2006 Ford Mustang Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 3%of 424 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine of the 2006 Ford Mustang, 3% of the 424 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving to work one chilly morning I could not feel any warm air coming from the heat or the windshield defroster. I had to return to home because the windows were fogging up and I had no heat. I drove another car to work that day. I later discovered the thermostat housing gasket had a slow leak and allowed most of the antifreeze to leak out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10583772, filed 2014-04, 80,000 miles“I was at a stop getting ready to merge with traffic when the car just died. I restarted the car but it ran real ruff I barely got off the road. I had to towe the car home it's the throttle -by-wire this system needs to be addressed before someone gets hurt. Thanks lee”
NHTSA complaint #10724861, filed 2015-06, 32,400 miles“As of today my 2006 Mustang has 58,953 miles on it and it is on it's third alternator. The first one failed at around the 56,000 mile mark and was replaced. My friend and I had traveled about 60 miles n from sacramento to an area between alta and dutch flats and I had turned off the AC and put the windows down. I heard a strange crackling sound and I pulled over about a half a mile afterwards and shut off the engine, we smelled something burning and lifted up the hood. And that was the end of the 2nd alternator it had lasted about 1600 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10663028, filed 2014-12, 56,000 miles“Sudden acceleration. Happened 3-4 times before. Cruise control on highway. I rolled into it (that is not flooring it) and it would not stop accelerating. Used brakes to control car, turned off ignition, and stopped on shoulder. I had to wait what seemed like 2-3 minutes before it would restart without racing. Tonight was different. I had braked off cruise control as I exited 94e to 65n. As I began to plan my merge onto 65 a guy alone in the right lane would not move over, I rolled into and the acceleration happened again. There was no shoulder at first and the brakes were almost overwhelmed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10859862, filed 2016-04, 66,590 miles“I was stopped completely. The traffic light changed to green in the intersection. I pressed the accelerator and it went all the way to the floor and stayed there. I flew thru the intersection at top speed with the brake pushed as hard as I could with no deceleration at all. I traveled approximately 150 yards wide open. I stomped the gas pedal and tried to get it to release with no luck. I finally turned the ignition off and jumped a curb to get it stopped just before I would have rear-ended a vehicle in front of me. Flat spotted 2 brand new front tires. It was terrifying! …”
NHTSA complaint #10573942, filed 2014-03, 126,600 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10143079Jun 1, 2018Various vehicles equipped with a 4.6L, 5.4L, 6.8L modular 3 valve engine built on or before 8-Jan-2016 may exhibit symptoms that may include upper end engine noise, rough…
- 10109070Sep 21, 2016The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to…
- 10048099Aug 1, 2012Ford/lincoln/mercury: may have sludge buildup in throttle body leading to less airflow or engine idling rpm fluctuation and hard starts or battery disconnect or dead battery…
- 10045340Jul 10, 2012Ford/lincoln/mercury: if battery was disconnected or dead, vehicles/trucks may experience hard starts and engine idle rpm fluctuation and exhibit diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs)…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 38% |
| 2025 | 3 | 16% |
| 2024 | 10 | 12% |
| 2023 | 2 | 13% |
| 2022 | 5 | 10% |
| 2021 | 8 | 15% |
| 2020 | 25 | 21% |
| 2019 | 53 | 35% |
| 2018 | 59 | 30% |
| 2017 | 27 | 10% |
| 2016 | 76 | 20% |
| 2015 | 51 | 12% |
| 2014 | 18 | 5% |
| 2013 | 22 | 8% |
| 2012 | 30 | 6% |
| 2011 | 48 | 10% |
| 2010 | 8 | 3% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 6 | 2% |
| 2007 | 15 | 2% |
| 2006 | 11 | 3% |
| 2005 | 19 | 3% |
| 2004 | 3 | 3% |
| 2003 | 6 | 4% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 3 | 1% |
| 1999 | 1 | 0% |
| 1998 | 1 | 0% |
| 1997 | 2 | 1% |
| 1996 | 2 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 0% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1989 | 1 | 1% |
| 1986 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2006 Ford Mustang
228 complaintsFuel system
44 complaintsVehicle speed control
35 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
32 complaintsElectrical system
31 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Ford Mustang
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology