repaired · 2017 Q4
Front assembly: seat heater/cooler
Risk. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
2006 Toyota TacomaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 782 owner complaints about the 2006 Toyota Tacoma, most often about the structure. It is covered by 11 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-396 the manufacturer reports only 24% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 22, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: BuickCentury04, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2006 Toyota Tacoma has problems
782 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
242Structure7 crash/fire/injury
154Suspension1 crash/fire/injury
147Vehicle speed control46 crash/fire/injury
76Air bags7 crash/fire/injury
56Power train2 crash/fire/injury
40Steering
27Engine and engine cooling
26Service brakes, hydraulic
25Electrical system
12321 other systems12 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 242 | 7 |
| Suspension | 154 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 147 | 46 |
| Air bags | 76 | 7 |
| Power train | 56 | 2 |
| Steering | 40 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 27 | 3 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 26 | 7 |
| Electrical system | 25 | 6 |
| 21 other systems | 123 | 12 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
11 recalls
2006 Toyota Tacoma recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Front assembly: seat heater/cooler
Risk. Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
repaired · 2017 Q2
Leaf spring assembly: leaf
Risk. If the fuel tank leaks fuel from being punctured, there is an increased risk of a fire.
repaired · 2015 Q2
Seat belts
Risk. If the seat belt pre-tensioner detaches from the seat belt assembly, the seat belt pre-tensioner will not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in…
Show 7 more recalls
no report yet
Air bags: frontal
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
no report yet
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk. A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR…
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Air bags
Risk. THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Tires: bead
Risk. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A BULGE MAY BE FORMED ON THE SIDEWALL AND AIR MAY LEAK FROM THE AREA OF THE DAMAGED…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.
Mileage at failure
When do structure problems start?
92kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 195 structure complaints. 55% were reported before 100,000 miles.
17under 30k miles108under 100k miles87100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Air bags
23 owners mentioned a cost$565median
Middle half: $500 – $602
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2006 vs. every other Tacoma year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Tacoma median. How we score
'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2006 Toyota Tacoma safety ratings
2006 Toyota Tacoma Extended Cab in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
- Rollover: 4 stars (19.1% risk)
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2006 Toyota Tacoma, and the recalls they led to.
- SUDDEN AND UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATIONNo recall
In owners' words
What Tacoma owners report
Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I received a Toyota recall notification in Dec 2015 for a frame rust inspection, RO Number 307016. I have since noticed fairly major frame rust, with a long 2-inch by 7-inch opening on the inside of the frame below the driver-side seat. I took the vehicle to Toyota on 20 APR 2026 for a leaf spring…
I took my 2006 Toyota Tacoma ext cab 4x4 v6 to have diagnostic run on it. "EXACT PERFORMANCE " Johnson drive. KCK The differential was shot. However, that was not the final. They did not do full diagnostic. They informed me that my frame was rotted and rusted through and would not last till spring…
The frame of my 2006 Toyota Tacoma (VIN: [XXX] ) is severely corroded and compromised. I recently acquired the vehicle and discovered that it was part of a past Toyota recall/program for frame corrosion inspection and replacement. However, it appears the previous owner did not take the vehicle in…
Own a 2006 Tacoma?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.