My 2006 mustang gt will not take fuel. It has had the tank replaced once. The very next time I need to fuel up, after getting the new tank, the same thing happened. It will not fuel up. The car has been at the dealers since then (10/24/07). The dealer had Ford engineers out to look at the car-they say it cannot be fixed. How do you manufacturer something that cannot be fixed? *tr
2006 Ford Mustang fuel system problems
moderate 39 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
When does it fail?
Of the 39 fuel system complaints filed for the 2006 Ford Mustang, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 39 fuel system complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 9 model years of Ford Mustang in our records for fuel system problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 Mustang's fuel system is plagued by multiple design and component failures. The saddlebag fuel tank cannot be filled to capacity: owners report the pump nozzle shutting off or fuel backing up and spilling once the tank reaches approximately half full. This occurs across different gas stations and fuel brands, and owners describe gasoline pouring onto their feet and the vehicle's exterior—a genuine fire hazard. The problem persists on early models through vehicles with 80,000+ miles and even on tanks Ford replaced as a "fix." Dealership responses range from recommending different gas stations to suggesting owners angle the nozzle sideways, none of which resolve the issue. Ford issued TSB 07-21-12 acknowledging the problem but offering no permanent remedy.
Fuel pump failures cause sudden engine stalling at highway speeds and traffic lights, sometimes accompanied by a loud pop and refusal to restart. These failures occur as early as 6,500 miles. One owner's pump replacement at 20,000 miles was diagnosed faulty. Unintended acceleration incidents—pedal stuck to the floor despite hard braking—forced emergency stops and jumped curbs.
Fuel gauge readings bounce erratically between empty and full, making it impossible to gauge fuel range. Erratic idle and stalling after battery replacement leave drivers without power steering or brakes at dangerous moments. Owners report spending hundreds on dealer visits with no resolution and being told repeatedly that known defects have no fix.
Same Ford Mustang fuel system reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Fuel tank overfill and overflow during refueling
The fuel tank cannot be filled to capacity. Once the tank reaches approximately half full, the fuel nozzle shuts off prematurely or fuel backs up and spills out of the filler neck and onto the vehicle and driver. This occurs across multiple gas stations and fuel brands. The saddlebag fuel tank design is the suspected root cause—the center section is only about 5mm thick and positioned higher than the sides, preventing fuel from flowing into the right chamber. Owners report gasoline spilling on their feet, creating a fire hazard and environmental hazard.
When: Most complaints during 2006 model year ownership, some evident at 1,200 miles, continuing through 80,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel nozzle shutoff before tank reaches capacity (typically at half tank); Gasoline backs up through filler neck and spills onto vehicle; Pump nozzle fails to trigger shutoff mechanism; Overflow occurs regardless of gas station brand or fuel pump type; Spillage worsens when ambient temperature is warm; Gas spilling onto driver's feet and side of vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership recommendations include trying different gas stations, using slow fill rates, or angling the nozzle sideways/upside-down. Some owners report tank replacement or filler neck/sender replacement attempted with no resolution. One complaint mentions vent line restriction cleared; others note no permanent fix available despite multiple repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 07-21-12 recommends using a different gas station. Ford acknowledges this is a known issue with the saddlebag fuel tank design and states there is no fix. Ford Service Bulletin noted, indicating awareness since at least 2007. Some owners told this is a design flaw with no remedy.
Fuel pump failure causing stalling
The fuel pump fails prematurely, causing the engine to stall without warning while driving. One complaint describes the vehicle losing power while accelerating, jolting forward in an unsafe manner on a highway. Another involves the vehicle shutting off at a stop light with a loud pop, remaining unable to restart. A third reports an inertia switch issue related to fuel pump malfunction. These failures occur at very low mileage (as early as 6,500 miles) and create dangerous traffic situations.
When: 6,500 miles to 22,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls suddenly while driving at highway speed or while stopped; Loud pop sound preceding stall; Vehicle cannot be restarted immediately after stall; Jerking behavior noted before wrench light illuminates; Power loss and sudden jolt forward during acceleration; Intermittent failures across multiple trips
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports fuel pump replacement confirmed faulty at 20,000 miles. Another recalls TSB 06-9-9 which advises replacing original fuel pump with part 7R3Z-9H307-C at owner expense (over $300). One owner depressed inertia switch per dealer instruction with no success.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 06-9-9 issued advising fuel pump replacement at owner expense. Ford acknowledges the defect exists and is aware per TSB documentation, though owners argue it should be a recall rather than owner-paid repair.
Erratic fuel gauge reading
The fuel gauge displays inaccurate readings, bouncing between empty and full, or showing empty when fuel is present. One owner reports the gauge stuck on empty while also displaying jumping distance-to-empty values (from 5 miles to 300 miles to 150 miles). These erratic readings make it impossible to predict fuel range and complicate diagnosing fuel system problems.
When: Early ownership through later model years
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge shows empty when tank contains fuel; Gauge bounces rapidly from empty to full to half-full; Distance-to-empty display jumps erratically; Gauge performance worsens when fuel level drops below half tank; Erratic readings occur during initial vehicle startup of the day
Codes mentioned: P0456 (EVAP system leak related to fuel sender)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports fuel sender replaced without resolving the problem. One complaint mentions the gas gauge needing replacement. Dealership inspections found no cause in some cases or blamed contaminated fuel (though owners used Ford-recommended BP gasoline). One complaint involved fuel cap sensor light illumination despite secure cap.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership claimed contaminated fuel caused the issue without performing inspection; no parts replaced. Manufacturer not contacted in some cases.
Fuel system sensor and ignition issues after battery replacement
After battery replacement, the engine exhibits erratic idle, stalling at stops, and loss of power steering and brakes when air conditioning is engaged and clutch is depressed. The owner's manual directs the driver to let the computer relearn idle, but this does not resolve the problem in a reasonable timeframe. The idle drops below 500 RPM when AC is on, causing unsafe stalling at traffic lights and turns. This defect is reported across multiple 4.6L Ford V8 models.
When: Immediately after battery replacement, low mileage (22,000 miles reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls at idle when air conditioning is engaged; Stalling occurs when clutch is depressed at stop lights or turns; Idle speed drops below 500 RPM with AC on (normal is 600-700 RPM); Erratic idle with AC engaged due to compressor engagement/disengagement cycles; Loss of power steering and power brakes during stall (safety hazard); No improvement over multiple days of driving per owner's manual guidance
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report computer reflash or throttle body replacement needed to resolve. No single reported fix confirmed effective from the narratives alone.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner's manual states computer will relearn idle after battery replacement, but owners report this process does not work within reasonable timeframes. Ford has issued guidance to perform either reflash or throttle body replacement.
Unintended acceleration and throttle body malfunction
The accelerator pedal becomes stuck and does not respond to braking, causing uncontrolled acceleration through traffic. One owner reports the pedal going to the floor and staying there, resulting in a 150-yard wide-open throttle burst through an intersection. The owner had to turn off the ignition and jump a curb to stop the vehicle, avoiding a rear-end collision by seconds. Replacement throttle body cost $721.32. Another owner experienced the same issue while accelerating at a stop light.
When: Occurs while accelerating from a stop or during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal goes to floor and stays there; Vehicle accelerates to full throttle with no deceleration despite hard braking; Wrench light illuminates before failure occurs; Vehicle jerks before severe acceleration event; Inability to reduce speed even with emergency brake applied; Pedal does not respond to attempts to release throttle
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports throttle body replacement cost $721.32. Also incurred $721.32 in tire damage from emergency stop (two front tires flat-spotted from hard braking during wide-open acceleration).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner discovered a class action lawsuit active in 30 states against Ford for the same acceleration defect, indicating manufacturer awareness.
Synthesized from 39 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had fuel system trouble with your 2006 Ford Mustang?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the fuel system problem on the 2006 Ford Mustang?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 39 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,200 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Across the 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most fuel system failures cluster between 3,000 and 24,000 miles, with the median around 15,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 3,000; a quarter make it past 24,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Ford/Mustang.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.