Toyota Avalon problems
359 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the cruise-control was repaired or replaced.
- 1 fatality report and 26 crash-related complaints on the cruise-control
- Powertrain: 44 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 10,500–83,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The telescoping steering column lock loosens during normal driving. Usually the lock lever only drops low enough to hit your knees as you exit the car after a drive, but does not loosen enough to release the column telescope. Today it dropped all the way down while I was…
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Toyota avalon. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The failure occurred twice. The second time, the vehicle accelerated through a stop sign. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians stated the…
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Toyota avalon. While driving 10 MPH, the contact engaged the brake to make a right turn and the vehicle surged. The vehicle accelerated so forcefully that the contact had to make a left turn. The contact turned the vehicle off and it coasted to a stop.…
Steering column telescoping lever drops during normal driving. Fully down (although not visible through steering column) within 2-3 hours driving. Leaves steering wheel with free play during operation. Safety issue. *tr
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2006 Toyota Avalon reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 359 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Toyota Avalon is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2006 Toyota Avalon?
On the NHTSA data, the 2006 Toyota Avalon is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the cruise-control was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 1 fatality report and 26 crash-related complaints on the cruise-control; Powertrain: 44 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 10,500–83,000 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2006 Toyota Avalon?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is cruise control, with 78 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 45,926 miles. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The cruise control is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 45,926 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Avalon has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Toyota Avalon?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 359 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $600, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.