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Research · Compact Cars

2006 Toyota CorollaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 904 owner complaints for the 2006 Toyota Corolla. Most complaints involve air bags (496) and engine and engine cooling (108). The EPA rates it 25–31 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
25–31mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
10campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
904
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Oct 17, 2019NHTSA 19V741000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.

Air bagsReported Aug 28, 2019NHTSA 19V627000

Air bags

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004. On June 16, 2015, Toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 Sequoia, 2005-2006 Tundra, 2003-2007 Corolla, 2003-2007 Corolla Matrix, 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe and 2002-2007 Lexus SC vehicles. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.

Air bagsReported May 13, 2015NHTSA 15V285000
See all 10 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

904 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2006 – Oct 2026
  1. Air bags496
  2. Engine and engine cooling108
  3. Electrical system88
  4. Vehicle speed control77
  5. Power train47
  6. Engine28
  7. Structure24
  8. Steering23
  9. Service brakes20

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 Corolla model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996133
1997138
1998233
1999157
2000156
2001138
2002144
2003769
2004506
2005943
2006904
2007883
2008345
20091,533
20101,264
2011590
2012446
2013202
2014271
2015220
2016215
2017189
2018136
2019206
2020313
2021188
2022104
202374
202466
202532
Crashes reported
120
Fires reported
9
Injuries reported
94
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

496 reports57 crashes3 fires
“The air bag light stays on at all times when there is nothing on the passengers seat. This has stayed on for the past two weeks. I am afraid that the airbag might fail and cause an injury.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2026Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11768208

Engine and engine cooling

108 reports4 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Corolla Matrix. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the check engine warning light and the battery warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and pull over on the side of the road safely where the vehicle shut off again and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle had experienced a similar failure as in NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V384000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 200,025.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 7, 2023Engine and engine coolingODI 11543175

Electrical system

88 reports2 crashes4 fires
“I purchased a Toyota three years ago, immediately I complained about the brakes scrubbing and squeaky sounds, the dealer denied anything was wrong with the brakes. After paying the last payment the other day, now the brake pedal is stiff as a board and takes alot of pressure to stop, which is a safety hazzard to all. Also there have been no warning lights come on notification of any problems. I've also noticed Electrical problems like the dash lights going off and on the clock works when it takes a notion.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2023Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11508769
All 2006 Corolla problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium 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 Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Corolla
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283731$2,050287
Corolla
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263529$2,200306
Corolla
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$3,200355
  • Corolla
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    28 city · 37 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    26 city · 35 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $3,200/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 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 Corolla as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 1791
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 Corolla questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota Corolla have?

10 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 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 Corolla problems?

Owners filed 904 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (496), engine and engine cooling (108), electrical system (88). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Toyota Corolla get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Toyota Corolla at 25–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026