FordRanger2006Overview/ford/ranger/2006/base/

2006 Ford Ranger

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Ranger.

Body TRUCK

The 2006 Ford Ranger is a truck that utilizes 4.0 quarts of 5W-20 API engine oil. This specific model year saw 271 total owner complaints and 12 recalls, with air bags identified as the top complaint area. Within the model's 1990-2020 history, this year's reliability profile falls between the high of 818 complaints in 1999 and the low of one complaint in 2014.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192006

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 59 · 540 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 59 · 540 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size255-70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187.4 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height63.8 in
Wheelbase111.8 in
Curb weight3069 lb
Track (front / rear)58.7 / 57.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Ranger of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.1–10.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.10 sec — 2001 Edge Plus SuperCab
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001Edge Plus SuperCab 4.0L V68.10 sec16.50 sec207 hp4x4
2001Edge SuperCab 4.0L V68.10 sec16.30 sec207 hp4x4
1998Splash Stepside SuperCab 4.0L V68.90 sec16.80 sec160 hpRWD
1998XLT Stepside SuperCab 4.0L V69.80 sec17.30 sec160 hp4x4
1998XLT Stepside SuperCab 4.0L V610.00 sec17.60 sec160 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.2 Pints
Engine CoolantUSE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings26 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts46 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts40 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 21 ft-lbs; Upper: 7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub184 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.049 - .053 in
Spark Plug Torque9 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.052-.056 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.07 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number59
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 cca
Standard BCI Group Number59

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194-206 °F
Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194-206 °F
Pressure Test18-20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180-207 °F

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH 10 inch DRUM / WITH STANDARD
Torque to Knuckle85 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket27 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.060; Rear: 0.030 in
Brake ApplicationWITH 10 inch DRUM / WITH STANDARD
Drum Discard at-or-over NoteSTAMPED ON DRUM
Rotor Minimum Machining0.988 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.984 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 90 degrees.74 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., step 2: 85 degrees SOHC33 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Use new bolts

144 in. lbs.44 in
211 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
333 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
159 ft. lbs.59 ft. lbs
2mum of one full turn
333-41 ft. lbs.33–41 ft. lbs
463-73
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
124 ft. lbs.24 ft. lbs
2turn 80 degrees80 degrees
3turn 80
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
110 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5210 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
18 ft. lbs., Step 2: 178 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
125 ft. lbs., Step 2: 67-7525 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Wheel Bearing (repack)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2006 Ford Ranger falls in the latter half of a long generation whose federal activity peaked around 1998–1999 (656–818 complaints annually) and generally trended downward afterward, with a notable bump in 2004 (404 complaints and 12 recalls). For 2006 specifically, complaints totaled 271, investigations were zero, recalls reached 12, and TSBs dropped to just 15—meaning complaint volume is modest versus the peak and close to 2005 (289) and 2007 (267), but recall activity matches 2004 and exceeds both neighboring years. The 15 TSBs are the lowest of the main production span at that point, suggesting fewer emerging service patterns, while the 12 recalls indicate unresolved safety campaigns still warranted federal action. Complaints were dominated by air bags (169 of 271), with 14 crash-related and 2 fire-related complaints; the data does not specify root causes. Overall, 2006 is a relatively low-complaint year on paper, but it is a smart buy only if every recall—particularly any tied to the dominant air-bag complaint category—has been completed and documented.

12
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
15
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
271
Owner complaints
14 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 271 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags169
Structure15
Suspension8
Unknown Or Other7
Engine7
Suspension,Structure5
Engine & Engine Cooling4
Electrical System4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V076000Air Bags:FrontalReported 17/02/2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall…

21V081000Air Bags:FrontalReported 16/02/2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 15 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
22B05 S12023-07-27Air BagsCertain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and…
22B052022-03-28Air BagsCertain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion & MKZ/Zephyr…
SSM 470132018-01-11EquipmentPlease check FSA Vin Lists for vehicles involved in 18S02. Contact owners affected…
SSM 470132018-01-11Air BagsPlease check FSA Vin Lists for vehicles involved in 18S02. Contact owners affected…
SSM 460852016-09-21Engine And Engine CoolingThe Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Ranger. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 Ranger take?

4.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 Ranger have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.