YearToAvoid

2006 Ford 500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

No verdict The 2006 Ford 500 has a complaint index of 50, ranking 2nd-worst of 3 model years with data. Engine problems make up 53% of its 68 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 101,050 miles, and no recalls are on file.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
50/100
#2 of 3 500 years
Verdict
No verdict
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
68
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
0
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
4
reported in complaints
Fires
3
Injuries
2
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
—
no alternative with data

Top 2006 Ford 500 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine36 (53%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain20 (29%)
  3. Electrical System16 (24%)
  4. Fuel System8 (12%)
  5. Other6 (9%)
  6. Brakes4 (6%)
  7. Airbags3 (4%)
  8. Structure & Body2 (3%)
  9. Seat Belts1 (1%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Engine stalls or loses acceleration at low speeds, sometimes near 35 mph, with check engine and wrench warning lights on.
  • Idle surges or flares intermittently when stopped or during low-speed maneuvers, including with the A/C running.
  • Transmission delays throttle response or lunges forward unexpectedly, sometimes going into limp mode.
  • Headlights and interior wiring have caught fire, including one incident where a headlight ignited while the car was parked and off.
  • Airbags failed to deploy in rear-end and left-turn collisions, resulting in injuries to occupants.
  • Vehicles have stalled or jerked forward unexpectedly while driving, in one case leading to a crash into an embankment.
2006 Ford 500 complaints: complaints filed per month7Nov 2012Jun 2013Dec 2013Nov 2014Sep 2015Mar 2016Mar 2017Feb 2018
68 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2012 to Jun 2018; peak Jul 2014 (7).

2006 Ford 500 recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2006 compared with other 500 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100200520062007
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005No verdict100990—
2006No verdict50680—
2007No verdict0370—

All Ford 500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Ford 500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints, the 2006 model has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 2nd-worst among the 3 model years with data. Engine complaints account for 53% of all reports, with a median failure mileage of 101,050 miles.
Does the 2006 Ford 500 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2006 Ford 500.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Ford 500?
Engine issues are the top problem area, making up 53% of the 68 complaints filed, followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 29%.
How does the 2006 Ford 500 compare to other years?
The 2006 model's complaint index of 50 falls between the 2005 model at 100 and the 2007 model at 0, making 2006 the second-worst of the three years with data.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.