Most common 2006 Toyota Avalon problems
Share of the 360 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Avalon complaints by model year
Best Avalon years: 2017, 2020, 2022. Years to avoid: 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 1998. Compare all years →
2006 Toyota Avalon recalls (7)
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Show 1 more recall
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.
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.
What 2006 Toyota Avalon owners say
Speed control & acceleration all 103 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Avalon. While driving less than 5 MPH to pull into an underground garage area, the accelerator pedal became stuck and failed to release. The brake pedal was applied with force, but the vehicle lunged forward and crashed into the garage door. Upon impact, a yellow piece associated with the front passenger side air bag fractured. None of the air bags deployed. The driver sustained injuries to the head and neck and sustained bodily scratches and bruising, which did not require medical attention. The insurance company was notified of the failure and planned to investigate the cause of the air bag and acceleration failures. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 10V017000 (vehicle speed control) and 09V388000 (vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was notified of the failures. …
While backing out of the driveway, in reverse, the car suddenly and without warning accelerated at a high rate on it's own without depression of the accelerator pedal. Brakes were applied at full force during the acceleration with out effect. Vehicle continued down the driveway, crossing over the street, then jumped the opposing curb, striking a stone wall.
Engine & cooling all 69 →
I am in shock given the today?s news. I was in an accident on 12/01/08 in my 2006 Toyota Avalon. I could not stop the car and ran into the t-bar of a box truck in front of me. My car was totaled. After the accident we called the Toyota experience center, they created a claim #1001145755 and erika with Toyota said they would be in contact with us. We next heard from a [redacted] with Toyota who then told us to mail our complaint to Toyota motor sales claims department in torrance, ca. We mailed of the necessary documentation from the accident and never heard back from them. We called back on many occasions all to be never answered or given a run around, once told they were looking into it. Nothing ever came of it all. We didn't know what to so we gave up, at the time we could not afford a lawyer. So today?s news was frustrating. …
Started car and smoke began pouring from the exhaust while stationary. Checked oil level and found to be within normal range. When driving, car was sluggish under acceleration with intermittent smoke. Took car to san marcos Toyota and they found the engine to be sludged and require an overhaul of the engine ($4900) or replacement of the engine ($6900). The vehicle had only 140,000 miles. We ended up having an independent mechanic overhaul/cleanup the top side of engine for $4000. I have the estimates and receipts for the work if needed. I have researched on-line and found many other Avalon owners who have had the same problem. I am filing this complaint in hope that Toyota will acknowledge the poor engineering of this v6 engine and issue a recall and reimburse their customers who have experience this engine failure.
Transmission & drivetrain all 52 →
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. …
I took my 2006 Avalon in to nalley Toyota for an oil line recall. I asked them if they could also look into the floor mat recall for me. They told me no decision had yet been made on the floor mat issue but went ahead with the oil line recall. I picked my car up that afternoon, drove 15 minutes to my mother's apartment. While slowly guiding my way into a parking place, my car accelerated violently propelling itself up over a curb and through a wooden fence, landing with my back tires on the front curb of the parking place. My braking had no effect and upon landing on the downside of the slope, my engine died. I called Toyota immediately asking what they could have done to cause this to happen since my car had never had this happen before in the 4 years I had it, and yet happened 15 minutes after they had worked on it. They said nothing was done that could have caused this. …
2006 Toyota Avalon engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Toyota Avalon a good car?
Based on 360 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Avalon rates avoid: 3.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Avalon at the same age. It is one of the Avalon years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Toyota Avalon?
The speed control & acceleration — 103 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year, most often about accelerator pedal. Next are the engine & cooling (69) and transmission & drivetrain (52).
How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota Avalon have?
There are 7 recalls for the 2006 Toyota Avalon, the most recent from June 2, 2016 (seat heater/cooler). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Avalon?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2020 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 1998. See the full Toyota Avalon years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Toyota Avalon problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 45,000 miles; 55% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.