2006 Ford Explorer Power Train:automatic Transmission Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train:automatic transmission ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 630 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2006 Ford Explorer overview page.
What owners report
“THE SHIFT HANDLE FREQUENTLY IS "STUCK" WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO GEAR FROM THE PARK POSITION.”NHTSA complaint 10253655 — filed 01/03/2009
“FAILURE #1--GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR VERY DIFFICULT TO MOVE FROM PARK; DEALER SAID FORD REDESIGNED, BUT NOT COVERED BY THEM. FAILURE #2--LEAK IN SEAM OF RADIATOR…”NHTSA complaint 10249083 — filed 11/18/2008
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH 10,000 MILES. WHEN THE VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP, THERE IS A…”NHTSA complaint 10245610 — filed 10/15/2008
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2006 Ford Explorer have power train:automatic transmission problems?
Power Train:automatic Transmission is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2006 Ford Explorer: 114 of 630 complaints on file (18.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2006 Ford Explorer have in total?
630 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 13 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, 12 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train:automatic transmission category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
