DecodedCars2006 Ford F-150
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.
- Class
- Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
- Body styles
- P/U Reg Cab 78 In. Box, P/U Reg Cab 78 In. Box 4X4, P/U Reg Cab 96 In. Box, P/U Reg Cab 96 In. Box 4X4
- Engines
- 4.2L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl
- Horsepower
- 300 hp
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, FFV
- MPG (best)
- 16 combined · 14 city / 19 hwy
- Length
- 207.9–226.4 in
- Curb weight
- 4,694–5,463 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Strong performanceUp to 300 hp, versus about 236 hp for similar 2006 models.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Many owner complaints158 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 51 for similar models — most often about the engine.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 12 similar 2006 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2006 Ford F-150 is a standard pickup truck offered with 3 engines (4.2L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl and 5.4L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 208 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 126-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,758 lb (P/U Reg Cab 78 In. Box).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 19 highway), 4% worse than the 2006 standard pickup truck average of 16.7 MPG, for an estimated $4,200 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 158 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2006
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2005 F-150 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2005; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2005 F-150 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Dearborn, Michigan · Norfolk, Virginia · Kansas City, Missouri
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2006 F-150 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P/U Reg Cab 78 In. Box | 207.9 in | 78.7 in | 72.8 in | 126 in | 66.9 / 66.9 in | 4,758 lb | 57/43 |
| P/U Reg Cab 78 In. Box 4X4 | 207.9 in | 78.7 in | 73.6 in | 126 in | 66.9 / 66.9 in | 5,240 lb | 57/43 |
| P/U Reg Cab 96 In. Box | 226.4 in | 78.7 in | 74.8 in | 144.5 in | 66.9 / 66.9 in | 4,694 lb | 57/43 |
| P/U Reg Cab 96 In. Box 4X4 | 226.4 in | 78.7 in | 76 in | 144.5 in | 66.9 / 66.9 in | 5,176 lb | 57/43 |
| P/U Super Cab 66 In. Box | 214.6 in | 78.7 in | 73.6 in | 132.7 in | 66.9 / 67.7 in | 5,115 lb | 57/43 |
| P/U Super Cab 66 In. Box 4X4 | 214.6 in | 78.7 in | 75.6 in | 132.7 in | 66.9 / 67.7 in | 5,463 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -4% | $4,200 | 555 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -4% | $4,200 | 555 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 4.6L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 15 | -10% | $4,450 | 592 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 5.4L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -10% | $4,450 | 592 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD | 4.6L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 15 | -3% | $4,450 | 592 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD | 5.4L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 14 | -10% | $4,800 | 635 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD FFV FFV | 5.4L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 17 / 14 | -16% | $4,800 | 635 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD FFV FFV | 5.4L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 14 | -10% | $4,800 | 635 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 Ford F-150 under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2006 standard pickup trucks
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Ford F-150 (this car) | 16 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2006 Toyota Tacoma | 21 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2006 Chevrolet Colorado | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2006 GMC Canyon | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2006 Nissan Frontier | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2006 Honda Ridgeline | 17 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup | 16 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
Recalls (1)
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 23, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V107000 · 1,325,000 vehicles
- Problem
- FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 F-150 PICK UP TRUCKS AS WELL AS CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 LINCOLN MARK LT VEHICLES. IF THE CLOCKSPRING JUMPER WIRE COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG LOWER HORN PLATE, THE WIRE INSULATION MAY BECOME CHAFED, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR A SHORT CIRCUIT. IF THIS OCCURS THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP MAY ILLUMINATE INDICATING THAT SERVICE IS REQUIRED.
- Risk
- THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG COULD INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL IF OCCURRING WHILE IN MOTION.
- Fix
- FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALER TO HAVE A NEW CLOCKSPRING JUMPER WIRE INSTALLED THAT INCORPORATES A PROTECTIVE MESH COVER. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THIS SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SOME VEHICLES IN MARCH 2011. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN ON THE EXPANDED POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 9, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Not every 2006 Ford F-150 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2006 Ford F-150 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 42 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 24 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Structure › Body — 19 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 117,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2006 Ford F-150. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other F-150 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 F-150 | 24 | 241.3 in | Not rated | 8 | 18 |
| 2025 F-150 | 23 | 241.3 in | Not rated | 16 | 128 |
| 2024 F-150 | 23 | 241.3 in | Not rated | 11 | 232 |
| 2023 F-150 | 25 | 207.1 in | Not rated | 13 | 513 |
| 2022 F-150 | 25 | 207.1 in | Not rated | 23 | 817 |
| 2021 F-150 | 25 | 207.1 in | Not rated | 29 | 1,302 |
| 2020 F-150 | 24 | 207.5 in | Not rated | 11 | 741 |
| 2019 F-150 | 25 | 207.5 in | Not rated | 9 | 1,342 |
| 2018 F-150 | 25 | 207.5 in | Not rated | 18 | 2,325 |
| 2017 F-150 | 22 | 207.5 in | Not rated | 17 | 1,463 |
| 2016 F-150 | 21 | 207.5 in | Not rated | 13 | 2,088 |
| 2015 F-150 | 22 | 207.5 in | Not rated | 13 | 1,743 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →