Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Toyota Tundra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed to prevent a crash with another vehicle that had pulled in front of the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact was able to veer into another lane safely, and the crash was avoided. The brake warning light was illuminated after the failure. The contact continued driving and was able to slow down by shifting the transmission into a lower gear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with brake line failure which lead to the brake master cylinder and brake fluid reservoir becoming empty. The brake line was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 277,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for a routine brake line repair, the contact was informed that the sub frame was severely corroded. The mechanic informed the contact that the frame could collapse if the contact continued driving the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. No further information was available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the brake pedal was engaged the brake pedal went to the floorboard. The contact engaged the parking brake and brought the vehicle to a complete stop. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic found that the brake lines were rusted and leaking. Additionally, the subframe and chassis were extremely rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 172,000.
On April 6, 2024 I was driving my 2006 Toyota Tundra when the brakes gave out and the vehicle went through the back wall of my garage. The brake fluid spilled onto the street and onto my driveway. There are 3 witnesses to this including a police officer. I am lucky that I was not a highway when this happened. I had the Tundra towed to a repair garage and they put it on a hoist. Two mechanics showed me the underside which is completely rusted , including some holes. They told me I would have continuous problems because of the rust. They also said that Toyota may have had a recall for my vehicle. I did the research and found that to be accurate. The recall includes millions Toyotas, including my Toyota Tundra, built between 2004 and 2008. So mine is eligible. However, Toyota did not contact me about the recall. Toyota did contact me about another recall involving the air bags. …
My 2006 tundra has major rust on the frame to the point it isn't safe to drive anymore. I have reached out to Toyota and my local dealer and have received the same answer from both saying its not something that Toyota will cover, despite the fact that there was a national safety recall that started in 2016 for rust related issues.
Driving home at the end of our vacation, my wife and I were in seperate vehicles, she in front of me on I-80 going west bound. We'd just gotten off the george washington bridge and as traffic was building and slowing, she braked ahead of me and when I pressed my brake it went to the floor. I couldn't stop in time before rear ending the car my wife was driving. It was a low speed impact, maybe 25 MPH. No police report and we just kept driving after checking that all was OK. I took the truck to the shop to have the brakes repaired and the mechanic called me to say the brake lines and everything associated needed to be replaced. He stated he cannot do the work due to the fact the truck is rusted beyond repair and he felt unsafe to work underneath the truck for fear of it falling on him. …
On January 10 2020 my 2006 Toyota Tundra broke down. I was driving home from work it was around 4:45 pm when I heard a clunking noise coming from my drivers back tire, I pulled over and checked out underneath and my tires did not see anything got back in vehicle and backed it up to a side street it made the clunking noise. I called my husband he came out and checked the truck out too couldn't determine the problem. So we had it towed to a Toyota dealership ( we have towing service plus we bought a extended warranty) since it was pass 5 pm the dealership didn't look at the truck till the next day. When they gave me a call they told me that my sway bar broke and the clunking noise was my brake drum and pad it was so rusted it busted in pieces. …
I own a 2006 dbl cab Tundra in wi. Back in 2013 I was driving one and and someone was honking at me from behind. So I pulled over. They told me my gas tank was about to fall off. Sure thing I went under it and the gas tank strap was rust and only 1 of them was holding it up. I didnt some research and notice there was a recall on the frame rust. So I took it in for a inspection. The dealer told my that it didnt qualify for a replacement but they they can do a undebody coat and they replaced the tank strap too. So 1 yrs flew by and now my passenger side rear lower strut bracket broke off. It was just hanging there. This truck is falling apart. A few monther later while driving down the road. I was going about 35 MPH and ther boom! I heard something loud. I ther braking but no brakes! I almost good hit twice running a red light. Scraiest day of my life. I almost doe that day. …
This started 1/7/2017 coming home from work back gravel road heater would not work noticed heat gauge went all the way up then came down to normal worked OK for a while did it again. Drive home approx. 10 miles did not get hot but temperature gauge registered hot slowly drove home put water in after cooled off. Had to leave at home till I made appointment to bring in. Did not bring to dealer which is 40 miles away drove 8 miles slowly to mechanic. He replaced radiator, filled with new coolant mileage 91003. Did not mess up until 2/27/2017 same road registered hot drove home shut off added water, had to sit for a few days till opening for appointment. He did not fix he checked out found 2 leaks one dealing with transmission and the other dealing with steering or ball joints. He is concerned because it ran out of fluid even thou I filled up asap. Never had a problem before. …
My service provider reported in October 2018 that the underside of the vehicle was very rusted. I had them replace the rusted muffler. During the test drive after repairs the front brake line burst because of rust. I had it repaired. During pressure testing after repairs the rear brake line burst because of rust. At this point, the dealer showed me that the frame was so deteriorated that it required replacement. The cost of this repair would be more than the blue book value of the vehicle, so I parked the truck in my driveway. If my wife and I would have been driving when the brake lines burst, we could have been killed. I have never heard of brake lines rusting and failing before. Toyota claims that I was notified to have the frame inspected in 2015 for possible replacement. I was not notified. Toyota refuses to do anything to help with my problem. …
Brake complaints in other Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2006 Toyota Tundra?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the brakes of the 2006 Toyota Tundra, 6% of the model year's 545 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Toyota Tundra brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2006 Toyota Tundra, though it has 10 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 Tundra brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes 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.