VehicleVerdict

2006 Ford F-250 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 332 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.3 times the median F-250 year — the 2006 model ranks #12 of 55 F-250 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 19 injuries in total across these filings.

Suspension leads the complaint categories with 88 reports (27% of the total).

332

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

2

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

19

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other F-250 years?

See all F-250 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Ford F-250 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension8827%
Steering7823%
Engine3811%
Tires & Wheels247%
Electrical System227%
Fuel System175%
Body & Structure113%
Other113%
Brakes93%
Transmission93%
Speed Control82%
Airbags52%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Lighting31%
Seat Belts31%
Latches & Locks21%
Seats10%

Does the 2006 Ford F-250 have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V352000LightingJuly 13, 2011 · 26,715 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Consequence

NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

09V026000OtherJanuary 26, 2009 · 108 units

Defect

COMM TRANS IS RECALLING 108 MY 2005-2008 FORD E250 AND E350 VANS BUILT ON FORD CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.

Consequence

A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy

COMM TRANS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR COMM TRANS AT 901-726-9394.

09V025000OtherJanuary 23, 2009 · 111 units

Defect

COMM TRANS IS RECALLING 111 MY 2005-2008 FORD E250 AND E350 VANS BUILT ON FORD CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS ON MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.

Consequence

THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy

COMM TRANS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR COMM TRANS AT 901-726-9394.

08V344000Trailer HitchJuly 28, 2008 · 108 units

Defect

KNAPHEIDE IS RECALLING 108 MY 2006-2008 PRO SERIES TRUCK BEDS EQUIPPED WITH AN ICC BUMPER WHICH INCLUDED A PROVISION FOR A BALL HITCH. THERE MAY BE AN INSUFFICIENT WELD ATTACHING THE HITCH CHANNEL TO THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN BENDING OF THE HITCH CHANNEL OR THE HITCH COULD BE PULLED OFF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

KNAPHEIDE WILL OFFER TWO REMEDIES TO ITS CUSTOMERS: (1) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO DO NOT USE THE HITCH, THE HITCH WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUCK BED AND REPLACED WITH AN ICC BUMPER; OR (2) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO NEED A HITCH, A RECEIVER HITCH ASSEMBLY WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING HITCH ASSEMBLY AND ALL SUSPECT WELD JOINTS WILL BE RE WELDED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KNAPHEIDE AT 1-877-473-5763.

06E087000BrakesOctober 17, 2006 · 450 units

Defect

CERTAIN HARSCO WHEEL MODIFICATION GROUPS CONTAINING ACCURIDE STEEL RIMS, P/NOS. 203237 AND 203738; ACCURIDE ALUMINUM RIMS, P/N 203712; AND GKN STEEL RIMS, P/N 203688, SOLD AS MODIFICATION EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 2005-2007 FORD F-250/F-350 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS TO MODIFY TRACK WIDTH OF FRONT AND REAR AXLES. THE RIMS PROVIDED IN THESE WHEEL MODIFICATION GROUPS WEAR THROUGH THE OEM BRAKE LINES.

Consequence

BRAKE FAILURE CAN OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

HARSCO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN IN SEPTEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARSCO AT 507-235-7112.

05T022000Tires & WheelsNovember 21, 2005 · 34,396 units

Defect

CERTAIN CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TR OWL, CONTITRAC TR BSW, GENERAL GRABBER TR BSW, AND CONTITRAC BSW TIRES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 29 AND JUNE 11, 2005, AND SOLD AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON CERTAIN FORD TRUCKS AND SOLD AS REPLACEMENT TIRES. THESE TIRES CAN WEAR PREMATURELY WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 119, NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS.

Consequence

AFFECTED TIRES MAY NOT MEET THE ENDURANCE TEST REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. CONTINUED USE OF THE AFFECTED TIRES CAN RESULT IN TIRE FAILURE WHICH COULD LEAD TO VEHICLE DAMAGE OR MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

CONTINENTAL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 7, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CONTINENTAL AT 704-588-5895.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I HAD NEVER HEARD OF A DEATH WOBBLE UNTIL I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE HOSPITAL WITH MY THREE CHILDREN AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. WE WERE TRAVELING NORTH BOUND ON THE M53 VAN DYKE EXPRESSWAY WHICH HAS A POSTED SPEED OF 70 MPH. I HAD JUST PASSED A VEHICLE THAT WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · September 3, 2013 · crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 63 MPH, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A SMALL DIP IN THE ROAD. THE STEERING BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE CONTACT WANTS THE VEHICLE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 22, 2008 · crash

SMELLED SOMETHING AS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55 MPH. STOP THE VEHICLE ALONG SIDE THE ROAD. CHECKED THE TRAILER. CAME BACK TO THE TRUCK AND SMOKE WAS ROLLING OUT OF THE DASH VENTS, RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD WAS BURNING THE PAINT, THEN FLAMES CAME OUT FROM UNER THE HOOD. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 29, 2014 · fire

I HAD NEVER HEARD OF A DEATH WOBBLE UNTIL I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE HOSPITAL WITH MY THREE CHILDREN AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. WE WERE TRAVELING NORTH BOUND ON THE M53 VAN DYKE EXPRESSWAY WHICH HAS A POSTED SPEED OF 70 MPH. I HAD JUST PASSED A VEHICLE THAT WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 3, 2013 · crash

SMELLED SOMETHING AS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55 MPH. STOP THE VEHICLE ALONG SIDE THE ROAD. CHECKED THE TRAILER. CAME BACK TO THE TRUCK AND SMOKE WAS ROLLING OUT OF THE DASH VENTS, RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD WAS BURNING THE PAINT, THEN FLAMES CAME OUT FROM UNER THE HOOD. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 29, 2014 · fire

2006 Ford F-250 — common questions

Is the 2006 Ford F-250 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 332 complaints put the 2006 model at #12 of 55 F-250 years. It is one of the F-250 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 F-250 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (88 complaints), steering (78 complaints), engine (38 complaints).

Does the 2006 Ford F-250 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Ford F-250. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Ford F-250 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford F-250 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-250 years to avoid are 2019, 2017, 1999, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2000, 2011, 2020, 1997, 2006, 2001, 2008, 1995, 2014. The cleanest record among F-250 years belongs to 1982.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.