Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Toyota Camry body problems
severe 43 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
43
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
2crashes
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 43 body complaints filed for the 2006 Toyota Camry, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 43 body complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to clean vehicles that may have been subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles such as rail dust during rail transportation or extended storage near industrial ar
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report the 2006 Toyota Camry/Solara dashboard deteriorates prematurely, developing cracks and a sticky, melted surface. The problem appears within the first few years of ownership, often with low mileage (16,000 to 100,000 miles), regardless of garage storage or sun-shield use. The sticky surface becomes shiny and reflective, creating dangerous glare on the windshield that impairs visibility, particularly in bright sunlight—some owners report nearly losing control of the vehicle. The dashboard also emits an odor and leaves residue on windows. Cracks spread across multiple areas: around the steering wheel, above and below the glove box, along door panels, and in the airbag zone. Parts of the dashboard deteriorate to the point of flaking or falling off, exposing foam padding underneath. Owners worry the cracking compromises airbag deployment and structural integrity of the dashboard. Repair costs range from $1,500 to $2,400 to replace the entire dash pad. Toyota dealers confirm seeing numerous cases but deny warranty coverage beyond a 2017 cutoff date (WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTIFICATION-ZE6), and customer service has refused assistance, citing the vehicle's age. A few complaints mention rear speaker covers and headliner trim also deteriorating with similar cracking and melting symptoms. One narrative (#26) describes sudden unintended acceleration and brake failure; another (#10) reports tire tread separation unrelated to dashboard issues.
Same Toyota Camry body reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Dashboard cracking and deterioration
Dashboard pad develops cracks and becomes sticky, melted, shiny, and reflective. Surface deteriorates progressively, with cracks spreading across multiple areas (steering wheel region, glove box, airbag zone, door panels). Material becomes tacky to touch, emits odor, and leaves residue on windows. In severe cases, pieces flake or fall off exposing foam padding.
When: Typically appears 3–14 years after purchase; reported at mileage ranging 16,000–100,000 miles, often early despite low use or garage storage
Symptoms owners cite: Cracks in dashboard pad; Sticky, gummy surface to touch; Shiny, reflective appearance; High glare on windshield; Melted or deteriorated appearance; Odor emission; Residue on interior windows; Parts flaking or falling off
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers quoted $1,500–$2,400 to replace entire dash pad. One owner paid $300 for partial repair that cracked again. Some owners attempted cleaning with no success.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTIFICATION-ZE6 ended May 31, 2017. Toyota and dealers deny coverage beyond warranty expiration, citing vehicle age. Dealers acknowledge seeing numerous cases but offer no remedies. Customer service states vehicle is not worth repair.
Dashboard glare and visibility hazard
Sticky, shiny dashboard surface creates dangerous reflections and glare on the inside of the windshield, impairing visibility, especially in bright sunlight. One owner reported nearly losing control while crossing a bridge; another nearly hit a stopped vehicle.
When: Occurs as dashboard deteriorates, typically mid-to-late ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Glare on windshield; Reduced visibility in bright conditions; Difficulty seeing the road
Repairs/costs cited: No repair method reported by owners; sun shields and garage storage did not prevent the issue.
Dashboard airbag deployment concern
Owners express concern that cracks in the dashboard, particularly above the glove box and airbag zone, may interfere with airbag deployment and energy absorption in a collision. No confirmed failures reported.
When: Emerges as cracks develop over the airbag area
Symptoms owners cite: Cracks in dashboard airbag region; Uncertainty about airbag functionality
Rear speaker cover crumbling and melting
Rear speaker covers develop cracks, holes, and crumble when touched. Material appears to melt similarly to the dashboard. Fabric near rear door curvature also separates.
When: Reported starting in 2013 in one case; affects vehicles after several years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Cracks in speaker covers; Holes in speaker covers; Material crumbling when touched; Melting appearance; Fabric separation near rear door
Repairs/costs cited: Owner notes standard glue cannot be used due to melting risk.
Rear window headliner and side molding defect
Rear window headliner becomes loose due to defective side molding not properly holding the liner in place.
When: Reported at 58,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loose rear window headliner; Defective side molding
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer will supply new headliner and two side panels; owner responsible for $300 labor charge.
Synthesized from 43 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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 to correct the problem at my expense, I have heard and seen many reports that this is a systemic problem due to use of…
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 about 18,000 and we had about 16,000. We both called Toyota and we were each told it was beyond warranty and there was…
The dash pad surface started to become dark in color and sticky to the touch in the sunshine. The dash pad material was very shiny and sticky to the touch, almost like a liquid. The glare from the shiny, sticky surface causes a glare on the inside of the windshield that makes the car dangerous to drive...and a greater concern are the airbags in the dash affected by this surface deterioration.…
My 2006 Toyota camry solara's dashboard is cracked and more cracks seem to appear out of nowhere. The vehicle is garaged and under shade during the day. It has been cracked for years and continues the same trend. I've seen other toyotas with cracked dashboards, there must be a service bulletin for this. I could ignore it for a while, but now it has gone too far. *tr
Had body trouble with your 2006 Toyota Camry?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2006 Toyota Camry?
It's a meaningful issue. 43 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 29 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 40,000 and 74,075 miles, with the median around 53,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 74,075. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Toyota/Camry.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.