VehicleVerdict

2006 Ford F-350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 206 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.3 times the median F-350 year — the 2006 model ranks #11 of 53 F-350 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 13 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across steering (51), suspension (50), and engine (34), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

206

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

13

Injuries

1

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other F-350 years?

See all F-350 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Ford F-350 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering5125%
Suspension5024%
Engine3417%
Fuel System2412%
Tires & Wheels136%
Brakes94%
Electrical System84%
Airbags73%
Transmission31%
Other31%
Speed Control21%
Seats21%

Does the 2006 Ford F-350 have recalls?

6 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.

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.

07E066000Electrical SystemAugust 28, 2007 · 175 units

Defect

CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.

Consequence

IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.

Remedy

ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.

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.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND PULLING A TRAILER, THE STEERING MECHANISM DETACHED. THE VEHICLE VEERED OUT OF CONTROL AND STRUCK A WALL. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE POLICE. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, AND THE CONTACT WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 22, 2006 · crash

FORD F350 DEATH SHAKE HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES TRUCK HITS BUMP OR POT HOLE REGARDLESS OF SPEED (BUT SHAKE IS WORSE OVER 40 MPH)AND STARTS A VERY DANGEROUS SHAKE THAT GETS WORSE UNTIL THE WHOLE TRUCK IS OUT OF CONTROL. BRAKING HARD TO STOP WILL STOP IT BUT ACCIDENT SEEMS TO BE AROUND THE CORNER.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 2, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED LIQUID UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THERE WAS A DAMAGED HEAD GASKET THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 19, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTING DUE TO A FAULTY COATING ON THE INSIDE OF THE TANK. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 1, 2011

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TOWING A DOUBLE AXLE TRAILER AT 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS ONE OF THE TRAILER'S TIRES EXPLODED. THE TIRE FAILURE WAS NOT APPARENT UNTIL THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER DRIVER. THE TRAILER DOUBLE AXLE PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM LOOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 23, 2006

2006 Ford F-350 — common questions

Is the 2006 Ford F-350 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 206 complaints put the 2006 model at #11 of 53 F-350 years. It is one of the F-350 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 F-350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (51 complaints), suspension (50 complaints), engine (34 complaints).

Does the 2006 Ford F-350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Ford F-350. 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-350 under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Ford F-350 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-350 years to avoid are 2017, 2019, 1999, 2000, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2020, 2004, 2006, 2011, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2008, 2005, 1996, 2014, 2002, 1993, 1994, 2021, 2013, 2003. The cleanest record among F-350 years belongs to 2010.

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.