2006 Toyota Avalon Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 Toyota Avalon ranks worst of 18 model years, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 360 complaints, ranked 1st (worst) overall. Engine problems dominate at 46% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 48,250, and it carries 7 recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 18 Avalon years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 360
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 54
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 35
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 35 / 2
Top 2006 Toyota Avalon problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine165 (46%)
- Transmission & Powertrain52 (14%)
- Brakes35 (10%)
- Steering35 (10%)
- Other32 (9%)
- Structure & Body28 (8%)
- Airbags27 (8%)
- Electrical System26 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (4%)
- Fuel System10 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration at low speeds, including while parking or entering parking spaces, sometimes tied to floor mat interference.
- Some describe the throttle sticking on startup, causing the car to lurch unexpectedly out of a garage or driveway.
- Brake failure required pumping the pedal repeatedly before the car would stop, in one case leading to a crash at an intersection.
- Side and knee airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a frontal animal-strike crash, while in another incident a knee airbag deployed and caused injury.
- A strong gasoline and burning-wire odor with excessive heat buildup was reported after parking, consistent with an electrical fire risk.
- Several engine-related surge or sudden-acceleration events occurred on curves or roads, leading to loss of control.
2006 Toyota Avalon recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V396000Jun 2, 2016Structure & Body7,749 vehicles
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 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
- NHTSA 14V743000Nov 19, 2014Structure & Body3,233 vehicles
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 affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
- NHTSA 10V499000Oct 21, 2010Brakes728,544 vehicles
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 used that does not contain such polymers, or that contains only small amounts, a part of the rubber seal located at the rear of the brake master cylinder may become dry, and the seal may curl during movement of the piston. If this occurs, a small amount of brake fluid could slowly leak from the seal into the brake booster.
Risk: A leak of brake fluid could lead to a change in brake pedal feel and overtime a degradation in braking performance increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seal with a newly designed one. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 15, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331 and lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
2006 Toyota Avalon fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Avalon years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Toyota Avalon reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Avalon has the highest Complaint Index (100) of any Avalon model year and ranks 1st worst out of 18 years, earning an Avoid verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2006 Toyota Avalon?
- Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 46% of complaints (165 of 360), with a median mileage at failure of 48,250.
- Does the 2006 Toyota Avalon have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2006 Avalon, covering the engine/accelerator pedal, airbags, brakes, and structure/body components, none classified as do-not-drive.
- How does the 2006 Avalon compare to other Avalon years?
- The 2006 model has a Complaint Index of 100, higher than every other year listed, including 2005 (82), 2007 (94), and 2008 (88), all of which also carry Avoid verdicts.
- What year Toyota Avalon should I avoid?
- Among Avalon years with data, 2006 has the highest Complaint Index and is ranked worst overall, alongside 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2013, all rated Avoid.