Automatic Transmission Cooler problems of the 2006 Ford Explorer

Got 2006 eddie bauer w/98,000, 1 previous owner (mother) all servicing via the same Ford dealer (gene butman), except for a few oil changes from uncle ed's. Late Nov 2016 took it in due to the heat was fluctuating, was told it needed the thermostat and housing replaced (even though it had the radiator replaced a few years earlier), also had brakes & rotors done, the 100,000 mile checkup said all was good. A week later the exhaust flute, etc broke lose, got that repaired & $2,000 later, Friday 2/03/17 wrench light came on, then engine light, vehicle seemed to lunge forward, delay, doesn't engage. . Accelerate, feels like the transmission is hanging and then slams into gear. A thud feeling was also reported by my mother several times in previous years to the dealer, they could not find anything wrong, so she had then document it. Today I am told a transmission is needed, which is a unexpected huge & saddening surprise - in 2012 and 2013 there had already been transmission work on the vehicle. Checked and see all reports about this particular model has occurred on this one, cooling system/radiator/thermostat and housing issues, exhaust issues and now transmission issues -- there are thousands of reports for this exact model and other Explorer and Ford vehicles, all known issues, many explanations why it occurred with this model and that Ford is aware of them and has provided no recalls for any of these serious defective matters, none - especially when each are very dangerous matters. Today I am told, that a new transmission will $5,400, 3 year warranty and a used transmission: $3,600 12 mos or 12,000 miles. Both options are very very expensive. What can NHTSA do, will a recall ever occur? it seems Ford needs to step in and help with these repairs. . Read more...

I discovered a leak in the radiator after noticing that the temperature gauge needle was bouncing around at an idle. After about a minute, the vehicle overheated and started steaming. We ended up having to have the radiator replaced at a cost of $600. (it was also over 90 degrees that day and I was stranded with two small children, the youngest was 4 months old. ) then about a month ago, in may 2012, I was at a grocery store and when I went to enter the vehicle I noted a large puddle of antifreeze on the ground and it was dripping from the radiator. We had to have the radiator replaced, again at a cost of $600. The same mechanic repaired it both times and said it was the same issue as the first one. Now we are having transmission fluid leaking from the cooling line that leads from the transmission to the radiator. These incidents have caused us serious hardships financially and could have caused physical injury due to the fact that it was extremely hot out on both occasions and I had small children with me miles from home. I have already contacted Ford motor company and they have declined to do anything about this issue. I am requesting, as are many others, that a recall be issued. And I also suggest that you research this problem on the internet as it is a major one. It is strange that Ford changed the radiator in the 2007 model year Explorer.