2006 Ford Ranger Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2006 Ford Ranger.

20052007
Complaints
316
per 10K Sold
34.2
US Sales
92,420
Crashes
16
Fires
2
Injuries
11
Fatalities
4
Recalls
11

Worst 2006 Ford Ranger Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1172 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:85,727 mi
Crash-related:8
#220 complaints

Body Structure

Avg mileage:80,000 mi
#318 complaints

Suspension Failures

Avg mileage:88,870 mi
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2006 Ford Ranger.

Airbags
172
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
Avg Miles
85,727
Body Structure
20
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
80,000
Suspension Failures
18
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
88,870
Engine Problems
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
90,200
Electrical Faults
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
43,442
Gasoline Fuel System
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
36,355
Fuel System
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
90,750
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
83,900
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel Pump
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Driveline
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2006 Ford Ranger. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2006 Ford Ranger

11 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,949,679 vehicles.

23V306000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~231,942 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement front passenger air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.

23V125000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~98,550 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement frontal passenger air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.

21V076000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module · Air Bags:frontal
~144,340 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

21V081000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module · Air Bags:frontal
~1,067 affected

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 a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

18V022000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~33,310 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006 Ford Ranger trucks. Ford is requesting owners NOT TO DRIVE these vehicles until they have been repaired. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode. On January 11, 2018, Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified NHTSA that they are recalling 2,700 model year 2006 Ranger vehicles built with passenger-side air bag inflators. As of February 9, 2018, Ford is expanding the recall to a total of 33,310 model year 2006 Ranger vehicles built with passenger-side air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

18V023000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~33,310 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006 Ford Ranger trucks. Ford is requesting owners NOT TO DRIVE these vehicles until they have been repaired. On January 11, 2018, Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified NHTSA that they are recalling 2,700 model year 2006 Ranger vehicles built with driver-side air bag inflators . As of February 9, 2018, Ford is expanding the recall to a total of 33,310 model year 2006 Ranger vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

17V787000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~328,213 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is superseding a previous recall for certain 2004-2006 Ford Ranger trucks to implement a final repair. Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

17V788000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~328,213 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is superseding a previous recall for certain 2004-2006 Ford Ranger trucks to implement a final repair. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

16V036000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~361,692 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles manufactured March 24, 2003, to May 4, 2006. Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

15V322000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~362,327 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Ranger trucks manufactured March 24, 2003, to May 4, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

+ 1 more recalls

Other Ford Ranger Years

2006 Ford Ranger — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2006 Ford Ranger reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2006 Ford Ranger has 316 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash-related, and 11 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 172 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2006 Ford Ranger?
Top reported problems: Airbags (172 complaints, avg 85,727 mi); Body Structure (20 complaints, avg 80,000 mi); Suspension Failures (18 complaints, avg 88,870 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2006 Ford Ranger?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 83,228 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2006 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA complaints for the 2006 Ford Ranger include 16 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 11 injuries, and 4 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2006 Ford Ranger have any recalls?
Yes — 11 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,949,679 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2006 Ford Ranger?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Ford Ranger reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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