2006 Ford F-150: problems, recalls and reliability
14 recalls and 585 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (11% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 2 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Feb 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 585 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2006 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact's son lost control of the vehicle, and the vehicle crashed into a guardrail and landed on its side. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. A Police report was filed; the information was unavailable. No injuries were sustained. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2026
“I was recently involved in an accident in my vehicle. It was a head on collision and my airbag did not fully deploy. Though I was travelling the speed limit, had I been on a freeway and going the legal speed limit I think I might have been seriously injured. The libable insurance company encouraged me to contact ford to see it this has been an issue. There were not warning lights or any other symptoms prior to the accident.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2026
“Odometer Fraud. The contact sold a 2006 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was sold with approximately 212,000 miles but later discovered that the buyer had relisted the vehicle for sale with an advertised mileage of 135,713. The vehicle was a private sale. Local authorities had been notified.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2006 Ford F-150. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the middle sub frame structure was severely rusted. The local dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2024
“Rotted and bent frame realized after purchase on February 22 at nj car and driver (Cadillacs Plus) for $3500.00 Continues to stall and feels like it's going to crack in two. Stalled a few times while driving and had to put it in neutral to start back up”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2024
“The vehicle will hesitate once it comes to a stop after several hesitations it would just shut down you have to keep restarting it, the restart get harder and harder.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2024
“The contact owns a 2006 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to replace the starter, the mechanic observed corrosion on the frame near both rear doors. Additionally, the mechanic noticed that the sub frame was bent near the rear doors. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2023
“The contact owned a 2006 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at a low rate of speed, an abnormal, popping sound emitted from the vehicle without warning. Soon after he heard the sound, the vehicle caught fire. The contact exited the vehicle and attempted to extinguish the fire with two fire extinguishers. The fire department was called to the scene and they managed to extinguish the fire. No injuries were reported and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it remained in their possession. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was 174,000.”Owner report · Engine · May 2023
“Frame is completly rusted through and every f-150 in this year range has the same problem. Huge safty risk to all. Toyota had the same problem and warrantied them all this is not safe at all”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2022
“The contact owns a 2006 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the subframe was rusted and the rear driver's and passenger's side doors. Additionally, the wheel well was rusted. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2022
When filing, owners marked a crash in 58 of these complaints and injuries in 42 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 14 campaigns
CERTAIN HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES IMPORTED AND SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT BY SONAR AUTO PARTS FOR USE ON 2004-2007 FORD F150 PICKUP TRUCKS. DURING PRODUCTION, THE HEADLAMPS WERE INTERNALLY MISALIGNED AND THEY FAIL THE PHOTOMETRY REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: SONAR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 14, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT SONAR AT 866-558-4264.
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. FR390-B001L AND FR390-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THICKNESS IS UNSTABLE INHIBITING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE UPPER AND LOWER BEAMS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.
CERTAIN SPYDER HEADLAMP REPLACEMENT ASSEMBLIES SOLD FOR USE ON 2004 THROUGH 2007 FORD F150 PICKUP TRUCKS. DURING PRODUCTION, THE HEADLAMPS WERE INTERNALLY MISALIGNED AND THEY FAIL THE PHOTOMETRY REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: SPYDER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLAMPS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT SPYDER AT 866-558-4264.
CERTAIN CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TR OWL, CONTITRAC TR BSW, GENERAL GRABBER TR BSW, AND CONTITRAC BSW TIRES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 29 AND JUNE 11, 2005, AND SOLD AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON CERTAIN FORD TRUCKS AND SOLD AS REPLACEMENT TIRES. THESE TIRES CAN WEAR PREMATURELY WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 119, NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS.
Remedy: CONTINENTAL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 7, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CONTINENTAL AT 704-588-5895.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
FORD IS RECALLING 605,684 MY 2005-2006 F-150 AND LINCOLN MARK LT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L 3-VALVE ENGINES. THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY HOSE ATTACHED TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FITTING MAY SWELL OVER TIME AND LOSE RETENTION FORCE. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE HOSE TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THE FITTING DURING AN INTAKE MANIFOLD BACKFIRE. SHOULD THE HOSE DETACH FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, SEVERAL BRAKE APPLICATIONS WITH POWER ASSIST WILL BE AVAILABLE BEFORE THE VACUUM RESERVE IS DEPLETED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE A RUBBER HOSE ON THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY TUBE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 27, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 F-150 PICK UP TRUCKS AS WELL AS CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 LINCOLN MARK LT VEHICLES. IF THE CLOCKSPRING JUMPER WIRE COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG LOWER HORN PLATE, THE WIRE INSULATION MAY BECOME CHAFED, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR A SHORT CIRCUIT. IF THIS OCCURS THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP MAY ILLUMINATE INDICATING THAT SERVICE IS REQUIRED.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALER TO HAVE A NEW CLOCKSPRING JUMPER WIRE INSTALLED THAT INCORPORATES A PROTECTIVE MESH COVER. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THIS SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SOME VEHICLES IN MARCH 2011. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN ON THE EXPANDED POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 9, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH EITHER THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 105, 'HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS' OR FMVSS NO. 135, 'PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.' THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A SOFTWARE ERROR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IN THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 27, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
Remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2006 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-150 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Ford F-150 reliable?
NHTSA has 585 owner complaints and 14 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Ford F-150. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (11% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Ford F-150 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Ford F-150 have open recalls?
14 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.