2006 Ford F-250: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 221 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (26% of complaints); the 2007 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 221 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Our truck has been doing the "death wobble" several times over the last 2 years. The truck will suddenly shake violently at high speeds and go into limp mode. We have to pull over pumping the brakes slowly. It is EXTREMELY TERRIFYING to have happen and we have spent THOUSANDS trying to get it repaired but it continues.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2024
“While driving on the freeway the vehicle started to shake violently. I had to pump the breaks slowly and pull to the side of the road. After checking everything we took it to the shop and they did 2k in repairs and said it was fixed. It did it again. They said they don't know what it is.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2024
“The check engine light continues to stay on no matter what Ford tries to do. We can not get the truck smogged for registration due to this problem.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“My son was driving on the freeway, traveling approximately 83 mph, when the vehicle lost power, the engine stalled and he lost the ability to steer the vehicle properly. The vehicle was parked at nearest gas station until i could get to it. After inspecting engine, I noticed some wires that had the insulation coming off. I replaced wiring harness, and when doing so, found the main harness to be severely chafed from rubbing the under side of air filter ducts. When looking around engine bay I noticed other wires with insulation coming off too.”Owner report · Engine · May 2023
“In two separate instances, traveling on the highway, after going over a bridge transition, the steering wheel and front end began to shake violently. This shaking reverberated throughout the truck causing me to have to slow down immediately and exit the freeway. This was the only thing that stopped the shaking. This is commonly referred to as the "Death Wobble".”Owner report · Steering · May 2022
“I was traveling straight on the interstate just below the speed limit. I heard an odd noise felt the truck feel unstable. I slowly coasted to a halt to find that my rear passenger tire had blown out. The entire sidewall was disintegrated and the tire was detached from the rim. It bent in my the rear quarter panel of my bed causing an estimated $1200 in damage.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2021
“I own a 2006 ford f 250, on saturday while driving the vehicle on the highway I noticed a wet streak behind me so I pulled over and noticed gas gushing out of a hole in the tank. Fortunately I was in a rural area close to home, so I drove it the rest of the way home and parked it in a field, away from any buildings to allow the 30+ gallons of gas to drain out. The cause of the leak was one of the straps that secures the fuel tank broke (rusted in half) and the gas tank dropped down and was dragging against the highway. I attached a photo of the strap that broke”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2020
“While traveling on pennsylvania turnpike at approx. 75 mph I hit bump and the front end of my truck started bouncing and steering wheel was shaking so bad I could hardly control my truck. Once I slowed down enough x the shaking stopped.”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2020
“I was traveling on I-40 east between I-95 and wilmington nc. I was traveling 75 mph when I hit a bump and the truck front end started shaking violently and uncontrollably. I thought the steering wheel was going to come loose. I immediately hit the brakes, and had to almost come to a complete stop to recover control. Thankfully there was no one traveling to close behind me or it was have probably been a bad accident. This happened 2 more times before I got to my destination. It has also happened at 45 mph after hitting a pothole or a bump in the road. It is very frightening when it happens.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2020
“At speeds of over 50 mph, the vehicle shakes violently to the point of losing control of steering. In addition, at speeds of over 15 mph, the steering wheel has so much play that rough roads cause the vehicle to travel left or right and huge corrections need to be made in order to keep from drifting into other lanes. Both these issues are consitent”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
CERTAIN HARSCO WHEEL MODIFICATION GROUPS CONTAINING ACCURIDE STEEL RIMS, P/NOS. 203237 AND 203738; ACCURIDE ALUMINUM RIMS, P/N 203712; AND GKN STEEL RIMS, P/N 203688, SOLD AS MODIFICATION EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 2005-2007 FORD F-250/F-350 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS TO MODIFY TRACK WIDTH OF FRONT AND REAR AXLES. THE RIMS PROVIDED IN THESE WHEEL MODIFICATION GROUPS WEAR THROUGH THE OEM BRAKE LINES.
Remedy: HARSCO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN IN SEPTEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARSCO AT 507-235-7112.
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.
KNAPHEIDE IS RECALLING 108 MY 2006-2008 PRO SERIES TRUCK BEDS EQUIPPED WITH AN ICC BUMPER WHICH INCLUDED A PROVISION FOR A BALL HITCH. THERE MAY BE AN INSUFFICIENT WELD ATTACHING THE HITCH CHANNEL TO THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE.
Remedy: KNAPHEIDE WILL OFFER TWO REMEDIES TO ITS CUSTOMERS: (1) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO DO NOT USE THE HITCH, THE HITCH WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUCK BED AND REPLACED WITH AN ICC BUMPER; OR (2) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO NEED A HITCH, A RECEIVER HITCH ASSEMBLY WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING HITCH ASSEMBLY AND ALL SUSPECT WELD JOINTS WILL BE RE WELDED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KNAPHEIDE AT 1-877-473-5763.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-250 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-250 reliable?
NHTSA has 221 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Ford F-250. The most complained-about area is suspension (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Ford F-250 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Ford F-250 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, air. 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.