RoadVitals

2006 Ford Expedition Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Apr 21, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 299 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
12
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
12

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Ford Expedition submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

AirbagsElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 21, 2023
Crash reported1 injury reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11518263
Incident
Apr 20, 2023
Mileage
222,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jun 13, 2017
Crash reported3 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY HYDROPLANED AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND 8-10 TIMES AND CRASHED INTO THE WALL APPROXIMATELY AN ADDITIONAL FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY WENT BACK ONTO THE ROAD FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE TO MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE INJECTORS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG RELEASED; HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CHILD IN THE REAR WAS EJECTED FROM THE SAFETY SEAT, THE PASSENGER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE ARM, BACK, AND NECK AREA, AND THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE BACK, LEG, PELVIC, WRIST, AND HEAD INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: CAS12509910. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID
10994910
Incident
Jul 18, 2016
Mileage
160,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 18, 2016

"TAKATA RECALL" THERE IS A LOUD VIBRATION COMING FROM PASSENGER SIDE OF DASHBOARD. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO BE INSPECTED AND WAS TOLD THERE IS A LEAK IN MY AIR BAG AND THAT UPON COLLISION THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ID
10916742
Incident
Oct 3, 2016
Mileage
124,000 mi
AirbagsVisibility
Filed Jan 28, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

IT WAS SNOWING ON MY WAY TO AN APPOINTMENT AND MY WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. I COULDN'T SEE OUT OF THE WINDOWS AND ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE FRONT END OF MY 2006 FORD EXPEDITION. ALSO THE OTHER DRIVERS AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT MINE DID NOT. MY TRUCK WAS TOTALED. I SPENT THE NIGHT IN THE HOSPITAL WITH BACK INJURIES AND LEG INJURIES, AS WELL AS A HEAD INJURIES WHICH CAUSED ME TO TEMPORARILY LOSE MY MEMORY AND CONSCIOUSNESS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10679376
Incident
Jan 8, 2015
Mileage
144,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceFuel system
Filed Aug 9, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN AND MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, RUNNING OVER THE CONCRETE STOP AND THE CURVE. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND RAN HEAD ON INTO A TREE THAT WAS APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET AWAY FROM THE PARKING SPACE. THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CAR WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10621042
Incident
Aug 1, 2014
Mileage
163,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureEngine+1 more
Filed Oct 4, 2012
Crash reported2 injuries reported

I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY, FM 185. I WAS DRIVING NORTHEAST WHILE THE OTHER DRIVER WAS SOMEWHAT STOPPED HEADING WEST, TRYING TO TURN SOUTH ONTO CATTLE DRIVE. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION AWAITING TO TURN LEFT. THE OTHER DRIVER TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME AS I WAS HEADED STRAIGHT. THE INITIAL IMPACT WAS DRIVER'S FRONT SIDE AND THEN DOWN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. WE HIT, AND THEN MY VEHICLE DID A 180 DEGREE TURN WHICH TURNED MY VEHICLE AROUND FACING MY INITIAL PATH OF DIRECTION. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAD CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAGS, DRIVER, AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS AS WELL. THE AIRBAGS OF THE CAR CAUSING THE ACCIDENT DID DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10478584
Incident
Sep 27, 2012
Mileage
90,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 15, 2011
Crash reported

2006 FORD EXPEDITION INVOLVED IN HEAD ON ACCIDENT AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FORD EXPEDITION WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON A FOUR LANE DIVIDED STREET ABOUT 30-35 MPH WHEN A MINIVAN TRAVELING NORTHBOUND BLINDLY TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN INTO A SHOPPING PLAZA AND TURNED RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. AN RV WAS SITTING IN THE CENTER MEDIAN BLOCKING HER VIEW. I HIT HER PASSENGER REAR SIDE HEAD ON. I HAD 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WHY THE HECK DO I EVEN HAVE THEM IF THEY AREN'T GOING TO WORK WHEN NEEDED? I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN MY EXPEDITION AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AGAIN. I DON'T FEEL IT IS SAFE... ISN'T THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT SUPPOSED TO PROTECT US AND KEEP US SAFE AND WORK?? *TR

NHTSA ID
10406971
Incident
Jun 14, 2011
Mileage
100,532 mi
Airbags
Filed May 28, 2011
Crash reported

WAS INVOLVED IN A (3) THREE VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN JANUARY 2011 ON STATE ROUTE 28 ON BLACK ICE CONDITIONS. VEHICLE #1 HIT BLACK ICE AND LOST CONTROL STRIKING MY 2006 FORD EXPEDITION SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN MY EXPEDITION WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE DURING THE COLLISION. I DID HAVE MY SEAT BELT ON AND LUCKILY WAS NOT SEVERELY INJURED. NEITHER OF MY FRONT AIR-BAGS DEPLOYED AND MY EXPEDITION SUFFERED $14,000 DOLLARS IN FRONT END DAMAGE ALONE. THE AIRBAG SENSOR WAS DAMAGED AND SHOULD OF DEPLOYED THE AIR-BAGS BUT DID NOT. MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT REPAIR SHOP AND STATE POLICE WERE BOTH SURPRISED AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NOW I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAG SENSOR AS IT LIGHTS UP ALL THE TIME AND NO PROBLEMS CAN BE FOUND WHEN DIAGNOSED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. I STILL OWN MY EXPEDITION AND WORRY FOR SAFETY IF ANOTHER COLLISION OCCURS WILL THE AIR-BAGS DEPLOY TO SAVE A LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10403653
Incident
Jan 6, 2011
Airbags
Filed Jan 13, 2011
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD HIT BLACK ICE AND THEN SLIDE INTO A TREE HEAD ON. BOTH THE DRIVERSIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT BUT STILL SUFFERED FACIAL TRAUMA. I RECEIVED SEVERAL SUTURES IN MY LIPS AND THE INSIDE OF MY MOUTH. I THINK FORD SHOULD INVESTIGATE AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT IF MY AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED I WOULDN'T HAVE SUFFERED THE TRAUMA TO MY FACE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10376575
Incident
Jan 1, 2011
Airbags
Filed Oct 28, 2010
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, CONSTRUCTION TRUCK RAN INTO BACK OF MY 2006 FORD EXPEDITION. THE IMPACT PUSHED ME 20 FEET INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, SANDWICHING MY VEHICLE IN BETWEEN THE OTHER TWO; THE IMPACT FIRST THREW ME BACK THEN FORWARD & SENT MY GLASSES OFF MY HEAD BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I GOT A CONCUSSION & SHOULDER INJURY DUE TO FORCE. POLICE & MEDICAL PERSONS WERE AMAZED THAT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE HAD FRONT END & REAR DAMAGE, WAS UNDRIVEABLE & HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY. I AM WAITING TO FIND OUT IF IT WILL BE TOTALED OUT.

NHTSA ID
10363330
Incident
Oct 27, 2010
Mileage
38,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 25, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG FAILURE TO DEPLOY-WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT ON NOV. 24, 2008...HIT BLACK ICE PATCH, ENDED UP IN A DEEP DITCH AND CREEK BED. WAS TRAVELING APPROX 35 TO 40 MPH. FRONT END OF CAR EXPERIENCED HEAVY DAMAGE. DRIVER WAS WEARING SEAT BELT. PASSENGER AIRBAG DID DEPLOY, NO PASSENGER PRESENT IN VEHICLE. DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE!!!! VEHICLE SUSTAINED $13,000 IN ESTIMATED REPAIRS. MILEAGE ON VEHICLE WAS 53,000. DUE TO EXTENSIVE REPAIR ESTIMATE, VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED. WE ARE SEEING SEVERAL OTHERS IN THIS WEBSITE AND OTHERS ON THE INTERNET WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED FRONT END AND REAR END CRASHES WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR AUTO AND OBVIOUSLY NO ONE AT FORD IS BOTHERING TO PHONE PEOPLE BACK, NOR INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM OR DO A RECALL. HOW MANY LIVES WILL BE TAKEN BEFORE ANYONE DOES ANYTHING?? LUCKILY I WAS NOT INJURED IN THE CRASH OTHER THAN A SORE NECK FROM THE SEATBELT LASHING. WE PAY FOR THESE "SAFETY" ITEMS ON OUR VEHICLES BUT WHAT GOOD ARE THEY WHEN THEY DO NOT WORK????????? IT'S INSANE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10249887
Incident
Nov 24, 2008
Mileage
53,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 23, 2008

I AM DRIVING A 2006 FORD EXPEDITION. THE OTHER MORNING, I PUT MY CHILD IN THE CAR SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVERS SEAT. I HALF ENTERED THE CAR TO TURN ON THE ENGINE, AS IT WAS CHILLY OUT. ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS AFTER TURNING THE CAR ON, I HEARD A HUGE EXPLOSION. SOUNDED AS IF A RIFLE HAD BEEN SHOT NEXT TO MY HEAD. THE BABY WENT NUTS. I LOOKED AROUND, AND THE SIDE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD TURNED THE CAR ON THAT DAY. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON MY SIDE, IT WOULD HAVE SLAMMED INTO ME PRETTY GOOD, AS WELL AS MY CHILD. THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM MADE ME PAY TO HAVE IT DRIVEN TO THEM AND THE RENTAL CAR. THEY WOULD NOT DRIVE IT THEMSELVES FOR FEAR OF ANOTHER AIR BAG DEPLOYING WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING. THIS IS OF COURSE WHY I WOULDN'T DRIVE IT EITHER. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY ARE INSISTING I PAY FOR THE REPAIR. IT IS $2500. I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS SITUATION AND AM CONCERNED IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN, MAYBE WHILE I AM DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP SAID SINCE NO ONE WAS HURT IN THIS INSTANCE IT WASN'T THERE PROBLEM. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE? SINCERELY, JENNIFER VESTAL *TR

NHTSA ID
10246492
Incident
Oct 17, 2008
Mileage
71,000 mi
AirbagsEngineOther / unspecified
Filed Sep 5, 2007

PURCHASED VEHICLE IN JANUARY 2006, BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE BACK WINDOW WAS LEAKING. HAD THE BACK WINDOW REPAIRED, STILL LEAKS. THE SEAL ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S FRONT WINDOWS WERE MISSING. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK 3 TIMES BEFORE THIS WAS FIXED. AFTER THAT, THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK IN THE SHOP AT LEAST 3 TIMES, ONE TIME THEY KEPT IT FOR A WEEK, CLAIM THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE. THEY THEN DECIDED IT WAS THE A/C COMPRESSOR AND WE SHOULD HAVE THE A/C OFF WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. TRIED IT, DOES NOT WORK. NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, IT IS MAKING THE LOUD GRINDING NOISE EVEN MORE. AT ONE POINT, WE WERE TOLD BY A SALESMAN THAT WE SHOULD JUST CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE IF WE BREAK DOWN WHILE ON VACATION. JUST WHAT WE WANTED WAS TO HAVE OUR VACATION RUINED BY A FORD SCREW UP. THE DEALER WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WON'T FIX IT. ON TOP OF THAT THE DVD ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE WON'T STAY CLOSED, THE COVER OVER THE MOTOR FOR THE THIRD SEAT HAS COME DETACHED AND DOESN'T FOLD UP RIGHT AND THE AIR CONDITIONER IS WARM WHEN SITTING STILL. ALL PROBLEMS THAT A MAJOR CORPORATION SHOULD NOT HAVE ON A VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN ON THE MARKET FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WOULD REALLY LIKE ALL THE PROBLEMS COMPLETELY FIXED OR A REPLACEMENT. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN HAD VERY HARD FRONTAL IMPACT EITHER.

NHTSA ID
10201895
Incident
May 1, 2006
Mileage
6,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 17, 2007
Crash reported

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT GOING ABOUT 35 MPH AT THE TIME. I PRESSED THE BRAKES AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED . DRIVER HAD ALL CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE . THOUGHT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SENSOR THAT MADE THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOY. HAD THE TRUCK CHECKED BY GALPIN FORD, BUT THEY SAID THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL DEPLOY AT ANY TIME FOR ANY APPARENT REASON SINCE THEY DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10188135
Incident
Feb 24, 2007
Airbags
Filed Apr 14, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported

I LOST CONTROL OF THE 2006 FORD EXPEDITION ON ICY ROADS AND WENT INTO DITCH AND HIT ENBANKMENT HEAD ON. MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BY THE DRIVER SIDE DID NOT. I WAS WEARING A SEATBELT. BECAUSE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY CHEST AND PART OF MY STOMACH. THIS WAS A CONCERN BECAUSE I AM 19 WEEKS PREGNANT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10187866
Incident
Apr 11, 2007
Mileage
35,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 28, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAS TOO MUCH PLAY IN IT. THE AIRBAG HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE, BUT THE AIR BAG HAS NEVER DEPLOYED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
10163822
Incident
Jun 1, 2006

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .