Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Toyota Tacoma owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The entire frame of this garage kept truck is completely rusted though. This truck as only 61,000 miles on it & is unsafe to drive. The rear leaf spring mounts are broken & have punctured the gas tank. The electrical wiring to do with the safety neutral switch, which is tied into the entire from wiring harness has caught fire twice. Toyota has been notified about all of this, in detail, & they could care less about my own or anyone else's safety. There isn't a scratch on this truck & has really low miles yet is so unsafe to use because of poor construction on Toyota's part.
When I was coasting to park my truck at my parking space outside of my house parking garage, my p/u truck suddenly accelerated very fast and the truck hit the fence and stopped. I remember clearly my sense that I pushed the brake while the car accelerating for a split second but do not remember if the engine was stopped after hitting the fence with steel pole. I somehow reversed back about 8 feet from the fence and stopped the engine. I came out of the car and checked if the accelerating pedal was depressed. It was not. I had experienced the truck engine racing a little fast as I tried to park at work in the mornings also. I felt something unusual but ignored the feeling, since my car was running high RPM since new. I remember that I asked about the high RPM to the salesman. He mentioned some new design feature that I could not understand. …
Dt*: the contact stated when accelerating in 1st gear at 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled on 9 occasions. At other times, the shifter would not go into reverse. There was a clunking noise when shifting occurred that became constant as the problem worsened. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer but the problem was not corrected. An appointment was scheduled with another service dealer. The fuel warning light was not activated at the proper volume of fuel. These problems happened shortly after the carpeting was replaced due to water leaking through the firewall. The manufacturer was notified. The consumer stated the vehicle jumped out of park and into reverse. On numerous occasions the truck stalled. Updated 12/18/06.
The airbag light just turned on. Cruise control on steering wheel is not functioning, audio control on steering not working also and lastly the horn is not working also. Looks like a spiral cable problem based on the symptom and validation of discussion group online. Checked for recall here and seen my VIN number on the range for recall. Why did I not received any recall notice on this. Not sure if the vehicle is unsafe to drive considering the airbag deployed light is on or if this will affect the airbag deloyment if needed. This happened just recently and there are issues similar to my case. Hope it can be fixed by Toyota.
My cigarette lighter popped out of its receptacle on to the floor of my brand new truck (approx. 4,000 miles) causing a fire that destroyed 75% of the interior. Twenty minutes after the fire was put out I called the dealer that I bought the truck from. They told me it was a manufacturing issue and offered no help. Toyota sent an investigator to inspect the truck and he did just that, for about 4 hours. Eventually they sent a letter to me (2 months later) that suggested an outside source could have started the fire.
I do not see the recall for the spiral cable assembly on my Tacoma. I read that this VIN is part of a recall for the wiring in the steering wheel that controls my passenger airbag, cruise control and some other functions. It has malfunctioned. Why is it not listed on your website? When I checked on the status of this recall, it shows that my model, according to the VIN does qualify for this. My passenger airbag is not working, and my cruise control is no longer working at speed.
As the weather increases above 85 to 90 degrees the directional signal and the hazard flashers cease working. Once the operation of the vehicle has ceased and the temperature and the vehicle cool down normal function returns. I believe the problem is in the engine compartment because when using the A/C in the cab the cool air has no effect. This is a safety hazard because I do not know when it will occur. Leaving me without signals while driving.
Dt*: the contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal, the throttle sticks. After the throttle sticks, the RPM's range high and do not decrease. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. Although, the dealer knew the problem persisted with the speed control and the electrical system, the problem could not be remedied by the dealer. Updated 03/28/06.
Used my 2006 Toyota Tacoma prerunner to tow a vehicle a short distance before a short circuit in trailer wiring caused wiring fire in prerunner---30 amp fuse in Toyota failed to protect circuit, leading to total truck wiring meltdown and ruin. Fuse was of the ampacity required by Toyota--30 amps. Truck was purchased new, never involved in an accident, and no changes had been made to wiring or fuse systems. Auto electric repair shop required $2800 in parts and $2000 for labor to repair melted wiring looms and fuse box; they suggested that failure could have resulted because Toyota uses a 30 amp fuse on a #12 wire circuit that will melt and burn before the fuse blows. …
The check engine light will not go off. A Toyota independent service/repair facility checked everything and said it is electrical board problem. I rec'd a safety recall letter from Toyota stating there is a malfunction indicator lamp causing the check engine light to stay on. It states I will receive a 2nd notification when remedy is available that I have not rec'd. They want me to pay the dealer (approx. 300-400 dollars) then send documents of repair to Toyota corp for reimbursement! I do not have that kind of money to wait and see if I will be reimbursed. Why are they dragging their feet not sending an actual recall that they will pay their dealers after they perform the work? Why is this recall not noted above. Are they trying to not have to do anything? …
Electrical complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2006 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Toyota Tacoma, 3% of the model year's 782 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Toyota Tacoma electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2006 Toyota Tacoma, though it has 11 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 Tacoma electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 37% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.