2006 Ford Expedition Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2006 Ford Expedition has a complaint index of 70, ranking 7th worst out of 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 60% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 86,900 miles, plus two recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #7 of 21 Expedition years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 299
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 19
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 24
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 14
- 12 city / 16.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 24 / 3
Top 2006 Ford Expedition problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine180 (60%)
- Electrical System32 (11%)
- Fuel System24 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain22 (7%)
- Other21 (7%)
- Structure & Body21 (7%)
- Brakes20 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires18 (6%)
- Airbags16 (5%)
- Steering14 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in frontal or side-impact crashes at speeds around 35 to 40 mph, sometimes causing injury.
- Brake pedal reportedly traveled to the floor with no stopping power during panic braking, leading to a crash.
- A tie rod reportedly broke on a nearly new vehicle, causing loss of steering control during a turn.
- Low tire pressure warnings sounded before a tire failure that owners linked to a rollover crash.
- Vehicle reportedly slipped out of gear without the brake pedal being pressed after service work.
- Electrical warning lights (low air pressure, check engine) appeared repeatedly before a reported fire incident.
2006 Ford Expedition recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 05V520000Nov 9, 2005Visibility & Wipers199,942 vehicles
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
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.
- NHTSA 05V310000Jul 6, 2005Suspension, Wheels & Tires10,061 vehicles
Tires:tread/belt
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.
2006 Ford Expedition fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 12 MPG
- Highway
- 16.5 MPG
- Combined
- 14 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Ford Expedition reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2006 Expedition has a complaint index of 70 and ranks 7th worst among 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine issues make up 60% of its 299 complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2006 Ford Expedition?
- Engine problems are the top complaint area, accounting for 180 of 299 complaints (60%), with a median failure mileage of 86,900 miles.
- Does the 2006 Ford Expedition have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2006 Expedition: one for a windshield wiper motor missing grease, and one for tire damage on the driver's side during production. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2006 Expedition compare to other Expedition years?
- The 2006 model's complaint index of 70 is worse than the 2007 (30), 2009 (0), 2010 (20), and 2011 (5) model years, all of which rate Good or Best. Later years like 2019 and 2020 score worse, at 95 and 100.
- What mileage do Expedition engine problems typically appear at?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 86,900 miles for engine-related complaints on the 2006 Expedition.