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
635 reports, newest first.
Seat belts, Jul 25, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE LOOSENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CHILD SITTING IN THE BOOSTER SEAT SLAMMED HIS FACE AGAINST THE SEAT IN FRONT OF HIM, LEAVING A SLIGHT BURN ON HIS NOSE. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 18,200.
Equipment, Jul 25, 2007
I HAVE A 2006 FORD EXPLORER THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER QUIT WORKING. IT HAD ONLY 5,700 MILES ON IT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE "O" RINGS ON THE AC COMPRESSOR WERE LEAKING. HAVING THE AC GO OUT ON A NEW VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILES MAKES YOU THINK ABOUT THE QUALITY (OR LACK OF) IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 20, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLS AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT AND AT SPEEDS OF 10 MPH OR GREATER. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY RESET THE COMPUTER. A WEEK LATER, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY THREE TO FOUR TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 11,900 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 16, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE STALLED FIVE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALLOWS HIS VEHICLE TO RUN FOR A WHILE BEFORE DRIVING IT, IN ORDER TO SEE IF THE VEHICLE WILL STALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 15,242 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,500. UPDATED 02-11-08 *BF ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING AND IDLING ROUGH. UPDATED
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 19, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE TRAVEL SPEED IS NOT A FACTOR. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS, THE POWER STEERING FAILS. THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FORD DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLING BEGAN ONCE HE STARTED USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 22,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB
Visibility, Jun 18, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD PRODUCES AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURS DURING THE DAYTIME. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE IS A RECALL AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO FILE A COMPLAINT. HE SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT TO FORD. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 18,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,100.
Power train, Jun 11, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE DURING A DOWN SHIFT AND ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE AND HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED AS PART OF ANY RECALLS. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR, AS RESULT THIS HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Seats, Jun 6, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH PADDING ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED TAKING THE VEHICLE TO AN UPHOLSTER SHOP. THE UPHOLSTERER ADDED MORE PADDING TO THE FRONT SEAT AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS MADE THE SEAT MORE COMFORTABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS IS A COMPANY CAR AND USES THE VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM SALES LOCATIONS. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED COPY OF LETTERS TO FORD PERTAINING TO THE DEFECT , COPY OF REGISTRATION, AND INSURANCE CARD. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DISCOMFORT OF THE SEAT CAUSED HIS LEG TO BECOME SWOLLEN AND UPON SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT, IT WAS DISCOVERED HE SUFFERED A DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS AND A BLOOD CLOT HAD BROKEN LOOSE AND CAUSED A PULMONARY EMBOLISM. THE VEHICLE IS A COMPANY OWNED. UPDATED 08/07/07 *TR
Steering, May 26, 2007
I BOUGHT A FORD EXPLORER HYBRID LAST YEAR AND IT HAS ABOUT 2,000 MILES ON IT. ANYWAYS, I WAS DRIVING IT YESTERDAY TO WORK AND I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE MOVING TO THE RIGHT TURN LANE, AND AS I WAS DOING SO THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED LIKE IT DID IT WHEN THE KEY WAS OUT. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES JUST BEFORE I HEADED STRAIGHT INTO THE LOCAL CVS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THEY PERFORMED THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC, BUT NOTHING CAME UP. I KNEW STEERING WHEELS WERE SUPPOSED TO LOCK UP WHEN DRIVING, SO BEFORE ANYONE DIED BECAUSE OF THIS, I DECIDED TO BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, May 10, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN TIMES. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 14,000.
Power train, Apr 27, 2007
TERRIBLE HESITATION WHEN PULLING UP TO STOP SIGN AND TRYING TO TAKE OFF. PARKING LOT AT SLOW SPEED TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. LIFTER STUCK IN MOTOR AT 700 MILES.NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT ISSUE AS OF YET. *JB
Power train, Apr 27, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH OVER A HILL THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND COULD NOT REPAIR IT. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE PCM THREE TIMES AT 10,016, 14881, AND 17,037 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 17,207, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,869. *AK
Power train, Apr 26, 2007
I PURCHASED A 2006 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR AND HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH IT SINCE I HIT 1000 MILES. I HAVE HAD IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES AND THEY HAVE ADJUSTED, REPLACED A COMPUTER, DID OTHER TRANSMISSION WORK AND THE VEHICLE STILL DEMONSTRATES THE SAME ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS DURING SHIFTING AND ON SLOW DOWN TO STOP. THE VEHICLE JERKS FORWARD AND SHIFTS VERY ROUGH BETWEEN GEARS. FORD MOTOR CORP HAS REFUSED TO ASSIST ANY FURTHER AND HAS ASKED ME TO BRING MY VEHICLE BACK AGAIN FOR THE 5TH TIME. THIS SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE VEHICLE DOES JERK FORWARD WHEN YOU STOP. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND THIS HAS PUT ME INTO A SITUATION WHERE I FEEL LIKE MY CHILDREN ARE UNSAFE IN THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE POTENTIAL TO REAREND SOMEONE IF THE CAR FAILS TO STOP PROPERLY. WHERE IS FORD WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY AND CONSUMER LOYALTY??? THIS WAS MY THIRD FORD PURCHASE AND WILL MOST LIKELY BE THE LAST. A COLLEAGUE OF MINE ALSO PURCHASED THIS SAME VEHICLE AND IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES. *JB
Power train, Apr 24, 2007
I HAVE A 2006 FORD EXPLORER V-8 LIMITED WITH THE SIX SPEED TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION TOTALLY FAILED WITH UNDER 1,000 MILES. IT LURCHED, BUCKED, HIGH REVVED AND FAILED TO ENGAGE, THEN SUDDENLY ENGAGED AND EVENTUALLY WOULD NOT DRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY FORD. 13,000 MILES LATER THE TRANSMISSION LURCHES AND BUCKS THE CARD FORWARD. WHEN GOING FROM SECOND TO FIRST, IT POPS BACK INTO SECOND, THEN INTO FIRST AGAIN. IF NOT FOR THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR COULD LUNGE FORWARD AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO PULL UP TOO CLOSE TO ANYTHING WHEN STOPPING. FORD CONTINUED TO RECALIBRATE THE TRANSMISSION THREE MORE TIMES TO NO AVAIL AND ON THE FOURTH AND FINAL REPAIR ATTEMPT THEY STATED THEY WOULD DO NOTHING FURTHER TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. *JB
Power train, Apr 20, 2007
CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ROUGHLY, HESITATION AT COLD START, AND DURING SLOW TAKE-OFFS AND SLOWING DOWN. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Apr 18, 2007
WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD. *AK
Power train, Apr 5, 2007
TRANSMISSION SURGES ON DOWNSHIFT BETWEEN 2ND AND 1ST....ENGINE RPM'S INCREASE AND TRANSMISSION SLAMS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A LURCH. FORD MOTOR HAS NO FIX FOR THIS AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THESE FLAWED VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WITH NO OWNER RECOURSE DUE TO FACT THAT FORD ENGINEER DOES NO KNOW WHAT TO DO. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Electrical system, Mar 23, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2006 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER'S DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT LIGHTS TURNED ON AT ANY GIVEN TIME OF THE DAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE LIGHTS TURNED ON WHILE DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO REGISTER THE CORRECT SPEED. WHEN THE FAILURE HAPPENED SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE IGNITION OFF, BUT IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 8 OCCASIONS, AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, THE ANTI THEFT MODULE, AND THE COMPUTER. ALSO UNPLUGGED AND PLUGGED ALL THE WIRES UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8485.*AK
Suspension, Mar 21, 2007
I HAVE HAD THE CONTROL ARMS BOLTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE NOW LOOSENED UP SUFFICIENTLY ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE SUDDENLY WHEN BRAKING. FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE. THE LEFT SIDE FAILED FIRST NOW THE RIGHT SIDE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I WAS LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO REACT TO AVOID HITTING CARS NEXT TO ME.*AK
Seat belts, Mar 19, 2007
THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT LAP AND SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY LOCKS UP FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHENEVER A PERSON SITS IN THIS SEAT.
Power train, Electrical system, Mar 17, 2007, fire
2006 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAURER- WITHIN 12 HOURS OF PURCHASING THE CAR, THE STARTER CAUGHT ON FIRE, CAR WAS OUT OF SERVICE 1 WEEK. TRANSMISSION HESITATED FROM A COLD START ESPECIALLLY BAD WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. ENGINE ROARED AT TIMES, SOUNDED LIKE A JET TAKING OFF. DEALER SAID THIS WAS NORMAL, IT WAS THE ENGINE FAN ???? CAR LURCHED FORWARD WHEN STARTING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. AT FIRST SERVICE DEPT AGREED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH 8 CYLINDER TRANSMISSION AND THAT THEY WERE NO FIXES BUT THEN THE FORD REP GOT INVOLVED AND SUDDENLY THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. THEY SUGGESTED THAT OUR ONLY RECOUSE WAS TO GO THRU THE LEMON LAW WHICH WE DID. IT WAS A LONG DRAWN OUT PROCESS BUT AFTER 6 MONTHS OF DEALING WITH THE SITUATION, THE LEMON ARBITRATION RULLED IN OUR FAVOR AND FORD WAS REQUIRED TO BUY BACK THE EXPLORER. I HAD A FORD EXPEDITION FOR 9 YEARS AND LOVED IT BUT AFTER THIS FIASCO WITH THE EXPLORER AND FORD'S REFUSAL TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT, I WILL NOT EVER BUY ANOTHER FORD. I NOW HAVE A TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND COULDN'T BE HAPPIER. WHILE IT DOESN'T HAVE SOME OF THE SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE EXPLORER, THE PIECE OF MIND OF KNOWING THAT IT WILL ACTUALLY GO WHEN I PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC IS IMMEASUREABLE. TO THOSE STILL HAVING THE PROBLEMS, I WOULD SUGGEST THE LEMON LAW.
Structure, Feb 26, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT BOUGHT THE 2006 FORD EXPLORER SOMETIMES DURING THE END ON JANUARY 2007 AND IT HAS HAD EXCESSIVE RUST UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THE PASSENGER'S SEAT, AND THE STEERING COLUMN , ALSO IT LEAKED WHEN RAINING FROM THE WINDSHIELD AND OVERHEAD LIGHT. THE ENTIRE TRUCK GOT WET. THE TRUCK SHOOK BADLY ,AND THE TIRE LIGHT TURNED ON BECAUSE OF THE SHAKING. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS TYPICAL OF THIS TYPE TRUCKS TO HAVE ALL THIS RUST ON THEM, AND THEY WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM OR TAKE IT BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20190, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21000.*AK
Power train, Feb 18, 2007
OUR 2006 EDDIE BAUER V-8 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS APPROX 6K MILES ON IT AND SINCE THE VERY FIRST DAY THERE HAS BEEN A HESITATION WHEN SHIFTING. FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LAG TIME FROM ENGAGING THE TRANSMISSION TO MOVEMENT AND IS USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH A RATHER LARGE "CLUNK". THIS IS OUT 4TH EXPLORER AND ENJOY THE STYLING BUT AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS OBVIOUS ENGINEERING FLAW. IT APPEARS FORD IS AWARE OF IT BUT HAS NO "FIX". *JB
Power train, Feb 9, 2007
I HAVE A 2006 FORD EXPLORER, V8 6 SPEED. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR A FIX ON THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN DOWNSHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 1ST, THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD OR THERE IS A VERY LARGE SHIFT IN MOMENTUM THAT PUSHES THE CAR FORWARD WHILE STOPPING OR OCCASIONALLY AFTER STOPPED. THIS ACTUALLY PUSHED MY CAR FORWARD INTO AN ICY INTERSECTION. FORD IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, BUT HAS FAILED TO COME UP WITH A FIX. MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE PROBLEM, AND THIS ONLY COMPOUNDS TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND VIBRATION I HAD ON MY LAST TWO (2003 AND 2004) EXPLORERS. I LOVE THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, BUT WILL LIKELY NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER EXPLORER....TOO MANY VIBRATIONS AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *JB
Power train, Feb 7, 2007
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2006 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED WITH THE NEW 6-GEAR 8 CYLINDER ENGINE. DURING DOWNSHIFT TO A STOP, THE TRUCK WOULD LITERALLY LURCH FORWARD AS THE ENGINE JERKED INTO THE PROPER GEAR. AFTER REPEATED VISITS (IN EXCESS OF 5) TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND REPLACEMENTS OF VALVES AND A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION, THE PROBLEM IS NOT AS EVIDENT, BUT CONTINUES NONETHELESS. NEW PROBLEMS HAVE ALSO DEVELOPED, SUCH AS "JERKING" MOVEMENTS ON TAKE OFF (AS IF I WERE PRESSING AND RELEASING THE GAS), DELAYED RESPONSE WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR ON TAKE OFF, AS WELL AS AN ENGINE "ROAR" ON ACCELERATION NOT TYPICAL OF AN ENGINE FAN ; NONE OF THESE ISSUES WERE CORRECTED WHEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT (ERNIE HAIRE FORD). I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING A FORUM ON EDMUNDS.COM WHERE OTHER CONSUMERS ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES; THE "COMPUTER" WAS SIMPLY REPROGRAMMED AND EXPECTED TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM WITH NO FURTHER OPTIONS AVAILABLE, SINCE AN ATTEMPT TO "LEMON LAW" THE VEHICLE WOULD RESULT IN "A LOT OF LAWYERS AND LITIGATION AND PAPERWORK," AS EXPRESSED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AT ERNIE HAIRE, AND WOULD "PROBABLY WIND UP BEING A WASTE OF MY TIME AND MONEY IF THE COMPANY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE DURING THE PROCESS". I DID NOT HAVE THESE MECHANICAL ISSUES WITH MY '97 EXPLORER. *NM