TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Toyota Prius airbags problems
severe 26 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
21crashes
16injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 26 airbags 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags 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.
TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This service bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle prior to an odor remediation being performed, as well as contact information for an approved vendor who will arrange the remediation, and instructions on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle for reassembly once the remediation has been completed. Refer to all model and
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling regulations at the state and local level define the pre-disposal deployment of airbag and pre-tensioner assemblies as hazardous material treatment. Hazardous material treatment may require special training, certification or licensing in certain areas. TMS recommends that dealership personnel carefully review and follow ALL local and state regulations, and where necessary, contract with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Licensed Hazardous Waste Transportation and Disposal facilities.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer expresses any concerns that the SRS airbags or pre-tensioner devices did not perform as expected (including an unintended deployment event), please follow the steps in the recommendations section below.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe airbags staying silent in crashes that by any measure should trigger deployment: frontal collisions at 25–70 mph, head-on impacts, side-impact T-bones, rollover events, and barrier strikes. In one case, a vehicle rolled multiple times and no airbags deployed. Another owner was rear-ended at near-full speed, launched into a second vehicle, and sustained whiplash and shoulder injuries despite multiple impact points. Yet another hit a concrete median head-first after a three-spin sequence following a high-speed rear impact; sensors showed impact but airbags did not fire.
Owners also report SRS warning lights flickering on intermittently from the first year of ownership. Dealers dismissed these as anomalies and took no action during warranty. Years later, Toyota confirmed a wiring harness fault (code B1821, part 82161-47310) requiring replacement—but only after warranty expiration, at a bill of $2,400+ per side.
One owner's clockspring was damaged during a 2013 steering-shaft recall, later causing steering-wheel controls to fail intermittently and eventually stop working altogether. That same owner worries the airbag signal may have been compromised by the same wiring damage.
Injuries reported include head trauma from steering-wheel impact, concussions, facial lacerations, broken ribs, rotator-cuff damage, and whiplash. Multiple vehicles were totaled. Toyota has refused investigation in several cases.
Same Toyota Prius airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag non-deployment in front and side impacts
Front and/or side airbags fail to deploy during crashes meeting or exceeding typical deployment thresholds: frontal collisions at 25–70 mph, head-on and perpendicular side impacts, rollover events, and barrier collisions. Owners report airbags remaining inert across multiple impact scenarios despite sensor-detected deceleration and structural damage severe enough to total vehicles.
When: Various mileages from 2,908 to 196,000 miles; failure modes occur over the vehicle's lifespan
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment despite frontal impact at speeds 25–70 mph; No side/curtain airbag deployment during side-impact and rollover crashes; Continued non-deployment across multiple airbag types (front, side, curtain) in same accident; Owner injuries to head, chest, face, neck from steering wheel and door impact when airbags do not deploy
Codes mentioned: B1821
Repairs/costs cited: One owner cited wiring assembly replacement (part 82161-47310) with labor cost of $1,612 for 13 hours at dealer; Toyota offered partial reimbursement of $737.75 on parts only after warranty expiration
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota claimed airbags deployed as designed in some cases; refused investigation in others; one owner reported Toyota wanted vehicle photos but investigation timeline unspecified; steering intermediate shaft recall (2013) damaged clockspring on at least one vehicle, raising concern of airbag signal integrity compromise
Intermittent SRS warning light and sensor faults
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) indicator illuminates intermittently starting early in vehicle ownership, sometimes recurring after dealer resets. Wiring harness faults on driver and/or passenger sides prevent reliable sensor signal. Condition dismissed by dealers as 'anomaly' during warranty, then confirmed post-warranty as requiring harness replacement. One case involved passenger-side airbag showing 'OFF' status when occupied, attributed to software glitch.
When: Began intermittently from first year of ownership through later years; wiring faults confirmed after warranty expiration
Symptoms owners cite: SRS warning light illuminates intermittently and persistently; Light recurs after dealer service; Passenger-side airbag indicator displays 'OFF' when seat occupied; No actual crash/deployment history involved
Codes mentioned: B1821
Repairs/costs cited: Driver-side wiring assembly replacement (part 82161-47310) cost $2,415.34 total ($1,612 labor for 13 hours, $737.75 parts); passenger-side replacement offered at same rate if needed. One passenger-side software glitch required $85 diagnostic fee plus tax at dealer despite mileage over 35,000.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer initially told owner 'no action recommended' despite warranty coverage period; Toyota refused to cover full cost post-warranty, offering only partial parts reimbursement ($737.75); software glitch repair charged diagnostic fee
Clockspring damage from steering recall affecting airbag circuit integrity
During 2013 steering intermediate shaft recall service, clockspring was damaged. Months later, steering wheel controls (info, defroster, recirculate air) began working intermittently, then only when wheel turned sideways, then ceased functioning entirely. Owner expressed concern that airbag signal integrity may be compromised by the same damage that severed control-circuit continuity.
When: Damage occurred during 2013 recall service; control failures emerged within months to one year post-service
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel button controls intermittent after recall service; Controls function only when steering wheel turned sideways; All affected controls eventually non-functional; Owner concern that airbag circuit signal may be similarly compromised
Repairs/costs cited: Clockspring damage during recall; specific repair costs not cited by owner
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall performed but no follow-up reported regarding clockspring damage or airbag system integrity verification
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 Toyota Prius?
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 airbags problem on the 2006 Toyota Prius?
It's a meaningful issue. 26 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 23 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 47,000 and 139,000 miles, with the median around 70,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 47,000; a quarter make it past 139,000. 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 $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/Prius.
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.