CarComplaints.com Notes: The previous generation of Explorer was so awful that the redesign in 2006 was greeted with much optimism. That didn't last long.
The transmission continues to be the Explorer's worst reliability problem. Owners report shifting hard & lunging, typically starting as low as 40k miles with a $1,600 average repair bill. On top of that, the radiator is prone to failure around 60k miles. Repairs for the radiator run $500 to $1,000 & many owners report they've had to replace the radiator multiple times for leaks, indicating a possible design defect in the OEM replacement parts.
Ford did make some significant changes to improve handling and safety. Electronic stability control was added in addition to side impact air bags, but beyond that this is a vehicle that should be avoided at all costs.
Vehicle well cared for. Mechanics diagnosis: "Performed inspection.Found transmission has come apart.There is metal in transmission pan." We needed to replace the transmission and cooler part of radiator. Large cost. I repaired but should have junked this P.O.S. right there. Mechanic stated older Explorers were rock solid (we had a 1993 that had 225,000 and running well when we got rid of it but new ones are junk (hear that Ford, you make crap)
This is the 3rd transmission we're going to have to replace on this truck. And that's not the only problem. We first made a complaint back in 2010, when we had a problem, but nothing was ever done. FORD sucks. It definitely stands for found on road dead! And this isn't the only problem. If only we could afford to buy a new car. I will never recommend Ford to anyone.
Noticed strange humming sound coming from engine area every so often over a couple of weeks. Car seemed to drive fine but I couldn't isolate the problem. Then, the noise got louder and noticed transmission was slipping and at times had trouble shifting between gears. Took it into mechanic and they said transmission needs rebuilt. Car has about 130k on it. Debating on whether I need to take it to another mechanic or have them start rebuilding transmission.
I have had my transmission rebuilt / replaced four different times. The first time it was rebuilt: $2,700. Within 1 year, it failed and had to be rebuilt again $700. It failed again 2 years later and I had it replaced: $3,000. Within 1.5 years it failed again: $230. Believe it or not, there may have been one more rebuild in there, but I cannot remember right now. Today is the $230 warranty replacement after 50,000 miles. I really like this vehicle, with the exception of the epic transmission failures of course. I have not gone to the dealer, but in hindsight I probably would have been better off. I had a new '95 Explorer for 11 years and had -0- transmission issues. I bought this 2006 explorer new as well and had failure after failure, right after the 36,000 mile warranty was up.
If I don't get rid of this vehicle, the plan is to have the transmission fluids drained annually to see if that works. With the cost of a newer vehicle, and the low amount of trade in value, I will probably try my luck again with this newly installed transmission.
- X R.,
Waltham, MA, US
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I bought this car new in 2006 ford explorer I am a 100% disabled 25 year army vet. I don't drive much I have no other problems with this car when I was told by ford I needed a new transmission I was shocked so I called ford at 1-800-392-3673 and asked for help. I was told that the car was out of warranty along with the extended warranty that I bought from ford motor co. I told them I had fords for 50 years they said the car was 10 years old and I said that the trans should not go bad in 30800 miles they said sol I guess customer service is something of the past I will never buy a ford again thanks for the post
Brand loyal Ford owner here. I am the 2nd owner bought from Ford dealer as a trade in. Vehicle was originally purchased from same dealer and serviced their exclusively by its previous owner. I purchased it 02/14/15 with 54500 miles on it. 04/03/16 while on the highway with my family, speed 65-70 mph, we heard a loud bang from under the car. It startled my wife and I immediately new that was not a good sound. Total and complete loss of forward momentum.
The guy behind us was not happy hammering his horn because of the sudden deceleration on our part. We were in the fast lane at the time. No smoke, no parts flying, no fluid loss. We moved over to the emergency lane and luckily we coasted to with in a few feet of an emergency call box to request assistance. The engine was and is running fine, no drive gears R D 3,2 or 1st. We had it towed to the closest AAMCO dealer.
After evaluation they found the fluid to be burnt and black and metal in the pan. Catastrophic complete and total failure of the transmission. I have never had a Ford transmission due this to me, and I have owned many Fords and put well over 130000 miles on all of them never with a transmission problem. Other problems yes, but not transmission failure.
End result, AAMCO certified rebuilt transmission 3yr/50000 mile warranty $3500.00....... Ugh... Ford should take note of this, I have read many other ford owners having issues with these transmissions and that should not be happening. 100,000 mile or more I would say ok it happens. But to be having so many issues below 80,000 miles on a tranny and not being abused or worked hard, there is a manufacturing and design flaw leading to these failures. Thank you for reading my post . DARROCH..
Third transmission. WHAT IS WRONG WITH FORD. All I do is drive to and from work which is at LaGuardia airport. 25 miles round trip. Ford sold me a LEMON right out of the factory. Shame on FORD.
Never, ever, ever will I think of or inquire about FORD.
Ford is a piece of sh*t! I will never buy another Ford as long as I live. I bought this Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition 8 months ago. Today I was leaving to go to the store and I put it in reverse and guess what?!?! No reverse. My car just sits there as if it were in neutral. Call a Ford garage nearest me and they tell me that they couldn't get me in for 3 weeks to look at my car. So I call a transmission shop and just to pull the tranny out and look at it prices started at 700 dollars. I have 3 kids I don't have thousands of dollars to put into this vehicle considering I am already paying 300 a month but for what? A yard decoration. This is nonsense . Like I stated before Ford is sh*t. And I have several of other complaints also but I won't even go there right now.
The transmission in the 2006 Ford Explorer isn't safe, the parts inside the tranny are plastic and it has a closed system so you can't change the fluid.
The drivetrain burns out every 3 months. I have to put the car in the shop to be fixed, it already cost me 1500.00 dollars into the Ford, and once again, on my way home the transmission pooped and all the fluid went on the ground and now the Ford will not drive. Ford owes me big the Ford, could have killed my family when the tranny went, it stuck us in the middle of the highway.
Eight times in one year putting the car in the shop to be fixed is crazy, and I don't have that kind of money. Plus our mechanic told us to get rid of the Ford before someone gets hurt.
Ford you knew about the tranny problems but refused to recall it. Now just maybe you will, but Ford, you owe me a new car.
6200 miles on this vehicle to have to replace the transmission is insane! Did not want to buy a Ford in the first place, the wife had her heart set on it so I gave in. Hey Ford GM might have a lot of recalls, but at least they are standing behind there product unlike you. I do not understand how there can be a known problem and they don't do anything about it. I have replaced every caliper on the vehicle twice, on my third exhaust system, second radiator, second sway bar end links,
Will never buy another Ford product again. Time will not heal these wounds, nothing but trouble from the start. First day with it, the sun went down. Turned lights on and that they did not work. Three days later, would not start. I had to have towed to dealership. So many little things went wrong with this car. The dealership had it more then I did first couple of months. Never again
Well I bought my 2006 Eddie Bauer Explorer in April 2014 with 113000 miles. In September just 5 months later at 121000 miles I am spending 2200 dollars on a new transmission!!!! BULL!!! These are known to be bad transmissions and Ford refuses to back this defect..I am pissed to say the least!!!!
The car won't go into gear at all!!!!!!!!! You put it in reverse and it moves forward! You put it in drive it doesn't move at all and when it use to move it would jerk so hard you felt like you were just involved in a 12 car pile-up. It's very hard and the pick up is so slow and sometimes is really hard to drive.
She's into the transmission specialists again. The vehicle throws out of gear when going down the road. You might recover by turning off OD or using manual shifting to 3rd....other gears do not seems to engage. OD when hitting the passing gear seems to worsen the issues. Limped home via 3rd gear OD off. GRRR One thought is the clutch in the box is not engaging--solenoid is stuck or popping out..I am hopeful that this is it the repair is considerably cheaper than xmission and I can do this via new gasket, seals and about 400.
I purchased my 2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer in May 2010. By November, I had to have the transmission repaired which cost $1200 but luckily I had an extended warranty and only had to pay $100 out of pocket. Since then, I've had the thermostat replaced which was also under warranty. Since the warranty expired, in 2013 I had the following repairs made, which I paid out of pocket:
Hub barring's- both front at $850. One rear at $500.
Radiator repair $1200.
Gasket replaced $60.
2013 total cost on repairs $2610.
Now it's March of 2014, having transmission problems which a mechanic says will cost between $700-1500 to be repaired.
This is what I think Ford means. If you have a Ford vehicle it will be
I would just like to say that my 2006 Eddie Bauer FORD EXPLORER is TRASH. I have only had it 1 year. When I bought it there was 60,000 miles and a high dollar price. I really liked the way it looked but here I am less than a year down the road THE AIR WENT OUT, TRANSMISSION WAS NEXT AND THERE IS SOME SORT OF LEAK FROM THE HOSES THAT RUN FROM THE TRANSMISSION TO THE RADIATOR. Its one HUGE mess and FORD WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSiBILTY !!!!!!! So now a single mother I am with out a car during the school year and very much in debt ..... THANKS ALOT TO FORD YOU REALLY SUCK AND IT'S BECOMMING KNOWN !!
Had a problem with hesitation back when it was under warranty. Finally had throttle body fixed. Now at 56785 miles I need a new transmission -- slipping in 3rd gear. I called ford customer service but they would not do anything to help me.
I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FORD MAN ALL MY LIFE MUCH TO THE RIDICULE OF MY FRIENDS. THIS IS MY SECOND EXPLORER MY FIRST IS A 1996 XLT FOUR WHEEL DRIVE , STILL HAVE IT WITH 236000 MILES . MY 2006 FOUR WHEEL DRIVE EXPLORER THAT I PAID OVER $ 30000.00 FOR IS COSTING ME $ 2600.00 MORE AT 78000 MILES. I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE FORD WONT STEP UP SO MAYBE MY NEXT SUV WILL BE A TOYOTA GOD FORGIVE ME FOR NOT BUYING AMERICAN BUT THERE IS NO EXCUSE NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. WORK FOR MYSELF IF I PUT OUT A PRODUCT LIKE THAT I WOULD GO BANKRUPT. SO MUCH FOR THE LITTLE GUY WHO WORKED MY ASS OFF TO BUY A NICE SUV .
BE ASHAMED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE DESIGNER OF THIS TRANSMISSION.
I swore many years ago I wouldn't buy another Ford due to quality issues. Well, time heals all wounds and I bought a 2006 Ford Explorer. Well, here I am with 91,000 miles on it and the transmission has to be replaced due to slipping in and banging of the trans.. Just seems so lousy that Ford can continue to produce vehicles and leave the consumer with no recourse as this was out of the power train warranty in 2011.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Vehicle well cared for. Mechanics diagnosis: "Performed inspection.Found transmission has come apart.There is metal in transmission pan." We needed to replace the transmission and cooler part of radiator. Large cost. I repaired but should have junked this P.O.S. right there. Mechanic stated older Explorers were rock solid (we had a 1993 that had 225,000 and running well when we got rid of it but new ones are junk (hear that Ford, you make crap)
- bobmcgrath56, Los Gatos, US