Motor Almanac

Ford / Expedition / 2006

2006 Ford Expedition

Family: Expedition · filed with NHTSA as EXPEDITION

Summary

  • Of the 288 complaints that name a component, 56% concern Engine (162).
  • These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
  • Not enough history to compare this year with the rest of its generation.
  • 6 recalls filed for this model year.
  • 1 federal defect investigation covers this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints
299
Recalls
6
Investigations
1
NCAP overall
Not rated
Combined MPG
14
Annual fuel cost
$4,450
Median mileage at complaint
80,000 mi (n = 263)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths
19 / 6 / 24 / 3

What owners report

Engine

162 complaints · 56% of complaints that name a component · median 88,000 mi (n = 149)

Owner report The contact owns a 2006 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle was driving sluggishly. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the ignition coil, th…
Owner report UPON RECEIVING TUNE UP THE SPARK PLUGS BROKE APART.AFTER GETTING THEM OUT CYL#1 WOULD NOT HOLD SPARK PLUG,CAUSED ME TO SPEND MORE MONEY TO GET PROBLEM FIXED.BUT THE SHOPS WILL NOT GUARANTEE THE WORK THAT IS NEEDED.THEY ALL SAID IT WAS A FACTORY ISSUE.THE TRUCK WAS STATIONARY AS WELL.

Electrical System

32 complaints · 11% of complaints that name a component · median 83,000 mi (n = 25)

Owner report TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE FAIL SAFE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
Owner report TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPRESSOR AND THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPRESSOR WAS LEAKING, CAUSING THE AIR CONDITIONER FROM FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,174 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS …

Accelerator & Cruise Control

29 complaints · 10% of complaints that name a component · median 86,280 mi (n = 28)

Owner report TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FAIL SAFE MODE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD NEED CLEANING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILU…
Owner report TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TROUBLE CODES DETECTED…

4% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (2003–2006)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints.

Model yearAll complaintsFirst three yearsNote
2003615216
2004297103
200531531not compared
200629948not compared

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

09E012000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Filed 2009-04-07 · 16,270 vehicles

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.

Risk: 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.

06E064000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Filed 2006-07-17 · 4,029 vehicles

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.

Risk: 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.

06E056000 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Filed 2006-06-13 · 58,640 vehicles

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.

Risk: 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.

06E023000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Filed 2006-03-13 · 292,000 vehicles

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."

Risk: 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.

05V520000 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

Filed 2005-11-09 · 199,942 vehicles

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.

Risk: 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.

05V310000 · TIRES:TREAD/BELT

Filed 2005-07-06 · 10,061 vehicles

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.

Risk: 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.

Federal investigations

ActionComponentOpenedClosedRecall
PE08070WHEELS2008-12-092009-04-15

PE08070: STEEL WHEEL FRACTURE

Engines and fuel economy

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyCombinedFuel cost / yr
Expedition 2WD5.4L 8cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive121714$4450
Expedition 4WD5.4L 8cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive121614$4450

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

VariantOverallFrontalSideRollover
2006 Ford Expedition 4-DR.Not RatedNot RatedNot Rated★★★★☆

Service bulletins

Ford issued 33 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about power train.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

DateComponentSummary
2024-07-24WHEELSThis article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to clarify applicable steps by vehicle application. Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhib…
2023-04-04STRUCTUREFor 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification numbe…
2022-06-21POWER TRAINSome 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may be due to partial engagement of the integrated wheel ends (IW…
2020-10-16ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSome 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with TOD transfer cases may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may be due to partial engagement of the integrated wheel ends (…
2020-07-13STRUCTUREThis article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint wi…
2019-02-07STRUCTURESome 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Fo…
2019-02-07STRUCTURESome 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Fo…
2018-06-01ENGINEVarious vehicles equipped with a 4.6L, 5.4L, 6.8L modular 3 valve engine built on or before 8-Jan-2016 may exhibit symptoms that may include upper end engine noise, rough running, misfire and/or engine damage. If diagnosis leads to only cam…
2017-04-24ELECTRICAL SYSTEMWhen ordering a 2005 to 2008 remanufactured 5.4L 3v or 6.8L 3v engine, spark plug boots may be provided in the packaging. Replace all black spark plug boots from the original engine with the 'brown' spark plug boots, as provided. The update…
2016-09-21ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGSThe Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate …

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this Expedition, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Ford Expedition model page.

Sources

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.