Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Ford Expedition owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
First occurrence exhibited flickering dashboard lights before the electrical system went completely dead and the engine quit while accelerating at approximately 20 MPH. Put vehicle in neutral and was able to restart engine normally before coming to a stop. Have experienced several short instances of dash flickering over the past couple of weeks with no apparent engine problems. During that same period there have been approximately 4 instances of the electrical system being completely dead upon the initial attempt to start the engine. When this happens, the only light that is illuminated on the dash (or anywhere else for that matter) is what I think is the airbag light; however, normal electrical power has, thus far, re-appeared within 5 minutes and the engine then starts and runs normally. …
Vehicle had been displaying the low air pressure light and the check engine light ( smog control). Tires were checked and found to be properly inflated, all fluids, filters, etc, were checked and found to be in working order. Vehicle was driven approximately 15-20 miles. Both before mention lights continued to come on and off. Vehicle was parked. Approx 1 hour later vehicle horn sounded, I walked to check horn and found the vehicle interior in flames. I was able to put the fire out, and keep the damage to the drivers side dash, steering area. Vehicle interior suffered heavy smoke damage, front windshield cracked. Contacted insurance company and Ford motor company. Vehicle is only 9 months old and still under warranty. I requested that Ford replace my vehicle with another vehicle just like I purchased. …
I was driving down the freeway approximately 50 MPH when my engine completely shut down. There was a beep and a light came on that said "enginer fail safe mode". The engine shut off, but luckily I still had full movement of my steering wheel so I was able to change lanes and get off to the shoulder. I panicked for a moment, but started the car and it started right back up. I attempted my drive to work and made it there. Not sure what to do about the problem, but I'm scared to drive it anymore. Especially with my children in the vehicle and my husband is out of town for work. This is a major safety issue and needs to be recalled.
Tl* the contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2006 Ford Expedition. When the vehicle was started, there was an odor of antifreeze in the vehicle. Additionally, the temperature gauge and cylinder head temperature switch became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the intake manifold and cylinder head temperature switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 245,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. On another occasion, the vehicle stalled after the vehicle engine safety mode was initiated while driving approximately 5 MPH. The vehicle was restarted but the failure recurred five minutes later. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the engine fail safe mode warning light flashed and the vehicle drastically reduced speed and stalled without warning. The contact had to apply force to coast the vehicle off the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the computer needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
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 was 135,000.
My wife, three kids and myself were in our 2006 Ford Expedition limited coming down a mountain pass in lake tahoe when all of a sudden the engine stopped! A code on the dash read "fail safe engine mode". The steering wheel locked and there was no power, no acceleration. I was lucky to pull to the side of the road. The following day, I took the truck to the carson city, nv Ford dealer and paid for a diagnostic. Notes from dealer: road test could not verify. Performed eec self test, has code p0104. Performed wiggle test and pinpoint tests. Performed recorder-monitor test all the pids looked good. Removed the maf sensor. Has debris on the maf sensor wires. Recommend a new maf sensor." I put in a new maf sensor and air filter. In driving less than 3 miles after this was done, the truck did the same thing. The "fail safe engine mode" came on, loss of power and acceleration. …
I was driving 45 miles an hour down a major highway when my engine in my 2006 for Expedition just shut down without warning and went into "fail -safe mode". Thank god I was able to cross 3 lanes of traffic without incident to get to the shoulder. I shut off my car as the manual told me too. After 20 mins I was able to restart the car. I drove to the nearest dealership so they could look into the issue. It was diagnosed as needing a replacement throttle body. When I asked "what happened? Why did this happen?", I was told "it just happens," and "there is nothing preventative that can be done.". Conveniently this part was not covered by my 100,000 mile powertrain warranty that Ford is so proud of on its used vehicles. This repair cost me $609. …
Electrical complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2006 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Ford Expedition, 11% of the model year's 299 complaints. The component named most often is horn (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Ford Expedition electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2006 Ford Expedition, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Ford Expedition electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 3 injuries and 1 death to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.