2006 Toyota Prius Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 Toyota Prius has a complaint index of 85, ranked 4th worst out of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Electrical System problems dominate at 71% of complaints, with 6 recalls on file including steering and airbag issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #4 of 21 Prius years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,439
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 82
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 48
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 46
- 48 city / 45 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 48 / 1
Top 2006 Toyota Prius problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
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 smoke coming from the dashboard area shortly after driving the vehicle, with dealers finding nothing wrong.
- Several drivers describe airbags failing to deploy in side and head-on collisions, resulting in injuries.
- Brakes reportedly failed to catch or stop the vehicle in time, leading to rear-end collisions at low speeds.
- One driver described unintended forward movement while stopped at a red light despite pressing the brake.
- A steering failure was reported while swerving at highway speed, followed by tire blowouts and a rollover.
- A seat back was reported to break and shift during a rear-end collision, contributing to injuries.
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 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Prius ranks 4th worst among 21 model years with a complaint index of 85, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Prius years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2006 Toyota Prius?
- Electrical System issues make up 71% of complaints for this year, the largest share of any problem area, followed by Brakes at 16%.
- Does the 2006 Toyota Prius have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2006 Prius, covering steering, airbags, engine (accelerator pedal), fuel system, and tire labeling.
- At what mileage do 2006 Prius problems usually show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 50,000 miles for this model year overall, matching the median for both Electrical System and Brakes complaints.
- How does the 2006 Prius compare to later Prius years?
- Complaint indexes generally decline in later years, with 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 all earning Best verdicts, while 2006 sits among the higher-complaint early years.