Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2006 Ford ExpeditionRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 299 owner complaints for the 2006 Ford Expedition. Most complaints involve engine (87) and engine and engine cooling (75). The EPA rates it 14 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
14mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Apr 2009
Owner complaints
299
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$4,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Jul 17, 2006NHTSA 06E064000

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jun 13, 2006NHTSA 06E056000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

299 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2005 – Jan 2024
  1. Engine87
  2. Engine and engine cooling75
  3. Electrical system32
  4. Vehicle speed control29
  5. Power train22
  6. Structure19
  7. Air bags16
  8. Fuel system, gasoline15
  9. Steering14

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Expedition model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1997868
1998851
1999970
2000942
2001609
2002383
2003655
2004297
2005315
2006299
2007215
2008146
200928
201058
201171
2012118
201392
201472
2015164
2016217
2017358
2018383
2019521
2020426
2021241
2022116
202365
202479
202538
202611
Crashes reported
19
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
24
Deaths reported
3
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

87 reports1 crash
“the service engine light continues to turn on. the timing belt continues to fail and has already been replaced once. the camshaft on both sides have been replaced. the solenoids have also been replaced and the diagnostics codes still pop up (p0022) (p0021) are just some that i can remember. the engine does not have enough power on the driver side and throws the timing belt off which causes the loud rattle coming from the engine. when reaching the speed of 40-45 mph the truck begins to shake. recently in november 2023, when fueling up with gas , the truck began to shake and not respond. when accelerating, the truck takes off very slowly and the gears dont kick in on time. when the gas light comes on , the truck begins to function well. but as soon as i put gas again. it feels like the truck is going to fall apart. the driver door gets stuck when trying to open from the inside. the back door on the left does not open from the outside. the gear handle can be moved up and down while the truck is not turned on. please help!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 8, 2024Suspension, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11564296

Engine and engine cooling

75 reports1 fire
“I BELIEVE THAT FORD EXPEDITIONS FROM YEARS 2003 - 2006 HAVE A SERIOUS DEFECT. I AM EXPERIENCING RADIATOR SUPPORT MOUNT ROT. MY MECHANIC SAYS THIS SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING ON A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE READ ON THE FORD EXPEDITION FORUM THAT MANY EXPEDITION DRIVERS ARE NOW FINDING THIS TO BE THE CASE WITH THEIR VEHICLES AS WELL. I SERIOUSLY BELIEVE A RECALL SHOULD BE IN PLACE TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. THE A/C CONDENSER IS NOW FALLING THROUGH AND THE BODY MOUNTS ARE BEING COMPROMISED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 3, 2013Engine and engine coolingODI 10523121

Electrical system

32 reports1 crash1 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 wedged underneath the vehicle. After placing the vehicle into park and exiting the vehicle, the wheels continued to move. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. Despite minor soreness to his neck, no medial attention was required. A police report was not filed. Despite the failure, the contact managed to restart the vehicle and safely to his destination. The fence sustained severe damage as a result of the failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 21, 2023Power train, Electrical system, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11518263
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
5.4L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Expedition 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
121714$4,600635
Expedition 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121614$4,600635
  • Expedition 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $4,600/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Expedition 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L
    12 city · 16 hwy · $4,600/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Ford Expedition as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 1720
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 Expedition questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Ford Expedition have?

6 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Ford Expedition problems?

Owners filed 299 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (87), engine and engine cooling (75), electrical system (32). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Ford Expedition get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Ford Expedition at 14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026