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 Prius owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2006 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while slowly driving into an intersection and turning left at less than 3 MPH, the owner of a Ford F-150 coming from the driver's side of the vehicle at 35 MPH crashed into their driver's side door. The crash caused the vehicle to slide to a complete stop. None of the air bags deployed. The driver of the Ford F-150 stated that the sun created a glare, preventing them from noticing the red light they had driven through. The contact's vehicle was towed and deemed totaled by their insurance. A police report was filed. The contact received a broken rib, rotator cuff, whiplash, and back injuries. Medical attention was needed. The dealer was not informed of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Toyota Prius. While driving approximately 30 MPH, another vehicle suddenly stopped in front of the contact's vehicle. The contact depressed the brake pedal to the floorboard, but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact's vehicle crashed into a road sign. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact coasted to the side of the road and the engine failed. The contact was not injured and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and an insurance lot. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 196,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Prius. While driving 55 MPH, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 135,000.
Travelling 30-35 MPH. Tried to stop-brake pedal went to the floor and car accelerated. Hit a steel sign which totalled the car. Airbags failed to actvate even though the force of hitting the sign drove the engine back to the dashboard.city street.
I became ill while driving through a road construction area, becoming nauseous and dizzy. My head banged against the steering wheel and I lost consciousness, the vehicle leaving the road. I understand from reports that the vehicle rolled and, from looking at it after the fact, I believe this to be accurate. However, none of the air bags went off...there were four: two in the front and one on each side. None of them deployed. I sustained minor injury to my face (swelling and bruising to my right eye from impact with steering wheel and probably shift knob as well) and a concussion. Local police filed an accident report. I have notified Toyota of this. They said at least the side bags should have deployed, if not all of them. They said they would conduct an investigation checking at least the vehicle's recording device within 30 days and get back to me. …
I was rear ended at by a car goin almost full speed in a speed limit zone of 45 at a red light, while I was slowing down. While approaching the line of cars in front of me I started slowing down pumping my brakes to let to drivers behind know I was slowing down. I was then rear ended and shot into the car in front of me, lifting up the front of my car and smashing into another vechile. My firewall was completely bent in as well as half of the front bumper and frame torn off. I had no airbags deploy on either the passenger or driver side. It makes me concerned that if I would have been stopped at the red light, I could have obtained severe injuries compared to the whiplash and shoulder pains I currently have.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Prius. While driving 55 MPH over a pothole, the contact lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle went airborne and the seat belt disengaged and caused the contact to be ejected from the vehicle. Additionally, the front driver side tire detached from the vehicle and the contact crashed into a ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed and the contact sustained unknown injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 220,000. Updated 2/24/15 updated 03/02/15
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Toyota Prius. The contact stated she stopped suddenly and a vehicle crashed into the rear of her vehicle causing her to crash into the vehicle in front of her. The seat belt did not restrain her nor did the air bags deploy. The contact sustained neck and back injuries. There were no passenger in the vehicle. The front and rear end had extensive damage. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The insurance company was notified. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,900. Updated 10/14/11 updated 11/07/11
We were exiting 66 at exit 55 (fairfax co. Parkway) northern va. We were going 3 MPH, a heavy delivery truck hit us going 40 MPH pushing us with considerable force into the van in front of us. Our air bags did not deploy, none of them deployed. My husband sustained head injuries from hitting the steering wheel and I was bounced back and forth a few times injuring my head, neck and back. My doctors think my injuries were made worse by the fact that the airbags did not prevent me from being thrown so far forward. We called Toyota and they did not want to investigate the issue.
Tl - the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the driver became ill causing her to loose control of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that vehicle rolled over and all the air bags failed to deployed. A police report was filed. The driver sustained injuries to her head, concussion, and minor bruising and lacerations to the face. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 70,000. Pm
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 Prius years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2006 Toyota Prius?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 Toyota Prius, 2% of the model year's 1,439 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Toyota Prius 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 Prius airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 24 crashes, 0 fires and 19 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.