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2006 Toyota Avalon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Avalon years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Toyota Avalon are substantially higher than the model-year median of 101.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

291 reports with mileage · 69 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 103 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

54 crash reports4 fire reports25 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

25 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2024
Unknown 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.

NHTSA ODI #11579664

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2021
Unknown Or Other

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

NHTSA ODI #11441798

220,000 miles · Feb 14, 2021
Seat BeltsUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

MY DRIVERS SEATBELT DID NOT WORK.

NHTSA ODI #11396177

100,000 miles · Aug 29, 2019
Unknown Or Other

I AM HAVING A LOUD GRINDING SOUND WHEN I PUT CAR IN REVERSE, FOOT ON BRAKE, FOUND WAS REAR WINDOW SHADE(SUNSHADE). NOISE LAST MIN. AT STATIONARY AND IN MOTION, THEN GOES AWAY. APPARENTLY KNOWN PROBLEM WITH 2006 AND 2007

NHTSA ODI #11252231

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2019
Unknown Or Other

DASHBOARD CRACKING IN TWO PLACES. OUR 2006 DASHBOARD IS CRACKING IN TWO PLACES, AREA BY DRIVERS DOOR AND IN THE PLACE WHERE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS LOCATED. OUR 2008 DID THE SAME THING AND TOYOTA REPLACED THE WHOLE DSAH BUT OUR 2006 IS TOO OLD TO BE COVERED. WE'RE CONCERNED THAT ONCE THE CRACK GOES ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE COM…

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DASHBOARD CRACKING IN TWO PLACES. OUR 2006 DASHBOARD IS CRACKING IN TWO PLACES, AREA BY DRIVERS DOOR AND IN THE PLACE WHERE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS LOCATED. OUR 2008 DID THE SAME THING AND TOYOTA REPLACED THE WHOLE DSAH BUT OUR 2006 IS TOO OLD TO BE COVERED. WE'RE CONCERNED THAT ONCE THE CRACK GOES ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE COMPARTMNT WHERE THE SIR BAG IS THAT IT WILL BUST OPEN HIT THE PASSENGER IN THE FACE.

NHTSA ODI #11231575

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2019
Unknown Or Other

TOYOTA COMPANY REFUSE TO HONOR MY COMPLAINT THAT I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY LETTERS REGARDING A RECALL ON MY 2006 TOYOTA AVALON. TOYOTA COMPANY STATES THAT THE RECALL ON MY 2006 AVALON HAS EXPIRED. TOYOTA COMPANY STATED THEY MAIL OUT A RECALL LETTER TO MY ADDRESS IN 2015 AND 2017. I DID NOT RECEIVE THE LETTER AT MY ADDRESS. I LIVE I…

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TOYOTA COMPANY REFUSE TO HONOR MY COMPLAINT THAT I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY LETTERS REGARDING A RECALL ON MY 2006 TOYOTA AVALON. TOYOTA COMPANY STATES THAT THE RECALL ON MY 2006 AVALON HAS EXPIRED. TOYOTA COMPANY STATED THEY MAIL OUT A RECALL LETTER TO MY ADDRESS IN 2015 AND 2017. I DID NOT RECEIVE THE LETTER AT MY ADDRESS. I LIVE IN A MOBILE HOME PARK WHERE ITS ABOUT 30 MOBILE HOMES IS LOCATED WITH THE ADDRESS, EXCEPT THE LOT NUMBER IS DIFFERENT. I SEARCH THROUGH MY MAIL TO DOUBLE CHECK AND I DO NOT HAVE ANY LETTERS REGARDING A RECALL. I CALLED LAST YEAR (2018) BECAUSE I NOTICE SEVERAL SPLITTING LINE ACROSS THE DASH BOARD OF MY CAR DASHBOARD AND IT HAS A STICKY FEELING BY TOUCHING. I HAVE READ SEVERAL EMAILS STATING "ACCORDINGLY, PER WEBSITES ON RECALL THERE IS NO TIME LIMIT ON GETTING A RECALL FIXED, AND MOST DEALERS SHOULD HONOR THE RECALL AND FIX YOUR CAR FREE OF CHARGE. THE ONLY EXCEPTION IS IF YOUR VEHICLE IS OLDER THAN TEN YEARS AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL, THE DEALER MAY NOT FIX THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. REGARDLESS, YOU SHOULD STILL MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES OR CONTACT THE AUTOMAKER DIRECTLY AND LET THEM KNOW OF YOUR PREDICAMENT". MY PREDICAMENT IS I DO NOT WANT ANYTHING TO HAPPEN AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THE COST TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD. ALL I WANT IS FOR THEM TO REALIZE THAT MY DEFECT FOR THE RECALL DID NOT SHOW UNTIL LAST YEAR. I GET MY CAR SERVICE EVERY YEAR AND THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DEFECT ON THE DASHBOARD.

NHTSA ODI #11183449

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2018
Unknown Or Other

DASHBOARD IS "MELTING", STICKY AND SHINING, WHICH CAUSES PROBLEMS WITH VISIBILITY THROUGH WINDSHIELD. (SAFETY CONCERNS) I AM ALSO CONCERNED WITH TOXIC GASSES PRODUCED FROM THE BREAKDOWN OF THE MATERIALS IN THE CAR. CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY NO LONGER REPLACE THE DASHBOARD FREE OF CHARGE. WILL BE C…

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DASHBOARD IS "MELTING", STICKY AND SHINING, WHICH CAUSES PROBLEMS WITH VISIBILITY THROUGH WINDSHIELD. (SAFETY CONCERNS) I AM ALSO CONCERNED WITH TOXIC GASSES PRODUCED FROM THE BREAKDOWN OF THE MATERIALS IN THE CAR. CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY NO LONGER REPLACE THE DASHBOARD FREE OF CHARGE. WILL BE CHARGED APPROXIMATELY $2,000 FOR REPLACEMENT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN KEPT IN A GARAGE MOST OF THE TIME, NOT IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #11093356

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2018
Unknown Or Other

DASH BOARD IS CRACKING

NHTSA ODI #11074043

74,000 miles · Feb 20, 2018
Unknown Or Other

ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW SUN SCREEN IS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION. THIS REDUCES VISIBILITY ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. WHEN VEHICLE IS PLACE INTO REVERSE THE MOTOR TRIES TO LOWER THE SHADE BUT FAILS. I HAVE SEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE EDMUNDS FORUM. SINCE THE AVERAGE AVALON OWNER IS 65 YEARS OF AGE THE REDUCED VISIBILITY AT NIGHT IS …

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ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW SUN SCREEN IS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION. THIS REDUCES VISIBILITY ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. WHEN VEHICLE IS PLACE INTO REVERSE THE MOTOR TRIES TO LOWER THE SHADE BUT FAILS. I HAVE SEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE EDMUNDS FORUM. SINCE THE AVERAGE AVALON OWNER IS 65 YEARS OF AGE THE REDUCED VISIBILITY AT NIGHT IS GREATER RISK DUE TO THE REDUCED NIGHT VISION BASED ON THE OWNERS AGE.

NHTSA ODI #11073903

134,838 miles · Nov 14, 2017
SeatsUnknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND MADE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE DRIVERS SEAT SHIFTING WHEN I'M DRIVING AND MASH ON THE BRAKES. I THOUGHT THE SEAT NEEDED TIGHTENING THE TOYOTA DEALER CHECKED THE SEAT AND INFORMED ME THAT THE FRAME WAS DETERIORATING.

NHTSA ODI #11046159

Official recalls

7

16V396000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

Jun 2, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

14V743000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

Nov 19, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

10V499000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Oct 21, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

10V017000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Jan 21, 2010

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 THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSIDE THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE LEVER MAY BECOME SMOOTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THIS CONDITION, IF CONDENSATION OCCURS ON THE SURFACE, AS MAY OCCUR FROM HEATER OPERATION (WITHOUT A/C) WHEN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS COLD, THE FRICTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS OPERATED MAY INCREASE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMING HARDER TO DEPRESS, SLOWER TO RETURN, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FOR THE PONTIAC VIBE PLEASE SEE 10V-018. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AND WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

09V388000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Oct 5, 2009

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

06V096000 · Air Bags

Apr 3, 2006

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 CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.