2006 Ford Mustang
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 4 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1984 | 18 |
| 1985 | 16 |
| 1986 | 30 |
| 1987 | 38 |
| 1988 | 108 |
| 1989 | 109 |
| 1990 | 85 |
| 1991 | 77 |
| 1992 | 69 |
| 1993 | 101 |
| 1994 | 356 |
| 1995 | 602 |
| 1996 | 246 |
| 1997 | 176 |
| 1998 | 236 |
| 1999 | 213 |
| 2000 | 311 |
| 2001 | 173 |
| 2002 | 118 |
| 2003 | 143 |
| 2004 | 116 |
| 2005 | 705 |
| 2006 | 422 |
| 2007 | 615 |
| 2008 | 347 |
| 2009 | 181 |
| 2010 | 260 |
| 2011 | 466 |
| 2012 | 469 |
| 2013 | 271 |
| 2014 | 356 |
| 2015 | 434 |
| 2016 | 367 |
| 2017 | 260 |
| 2018 | 184 |
| 2019 | 141 |
| 2020 | 113 |
| 2021 | 55 |
| 2022 | 48 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 70 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
54% of complaints: air bags — 226 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
Driver side air bag randomly deployed after hitting bump at 40 miles an hour
NHTSA ODI report, 20250724
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V384000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180214
No a pasado nada están encendidas las luces de advertencia del airbag solo eso
NHTSA ODI report, 20240131
8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 33 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE INCREASED ACCELERATION ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO TRAVEL UNCONTROLLABLY THROUGH THREE TRAFFIC SIGNALS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120720
MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE--I WAS IN THE CAR AS WELL. ABOUT HALF WAY INTO THE PARKING SPOT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN REVING AND THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD CAUSING A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF US. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20120318
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE WITH ONE FOOT ON THE CLUTCH AND THE OTHER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL.
NHTSA ODI report, 20070807
6% of complaints: electrical system — 26 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATH5% of complaints: structure — 19 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY5% of complaints: power train — 19 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332 OR THROUGH EMAIL TO WWW.OWNERCONNECTION.COM.
Campaign 08V082000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2016.
Campaign 15V319000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.
Campaign 16V384000 — check if this car was fixed
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,...
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.
Campaign 17V024000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021.
Campaign 21V081000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 21E013000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET EIBACH BRANDED FRONT STRUTS ONLY, PART NO. 35101.8001, AND EIBACH BRANDED FRONT STRUTS AS SUSPENSION KITS, PART NOS.
Remedy: EIBACH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO PROVIDE NEW STRUTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON DECEMBER 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EIBACH AT 951-256-8300.
Campaign 06E089000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2006 Ford Mustang — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (226 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (33 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (26 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 06E089000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V082000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V319000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V384000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V024000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V081000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21E013000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2006 Ford Mustang reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Ford Mustang is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Ford Mustang?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 54% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2006 Ford Mustang have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.