2006 Ford Explorer: complete transmission failure

Filed May 1, 2021 · Transmission · 135,000 miles · IL

The transmissions have a problem and have had a problem for years. They can fail without notice and cause a vehicle to lose momentum while going down the road. Yes this is an older vehicle but if you look up older comments on this vehicle on other reporting sites there are many reports of transmissions causing serious problems. Why has this never been dealt with in any manner? I was driving down the highway and my vehicle began to slow down and would not move forward. I was able to get the vehicle in gear and get it to the shop. I paid to replace the transmission and it did it again in the new transmission. I almost did not make it up the hill near my home and have been forced to park the vehicle as it is not safe to drive.

Filed Sep 18, 2019 · Transmission · FL

I purchased a 2006 ford explorer, eddie bauer. I needed the transmission rebuilt and paid aamco almost $4,000. Not even a year later the transmission failed and had to be re-built again but it was under warranty. Back in march 2019, I took it back to aamco and was told nothing wrong with the transmission. August 2019, I went back to aamco and they replaced the solenoid pack is what I was told. Now, not even a month later the transmission has failed again. The SUV jerks when placed into gear and it feels as though someone rear ended me. The transmission is faulty by the manufacturer, ford! There are hundreds of complaints regarding the transmission of this year explorer with the same issues and ford will not take responsibility! It's not right that consumers have to shell out thousands of dollars on this piece of junk they manufactured which can cause accidents! Something has to be done.

Filed Sep 8, 2017 · Transmission · 135,000 miles · UT

My explorer's transmission is starting to exhibit hard shifts that rattle the entire car. I know this is not a new problem as a family member had to replace the transmission in their 2006 explorer and cyber community is full of examples. This is a major safety issue as the transmission hesitates while excelerating through intersections and shifts hard enough to jolt the entire car while slowing down.

Filed Feb 8, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 100,100 miles · MI

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/ .

Filed Apr 15, 2016 · Transmission · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford explorer. While driving various speeds, the transmission malfunctioned and the vehicle randomly jerked, slowed down, and unexpectedly surged forward. While at a stop sign, the vehicle suddenly surged forward and struck a pedestrian. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the transmission was replaced multiple times, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.

Filed Mar 21, 2016 · Transmission · 123,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to move in reverse. After several attempts, the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.

Filed Oct 15, 2015 · Transmission · 92,000 miles · FL

Transmission failure resulting from michelin incorrectly marking tire sizes: I had four michelin cross terrain p235/70r16 tires on my SUV. Two wore out and where replaced with michelin latitude p235/70r16 tires as the cross terrain model was discontinued. The SUV then started having transmission problems especially when accelerating and the transmission failed and had to be replaced. The new transmission immediately started having similar transmission problems also. After multiple specialists examined the SUV, the problem was isolated to the 4x4 module engaging the transfer case during acceleration. It was determined by measuring the tires that the vehicle in fact had sets of tires with different circumferences, even though the tires were marked as being the same size. When the circumferences of the tires are not the same it causes the 4x4 module to believe a slipping condition is present and engage the transfer case. The continual engagement of the transfer case results in damage to the transmissin. I contacted michelin consumer care four times over a two month period only to be totally ignored. Michelin has sold tires that are marked incorrectly as to size, which results in damage to your SUV, and they refuse to accept any liability.

Filed Sep 5, 2014 · Transmission · 125,000 miles · AL · crash

Cel light came on, code read 02 sensor which was replaced and cel light off now. Transmission jerking hard into reverse and drive and hangs up between gears, suddenly lunging forward. In stop and start or downtown traffic, with lights every block, it will sometimes lunge forward as I slow down to stop, idles rough, and then has died. It has twice sputtered and tried to stall trying to cross busy intersection. This vehicle is not safe!!!! And should not have to replace transmission at ridiculous cost that apparently does not fix problem as indicated by all ford forums.

Filed May 7, 2014 · Transmission · FL

It had a hard lunge anytime I was at a stop light (it would act like it was trying to go when I was stopped so I would put it in park, wait for the green light and put it back in drive so I didn't risk the chance of rear ending someone), it seemed if I pushed the gas pedal too hard, it would act like it couldn't shift into the next gear correctly, it makes all kinds of loud banging noises and the tires would lose traction. We replaced the transmission value body and the transmission control module. We got the truck back and it is still having the same issues. We spoke with ford who told us there was no way there was a 6-speed automatic bmw transmission in our ford truck - we were right - we gave ford the VIN for the truck and they came back and said "we are sorry, you are right it is a 6-speed auto transmission" (so basically ford had no idea what transmission they put in the truck) come to find out it is a ford 6r transmission which was only used in 2005 and 2006 ford explorer and it's obviously a piece of crap! No one knows how to fix my truck! The truck has been to two transmission shops, a shop that has expertise in computer problems and another car shop. No one has answers for me. I can not get a rental car because my insurance will not cover rental unless I've been in a wreck. And now the transmission shop is talking about sending the truck to a ford dealership and it could take a few months to diagnose and repair. Ain't nobody got time to be out of a ride for a few months! Ford needs to recall their 2006 6r transmissions...they know there is something wrong with them. There are hundreds of complaints already out there and ford is not listening to it's customers.

Filed Aug 20, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 60,000 miles · AZ

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.

Filed Jul 28, 2013 · Electrical, Transmission · 100,000 miles · ME

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.

Filed Jun 17, 2013 · Transmission · 13,000 miles · VA

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.