THE CONSEQUENCE FOR FORDS FAILURE. *TR
Power train, Oct 29, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT DOWNSHIFTING CORRECTLY. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP OR DRIVING BETWEEN 1 AND 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE JUMPED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS: SEPTEMBER 22, 2006, OCTOBER 9, 2006, AND SEPTEMBER 14, 2007. ON EACH VISIT, THE DEALER PERFORMED A TRANSMISSION UPDATE THAT ONLY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME. IT IS CURRENTLY OCTOBER 2007 AND THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO GO BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,700.
Power train, Oct 26, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PCM FAILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Power train, Oct 16, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE PROPERLY AND HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17,000. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED ON ENGAGEMENT. UPDATED *JB
Power train, Oct 5, 2007
TRANSMISSION IS INCONSISTENT WHEN SHIFTING. SOMETIMES ENGINE ROARS WHEN TRANSMISSION IS IN BETWEEN GEARS. TRANSMISSION WILL NOT DOWNSHIFT ON OCCASION. PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE (2006 FORD EXPLORER IN NOVEMBER 2006 WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AS A USED CAR) AND EXPERIENCED NO PROBLEMS UNTIL THE FIRST PART OF JUNE 2007. *JB UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION PAN SOLENOID BODY. UPDATED *JB
Power train, Oct 2, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR AND THE SPEED DECREASED TO 5 MPH IN 2-5 SECONDS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MECHATRONIX, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,500.
Power train, Oct 2, 2007
TRANSMISSION SURGES ON DOWNSHIFT BETWEEN 2ND AND 1ST....ENGINE RPM'S INCREASE AND TRANSMISSION SLAMS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A LURCH. ALSO I HAVE DIFFICULT TIME SHIFTING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. IT SEEMS THAT THE SENSOR FOR THE BRAKE IS MALFUNCTIONING. *JB
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 26, 2007
(1) I HAVE OWNED MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER FOR ONE YEAR AND FOUR MONTHS. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 21,000 MILES CURRENTLY ON IT. IT HAS HAD A LUNGING PROBLEM STARTING WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO TWO SEPARATE FORD DEALERS IN ATTEMPTS TO HAVE IT FIXED FOR A TOTAL OF SIX TIMES. THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED TO UPDATE THE COMPUTER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. EACH TIME IT IS FIXED FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS UP TO A COUPLE OF MONTHS, HOWEVER, THE CLUNKING AND JERKING ONCE AGAIN SHOW. I BELIEVE THAT THEY UNPLUG THE BATTERY EACH TIME IT IS TAKEN IN, ALLOWING THE COMPUTER TO "FORGET" ITS ADAPTIVE LEARNING. (2) WHEN I TAKE OFF FROM A STOP IT HESITATES AND THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE UNPREDICTABLY. FURTHERMORE, WHEN STOPPING IT FEELS LIKE IT IS FREEWHEELING IN BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR WITH AN ABRUPT STOP AND A JERK THAT CAUSES A VIOLENT JERKING OF THE VEHICLE. THE FEELING IT PROVIDES IS ONE OF BEING REARENDED. (3) THE ONLY THING THAT HAS BEEN DONE IS TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER AND UNHOOKING THE BATTERY SO THE COMPUTER FORGETS ITS ADAPTIVE LEARNING. THIS IS A QUICK FIX FOR FORD AND DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Sep 26, 2007
TRANSMISSION SURGES ON DOWNSHIFT BETWEEN 2ND AND 1ST....ENGINE RPM'S INCREASE AND TRANSMISSION SLAMS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A LURCH. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE TO NO AVAIL. *TR
Power train, Sep 18, 2007
THE TRANSMISSION OF THE 2006 EXPLORER EB THAT I PURCHASED FROM VISTA FORD, HAS HAD ONGOING INTERMITTENT SHIFTING INCONSISTENCIES FROM THE DAY I PURCHASED IT THAT CAUSE THE CARS TRANSMISSION TO FREQUENTLY KICK AND HAVE A STARTLING AND CAR-SHAKING BUMP OR THUNK? WHEN BRAKING JUST BEFORE THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP. SOMETIMES WHEN IT DOES NOT OCCUR AT ALL. MOSTLY, IT OCCURS IN VARIOUS DEGREES FROM SUBTLY TO STRONGLY (ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 10). SOMETIMES IT OCCURS SO STRONGLY THAT THE ENTIRE CAR NOTICEABLY AND VIOLENTLY SHUDDERS OR LURCHES, AND THE CAR JUMPS FORWARD AS IT STOPS. I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL HOW CLOSE I AM TO THE INTERSECTION OR TO THE BUMPER OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME IN CASE IT DOES THIS, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A HAZARDOUS SITUATION OR ACCIDENT. THE CAR HAS ALSO DEVELOPED A SIMILAR SHIFTING INCONSISTENCY UPON ACCELERATION FROM A STANDSTILL AS IT SHIFTS (PRESUMABLY) INTO SECOND GEAR. SOMETIMES IT IS SUCH A SEVERE JOLT THAT MY HEAD SNAPS BACK AND HITS THE HEADREST OF THE SEAT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED UNSUCCESSFULLY ON FOUR OCCASIONS TO CORRECT THIS DEFECTIVE BEHAVIOR. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR THE TRANSMISSION WITH TWO SEPARATE FIXES WHICH HAVE HAD ABSOLUTELY NO AFFECT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THESE PROBLEMS OCCUR WITH SUCH FREQUENCY THAT I FEEL UNSAFE IN THE VEHICLE, AND I DON'T FEEL SECURE WHEN DRIVING IT DUE TO THE INCONSISTENT AND ERRATIC BEHAVIOR OF THE TRANSMISSION. I THINK THAT THE VEHICLE IS MECHANICALLY UNSOUND, AS A RESULT AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS LIKELY TO FAIL ALTOGETHER AT SOME POINT, OR POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *TR
Power train, Sep 5, 2007
FORD EXPLORER (2006 MY) HAD A SENSOR RING FAILURE (CRACK) CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO STOP WORKING. WENT FROM 40 MILES/HR TO NOTHING IN MATTER OF SECONDS. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE REAL AXLE SHAFT. UPDATED *JB
Power train, Aug 31, 2007
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY HESITANT & EVENTUALLY WOULD LUNGE BACKWARDS WHILE MAKING A LOUD "CLACK" AS IT JUMPED INTO GEAR. ANOTHER TIME I STARTED MY CAR & IT LUNGED INTO PARK AS IF IT WAS NEVER IN PARK COMPLETELY BEFORE I SHUT OFF AND EXITED THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THIS. WE ALL KNOW YOU CANT TAKE THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION W/O IT BEING IN PARK,SO EXPLAIN THIS! AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO MY DEALERSHIP THEY FIND A PROBLEM(A FACTORY DEFECT,NOT ONE CAUSED BY ME)THEY REPLACED PARTS AND NOW ONLY A FEW MONTHS LATER I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS ALL OVER AGAIN. ONLY NOW MY PROBLEMS ARE WORSE. WHILE DRIVING INSTEAD OF SHIFTING MY CAR JUST REVS REAL HIGH & GOES NOWHERE. THIS LASTS ANYWHERE FROM 15-45 SECONDS & THEN STOPS. IT ALSO IS HESITANT WHEN SHIFTING FROM GEAR TO GEAR. I HAVE MY CAR SERVICED REGULARLY AND DONT DRVE IT HARD,I SHOULD NOT BE EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS AT ALL!!! I AM A VERY,VERY UNHAPPY FORD OWNER. I PAID $38,000 CASH FOR THIS VEHICLE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT & HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE,ONLY REGRETS. *JB
Power train, Equipment, Electrical system, Aug 28, 2007
2006 FORD EXPLORER WITH FREQUENT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS SHIFTING INCONSISTENCIES WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE ERRATIC SHIFTING OF THE VEHICLE STARTED THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE AND AFTER THE INCIDENT HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO INFORM THEM OF THE DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP THEN IN TURN HAD THE CONSUMER COME IN ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE THE SITUATION INVESTIGATED AND WOULD LIKE FOR THE DEALER TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE AT THE VALUE IN WHICH IT WAS SOLD. THE DEALER STATED THE SPEAKERS SOUND LIKE THEY ARE DISTORTED, TOP COVER OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS LOOSE. *TR