Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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).
I rear ended car and the lower airbag deployed striking me just below by knees. My right leg developed a hematoma from the airbag deployment and required surgery. I still have a large depressed area on my leg, a scar, tenderness and darkening of the skin, all which will require further surgery to repair.
Another driver lost control while driving west on icy roads and hit me, I was driving east on ne lombard..in results of my Toyota Avalon being deamed totaled. Dealership is out of business and owes the bank $454.10 for warranty refund.
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.
I have called Toyota in houston, tx several times about my melting and cracking dashboard. I was told this was normal wear and tear. My car is garaged, and only out for short amounts of driving time. On December 31, 2014, I saw on the national nbc news that there is a recall for the dashboard problems. I called Toyota this morning, jan. 2, 2015, and was told they know nothing about a recall. I must have a letter for them to due recall work. I'd like to file this complaint, hoping my car, make and model will be added so that I receive a recall notice. Thank you.
I slowed to pull into a parking space on the roof of parking garage. I tapped my brake and felt a sudden surge of power. (noisy power sound) I forcefully pushed down on the brakes and burned rubber making visible skid marks. The car went over both the cement bumper in front of my car and the cement bumper of the facing car and came to a stop when it hit his car. Both cars sustained major damage to the front. I was not injured and no one was in the car I hit. It is fortunate that this did not occur at a stop with pedestrians.
Failure of the hinges and torsion bars that are mounted for the trunk lid of my 2006 Toyota Avalon, limited. The torsion bar rotates into the trunk space about 5 inches and can hit items in the trunk and dislodge the torsion bar and damage a weak mounting bracket. This failure is not graceful but immediate. Upon opening the trunk with the torsion bar dislodged or the bar becomes dislodged the trunk can come back and hit you in the head or a child being held. I notified the dealer and Toyota of the problem and was told that it was covered under the 36000/ 3yr warranty which I exceeded. However, after several more contacts I was able to determine that there was a technical service bulletin bo030-06 issued in December 2006. My concern is that there was never any warning on limiting the useful space in the trunk nor any notification of the potential failure. …
Defective vinyl dash this car has 48,305 miles and has almost always been garaged. It was purchased new in March of 2006. Recently, about July of 2013, when I first started noticing it, the complete dash of this car has become covered in a very sticky, shiny substance. No sealers, polishes or waxes have ever been applied to it, only cleaned with a damp rag. Not only is this Toyota defect affecting the value of this car it has become a safety issue. The glare the shine on the dash creates makes it almost impossible to see out of the windshield. I have seen many other Toyota Avalon and camry owners complain of this defect. I believe Toyota should be held responsible for the replacement of these defective dashboards.
2006 Toyota Avalon. Hinges on bar in trunk that holds the trunk open broke off in November 2009 (right after warranty expired). If you don't hold the trunk open with one hand it can slam down on you. Already have had it slam down on my head, arm and son's arm. Very painful, nice big bruises and mild concussion. Took it to Toyota and they were not very helpful at the end 2009 and then again in August 2010 and was told that I would have to pay at least $500.00 to get it fixed. I only use the trunk now if I have someone else with me as it is hard to hold open with one hand while loading and unloading groceries. Would not recommend this car to anyone.
Dashboard cracked from one side to the other, cracked all up by the instrument board, down by the compartment. Just appeared one day. Car in garaged. Toyota dealer acknowledge it that they are having a problem with quite a few vehicles. Toyota wants me to pay $500 towards replacing the dash. I feel it is a defect, obviously, on their part and should not have to pay to have it replaced. Can it be a safety hazard? Maybe if it is cracked around where the dash air bag is.
My dashboard has a tear over the airbag on the front passenger side. I took it to the Toyota dealership on franklin st. In hempstead before the covid 19 virus shut down. I was informed that since there's no recall on my vehicle, I would have to pay out of pocket to change the dashboard cover. I think it's a safety issue since this happened through no fault of my own. The vehicle is in mint condition and runs like new because I take care of my cars. Please help
Body complaints in other Avalon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2006 Toyota Avalon?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the body & structure of the 2006 Toyota Avalon, 6% of the model year's 360 complaints. The component named most often is body (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Toyota Avalon body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2006 Toyota Avalon, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Toyota Avalon body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries to body & structure 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.