Is the 2006 Ford F-350 SD a bad year?
272 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 52, 5.2× a quiet F-350 SD year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 5.2× the complaints of a quiet F-350 SD year, spread over 30k–109k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 F-350 SD owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 72,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 96 (35%) | 29k–92k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 93 (34%) | 25k–88k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 51 (19%) | 36k–110k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 43 (16%) | 39k–94k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical system | 16 (6%) | 38k–131k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Wheels | 15 (6%) | 48k–121k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Tires | 20 (7%) | 16k–60k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 12 (4%) | 7k–66k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 8 (3%) | 11k–64k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 72,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 272 complaints: 16 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 10 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
This year along with other years have a problem with the EGR valve and turbo. I understand that there was a deal where Ford had to repair emergency vehicles with this same problem but not a normal everyday consumer.
Trailer break controller faulty, replace EGR and injectors. 3/31/09~ replace EGR cooler, gasket, fuel filters.
2006 Ford F350 6.0L diesel pickup coolant heater return line not properly attached to firewall leading to coolant leakage and/or exhaust gas leakage.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 72,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 Ford F-350 SD: 7
The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, possibly causing the steering to lock up. If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The multi-function switch was shipped with a subcomponent (Slider) that may experience deformation. A multi-function switch with a deformed slider may malfunction causing the turn signal, tail lights, hazard warning signal flashers and/or brake lights not to activate. Non-functioning lights could increase the risk of a crash.
These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "Platform lift system accessible for motor vehicles." The anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "Platform lift installations on motor vehicles." The threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area. The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Certain cequent 90 degree 7-WAY right angle adaptors sold by distributors in tow packages for aftermarket sales to tow 5th wheel RV travel trailers. Due to incorrect wiring of the harness, the trailer lights may not operate properly. If the trailer lights are not working properly, a vehicle crash can occur.
Certain harsco wheel modification groups containing accuride steel rims, p/nos. 203237 and 203738; accuride aluminum rims, p/n 203712; and gkn steel rims, p/n 203688, sold as modification equipment for certain 2005-2007 Ford F-250/F-350 4X4 pickup trucks to modify track width of front and rear axles. Brake failure can occur, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Certain continental contitrac tr owl, contitrac tr BSW, general grabber tr BSW, and contitrac BSW tires manufactured between may 29 and june 11, 2005, and sold as original equipment on certain Ford trucks and sold as replacement tires. Affected tires may not meet the endurance test requirements of the standard. Continued use of the affected tires can result in tire failure which could lead to vehicle damage or motor vehicle crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 13
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Ford F-350 SD. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Lincoln/ford: when driving from idle up to 1200 RPM, there may be an intermittent rattle noise coming from engine
When shifting between park, reverse and/or during 2-3 shift, an intermittent clunk occurs with a torqshift transmission
Some 2005-2021 F-Super Duty 4x4 vehicles operated in extreme dust, mud or tar sand conditions may exhibit accelerated 4x4 vacuum hub seal and or wheel bearing…
Some 2005-2020 F-Super Duty 4x4 vehicles operated in extreme dust, mud or tar sand conditions may exhibit accelerated 4x4 vacuum hub seal and or wheel bearing…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Violent front end oscillation
Violent front end oscillation
Neighbouring years
2005 F-350 SD: 331 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2007 F-350 SD: 61 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford F-350 SD year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All F-350 SD years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2006 Ford F-350 SD a bad year?
272 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 52, 5.2× a quiet F-350 SD year. At 72,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 5.2× the complaints of a quiet F-350 SD year, spread over 30k–109k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Ford F-350 SD?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (96), suspension (93), engine (51), fuel system (43), electrical system (16). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 30k–109k miles.
How many recalls does the 2006 Ford F-350 SD have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 20E090000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 11V-352), Adaptive equipment (NHTSA 09V-026), Adaptive equipment (NHTSA 09V-025) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.