Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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.
The dealership had just finished removing an extra alarm they had installed on the 2006 Ford Expedition. I was sitting in the front seat and was excited about getting a new truck, and ended up shifting it out of gear without my foot being on the brake. I told our sales person and they wanted to fix it before we took delivery of the truck. The next day they called and told us it was ready. They had replaced the shift actuator. We checked it and it seemed to work fine. A year later, my kids were getting in the car, I went back into the house to get something I forgot, and my 2 year old climbed in o the front seat and was playing and pulled the truck out of gear without her foot being on the brake and no keys in the ignition. The truck rolled out of driveway across the street and down my neighbor's yard and hit a tree. Luckily no one was hurt. …
My 2006 Ford Expedition's "engine failsafe mode" initiated and alerted me while I was operating the vehicle, which resulted in the vehicle shutting down completely and losing all power. My main issue/concern with this is that I lost steering and a significant amount of braking power. Fortunately, I was on a side road and was able to safely pull over out of harm's way. The vehicle was able to start a couple of tries later, and I was able to get the vehicle into a service shop safely, which was over an hour away. I cannot help but be grateful for getting home safely, but am very concerned about these vehicles experiencing such issues as they traverse major thoroughfares, especially on a highway traveling around 70mph. This potentially posed very impactful consequences and puts myself, friends/family traveling with me, and other motorists.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Expedition. While driving 45 MPH, the osc warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission torque converter failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist where it was diagnosed that several components in the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Expedition. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the "fail safe mode" indicator displayed. Hertrich Ford in milford, delaware was made aware of the failure and replaced the throttle body and the driver's side fuel module. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Expedition. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the rpms increased. The check engine and service vehicle soon warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Expedition. While driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and the second gear failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,587.
Engine was losing power under load (only while accelerating). No check engine light ever came on. At 88,000 miles figured that not only will I replace all 8 spark plugs, but would replace all 8 coil packs as well. Upon removal on the spark plugs, 1 spark plug broke (so far) leaving the bottom piece inside the head. Ford knows about this problem, as it can lead many like myself with an outrageous expense to properly remove the broken spark plug and can in the long run damage the aluminum head too. They are motor craft platinum (ceramic inside) spark plugs. Napa sells a tool to extract the broke plug out. Why in the world this is allowed to continue on without a recall is beyond me. Ford knows about these issues and should have a massive recall for the any vehicle that contains these spark plugs, like my 2006 model with a 5.3l does. …
At about 11,000 miles I had the first incident while in normal traffic going about 45 MPH. Felt like the transmission slipped. No power during 1st and 2nd gear change. A few days later the same thing happen while entering the interstate. While trying to accelerate there was no power, nearly hit by semi-truck, couldn't get over 60 MPH and the check engine light came on. I slowed back on the accelerator and light went off and power slowly came back. Took vehicle to Ford at 12,000+ miles, kept it for several days. Said it was a computer module, changed it, picked vehicle up and not 2 miles down the road the same thing happened again. Didn't have the time to take it right back in not to mention there rental car experience was equally horrible. It's in their shop now 3/10 and I'm at 22,000 miles and it happens every time I accelerate. It's a very dangerous problem. …
As I am driving down the road I lose power and deaccelerate and go into fail safe mode. The little wrench light comes on the dash. Then the engine cuts off completely. This has happened at multiple speeds. It is extremely dangerous! Once I turn the key off I restart the engine and it May not happen again for a month. I replaced the throttle position sensor and it did not do this for about a year, now it is starting again and it has happened 5 times in the last 3 months. It has happened at 65mph, 40mph, 25mph, 55mph, 30 MPH. There is no pattern. I have been lucky that I have been able to pull over to the side of the road or turn into a parking lot each time this happens, it scares me! I have read multiple accounts of this happening online to the 2006 and wonder why it has not been recalled if there are so many problems with it. …
Transmission complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Ford Expedition, 7% of the model year's 299 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Ford Expedition transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.