2006 Ford Explorer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 296about this part
- Share
- 47%of 630 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,460miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 296 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Ford Explorer, 47% of the 630 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,460 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 complaint #11366820, filed 2020-10, 166,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10916816, filed 2016-10, 129,872 miles“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 complaint #10872586, filed 2016-06, 120,000 miles“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 complaint #11022396, filed 2017-09, 135,000 miles“I was driving down the highway when suddenly the vehicle lunged forward. I thought someone hit me. It did this two more times before I could exit the highway. Then it started being very slow to shift into gear or would not shift at all with out shutting off the vehicle for 3 to 5 mins at a time. Then it would only drive a few blocks before again refusing to shift into gear.”
NHTSA complaint #10595908, filed 2014-06, 119,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10243490Sep 7, 2023When performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving MERCON SP, MERCON LV has replaced all versions of MERCON SP and can be used going forward. Mixing MERCON LV…
- 10029205Jun 1, 2009Ford/mercury/lincoln: vehicles may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms: drive away hesitation, loss of rpm on deceleration, difficulty starting, and/or idle rpm less…
- 10028736May 1, 2009Ford: some vehicles may exhibit oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal. Oil separation appears to be and is often misdiagnosed, as an axle…
- 10026385Oct 23, 2008Ford/mercury: 4.0l/4.6l hard start/rough running; after long hot soak/dip in rpm when coming to a stop; built on or before 4/2/08. May exhibit a dip in rpm below normal idle…
- 10032229Oct 1, 2007Ford/mercury: some vehicles equipped with 6r60 transmissions may exhibit various transmission performance issues. When compared to other transmissions, some of the shift…
- 10021040Feb 26, 2007Calibration update 4.0l - various symptoms - surge, hesitation, torque converter cycling, no up shift after forced downshift, and poor a/c performance.
- 10019947Jan 1, 2006Neutral tow capability - service kit requirements.
- 10019029Jan 1, 2006Harsh or delayed 1-2, 2-1 and/or 3-2 shift.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 7% |
| 2025 | 16 | 15% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% |
| 2022 | 61 | 23% |
| 2021 | 127 | 28% |
| 2020 | 504 | 40% |
| 2019 | 35 | 12% |
| 2018 | 50 | 7% |
| 2017 | 125 | 7% |
| 2016 | 215 | 9% |
| 2015 | 86 | 5% |
| 2014 | 80 | 5% |
| 2013 | 119 | 5% |
| 2012 | 55 | 7% |
| 2011 | 64 | 5% |
| 2010 | 28 | 24% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 36 | 24% |
| 2007 | 57 | 27% |
| 2006 | 296 | 47% |
| 2005 | 99 | 20% |
| 2004 | 460 | 35% |
| 2003 | 335 | 30% |
| 2002 | 1,502 | 46% |
| 2001 | 42 | 11% |
| 2000 | 133 | 14% |
| 1999 | 115 | 9% |
| 1998 | 103 | 5% |
| 1997 | 104 | 6% |
| 1996 | 120 | 8% |
| 1995 | 119 | 14% |
| 1994 | 86 | 7% |
| 1993 | 72 | 8% |
| 1992 | 77 | 12% |
| 1991 | 69 | 11% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2006 Ford Explorer
164 complaintsEngine
58 complaintsBrakes
41 complaintsElectrical system
39 complaintsVehicle speed control
28 complaintsFuel system
27 complaintsOther or unknown
24 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsEquipment
11 complaintsSeats
11 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology