2006 Ford Ranger Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
50/100
#9 most-complained of 17 Ranger years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2006 Ford Ranger has 271 owner complaints and 12 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 50 out of 100 — #9 highest of 17 Ranger model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is airbags (174 complaints, 64% of the total). Complaints report 14 crashes, 2 fires, 10 injuries, and 4 deaths.
- Complaints
- 271
- Recalls
- 12
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 14 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 4
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 20.5 hwy
Top 2006 Ford Ranger problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags174 (64%)
- Structure & Body27 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires26 (10%)
- Engine22 (8%)
- Fuel System16 (6%)
- Other16 (6%)
- Electrical System11 (4%)
- Brakes5 (2%)
- Steering5 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (2%)
2006 Ford Ranger recalls
12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V306000Apr 28, 2023Airbags231,942 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement front passenger air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.
Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the front passenger air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S08. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 23V-125.
- NHTSA 23V125000Feb 24, 2023Airbags98,550 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement frontal passenger air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.
Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the front passenger air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S08. This recall has been fully superseded by recall 23V-306.
- NHTSA 21V076000Feb 17, 2021Airbags144,340 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
2006 Ford Ranger fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 20.5 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Ford Ranger a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Ford Ranger ranks #9 of 17 among Ranger model years (Complaint Index 50/100, verdict: Caution). It has 271 complaints and 12 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Ford Ranger?
- The most reported problem areas are airbags (174 complaints), structure & body (27 complaints), and suspension, wheels & tires (26 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 69,440 miles.
- Does the 2006 Ford Ranger have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2006 Ford Ranger, most recently reported 2023, covering airbags, electrical system, and visibility & wipers. At least one carries a Do Not Drive advisory.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Ford Ranger?
- EPA rates the 2006 Ford Ranger at 17 MPG combined (15 city / 20.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.