YearToAvoid

2006 Ford F-250 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

75/100

#6 most-complained of 21 F-250 years

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

The 2006 Ford F-250 has 495 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 75 out of 100 — #6 highest of 21 F-250 model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is suspension, wheels & tires (266 complaints, 54% of the total). Complaints report 15 crashes, 9 fires, and 18 injuries.

Complaints
495
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
15 / 9
Injuries / deaths
18 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2006 Ford F-250 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Suspension, Wheels & Tires266 (54%)
  2. Steering180 (36%)
  3. Engine69 (14%)
  4. Brakes30 (6%)
  5. Electrical System29 (6%)
  6. Fuel System22 (4%)
  7. Structure & Body17 (3%)
  8. Other13 (3%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain10 (2%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers8 (2%)
2006 Ford F-250 complaints: complaints filed per quarter482006 Q12008 Q12010 Q12012 Q12014 Q12016 Q12018 Q32021 Q1
654 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2006 Q1 to 2024 Q3; peak 2009 Q2 (48).

2006 Ford F-250 recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 11V352000Jul 13, 2011Electrical System26,715 vehicles

    Exterior lighting:brake lights

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 09V026000Jan 26, 2009Other108 vehicles

    Equipment adaptive/mobility

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  3. NHTSA 09V025000Jan 23, 2009Other111 vehicles

    Equipment adaptive/mobility

    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.

    Risk: 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.

See all 4 recalls for the 2006 Ford F-250 →

2006 compared with other F-250 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Caution504395—
2006Avoid754954—
2007Best51144—
2008Caution703377—

All Ford F-250 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Ford F-250 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Ford F-250 ranks #6 of 21 among F-250 model years (Complaint Index 75/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 495 complaints and 4 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Ford F-250?
The most reported problem areas are suspension, wheels & tires (266 complaints), steering (180 complaints), and engine (69 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 46,000 miles.
Does the 2006 Ford F-250 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2006 Ford F-250, most recently reported 2011, covering electrical system, other, and structure & body.

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.