VehicleVerdict

2006 Ford Expedition problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 395 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Expedition year — the 2006 model ranks #13 of 36 Expedition years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 38 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 42% of all reports (166 of 395), far ahead of electrical system at 37.

395

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

28

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

38

Injuries

3

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Expedition years?

See all Expedition years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Ford Expedition problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine16642%
Electrical System379%
Speed Control297%
Fuel System246%
Transmission226%
Body & Structure195%
Other185%
Brakes174%
Tires & Wheels164%
Airbags164%
Steering144%
Visibility & Wipers51%
Seat Belts41%
Suspension21%
Latches & Locks21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Seats10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2006 Ford Expedition have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

06E064000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 4,029 units

Defect

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

06E056000Fuel SystemJune 13, 2006 · 58,640 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

06E023000LightingMarch 13, 2006 · 292,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

05V520000Visibility & WipersNovember 9, 2005 · 199,942 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.

Consequence

AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.

05V310000Tires & WheelsJuly 6, 2005 · 10,061 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT AND REAR TIRES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED AT THE CENTER TREAD DURING PRODUCTION.

Consequence

OVER TIME, THE DAMAGE MAY BE SUFFICIENT TO ALLOW BELT CORROSION ULTIMATELY LEADING TO A TREAD SEPARATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT ALL FOUR TIRES (TO ENSURE INSPECTION OF THE LEFT HAND SIDE TIRES THAT MAY HAVE BEEN ROTATED TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE) FOR TIRE TREAD DAMAGE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DAMAGED TIRE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 13, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY SHIFT INTO REVERSE. UPON EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A WIRING HARNESS WITHIN THE ENGINE MELTED AGAINST THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 1, 2012 · fire

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at a low rate of speed, the vehicle would independently accelerate upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. During a recent failure, the contact crashed into a fence as part of the fence had become…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 20, 2023 · crash

AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN AND MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, RUNNING OVER THE CONCRETE STOP AND THE CURVE. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND RAN HEAD ON INTO A TREE THAT WAS APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET AWAY FROM THE PARKING SPACE. THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 1, 2014 · crash

AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN AND MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, RUNNING OVER THE CONCRETE STOP AND THE CURVE. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND RAN HEAD ON INTO A TREE THAT WAS APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET AWAY FROM THE PARKING SPACE. THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 1, 2014 · crash

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at a low rate of speed, the vehicle would independently accelerate upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. During a recent failure, the contact crashed into a fence as part of the fence had become…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 20, 2023 · crash

2006 Ford Expedition — common questions

Is the 2006 Ford Expedition reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 395 complaints put the 2006 model at #13 of 36 Expedition years. It is one of the Expedition years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Expedition problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (166 complaints), electrical system (37 complaints), speed control (29 complaints).

Does the 2006 Ford Expedition have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Ford Expedition. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Ford Expedition under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Expedition years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Expedition years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2001, 2019, 2017, 2020, 2018, 2005, 2002, 2006, 2004, 2021. The cleanest record among Expedition years belongs to 2027.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.