DP: The subject vehicles are equipped with a front passenger airbag. A part inside the airbag could explode, shooting sharp metal fragments at vehicle occupants. This could cause serious INJURY or DEATH. ? Added Dealer Procedures for Do No Drive Advisory ? Updated BEC contact information ? Revised Warranty Claim Filing Instructions to streamline customer convenience items during repair ? Added creative materials from Vendor Partners i.e, sample letters and sample tags ? Removed several obsolete sections
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Toyota Sequoia airbags problems
severe 43 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
43
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
4crashes
4injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 43 airbags complaints filed for the 2006 Toyota Sequoia, 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 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.
Airbags accounts for 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 11 categories tracked.
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.
DP: The subject vehicles are equipped with a front passenger airbag. A part inside the airbag could explode, shooting sharp metal fragments at vehicle occupants. This could cause serious INJURY or DEATH. ? Added Dealer Procedures for Do No Drive Advisory ? Updated BEC contact information ? Revised Warranty Claim Filing Instructions to streamline customer convenience items during repair ? Added creatives materials from Vendor Partners i.e, sample letters and sample tags ? Removed several obsolete sections
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗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 ↗CSP: On July 30, 2018, a settlement of claims for Economic Loss related to Takata airbag inflators was approved for full implementation. The settlement includes Toyota?s agreement to provide a Customer Support Program (?CSP?) for 2002-2019 model year (MY) vehicles originally equipped with certain Takata airbag inflators or repaired under a recall with Takata airbag inflators to provide coverage for repairs of the airbag inflator contained in the airbag module. This CSP letter is to help clarify how to administer this coverage in accordance with the settlement. This is NOT a recall or a campaign, but is provided to reassure owners that Toyota stands behind the reliability of our vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 Sequoia faces multiple airbag problems anchored by a Takata inflator recall issued June–August 2015. The primary defect: passenger-side airbag inflators can rupture during deployment, ejecting metal shrapnel capable of fatal injury. Toyota advised owners not to allow passengers in the front seat until repair. The critical problem was parts availability. From mid-2015 through 2016, replacement inflator modules were chronically unavailable; many owners waited seven months or longer with no firm repair timeline. Toyota offered $35/day rental reimbursement—owners found this inadequate. Some dealerships eventually repaired vehicles, but the delay left owners unable to use their vehicles safely for an extended period.
A separate control module failure disabled the airbag system, illuminating the SRS light continuously for years while dealerships could not diagnose it. One owner had a pending recall claim awaiting determination.
Two separate collision incidents reveal a secondary concern: driver-side airbags that did not deploy. In one case, the driver sustained neck and arm injuries after hitting a barrier at 15 mph; the manufacturer later stated the impact did not require deployment. In another, a collision at freeway speed caused serious facial and upper-body injuries when the airbag failed to fire.
One case documented unintentional deployment of all four side airbags at 2 mph due to sensor failure. The vehicle was repaired but no further detail was provided.
Same Toyota Sequoia airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Takata passenger-side airbag inflator rupture
Passenger-side airbag inflator may rupture upon deployment, ejecting metal shrapnel that poses fatal injury risk to occupants. Owners report recall notices (NHTSA 15V285000, 15V286000, 16V065000) recommending no passenger in front seat until repair. The core issue is metal fragments deploying with the airbag.
When: Recall issued June–August 2015; parts unavailable for months to over a year during 2015–2016 period
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag unsafe per recall notice; Metal fragments may deploy with airbag; Risk of fatal injuries to front-seat occupant
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 15V285000, NHTSA 15V286000, NHTSA 16V065000
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement passenger-side airbag inflator module required. Parts were chronically unavailable; some owners waited 7+ months for repair appointment and parts. Repairs completed January 2016 or later for most cases. Dealer reimbursement offered at $35/day toward rental vehicle (inadequate per owners).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall. Toyota issued repair orders but parts distribution severely delayed. Manufacturer advised no passenger seat occupancy until repair. Toyota offered $35/day rental reimbursement. One case noted manufacturer would cover $3,000 frame repair if dealer had documented it on the original work order.
Airbag control module failure – SRS light illumination
Airbag system control module programming became inert, triggering constant SRS warning light. Dealerships could not diagnose the fault over 8 years. Eventually identified as control module failure with a pending recall (status: to be determined by September 2016 as of February 2016 report).
When: SRS light on continuously for 8 years; control module failure diagnosed circa 2016
Symptoms owners cite: SRS airbag warning light on continuously during driving; Dealerships unable to diagnose over multiple visits
Codes mentioned: Control module programming dead/inert
Repairs/costs cited: Control module replacement needed. Owner paid out-of-pocket for diagnosis and repair while awaiting recall reimbursement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall status pending approval as of February 2016, to be determined by September 2016. Owner awaiting reimbursement claim decision.
Airbag non-deployment in accident – driver-side
Driver-side airbag failed to deploy during collision. One case: consumer hit stopped vehicle while entering freeway at sufficient speed to cause serious injury (face, head, upper body struck steering wheel and windshield). Manufacturer claimed vehicle operated as designed and impact did not require airbag deployment.
When: During accident events at various mileages (one at 250,000 mi; another at unspecified mileage in 15 mph black-ice collision)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag did not deploy despite accident impact; No warning indicators illuminated (one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles involved in accidents; no repairs documented because non-deployment was attributed to insufficient impact severity by manufacturer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated vehicle operated as designed and impact did not meet threshold for airbag deployment. Consumer complaint disputed this and requested replacement vehicle and future accident compensation; manufacturer denied responsibility.
Erroneous side-airbag deployment
All four side airbags deployed unintentionally during very low-speed driving (2 mph). Dealer found that airbag sensors had failed, triggering false deployment.
When: During normal driving at approximately 2 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Four side airbags deployed without collision
Codes mentioned: Airbag sensor failure
Repairs/costs cited: Airbag sensors replaced; vehicle repaired. Failure mileage not documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was contacted regarding the failure; no specific remedy details provided in narrative.
Synthesized from 43 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Toyota sequoia. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v285000 (air bags). However, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool…
Takata recall. This vehicle has not been fixed regarding the airbag recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota sequoia. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v285000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota sequoia. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v285000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN tool confirms parts…
2006 Toyota sequoia. Consumer writes in regards to front passenger airbag inflator module recall notice. *smd the dealer would not replace the air bag, because the consumer only had an interim notice. *jb
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 Toyota Sequoia?
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 Sequoia?
It's a meaningful issue. 43 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?
Based on the 43 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 134,095 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/Sequoia.
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.