Total Complaints
506 filings
FORD MUSTANG · model year
506 NHTSA complaints, 32 crash reports, and 9 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2006FORDMUSTANG carries 506 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 32 crashes, 3 fires, 21 injuries, and 4 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 MUSTANG is air bags with 226 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (33) and electrical system (26). 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 9 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 3 investigation files overlapping the 2006 MUSTANG, 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
506 filings
Crashes Reported
32 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 226 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 33 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 26 |
| POWER TRAIN | 19 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 19 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 13 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 12 |
| STRUCTURE | 11 |
| ENGINE | 11 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 10 |
| SUSPENSION | 9 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 9 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 8 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 7 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 6 |
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever register
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2014 Mustang vehicles manufactured April 6, 2004, to June 21, 2014, and 2005-2006 GT vehicles manufactured February 20, 2004, to September 22, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be
SUSPENSION:FRONT
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET EIBACH BRANDED FRONT STRUTS ONLY, PART NO. 35101.8001, AND EIBACH BRANDED FRONT STRUTS AS SUSPENSION KITS, PART NOS. 35101.840, 35101.680, 35101.780, 35100.680, 35100.780, 4.10135.680, AND 4.10035.780, SOLD FOR USE ON 2005 THROUGH 2007 FORD MUSTANG VEHICLES. THE FRONT ANTI ROLL
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
FORD IS RECALLING 434,593 MY 2008 MUSTANG VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH ONE OF THE NECK INJURY REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION," FOR AN UNBELTED 5TH PERCENTILE FEMALE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHILE IT IS IN THE FULL FORWARD POSITIO
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also i
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
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Marian
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
This has happened since purchasing my personal 2006 Mustang GT new in 2006. I also see early S-197 Mustangs (2005â2007) in my shop that cannot be reliably refilled because fuel shoots out of the filler neck, splashes the operator, the side of the Mustang, and puddles on the ground. The defective On-board Refueling and Vapor Recovery (ORVR) system causes high internal fuel tank pressures that will also cause the filling station pump to cut off and prevent putting fuel in the tank. This creates a fire hazard as the spillage contacts the left hot tail pipe and muffler as well as a puddle of fuel that can be ignited by a spark, cigarette, etc. This problem is in direct violation of the Environmental Protection Agency emission standards that clearly state the operator is âexpected to fill the fuel tank without spit back or spillage during the refueling event.â EPA emission regulations also require that service vents, also known as safety and vacuum relief valves, be installed in
Driver side air bag randomly deployed after hitting bump at 40 miles an hour
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that she purchased a vehicle that was not working. The contact had the engine replaced by an independent mechanic. While starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V319000 (Air Bags) and 19V001000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was repaired at the local dealer, but the failure recurred. The dealer informed the contact that a diagnostic test was needed. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 230,272.
Mileage: 230,272
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V001000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that several local dealers declined to perform the recall repair on the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while in reverse, he observed a grinding sound emanating from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the timing chain guides needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
Mileage: 116,000
Did not sustain some sort of accident in order for me to notice thank God, I simply noticed thanks to multiple virtual methods which told me-considering how stupidly fast this car is and how important air bags are whe combined with that I thought id do this. Ford doesn't really care unless it can somehow bleed more money from something so...kinda just letting y'all know. Not much else I can do..other than drive really carefully (5-speed and I suck with Manual :()
Dealership refuses to do recall
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the front end of the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound and shuddered significantly. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The contact stated that the failure occurred increasingly while driving over a slightly bumpy road surface. The contact stated that her father inspected the vehicle and informed her that the front passenger's side suspension was damaged. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
I have a 2006 Ford Mustang GT; 100,000 miles, excellent condition. While driving and when turning, at any speed, the steering wheel locks making it impossible to steer. I took it to two different mechanics who would not work on the problem as they believed it to be a defect, and they did not want the responsibility of the repair required. I then went to the Ford dealership, and the service manager said he had never heard of such a problem. It is very dangerous, and impossible to determine when it will happen again. Therefore it sits in the driveway. I want to keep the car, and don't want to sell it to an unsuspecting person. Please help if you can. Thank you. The owners manual advised and encouraged me to contact the NHTSA.
No a pasado nada están encendidas las luces de advertencia del airbag solo eso
While driving the car goes into limp mode randomly causing the RPMâs to fall. There is no power to get off the road safely and has almost caused an accident numerous times. I have had Diagnostics ran and the mechanic has no clue whatâs causing this. Ford forums are full of these mustangs doing this. It is a huge safely risk!!!!
While driving the car goes into limp mode randomly causing the RPMâs to fall. There is no power to get off the road safely and has almost caused an accident numerous times. I have had Diagnostics ran and the mechanic has no clue whatâs causing this. Ford forums are full of these mustangs doing this. It is a huge safely risk!!!!
While driving the car goes into limp mode randomly causing the RPMâs to fall. There is no power to get off the road safely and has almost caused an accident numerous times. I have had Diagnostics ran and the mechanic has no clue whatâs causing this. Ford forums are full of these mustangs doing this. It is a huge safely risk!!!!
On June 18, 2023, my throttle unexpectedly stuck open after intentional acceleration, causing the car to continue to accelerate uncontrollably after releasing the accelerator pedal. The engine continued to increase RPMs and speed. After using all of my leg strength to apply the brakes to fight the uncontrolled acceleration, the throttle unexpectedly eased up and returned to normal. This was the most frightening instance. On two other occasions, I noticed similar uncontrolled acceleration that seemed to correct itself immediately after shifting, where the tachometer approached 5k RPMs. I have not had the vehicle inspected, and there were no warning lamps, or other symptoms prior to this failure.
I bought a 2006 Mustang convertible for my wife on her 40th birthday. We store the car every winter and bring the battery into the home. Car has 40k miles. 6 years ago we began experiencing amperage draw while the vehicle is off. I have went through 4 batteries, 1 alternator, several flat bed truck tows, and weeks into service at my local Ford dealer - only to have the dealership continue to tell me how difficult it is to find 'parasitic' amp draw because it is intermittent. My wife has had it being stuck and now afraid to drive the car, and contemplating to get rid of it. I work for a major tier 1 automotive supplier in engineering and know how my company pays special attention to NHTSA complaints and investigations relating to our products. I am hopeful that Ford engineering will get a hold of me and get this right before I take the Mustang to the scrap yard!
For nearly a year now Iâve been in touch with Ford and its dealerships to get this recall rectified to no avail. I spoke to corporate Ford customer care on 2/6/23 and was told that the vehicle in question with the recall will not be repaired due to its age! So I responded on a recorded line to make it clear Ford is refusing to repair the recall and is opening its self up for a major law suit. Mind you my teenage son is the primary operator of the vehicle and Ford simply doesnât care. Please file a violation to the said recall on our behalf ty.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Mustang. The contact stated the front driverâs side seat belt failed to latch properly. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the front driverâs side seat belt latch to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,200.
Mileage: 61,200
Sudden failure of rear differential bearings
Rear differential bears wore out
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.