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2006 Toyota Avalon Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2006 Toyota Avalon has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Steering column collapse and power steering leak.” Toyota's owner's manual splits service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1 because it covers short trips, extreme temperatures, dusty roads, or heavy idling. The intervals below reflect Schedule 1 — the schedule Toyota recommends for typical real-world use.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2006 Toyota Avalon.

Reported to NHTSA

Steering column collapse and power steering leak

STEERING

22 NHTSA complaints · 2010-03 → 2019-07

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN WITHOUT WARNING ,THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN UNLOCKED IN A DOWNWARD MOTION, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO TRAVEL TOWARDS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IMMEDIATELY THE CONTACT REDUCED SPEED AND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10359684
“2006 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH POWER STEERING PUMPS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS LEAKING. ON FEBURARY 7, 2009 THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IN JUNE 2010, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE MECHANIC POINTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10420548
“MY 2006 TOYOTA AVALON STEERING WHEEL WAS GETTING STUCK WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON. I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE TO TRY AND TURN THE WHEEL IN ORDER FOR IT TO RELEASE. ADDITIONALLY THE CAR WAS LEAKING FLUID. ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2010 I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE TOYOTA DEALER WHO IDENTIFIED THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10442805

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

VVT-i oil hose rupture and engine oil leak

ENGINE

10 NHTSA complaints · 2010-05 → 2019-07

“2006 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VVT-I OIL HOSE RUPTURE AND SEIZED ENGINE FAILURE. *SMD *CN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10805787
“MY 2006 TOYOTA AVALON HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF ALL MY OIL FROM A RUPTURED OIL LINE WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE 2 MILES AWAY. APPARENTLY TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BASED ON OTHER NUMEROUS SIMILAR INCIDENTS BASED ON WEB COMMENTS. THE OIL WARNING LIGHT NEVER WENT ON AND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10330172
“IN JULY 2009 OUR 2006 TOYOTA AVALONXL HAD A VVT-I OIL HOSE EXPLODE CAUSING OIL DAMAGE AND PERSONAL REPAIR EXPENSE OF $277.67. I WAS NOTIFIED BY TOYOTA OF A RECALL TO REPLACE THIS HOSE. IT STATED IF ALREADY REPLACED THEN TO SEND IN THE REPAIR ORDER, PROOF OF PAYMENT AND PROOF OF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10331411

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration and accelerator pedal malfunction

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

62 NHTSA complaints · 2010-02 → 2021-02

“I WAS COASTING INTO A PARKING STALL IN MY 2006 TOYOTA AVALON WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT ROARED VERY LOUD AND SPED FORWARD INTO THE PARKING SIGN THAT FORTUNATELY STOPPED THE CAR. DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER OF THE CAR. NO INJURIES OCCURRED. I HADAN APPPOINTMENT WITH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10322205
“THIS MORNING AS I WAS BACKING MY 2006 AVALON, IT BACKED OUT ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ME HITTING MY GAS PEDAL. WHEN I STOPPED AND PUT IT IN DRIVE IT THEN ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. I HIT BRAKE AND TURNED OFF CAR. LAST WEDNESDAY (MARCH 3) I HAD THE RECALLED ACCELERATOR FIXED AT MY TOYOTA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10318255
“2006 AVALON ENGINE SURGED. SENT E-MAIL TO TOYOTA AT THAT TIME. AS I RECALL TOYOTA RESPONSE BY E-MAIL WAS "WE ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY SIMILAR INCIDENTS" I STILL HAVE A COPY OF THE E-MAIL I SENT. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10314543

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Dashboard cracking and melting surface

STRUCTURE

22 NHTSA complaints · 2013-09 → 2024-03

“MULTIPLE CRACKS DEVELOPED ON THE DASHBOARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11194449
“CRACKS ALL ACROSS DASHBOARD AND GLOVEBOX. AFRAID IT MIGHT AFFECT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10669580
“DASHBOARD DEVELOPED A SMALL CRACK WHICH IS NOW ABOUT 36" LONG. TOYOTA WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY WILL REPLACE THE DASH FOR $2000+. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME VEHICLE ONLINE. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10586321

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag failure to deploy in a crash

AIR BAGS

23 NHTSA complaints · 2010-03 → 2024-07

“DRIVING EAST ON COLDSPRING LANE- WAS CROSSING CHARLES ST AT THE INTERSECTION WHEN OTHER DRIVER GOING WEST ON COLDSPRING LANE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ONTO CHARLES ST GOING SOUTH I HAD NO TIME TO HIT THE BRAKES I RAN INTO HIS SIDE OF THE CAR PASSENGER SIDE-MY AIR BAGS DID”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10487491
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED TO RESTRAINT THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10433108
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TIRE ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BLEW OUT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER INTO A COTTON FIELD. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED FOUR TIMES AND LANDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10779762

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake master cylinder leak and reduced pedal response

SERVICE BRAKES

5 NHTSA complaints · 2010-10 → 2023-04

“Master cylinder leaking from seal may be leaking into brake booster causing brake light to illuminate and no resistance w brake pedal have to press the break pedal all the way to slow down”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11516304
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITH EXTREME FORCE BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10885752
“I HAVE A SAFETY CONCERN WITH THE BRAKES SLOW TO STOP. I HAVE REPLACED THEM I THINK TWICE THROUGH TOYOTA. BUT THE ISSUE NEVER SEEM TO TOTALLY GO AWAY. BELOW IS THE ISSUE SHOWING I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. BUT TOYOTA REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM IS REAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10683921

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1, or 10,000 miles under Schedule 2. Toyota covers the first 2 oil changes through ToyotaCare.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends rotation at every oil change to maximize tire life on FWD and AWD models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 5,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends measuring pad thickness at each service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. Critical for the integrity of the ABS, VSC, and brake assist systems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Earlier under Schedule 1 if driven on unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Toyota labels ATF as 'lifetime fill' on most automatics, but recommends inspection and replacement every 60,000 miles under severe service. Use Toyota WS or Type-IV — no substitutes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 120,000 mi

Toyota iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated for 120,000 miles. Earlier replacement reduces fuel economy and can cause misfires on direct-injection engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC)

Every 50,000 mi

Toyota SLLC (pink): first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it will damage the cooling system seals.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner in dusty climates. Located behind the glove box on most Toyota and Lexus models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Serpentine / Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Toyota uses long-life EPDM belts that rarely fail before 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Toyota's 2AR-FE, 2GR-FKS, A25A-FKS, and most Toyota engines built since 2010 use a timing chain rated for the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

123 crashes 1990–2024

How the 123 occupant deaths break down

99

driver deaths

24

passenger deaths

123

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

54

complaints mentioning a crash

4

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2006 Toyota Avalon reflects Toyota's published service intervals and the Maintenance Required Light system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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