Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Toyota Corolla owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact's mother owns a 2006 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while reversing out of a parking space and as she shifted the vehicle into drive, the vehicle surged forward. The contact's mother lost control of the vehicle and crashed into several vehicles and then a curb and turned the vehicle ignition off. The contact's mother stated she had no brakes. The contact sustained bruises to her left and right legs by the knees and both wrists were bruised. Additionally, the contact had pain in her left and right shoulders. The contact did not seek medical attention. The other vehicles were not occupied. The contact stated she did not notice any warning lights were illuminated. The police were on the scene and filed a report. The contact's mother had the vehicle towed to her residence and then later towed to a dealer. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate over 40 MPH. The vehicle was restarted and all the warning lights illuminated. In addition, the vehicle failed to reverse and moved forward. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the shifter cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. On a separate occasion, while attempting to park, the vehicle accelerated without warning while the brake pedal was depressed. As a result, the contact crashed into a light post. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000. Ma 07/30/15 updated 10/5/2017
My car made a sound like rocks in a blender and stopped moving forward. I shifted in to neutral and coasted to a stop. The sound was from the automatic transmission.I tried to shift back into gear (drive) but was unable to get it to go into drive and the sound the trans was making was to say the least horrible . At the time this happened I was heading for the on ramp to interstate 90. I had four children in this car and can only imagine what the outcome would have been if this had happened one minute later!!! I shut the car off and did not restart it.I had towed to my local Toyota dealership and they have informed me that the transmission will need to be replaced!! $3600.00 for a transmission and my car has only been driven 53000 miles! This is my 8th Toyota and possibly last!! I will see what Toyota has to say. So far ,their only offer(your transmission is bad). No reason why!! …
Tl contact owns a 2006 Toyota Corolla. The vehicle was put into the park gear, however; it shifted to reverse. The dealer replaced the computer. After the repair was made the vehicle was sitting at a stop light and the warning indicator light for the door illuminated. The speedometer began to race up and down and there was a noise heard coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle surged forward and crashed into the rear end of another vehicle. The front end of the vehicle was damaged. The driver and the infant in the other vehicle sustained injuries. There was no police report. The VIN was unavailable but will be added to the hardcopy. The failure mileage was 28,677. The current mileage was 28,660.
My wife was behind the wheel of her 2006 Toyota Corolla le and was backing slowly out of a parking space (her foot was resting on the brake pedal) when she and another driver bumped rear bumpers (speed was about 2 MPH), my wife shifted the transmission into drive, the engine raced the car leaded forward up and over a cement parking curb and into a plate glass window of a health spa (ymca). It was a miracle that no one in the spa was seriously hurt . The car was totaled ,my wife was devastated and emotionally a wreck. The car was inspected for mechanical defects by a state inspector. None were found.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Corolla. When the contact shifted the gear lever from drive into park, the gear lever would not lock into place. The contact mentioned that the gear was loose and that the emergency brake needed to be applied to stop the vehicle from rolling forward. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the shifter cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated the vehicle was left unattended momentarily with the gear placed in park. The gear independently came moved from park and rolled backward, crashing into a tree. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that an engineer would further inspect the vehicle for failures. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 40,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Corolla. While driving approximately 35 MPH, a check engine warning indicator illuminated and dimmed on its own. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 05/11/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Corolla. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had to pull over to the side of the road, and reset the module by turning the vehicle on and off several times. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 164,000.
Car stalled while turning at an intersection; car was in motion. Dashboard went black. No power or control of vehicle. Was unable to restart vehicle with multiple attempts. All systems were 'dead'. After ~ 30 minutes, was able to spontaneously start vehicle and drive. Battery had been replaced~18 mos. Ago; tank was full.
Transmission complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Toyota Corolla, 5% of the model year's 840 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Toyota Corolla transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2006 Toyota Corolla, 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 Corolla transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.