FORD F-250 SD · model year

2006 FORD F-250 SD

353 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006FORDF-250 SD carries 353 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 4 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 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-250 SD is steering with 97 filings, followed by suspension:front (80) and suspension (61). 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 3 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 177 investigation files overlapping the 2006 F-250 SD, and 8 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.

353
Complaints
5
Crashes
4
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

353 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING97
SUSPENSION:FRONT80
SUSPENSION61
TIRES12
WHEELS9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING7
ENGINE7
SERVICE BRAKES7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE6
STEERING:LINKAGES4
SUSPENSION:REAR4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL2

Recalls (3)

08E02600027/03/2008

EQUIPMENT

TRUXXX IS RECALLING 338 AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT WELDED 3" LIFT BLOCKS FOR REAR SUSPENSIONS, PART NO. 206073, INCLUDED IN SUSPENSION KIT NOS. 108035 AND 108036, SOLD BETWEEN JULY 26, 2007 AND MARCH 4, 2008, FOR USE ON FORD MY 2005-2008 F-250 SUPERDUTY 4X4 LIGHT TRUCKS. COMPRESSIVE FORCES OF THE WELD

11V35200013/07/2011

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL 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 TH

20E09000009/12/2020

STEERING

Icon Vehicle Dynamics, LLC (Icon) is recalling all 05-UP FSD 2.5 Centerline Stabilizer Kits with part number 65050. The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, p

Recent Complaints

20171208SUSPENSION

FRONT END VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING AROUND 60MPH WHICH TURNS INTO A REAL BAD SHIMMY SOMETIMES. STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY. HAVE RECEIVED A COUPLE OF NOTICES FROM FORD MOTOR CO. THAT TELL ME THEY ARE AWARE AND TO JUST SLOW DOWN WHEN IT HAPPENS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I HAD THE TRUCK SINCE 2011. NO SPECIFIC DATES.

20170626UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CPSC: THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE DEVELOPED A TERRIBLE BOUNCE ATSPEEDS LESS THAN 30 MPH. I RETURNED THE TRUCK TO RICK'S TIRES AND HE CONTACTED FREESERVICE TIRES. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THE BELTS SEPARATED ON THE LEFT. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPLODED WHILE TOWING A BOAT. THE TIRED HAD A LARGE HOLE AND PART OF THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE INNER TIRE. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT PICK UP BED OUTER WALL AND BRACING SUPPORTS. UPDATED 06/28/2017*JS

20170522FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL TANK STRAPS FAILED DUE TO CORROSION AND FUEL TANK FELL TO GROUND WHILE IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY

Mileage: 188,000

20170415CrashSERVICE BRAKES

EMERGENCY BRAKES DO NOT HOLD. HAVE HAD THEM CHECKED FOR ADJUSTMENT SEVERAL TIMES. IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AS IT HAS NO PARK PINS. ALTHOUGH MY INSURANCE COVERED IT, IT ACTUALLY ROLLED INTO ANOTHER BUILDING ON MY PROPERTY. I HAVE TO US A WOOD BLOCK AGAINST THE WHEEL TO STOP IT FROM ROLLING ON ALL BUT THE SLIGHTEST INCLINE. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OCCURRENCES WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED.

Mileage: 85,000

20160720SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVING AND GOING OVER A BUMP BETWEEN 60 AND 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TRUCKS FRONT END STARTS TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE CAUSING THE TRUCK TO LOSE CONTROL. NOTE ONLY DRIVING POSTED SPEED LIMIT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THREE (3) OCCASIONS MOSTLY RECENTLY 7/17/16 AND 7/19/16 WHILE TRAVELING S/B ON INTERSTATE 95 AND TRAVELING N/B ON INTERSTATE 95. THE DEFECT CAUSES YOU TO DRIVE AT REDUCED SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY. HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD TRUCK WITH STRAIGHT FRONT AXLES. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 120,155

20160714TIRES

I HAVE BF GOODRICH RUGGED TRAIL T/A 275 70 R18 TIRES ON MY 2006 FORD F250 WHICH WERE PURCHASED 25 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE 22000 MILES ON THEM. WHILE TOWING MY TRAVEL TRAILER I EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND CAMPER FOR NY VISIBLE SIGNS OF A PROBLEM. EVERYTHING A APPEARED TO BE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER SO I CONTINUED ON DRIVING SLOWER. AFTER ABOUT 10 MILES THE TIRE COMPLETELY BLEW UP DAMAGING MY VEHICLE AND SENDING THE TREAD OF THE TIRE ACROSS THE OTHER LANES TRAFFIC WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR VEHICULAR ACCIDENT. I THOUGHT IT WAS BAD LUCK. I CHANGED THE TIRE AND CONTINUED DOWN THE ROAD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER 200 MILES I STARTED GETTING THE SAME VIBRATION FROM THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. FEARING ANOTHER BLOW OUT AND HAVING NO SPARE TIRE I PULLED OVER AND SPENT THE NIGHT IN A CAMPGROUND. THE NEXT MORNING I WENT OUT TO GET TIRES AND UPON THE TIRE PERSONAL INSPECTING THE TIRE THEY SAID THAT IT HAD A AIR BUBBLE UNDER TH

Mileage: 22,000

20160616ENGINE

HEADS WENT BAD NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE HEADS AND NEW HEAD STUDS BECAUSE THE OLD HEAD STUDS STRETCHED AND THE HEADS WARPED , ALSO HAD TO DO AN EGR DELETE . I WAS TOLD IT WAS BUILT PROOFING AND IT HAS TO BE DONE TO ALL 6.0 LTRS.

Mileage: 155,000

20160505UNKNOWN OR OTHER

LIKE TOYOTA CARS, IF "WINTER-STYLED, RUBBER FLOOR MAT ON DRIVERS SIDE BECOMES UNHOOKED & SLIDES FORWARD, IT CAN LODGE THE ACCELERATOR DOWN CAUSING A HIGH SPEED. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL. THESE ARE FORD FACTORY INSTALLED MATS I PAID EXTRA FOR AT TIME VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW. OCCURS WHEN I ACCELERATED HARD, SUCH AS TO PASS ANOTHER CAR OR ENTER/MERGE ONTO AN INTERSTATE. HAD TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PULL MAT BACK. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.

Mileage: 5,000

20151012WHEELS

MY FACTORY 20" WHEEL CRACKED ON ME AND AFTER A GOOGLE SEARCH SEEMS TO BE A NORMAL PROBLEM

Mileage: 120,498

20150709SERVICE BRAKES

IN LATE 2011, WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK DOWN HIGHWAY 90 EAST IN PASCAGOULA, MS, THE TRUCK BEGAN SLOW DOWN AND PULL DRAMATICALLY TO THE RIGHT AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES. I MANAGED TO WRESTLE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AND, IN COMBINATION WITH THE SLOWING SPEED, BROUGHT THE TRUCK SAFELY TO A STOP IN A WALMART PARKING LOT IN ABOUT 1 MILE. I INSPECTED THE TRUCK AND THE FRONT RIGHT ROTOR WAS SMOKING AND GLOWING RED HOT. APPARENTLY THE BRAKE CALIPER HAD SEIZED AFTER APPLICATION. I WENT INSIDE WALMART TO KILL TIME AND LET THE BRAKES COOL OFF, HOPING THAT WHEN COOLED, THE CALIPER WOULD RELEASE AND THE TRUCK WOULD BE DRIVABLE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1-1/2 HOURS, I RETURNED TO THE TRUCK AND NOTED THAT THE WHEEL WAS NOT SMOKING, BUT WAS STILL RADIATING HEAT. I BEGAN TO DRIVE THE TRUCK AND IT DROVE WITHOUT ANY NOTICEABLE ISSUES UNTIL I APPLIED THE BRAKES AGAIN TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKE, THE TRUCK WAS NOW PULLING TO THE LEFT. EXPECTING A SIMILAR ISSUE, I DECIDED TO DRIVE D

Mileage: 60,000

20150501STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAB OF THE TRUCK DID NOT LINE UP WITH THE BED OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BED RAILS FOR THE TRUCK WERE RUSTED AND STARTED TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY WERE TOLD THAT THE FRAME WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 6/17/15*CN UPDATED 10/12/2017*CN

Mileage: 82,000

20150130TIRES

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH A FULL SET OF THE EXACT SAME TIRE BRAND, TYPE, SIZE, AND LOAD RANGE. THE NEW TIRES WERE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TIRES WHICH HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THESE: BELT FAILURE. TIRE FAILURE: BELTS BEGAN TO SEPARATE LEADING TO UNEVEN WEAR AND EVENTUALLY FAILURE OF THE SIDEWALL. *TR

Mileage: 108,325

20150130TIRES

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH A FULL SET OF THE EXACT SAME TIRE BRAND, TYPE, SIZE, AND LOAD RANGE. THE NEW TIRES WERE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TIRES WHICH HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THESE: BELT FAILURE. TIRE FAILURE: BELTS BEGAN TO SEPARATE LEADING TO UNEVEN WEAR AND EVENTUALLY FAILURE OF THE SIDEWALL. *TR

20150130TIRES

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH A FULL SET OF THE EXACT SAME TIRE BRAND, TYPE, SIZE, AND LOAD RANGE. THE NEW TIRES WERE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TIRES WHICH HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THESE: BELT FAILURE. TIRE FAILURE: BELTS BEGAN TO SEPARATE LEADING TO UNEVEN WEAR AND EVENTUALLY FAILURE OF THE SIDEWALL. *TR

Mileage: 108,325

20150130TIRES

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH A FULL SET OF THE EXACT SAME TIRE BRAND, TYPE, SIZE, AND LOAD RANGE. THE NEW TIRES WERE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TIRES WHICH HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THESE: BELT FAILURE. TIRE FAILURE: BELTS BEGAN TO SEPARATE LEADING TO UNEVEN WEAR AND EVENTUALLY FAILURE OF THE SIDEWALL. *TR

Mileage: 108,325

20141106ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL COOLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

20140922SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SLUGGISH AND WHEN ENGAGING THE CLUTCH IN ORDER TO SHIFT THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE BRAKING FEELING EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL. UPON REACHING HOME I SAW MY FRONT WHEELS/ROTORS/CALIPERS SMOKING AND THE HEAT FROM THE WHEELS COULD BE FELT ALMOST 3 FEET FROM THE VEHICLE. I TOOK MY PICK-UP TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY FRONT CALIPERS HAD FROZEN AS WELL AS THE RIGHT REAR AND THE LEFT REAR WAS JUST AS BAD BUT HAD NOT FROZEN YET AND PROBABLY WOULD. THIS REPAIR REQUIRED FOUR (4) NEW CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS AND REQUIRED THE ROTORS TO BE RESURFACED. THE DEALER SAID THAT NO RECALL HAD BEEN MADE FOR THIS ITEM. *TR

Mileage: 80,608

20140513SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES SEIZED AND OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CALIPER HOUSING AND BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Mileage: 125,000

20140430STEERING

PULLING OUT FROM A STOP, TURNED LEFT AT ABOUT 25 MPH VERY TIGHT PULL ON STEERING TO LEFT, PULLING WHEEL TO LEFT (FELT LIKE LOSS OF PWR STEERING) WHEN IT CAME BACK TRUCK SHOT TO RIGHT. FELT LIKE THERE WAS 20/30DEG PLAY IN WHEEL THEN CAME OUT OF IT. HAD IT CHECKED COULD NOT FIND ANY THING THIS STARTED APPOX 3/4 MONTHS AGO. PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT WHEEL GOT VERY TIGHT AGAIN , STOPPED TURNED WHEEL WAY LEFT, WAY RIGHT, WAY LEFT THEN STARTED GOING EASY AGAIN. CALLED FORD DEALER TODAY AND SAID BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH STEERING BOXES ON THESE TRUCKS, IT WILL COST ABOUT 1100.00 TO REPAIR. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM INTERNET HAS HUNDREDS OF THESE COMPLAINTS, AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE IF FORD DOESN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET INJURED VERY BAD OR KILLED. *JS

Mileage: 46,687

20140310STEERING

MY TRUCK HAD A EARLIER CRASH DUE TO A FAULTY STEERING BOX IN DECEMBER 2013. THE BODY SHOP REPLACED THIS- WITH A FACTORY STEERING BOX. WE NOTICED A LITTLE TIGHTNESS ON ONE SIDE AND HAD THE BODY SHOP LOOK AT IT AGAIN. THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. WE HAD THE TRUCK GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH (3/8/14) AND IT TOOK 3 MEN TO TRY TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEN THE TRUCK CAME OUT OF THE WASH. ONCE AGAIN WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THIS DEFECTIVE PART REPLACED. *TR

Compare 2006FORDF-250 SD to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 FORD F-250 SD have?
The 2006 FORD F-250 SD has 353 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 4 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 FORD F-250 SD?
Yes, the 2006 FORD F-250 SD has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 FORD F-250 SD?
The most-complained component for the 2006 FORD F-250 SD is STEERING with 97 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION:FRONT and SUSPENSION.
Is the 2006 FORD F-250 SD safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.