Total Complaints
737 filings
FORD F-150 · model year
737 NHTSA complaints, 71 crash reports, and 14 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2006FORDF-150 carries 737 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 71 crashes, 21 fires, 50 injuries, and 3 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 F-150 is engine with 74 filings, followed by steering (52) and electrical system (50). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 14 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2006 F-150, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
737 filings
Crashes Reported
71 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 74 |
| STEERING | 52 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 50 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 45 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 35 |
| AIR BAGS | 34 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 29 |
| POWER TRAIN | 28 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 27 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 27 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 23 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 23 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 22 |
| TIRES | 20 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 20 |
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 ASSOCIA
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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, REF
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 SH
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
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 FEDE
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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 FEDE
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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 EQUIPME
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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 F
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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
INTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Received notification by mail from your department about a recall on my trucks spark plugs breaking in the head .Took vehicle to local ford dealer and was told the vehicle was required to have over 100 thousand miles before the plugs would be replaced under recall . Now my vehicle has over 150 thousand miles and when I went to the same dealer I was told there wasnât a recall on this truck . My documents I received from your department was lost during hurricane Sally. This is a well known recall every local mechanic knows about .
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.
Mileage: 212,000
The contact owns a 2006 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while coming to a stop, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to stop and continued rolling forward. The contact stated that the vehicle came to a stop once the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle returned to normal function afterwards. The local dealer was contacted; however, the dealer refused to diagnose the vehicle because of its age of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while the contact's husband was driving at a slow speed, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to stop and continued rolling forward. The contact's husband stated that the vehicle came to a stop once the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or r
Mileage: 145,000
while in drive, accelerating to highway speeds or cruising around 30 mph it will downshift and jump to about 4000 PMS's and not shift up into 3rd gear. It blown 1 engine and I have replaced the transmissions, taken it to a Ford dealership and they weren't able to help me. I've replaced the ECM and anti-theft modal also and the symptoms still persist. i am i in for over 11K for the new engine and transmission, and another $100 on the ECM and anti-theft modal plus the shop charges. The truck has under 190,000 miles before any of this started. I am the 2nd owner an had for less than 3k miles before any of the problems started. Now I see the 2015-2017 F-150s are having the same problems getting recalled. is there anything involving the earlier Triton's engines?
while in drive, accelerating to highway speeds or cruising around 30 mph it will downshift and jump to about 4000 PMS's and not shift up into 3rd gear. It blown 1 engine and I have replaced the transmissions, taken it to a Ford dealership and they weren't able to help me. I've replaced the ECM and anti-theft modal also and the symptoms still persist. i am i in for over 11K for the new engine and transmission, and another $100 on the ECM and anti-theft modal plus the shop charges. The truck has under 190,000 miles before any of this started. I am the 2nd owner an had for less than 3k miles before any of the problems started. Now I see the 2015-2017 F-150s are having the same problems getting recalled. is there anything involving the earlier Triton's engines?
while in drive, accelerating to highway speeds or cruising around 30 mph it will downshift and jump to about 4000 PMS's and not shift up into 3rd gear. It blown 1 engine and I have replaced the transmissions, taken it to a Ford dealership and they weren't able to help me. I've replaced the ECM and anti-theft modal also and the symptoms still persist. i am i in for over 11K for the new engine and transmission, and another $100 on the ECM and anti-theft modal plus the shop charges. The truck has under 190,000 miles before any of this started. I am the 2nd owner an had for less than 3k miles before any of the problems started. Now I see the 2015-2017 F-150s are having the same problems getting recalled. is there anything involving the earlier Triton's engines?
See attached document for complaint.
See attached document for complaint.
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.
Mileage: 138,000
The contact owns a 2006 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power with an abnormal popping sound coming from the engine compartment. The failure occurred more often while attempting to accelerate or driving uphill. The vehicle occasionally stalled during the failure. The contact released the accelerator pedal slowly and the vehicle then started driving normally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the cam phaser had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cam phaser part no longer being manufactured. The contact stated that the part was no longer in production because the replacement part was defective and failed to fix the vehicle. The contact was informed by the dealer that a newer version of the cam phaser needed to be purchased and was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer
Mileage: 230,774
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.
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 itâs going to crack in two. Stalled a few times while driving and had to put it in neutral to start back up
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 itâs going to crack in two. Stalled a few times while driving and had to put it in neutral to start back up
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 itâs going to crack in two. Stalled a few times while driving and had to put it in neutral to start back up
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.
Mileage: 124,000
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.
Mileage: 124,000
Tire is dry rotting at the sidewall all around. 32 x 12.5
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.
Mileage: 174,000
The contact owns a 2006 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the subframe was rusted and the rear driverâs and passengerâs 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.
Mileage: 165,000
When is some one going to do something about the faulty steering column in 2006 Ford F150 pick ups and similar model years? It is all over the internet about the grinding and catching of the steering column. In some cases can't steer at all. There is tons of information on this problem. I have a 2006 Ford F150. It is starting with the problem and it only has 82,000 miles. This should not be happening some one is going to get hurt or killed !
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Unintended Transmission Downshift
Seatbelt Pretensioner Fire
Brake Master Cylinder Failure
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.