2006 Ford F-250 Problems & Complaints

Use caution1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the F-250 at the same age

Owners have filed 221 complaints about the 2006 Ford F-250 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 1.6× as many as a typical F-250 model year at the same age — above average, so look closely at the problem areas below before you buy. The most reported problem area is the suspension (85 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles). One recall covers this model year.

221complaints
1recalls
10crashes
5fires
10injuries
0deaths

Most common 2006 Ford F-250 problems

  • Suspension~50,000 miles
    8538%
  • Steering~61,000 miles
    7835%
  • Engine & cooling~107,000 miles
    3717%
  • Wheels & tires~90,000 miles
    2310%
  • Electrical system~93,000 miles
    188%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~120,000 miles
    178%
  • Body & structure~52,000 miles
    115%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~17,000 miles
    94%
  • Brakes~63,000 miles
    94%
  • Speed control & acceleration~53,000 miles
    84%
  • Other / not specified~61,000 miles
    73%
  • Air bags~55,000 miles
    52%
  • Equipment & accessories~139,000 miles
    42%
  • Stability & traction control~130,000 miles
    42%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~2,000 miles
    31%
  • Seat belts~100,000 miles
    31%
  • Lights~100,000 miles
    31%
  • Locks & latches~52,000 miles
    21%
  • Seats
    10%

Share of the 221 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Ford F-250 complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’141841763045658132622015611615414422160196547324826695142
Owner complaints per model year, Ford F-250. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best F-250 years: 2010, 2009, 2007. Years to avoid: 1999, 2000, 2012, 2011, 2006. Compare all years →

2006 Ford F-250 recalls (1)

Trailer hitches

NHTSA recall 08V-344 · Jul 28, 2008 · 108 vehicles

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…

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2006 Ford F-250:

Violent front end oscillation

NHTSA investigation PE07057 · opened Nov 15, 2007 · closed Mar 14, 2008

Odi has received 78 consumer complaints of severe suspension and steering wheel shimmy and oscillations commencing after the subject vehicles traveled over an uneven road surface. The majority of these incidents occurred at speeds of 50 MPH or greater.thirteen of the complaints received by odi allege loss of steering control and that the vehicle changed driving lanes uncontrollably.four of the complaints received by…

Violent front end oscillation

NHTSA investigation EA08007 · opened Mar 14, 2008 · closed Mar 31, 2009

This investigation was opened based on 78 consumer complaints of severe suspension and steering wheel oscillations after the subject vehicles traveled over an uneven surface.odi was concerned about these complaints because many of them alleged loss of control and the loss of control occurredat speeds above 50 miles per hour.at the time these complaints were received, odi was also aware of the TSB 07-10-10 and early…

What 2006 Ford F-250 owners say

Suspension all 85 →

On 6/25/2022 I experienced violent shaking at freeway speed in southern California. The vehicle was difficult to control - the steering wheel shook violently, and it could be felt throughout the vehicle. The ride was completely smooth when I began the freeway drive; the problem came on all of a sudden, then continued at all speeds, but was particularly violent over 50 MPH. I have not had it inspected yet, but research revealed this is most likely the Ford "Death Wobble" affecting F250 and F350 trucks years 2005 to 2021. I haven't discerned all the information yet as to how to make repairs. My understanding is the cause is inadequate front end suspension parts, a Ford manufacturing safety issue. Mine is a 2006 model, and some articles report that year was notably the worse. There was no traffic accident, no police report was filed, and we made it home safely. …

Jun 2022

Purchased my truck last year and was unaware of problems with this truck.whikr traveling couple miles from my home on a paved two lane road I ran over a small gravel or walnut which immediately sent my truck into uncontrollably shaking in the front end my speed was between 30 and 35 mph it was all I could do to get it to the side of the road and stopped.Shaking I got out and looked underneath the front thinking I had a wheel or something about to come off.I couldn't see anything noticeable loose.So I got back in and very slowly continued to my destination.Since then it has happened more times than I can count small hump or raised pavement or even a hole in the road will send it into a shaking fit all I can do is try and get to the side of the road and come to a stop.Im in a fix as this is the only vehicle I own and I can't afford to buy another and no one knows what to do to fix it.I …

Oct 2023

Steering all 78 →

Not quite sure what component or system is failing/malfunctioning. Best way to describe what is happening, "Death Wobble". No other simpler way to put it. No auto store/dealer has any solid answer. Simply put, almost killed my entire family on the highway and not to mention other drivers on the highway. Driving fine then any bumps/grooves in the road instantly sends the entire vehicle into this VIOLENT shaking mess. To stop the shaking, we have to TRY (because once it starts shaking, it's almost like the steering is freezing up) to stop the vehicle completely. Once stopped, we take off like nothing ever happened until the next set of bumps/grooves. We have taken the truck to auto mechanics, we explain what is going on and INSTANTLY they inform us that we are not alone in this and there's really nothing you can do without constantly changing parts, etc. but there is "no" fix. …

May 2021

On 6/25/2022 I experienced violent shaking at freeway speed in southern California. The vehicle was difficult to control - the steering wheel shook violently, and it could be felt throughout the vehicle. The ride was completely smooth when I began the freeway drive; the problem came on all of a sudden, then continued at all speeds, but was particularly violent over 50 MPH. I have not had it inspected yet, but research revealed this is most likely the Ford "Death Wobble" affecting F250 and F350 trucks years 2005 to 2021. I haven't discerned all the information yet as to how to make repairs. My understanding is the cause is inadequate front end suspension parts, a Ford manufacturing safety issue. Mine is a 2006 model, and some articles report that year was notably the worse. There was no traffic accident, no police report was filed, and we made it home safely. …

Jun 2022

Engine & cooling all 37 →

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.

May 2023

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.

Jul 2024

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Ford F-250 a good car?

Based on 221 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 F-250 rates use caution: 1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the F-250 at the same age. It is one of the F-250 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Ford F-250?

The suspension — 85 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front. Next are the steering (78) and engine & cooling (37).

How many recalls does the 2006 Ford F-250 have?

There is 1 recall for the 2006 Ford F-250, the most recent from July 28, 2008 (trailer hitches). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Ford F-250?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010, 2009 and 2007. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 2000, 2012, 2011 and 2006. See the full Ford F-250 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2006 Ford F-250 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 41% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.