AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
2006 Ford Mustang
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
NHTSA has issued a “do not drive” advisory affecting this model year.
Campaign 17V024000. Confirm whether your specific vehicle is covered using its VIN before acting on this.
Check your VIN on NHTSA.govOverview
Our database contains 422 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Ford Mustang, most frequently naming the airbags, fuel system and driver assistance categories. 9 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 27 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2016 | 2 | 216 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 217 |
| Sep 2016 | 2 | 219 |
| Oct 2016 | 1 | 220 |
| Nov 2016 | 1 | 221 |
| Dec 2016 | 2 | 223 |
| Jan 2017 | 6 | 229 |
| Feb 2017 | 5 | 234 |
| Mar 2017 | 3 | 237 |
| Apr 2017 | 2 | 239 |
| May 2017 | 6 | 245 |
| Jun 2017 | 8 | 253 |
| Jul 2017 | 8 | 261 |
| Aug 2017 | 8 | 269 |
| Sep 2017 | 8 | 277 |
| Oct 2017 | 11 | 288 |
| Nov 2017 | 26 | 314 |
| Dec 2017 | 18 | 332 |
| Jan 2018 | 6 | 338 |
| Feb 2018 | 5 | 343 |
| Mar 2018 | 11 | 354 |
| Apr 2018 | 10 | 364 |
| May 2018 | 8 | 372 |
| Jun 2018 | 4 | 376 |
| Jul 2018 | 2 | 378 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 379 |
| Sep 2018 | 2 | 381 |
| Oct 2018 | 4 | 385 |
| Nov 2018 | 3 | 388 |
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 389 |
| Jan 2019 | 1 | 390 |
| Mar 2019 | 2 | 392 |
| Sep 2019 | 1 | 393 |
| Oct 2019 | 1 | 394 |
| Nov 2019 | 1 | 395 |
| Jan 2020 | 2 | 397 |
| Mar 2020 | 1 | 398 |
| May 2020 | 1 | 399 |
| Jun 2020 | 1 | 400 |
| Sep 2020 | 1 | 401 |
| Dec 2020 | 1 | 402 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 403 |
| Jul 2021 | 1 | 404 |
| Mar 2022 | 2 | 406 |
| Nov 2022 | 1 | 407 |
| Feb 2023 | 1 | 408 |
| May 2023 | 1 | 409 |
| Jun 2023 | 1 | 410 |
| Jul 2023 | 1 | 411 |
| Jan 2024 | 1 | 412 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 413 |
| Mar 2024 | 1 | 414 |
| Apr 2024 | 1 | 415 |
| May 2024 | 1 | 416 |
| Jun 2024 | 1 | 417 |
| Oct 2024 | 1 | 418 |
| Jan 2025 | 1 | 419 |
| May 2025 | 1 | 420 |
| Jul 2025 | 1 | 421 |
| Dec 2025 | 1 | 422 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags22846.3%
- Fuel system448.9%
- Driver assistance387.7%
- Electrical316.3%
- Body & structure306.1%
- Engine275.5%
- Powertrain (other)204.1%
- Brakes204.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
9 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govAIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, areas with high absolute humidity and climatic conditions believed to be a significant factor in the inflator ruptures.As part of the recall actions, inflators removed from remedied vehicles are to be returned to Takata for testing.Takata's initial test results on passenger inflators from remedied vehicles indicated a much higher than anticipated rupture frequency for inflators returned from Florida.Accordingly ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators to include other geographic areas where high absolute humidity conditions exist, including the Gulf States and other coastal areas.Takata's testing of the passenger inflators to date continues to indicate this geographic area as having the highest risk, with no ruptures occurring from inflators returned from outside the expanded recall regions.During PE14-016 four additional passenger inflator field events occurred, all in vehicles from the same expanded geographic region.Also during PE14-016 four additional driver inflator field events occurred including two in vehicles from regions not known for high absolute humidity, specifically California and North Carolina.Accordingly, ODI requested all five of the affected vehicle manufacturers currently using the subject Takata driver inflators expand to nationwide recalls.Significantly, neither of the affected vehicle manufacturers or Takata provided any explanation to account for these two driver air bag inflator ruptures outside the area of high absolute humidity.Takata testing of returned driver inflators indicates a lower rupture frequency as compared to passenger inflator testing.All test ruptures reported by Takata to date have occurred on inflators returned from high absolute humidity areas.The investigation now includes all manufacturers and vehicles known to be affected at this time.ODI's investigation will focus on, among other things, root cause analysis, other potential defect consequences, identification of affected vehicles scope, and adequacy of the remedy.The five ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10537899, 10568848, 10585224, 10605877, 10651492
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, areas with consistently high absolute humidity and climatic conditions believed to be a significant factor in the inflator ruptures.As part of the recall actions, inflators removed from remedied vehicles are to be returned to Takata for testing.Takata's initial test results on passenger inflators from remedied vehicles indicated a much higher than anticipated rupture frequency for inflators returned from Florida.Accordingly, ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators to include other geographic areas where high absolute humidity conditions exist, including the Gulf States and other coastal areas.Takata's testing of the passenger inflators to date continues to indicate this geographic area as having the highest risk, with no ruptures occurring from inflators returned from outside the expanded recall regions.During PE14-016, four additional passenger inflator field events occurred, all in vehicles from the same expanded geographic region.Also during PE14-016, four additional driver inflator field events occurred including two in vehicles from regions not known for high absolute humidity, specifically California and North Carolina.Accordingly, ODI requested all five of the affected vehicle manufacturers currently using the subject Takata driver inflators expand to nationwide recalls.Significantly, neither of the affected vehicle manufacturers or Takata provided any explanation to account for these two driver air bag inflator ruptures outside the area of high absolute humidity.Takata testing of returned driver inflators indicates a lower rupture frequency as compared to passenger inflator testing.All test ruptures reported by Takata to date have occurred on inflators returned from high absolute humidity areas.The PE is now closed/upgraded to an Engineering Evaluation (EA15-001) to include all manufacturersand vehicles known to be affected at this time.ODI's EA investigation will focus on, among other things, root cause analysis, other potential defect consequences, identification of affected vehicles scope, and adequacy of the remedy.The recalls related to this PE are: 14V343, 14V344, 14V348, 14V351, 14V353, 14V655, 14V700, 14V701, 14V752, 14V763, 14V770, 14V773, 14V787, 14V802 and 14V817.The number of vehicles affected are an estimate since some vehicles may have both the driver and passenger side inflators recalled. The five ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10537899, 10568848, 10585224, 10605877, 10651492
Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
This has happened since purchasing my personal 2006 Mustang GT new in 2006. I also see early S-197 Mustangs (2005—2007) in my shop that cannot be reliably refilled because fuel shoots out of the filler neck, splashes the operator, the side of the Mustang, and puddles on the ground. The defective On-board Refueling and Vapor Recovery (ORVR) system causes high internal fuel tank pressures that will also cause the filling station pump to cut off and prevent putting fuel in the tank. This creates a fire hazard as the spillage contacts the left hot tail pipe and muffler as well as a puddle of fuel that can be ignited by a spark, cigarette, etc. This problem is in direct violation of the Environmental Protection Agency emission standards that clearly state the operator is “expected to fill the fuel tank without spit back or spillage during the refueling event.” EPA emission regulations also require that service vents, also known as safety and vacuum relief valves, be installed in tanks to prevent excessive pressure or vacuum that can build up “due to tank filling or emptying.” The parts of the Ford ORVR system that contribute to the fuel tank pressure spikes and fuel spills include: 1.Poor fuel filler design. The filler pipe is narrow (5/8” to 3/4”) with a severe an S-bend before it reaches the tank. There is a spring-loaded plug at the top of tank built into the fill neck that closes the fill pipe until fuel pushes the plug down to open the fuel tank. 2.Poor fuel tank design. The saddle style tank has two sections that “saddle bag” over the drive shaft making the opening between the two tanks very narrow and at the top of the tank. 3.Insufficient tank venting system. The capacity of this vent system is not sufficient to vent the fuel tank during refueling. Please see attached file that documents the problem and possible solutions. I also recommend sharing your many complaints on this problem with the EPA as the problem is also in their area.
- NHTSA ID
- 11707368
- Incident
- Nov 3, 2025
Driver side air bag randomly deployed after hitting bump at 40 miles an hour
- NHTSA ID
- 11675785
- Incident
- Jul 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that she purchased a vehicle that was not working. The contact had the engine replaced by an independent mechanic. While starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V319000 (Air Bags) and 19V001000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was repaired at the local dealer, but the failure recurred. The dealer informed the contact that a diagnostic test was needed. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 230,272.
- NHTSA ID
- 11662831
- Incident
- May 18, 2025
- Mileage
- 230,272 mi
See attached document for complaint.
- NHTSA ID
- 11636507
- Incident
- Dec 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V001000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that several local dealers declined to perform the recall repair on the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
- NHTSA ID
- 11621809
- Incident
- Oct 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while in reverse, he observed a grinding sound emanating from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the timing chain guides needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11594407
- Incident
- May 1, 2023
- Mileage
- 116,000 mi
Did not sustain some sort of accident in order for me to notice thank God, I simply noticed thanks to multiple virtual methods which told me-considering how stupidly fast this car is and how important air bags are whe combined with that I thought id do this. Ford doesn't really care unless it can somehow bleed more money from something so...kinda just letting y'all know. Not much else I can do..other than drive really carefully (5-speed and I suck with Manual :()
- NHTSA ID
- 11588232
- Incident
- May 11, 2024
Dealership refuses to do recall
- NHTSA ID
- 11581266
- Incident
- Apr 5, 2024
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
AIR BAGS
Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2011 Milan, and 2007-2010 Edge & MKX Vehicles Driver & Passenger Airbag Module Quality Control Inspection REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT ⢠Updated Ranger Technical Information to include images of a pass and fail airbag inflator inspection for 2007-2011 model years.
STRUCTURE
For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affected vehicles are VIN/vehicle specific and hardware variations between modules do exist. Swapping a module from a vehicle or ordering a module using a different vehicle/VIN can cause ineffective repairs and additional vehicle down time. Make sure all appropriate Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures are followed when diagnosing the condition prior to all module replacements and only order modules using the correct VIN.
AIR BAGS
Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion & MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2011 Milan, and 2007-2010 Edge & MKX Vehicles Driver & Passenger Airbag Module Quality Control Inspection: Ford Motor Company has determined that some vehicles claimed by dealers as repaired under Takata Airbag Safety Recalls 15S21, 17S42, 18S02, 19S01, and 21S12 may not have received the claimed repairs. The propellant in certain Takata airbag inflators can experience an alteration over time with exposure to certain climate conditions. A combination of time, high temperature fluctuations, and humidity contribute to the degradation of the propellant in the inflators. This degradation can cause the propellant to burn too quickly, creating high pressure inside the inflator, and in extreme cases causing the inflator to rupture in the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment. A ruptured inflator can send inflator parts toward vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Additional information regarding Takata recalls can be found at www.nhtsa.gov and www.safercar.gov.
STRUCTURE
This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended.
EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE
Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition
STRUCTURE
Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 57.1 |
| 2024 | 73 | 11 | 0 | 58.9 |
| 2023 | 15 | 6 | 0 | 62.7 |
| 2022 | 49 | 9 | 0 | 60.2 |
| 2021 | 55 | 6 | 0 | 59.4 |
| 2020 | 117 | 8 | 1 | 70.4 |
| 2019 | 142 | 6 | 0 | 56.1 |
| 2018 | 186 | 4 | 0 | 56.4 |
| 2017 | 264 | 6 | 1 | 63.4 |
| 2016 | 371 | 5 | 1 | 58.4 |
| 2015 | 436 | 11 | 3 | 63.5 |
| 2014 | 359 | 4 | 0 | 54.6 |
| 2013 | 271 | 6 | 0 | 52.2 |
| 2012 | 469 | 7 | 1 | 54.0 |
| 2011 | 466 | 5 | 1 | 53.0 |
| 2010 | 260 | 6 | 0 | 52.5 |
| 2009 | 181 | 6 | 0 | 55.6 |
| 2008 | 347 | 8 | 4 | 62.7 |
| 2007 | 615 | 9 | 4 | 62.7 |
| 2006Viewing | 422 | 9 | 3 | 58.8 |
| 2005 | 705 | 9 | 3 | 58.2 |
| 2004 | 116 | 6 | 3 | 64.9 |
| 2003 | 145 | 6 | 3 | 68.0 |
| 2002 | 118 | 6 | 1 | 61.3 |
| 2001 | 173 | 8 | 1 | 62.6 |
| 2000 | 311 | 9 | 1 | 63.8 |
| 1999 | 213 | 10 | 1 | 63.9 |
| 1998 | 236 | 14 | 2 | 65.3 |
| 1997 | 176 | 11 | 2 | 61.3 |
| 1996 | 246 | 12 | 3 | 61.8 |
| 1995 | 602 | 16 | 4 | 66.0 |
| 1994 | 356 | 13 | 4 | 64.3 |
| 1993 | 101 | 7 | 1 | 68.6 |
| 1992 | 69 | 5 | 3 | 72.1 |
| 1991 | 77 | 6 | 2 | 69.6 |
| 1990 | 85 | 5 | 3 | 72.8 |
| 1989 | 109 | 5 | 4 | 72.0 |
| 1988 | 108 | 5 | 5 | 73.3 |
| 1987 | 38 | 5 | 6 | 73.3 |
| 1986 | 30 | 2 | 5 | 68.0 |
| 1985 | 16 | 3 | 4 | 70.8 |
| 1984 | 18 | 4 | 4 | 67.0 |
| 1983 | 5 | 1 | 3 | — |
| 1982 | 1 | 1 | 4 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | 2 | 4 | — |
| 1980 | 4 | 2 | 2 | — |
| 1979 | 0 | 7 | 2 | — |
| 1978 | 3 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1975 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1974 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1973 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1972 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1971 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1970 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1969 | 3 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1968 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1967 | 2 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 1966 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1965 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.