TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections have been updated. October 30, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0012-13. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0012-13 is obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this bulletin before proceeding. Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Toyota Camry powertrain problems
severe 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 20 powertrain 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
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 18 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 powertrain 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.
TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been interrupted.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or transmission damage. Use the information in this bulletin when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or transmission damage. Use the information in this bulletin when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains general vehicle pulling diagnosis and repair procedures along with specific information to help correct pulling complaints.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report six distinct transmission and powertrain failures in 2006 Camrys and Solaras. The most dangerous is intermittent loss of drive on highway exit ramps—the transmission quits engaging despite shifter position, forcing owners to back up to safety. Dealers cannot duplicate the problem during brief test drives and send cars back unfixed.
More commonly, owners describe a 1+ second acceleration lag between pedal and response, occurring at any speed and especially dangerous during highway merges and intersection turns. Drivers compensate by pressing harder, causing the car to lunge forward once the delay clears. Dealerships confirm this affects all Toyota 5-speed automatics and cannot be repaired—no service bulletins exist, yet Toyota customer service denies the problem exists.
Unintended acceleration without driver foot on pedal occurs when transmission downshifts to lower gears, happening repeatedly over years of ownership despite transmission reprogramming. Transmission fluid turns black by 30,000 miles despite regular service, indicating internal burning; one case required full replacement at $5,336, with Toyota offering only a $500 discount.
Shifter lock failure allows the transmission to be knocked out of park at any time without key in ignition or brake depressed. Coins jam into the shifter mechanism and buckle the protective cover, spontaneously shifting the car from drive to neutral on the interstate. Removing the cover exposes the mechanism to the drink holders mounted directly above it.
Same Toyota Camry powertrain reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission loss of drive / no gear engagement
Transmission intermittently fails to engage drive or shifts to neutral without driver input. Vehicle loses propulsion on highway exit ramps or during normal driving. Reverse may still function. Problem often resolves after sitting 15-30 minutes, then reoccurs.
When: 100+ miles highway driving; after sitting for hours
Symptoms owners cite: No drive response when shifter in drive position; Ability to shift to reverse when drive fails; Burning smell noted during failed drive event; Engine runs fast but car barely moves; Transmission downshift from higher to lower gear triggers loss of drive
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to duplicate after one week of testing; no fault found. Transmission tested but problem not reproduced on short test drives.
Unintended acceleration on downshift
Vehicle surges forward without driver accelerator input when transmission downshifts to lower gear, occurring at low speeds and during parking maneuvers. Occurs repeatedly over extended ownership period.
When: Multiple times over 2 years ownership; at low speeds and during deceleration
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden forward surge when transmission drops into lower gear; Foot off accelerator pedal at time of surge; Transmission reprogramming by dealership did not resolve; Occurs during parking entry and low-speed maneuvering; Instant acceleration when gear transitions occur
Repairs/costs cited: Toyota dealership reprogrammed transmission; problem persisted. Owner suspects wrong transmission oil viscosity or malfunctioning lock-up mechanism in overdrive.
Acceleration lag / hesitation
Delayed engine response of 1+ second between accelerator pedal depression and transmission engagement or power delivery. Occurs at low and highway speeds, during passing, lane changes, and intersection turns. Drivers compensate by pressing accelerator harder, causing jerking forward once delay clears. Dealership confirmed as design characteristic of 5-speed automatic Toyota transmission line.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership; within past 6 months in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: 1+ second delay between pedal depression and vehicle response; Hesitation during lane changes on highway; Dangerous delay at traffic light transitions when need to accelerate; Dangerous hesitation during left turns at intersections; Vehicle lurches forward after delay when pedal pressed harder; Occurs at any speed; Fuel economy degradation from 24 to 18 mpg reported; Shift point irregularities noted
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership states problem affects all 5-speed automatic transmission Toyotas and cannot be fixed; no service bulletins issued. One dealer offered replacement vehicle as alternative but lag persists in replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota customer service denied existence of problem and stated no service bulletins exist regarding acceleration lag.
Transmission not shifting gears / improper gear changes
Automatic transmission fails to shift properly between gears or shifts sluggishly. Transmission fluid found to be black and burned at 30,000 miles despite regular service. One case required transmission replacement at high cost; another had transmission replaced once at dealership but same complaint returned.
When: At 12,000 to 30,000 miles; early in ownership on some vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission fails to shift gears smoothly; Jerking or shifting issues during acceleration and turning; Car performs slower than comparable 4-cylinder vehicle; Stalling sensation for few seconds during gear changes; Black transmission fluid indicating burning; Improper gear engagement
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced transmission on one vehicle at cost of $5,336; customer received 10% discount ($500) from manufacturer via service coupon. Another vehicle had transmission replaced but same problem returned; dealership eventually claimed car operating as designed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota offered 10% discount on transmission replacement ($500 off $5,336). Arbitration process resulted in Toyota claiming nothing wrong with vehicle. No recalls or technical service bulletins issued.
Shifter park lock failure
Shift console mechanism fails to lock transmission in park position. Shifter can be moved out of park without key in ignition, brake pedal pressed, or release button depressed. White plastic lock mechanism over-rotates and misses lock pin, causing safety hazard.
When: Intermittent; reoccurs about one week after temporary fix
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter moves out of park without key in ignition; Shifter releases from park without brake pedal depression; Shifter releases without depressing release button; White plastic rotating part over-rotates past lock pin; Transmission can be knocked out of park at any time
Repairs/costs cited: Owner temporarily corrected over-rotated plastic part manually; problem recurred within one week, indicating need for replacement parts.
Shifter mechanism jam from external objects
Coins and other small objects lodge between shifter plastic covering and console, buckling the protective cover. Buckled plastic cover restricts gear shifting and causes spontaneous unintended gear shifts while driving on interstate.
When: Occurred twice on interstate during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Coin lodges between plastic covering and console; Plastic covering buckles and comes out of track; Difficulty shifting gears due to buckling; Inability to shift gears easily and timely; Spontaneous shift from drive to neutral while on interstate; Increased pressure required to shift gears
Repairs/costs cited: Plastic cover requires complete removal to eliminate shifting difficulty, but exposing mechanism to drink holders above and risk of liquid/object intrusion.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota acknowledged problem at local and national level but does not view as safety issue.
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
I have a 2006 Toyota camery v6 and it has major transmission problems. The transmission doesn't properly change gears. The car drives slower than a car with a v4 engine. It seems to stall for a few seconds when attempting to change gears. I've taken it the dealer 4 times. Currently this car only has 12,000 miles and the dealer changed the transmission once. When I came back again and again with…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2006 Toyota Camry?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 7,850 and 75,000 miles, with the median around 38,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,850; a quarter make it past 75,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.