2006 Toyota Prius Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
85/100
#4 most-complained of 21 Prius years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2006 Toyota Prius has 1,439 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 85 out of 100 — #4 highest of 21 Prius model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is electrical system (1,021 complaints, 71% of the total). Complaints report 82 crashes, 5 fires, 48 injuries, and 1 death.
- Complaints
- 1,439
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 82 / 5
- Injuries / deaths
- 48 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 46
- 48 city / 45 hwy
Top 2006 Toyota Prius problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System1,021 (71%)
- Brakes226 (16%)
- Engine124 (9%)
- Other43 (3%)
- Airbags30 (2%)
- Structure & Body24 (2%)
- Steering22 (2%)
- Transmission & Powertrain22 (2%)
- Fuel System21 (1%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires18 (1%)
2006 Toyota Prius recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 12V537000Nov 14, 2012Steering669,705 vehicles
Steering:gear box:shaft sector
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines may have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness.
Risk: Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
- NHTSA 12V536000Nov 14, 2012Fuel System350,662 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2003, through March 30, 2009 and FCHV-adv vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, through September 13, 2011. During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire. The coil wire may corrode at the scratched portion.
Risk: The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
- NHTSA 10V036000Feb 3, 2010Other153,418 vehicles
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.
Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
2006 Toyota Prius fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 48 MPG
- Highway
- 45 MPG
- Combined
- 46 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,400
- 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 Prius years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Toyota Prius a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Toyota Prius ranks #4 of 21 among Prius model years (Complaint Index 85/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 1,439 complaints and 6 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Toyota Prius?
- The most reported problem areas are electrical system (1,021 complaints), brakes (226 complaints), and engine (124 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 50,000 miles.
- Does the 2006 Toyota Prius have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2006 Toyota Prius, most recently reported 2012, covering steering, fuel system, other, and engine.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Toyota Prius?
- EPA rates the 2006 Toyota Prius at 46 MPG combined (48 city / 45 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,400. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.