2006 Ford F-250 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 Ford F-250 has a complaint index of 75, ranking 6th worst out of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 495 complaints and 4 recalls, with suspension/wheels/tires (54% of complaints) and steering (36%) as the dominant problem areas.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #6 of 21 F-250 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 495
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 15
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 9
- Injuries
- 18
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Top 2006 Ford F-250 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires266 (54%)
- Steering180 (36%)
- Engine69 (14%)
- Brakes30 (6%)
- Electrical System29 (6%)
- Fuel System22 (4%)
- Structure & Body17 (3%)
- Other13 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers8 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Front wheels shimmy or shake violently after hitting a bump or dip in the road, sometimes worsening over months.
- Steering linkage or tie rods have broken suddenly, causing complete loss of steering control.
- Frontal airbags have failed to deploy in moderate-speed crashes, including rear-end and head-on impacts.
- Dashboard lights have illuminated or dimmed unexpectedly, in one case followed by smoke and a fire that destroyed the vehicle.
- One vehicle stalled completely while turning downhill, losing brakes and steering at the same time.
2006 Ford F-250 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
2006 compared with other F-250 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Ford F-250 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 F-250 has a complaint index of 75 and ranks 6th worst among 21 model years of this truck, earning an Avoid verdict. The top problem areas are suspension/wheels/tires and steering.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Ford F-250?
- NHTSA data shows 266 suspension, wheels, and tires complaints (54% of the total) with a median failure mileage of 40,000, and 180 steering complaints (36%) with a median failure mileage of 45,500 miles.
- Does the 2006 Ford F-250 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2006 F-250, covering electrical system switches, wheelchair lift equipment, and a truck bed hitch weld issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2006 F-250 compare to other years?
- The 2006 model's complaint index of 75 is worse than the 2007 (5), 2009 (10), and 2013 (0) model years, which are rated Good or Best, but better than 2017, 2018, and 2019, which carry higher indexes of 95, 90, and 100 and are also rated Avoid.
- What mileage do 2006 F-250 problems typically show up at?
- Across all problem areas, the median mileage at failure for the 2006 F-250 is 46,000 miles, with suspension issues appearing around 40,000 miles and steering issues around 45,500 miles.