WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT IN REVERSE THE TRANSMISSIONS JOLTS EXTREMELY HARD INTO GEAR. FEELS LIKE YOUR VEHICLE GO HIT. SEEMS VERY UNSAFE. WHEN DRIVING IT SEEMS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION JERKS INTO 2, N 3RD GEAR. *TR
2006 ford Explorer powertrain problems
moderate 279 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
279
Recalls
0
Crashes
4
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY AN INCORRECT DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
LAST NIGHT THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE BUT WOULD KEEP KICKING OUT OF GEAR... I WOULD PUSH THE GAS, THE ENGINE WOULD REV, BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T GO ANYWHERE. I EVEN ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN A HILL ON A HIGHWAY AND ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR! I HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF, AND RESTART IT IN ORDER TO GET IT TO BACK IN GEAR. THIS HAPPENED 10-15 TIMES IN A 20 MINUTE DRIVE! I WAS NERVOUS TO EVEN DRIVE IT HOME! IT IS …
THIS VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AT APPROXIMATELY 54000 MILES. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FIXED IN 2010. NOW, IN DECEMBER 2013 WITH 113500 MILES, THIS VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AGAIN AND REQUIRED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN SAFETY RECALL LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE SHIFT LEVER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SHIFT LEVER CIRCUIT BOARD REPLACED BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER A…
MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER FREQUENTLY LURCHES/LUNGES WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND STARTING UP FROM A STOP. IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS BEING REAR-ENDED. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO BE REPAIRED AND IT SEEMED TO WORK OK FOR A SHORT TIME, BUT IT HAS STARTED DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. IT MAKES ME WONDER IF IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2006 ford Explorer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 279 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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