Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Ford F-250 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
While driving on the freeway the vehicle started to shake violently. I had to pump the breaks slowly and pull to the side of the road. After checking everything we took it to the shop and they did 2k in repairs and said it was fixed. It did it again. They said they don't know what it is.
Fikm, injectors, glo plugs, ipr, harmonic balancer, prv low oil pump, high oil pump, fuel filters all replaced between 277,000 and 290,000 miles ( 1st time on injectors and glo plugs at 277,000 miles on a 6.0l 2006 super duty diesel)due to lack of power during acceleration between 65 and 75 MPH more than once! Spent more than $3,000.00 to date to correct this issue and nothing has worked! Ford has some explaining to do, and it has baffled even one or more of their best mechanics, as well as the tow truck person that had to tow it at 10:00 pm this past week! Now who is responsible????? We have owned this truck from new status to present and yes 290,000 miles on a 6.0l diesel 2006..surprise! The vehicle was in motion when this issue happened.... On both city streets and interstates, and in the driveway with emer. …
Stalling 2006 Ford f-250 6.0 diesel, I was driving on the freeway with my 2 boys doing problay 60 MPH in a 65mph zone when I noticed that the truck started first seemed to loose power then spurted, then 20seconds later the rpms dropped finding my self without no control of the truck what so ever, meaning it had no power brakes no steering and the engine completly shut off ! , coasting to the side of the freeway barely making it without getting rear ended ! I couldnt believe this. I got to the side of the freeway and tried for a good 5 to 7 minutes before calling triple a for a tow, then while waiting for them to arrive I tried it once again to start the truck and give it gas while doing so it fired up but for about 15 seconds it sounded like it was firing on 4 cylinders or misfiring then it went back to normal and made it home. …
F 250 2006 hd 4x4 less than 2000 miles - driving vehicle, while turning and going down a hill, stalled out completely:dash board lights all came on. No brakes or steering. Went off the road, into front yard of home which was for sale, hit for sale sign, nicked a tree in front yard and into handicap van in driveway, pushed van into neighbors yard. Heavy front end damage sustained and sighted by police for "failure to control vehicle"!!! Purchasing dealer could find no issues. First time this occurred was 3 weeks after nov. 2005 purchase. Vehicle has been repaired, but did it again on 2-3-2006. Dealer has been notified of this again. Still no solution. Over $10,000.00 damage to brand new vehicle. Free loaner vehicle promised when purchased "doesnt apply to body shop" out of work with no vehicle for 2.5 weeks.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford f-250. The contact stated that the gauges on the instrument panel failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the instrument cluster would need to be replaced. The failure recurred twice over the course of seven years and with each failure, the instrument cluster was replaced. After the last replacement, the failure recurred and the vehicle began to emit white smoke. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the EGR cooler would need to be replaced. The contact stated that if the gauges had been working properly, she would have been alerted to the EGR cooler failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 52,000.
The truck was on a major interstate (I-81 near blacksburg exit 118a,b,c) driving uphill. While trying to merge into the right lane from the middle lane, while letting of the accelerator the engine dies. At this point lost all power including brakes and steering control. Since there was no traffic immediately behind the truck then was able to pull over to the first lane and get off the shoulder. The truck died and fortunately due to low traffic able to maneuver to the shoulder. At that point, tried to start the truck and it would not start so had to remain on the side of interstate until help could arrive. Stranded on the side of the interstate. Truck was towed to dealership. Ford blogs indicate there is a known problem that has gone unaddressed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford f-250. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was able to restart on some occasions. The failure recurred numerous times. In addition, the vehicle was accelerating independently. When the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to west hills Ford (1100 oyster bay ave s, bremerton, wa 98312) where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 52,500.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Ford f-250. The contact stated that while driving at 3 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but it failed to respond. In addition, the contact noticed smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician stated that the oil cooler, the exhaust back pressure sensor, the turbo and the EGR valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Engine complaints in other F-250 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Ford F-250?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Ford F-250, 17% of the model year's 221 complaints. The component named most often is engine (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Ford F-250 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2006 Ford F-250, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Ford F-250 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 107,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.