2006 Ford Mustang Problems: 7 Known Issues
2006 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated October 2026
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2006 Ford Mustang has 7 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical. The most serious are Driver airbag inflator can rupture in a crash — recall 15V319 and Passenger airbag 'off' light on with an adult seated (owner reports). DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
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All 7 Known Issues
NHTSA Recalls9 recalls
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2014 Mustang vehicles manufactured April 6, 2004, to June 21, 2014, and 2005-2006 GT vehicles manufactured February 20, 2004, to September 22, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FORD F-150, 2012 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, AND 2012-2013 MUSTANG VEHICLES, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT" AND 108 LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS) THAT WAS CALIBRATED OUT OF SPECIFICATION FOR REVERSE GEAR.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Ford Mustang problems?
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2006 Ford Mustang has 7 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Driver airbag inflator can rupture in a crash — recall 15V319, Passenger airbag 'off' light on with an adult seated (owner reports), Front-floor water leak that owners say can soak the junction box — bulletin 08-26-7. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Ford Mustang reliable?
The 2006 Ford Mustang has 7 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Driver airbag inflator can rupture in a crash — recall 15V319 and Passenger airbag 'off' light on with an adult seated (owner reports). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
What is the 2005-2014 Ford Mustang Driver airbag inflator can rupture in a crash — recall 15V319?
Ford's recall says the Takata driver frontal airbag inflator's propellant wafers may change over time, and in a crash that deploys the airbag the inflator body can rupture, increasing the risk of injury to occupants. Applies to: 2005-2014 Mustang built at Flat Rock from April 6,… Severity: high.
What is the 2005-2010 Ford Mustang Passenger airbag 'off' light on with an adult seated (owner reports)?
Owners report the passenger airbag off indicator lighting with an adult seated and belted, or the airbag warning light flashing a fault, which some attribute to the passenger seat occupant sensor. In several reports the dealer could not find or duplicate a fault. Applies to: 2005… Severity: high.
What is the 2005-2010 Ford Mustang Front-floor water leak that owners say can soak the junction box — bulletin 08-26-7?
Ford's bulletin describes a hard-to-find water leak into the front floor area from loose cowl grommets or sealer skips, a loose A-pillar weatherstrip retainer, or misaligned body-harness grommets at the firewall or passenger door. Owners report the water running onto the smart ju… Severity: medium.
What is the 2005-2010 Ford Mustang 4.0L V6 thermostat housing cracks and leaks coolant (owner reports)?
Owners of 4.0L V6 Mustangs report the thermostat housing cracking or separating and leaking coolant, sometimes spraying it over the engine; owners describe replacing the housing, thermostat and O-rings. Applies to: 2005-2010 Mustang with the 4.0L SOHC (Cologne) V6 only, owner rep… Severity: medium.
What is the 2005-2010 Ford Mustang Fuel smell from a seeping fuel tank seam (owner reports)?
Owners report a gasoline smell, in one case strongest after filling up, that a dealer traced to the fuel tank seeping at its seam; the repair reported was replacing the tank. Applies to: 2005-2010 Mustang (S197), owner reports. Spills while refuelling and leaks at the filler neck… Severity: medium.
What is the 2005-2014 Ford Mustang Bubbling or peeling paint on the aluminum hood — bulletin 20-2233?
Ford's bulletin says vehicles with aluminum body panels may show corrosion appearing as bubbled or peeling paint, with or without white dust, and recommends replacing the panel. Owners of 2010 Mustangs report the bubbling on the aluminum hood, often starting at the front edge. Ap… Severity: low.
What is the 2005-2014 Ford Mustang Front-end clunk over bumps from end links or strut mounts (owner reports)?
Owners report clunking from the front suspension over bumps and during low-speed turns, often traced to worn or loose sway-bar end links or to the upper strut mounts. For 2005-2007 coupes Ford issued a bulletin for a "loose lumber" noise over bumps, which it says comes from body… Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.