This problem first occurred in June of 2013. It started with the check engine light and progressed to the wrench light.The air bag light comes on intermittently. I took it to the 2 Ford dealers, they both stated it needed a new transmission. I took it to a Transmission specialist they stated the transmission was fine. Fluid was changed.I did research, concluded it was the PCM (power train control module). I replaced it, had it reprogramed by the Ford Dealership.(Purchased this SUV new December 2005). No further problems until a year later (July, 2014), same as the original problem. I was told by both Ford and The transmission specialist the could NOT pinpoint the problem. Some days it will run just fine and suddenly the above problems occur. Further research point to the a/c condensate line draining on the electrical couplings on the transmission.Current code U0073 (control module bus off)????

So, heres the short and sweet.. I bought my 06 Explorer XLT with about 30k miles on it. Within about 2k miles I started noticing strange transmission shifting issues. It would climb a hill and not downshift, or it would hit about 30 mph and decide to shift into 5th gear and bog down so bad that it sounded and felt like you were going to stall! 8:30AM tommorow morning (tuesday, Dec 2nd 09) will be the 3rd time my explorer has been in for the SAME issue, only its now almost not drivable! Just yesterday I was driving up a rather large and long hill and it was in 5th gear and refused to shift down to speed up, and when it finally did, it jumped down into 2nd gear and took off. When I let off the gas (becasue I didnt want to go that fast), it immediately jumped back into 5th gear and I was right back where I started....

Its not just hills that this issue happens... If your on a straight long road with no incline at all it will almost skip over 4th gear and just drop into 5th going 30-35 and you immediately notice that bogging down feeling. And again, same as climing a hill, if you step down just a little to speed up it jumps way down into 2nd, revs way up and takes off! Funny thing is.... I'm barely stepping down on the gas, but it acts like I just floored it.

When I first purchased this car I was getting 19mpg in the city and 22mpg on the freeway. Since this issue has gotten worse I'm lucky if I can get 16mpg in the city and I'm maybe 18mpg at best on the highway. The last two times I took it to my dealership they cleared the "Adaptive Shift Strategy" and updated the "TCM Computer" but having noticed that the repairs did Jack Sh*t I'm taking it back again. This time, I'm not giving their rental car back till the issue is COMPLTELY repaired. That way my mistake the last two times. Luckily its under full warranty... that I purchased for an additional 2grand, which provides a rental. But seriously... No fixed explorer... They arent getting their rental back. I'm tired of this honkey BS. Am I drunk or is this issue happening to other people too?

Update from Feb 3, 2010: Final Update: February 3rd, 2010.

After waiting over 4 weeks while my car was at a local dealer the following repairs and replacements were made:

1. Replaced Entire Transmission and Torque Converter 2. Leaking Radiator and Cooling System Leaks, Replaced Entire Cooling System 3. Leaking Rear Differential, Replaced Rear Differential, and Repaired Leak to Right Rear Axle.

Total Repair Cost: $8000.00 Dollars.

As an additional note. I contacted FORD directly, not just my dealer. Ford followed up with the dealership daily and confirmed the damage was not caused by myself, and was listed as manufacturer malfunction. The entire cost was covered by warranty claims and Ford.

Unfortunately, the vehicle does run better, however it still even with a new transmission will not shift properly when climbing hills and has developed a rough idle after these services were performed. Also my average gas mileage used to be 17 City, and has plumited to 13.8. Again, something is still wrong.