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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 635

Of the 2006 reports, 13 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 12 people were injured.

Primary concernPower train301 reports · 47% of complaints
Owner complaints635Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship4 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train301
  2. Engine and engine cooling165
  3. Engine58
  4. Electrical system39
  5. Service brakes39
  6. Vehicle speed control28
  7. Hydraulic23
  8. Other or unspecified22

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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.

  1. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jan 1, 2014

    I BOUGHT MY FORD EXPLORER IN 2006 BUT THREE YEARS LATER HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR. AFTER THAT I NOTICE THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP EVERY NOW AND THEN. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAVE ESCALATED SINCE JUNE 2013 WITH THE VEHICLE JACKING OR DRAGGING BEFORE SHIFTING GEARS. MY WIFE IS ACTUALLY AFRAID OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND INSTEAD PREFERS TO DRIVE MY 2000 HONDA ACCORD WHICH HAS BEEN RUNNING WITH NO PROBLEMS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE MODEL AND YEAR OF MY FORD EXPLORER AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AND SO HE TOLD ME I SHOULD FILE THIS COMPLAIN SINCE THIS WAS NOT OUR FAULT BUT A FACTORY DEFECT WHICH BY THE LOOK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN ON THIS SITE, FORD IS AWARE OF. MY QUESTION IS WHY HAS FORD NOT RECALLED THIS BECAUSE AFTER CHECKING THIS SITE, I HAVE SEEN SO MANY COMPLAINS ABOUT THE SAME RELATED ISSUES (MAINLY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION), ARE CUSTOMERS SUPPOSED TO SUFFER AND SPEND MONEY FOR THINGS THAT THE FORD COMPANY HAS NEGLECTED OR FOR THEIR POOR WORKMANSHIP? I BELIEVE NOT. FORD NEEDS TO GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER AND SOLVE THIS PROBLEMS FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. I, JUST LIKE EVERYONE WHO BOUGHT A FORD EXPLORER WOULD LIKE TO SEE OUR AUTOMAKERS DOING WELL AND THAT'S WHY WE BUY THE CARS BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR FAMILIES SAFETY OR FINANCES. *TR

  2. Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Engine, Jan 1, 2014

    DEAR SIR FIRST OF ALL , I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT I AM NOT A US CITIZEN , BUT , I'M A FAMILY MAN & I FEEL FOR OTHERS , I OWN A FORD EXPLORER 06 , AND RECENTLY I'VE BEEN NOTICING THAT THE TRANS HAS A MIND OF IT'S OWN , SHIFTING WRONGLY , JOLTING INTO GEAR IS NOT ENJOYABLE OR SAFE, THE OTHER DAY I WAS ABOUT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE TRANS REFUSED TO SHIFT WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE IN ORDER TO ESCAPE A SITUATION OF HITTING A CAR NEXT TO ME , I'VE LOOKED IT UP ON THE INTERNET & FOUND THAT EVERYBODY IS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUES , YOU CAN GO FOR THE BELOW SITE & CHECK HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2006/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_LUNGES_HARD_JOLT_WHEN_SHIFTING.SHTML THE PROBLEM IS THAT FORD WON'T ADMIT THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION , PUTTING PEOPLES LIFE IN DANGER FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE PLEASE FIX THIS AS IT'S VERY CRITICAL & DANGEROUS AT THE SAME TIME [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

  3. Engine, Dec 17, 2013

    SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE NEW IN JANUARY 2007 THE RADIATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. NOW, IN DECEMBER 2013 WITH 114000 MILES, THE RADIATOR IS LOSING COOLANT AND THE ENGINE SMELLS OF COOLANT AFTER DRIVING. MOST LIKELY THE RADIATOR WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. *TR

  4. Power train, Dec 17, 2013

    THIS VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AT APPROXIMATELY 54000 MILES. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FIXED IN 2010. NOW, IN DECEMBER 2013 WITH 113500 MILES, THIS VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AGAIN AND REQUIRED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. *TR

  5. Engine, Dec 16, 2013

    WE BOUGHT THE USED VEHICLE IN MARCH 2012 WITH A 30 DAY WARRANTY. DURING THE FIRST MONTH, NOTICED ENGINE SLIPPING (USUALLY AROUND 45 MPH). CHECKED FLUIDS, ADDED COOLANT AND NAIVELY THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY, AND IT SEEMED TO FOR ABOUT A MONTH. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE SINCE THEN. WE ARE CONSTANTLY ADDING COOLANT AND DRIVING VERY CAREFULLY TO AVOID A HARD JERK IN THE TRANSMISSION AROUND 45 MPH. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THAT THE "TRANSMISSION WAS PROBABLY SHOT" BUT THAT THEY COULD CHANGE THE SPARK PLUGS "FOR ABOUT $250 EACH EVEN THOUGH THAT PROBABLY WOULDN'T HELP." HOW IN THE WORLD CAN A SPARK PLUG BE THIS EXPENSIVE TO CHANGE? THE DEALERSHIP CHARGED US NEARLY $200 TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS FOR A PROBLEM THAT WE NOW KNOW IS RELATED TO THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD HAVE LONG AGO BEEN A RECALL, AND FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF ITSELF FOR NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM SOONER. *TR

  6. Power train, Engine, Nov 4, 2013

    MY SON WAS DRIVING HOME AND THE TRUCK STARTED JERKING UNCONTROLLABLY AND HE COULDN'T BACK UP SO HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT DUE TO RADIATOR FAILURE. THE TRUCK WAS OFF WARRANTY SO HAD TO BUY A NEW RADIATOR. IN ORDER FOR THE RADIATOR TO HAVE A WARRANTY HAD TO BUY ANOTHER PART FROM THE FORD PLACE FOR 200.00. GOT THE PART AND RADIATOR. WITHIN SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR, SAME THING HAPPENED, HAD TO HAVE ANOTHER RADIATOR. HAVE HAD THREE RADIATORS AND NOW THIS YEAR 2013 LEAKING AGAIN AND THE RADIATOR THAT I PAID $600.00 FOR THE RADIATOR PLACE HAS WENT OUT OF BUSINESS SO I HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER RADIATOR. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS 2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT AND FORD KNOWS ABOUT IT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT HALF THE TIME, NEVER KNOW WHEN I WON'T BE ABLE TO MOVE IT IF ALL OF THE FLUID LEAKS OUT OR MAY STOP IN TRAFFIC SUDDENLY. PLEASE HELP US TO GET FORD TO RECALL THESE TRUCKS. *TR

  7. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Visibility, Oct 22, 2013

    I HAVE HAD THE DOOR BLENDER PLASTIC PIECE CHANGED ON MY CAR THREE TIMES! EACH TIME THE SEASON CHANGES. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. I CURRENTLY HAVE A RADIATOR LEAK AND WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND PLASTIC HOLDER AS WELL. I ALSO CURRENTLY HAVE A TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE PROBLEM AND I WILL HAVE TO GET THAT FIXED AS WELL. THIS IS HORRIBLE. I PURCHASED THE FORD EXPLORER BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS DEPENDABLE. THIS IS DEPRESSING AND I CAN NOT AFFORD IT! *TR

  8. Service brakes, Oct 18, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO ENGAGE AND SUNK INTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN THEN RECOMMENDED HAVING THE BRAKE LINES BLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,500.

  9. Power train, Oct 7, 2013

    2006 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER, I WAS PULLING OUT ONTO A MAIN HIGHWAY AND MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND CAUSING SPUTTER/NON ENGAGEMENT AND MY CHILDREN AND WERE SO SCARED CAUSE WE ALMOST GOT HIT BY A SEMI FROM THE TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING WHILE CROSSING TRAFFIC. I WAS 7 MOS PREGNANT AS WELL. WHAT WOULD I HAVE DONE IF THEIR FATHER LOST ALL OF US FOR THIS HIGHLY REPORTED AND IGNORED ISSUE!? THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMETHING DEVASTATING COMES OF THIS. THANK YOU. *TR

  10. Power train, Sep 27, 2013

    TRANSMISSION ON MY 2006 EXPLORER STARTED SLIPPING AND SLAMMING INTO GEAR. AT SLOW SPEEDS IT WOULD SLAM AND LURCH FORWARD MAKING IT COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR FORD FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW AND THEY WILL OFFER NOTHING TO TAKE CARE OF IT. *TR

  11. Steering, Sep 20, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION OF THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, THE COMPONENT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 11/30/13*CN

  12. Power train, Engine, Sep 19, 2013

    BOTH OF THESE THINGS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING OVER THE LAST 2-3 YEARS BUT I CAN NOT REMEMBER EXACT DATES. FIRST MY CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING HOT CONTINUOUSLY OVER THIS PERIOD OF TIME WHICH CAUSES ME TO HAVE TO PUT COOLANT IN AT LEAST ONCE EVERY MONTH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS COMMON WITH THE EXPLORERS BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. THEY FIRST TOLD ME IT WAS THE LINE TO THE RADIATOR THAT WAS LEAKING SO I HAD IT REPLACED, THEN NEXT TIME IT WAS THE THERMOSTAT AND HOUSING THAT THEY SAID WAS THE PROBLEM. SO I HAD THIS REPLACED. NOW TODAY 9/19/2013 I HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT I SEEM TO FIX THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR. SECONDLY MY CAR JERKS INTO GEAR WHEN I TRY TO PUT IN GEAR. THEY ARE TELLING ME NOW I NEED A TRANSMISSION BUT I SEE THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH MANY EXPLORERS OWNERS AND IT DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM EITHER. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO BECAUSE MY CAR IS JERKING WHICH CAUSES ME TO ALMOST HIT PEOPLE OR DOESN'T GO INTO GEAR FAST ENOUGH WHICH CAUSES THEM TO ALMOST HIT ME. PLEASE HELP!!! THESE PROBLEMS FIRST STARTED TO OCCUR AROUND 40000 MILES. MY PROBLEM IS RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. *JB

  13. Power train, Sep 2, 2013

    WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN TOWN TRAFFIC, BEGAN TO NOTICE A STUTTERING OR SHUDDERING IN THE ENGINE EVERY TIME I GOT TO AROUND 40-45MPH. ONCE ACCELERATED THROUGH THAT IT WOULD GO AWAY. THIS BECAME NOTICEABLE ABOUT 6 WEEKS AGO, AND I WATCHED TO SEE IF IT WENT AWAY OR GOT WORSE. AFTER ABOUT THREE WEEKS IT ALSO STARTED TO SHUDDER AROUND 30 MPH, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING UPHILL. IT ALSO BEGAN TO JERK SUBSTANTIALLY WHEN I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, ALMOST LIKE I HAD BEEN REAR ENDED. I TOOK IT IN TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC AND WE ASSUMED MAYBE WE HAD ENGINE MISFIRE AND A FOULED SPARK PLUG, AS IT HAD DONE SOME SHUDDERING PREVIOUSLY LAST FALL. WE HAD REPLACED ALL THE PLUGS AND COILS AT THAT TIME(74000K) AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY UNTIL AUGUST. THERE WERE NEVER ANY ENGINE LIGHTS OR ERROR CODES. THE MECHANIC TOOK ONE TEST DRIVE AND SAID NO WAY, TAKE IT TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE. TOOK IT WHERE IT HAS BEEN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. I WAS QUOTED 2400-2800.00 TO REBUILD, STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD INTERNAL PRESSURE ISSUES AND WOULD HAVE TO BE COMPLETELY TORN DOWN TO SEE WHAT IT NEEDED. CALLED FOUR DAYS LATER TO UP THE ESTIMATE, STATING THIS PARTICULAR MODEL HAD A MERCEDES TRANSMISSION SO NOW WE AT A MINIMUM OF 4000.00. WE HAD AN OLD FORD EXPLORER, 1998 V8 AWD THAT HAD OVER 165000K ON IT THAT NEVER HAD TRANNY ISSUES. I AM SHOCKED AND DISAPPOINTED THAT A 2006 WITH LESS THAN 85K THAT HAD NEVER PULLED OR HAULED ANYTHING OTHER THAN PEOPLE WOULD HAVE THE TRANSMISSION GO OUT, JUST OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. AND WHEN IT WAS TAKEN IN INITIALLY THE PROBLEM WAS 'SPARK PLUGS', WHICH WERE ALSO AN ISSUE BECAUSE THEY WERE SO RUSTED IN THAT THEY REQUIRED A SPECIAL TOOL TO EXTRACT AND STILL CRACKED ONE. FORD HAS A SERIOUS QUALITY CONTROL PROBLEM. *JS

  14. Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 26, 2013

    THE TRUCK JOLTS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS TO REVERSE AND DRIVE, I FEELS LIKE A CAR RAN INTO ME FROM THE BACK. IT HAS CAUSED ME TO BUMP INTO ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I WAS SITTING IN TRAFFIC, AS I ACCELERATE THE GAS PEDAL IT EITHER STALLS OR JOLTS VERY HARD, THANK GOD IT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE OTHER CAR NOR MINE. EVER SINCE THIS HAPPENED, IT HAS BEEN BIG PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING ON THE ROAD, AND NOW THE TRUCK DOESN'T PICK UP SPEED VERY QUICKLY EVER SINCE THIS HAPPENED, WHEN I GET TO 20 MPH IT STALLS OR JOLTS AFTER 3-5 SECONDS. MY SHIFT STICK IS ALL MESSED UP NOW, WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE, IT LOOKS LIKE ITS ON NEUTRAL AND PARK LOOKS LIKE ITS ON 3RD GEAR. SERVICE MECHANICS HAVE ALMOST CRASHED MY CAR BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, AND FORD HAS SAID THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE A PROPER REPAIR!! THEN WHY SELL IT IF YOU CAN'T REPAIR IT PROPERLY SO I WONT HAVE PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR SAFETY ISSUES. *TR

  15. Power train, Aug 22, 2013

    I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2006 FORD EXPLORER-EDDIE BAUER EDITION AROUND JUNE 2013. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE AT TIME OF PURCHASE WAS 76700. IT HAS ONLY BEEN 2 MONTHS SINCE MY PURCHASE AND I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN IN PARK AND SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE CAR STALLS AND THEN AFTER A 5-10 SECOND DELAY THE CAR JERKS VERY HARD BACKWARDS. THEN WHEN BRAKING IMMEDIATELY AFTER MOVING BACKWARDS IN ORDER TO SHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR, THE TRUCK JUST STALLS AS IF ITS IN NEUTRAL AND THEN JERKS FORWARD VIOLENTLY INTO 1ST GEAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. ALSO WHEN DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 50 MILES PER HOUR OR MORE AND SLOWING DOWN BECAUSE OF INTERSTATE TRAFFIC, THE TRANSMISSION ACTS AS IF IT WANTS TO STALL EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE IS REVVED UP. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE AND FIX THIS SYSTEMIC PROBLEM. *TR

  16. Power train, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Aug 20, 2013

    WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT EXPLORER FROM PARK TO REVERSE THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT ENGAGE FOR 5 TO 10 SECONDS WHEN IT FINALLY DID ENGAGE THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE THAT SOUNDED AS IF THE TRANSMISSION FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED WITH GREAT FORCE. THE HAS OCCURRED ON MANY OCCASIONS AND IS POSSES A DANGER TO MYSELF AND FAMILY AND ANY ONE WHO MAY BE PARKED OR STANDING TO CLOSE. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE IN TO MY LOCAL FORD SERVICE CENTER AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TWICE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY: FIRST TIME THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING AND THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE SHIFTING MECHANISM. IN NOVEMBER OF 2012 THE ENGINE WOULD NOT ENGAGE AT ALL AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IS WAS THE GEAR SHIFTER AGAIN, THIS TIME I PAID $500 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE CAR WORKED CORRECTLY FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS AND I THOUGH IT WAS FINALLY FIXED, HOWEVER IT IS ONCE AGAIN DOING THE SAME THING. IT DELAYS 5-10 SECONDS BETWEEN SHIFTING, DROPS INTO GEAR VERY HARD AND LUNGES FORWARD. FORD IS NOW TELLING ME I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT THE FANTASTIC PRICE OF AN ESTIMATED $2500. GIVEN ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION I THINK FORD NEEDS TO REPLACE THEM AT THEIR COST BEFORE WE START SEEING AN INCREASE IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE CRASHES, INJURIES, AND POSSIBLY FATALITIES. *TR

  17. Power train, Engine, Aug 15, 2013

    WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH CAR SPEED WENT TO 0 MPH, TRANSMISSION TOTALLY SLIPPED. SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. ONCE I SIT THERE FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES ON SIDE OF ROAD IT WILL THEY START TO WORK AS IT SHOULD. BUT IT DOES MAKE LOUD NOISES WHILE MOTOR SHIFTS GEARS. THIS IS A KNOWN TRANSMISSION PROBLEM YET NO FORD RECALL. UNACCEPTABLE!!! *TR

  18. Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Aug 15, 2013

    ISSUE. HARD JERKS/CLUNKS WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND THEM FORWARD. ALSO FEELS AS IF YOUR ARE BEING HIT IN BUMPER AS YOU ARE STOPPING WHILE TRANSMISSION IS DOWN SHIFTING. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH SO MANY 2006 EXPLORERS, PLEASE LOOK INTO A RECALL AS THIS A DEFECT WITH THE FORD MODEL. ALSO WAY TOO EXPENSIVE FOR PARTS AND LABOR! FAILURE AT MILEAGE OF 81,800. TOO EARLY TO DIE WITH THIS MILEAGE! *TR

  19. Power train, Engine, Aug 14, 2013

    TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED AT RED LIGHT. IT STARTED GOING BACKWARDS INSTEAD OF FORWARD. HAD TO PUT INTO PARK AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE TO GET IT TO DRIVE. STILL GOING ON. NOW WHEN ACTUALLY ON THE ROAD IT IS GETTING OUT OF GEAR WHEN VEHICLE IS AT DRIVING SPEED. ENGINE REVS UP TO 5000RPMS, THEN DOWN TO 1000RPM. VEHICLE LUNGING. WILL GET HURT I'M SURE. *TR

  20. Power train, Aug 13, 2013

    SAME ISSUE AS MANY MANY OTHER PEOPLE. HARD JERKS/CLUNKS WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND MULTIPLE GEARS AND OVERDRIVE. ALSO FEELS AS IF YOUR ARE BEING HIT IN BUMPER AS YOU ARE STOPPING WHILE TRANSMISSION IS DOWN SHIFTING. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH SO MANY 2006 EXPLORERS, PLEASE LOOK INTO A RECALL AS THIS A DEFECT WITH THE FORD MODEL. *TR

  21. Engine, Aug 6, 2013

    FROM JULY 5TH TO PRESENT MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER TRUCK WAS TOED TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES. EACH TIME IT WAS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM OVERHEATING. THIS HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED IN DECEMBER 2005. THE RADIATOR HAS BEEN REPLACE TWICE, THE TRANSMISSION ONCE, THE THROTTLE , ETC. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT NOW AFTER THE RADIATOR WAS A REPLACED AND THE THROTTLE, ETC. AT A COST OF $2300.00.THE CAR NOW NEEDS A NEW ENGINE AND /OR GASKETS THAT NEED REPLACING. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY A CAR WITH NORMAL MILEAGE, WHICH WAS ONLY INVOLVED IN ONE MINOR FENDER BENDER.CAN NEED SO MUCH MAJOR WORK. *TR

  22. Power train, Aug 5, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JOLTED AND FAILED TO SHIFT FROM THIRD TO FOURTH GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 9/17/13*CN

  23. Power train, Electrical system, Jul 28, 2013

    SAME AS A BUNCH OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRANSMISSION LUNGES HARD JOLT WHEN SHIFTING, WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF REGARDING THE 2006 FORD EXPLORER, NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT I NEED TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION THAT WILL BE $3500.00 APROX. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING!! I CAN'T AFFORD THIS AN HAVE TO BORROW FAMILY MONEY TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD. *TR

  24. Engine and engine cooling, Jul 17, 2013

    THE RADIATOR IN THE 2006 FORD EXPLORER LEAKS, AND A RECALL IS MANDATORY. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 2007, USED, AND I AM NOW FACED WITH REPLACING THE RADIATOR FOR THE 4TH TIME IN 7 YEARS. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THIS RADIATOR IS FAULTY AND STILL THERE IS NO RESOLVE. PLEASE OPEN AN INVESTIGATION AND READ ALL THE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE RADIATOR FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR

  25. Engine, Jul 16, 2013

    I WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND TURNING LEFT TO A SMALL STREET. I SAW AN ENGINE LIGHT SHOW ON, AND THEN THE ENGINE STOP. AT THAT POINT, I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL, AND ALSO IT WAS SO DIFFICULT FOR ME TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I HAD MENTION THIS PROBLEM AT THE FORD DEALER IN GREENFIELD, MA WHO FIXED MY ABS BREAK ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO. A PERSON AT THE SERVICE RESPONDED, " THAT'S NORMAL. OUR COMPUTER DOES NOT SEE OTHER ISSUE BESIDE THE ABS." I SPEND $85 FOR DIAGNOSIS THE ABS BREAK PROBLEM AND SPEND ALMOST $500.00 TO FIX THE BREAK. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A SMALL BODY SHOP IN MY AREA. THIS PERSON RAN THE COMPUTER THROUGH THE VEHICLE SYSTEM, AND THE COMPUTER DID NOT SHOWN ANY PROBLEMS. THEN, I CALLED FORD CORPORATE AND TRIED TO GET SOME ADVICE FROM THE COMPANY. THE COMPANY SAID I SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALER TO GET OTHER OPINION. MEANING THAT I HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER $85.00 AGAIN, AND I STILL DO NOT KNOW I WILL GET AN ANSWER OR NOT. MY CONCERN, I DO NOT WANT TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR