2006 Ford F-350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 Ford F-350 has a complaint index of 75, ranking 6th worst out of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Owners most often reported suspension/steering failures, with a median failure mileage of 52,000 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #6 of 21 F-350 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 272
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 16
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 15
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Top 2006 Ford F-350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires118 (43%)
- Steering96 (35%)
- Engine59 (22%)
- Fuel System43 (16%)
- Electrical System16 (6%)
- Brakes14 (5%)
- Airbags8 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (3%)
- Structure & Body4 (1%)
- Other3 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering mechanism can detach or suddenly fail while towing or cornering, sometimes causing loss of control and a crash.
- Some owners found factory-installed steering system components missing or improperly installed.
- The front suspension can shake violently at highway speed after hitting small road imperfections, with the steering wheel oscillating hard side to side.
- Electrical fires have been reported near the front driver's side of the engine area with no warning indicators.
- Turbocharger failure has been reported along with blue smoke from the rear of the vehicle at low mileage.
- Brake calipers have locked up and burned, with some owners needing repeated caliper replacements.
2006 Ford F-350 recalls
3 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-350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Ford F-350 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 F-350 has a complaint index of 75, the 6th worst of 21 model years for this model, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other F-350 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Ford F-350?
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints lead with 118 reports (43% share), followed by Steering with 96 complaints (35% share) and Engine issues with 59 complaints (22% share).
- Does the 2006 Ford F-350 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2006 F-350, covering electrical system switches and, for certain van chassis variants, wheelchair lift compliance issues. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do 2006 F-350 problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure across reported complaints is 52,000 miles, though suspension issues showed a lower median of 45,000 miles.
- How does the 2006 F-350 compare to other years?
- The 2006 model's complaint index of 75 is worse than the 2007 (0, Good) and 2014 (20, Best) model years, but better than 2019 (100, Avoid) and 2017 (95, Avoid).