Research · Large Cars

2006 Toyota AvalonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 360 owner complaints for the 2006 Toyota Avalon. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (103) and engine and engine cooling (57). The EPA rates it 23 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
23mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Jun 2016
Owner complaints
360
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seats: seat heater

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

SeatsReported Jun 2, 2016NHTSA 16V396000

Seats: seat heater

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

SeatsReported Nov 19, 2014NHTSA 14V743000

Service brakes

Free remedy

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS LUBRICANTS FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Oct 21, 2010NHTSA 10V499000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

360 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2006 – Sep 2026
  1. Vehicle speed control103
  2. Engine and engine cooling57
  3. Power train52
  4. Steering35
  5. Air bags27
  6. Structure23
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic17
  8. Electrical system16
  9. Engine12

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Avalon model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996113
1997128
1998186
199994
2000183
2001139
2002142
2003305
2004205
2005228
2006360
2007243
2008349
200991
201046
2011106
201230
2013160
201496
201554
201623
201714
201824
201971
202011
202121
20228
Crashes reported
54
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
35
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Vehicle speed control

103 reports34 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 5 MPH TO PULL INTO AN UNDERGROUND GARAGE AREA, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND FAILED TO RELEASE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED WITH FORCE, BUT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. UPON IMPACT, A YELLOW PIECE ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FRACTURED. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND NECK AND SUSTAINED BODILY SCRATCHES AND BRUISING, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PLANNED TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG AND ACCELERATION FAILURES. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 10V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND 09V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 216,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 3, 2019Electrical system, Air bags, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11193550

Engine and engine cooling

57 reports1 fire
“2006 TOYOTA AVALON CT DEALER QUOTED $1800 FOR TIMING COVER OIL LEAK; 17 HOURS OF LABOR, INEXPENSIVE PART; 3 RECALLS TO DATE WITH THIS VEHICLE-EXTREME INCONVENIENCE AND SUSPECT OF ANY ISSUES ON THIS CAR AND TOYOTA RECORD IS HORRENDOUS PER MULTIPLE SAFETY AND OTHER RECALLS. I'VE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS TIMING COVER RESEAL EXACT ISSUE. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS SUPPOSEDLY ISSUED IN 2007 EG 019-07. NHTSA BULLETIN 10021531. WHEN WILL CONSUMERS GET PROTECTION ON THESE FURTHER TOYOTA ISSUES?? I WILL RAISE THIS TO HIGHEST LEVELS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 15, 2011Engine and engine coolingODI 10400925

Power train

52 reports3 crashes
“The contact owned a 2006 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. The contact heard an abnormal noise as he pressed on the brake pedal; the vehicle eventually came to a stop. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and resume normal driving operation. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that a mechanical fault was found with the vehicle. The manufacturer was also informed of the failure and a complaint was filed. The contact continued to experience multiple failures after the vehicle was inspected. On the latest incident, the contact stated that he had entered a car wash on the left lane and attempted to enter the right lane by reversing the vehicle. Once the vehicle was placed into drive, the vehicle made an abnormal, squealing noise and independently accelerated without warning into a concrete wall. The airbags did not deploy upon impact. A police report was filed with Apex City, NC police department. The contact sought medical attention from his doctor for the soreness to his right hand and right knee. The contact had the vehicle initial towed to a dealer…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 26, 2021Power train, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11441720
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S5)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Avalon
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$2,700386
  • Avalon
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Toyota Avalon as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 1789
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 Avalon questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota Avalon have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Toyota Avalon problems?

Owners filed 360 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (103), engine and engine cooling (57), power train (52). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Toyota Avalon get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Toyota Avalon at 23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026