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Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

2006 Ford RangerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 12 safety recalls and 272 owner complaints for the 2006 Ford Ranger. Most complaints involve air bags (175) and structure (26). The EPA rates it 15–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–23mpg
EPA · 10 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
12campaigns
Latest Apr 2023
Owner complaints
272
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

12 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 11, 2018NHTSA 18V022000

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 11, 2018NHTSA 18V023000

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveRemedy pending

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.

Air bagsReported Dec 11, 2017NHTSA 17V787000
See all 12 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

272 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2006 – Oct 2026
  1. Air bags175
  2. Structure26
  3. Suspension20
  4. Engine12
  5. Electrical system11
  6. Fuel system, gasoline9
  7. Fuel/propulsion system7
  8. Engine and engine cooling7
  9. Steering5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Ranger model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996430
1997427
1998597
1999785
2000729
2001558
2002389
2003243
2004405
2005289
2006272
2007270
2008326
2009169
2010164
2011235
2019272
2020130
2021119
202238
202319
202497
202545
20260
Crashes reported
14
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
10
Deaths reported
4
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

175 reports10 crashes
“The contact owns a 2006 Ford Ranger. Before purchasing the vehicle, the vehicle was involved in a crash and the driver's side air bag had deployed. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 17V787000 (Air Bags) and 17V788000 (Air Bags). In 2019, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repairs; however, the dealer only completed repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V788000 (Air Bags). The contact was informed that the driver's side air bag was missing. The vehicle was then taken to a Collision Center, which installed the front driver's side air bag and seat belt from a salvage yard and cleared the SRS System warning light. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V787000 (Air Bags), and the contact was informed that the recall was closed. The dealer recently repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V125000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the dealer had reported that aftermarket driver's side air bag parts were installed. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2026Air bagsODI 11769825

Structure

26 reports
“The spare tire stabilizing bracket rusted away and fell off. The rear shackles for the springs broke on both sides, and is coming up through the bed. The frame has rusted apart and it’s not possible to bolt a new shackle for the rear springs on. The body is not rusting out. They used inferior steel on the frame and it has rusted away. They should do a recall on these like other manufacturers have. This is a serious safety issue. I bought this truck new, and it only has 98000 mikes on it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2022Suspension, StructureODI 11468541

Suspension

20 reports1 fire
“THE FRAME OF MY RANGER HAS RUSTED BADLY , CAUSING THE REAR SPRING SHACKLES TO NO LONGER BE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME.ALSO THE BED OF THE TRUCK HAS RUSTED AWAY BADLY. I I SPOKE TO A GUY WHO SPECIALIZES IN FRAME / AXLE REPAIR . AFTER INSPECTING IT , HE TOLD ME THAT THE ONLY OPTION TO REPAIR MY TRUCK WAS TO REPLACE THE FRAME , BECAUSE THE FRAME IS RUSTED TOO BADLY TO BE ABLE TO BE WELDED , HE SAID THE ONLY OTHER OPTION WAS TO JUNK IT . THE TRUCK HAS 102,000 MILES ON IT AND IS OTHERWISE IN GOOD CONDITION . I HAD PLANNED TO OWN IT FOR YEARS TO COME . NOW I AM AFRAID TO TRUST IT . AND I WOULD NOT FEEL RIGHT ABOUT SELLING IT TO SOMEONE ELSE . I USE THIS TRUCK TO HAUL HAY TO FEED MY LIVESTOCK , BUT NOW I AM AFRAID TO LOAD IT UP AND DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD WITH IT .I HAD THE TIRES REPLACED AND THE SERVICE CENTER NOTED ON THE PAPERWORK THAT THE FRAME WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO HAVE THE SPRING MOUNTINGS FIXED ..,”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 18, 2020Suspension, Unknown or otherODI 11384120
All 2006 Ranger problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

10 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl · 4.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 5, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Ranger Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
212723$2,800386
Ranger Pickup 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192421$3,050423
Ranger Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550494
Ranger Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550494
Ranger Pickup 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152117$3,800523
Ranger Pickup 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Ranger Pickup 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151917$3,800523
Ranger Pickup 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151916$4,000555
Ranger Pickup 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141816$4,000555
Ranger Pickup 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141815$4,300592
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Ford Ranger as of Nov 5, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 5, 2026Vehicle 1730Vehicle 1729
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 Ranger questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Ford Ranger have?

12 safety recalls as of Nov 5, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Ford Ranger problems?

Owners filed 272 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (175), structure (26), suspension (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Ford Ranger get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Ford Ranger at 15–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 5, 2026