2006 Ford Explorer Powertrain (other) Problems

Hi, I purchased my 2006 ford explorer in 2019 from a mechanic lot. Since then I’ve changed the muffler, all 4 of the o2 sensors. Recently, after changing parts like the cylinder, spark plugs and wires as well as another set of o2 sensors and the EGR Valve, Mass Air flow sensor and the EGR sylenoid valve I have been getting check engine light with the emissions code not passing inspection. At this point my registration is at hand and the mechanics that change the parts can’t seem to understand why the check engine light did not go off. However an additional code came on in regards to the heater. As per PEP Boys mechanic shop and Auto Zone the emissions keep failing and may need a new computer- however when a part is removed the computer is able to pick that up issuing out another code. Please assist Thank you, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11663104

Incident

May 27, 2025

THIS TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE RECALLED!!!! THE REVERSE BAND BREAKS AND IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS TRANSMISSION!! NO WARNING JUST WENT TO REVERSE AND NOTHING! UPON RESEARCH THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE SINCE DAY ONE!!

NHTSA ID

11534558

Incident

Jul 16, 2023

Complete failure of the powertrain electrical harness. Heat degradation to wire insulation has exposed all conductors. Several other owner operators have experienced the same issue wherein the Dealer has attempted repair of existing trouble codes, by replacing sensors, modules and components. Problems range from vehicle shut-off at speed, vehicle fires, no-start and failed PCM modules due to short to power or short to ground. Based on my findings, this specifically impacts vehicles ranging from 2006-2010, Ford Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer with the 4.0L SOHC engine.

NHTSA ID

11467756

Incident

Jun 4, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11414743

Incident

Jun 12, 2019

Mileage

135,000 mi

I WAS TURNING FROM TURNING LANE INTO WAL-MART AND WHEN I GAVE IT GAS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND WOULDN'T MOVE. LUCKILY NO CARS WERE COMING AND IT FINALLY KICKED IN AND LET ME PULL INTO THE PARKING LOT. I JUST BOUGHT THIS AND WAS LOOKING UP THE ISSUE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORER 2002 - 2006. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS? THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS!

NHTSA ID

11366820

Incident

Oct 27, 2020

Mileage

166,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11256530

Incident

May 1, 2017

WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN REVERSE AND YOU GIVE IT GAS, IT SHIFTS REALLY HARD AND JERKS AND SLIPS. I THINK THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS LEAVING WORK AND PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ID

11139859

Incident

Sep 25, 2018

Mileage

165,000 mi

1. REAR WIPER QUIT WORKING SEVERAL YEARS AGO. SLUGGISH AND NOW FROZE UP. HASN'T WORKED FOR A LONG TIME. 2. REPLACED RADIATOR SEVERAL YEARS AGO. REPLACED THERMOSTAT SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS. THEN... 2018, SEPTEMBER,-- DISAPPEARING COOLANT FROM RADIATOR FOR LAST 6 MONTHS WITH NO OBVIOUS LEAK. CAR OVER HEATED IN AUGUST BUT NO OBVIOUS LEAK. KEPT REFILLING... 3 DAYS AGO BOTTOM THERMOSTAT HOUSING SPRUNG A BIG LEAK AND CAR OVERHEATED MAJOR. REPLACED THERMOSTAT, AND FULL THERMOSTAT HOUSING. INTERNET RECOMMENDS UPDATING SOFTWARE BECAUSE OF OVERHEATING, BUT IS PRICED AT ABOUT $110 AT ALL DEALERSHIPS.

NHTSA ID

11133499

Incident

Oct 2, 2018

Mileage

175,800 mi

TRANSMISSION BEEN SLIPPING ON 2ND OR 3RD GEAR I BELIEVE I NEVER TOWED OR CARRY HEAVY LOADS AT ALL IT'S BEEN DOING THIS SINCE THE FIRST MONTH I PURCHASE IT AND IT'S BEEN GETTING WORST SINCE

NHTSA ID

11129253

Incident

Mar 20, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

NHTSA ID

11060712

Incident

Jan 4, 2017

Mileage

114,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11022396

Incident

Jul 3, 2017

Mileage

135,000 mi

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING BAD AND CAR NOT SHIFTING INTO DRIVE

NHTSA ID

11019803

Incident

Aug 25, 2017

I OWN A 2006 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER , BOUGHT USED IN 2011/61000K. SINCE 2012 THE CAR STARTED SHOWING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING AND /OR ENGINE. WHEN DRIVING AT 35-40 MPH ON A HIGHWAY THE CAR STARTED TO SURGE FORWARD, THEN BACK, KEEPING SURGING UNTIL THE CAR REACHED A HIGHER SPEED OF 60. IF DRIVING ON A HILL, IT WILL LOOSE ITS SPEED. I TOOK THE CAR TO FORD DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THE CAR NOW IS 120000K, STILL SAME PROBLEM. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH FORD THAT WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEMAS.

NHTSA ID

11004696

Incident

Nov 10, 2015

Mileage

85,000 mi

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS BANGING INTO GEAR. IT JOLTS THE VEHICLE BACK AND FORTH AS IT SHIFTS. TRIED REPLACING TRANSMISSION FLUID BUT CONTINUES TO DO IT. FEELS LIKE I'VE BEEN REAR-ENDED AT TIMES. ITS A CONSISTENT OCCURRENCE.

NHTSA ID

11002083

Incident

Jun 1, 2017

Mileage

130,000 mi

OVERDRIVE HAS A HARD JOLT " HARD SHIFT" WHEN NORMAL DRIVING. I SEE THIS IS A BIG ISSUE WITH ALL FORD EXPLORERS, TOO BAD I DIDN'T DO SOME RESEARCH BEFORE BUYING A FORD.

NHTSA ID

10992929

Incident

Jun 2, 2017

TRANSMISSION OCCASIONALLY LURCHES AND MAKES VERY HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN GEARS. ENGINE RACES BETWEEN HARD SHIFTS. HAVE LOSS OF POWER BETWEEN SHIFTS WHICH HAS ALMOST RESULTED IN CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. LURCHING SEEMS TO OCCUR MOSTLY AFTER DRIVING AT 20 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR FOR AT LEAST 20 MINUTES.

NHTSA ID

10958725

Incident

Mar 4, 2017

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 NHTSA 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/ .

NHTSA ID

10950269

Incident

Feb 8, 2017

Mileage

100,100 mi

DRIVING DOWN THE HWY THE POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION INDICATOR CAME ON. I LOST ALL USE OF THE FUEL PEDAL AND BRAKE. HAD TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE HWY WITH OUT DYING. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON THE INDICATOR IS GONE AND WORKS JUST FINE. THIS SITUATION HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. NOTHING SHOWS UP WHEN I PLUG IN A CODE READER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10916816

Incident

Sep 8, 2016

Mileage

129,872 mi

I AM A MILITARY SPOUSE AND DRIVING HOME FROM FT BRAGG AT 50 MILES AN HOUR MY TRUCK STARTED COSTING SO I HAD TO PULL OVER AND HAVE IT TOWED. I HAD A FORD DO A FULL DIAGNOSIS A MONTH BEFORE THIS AND THE TRUCK ONLY NEEDED BARONS. LAFAYETTE FORD FAY NC 28306

NHTSA ID

10884767

Incident

Jul 13, 2016

Mileage

15,000 mi

THE TRANSMISSION JUMPS AND ENGAGES VERY HARD, IT LUNGES FORWARD ALSO

NHTSA ID

10881380

Incident

Jan 12, 2016

Mileage

96,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10881352

Incident

Apr 7, 2016

Mileage

16,200 mi

I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE, FIRST TIME AT 57000 MILES AND SECOND TIME 127000 MILES. THIS IS THE FIRST VEHICLE I OWNED AND HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. WAS THIS PROBLEM EVER ADDRESS. THANK YOU [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10874924

Incident

Dec 7, 2015

WHILE DRIVING CAR STALLS WHILE SWITCHING GEARS EVENTUALLY JOLTS/JERKS HARD, WRENCH LIGHT SIGNALING A POWERTRAIN ISSUE APPEARS IN DISPLAY. AS I AM DOING RESEARCH I REALIZE THIS IS A COMMON TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH FORDS. DEFINITELY WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD AND WILL DISCOURAGE EVERYONE ELSE I KNOW FROM PURCHASING. FORD TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE IN ITS VEHICLES. COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A LARGE COMPANY LIKE FORD.

NHTSA ID

10874827

Incident

Jun 10, 2016

Mileage

133,000 mi

TRANNY SLIPS REALLY 3 TIMES I HAD NO PPWER GOING UP THE HILL BEEN TOLD ITS THEIR BAD 2006 ALMOST REENDED 3 TIME S PL FIX THIS SO I CAN DRIVE SAFLTY YOU NEED TO FIX IT AND SOON I HAVE ASLO FOR MY KIDS AND MY SAFTY I CANNT WORRY ABOUT FORD HAS KNOWN ALL THE TIME SINCE DAY ONE PL DO RIGHT BY YOUR COMPANY CAUSE I CAN NT AFFORD IT

NHTSA ID

10872586

Incident

May 5, 2015

Mileage

120,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10855726

Incident

Apr 1, 2016