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.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 9, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE REFUELING, FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REFUEL THE VEHICLE AS GASOLINE OVERFLOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT, SENSORS AND TUBES. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED AND LATER RECURRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 8/19/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS BEEN TWO SEVERAL DEALERS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. UPDATED 09/05/13
Power train, Jul 5, 2013
ON THIS DATE, THE EXPLORER, WHILE TRYING TO BACK INTO DRIVEWAY, WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE AND WAS WEAK WHEN TRYING TO BACK, AS IF IT DID NOT GO ALL THE WAY INTO GEAR. ALSO GEAR SHIFT WAS HARD AND WOULD HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING AND SLOWING DOWN IT WOULD JERK INTO GEAR. SOMETHING REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE CAUSE I HAVE NOT EVEN HAD THE VEHICLE ONE WEEK AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. WELL I HAD THEM CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AS PART OF THE DEAL AND THESE ARE THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE OCCURRING AFTER THAT. TAKING IT BACK TO BE CORRECTED. REALLY LIKE VEHICLE SO HOPE IT IS FIXABLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jul 4, 2013
VEHICLE WAS JUST AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR OVER A WEEK IN MARCH FOR TRANSMISSION RELATED ISSUES, NEW RADIATOR, ETC. JUST FOUR MONTHS LATER, I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUES THAT MANY OTHERS ARE WRITING ABOUT; HARD SHIFT INTO REVERSE, VEHICLE IS JUMPING/JOLTING FORWARD FROM A STOP, RPM FLUCTUATION WHILE IDLING. *TR
Power train, Jul 2, 2013
WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE ITS A HESITATION THEN A LOUD NOISE, AND A VIOLENT JERKING LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN HIT FROM THE REAR, ALSO AT 40 MILES AND HOUR IT JERKS. *TR
Power train, Jun 24, 2013
VEHICLE HAS PROBLEMS DOWNSHIFTING WHEN DECELERATING AND SHIFTING WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, INSTEAD OF A SMOOTH SHIFT, ITS A JOLTING BANG , SIMILAR TO BEING REAR ENDED . THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT MAKES YOU PANIC BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU'VE BEEN REAR ENDED. IT IS JOLTING!!!! I HAVE HEARD THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE GASKET IN THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY WHICH CAUSES SHIFTING MALFUNCTIONS, BUT FORD WON'T OWN UP TO THE DEFECT AND INITIATE A REPAIR RECALL BECAUSE IT WOULD BE TOO EXPENSIVE, I PERSONALLY KNOW OF 5 OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE JOLTING BANG COMES FROM THE ENGINE ACCELERATING WHEN YOU DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL, BUT THE TRANS DOES NOT ENGAGE UNTIL SEVERAL SECONDS LATER WHICH CAUSES A JOLTING DUE TO THE ENGINES HIGH RPMS AS YOU DEPRESS THE PEDAL. THE SUDDEN ENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANS WHEN THE ENGINE IS REVVING AT HIGH RPMS CAUSE A JOLTING BANG . *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 18, 2013
THEE HAVE BEEN ONGOING ISSUES WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM DATING BACK TO 2009 FUEL SYSTEM SOLENOID AND VENT. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED AT LEAST THREE TO FOUR TIMES FOR THE EXACT SAME REPAIR AND THE SAME PARTS EVERY TIME. THE FUEL SYSTEM DOES NOT ALLOW THE GAS TANK TO BE FILLED AT A NORMAL RATE. IT TAKES AS LONG AS 45 SECONDS SOMETIMES TO PUT ONE (1) GALLON OF GAS IN THE TANK. IT CAN TAKE WELL OVER 10 MINUTES TO FILL THE GAS TANK SOMETIMES. I HAVE TRIED TO DEAL WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES AT FORD AND THEY HAVE BEEN OF NO ASSISTANCE WHATSOEVER. *TR
Power train, Jun 17, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE PREVENTED HIM FROM SHIFTING INTO THE HIGHER GEARS. THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE ACCELERATION DECREASED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO FAILURE CODES PRESENT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 9, 2013
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE IT SUDDENLY EXCELERATES. I NOW KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AT ALL TIMES IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING IGNITION. IT HAS HAS HAPPENED FOUR OR FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 2007 WHEN I PURCHASED IT FROM OCALA LINCOLN MERCURY AS A FORD CERTIFIED VEHICLE. IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 14,000. TODAY IT HAS ONLY 54,230 MOSTLY HIGHWAY. THAT IS LESS THAN 7000 MILES PER YEAR. ITR HAS REGULAR SERVICES AT MY LOCAL FOR DEALER. ALL OF MY REPAIR RECORDS ARE OBTAINABLE THROUGH THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY.
Power train, Engine, Jun 2, 2013
DURING A LEFT TURN ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC OUR EXPLORER WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. IT LURCHED TO START AND WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 10-15 MPH, NEARLY STALLING. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME BUT COULD NOT GET IT TO GO ABOVE 20 MPH. AT SPEEDS 10 - 20 MPH IT JERKED VIOLENTLY. THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AT SPEEDS 45 - 60. MODERATELY ACCELERATING BETWEEN 45 - 60 MPH HAS CAUSED HARD JERKS FOR YEARS WITH THIS CAR PRIOR TO IT BEING OFF WARRANTY. WE'VE TAKEN IT TO TED BRITT FORD SEVERAL TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. WE ALSO NOTED THEY ONLY PUT IT ON THE TICKET ONCE, THE OTHER TIMES TELLING US THEY TOOK IT OFF SINCE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE ISSUE AND WOULDN'T CHARGE US FOR IT. THE TIME MENTIONED IN THIS INCIDENT THE DEALER OFFERED TO SPLIT THE COST WITH US DUE TO OUR PREVIOUS ISSUES AND THEIR INABILITY TO FIX IT. THEY ALSO DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE AS WE STILL CANNOT ACCELERATE AT SPEEDS 45 - 60 WITHOUT HARD JERKING FROM THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION. WE NO LONGER USE THIS CAR ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE IT IS DANGEROUS TRYING TO SWITCH LANES OR MERGE ON TO A HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR VIOLENTLY SHAKES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND OFTEN LEFT US RUNNING OUT OF MERGE LANE SPACE WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO GET INTO TRAFFIC. I HAVE READ SEVERAL SUCH PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND I AM SURPRISED NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT. WE HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS HAVING THIS CAR LOOKED AT AND IN FAILED ATTEMPTS TO FIX IT. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, May 12, 2013
FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT FUEL TANK FILLING ISSUES SINCE THEY ISSUED AN INTERNAL TSB IN 2007. PROBLEM CAUSES FUEL TANK TO FILL WITH PRESSURE, AND NOT ACCEPT FUEL. AS A RESULT, FUEL IS SPRAYED ALL OVER VEHICLE AND THE PERSON FUELING VEHICLE. WE HAD VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS NUMEROUS TIMES, AND STILL HAVING FUEL TANK ISSUES. THERE ARE "UNCOUNTABLE" NUMBERS OF FORD EXPLORER OWNERS THAT I HAVE FOUND ON THE INTERNET, THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY DO NOT KNOW THAT FORD KNOWS THE REASON FOR THIS FAILURE. FORD SHOULD HAVE ISSUES A RECALL NOTICE TO PROTECT DANGER OF FUEL SPRAY. *TR
Power train, Apr 12, 2013
TRANSMISSION WAS SHUTTERING IN REVERSE AS WELL AS 2 AND 3 GEARS. FOR HAVING THIS TROUBLE AT 70000 SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE AND HAVING A TRANSMISSION GO OUT CAN BE DANGEROUS. IN DOING RESEARCH ONLINE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT IS QUITE COMMON ON MY TYPE OF EXPLORER. I SUGGEST THAT FORD NEEDS TO HAVE A MANDATORY RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES. *TR
Power train, Apr 8, 2013
MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER IS LEAKING TRANSMISSION OIL. THIS LEAK IS COMING FROM THE LEFT QUICK CONNECT FITTING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATOR WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE TRANS COOLER LINE. I WAS TOLD BY THE FORD COMPANY THAT THERE IS NO QUICK FIX TO THIS PROBLEM, THEY WILL HAVE TO "REPLACE THE RADIATOR" FOR A COST OF APPROX.....$950.00. THE RADIATOR COST $500 LABOR $450. THE QUICK CONNECT FITTING THAT'S CAUSING THE PROBLEM IS $10.00. HELP, HELP, HELP. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Tires, Engine, Apr 1, 2013
WITH ONLY 86,000 MILES OUR FORD EXPLORERS TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED ONCE AGAIN. WHEN WE HAD 23,000 MILES ON OUR VEHICLE WE NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING RATHER HARD AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. AT 58,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT WAS SO ROUGH THAT WE HAD TO GET IT REPAIRED. SINCE THE WARRANTY IS ONLY UP TO 36,000 WE DECIDED OUR BEST BET IS TO NOT TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. WE HAD THE VALVE BODY REPAIRED AND IT RAN FINE UP UNTIL NOW. 86,000 MILES AND THIS VEHICLE IS ONCE AGAIN AT A REPAIR SHOP HAVING THE TRANSMISSION FULLY REBUILT. IN THE TIME I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE I HAVE PAID OVER $7,000 TO KEEP IT RUNNING WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE, TIRES, RADIATOR REPAIR, BRAKES AND NOW THE THIRD TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Mar 30, 2013
I RECENTLY PAID OFF MY TRUCK AFTER YEARS ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR JERK OR LUNGES WHEN I DRIVE ABOVE 60 MPH I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART CAR IN ORDER FOR IT TO REENGAGE INTO GEAR. IT ALSO LUNGES BACKWARD WHEN PUTTING INTO REVERSE AS WELL AS WHEN I GO AROUND A CURVE OR DOWN A HILL OVER 40 MPH IT LUNGES AS WELL. I AM SINGLE MOTHER WHO HAS ONLY THIS CAR AS TRANSPORTATION TO TAKE MY 6 YEAR OLD SON TO SCHOOL AND DRIVE ME TO WORK AND I AM SCARED TO DO SO BECAUSE OF THE LUNGING. I HAVE ALSO PAID 3000 TO AAMCO TRANSMISSIONS TO HAVE A REBUILD TRANSMISSION PUT INTO THE TRUCK AND THE ISSUE IS STILL NOT RESOLVED HAVE TAKEN IT BACK INTO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP 3 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH AND THEY STILL HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE ISSUE....THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT FORD NEEDS TO RESOLVE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR INJURED. *TR
Power train, Engine, Mar 25, 2013
JUST LIKE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE REPORTED THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR 2006 FORD EXPLORER, WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, I PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. THERE WAS A JERK AS THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO FINALLY ENGAGE. I THOUGHT THE TRANS BROKE AT THE TIME? THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THEN ONCE. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE AS OTHERS WITH THE DELAYED SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. MY EXPLORER HAS JUST 88K MILES ON IT. *TR
Power train, Mar 22, 2013
TRANSMISSION JERKS PRETTY BADLY AT LOW SPEEDS. COULD DEFINITELY BE A SAFETY PROBLEM. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT FORD WON'T RECALL. *TR
Power train, Mar 11, 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 COMPLAINS ON THIS ISSUE.PLEASE DO SOMETHING!!
Power train, Mar 7, 2013
EVERY TIME TAKING OFF FROM A STOP. VEHICLE WOULD GO 3 MPH FOR 15 SECONDS, WOULD THEN JOLT AND LUNG FORWARD FAST. THIS HAPPENED ALL THE WAY TO WORK FOR 27 MILES. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD REGARDING THIS ISSUE, THEY SAID THEY HAD NO PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SEVERAL TIMES. LATER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. I WAS STRANDED IN THE PARKING LOT UNTIL THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME HAD MOVED. *TR THE DEALER OVERHAULED THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED THE SERVOS IN THE VALVE.
Power train, Mar 4, 2013
WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK AND WAS COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE JUMPED FORWARD AS IF SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND. IT WAS RATHER AGGRESSIVE AND I ALMOST REAR ENDED A CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT THE LIGHT. LUCKILY THERE WAS NOT A CROSS WALK WHERE A PEDESTRIAN COULD'VE BEEN HIT. THIS HAPPENS ON A REGULAR BASIS AND IN MY OPINION NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ASAP, OR FORD WILL BE DEALING WITH A RATHER LARGE LAW SUIT IN THEIR FUTURE. IT IS CLEAR THIS IS OCCURRING WITH MANY OTHERS AND ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THESE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 27, 2013
THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 40-45 MPH AND STALLED. THIS AGAIN HAPPENED ON MAY 25, 2012 WHILE LEAVING ON OUR VACATION. WE PARKED THE VEHICLE AND RENTED ONE TO DRIVE THE REMAINING DISTANCE. WHEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC IT WAS FOUND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS BAD. WE HAVE REPLACED IT AND IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER THE VEHICLE BEGAN DOING IT AGAIN. AS YOU DRIVE IT WILL JUST COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. AS THE MECHANIC TOLD US THERE IS NO ELECTRICITY GOING TO THE ENGINE AND YOU CAN COAST TO THE SHOULDER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THIS WILL BE THE 2ND TIME CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM IF THIS IS THE TRUE ISSUE. IT WAS READ THERE IS A RECALL ON FORD VEHICLES FOR THAT YEAR MAKE BUT NOT FOR THE EXPLORER MODEL. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY ALSO STATED THERE IS NO RECALL. WITH THE AGE AND LOW MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE THERE IS NO REASON THIS SHOULD BE HAPPENING. *TR
Power train, Feb 27, 2013
IN THE PAST MONTH THE VEHICLE WAS TAKING MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO START UP. ONCE I WOULD GET IT STARTED AND DROVE IT DOWN THE ROAD AT A STOP LIGHT IT WOULD BE JOLTY, VIBRATING FEELING AND THEN TURN OFF. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD IT ACTUALLY SHUT OFF ON ME. I TOOK IT TO FORD WHO CHARGED ME $100 TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE IT TO TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. I TOOK IT TO AAMCO THEY FOUND THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY SCREW THAT CAME APART AND WAS SHREDDED INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. $4K LATER THE VEHICLE IS FIXED AND WORKING PROPERLY. *TR
Power train, Feb 26, 2013
FORCEFUL DRIVELINE BUMP WHILE BRAKING - BELOW 10 MPH. *TR
Power train, Feb 25, 2013
TRANSMISSION DELAYS THEN LUNGES HARD AFTER PLACED INTO REVERSE. IF A DRIVER APPLIES GAS DURING THIS PERIOD, REVERSE WILL ENGAGE UNDER SUFFICIENT POWER AND LUNGE THE VEHICLE 5 TO 10 FEET BEFORE IT CAN BE CONTROLLED. DUE TO THE NUMBER OF OTHER 2006 EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, WE FELT A SAFETY COMPLAINT WAS IN ORDER. THIS VEHICLE HAD 40,000 MILES WHEN IT STARTED 3 YEARS AGO. ITS SPORADIC, SOMETIMES NO PROBLEM, SOMETIMES ANNOYING, SOMETIMES IT IS SCARY. AT ITS WORSE, SHIFTING INTO REVERSE IS DELAYED 2 TO 5 SECONDS BEFORE A VERY HARSH ENGAGEMENT. THE SPEED THE LEVER DOES NOT SEEM TO IMPACT THIS CONDITION. IT OCCURS ABOUT 30% OF THE TIME WHEN REGARDLESS IF THE ENGINE IS COLD OR HOT. THIS HARSH ENGAGEMENT WILL SPIN THE WHEELS AND LET OUT A LOUD SQUAWK IF ON PAVEMENT. THIS ENGAGEMENT IS VERY HARD AND FEELS LIKE A MINOR COLLISION. WITH EXPERIENCE, WE HAVE LEARNED TO HOLD THE BRAKES HARD UNTIL IT ENGAGES TO AVOID THE TIRE SPIN AND KEEPING THE VEHICLE FROM JUMPING. LAST WEEK WE GAVE EVERYONE A SCARE WHEN IT DIDN'T ENGAGE UNTIL AFTER WE LET UP ON THE BRAKES; BY THAT TIME A MOTHER AND TWO CHILDREN HAD WALKED BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE WHEELS SPUN AND THE VEHICLE JUMPED ABOUT A FOOT TOWARDS THEM EVEN WITH SOME PRESSURE STILL ON THE BRAKES. THIS PROBLEM ALSO OCCURS GOING UP THRU THE GEARS WE WILL ALSO EXPERIENCE A HARD SHIFT, AS THOUGH SOMEONE HIT THE VEHICLE WITH SLEDGE HAMMER. OF ALL THE SHIFTS, THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 20% OF THE TIME NOW. COLD OR HOT IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FACTOR. *TR
Engine, Feb 8, 2013
WHILE DRIVING TO FLORIDA FROM MISSOURI, TO TAKE MY KIDS TO DISNEYWORLD, WITH A CAR THAT WAS WELL KEPT AND RELATIVELY NEW, ON THE HIGHWAY A FEW MILES AFTER PENSACOLA, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED, SO WE HAD TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. STEAM WAS COMING OUT FROM A CRACK ON THE TOP OF THE RADIATOR. I HAD TO CALL FOR A TOWTRUCK AND LOST A COUPLE OF DAYS OF OUR VACATION UNTIL THE CLOSEST MECHANIC WE FOUND WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR WITH A NEW ONE FROM FORD. I GOT STUCK WITH A $1000 BILL SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. BUT THAT WAS NONE OF MY WORRIES. THE ISSUE WAS THAT THE CAR BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE ON A HIGHWAY AT NIGHT WITH A LOT OF SPEEDING 18WHEELERS. AT 70000 MILES THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED ON A SHORT 30 MILE EXCURSION TO BRANSON MISSOURI. THE HILLY HIGHWAY LEADING TO BRANSON MISSOURI IS NOT THE BEST PLACE TO BREAK DOWN. OPENED THE HOOD ONLY TO SEE THE RADIATOR STEAMING AGAIN. THE CAR WAS TOWED AGAIN AND FIXED AT A $1200 BILL. THE VEHICLE IS A LEMON AND FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO BUY IT BACK OR AT LEAST FIX THE PROBLEM PERMANENTLY. IT CAN BREAK DOWN ANYWHERE ANYTIME, AND BECAUSE THE WAY IT BREAKS DOWN AND STALLS BECAUSE OF THE OVERHEATING IT CAN CAUSE A REALLY BAD ACCIDENT IF YOU ARE UNLUCKY ENOUGH. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Feb 2, 2013
BRAKES SHUTTERED AND MAKE AWFUL RACKET WHEN TRYING TO STOP. ABS AND ESC LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO FORD HOUSE AND WAS TOLD A REAR "EXCITER RING" HAD BROKEN AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT $380. *TR