Research · Midsize Cars

2006 Toyota CamryRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 435 owner complaints for the 2006 Toyota Camry. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (128) and air bags (76). The EPA rates it 21–25 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
21–25mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Jun 2016
Owner complaints
435
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$2,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 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

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

EquipmentReported Feb 3, 2010NHTSA 10V035000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

435 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2005 – Aug 2026
  1. Vehicle speed control128
  2. Air bags76
  3. Structure57
  4. Steering32
  5. Electrical system31
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic31
  7. Power train25
  8. Tires18
  9. Service brakes16

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 Camry model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996421
1997558
1998610
1999590
2000530
2001330
20021,039
2003818
2004799
2005721
2006435
20073,616
20081,178
20091,413
2010614
2011625
2012645
2013301
2014480
2015271
2016189
2017148
2018754
2019400
2020275
2021158
202265
202365
202452
Crashes reported
122
Fires reported
9
Injuries reported
124
Deaths reported
3
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Vehicle speed control

128 reports70 crashes2 fires
“Copper wiring on driver seat caught fire causing damage to driver door driver harness underneath the dash and electric seat mechanism also caused staining to the fabric and interior”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 17, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, SeatsFire reportedODI 11711661

Air bags

76 reports31 crashes
“The contact owned a 2006 Toyota Camry. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle crashed into a street pole and rolled several times before crashing into a parked vehicle, where it came to a stop. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact's daughter-in-law and the contact's nephew were inside the vehicle during the failure. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The contact's daughter-in-law and the contact's nephew were transported by ambulance to the local medical center. The contact's son was later taken to the local medical center. The daughter-in-law sustained a minor concussion and a fractured right wrist. The contact’s nephew sustained a minor concussion, a fractured right hand and wrist. The contact's son sustained a whiplash, a minor concussion, and a dislocated right shoulder. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11746469

Structure

57 reports6 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GETTEL TOYOTA OF CHARLOTTE COUNTY (1801 TAMIAMI TRAIL, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,390.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 22, 2021StructureODI 11397281
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars, Compact Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl · 3.3L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd · Manual 5-spd · 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 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Camry
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213125$2,500355
Camry
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213024$2,600370
Camry Solara
Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
203024$2,600370
Camry Solara
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213024$2,600370
Camry
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$2,950423
Camry
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$2,950423
Camry Solara
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$2,950423
Camry Solara Convertible
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$2,950423
  • Camry
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 31 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Camry
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 30 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Camry Solara
    Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 30 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Camry Solara
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 30 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Camry
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Camry
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Camry Solara
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Camry Solara Convertible
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 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 Camry as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1790
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 Camry questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota Camry have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 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 Camry problems?

Owners filed 435 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (128), air bags (76), structure (57). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Toyota Camry get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Toyota Camry at 21–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026