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ProblemsByVin File / 2006-TOYOTA-CAMRY NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Toyota

2006 Toyota Camry problems

The 2006 Toyota Camry has 434 NHTSA owner complaints and 5 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

The 2006 Toyota Camry has 434 NHTSA owner complaints and 5 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is cruise control at 104 complaints, typically surfacing around 51,920 miles (~$600 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Toyota Camry owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2005 Camry 721 5
2006 Camry (this page) 434 5
2007 Camry 3,613 10
2008 Camry 1,177 8
2009 Camry 1,409 10
2006 Toyota Camry
Photo: EurovisionNim / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Toyota Camry
0 5 10
Reliability score
6.2 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
4
Severe
1
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2006 Camry?
Avoid — the cruise-control

The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the cruise-control was repaired or replaced.

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.

Buying a used 2006 Toyota Camry? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: cruise control is flagged critical on this model , showing up around 51,920 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 5 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 6.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2006 Toyota Camry

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2006-toyota-camry/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2006 Toyota Camry reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2006-toyota-camry/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2006 Toyota Camry reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

cruise control
104 reports · fails ~51,920 mi · avg $600
critical
airbags
70 reports · fails ~77,219 mi · avg $1,100
severe
body
43 reports · fails ~61,573 mi · avg $1,500
severe
brakes
35 reports · fails ~52,731 mi · avg $450
severe
steering
32 reports · fails ~62,048 mi · avg $700
severe
electrical
25 reports · fails ~101,205 mi · avg $850
severe
powertrain
22 reports · fails ~51,819 mi · avg $2,500
severe
engine
20 reports · fails ~75,109 mi · avg $3,100
critical

Your road ahead on this 2006 Toyota Camry

When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.

  1. ~36,000 micruise control~$600
  2. ~38,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
  3. ~40,305 mibrakes~$450
  4. ~42,632 mivisibility~$350
  5. ~51,000 mitires~$150
  6. ~53,000 mibody~$1,500
  7. ~61,288 misteering~$700
  8. ~64,000 miairbags~$1,100
  9. ~73,000 miengine~$3,100
  10. ~97,000 mielectrical~$850

"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.

Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2006 Camry's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2006 Camry?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2006 Camry · body
The dashboard has cracked in several areas and the issue seems to be getting worse daily. I've contacted Toyota main headquarters complaint department several times and their response was that since the vehicle is out of warranty they will not fix it and it is my responsibility…
12/31/2014 · at 53,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10669341.0 · see body pattern →
2006 Camry · airbags Crash
The 2006 Toyota camry involved in a frontal collision (which is a total lost) does not has the airbags deployed at the moment of the accident as designed. *tr
2006 Camry · body
Entire dashboard cracked and continued for several months. There are multiple cracks all over the dashboard. My son had the same thing happen to his 2006 solara convertible two months prior to ours. Both cars were always garaged and had very few miles on them. My son had…
12/27/2014 · at 16,200 mi · NHTSA ODI #10668458.0 · see body pattern →
2006 Camry · cruise control
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota camry. While attempting to pull out of the driveway, the vehicle did not accelerate. The contact released the accelerator pedal and depressed it harder, in which the vehicle responded. Later the same day, the vehicle did not accelerate when…
12/26/2018 · at 90,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11163542.0 · see cruise control pattern →
View all 434 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2006 Toyota Camry? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 5

severe NHTSA 16V396000 June 2, 2016

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element

If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
severe NHTSA 14V743000 November 19, 2014

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner

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.

Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
severe NHTSA 10V036000 February 3, 2010

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no

A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
View all 5 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2006 Toyota Camry reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 434 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Toyota Camry has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2006 Toyota Camry?

On the NHTSA data, the 2006 Toyota Camry 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: 2 fatality reports and 1 fire-related complaint on the cruise-control; Body: 43 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 40,000–74,075 mi; Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average; 5 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2006 Toyota Camry?

Inspect the cruise control first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 104 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 51,920 miles. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2006 Toyota Camry a good used car to buy?

It scores 6.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 434 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is cruise control. Typical failure occurs around 51,920 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2006 Toyota Camry?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is cruise control, with 104 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 51,920 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 51,920 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Toyota Camry 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 Camry?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 434 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.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Toyota/Camry. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Toyota. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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