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 Sienna airbags problems
severe 290 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
290
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
11crashes
14injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 290 airbags complaints filed for the 2006 Toyota Sienna, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Of the 14 model years of Toyota Sienna we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 290.
Owners have filed 290 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 ↗Region Letter: Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Letter: Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 Toyota Sienna has a pervasive airbag system defect affecting hundreds of vehicles. Owners report the SRS warning light flashing on and off unpredictably, usually appearing between 60,000 and 90,000 miles—often right after the 60-month/60,000-mile warranty expires. When the light is flashing, dealers tell owners the airbags will not deploy in a crash.
The root cause is typically a wiring harness connector under the front seats that corrodes or loosens, or an individual airbag assembly that fails without any accident or abuse. The design flaw is apparent: connectors sit under passenger and driver seats in direct traffic from seat adjustment and underseat storage, with no protective casing.
Repairs run $1,500–$4,000 and involve replacing both the wiring harness and airbag assembly. Parts are frequently on back order for one to four months. Critical issue: multiple owners report the warning light returns days or weeks after repair, forcing them back to the dealer for another costly fix. Toyota issued service bulletins acknowledging the problem but refuses to recall the vehicles. At least two owners reported airbag non-deployment during actual crashes. Dealers sometimes cover parts under warranty goodwill, but out-of-warranty owners absorb full labor costs ($400–$1,300), leaving many unable to afford the repair and driving with non-functional safety systems.
Same Toyota Sienna airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
SRS warning light flashing or illuminating intermittently
Airbag system warning light comes on and flashes at unpredictable intervals, sometimes for days or weeks at a time, then goes off temporarily. When the light is flashing or on, owners report being told that airbags will not deploy in a crash. The issue recurs repeatedly even after dealer repairs.
When: Typically between 30,000–90,000 miles; often after 60,000 miles or after warranty expiration at 60 months/60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: SRS warning light flashing intermittently on dashboard; Light goes on and off unpredictably; Light may stay off for weeks then reappear; Dashboard light described as distracting on long drives; Dealers report airbags will not deploy when light is flashing
Codes mentioned: B0111, B0116, B0150, EL001-08, EL1110
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers quote replacement of front passenger or driver seat airbag assembly (typically $400–$2,400) and/or wiring harness replacement (additional $800–$3,000). Parts frequently on back order for 1–4 months. Multiple owners report the issue returns days or weeks after repair. Some dealers covered parts under warranty or extended warranty; most owners pay labor ($400–$1,300). Toyota issued service bulletins (TSB-0162-10, TSB-0252-08, EL001-08, TSB #284073, T-SB-1062-10) acknowledging the issue but no recall issued.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota issued multiple Technical Service Bulletins (TSB-0162-10, TSB-0252-08, EL001-08, TSB #284073). Some owners report Toyota covering parts cost under warranty goodwill; others refused coverage after warranty expiration. A warranty enhancement notice was issued for side airbag connector issues in 2006 Siennas, though some dealerships charged diagnostic fees despite the notice stating 'at no charge.' No recall has been issued.
Wiring harness and connector failure under driver/passenger seats
Electrical wiring harness connecting airbag sensors to the control module becomes corroded, loose, or damaged, particularly where it sits under the front seats. The design places connectors in a high-traffic area prone to accidental disconnection from seat movement and items stored underneath.
When: 30,000–90,000 miles; commonly after 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Open circuit fault codes in airbag wiring; Connector pins not making good contact; Corrosion or poor contact at connectors under front seats; Wiring becomes loose after seat adjustment or items dropped underneath; Intermittent electrical faults
Codes mentioned: B0111, B0116, Open circuit codes
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of entire floor wiring harness ($800–$3,000 labor plus parts). One owner temporarily fixed corrosion by applying Penetrox anti-corrosive paste and cycling connectors 25 times. Multiple owners report reseating connectors temporarily resolves the light but it returns. Dealers note wiring under seats lacks protective casing and is easily damaged during normal seat movement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota issued TSB bulletins identifying harness issues. Parts frequently on back order due to high demand, suggesting Toyota is aware of systemic failure. Service bulletins acknowledge the problem but no recall issued.
Defective front passenger or driver seat airbag assembly
Individual airbag assemblies (often passenger-side initially, then driver-side) fail without the vehicle ever being in an accident. Owners report the airbag is an unused safety component that should not fail within 3–5 years of normal use.
When: 3–5 years of ownership; 30,000–90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light indicates defective airbag assembly; No accident or impact; failure occurs during normal use; Multiple owners experience failure of both passenger and driver airbags sequentially
Codes mentioned: B0111
Repairs/costs cited: Complete replacement of airbag assembly ($400–$2,400 per side). Multiple owners report the failure recurs shortly after replacement. One owner had three incidents within 33,000 miles of ownership, requiring multiple dealer visits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No formal recall; Toyota covered some repairs under warranty or goodwill after owner complaint. One regional office offered to pay 50% of replacement cost out of warranty. Service bulletins issued but no systematic recall.
Airbag non-deployment in crashes despite warning light being off
In at least two reported crashes, airbags failed to deploy even though owners had not been warned of system malfunction. One involved a 40–45 mph impact with a tree where front and side airbags did not deploy, resulting in driver injuries. Another involved a rear-end collision with no airbag deployment. Owners question whether the intermittent warning light indicates a defect that prevents proper deployment even when the light is temporarily off.
When: During accident events; vehicle condition unknown at time of impact
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment in frontal or side-impact crash; Driver and front passenger injuries that would have been mitigated by deployed airbags; Impact speed and severity appear sufficient for deployment
Repairs/costs cited: One owner with 40 mph tree impact suffered left arm dislocation and fractured forearm; insurance deemed vehicle total loss (>$16,000 damage). Toyota explained sensor did not deploy because impact was concentrated, not evenly distributed. Another crash victim had no airbag deployment in rear-end collision.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota stated the concentrated nature of impact and angle relative to sensors determined non-deployment. No offer of repair or investigation mentioned in narrative.
Takata recall uncertainty and missing airbag supplier information
Owners expressed concern that 2006 Siennas may contain Takata airbags known to be defective, but Toyota refused to disclose the airbag supplier due to legal advice. Owners could not verify if their specific vehicle had Takata airbags and feared potential future recalls.
When: Concern raised starting 2008–2010 as Takata defect became public
Symptoms owners cite: Owners uncertain if their 2006 Sienna contains Takata airbags; Toyota would not disclose airbag supplier information; Owners worried vehicle could be subject to future Takata recall
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted; concern is preventative. One owner requested permission from NHTSA to have airbags removed entirely due to safety fear.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota told owners they could not disclose airbag supplier due to legal instruction. Stated they would issue recalls as information became available from Takata and NHTSA.
Synthesized from 290 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
My 2006 Toyota sienna suddenly has a blinking airbag light 10 days ago
The src airbag (curtain/side airbag) malfunction indicator went off. It has been below of recently. When I googled it, some people pointed it out to the yellow harness under the front seats. I wiggled it a little as some people suggested and the indicator light went away (I don't know if it may come back again). This is a major safety concern to me. Anyone could easily break the hardness when…
Crack along outer edge of dashboard above instruments. Likely to extend to passenger side. May eventually cause airbag deployment to malfunction. *tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Toyota sienna. While parked, the contact noticed the air bag light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they stated the warranty would not cover repairs or a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.
I purchased a new 2006 Toyota sienna. In the first 33,000 miles I had three incidents where the airbag lights comes on. Each time I took to dealership to inspect, they claim to reset the airbags and it wasn't a problem. They said it was just a loose connection and something may have rolled under the drivers seat and may have hit a processing unit for the airbags causing the light to come on. With…
Air bag connectors are having moisture damages. The connectors are oxidized and loosed the connection. The air bag indicator light is on.
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 Toyota Sienna?
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 Sienna?
It's a meaningful issue. 290 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 247 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 52,000 and 94,900 miles, with the median around 74,496. A quarter of owners report trouble before 52,000; a quarter make it past 94,900. 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/Sienna.
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.