The Lemon Index2006 Ford Mustang.
The 2006 Ford Mustang is about average by owner complaints: 102 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 88, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about fuel system, gasoline, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 18 to 20 mpg combined. The best Ford Mustang year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 575 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Mustang year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 13K to 75K miles on the car (284 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 53K–100K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 11K–74K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 19K–68K miles
Recalls 10
- airbags 2021
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 hu…
- airbags 2021
Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 10 recalls
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2009
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.
- airbags 2008
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 UNBELTED 5TH PERCENT…
- suspension 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET EIBACH BRANDED FRONT STRUTS ONLY, PART NO. 35101.8001, AND EIBACH BRANDED FRONT STRUTS AS SUSPENSION KITS, PART NOS. 35101.840, 35101.680, 35101.780, 35100.680, 35100.780, 4.10135.680, AND 4.10035.780…
- suspension 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET ROUSH BRANDED FRONT STRUTS AS A STAND ALONE COMPONENT, PART NO. 401297, AND ROUSH BRANDED FRONT STRUTS AS A SUSPENSION KIT, PART NO. 401296, SOLD FOR USE ON 2005 AND 2006 FORD MUSTANG GT VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 27 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Difficult diagnose of a water leak in the front floor area
- Difficult to diagnose water leak in the front floor area
- Difficult to diagnose water leak in front floor area
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
- ClosedFleet vehicle recall completion audit2010–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
My Ford Mustang gt 2006 continue to accelerated even if my foot was on the brakes. This happen after I stop and press the gas.
2006 Ford Mustang owner · NHTSA complaint 10231419
More owner reports
Numerous little failures. Gas light stays on, levers on seat backs both broken, side mirrors needed replaced, both sides. When accelerating the car surges, then chokes, surges again.
NHTSA complaint 10184354
My brand new 2006 Ford Mustang gas tank is difficult and impossible to fill full. I took car to dealer and they said they can not repair it.
NHTSA complaint 10157818
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Ford Mustang reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 88; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Mustang year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2006 Ford Mustang problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, gasoline (29%), speed control (20%) and transmission & drivetrain (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Ford Mustang have?
10 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Ford Mustang get?
18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Ford Mustang problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 13,500 and 75,000 miles. The middle report was at 45,400 miles, from 284 complaints.
Does the 2006 Ford Mustang have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Ford Mustang cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Ford Mustang have?
4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
What Ford Mustang year is better than the 2006?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2021 and 2022.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works