The 2006 Ford Mustang lasts up to 200,000 miles, but there are engine and transmission problems. At $5,900 – $9,375 it’s cheap, but there are better years in the same price range.
Is the 2006 Ford Mustang a Good Used Car?
- No, 2006 is a bad year. Owners complain about not starting in cold conditions, high ownership costs, and general build quality issues.
- Reliability ratings are below average. The 2006 model has more complaints than any other year, so we recommend going with a 2007 or newer which are in the same price range.
- Performance is okay from the V6, but the V8 is much more exciting to drive.
- The Mustang is a safe car, getting a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests.
- Fuel economy is okay for a sports car, getting up to 20 MPG combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Mustang?
- Consumer Reports finds the Mustang to be a nice throwback styling-wise, and has high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Mustang a 4.7/5 liking the V8 engine, but disliking the plastic interior.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Mustang 4.7/5 and enjoy the performance, but complain about mechanical issues.
What Common Problems Does the 2006 Ford Mustang Have?
Problems with the 2006 Mustang are serious including electrical issues, engines stalling, and transmission failures.
Electrical problems, leading to the battery draining, are extremely common at around 45,000 miles. The source of the problem is usually the main harness connector, costing about $300 to replace.
Stalling engines are mentioned by owners in the first 50,000 miles. There are several reasons the engine stalls including coil packs which cost about $200, and fuel rails costing over $500.
Transmission failures show up on a lot of Mustangs at around 65,000 miles. The only way to fix the problem is to replace the transmission, costing over $2,000.
There are 10 relatively minor recalls, with most of them covering air bags. The most serious ones are two for the front strut bracket, which increases the chance of an accident.
How Long Will the 2006 Ford Mustang Last?
A properly maintained 2006 Mustang will last around 200,000 miles, which is similar to other sports cars like the Chevy Corvette. Regular annual maintenance costs are relatively expensive at $475 per year, according to Repair Pal.
Most Mustangs from 2006 will have over 100,000 miles, so buyers should be prepared to replace the ABS control module for $700, the EGR valve costing $250, and the air bag control module which costs $400.
Yes, it is reliable. The only problems it has are there was a factory relay that changed when I first got it. The remote didn't work and I suddenly had day lamps. The remote was fixed. The radio was not installed with an auxiliary jack even though I have the button. The blower motor on the air continually breaks. Not worth replacing the entire unit. The CD changer cracked and is stuck. I plan on getting a different radio. The leather in the driver's seat has torn.
Yes the 2006 ford mustang gt premium is a reliable car. Ever since we have owned this vehicle we haven't really had any major issues with it that couldn't be easily fixed. Sometimes they have problems with the windows not wanting to go up and down but that's it.
Not very reliable it has had engine and transmission problems. Also there were problems with tires. The brakes seems to work ok and I have not had any issues with the air conditioning.
Very reliable, no problems with it other than normal battery replacement and tires. Always rides well and the interior is very uncomfortable
Generally it is a very reliable car with minor problems that aren't expensive to fix. Being an older vehicle, there are some normal issues that don't require repair.
It has a drain somewhere in the electrical system, which Ford denies, so I have to keep her on a trickle charger all the time. Beyond that, she's been very reliable.
How Much Is the 2006 Ford Mustang Worth?
Blue book prices range from $5,900 – $9,375, making the Mustang similarly priced to the Dodge Charger or Acura RSX. When new, the price range was $19,115 to $31,145. Depreciation is average for a sports car, losing about 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Mustang?
There are five models of the Mustang available. Technology is decent with the last update in 2005, with the next infotainment update coming for the 2010 model.
V6 Standard is the entry-level model with:
- 16-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Keyless Entry
- Cruise Control
- Power Windows & Locks
- AM/FM/CD Stereo System
V6 Deluxe is a minor upgrade adding:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Upgraded Gauge Cluster
V6 Premium has additional features including:
- Upgraded 17-Inch Wheels
- Power Driver’s Seat
- 500-Watt Shaker 500 Stereo System
GT Deluxe offers more items such as:
- Larger Engine
- Rear Spoiler
- Fog Lights
- Premium Sport Seats
GT Premium is the flagship model with:
- Leather Seating
- 1000 Watt Shaker 1000 Stereo System
What Engines Come In the Mustang?
- The base engine is a reasonably powerful 4L V6 with 210 horsepower, which gets up to 20 MPG combined.
- An available upgrade is the powerful 4.6L V8, which makes 300 horsepower and gets up to 18 MPG combined. Performance is good, taking only 5.5 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Mustang Come In?
How Big Is the Mustang?
The Mustang is larger than some other two-door sports cars including the Mazda Miata and Honda S2000, and comes as either a coupe or convertible. Passenger space is cramped in the backseats of both models, with not enough legroom for adults.
Cargo space is low with 13.1 cubic feet of room in the trunk of the coupe, and the convertible is even smaller with only 9.7 cubic feet of space.
How Does the Mustang Compare to the Competition?
The Nissan 350Z is one of the top competitors, costing about $3,000 more. Where the Nissan stands out is with better reliability ratings and handling, but the Mustang is faster in a straight line. We recommend the 350Z since it will last longer as a used car.
The Chevrolet Corvette is an American rival, but prices are over $10,000 higher. Performance and reliability are both better in the Corvette, and the Mustang is more spacious and safe. We recommend a Corvette since they last longer and are more fun to drive.
Do Owners Recommend the Ford Mustang?
Yes, it is a good vehicle. It handles much better than the previous body style in all kinds of weather conditions. I have 151000 miles and it still runs good. I plan to drive it until the wheels fall off. Better gas mileage would be the biggest change I would want to see.
Yes the 2006 ford mustang gt premium is a pretty good vehicle. It does have its ups and downs all depending on what exactly you are in the market for but overall it's a nice car. Its body style is very attractive. The seats are comfortable. Although the ford mustang gt premium doesn't have very much room on the inside so it isn't very comfortable for long trips or if you are trying to stretch out.
It is mediocre, not the best but not bad either. It is ok for driving to work, but the driving is about comfortable. It almost seems as if I have to go down into the car while having a seat, which is uncomfortable.
It has given me the best service, the interior is still like brand new, have never had a big problem with it.
Yes. It has great drivability and control. It is a sports car that can be easily modified to make it look the way you want to. Repairs are generally cheaper than other cars. It gets decent fuel mileage for the type of vehicle it is. The interior feels luxurious despite it being a sports car.
Yes - I've always been a GM person, but decided to get a play car. Considering she's now 13 years old, she's been better overall than any of my GM vehicles.
