Buying guide · 2005 to 2006Updated
Ford GT (2005 to 2006) buying guide
The 2005-06 Ford GT has a durable supercharged V-8, but five recall campaigns, low-mile storage damage and aluminum body condition decide which car is worth buying.
The first-generation Ford GT as a used buy
Five NHTSA recall campaigns cover the first-generation Ford GT, so proof of recall work belongs at the top of your checklist, ahead of mileage. Storage is the other worry. Yahoo Autos reckons the car holds up well mechanically, but low-mileage cars that sat unused bring problems of their own.
Ford built it for 2005 and 2006 to mark its 100th anniversary, after the 2002 GT40 concept previewed it. It is a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-seater with an aluminum spaceframe and aluminum body panels. Power comes from a purpose-built supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 rated at 550 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque, sent to the rear wheels by a six-speed manual transaxle from Ricardo. No automatic was offered, and there is no traction control.
Production ended in September 2006 at Wixom, Michigan, at 4,038 cars by most counts, though some sources cite 4,033. Browse used Ford GT listings for what is out there, or widen the search to used Ford models if you are still deciding.
first-generation Ford GT years and versions
Ford changed the car in small ways during production. Mid-2005 running changes deleted a screen in front of the radiator, added helper springs to the clamshell release, and swapped solid transaxle oil-pump tubes for stainless flex hoses. Early cars used a speedy sleeve to stop a crankshaft leak, and Hagerty's buyer's guide says nobody has reported trouble with that fix.
The 2006 cars added Tungsten Gray and the Heritage Blue Livery, switched the oil reservoir brackets from silver to black and lost a painted clip over the clamshell edge. Quick Silver Metallic was offered for 2005 only. Early-build 2005 cars also carry the control arm recall history covered below.
Options shape the market. Factory extras were a McIntosh stereo, BBS forged wheels, a painted center stripe and red or grey calipers. Car Collector International calls cars with the McIntosh stereo, painted calipers, forged wheels and racing stripes the ones buyers want most. See every Ford GT for sale to judge how many carry it.
The Heritage livery was a 2006-only option taken by 343 buyers. The car is mechanically identical to a standard GT, so check the factory paint code and build data, because a wrap or repaint alone does not make one. On a modified car, ask whether the original parts come with it. Hagerty lists smaller supercharger pulleys, Whipple superchargers and twin-turbo kits among common mods. Our 2017 to 2022 Ford GT guide covers the later car.
first-generation Ford GT versions for sale now
Every version in our latest scan, most listed first. Each links to its own page with deal analysis and market history.
| Version | Model years | For sale | Median price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford GT | 2005-2006 | 13 | $848,845 |
Common first-generation Ford GT problems
Control arm fractures
Early-build 2005 cars were recalled after control arms failed. Billet aluminum wishbones replaced the cast originals, and later cars reverted to cast arms once the casting problem was fixed.
Half-shaft flange bolts
After bolt failures, Ford ran a program to replace the output shaft flange bolts and washers on every 2005 and 2006 GT. Ask for proof it was done.
Spark plug blowout
Heavy boost can push the spark plugs out of the cylinder head. CarsCounsel names thread inserts as the permanent repair.
Clutch master cylinder
The clutch master cylinder can fail, leaving a soft pedal and difficult gear engagement.
Body panel corrosion
Ford issued a service bulletin on corrosion of the aluminum panels, which appears as bubbled or peeling paint. Replacing the panel is the recommended fix, according to Motor Almanac.
Console and interior corrosion
The magnesium center console corrodes, and refinishing may not cure it for good. Dashboard gauge faults and fuel filler door problems are also known, so keep the nozzle off the door when you refuel.
Storage damage
Low-mile cars often have dry-rotted tires, and with no traction control that matters. Anything that has sat for years deserves a closer look at rubber, fluids and the fuel pump module.
What to check on a used first-generation Ford GT
Start with the paperwork and the aluminum body, then move to the drivetrain.
- Ask for full service records, a Marti Report, the window sticker and proof of recall work.
- Confirm the dry-sump oil pump belt has been serviced as the owner's manual specifies.
- Read the date codes on the tires and replace any about 7 or more years old.
- Look over the aluminum body for collision repair, especially on cars with the rear bumper deleted, and for scrapes near the battery.
- Sight along each panel for bubbled or peeling paint that points to corrosion.
- Let the gearbox warm up before you judge it, since it shifts with difficulty until then.
- Press the clutch pedal and feel for softness that suggests a tired master cylinder.
- Check the cylinder heads for earlier spark plug thread repairs, and the condition of the fuel pump module.
- Ask when the supercharger oil and throttle body were last serviced, and what the clutch and gearbox history is.
- Check the lower door cards for scuffs and the seat bolsters for wear.
- Match any Heritage paint code to build data, and ask for the original parts if the car is modified.
first-generation Ford GT running costs
PistonHeads says servicing is due yearly or every 5,000 miles and can often cost around £2,000, a UK figure. The 5.4-liter V8's cams run on a chain, so there is no timing belt to replace.
Hagerty says parts shared with other Fords make some replacement easy and cheap. Sports Car Market points out the brakes use conventional metal rotors rather than carbon-ceramic, which keeps brake servicing cheaper. Budget separately for tires, spark plug thread repairs and any clutch work, and for the cost of putting right any body corrosion.
first-generation Ford GT recalls and complaints
NHTSA lists five recall campaigns for 2005-06 Ford GTs. The oldest, 04V604000, covers 2005 cars whose upper and lower control arms could have casting flaws that let them fracture. The other four concern air bags, among them a regional recall for cars sold or registered in humid areas and campaigns that name 2005-06 GTs among other Ford models.
Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, 5 of them about air bags. They are reports, not proven faults, though the records list one crash, one fire, one injury and one death. Run the car's VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup, and ask the seller for the paperwork that shows the inflator and flange bolt work was done.
NHTSA recalls for the first-generation Ford GT
Every recall campaign the carmaker filed with NHTSA for the 2005 to 2006 model years, newest first, as of Oct 31, 2026. Not every car of a listed year was affected: check a car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Campaign | Reported | Model years | Component | What can happen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21V081000 | Feb 16, 2021 | 2006 | Air bags | In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 17V024000 | Jan 10, 2017 | 2005 to 2006 | Air bags | An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 15V319000 | May 28, 2015 | 2005 to 2006 | Air bags | In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 14V787000 | Dec 12, 2014 | 2005 to 2006 | Air bags | In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 04V604000 | Dec 22, 2004 | 2005 | Suspension | UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THE FRACTURE MAY AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. |
Owner complaints to NHTSA about the first-generation Ford GT
Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA for the 2005 to 2006 model years (1 crash and 1 fire reported). A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Air bags | 5 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 |
| Power train | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Unknown or other | 1 |
Best first-generation Ford GT deals right now
2 deals priced below market right now, the best by about $170,928. Members get the VIN, dealer, listing link and a ready-to-send negotiation email for each one.
-
$171k below market Locked2006 Ford GT
Gen I
Great deal: about $171k under fair value for its year, trim and miles.
Asking price $500,141Deal score 95 -
$126k below market Locked2006 Ford GT
Gen I
Great deal: about $126k under fair value for its year, trim and miles.
Asking price $599,950Deal score 86
Members see every deal's VIN, dealer and listing link, plus a negotiation email.
first-generation Ford GT prices by model year
Median asking price for each model year in our latest scan, with the number of cars listed and their price range.
- 2006 Ford GT for sale $864,422
- 2005 Ford GT for sale $799,999
first-generation Ford GT fair values by trim and year
Our fair value is what comparable cars, same trim and model year with typical miles, are listed at in our latest market data. A car well under it is worth a close look; a car well over it needs a reason.
| Trim | Model year | Fair value | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| GT | 2006 | $795,736 | 3,900 |
| GT | 2005 | $746,233 | 4,200 |
| RWD | 2005 | $784,079 | 700 |
first-generation Ford GT for sale now
-
2006 Ford GT
Gen I
Asking price $599,950 -
2006 Ford GT
Gen I
Asking price $700,073 -
2005 Ford GT
Gen I
Asking price $799,999 -
2005 Ford GT
Gen I
Asking price $783,076 -
2006 Ford GT
Gen I
Asking price $848,845 -
2005 Ford GT
Gen I
Asking price $690,449 -
2006 Ford GT
Gen I
Asking price $1,499,973 -
2006 Ford GT
Gen I
Asking price $500,141 -
2006 Ford GT
Gen I
Asking price $1,025,000 -
2006 Ford GT
Gen I
Asking price $1,496,349 -
2006 Ford GT
Gen I
Asking price $879,999 -
2005 Ford GT
Gen I
Asking price $980,080 -
2005 Ford GT
Gen I
Asking price $1,150,895
Our verdict
Look for a car with a thick service file, a Marti Report and window sticker, and receipts showing the control arm and flange bolt work. CarsCounsel considers both years the best older choice thanks to the supercharged V8, and Car Collector International rates the four-option spec as most desirable. Weigh that spec against the file, because a well-documented car without every option still beats a loaded one with no history. Check Ford GT prices for the model years you are considering.
Skip any car with unexplained body repair, an unserviced oil pump belt, or heavy modification without the original parts. The same goes for an early 2005 car that cannot show control arm recall work, and a Heritage car whose paint code does not match its build data.
Sources
We read these pages and checked every fact in this guide against them. The words are ours. Researched Oct 31, 2026.
- Ford GT (2005–2006): Collector Spec Sheet Yahoo Autos
- Your handy 2005–06 Ford GT buyer's guide Hagerty
- Buyer's Guide to the Ford GT Sports Car Market
- Ford GT (2005–2006) Car Collector International
- Best and Worst Ford GT Years: What to Buy & Avoid CarsCounsel
- Ford GT (2005-2006): PH Used Buying Guide PistonHeads
- Ford GT (2005–2022) complaints, recalls and running costs by model year Motor Almanac
- DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD – Safety Recall 15S21 – Supplement #1: Driver Airbag Inflator Replacement, 2005-2006 Ford GT NHTSA
- Recalls and owner complaints for the first-generation Ford GT NHTSA
Shop the first-generation Ford GT
first-generation Ford GT: common questions
What is the best first-generation Ford GT to buy?
The best one is the best-documented car, ideally with the four-option spec that Car Collector International says defines the most desirable cars. Both 2005 and 2006 cars get the same supercharged V-8. If you want a Heritage car, check the paint code against build data.
What goes wrong with the first-generation Ford GT?
Known faults include control arm fractures on early 2005 cars, half-shaft flange bolts, spark plugs blowing out under heavy boost and a failing clutch master cylinder. Aluminum panel corrosion and a corroding magnesium console are also reported. Low-mile cars often have dry-rotted tires.
Is the first-generation Ford GT reliable?
Mostly yes mechanically. Yahoo Autos says the GT holds up well, though low-mileage storage causes problems of its own. Recall work and service records matter more than the odometer.
How much does it cost to run a first-generation Ford GT?
PistonHeads puts servicing at around £2,000, a UK figure, due yearly or every 5,000 miles. There is no timing belt, and metal brake rotors cost less to service than carbon-ceramic. Tires, spark plug repairs and any clutch work come on top.
How much is a used first-generation Ford GT?
Asking prices for the 13 cars we track for sale right now run from $500,141 to $1,499,973, with a median of $848,845. Model year, version, mileage and history move the price most; the prices by model year and fair values on this page show where a car should sit.
Has the first-generation Ford GT been recalled?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns filed for the 2005 to 2006 model years as of Oct 31, 2026, the latest for air bags. Not every car was affected, so check the VIN of any car you're considering at nhtsa.gov/recalls.