Got 2006 eddie bauer w/98,000, 1 previous owner (mother) all servicing via the same ford dealer (gene butman), except for a few oil changes from uncle ed's. Late nov 2016 took it in due to the heat was fluctuating, was told it needed the thermostat and housing replaced (even though it had the radiator replaced a few years earlier), also had brakes & rotors done, the 100,000 mile checkup said all was good. A week later the exhaust flute, etc broke lose, got that repaired & $2,000 later, friday 2/03/17 wrench light came on, then engine light, vehicle seemed to lunge forward, delay, doesn't engage..accelerate, feels like the transmission is hanging and then slams into gear. A thud feeling was also reported by my mother several times in previous years to the dealer, they could not find anything wrong, so she had then document it. Today I am told a transmission is needed, which is a unexpected huge & saddening surprise - in 2012 and 2013 there had already been transmission work on the vehicle. Checked and see all reports about this particular model has occurred on this one, cooling system/radiator/thermostat and housing issues, exhaust issues and now transmission issues -- there are thousands of reports for this exact model and other explorer and ford vehicles, all known issues, many explanations why it occurred with this model and that ford is aware of them and has provided no recalls for any of these serious defective matters, none - especially when each are very dangerous matters. Today I am told, that a new transmission will be: $5,400, 3 year warranty and a used transmission: $3,600 12 mos or 12,000 miles. Both options are very very expensive. What can the federal safety agency do, will a recall ever occur? It seems ford needs to step in and help with these repairs. It there any help with these matters & cost? Http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2006/ .
2006 Ford Explorer engine complaints
Page 2 of 9: complaints 11 to 40 of 221, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power. In addition, the contact noticed steam coming from the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the compressor failed and the check engine indicator was disabled. As a result, the electronic control module caused the vehicle to malfunction. The compressor was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
Car shuts off while driving. This has happened about 6 times in the last two months. Always at speeds under 40 MPH and always within 3 minutes of turning the car on. There's never any warning or smell or sound. Dash goes black, radio cuts off, power steering fails, and I have to coast to the side of the road. Obviously this is very frightening and I've been very lucky that it has not yet happened at lights or turns. My car guy is really good and he's at a loss. He thinks maybe it's a security system malfunction. I drive with children in the car and I can't afford a to buy a new car. I'm not sure what my other options are.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford explorer. While driving various speeds, theenginestalled withoutwarning. The vehicle restarted after numerous attempts. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired.the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence.the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage and VIN were not available.
Check engine lite and orange wrench lite which shuts car down no excelration pedal power steering gone and no brake control on freeway coming home. Trans. Will not shift and jumps when wrench lite is on very dangerous this has been going on since april took back to dealer sent to mechanic replaced 2 parts on excelleration module. Still not right.
Does the class action lawsuit concerning spark plugs include this model of explorers? The v8 4.6l eddie bauer edition-if not, it should, as we were told the same info on sparks plugs breaking off if not done with a special extraction tool. We had diagnostics done and depending on what happened when removed and changed could cost anywhere between $600-$1500. Specifically told "do not attempt yourself." service was performed june 19, 2014 by a local ford dealer.
First problem started with the brain in the transmission area. Hesitating, lunging forward and tachometer jumping when taking off and during driving down the roads/highways. Had diagnostics tests done (march 3, 2016.) replaced brain and it stopped the hesitation, lunging and tachometer jumping=$2700.00. Next problem came along when we started hearing a ticking sound when it was started in the driveway(may 16, 2016.) come to find out the engine was blown which is now going to cost $6700.00. We have always maintained our vehicles with proper care and attention, but how can all these major things go wrong at only 108000 miles???
Takata recall
I bought a 2006 explorer in 2010 and in 5 years I have had a sensor that's goes inside the transmission replaced, then transmission rebuilted, and the radiator replaced twice. Now that it's paid off leaking coolant again making it run hot. Now it saying check the charging system and stop on me on the freeway and now won't stay started. Thought I was doing everything right with the maintenance of the truck but it keeps breaking down. Also the wrench thing is on and won't stay started even while pressing the gas pedal to the floor all after I just had another sensor replaced. And besides the radiator leaking again that plastic thing they call a thermostat housing may be cracked. I feel I'm spending more money repairing things on this truck in 5 years that most people spend on a new car. If I had seen all the problems this model year was having would have went a different brand.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford explorer. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. The failure recurred ten times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Driving on a highway I-95 in florida. The vehicle started to miss as we accelerated. We took the car into a ford dealer service for plug replacement. This auto has a 4.6 litre v-8 engine. We were amazed to find that it will cost upwards of $1000.00 to replace 8 spark plugs. That cost esculates if any plugs are broken. The plugs are two piece construction and separate on removal. Only ford can remove the plugs and more will be charged for any broken. It is impossible to remove these plugs without breakage. Ford recommends not changing the plugs until 100,000 miles. By that time you are out of guaranty and if they are hard to come out at 60,000 miles imagine if they are left in. These plugs are known to blow out of the head and I am sure there are many accidents. I am a disabled veteran 83 years old and a mechanical engineer. My wife and I are fishermen and need a vehicle to bring our boat to water. We are avid ford owners and are greatly dissapointed.
My car slowed down to a craw in the highway and had to limp home at very low speed almost caused a crash.
Purchase this vehicle in 2011 once it was home within 3 months began having problems, I also purchase the ford extended warranty and took it back to the dealership. They explained they could not find an issue with the transmission. It jolts, lunges, and sometimes the transmission doesn't engage. I feel extremely unsafe trying to pull out at an intersection because the car starts to jolt and I have to slam on the gas in order for the car to go.it is horrible and I feel very unsafe driving; especially with my children in the car. Even if I am driving on the interstate I have to put the car into overdrive to stop the majority of the jolting, and that does not even guarantee it will stop. It has been a battle with the dealership. Had it independently checked by aamco and the transmission replaced, but the issue still occurs. Not sure what can be done. This vehicle needs to be recalled.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford explorer. The contact stated that the radiator was leaking fluid. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
I bought my first ford explorer almost 8 years ago. I had absolutely no problems with this vehicle and felt very safe driving my newborn son. I had a second son and decided to buy a new ford explorer because it was such a dependable car. Now I am regretting that decision. I bought a 2006 ford explorer at round 60,000 miles. It now has 70,000 and I have already had to get another transmission and it still has not fixed the problem. It jolts, lunges, and sometimes the transmission doesn't engage. I feel extremely unsafe trying to pull out at an intersection because the car starts to jolt and I have to slam on the gas in order for the car to go.it is horrible and I feel very unsafe driving; especially with my children in the car. Even if I am driving on the interstate I have to put the car into overdrive to stop the majority of the jolting, and that does not even guarantee it will stop. My husband is in the military and gone a great deal. He should not have to worry about the safety of his children or wife when he is deployed overseas or when he is training away from home. He is currently away from home for training, getting ready for deployment. He is calling every chance he gets to make sure the car has not broken down or we have not been in and accident due to this very horrible vehicle. If I had enough money I would buy another vehicle and tell everyone not to ever buy a ford again. I think I am more upset with the fact that my husband is possible being sent overseas in october, and he cannot even go to war with the knowledge his family is safe. I really wish someone would understand that this is a huge problem and major safety problem. Please help all of the families with this defect.
We bought this used from a used car dealership. The very next day I noticed while driving the engine just shut off. Couple months later the same thing happened and has continued to happen often. Last week I was driving 45 MPH on a highway in the rain and lost all control of the vehicle. The brakes didn't work, the steering didn't work, the entire car shut down, I had a panic attack because I was in traffic and almost caused a huge accident with other vehicles. I put on the hazards and finally was able to drift into a the middle of the road called the turning lane. I called the dealership many times and have only been told "we are sorry". I tried calling a lemon law lawyer but was told, sorry, if the truck was a 2007 then I would have a case. So, now what do I do? I have a 10,000 car loan for a vehicle that I am frightened to drive anywhere. Please help me.
I was driving up small hill-dry conditions and the car shut down. On coming vehicle swerved and avoided collision. This has happened many times after the traction control sensor comes on. The car also jumps out when shifting gears and sometimes it is very hard to shift. Transmission problem! Safety recall imperative!
I've had multiple problems with this car. First the car shifts hard approx between 10 MPH and 20 MPH, the car lunges, stalls, then shifts hard into gear. When it first happened, I took the car to a certified mechanic and they did a complete transmission flush... The car ran smooth for about 10 days, then it started leaking transmission fluid which resulted in my radiator being ruined. Replaced the radiator and a plug in the transmission. ($1,800) the car then ran fine up this past sunday. The car as me and my wife were driving home from a 400 mile trip with the AC running, the wrench light came on and the car started lunging and shifting hard again. I exited off the highway and the check engine light came on... The car started shifting hard between 2nd and 3rd gear and making a loud clunk noise. Took it to the mechanic and he did another transmission flush on monday june 16, 2014... Two days later and the car still lunges, stalls, and shifts hard. I called ford and they said because the car is out of warranty, there's nothing they could do. I even asked them because there are so many complaints about the 2006 transmission, they still couldn't help me. The second problem is the car even though in park, it tends to roll down the driveway into the street in the middle of the night/ early morning... This happened a couple of times... Told ford about the problem, and because the car is out of warranty there's nothing they could do... The last problem is every once and a while the car doesn't shift into reverse... Told ford about the problem and once again, because the car is out of warranty there's nothing they could do...
Tl* the contact owns 2006 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds the vehicle stalled and the check engine light illuminated. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford explorer. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 40 MPH, there was a loud noise in the front end as the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had already taken the vehicle to an authorized dealer who replaced the radiator twice but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who diagnosed that the radiator and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure multiple times and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000. The VIN was not available.
While traveling on the highway the vehicle suddenly lost power as if it stalled. Engine was running but vehicle had no power. Vehicle had to be turned off and restarted to regain power. Always feared being rear ended or stalling on railroad tracks. Dealer determined it was electronic throttle control and replaced it. The vehicle has not had this malfunction since the repair about 18 months ago.
Shifting of transmission slams hard on a fast take off, then at 45 or above cycles gears and won't stay in overdrive.
Driving at 45 MPH ,transmission shifted with a jerky motion ,first started then.when you first take off it jerks and makes a noise. When you back up it jerks hard enough it whips you body back. Had it checked at a transmission place. They tore it down and found nothing ( $400). Still jerks and shifts rough. Don't know how long it's going to last.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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