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Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

2006 Toyota TacomaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 782 owner complaints for the 2006 Toyota Tacoma. Most complaints involve structure (242) and suspension (154). The EPA rates it 16–21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–21mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
11campaigns
Latest Jun 2016
Owner complaints
782
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

11 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

Suspension: leaf

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner and 4x4 vehicles manufactured September 14, 2009, to October 11, 2010. In the affected vehicles, one of the leaf springs may fracture due to stress or corrosion. While being driven, the broken leaf could move out of position and contact surrounding components including the fuel tank, possibly puncturing the tank and causing a fuel leak.

SuspensionReported Sep 29, 2014NHTSA 14V604000
See all 11 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

782 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2005 – Apr 2026
  1. Structure242
  2. Suspension154
  3. Vehicle speed control147
  4. Air bags76
  5. Power train56
  6. Steering40
  7. Engine and engine cooling27
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic26
  9. Electrical system25

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 Tacoma model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996257
1997134
1998310
1999251
2000221
2001401
2002360
2003372
2004414
2005707
2006782
2007541
2008449
2009519
2010294
2011186
2012295
2013125
201493
2015102
2016324
2017244
2018209
2019219
202090
202181
202259
202354
2024155
2025116
Crashes reported
66
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
31
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

Structure

242 reports3 crashes1 fire
“I received a Toyota recall notification in Dec 2015 for a frame rust inspection, RO Number 307016. I have since noticed fairly major frame rust, with a long 2-inch by 7-inch opening on the inside of the frame below the driver-side seat. I took the vehicle to Toyota on 20 APR 2026 for a leaf spring recall #302870. I asked them to take a look and was told the recall 307016 had expired. The original recall inspection for rust either failed to identify it or the inspector was inadequate at identifying it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 22, 2026StructureODI 11732953

Suspension

154 reports1 crash
“Voss Toyota would not perform the recall of new leaf springs that has not been completed on my truck. The frame is rusty and they will not touch my truck. There should be an existing recall or customer satisfaction program on the frame of this truck that needs done as well.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 22, 2026SuspensionODI 11719698

Vehicle speed control

147 reports45 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND 14V604000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT CALLED AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE ARLINGTON TOYOTA LOCATED AT 10939 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225, AND AFTER TWO WEEKS, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIRS BEING PERFORMED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 136,100.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2020Suspension, Structure, Vehicle speed controlODI 11362256
All 2006 Tacoma 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

7 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.7L 4-cyl · 4.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd · Automatic 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-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 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
Tacoma 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182421$3,050423
Tacoma 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182520$3,200444
Tacoma 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550494
Tacoma 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172118$3,550494
Tacoma 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162017$3,800523
Tacoma 2WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$4,000555
Tacoma 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141816$4,000555
  • Tacoma 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Tacoma 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Tacoma 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Tacoma 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L
    17 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Tacoma 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    16 city · 20 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Tacoma 2WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Tacoma 4WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    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

3 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Toyota Tacoma as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 2358Vehicle 1903Vehicle 1798
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 Tacoma questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota Tacoma have?

11 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 Tacoma problems?

Owners filed 782 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (242), suspension (154), vehicle speed control (147). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Toyota Tacoma get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Toyota Tacoma at 16–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026