On a Friday I bought a used 2006 Ford Explorer XLT with the 4.6 V8 and 5 speed automatic transmission. It was nearly immaculate and was very happy with my purchase. On the Sunday after, I took it down to Rehobeth Beach, DE and noticed a slight jolt from the transmission when coming to a stop at a traffic light. The jolt was bad enough that I thought for a split second that I was rear ended. I noticed several more times and immediately took it back to the dealer to get it checked out where it is still there (on a Tuesday). I did my search online and noticed that several other owners are experiencing the same problems. It is my understanding that although this is a common problem, Ford has not yet issued a recall. I am hoping that they address this problem because I am still a firm believer in buying American, especially from Ford since they did not take any bailout money!

My 2006 V6 explorer started out with a problem of jumping, like i was tapping the gas on and off. at that time a wrench symbol appeared on the console but would disappear intermittently. Then the truck starting shifting hard and bumpy always seemed to be in a gear to low. The engine howled at times. One night on the highway it dropped to idle regardless of how much gas i gave it, shutting down and restarting cleared that problem but always the trany continued to shift poorly. Economy what it is i didnt want to take it to Ford as warranty was up. My friend who is a mechanic hooked it up to a hand held diagnostic computer checking for error codes stored by the truck.... nothing. He gave me the tool left it hooked up under my dash and asked me to manually capture info when the hitching was at its worst. It took 2 days of driving with this thing sitting in my lap but finely I got it and the error code pointed to the throttle position sensor. $111 part at ford I thought they gave me the wrong part it looked a good bit different then the one I removed from the truck (easy to do) Ford insisted when I called that it was correct it had been REDESIGNED. Bingo a 15 minute change over and i cant even believe how different the truck runs night and day i don't recall it running so well brand new. My wife took it for a test and said it felt like the truck lost 5000lbs shifted like a sports car, i kid you not I'm so glad I didnt take it to Ford and waste a ton of money maybe to never find out the correct answer, remember the truck never stored the error code only because i had the good fortune to drive for 2 days with a computer hooked up did we catch it. Sadly Ford must know of some problem with the TPS because as I said the new one is completely redesigned with metal in places where the other had plastic. Seems to come in handy for the truck to know what position your gas peddle is in to shift gears :) Not sure if this will help all the problems but a lot of people on this site seem to have similar issues may not be the transmission at all. hope this helps.

I bought a 2006 Ford Explorer because my husband has a F150 and really loves it. got a good deal on the vehicle and even test drove it, no issues. About a month after purchasing the vehicle, the transmission started slipping and jerking into gear. I also have the hard reverse shift. Really scary stuff. I have not had it looked at yet, actually not too sure what to do. I bought this vehicle because we are planning to start a family and I am not sure about the safety now. Would I buy another Ford?? I would definately think twice.

We just purchased a 2006 Ford Explorer from a reputable dealership in Moline, IL. During the test drives, the car drove very well and I didn't note anything wrong with the transmission. Now, just 4 weeks later and slightly more than 40,000 miles, the car lunges forward when coming to a stop. It feels just like you've been hit from behind. In fact, I was in the drive-thru of a fast food place about to give the person my money (so I'm not going very fast at all) and it downshifted so hard, I looked up into my rearview thinking I got rearended. I've been in contact with the dealer, but this really has us concerned especially with all of the complaints I've been reading on the Ford Explorer transmission problems. Clearly this is a problem that Ford needs to address.

I brought my car in for the recall, Shft Plate replacement, they kept the car two days ran diagnostic Said the PCM needed to be replaced ( main Brain) after keeping the car for 4 more days they told me the transmission needed to be pulled $630.00 to let me know what needed to be fixed!!!!~ I asked if it had anything to do with the recall they replied NO IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL...Funny I had thought they just said they didn't know what was wrong so how is it they knew for sure it had nothing to do with the recall! RED FLAG!!!! I asked for my vehicle back did some research TPS sensor seems to be a problem for other Ford owners, so My husband is changing it out ....I have no answer if that is the correction for the problem BUT it is worth the shot! I will keep you posted!

RYTYJAY

I had an issue with the transmission jerking when coming to a stop. I had the problem corrected under warranty in 2008 at 20,000 miles. It is now starting to do it again. I called the Ford dealership where I purchased it from and was told that I would have to pay for it now because the vehicle is out of warranty, and there has not been a recall. This is approx. a $1500.00 repair. I have put 30,000 miles on it since the last repair. So be prepared to have this done multiple times if you keep yours.

We bought our 2006 Ford Explorer from a dealership we have used several times. No complaint with them. It was used, as is. Almost immediately it we noticed it jolting hard when putting in reverse. Last winter it would sometimes sound like the transmission was reving up while driving at moderate speeds. Took it to transmission repair and they couldn't find anything wrong. Kept it a week and noticed the problem, but couldn't diagnose it. Spent 300. for new fluids, and servicing plus whatever else they did to diagnose. No change. About a month later, we had a radiator leak and when we got a new radiator, the driving problem stopped! Mechanic said he couldn't explain that one. Lurching when reversing is still going on and now, at 103,000 mi. it is sometimes sounding like its suddenly gearing down when coming to a stop. Am sick of this

Bought 4/19/06 brand new. My Explorer feels like I am getting rear-ended every time I come to a stop!! I dread putting my foot on the brake at all. Not sure exactly how long this has gone on because I am the primary driver and me being a female, well there you have it. Anyway I had mentioned this to my husband a long while back and he told me that a friend of his told him that he had an Explorer and it did the same thing and that he had heard that all newer Explorers did this. (My husband is not mechanically inclined.) I had my doubts but let it go with that until now.

I am sick and tired of getting rear-ended!!! I am going to take it to a local dealer, who I bought the truck from while under different management, and see what they say. My 6 & 7 year old grandchildren even noticed the problem and asked me what was wrong. I intend to find out. But after reading all the complaints on this site I think Ford should step up to the plate and do something about this. I have worked in Emergency Medical Services for over 20 years and seen a lot of accidents due to a veriety of make/model auto malfunctions along with your typical driver malfunctions. I think any time a vehicle is operating out of the intended normal range it could result in an accident. This is where Ford, or any other maker, should take matters in hand and help their consumers. After all we, the consumers, are what keep these companies in business. I have always been a Ford person and this goes back to my father and his father. Ford please don't let us down!!

I reported to the Hawaii dealership Cutter Ford, that I had a hard shift when I placed my vehicle in reverse. Hard Jolting. The service department advised me that this is a normal feeling for most Ford Vehicle. They initially checked it out and stated nothing was wrong. however continue to drive and If I experience the problem again. To bring it into the service department for further investigation. This problem continues and almost caused an accident. I returned my vehicle back to the dealership and told them to fix the problem or I will send a letter of complaint to Ford Motor Company.

My Explorer had run pretty good until last summer. At that time the radiator began to leak and at the same time the transmission started to hesitate. Since the car was out of warranty, I paid to have the radiator repaired and re-installed. Almost immediately after the transmission began to hard shift. This happens mainly when slowing down and re accelerating. If I come to a hard stop, the car goes out of gear completely for a few seconds...after which it shifts very hard back into gear. I've taken it in to a transmission shop, only to be told that there is nothing wrong with it. Sounds like I'm not alone with this problem. Ford needs to follow suit with Toyota and take care of the problem. Never buying Ford again.

Wow! I did a search on Google just to see what might pop up for "bad jolt when shifting from park to reverse in a 2006 Ford Explorer" and had no idea about this site or the number of additional individuals with the same problem. I have not taken the car into the dealer yet as I don't want to get hosed as many of you have with this same issue. There was a suggestion regarding the replacement of the Throttle Position Switch TPS which I will likely try to see if it improves the problem. As it stands now I am gravely concerned about the condition of the transmission and what permanent damage may have occurred. The car only has 46,000 miles and should not be having this type of problem. If the TPS doesn’t work I’ll be talking to the dealer and if not satisfied with their recommendation will be seeking legal advice.

Purchased my 2006 Ford Explorer from a GMC Lot in Moreno Valley, California a few years back and thank good for GMPP warranty which cost me an additional $2700 dollars at the time of purchase. You will understand why by reading below. About a month after purchasing this Ford, it starting shutting off when driving. After about 4 months of visiting Ford regarding the same issue, they replaced the throttle body being an ECM update made no difference (warranty item). Now to the recent nightmare...about a month ago, the transmission began shifting hard, started to slip, and when putting it in reverse to back out of the garage, wow...it was like getting rear ended. Took it to AAMCO last week and was told the transmission needed a rebuilt (go figure), estimated cost $3100 with a 12 month, 12000 mile warranty. Immediately drove it back to Ford (Temecula) and told them once again their product was crap.

After one day of review, Ford confirmed the transmission required a rebuild. Ford called the GMPP folks and they are replacing the transmission with a non-certified Ford transmission and offering me a 24 month, 24000 mile warranty. Again, thank god for purchasing the extended warranty which still gives me an addition 12000 miles on my piece of junk just in case the engine decision to blow up. I was told today that the transmission would be installed on Monday (3/15/10) and should be ready for pickup by Monday evening. I pray this will be the last of my Ford issues for awhile but I will not hold my breath.

For all of you with transmission issues, an ECM update will NOT solve your problem. The servos in the transmission have a 75% failure rate meaning that if they go, your transmission will fail. My thought is I will keep this car until just about the time the warranty is about to expire and then I will trade it in for a Chevy Tahoe or Yukon. As a long time Ford fan, I have lost faith in Ford's products. What a shame.