Twice in last week, driving at slow speed and "engine fail safe mode" light comes on. Lost power, braking, and steering. Forced to put car in neutral while car was rolling to restart. Rolled right thru stop sign. Restarted fine, luckily. In second event, almost got hit when turning left across oncoming traffic! Started turn and couldn't stop turn due to loss of braking. Fortunately, first…
2006 Ford Expedition steering problems
severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 14 steering complaints filed for the 2006 Ford Expedition, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 9 model years of Ford Expedition we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 14.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
The most frequent and serious complaint in this cluster is sudden engine shutdown during normal driving. Owners report the vehicle entering "Engine Failsafe Mode" and shutting down completely at speeds ranging from 5 to 70 mph, leaving them unable to steer or brake effectively. One owner lost power steering and nearly got hit while making a left turn; others had to coast through traffic or nearly got rear-ended. Ford dealerships have replaced throttle bodies—one owner paid $536 in 2009—but the stalls return in many cases. One owner documented nearly 60 similar complaints online. Ford has declined to recall, citing no current plan.
A second major issue is the transmission shift lever breaking off repeatedly. One owner had it snap three times between 2011 and 2016 during routine gear selection, forcing tows and repairs. The dealership said the part was eventually discontinued.
Early steering problems also appear: one owner reported loud noise and vibration in the steering wheel at just over 9,000 miles; the dealer replaced the steering rack twice within weeks but the problem persisted. The manufacturer eventually said the failure was "not uncommon" and refused further action.
One owner reported a left front tie rod fracture during an evasive maneuver that caused total loss of steering control and a collision.
All of these are unverified owner allegations with no manufacturer recalls in place.
Same Ford Expedition steering reports on nearby years: 2005
Failure modes owners describe
Shift Lever Breaking
Gear shift lever broke off repeatedly during normal operation when owner attempted to shift into gear, requiring towing and replacement. Part eventually discontinued by manufacturer.
When: 2011, 2014, 2016 at low mileage/during startup or driveway operation
Symptoms owners cite: Shift lever breaks off when placing vehicle in gear; Occurred multiple times over several years
Repairs/costs cited: Sarasota Ford replaced with used part (new parts discontinued); cost mentioned but specific amount not disclosed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford told dealer part was discontinued; no recalls issued despite multiple complaints filed by owner
Engine Failsafe Mode / Stalling with Loss of Power and Steering
Engine suddenly shuts down completely during highway and local driving, triggered by 'Engine Failsafe Mode' indicator. Vehicle loses all power, power steering, and adequate braking, leaving driver unable to steer or stop safely. Most incidents attributed to throttle body issues; one case involved fuel pump modulator speculation.
When: Various incidents from 2009 onward; mileage ranged from 140,000 to unspecified on newer complaints
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off completely without warning while driving; Loss of power steering when engine dies; Loss or significant reduction in braking power; Failsafe mode warning light and beep before shutdown; Engine hesitation and improper acceleration before stalls; Stalling at low speeds (5-50 mph) and highway speeds (50-70 mph)
Codes mentioned: Throttle body fault (most common diagnosis), Throttle body forces immediate idle, Fuel pump modulator suspected in one case
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement cost $536 in 2009; repairs failed permanently in multiple cases with stalls recurring after work or within 5 minutes. One case required replacement at 140,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford told owner no recalls exist and no plans for recall; warranty expired on second repair (5 years later)
Steering Rack Noise and Vibration
Loud noise and vibration in steering wheel developed at low mileage. Steering rack replaced twice within weeks but problem persisted. Dealer eventually said issue was not uncommon for this vehicle type and refused further action pending engineer investigation.
When: October-November 2006 at 9,087 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise in steering while driving; Vibration in steering wheel at speeds 5-50 mph; Failure recurred 2-3 days after first repair, continued after second repair
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack replaced on 10/21/06 and again on 11/13/06; neither repair resolved issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford engineer investigation requested; dealer letter 02/12/07 stated failure was not uncommon and no further action needed. Vehicle failed lemon law inspection twice.
Left Front Tie Rod Fracture
Left front tie rod broke during hard evasive maneuver to avoid collision, causing complete loss of steering control. Owner noted fracture marks on tie rod.
When: During hard left turn evasive maneuver at approximately 30 mph (new vehicle)
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of steering control during hard left turn; Unable to turn steering wheel to recover to the right; Vehicle collided with guard rail due to steering loss
Repairs/costs cited: Left front tie rod was broken/fractured; damage inspection completed
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2006 Ford Expedition?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 86,900 and 133,237 miles, with the median around 106,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 86,900; a quarter make it past 133,237. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Ford/Expedition.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.