Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Avalon. While driving 60 MPH and attempting to accelerate, an abnormal sound emitted under the front end of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the vehicle failed to accelerate and began to shake violently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the motor mount boat detached and fractured the engine's axle. The technician stated that the motor mount boat needed to be removed from the engine and the engine's axles needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Avalon. While driving at approximately 5 MPH an explosion occurred in the engine and smoke began to come from under the hood. The vehicle was pulled over and the highway patrol appeared on the scene. A police report was filed but no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to an insurance company garage where an independent mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 142,000.
When accelerating from a stop the vehicle will sometimes move about 10 feet and then hesitate for about 1 to 2 seconds. It will then accelerate normally. When driving in heavy conditions at speeds under 35 the car hesistates badly when you try to accelerate and then "jumps" forward. Same thing happens on the downside to the point that it feels like its going to stall. The service advisor also said there had been other complaints about this condition. This condition is dangerous and not normal.
Head gasket leaks both sides. Under repair. Poor design or manufacturing. Should not have occurred at this mileage level. My repair service indicated that this has happened on several Toyota products. Concern for accident potential should head gasket blow at high speed in heavy traffic where conditions do not allow for a safe exit from travel lanes to shoulder. Note: vehicle registered under my wife maria's name.
I went out this morning to warm my car. When I came out to take my son to school all of my oil had leaked out on the ground. I had just went in for a regular oil chg at the Toyota dealer. I didn't know what was wrong. I drove the car to the dealer not knowing that my engine could have locked up on me. Luckily I made it to the dealer safely. After looking at my car the Toyota rep. Came out and told me that my vvtl line has busted. I was like this is a brand new car. I only had it for 3 years. The rep said that the part is under warranty and it will probably take some weeks before the part comes in. She said that they already had cars there with the same problem that have been sitting for weeks. She said that the part was on back order. I really think that its crazy that Toyota have had this many complaints on the vvtl line breaking and have not made they customers aware of it. …
On Wednesday, April 8th noticed that my car was leaking oil so I went to the service station and filled it with two quarts of oil. I realized there was a serious problem so I put another two quarts in my car and contacted a Toyota dealership in lancaster pennsylvania because I was out of town. They informed me that my oil cooling line also known as the vvti line had ruptured and Toyota has a new replacement part that is on national back order. Lancaster Toyota didn't have the new replacement part however they could put the same defective part that is a known problem back on my car at a cost of $307.09 which would allow me to get home. After getting my car from pa I drove it directly to Toyota of bowie and asked them to check my engine for damage. They said he didn't see any damage to my engine. …
I was traveling on the ny I-87 in my 2006 Toyota Avalon for approximately 30 minutes when the "check engine" light illuminated. Within a minute or so, the "check oil" light started blinking slowly at first, then after about 30 seconds it was on continuously. By this time I had pulled off into a gas station. As I was pulling into the station the engine was making a loud clicking noise. After it was parked, I checked the dipstick and there was no oil remaining in the engine. The underside of the car, including inside of wheels and brakes was completely coated with oil as well as the back of the trunk. Presumably from the spray underneath while traveling @ 65-70mph. I then purchased 3 quarts of oil, put it in the engine and it drained onto the ground. The mechanic stated there is a pin hole in the rubber section of the oil line. …
1. I was at a stoplight, foot firmly on the brake, doing nothing but waiting for the light to change. Suddenly I realized my car was moving forward, so I pushed the brakes harder. The pedal went down further but the car kept moving forward. All of this took only a few seconds. Then I heard and felt the engine accelerating very loudly. Just at that moment the light changed, and traffic sped ahead. Without thinking, I put my foot on the accelerator and the engine stopped roaring, the car accelerated normally and the brakes were responsive. 2. This was the only incident. 3. I was actually on my way to the Toyota dealer for routine maintenance when the incident occurred, so I continued on my way. When I got to the dealer, I had the person who met me at my car check the floor mat before I walked away. He said it was fine. …
Engine complaints in other Avalon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Toyota Avalon?
NHTSA has 69 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Toyota Avalon, 19% of the model year's 360 complaints. The component named most often is engine (26 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Toyota Avalon engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.