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 Tundra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tamara recall - I was exiting the freeway, making a left hand turn onto the city street, I was traveling approximately 25 miles per hour. As I entered the intersection, on a green light, a 1996 GMC yukon ran a red light, travelling approximately 40 miles an hour and hit me on my front end, damaging the bumper, fender, door, hood and bed on the drivers side. I was wearing my seatbelt but the impact was hard enough to propell me upwards, causing my left shoulder to hit the frame above the window which caused a grade 3 separation of my left collarbone.
I pulled into my furniture store and had the truck in drive but stationary and was getting ready to put the truck in reverse to park into my spot. All of a sudden the truck accelerated like a bat out of hell and I ended up crashing into the store's entrance causing a lot of damage to both the vehicle and the store's building. It could have been worse because I almost ran over my daughter. I know what happened. I did not press the gas pedal by mistake. This is a terrible situation. This should not happen to anyone.
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle began to decelerate independently with the check engine warning indicator illuminating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air control valve had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V286000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.....updated 04/15/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Tundra. While the vehicle went through an emissions inspection, the inspector failed the vehicle due to a corroded frame. Also, the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact called girard Toyota at [phone] (located at 543 colman st, new london, ct 06320) where it was confirmed that no recall was associated with the VIN and there would be a fee for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and confirmed that the recall had expired. No further assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while merging into highway traffic, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle went into limp safe mode causing it to decelerate. The contact was able to coast off the highway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the engine air pump assembly and the air switch valves assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was 56,600.
Autonation Toyota would not install rear tow hitch due to severity of frame rust. Cautioning that any sort of impact would total the vehicle. After reading several reviews stating very similar rust problems I have started an online petition against Toyota. Even if the frame is replaced the rust has affected many components of the vehicle. Being a safety issue. Severe bodily harm or death can occur.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Tundra. While driving 35 MPH, the engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the secondary air injection valve and pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.
Secondary air injection pump needs replaced. Code p1441 and p1444 error code. This recall only effects 2007-2009 models although the same problem was happening in 2005 and 2006. Mine being a 2006 isn't covered by a recall for the same issues. This is a 2K plus job. Thanks
Replacement of secondary air injector pump and associated valves. Extremely high failure rate which puts engine in limp mode. This could cause a very serious problem vehicle was in motion at time of failure.
Engine complaints in other Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Toyota Tundra?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Toyota Tundra, 4% of the model year's 545 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Toyota Tundra engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.