TOYOTA AVALON · model year

2006 TOYOTA AVALON

449 NHTSA complaints, 73 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006TOYOTAAVALON carries 449 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 73 crashes, 3 fires, 52 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 AVALON is vehicle speed control with 93 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (35) and engine and engine cooling (30). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 2006 AVALON, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

449
Complaints
73
Crashes
3
Fires
52
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

449 filings

Crashes Reported

73 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL93
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION35
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING30
STEERING29
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE26
UNKNOWN OR OTHER25
AIR BAGS22
POWER TRAIN15
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC15
STRUCTURE14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14
ENGINE12
SERVICE BRAKES11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL9
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)8

Recalls (7)

10V49900021/10/2010

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS LUBRICANTS FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS

10V01700021/01/2010

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 TUNDRA VEHICLES. DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FRICTION LEVER INTERACTS WITH T

14V74300019/11/2014

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affec

09V38800005/10/2009

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.

06V09600003/04/2006

AIR BAGS

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDIT

10V03600003/02/2010

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

16V39600002/06/2016

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Priu

Recent Complaints

20240718AIR BAGS

In my 2006 Toyota Avalon XL on dashboard appeared SRS Airbag light. Unable to clear it.

20240718FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

In my 2006 Toyota Avalon XL on dashboard appeared SRS Airbag light. Unable to clear it.

20240718FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

In my 2006 Toyota Avalon XL on dashboard appeared SRS Airbag light. Unable to clear it.

20240327UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The vehicles whole dash and lower part of dash has cracked everywhere. It’s gotten a sticky film on it which makes a glare on my windshield. Makes it difficult to see. If you are driving towards the sun it makes it very dangerous when you can’t see ahead of you.

20230415CrashSERVICE BRAKES

When vehicle needed to abruptly stop to avoid an accident it failed twice resulting in collision

20230415CrashWHEELS

When vehicle needed to abruptly stop to avoid an accident it failed twice resulting in collision

20230410SERVICE BRAKES

Master cylinder leaking from seal may be leaking into brake booster causing brake light to illuminate and no resistance w brake pedal have to press the break pedal all the way to slow down.

20230204ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR INTERMITTENTLY COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF, SO I HAVE TO PULL OVER WITH NO POWER STEERING, PUT IT IN PARK AND START IT BACKUP THIS OCCURS WITHIN 2 MILES OF STARTUP AND USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN

20220407FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while attempt to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact mentioned waiting days later to start the vehicle and noticed the burnt odor coming from the vehicle. In addition there was white smoke coming from underneath the front passenger side of the vehicle. The contact noticed that there was wires burnt. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact the price for a diagnosis for the harness wiring. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

20211127UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Dashboard sticky, cracking. Also extreme glare off dash causing sight distraction. Part of a recall and toyota would not assist

20211126CrashAIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2006 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. The contact heard an abnormal noise as he pressed on the brake pedal; the vehicle eventually came to a stop. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and resume normal driving operation. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that a mechanical fault was found with the vehicle. The manufacturer was also informed of the failure and a complaint was filed. The contact continued to experience multiple failures after the vehicle was inspected. On the latest incident, the contact stated that he had entered a car wash on the left lane and attempted to enter the right lane by reversing the vehicle. Once the vehicle was placed into drive, the vehicle made an abnormal, squealing noise and independently accelerated without warning into a concrete wall. The airbags did not deploy upon impact. A police report was filed with Apex City,

Mileage: 155,835

20211126CrashPOWER TRAIN

The contact owned a 2006 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. The contact heard an abnormal noise as he pressed on the brake pedal; the vehicle eventually came to a stop. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and resume normal driving operation. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that a mechanical fault was found with the vehicle. The manufacturer was also informed of the failure and a complaint was filed. The contact continued to experience multiple failures after the vehicle was inspected. On the latest incident, the contact stated that he had entered a car wash on the left lane and attempted to enter the right lane by reversing the vehicle. Once the vehicle was placed into drive, the vehicle made an abnormal, squealing noise and independently accelerated without warning into a concrete wall. The airbags did not deploy upon impact. A police report was filed with Apex City,

Mileage: 155,835

20210214SEAT BELTS

MY DRIVERS SEATBELT DID NOT WORK.

Mileage: 220,000

20210214VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY DRIVERS SEATBELT DID NOT WORK.

Mileage: 220,000

20210214UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY DRIVERS SEATBELT DID NOT WORK.

Mileage: 220,000

20200417AIR BAGS

MY DASHBOARD HAS A TEAR OVER THE AIRBAG ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON FRANKLIN ST. IN HEMPSTEAD BEFORE THE COVID 19 VIRUS SHUT DOWN. I WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE THERE'S NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO CHANGE THE DASHBOARD COVER. I THINK IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THIS HAPPENED THROUGH NO FAULT OF MY OWN. THE VEHICLE IS IN MINT CONDITION AND RUNS LIKE NEW BECAUSE I TAKE CARE OF MY CARS. PLEASE HELP *TR

20200417STRUCTURE:BODY

MY DASHBOARD HAS A TEAR OVER THE AIRBAG ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON FRANKLIN ST. IN HEMPSTEAD BEFORE THE COVID 19 VIRUS SHUT DOWN. I WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE THERE'S NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO CHANGE THE DASHBOARD COVER. I THINK IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THIS HAPPENED THROUGH NO FAULT OF MY OWN. THE VEHICLE IS IN MINT CONDITION AND RUNS LIKE NEW BECAUSE I TAKE CARE OF MY CARS. PLEASE HELP *TR

20200212POWER TRAIN

UNDER HARD ACCELERATION WHILE TURNING, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. IE, ENTERING TRAFFIC FROM A CROSS STREET.

Mileage: 70,000

20200207POWER TRAIN

TWO PREVIOUS AVALONS (97&98) AND THE ONE IDENTIFIED HERE, DID AND DOES ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WITH THE CAR BEING IN PARK. THE DANGER IS THAT THE CAR WILL ROLL AND COULD RUN OVER SOMEONE OR INTO TRAFFIC AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. MY HUSBAND AND I ALWAYS REMINDED EACH OTHER TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, BUT HE IS NO LONGER WITH ME AND RECENTLY I STARTED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND IT WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND IT STARTED ROLLING WHILE I WAS GETTING OUT. I HAVE COMPLAINED IN THE PAST TO TOYOTA, BUT THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE ME. A RECENT COMPLAINT BROUGHT THE ANSWER THAT THE 36000 MILE WARRANTY DOESN'T APPLY TO THE REPAIR. I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT THIS IS EVIDENTLY A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH AVALONS THAT TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS, OR MY 2006 WOULDN'T HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WE HAVE ALMOST ALWAYS BOUGHT USED CARS AND TRUCKS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE THAT WOULD ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WITHOUT BEING IN PARK. YOU ASK FOR A SPECIFIC DATE AT THE END OF THIS "STEP". IT IS ONGOING SO I

Mileage: 140,000

20190920POWER TRAIN

HESITATION FROM TAKE OFF INTERMITTENT, TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS ON INCLINES. I WOULD BE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND THE CAR WOULD BARLEY MOVE EVEN WITH PUSHING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR! THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL JUST TAKE OFF! I'LL BE DRIVING THROUGH THEY CITY AND BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR SHIFTS ERRATICALLY

Mileage: 185,482

Compare 2006TOYOTAAVALON to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 TOYOTA AVALON have?
The 2006 TOYOTA AVALON has 449 NHTSA complaints, 73 crashes, 3 fires, 52 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 TOYOTA AVALON?
Yes, the 2006 TOYOTA AVALON has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 TOYOTA AVALON?
The most-complained component for the 2006 TOYOTA AVALON is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 93 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Is the 2006 TOYOTA AVALON safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.