2006 FORD MUSTANG — Owner-Reported Problems

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-08-22 421 complaints · 9 recalls
Most-reported system: AIR BAGS (222 complaints · 52.7%)
Safety signals:
  • Crashes 18
  • Fires 3
  • Injuries 15
  • Deaths 2
Compare with 2005 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Component Problem Distribution

Share of owner complaints filed for each vehicle system (unaffected by sales volume)

Component Problem Distribution AIR BAGS appears in 222 of 421 owner complaints (52.7%) in this vehicle snapshot. AIR BAGS: 222 complaints, 52.7% of reports AIR BAGS 222 · 52.7% · 3 crash reports 1 fire reports FUEL SYSTEM: 36 complaints, 8.6% of reports FUEL SYSTEM 36 · 8.6% VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: 26 complaints, 6.2% of reports VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 26 · 6.2% · 4 crash reports 1 fire reports STRUCTURE: 24 complaints, 5.7% of reports STRUCTURE 24 · 5.7% · 2 crash reports POWER TRAIN: 23 complaints, 5.5% of reports POWER TRAIN 23 · 5.5% · 1 fire reports ENGINE: 20 complaints, 4.8% of reports ENGINE 20 · 4.8% · 1 crash reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 18 complaints, 4.3% of reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18 · 4.3% · 1 crash reports SERVICE BRAKES: 10 complaints, 2.4% of reports SERVICE BRAKES 10 · 2.4% · 3 crash reports EXTERIOR LIGHTING: 6 complaints, 1.4% of reports EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6 · 1.4% · 1 crash reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER: 86 complaints, 20.4% of reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER 86 · 20.4% · 2 crash reports 1 fire reports 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER is an NHTSA classification artifact and is always listed last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
AIR BAGS 222 52.7% 3 crashes · 1 fires
FUEL SYSTEM 36 8.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 26 6.2% 4 crashes · 1 fires
STRUCTURE 24 5.7% 2 crashes · 0 fires
POWER TRAIN 23 5.5% 0 crashes · 1 fires
ENGINE 20 4.8% 1 crashes · 0 fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18 4.3% 1 crashes · 0 fires
SERVICE BRAKES 10 2.4% 3 crashes · 0 fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6 1.4% 1 crashes · 0 fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 86 20.4% 2 crashes · 1 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Problem & Recall Timeline

Observed complaint volume and manufacturer recall actions over time

Problem & Recall Timeline Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jan 2006; the first recall shown was reported in Oct 2006. 2006-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2006-Q2: 12 owner reports 12 2006-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2006-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2007-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2007-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2007-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2008-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2008-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2009-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2009-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2009-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2010-Q1: 9 owner reports 9 2010-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2010-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2010-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2011-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2011-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2011-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2011-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2012-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2012-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2012-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2013-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2013-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2013-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2014-Q1: 10 owner reports 10 2014-Q2: 8 owner reports 8 2014-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2014-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2015-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2015-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2015-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2015-Q4: 14 owner reports 14 2016-Q1: 13 owner reports 13 2016-Q2: 17 owner reports 17 2016-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2016-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2017-Q1: 14 owner reports 14 2017-Q2: 16 owner reports 16 2017-Q3: 24 owner reports 24 2017-Q4: 55 owner reports 55 2018-Q1: 22 owner reports 22 2018-Q2: 22 owner reports 22 2018-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2018-Q4: 8 owner reports 8 2019-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2019-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2020-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2020-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2020-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2022-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2023-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2024-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2024-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2024-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2026-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Jan 2006 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 06E089000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E089000 Recall campaign 08V082000 ◆ Recall campaign 08V082000 Recall campaign 09E012000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E012000 Recall campaign 09E025000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E025000 Recall campaign 15V319000 ◆ Recall campaign 15V319000 Recall campaign 16V384000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V384000 Recall campaign 17V024000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V024000 Recall campaign 21E013000 ◆ Recall campaign 21E013000 Recall campaign 21V081000 ◆ Recall campaign 21V081000 Investigation AQ10001 ● Investigation AQ10001 Investigation PE14016 ● Investigation PE14016 Investigation EA15001 ● Investigation EA15001
  • Campaign 06E089000 was reported 155 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 09E025000 was reported 201 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 15V319000 was reported 2,435 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 16V384000 was reported 2,804 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 17V024000 was reported 3,028 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 21E013000 was reported 4,526 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 21V081000 was reported 4,526 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2006-Q1 Owner reports 8
2006-Q2 Owner reports 12
2006-Q3 Owner reports 4
2006-Q4 Owner reports 6
2007-Q1 Owner reports 2
2007-Q2 Owner reports 1
2007-Q3 Owner reports 4
2007-Q4 Owner reports 2
2008-Q1 Owner reports 4
2008-Q3 Owner reports 1
2008-Q4 Owner reports 3
2009-Q2 Owner reports 2
2009-Q3 Owner reports 5
2009-Q4 Owner reports 6
2010-Q1 Owner reports 9
2010-Q2 Owner reports 3
2010-Q3 Owner reports 4
2010-Q4 Owner reports 4
2011-Q1 Owner reports 2
2011-Q2 Owner reports 3
2011-Q3 Owner reports 6
2011-Q4 Owner reports 7
2012-Q1 Owner reports 4
2012-Q2 Owner reports 1
2012-Q3 Owner reports 5
2012-Q4 Owner reports 2
2013-Q1 Owner reports 2
2013-Q2 Owner reports 2
2013-Q3 Owner reports 3
2014-Q1 Owner reports 10
2014-Q2 Owner reports 8
2014-Q3 Owner reports 7
2014-Q4 Owner reports 10
2015-Q1 Owner reports 5
2015-Q2 Owner reports 6
2015-Q3 Owner reports 5
2015-Q4 Owner reports 14
2016-Q1 Owner reports 13
2016-Q2 Owner reports 17
2016-Q3 Owner reports 5
2016-Q4 Owner reports 4
2017-Q1 Owner reports 14
2017-Q2 Owner reports 16
2017-Q3 Owner reports 24
2017-Q4 Owner reports 55
2018-Q1 Owner reports 22
2018-Q2 Owner reports 22
2018-Q3 Owner reports 5
2018-Q4 Owner reports 8
2019-Q1 Owner reports 3
2019-Q3 Owner reports 1
2019-Q4 Owner reports 2
2020-Q1 Owner reports 3
2020-Q2 Owner reports 2
2020-Q3 Owner reports 1
2020-Q4 Owner reports 1
2021-Q2 Owner reports 1
2021-Q3 Owner reports 1
2022-Q1 Owner reports 2
2022-Q4 Owner reports 1
2023-Q1 Owner reports 1
2023-Q2 Owner reports 2
2023-Q3 Owner reports 1
2024-Q1 Owner reports 3
2024-Q2 Owner reports 3
2024-Q4 Owner reports 1
2025-Q1 Owner reports 1
2025-Q2 Owner reports 1
2025-Q3 Owner reports 1
2025-Q4 Owner reports 1
2026-Q3 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 06E089000
Recall campaign 1 08V082000
Recall campaign 1 09E012000
Recall campaign 1 09E025000
Recall campaign 1 15V319000
Recall campaign 1 16V384000
Recall campaign 1 17V024000
Recall campaign 1 21E013000
Recall campaign 1 21V081000
Defect investigation 1 AQ10001
Defect investigation 1 PE14016
Defect investigation 1 EA15001
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Safety Recalls (9)

Official safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA

  1. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 06E089000

    Report date
    Component:
    SUSPENSION
    Consequence:
    IF THE BROKEN BRACKET CONTACTS THE TIRE, SIDEWALL DAMAGE CAN OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 08V082000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    DURING AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, IF A SMALL FEMALE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS NOT WEARING THE SAFETY BELT, AND HAS THE SEAT IN THE FULL FORWARD POSITION, THERE MAY BE AN INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR A NECK INJURY.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 09E012000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 09E025000

    Report date
    Component:
    EXTERIOR LIGHTING
    Consequence:
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 15V319000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    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. Even if interim repairs were performed under safety recall 14V-802, owners must bring their vehicles in for the final remedy. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S21. Note: This recall supersedes safety recall 14V-802.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 16V384000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    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. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 17V024000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    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. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 21E013000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    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. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  9. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 21V081000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Complaint Narrative Explorer

Verbatim owner-reported defect narratives from NHTSA public records

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety incident filters
Showing 0 of 421 complaints · page 1 of 17

No complaints match the current filters.
EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Data sourced from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Snapshot date: 2026-08-21.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources