"How reliable is the 2006 Ford F-150?"

"Based on 735 NHTSA complaints, the 2006 Ford F-150 has a median complaint mileage of 62000 miles. The most common issue is Engine."

"What are common problems with the 2006 Ford F-150?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 2006 Ford F-150 is Engine, accounting for a significant portion of the 735 total complaints filed."

2006 Ford F-150: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 735 complaints

735

Total Complaints

62,000mi

Median Mileage

Engine

Top Issue

Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

26,032 25th Percentile

62,000 Median Mileage

100,000 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Engine

Steering

Electrical System

Engine And Engine Cooling

Air Bags

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Fuel System, Gasoline

Power Train

Vehicle Speed Control

Body

Severity Assessment

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"DESIGN FLAW OF HEADLIGTS ON 2006 FORD PICKUP TRUCKS AND 2006 DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS--TOO MUCH STRAY LIGHT BLINDING ON-COMING TRAFFIC. *NM"

"WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING SEEMED SLOPPY AND UNRESPONSIVE. DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE LANES ESPECIALLY GOING INTO OR OUT OF CURVES. UPON REACHING MY DESTINATION I ASKED MY ASSOCIATE TO OBSERVE THE STEERING COMPONENTS WHILE I TURNED THE WHEEL WITH THE ENGINE OFF. HE IMMEDIA..."

"2006 F150 FX 4 -4X4 SUPER CAB 5.4 L. I TRADED THE EXACT SAME TRUCK IN AN 04 MODEL YEAR FOR THIS 2006. FORD HAS REFUSED TO FIX ( FOR 3 MODEL YEARS ) : DRIVE TRAIN VIBRATION, DRIVE TRAIN HOWL/WHINE. THE 04 WAS IN THE SHOP 6 TIMES WITH NO FIX. MY 06 IN THE DEALERSHIP NOW. I HAVEN'T MADE THE FIRST PAYM..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Engine 74 complaints

25th: 73,250 mi Median: 99,495 mi 75th: 128,000 mi

Steering 52 complaints

25th: 40,750 mi Median: 61,000 mi 75th: 90,452 mi

Electrical System 50 complaints

25th: 39,670 mi Median: 71,000 mi 75th: 114,000 mi

Engine And Engine Cooling 45 complaints

25th: 42,228 mi Median: 62,000 mi 75th: 96,712 mi

Air Bags 35 complaints

25th: 61,500 mi Median: 84,353 mi 75th: 118,806 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

TX: 66 FL: 62 CA: 50 PA: 43 NY: 36 OH: 32 MI: 28 KY: 23 MO: 22 VA: 22

Who Files Complaints?

16.2%

Original Owners

83.8%

Second+ Owners

Ford F-150 — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1990	25	76,696	Fuel/Propulsion System	0
1991	357	110,000	Tank Assembly	12
1992	553	130,325	Selector Devices	25
1993	753	140,000	Tank Assembly	32
1994	908	130,000	Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	79
1995	788	117,000	Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	61
1996	383	113,250	Cruise Control	22
1997	3285	108,000	Engine	205
1998	1624	112,337	Fuel System, Gasoline	96
1999	1322	98,000	Engine	116
2000	1269	91,032	Fuel System, Gasoline	102
2001	1451	98,000	Vehicle Speed Control	113
2002	963	90,000	Engine And Engine Cooling	63
2003	520	64,266	Electrical System	57
2004	2429	59,312	Power Window Devices And Controls	99
2005	1363	62,000	Power Window Devices And Controls	66
2007	623	60,000	Engine	51
2008	455	60,346	Engine	48
2009	397	53,500	Vehicle Speed Control	34
2010	1131	56,183	Electrical System	33
2011	2938	68,500	Power Train	70
2012	2422	59,000	Power Train	57
2013	3849	72,000	Power Train	102
2014	1859	64,000	Power Train	56
2015	2036	48,000	Service Brakes	64
2016	2373	42,000	Power Train	67
2017	1595	46,500	Power Train	47
2018	2627	38,000	Power Train	104
2019	1532	59,142	Power Train	30
2020	797	33,000	Power Train	30
2021	1138	40,000	Power Train	19
2022	702	25,000	Power Train	29
2023	494	18,614	Power Train	25
2024	195	3,700	Exterior Lighting	25
2025	112	6,500	Power Train	7

Active Recalls (14)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Inflator Module

Campaign 11V107000 | 23/02/2011

THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG COULD INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL IF OCCURRING WHILE IN MOTION.

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 RE

Exterior Lighting

Campaign 09E012000 | 07/04/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Motor

Campaign 05V520000 | 09/11/2005

AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.

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.

Headlights

Campaign 09E025000 | 11/05/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Headlights

Campaign 07E080000 | 25/09/2007

THE PURPOSE OF THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE TRAFFIC CRASHES AND DEATHS AND INJURIES BY PROVIDING ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROADWAY.

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.

Headlights

Campaign 06E023000 | 13/03/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Tread/Belt

Campaign 05T022000 | 21/11/2005

AFFECTED TIRES MAY NOT MEET THE ENDURANCE TEST REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. CONTINUED USE OF THE AFFECTED TIRES CAN RESULT IN TIRE FAILURE WHICH COULD LEAD TO VEHICLE DAMAGE OR MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Exterior Lighting

Campaign 06E064000 | 17/07/2006

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Campaign 08V208000 | 07/05/2008

ONCE THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM RESERVE IS DEPLETED, THE DRIVER WILL HAVE FOUNDATION BRAKE FUNCTION, BUT WITH INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT. REDUCED VEHICLE BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

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.

Electrical

Campaign 07E066000 | 28/08/2007

IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.

ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.

Exterior Lighting

Campaign 06E060000 | 29/06/2006

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

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.

Headlights

Campaign 07E089000 | 25/10/2007

THE PURPOSE OF THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE TRAFFIC CRASHES AND DEATHS AND INJURIES BY PROVIDING ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROADWAY.

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.

Interior Lighting

Campaign 06V033000 | 06/02/2006

THIS ERROR COULD PREVENT THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) WARNING LIGHT FROM ILLUMINATING IF THE ABS MODULE EVER BECAME INOPERATIVE.

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.

Headlights

Campaign 07E075000 | 14/09/2007

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Extend Your Engine Life

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

Change oil on schedule — this is the single most important thing you can do
Use the manufacturer-recommended oil weight and type
Replace the air filter every 15,000-30,000 miles
Don't ignore the check engine light — small issues become expensive fast
Let the engine warm up for 30 seconds before driving hard in cold weather
Address coolant leaks immediately to prevent overheating damage

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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28