Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Toyota Avalon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Toyota Avalon. While driving approximately 25 MPH, a vehicle merged into the contact's lane and struck the front driver side of the contact's vehicle. The frontal driver and feet air bags deployed with gases and metal fragments, which injured the driver. A police report was filed. The fire department was also present. The contact was transported to the hospital by ambulance and diagnosed with a dislocated vertebrae, facial injuries, chest injuries due to the seat belts, and injuries to the shin because of the feet air bags. The contact required surgery to the damaged vertebrae and her hearing was lost permanently. The dealer (sheehy Toyota of stafford, 95 garrisonville rd, stafford, virginia, [phone]) was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an unknown impound lot. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the tire on the front driver side blew out, causing the vehicle to veer into a cotton field. The vehicle flipped four times and landed on the passenger side. The contact stated that the air bags had not deployed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the neck, back, and leg. The passenger sustained injuries to the right ear that detached from the head, injuries to the neck, and a concussion. Both occupants required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a salvage lot awaiting an insurance appraisal. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,000.
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. …
On Sunday, September 6, 2009, my mother was driving my 2006 Toyota Avalon when she was involved in a crash due to an acceleration problem with the vehicle. She was also involved in a crash in my garage when the floor mat got stuck on the accelerator and cause her to run into the wall of the garage. I also have experienced several instances of acceleration after taking my foot off the gas pedal when attempting to brake which caused me to have to slam on the brakes to stop the vehicle. The insurance company deemed the car a total loss and it was only when I received the settlement papers from the insurance company did I find out there were problems with the airbags as Toyota never sent me any correspondence regarding the problem with the airbags, the floor mats or the accelerator.
Noticed that the dashboard section air bag (console) on passenger side has started "cracking". When first noticed it was approximate one inch in length, & is progressing currently approximate 2" inches in length. Call Toyota to inform and suggested I take to dealership where I service my vehicle. Upon doing so the dealership stated it was OK and wouldn't diminish the integrity of the airbags going off. I still feel this is a safety issue with the console proceeding to crack, and believe once summer heat continues to hit dashboard it will progress to crack further. Wife ( passenger) is quite concerned since she notices the crack getting longer. We garage our car, but if car was parked out in sun it could possibly get worse.
My car has always been kept in the garage, except for being at work. I have cracks all over the passengers side airbags. I was in the hospital getting a lung transplant when the extended service letter came out offering to replace it. I didn't drive for two years because of illness. When I went to the Toyota dealer he said I missed the deadline by a week. He said he had the parts and would like to do it but would need an OK from Toyota corporate . I called Toyota and they said there is nothing they can do. If there is a class action lawsuit on this I would like to join'..I did nothing to cause this, it is a manufacturer defect and a safety hazard. I f the airbags deploy, it could kill someone
The Toyota Avalon limited was hit broadsided at around 50 MPH, or more on the driver side and the side airbags did not inflate. The driver had to be cut out of the car and the back passenger received some whiplash, and there was some damage to the back door. The whole dashboard received damage and buckled. The front passenger had severe trauma to her left leg. The car is totaled. I bought this car new in 10/2005. A recall of 133 cars were made around 3/2006. I was not the one notified and my air bags did not inflate and that was one of the reasons I bought this car. Why wasn't my car notified? I really don't know if the front airbags would have worked if we were in a frontend collision.
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Toyota Avalon. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact's vehicle was cut off by another vehicle. As a result, the contact's vehicle became lodged underneath the other vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the right shoulder and neck, which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed, towed to a towing facility, and later towed to the contact's residence. A local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.
Related recalls
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.
Airbag complaints in other Avalon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2006 Toyota Avalon?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 Toyota Avalon, 8% of the model year's 360 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Toyota Avalon airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-096 (air bags, Apr 3, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Toyota Avalon airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 0 fires and 13 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.