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Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

2006 Toyota Corolla — Known Issues & Recalls

10 Recalls902 Owner Complaints12 Categories Affected
902
Total Complaints
10
Open Recalls
120
Crashes
9
Fires
94
Injuries

Complaints from Jan 2016 to Dec 2018

The most reported issue is air bags problems (460 complaints). 120 complaints involved crashes. 9 involved fires.

Open Safety Recalls (10)

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Invalid Date

NHTSA Campaign: 19V741000

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Invalid Date

NHTSA Campaign: 19V627000

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1Q and K0Q. Pontiac owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is N192273760.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Invalid Date

NHTSA Campaign: 15V285000

Component: AIR BAGS

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.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag. The recall began on July 13, 2015. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-762-2737. NOTE: This recall supersedes recall 14V-312 in its entirety.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Invalid Date

NHTSA Campaign: 15V286000

Component: AIR BAGS

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. On June 16, 2015 Toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 Lexus SC, Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix, Toyota Corolla, Pontiac Vibe, and Toyota Tundra vehicles, as well the vehicles covered by the May 13, 2015 notification in the portions of Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas that were not previously included. The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the front passenger air bag.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota began the recall on July 13, 2015. Pontiac Vibe owners may contact GM at 1-800-762-2737. GM began the recall on June 29, 2015. NOTE: This recacll supersedes recall 14V-655 in its entirety. For vehicles located in the U.S. states not listed above, please see Toyota recall 15V-285 which covers all other U.S. states.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Jul 2009

NHTSA Campaign: 09E012000

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Invalid Date

NHTSA Campaign: 10V384000

Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 COROLLA AND COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) FOR THE SUBJECT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH THE 1ZZ-FE ENGINE AND TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A CRACK MAY DEVELOP AT CERTAIN SOLDER POINTS OR ON VARISTORS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD.

Risk: THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WARNINGS AND CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEFECT. THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP COULD BE ILLUMINATED, HARSH SHIFTING COULD RESULT, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START, OR THE ENGINE COULD SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. AN ENGINE SHUTOFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PRODUCTION NUMBER OF THE ECM AND REPLACE THE ECM IF NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. TOYOTA WILL MAIL AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER 2010 TO ADVISE OWNERS OF THIS DEFECT AND RECALL. THIS INTERIM NOTIFICATION WILL INFORM OWNERS THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE A FUTURE NOTIFICATION WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO HAVE THE FREE REMEDY PERFORMED ON THEIR VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Mar 2010

NHTSA Campaign: 10V035000

Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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.

Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Mar 2010

NHTSA Campaign: 10V036000

Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Risk: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Invalid Date

NHTSA Campaign: 06E023000

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Fix: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Invalid Date

NHTSA Campaign: 06E064000

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Fix: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 902)

Air Bags9 issues
criticalAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Mar 2026

Your 2006 Corolla was involved in a frontal collision at 55 MPH when another vehicle ran a stop sign. Despite the high-speed impact, your airbags did not deploy, and your son sustained injuries including a bruised knee, neck pain, back pain, and a headache. A recall repair was supposedly completed a year earlier, but the airbags still failed to protect occupants during the crash. This will likely require a thorough inspection and replacement of the airbag system components.

NHTSA #: 11723650
criticalAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Aug 2023

During a collision, your 2006 Toyota Corolla's front passenger airbag inflator ruptured instead of deploying safely, sending metal shrapnel from the dashboard into the passenger. The inflator broke into several pieces, consistent with known Takata inflator failures that have caused fatalities in other vehicles. This dangerous malfunction means the airbag system itself became a hazard rather than a safety device. The fix will require replacement of the airbag inflator assembly with a safe, non-defective unit.

NHTSA #: 11538484
criticalAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Mar 2023

You were hit from behind at approximately 30 mph, which pushed your car into another vehicle ahead of you. Despite the significant impact from this two-vehicle collision, your airbags failed to deploy when they should have. Your vehicle had recently undergone a final airbag repair at a Toyota dealership, but the airbags still did not activate during the crash, and you were physically injured as a result. The repair may require a complete diagnostic of the airbag system, including the impact sensors and airbag control module.

NHTSA #: 11512525
criticalAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Feb 2021

Your girlfriend's 2006 Toyota Matrix was hit by another car at low speed (25 mph), but the passenger airbag deployed even though no one was sitting in that seat. The unexpected airbag caused her to jerk the steering wheel and hit a curb, resulting in neck and arm injuries that required hospital treatment. The manufacturer confirmed there's a recall on this vehicle's airbag system, and while the dealer inspected the airbag, they said no repairs will be made until an investigation is complete. The vehicle repair may require airbag sensor replacement or reprogramming to prevent unintended deployments.

NHTSA #: 11395839
highAIR BAGS
Filed: Sep 2025

Your airbag warning light is staying on constantly. You've taken the car in for service three times, but the airbag system wasn't triggering a warning before—now it's illuminated all the time. This indicates the airbag system isn't functioning as intended and needs diagnostic evaluation.

NHTSA #: 11684249
highAIR BAGS
Filed: Sep 2023

Your airbag warning light has been on continuously since December 2019, when you took your car to a dealership for a recall service. The light was not present before the recall work was performed. The dealership has not resolved the issue, and you've been unable to get a response from Toyota or the dealership regarding the problem. The fix will likely involve diagnostic testing of the airbag system to identify why the warning light activated after the recall service.

NHTSA #: 11547539
highAIR BAGS
Filed: Jan 2022

After your authorized Toyota dealer replaced your hood and airbag, your SRS (airbag system) warning light started turning on and off randomly for a few seconds at a time. This is happening despite your car having very low mileage (22,000 miles) and no crash history. The issue began right after the airbag replacement service.

NHTSA #: 11448475
highAIR BAGS
Filed: Jul 2021

After your dealer completed an airbag recall repair, your SRS (airbag system) warning light turned on and stays on. The dealer is now asking for hundreds of dollars to diagnose and fix the problem, saying it may be something unrelated to the recall and require additional work. You believe this new issue should have been covered under the recall repair.

NHTSA #: 11426369
highAIR BAGS
Filed: Jul 2021

After having recall work done on your airbag system, your airbag warning light turned on—even though it wasn't on before the recall service. The dealer is now charging $150–$450+ just to diagnose the problem, and the owner believes the recall work itself caused this issue. This appears to be a known problem with 2006 Toyotas that should have been addressed as part of the original recall.

NHTSA #: 11425416
Air Bags,service Brakes1 issue
criticalAIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
Crash / FireFiled: Oct 2023

Your brakes locked up while braking, preventing you from stopping completely. The driver-side airbag deployed, but the passenger-side airbag malfunctioned and caused the dashboard to explode and catch fire. The passenger was injured when they hit the windshield due to the airbag not deploying properly. This will require a complete inspection of the brake system, airbag system, and electrical system to identify the root causes of the brake failure and airbag malfunction.

NHTSA #: 11551151
Engine And Engine Cooling1 issue
criticalENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2023

While driving at 45 mph, your check engine and battery warning lights came on and your car lost power. You were able to restart it and pull over safely, but it shut off again and wouldn't restart. A mechanic noted this may be similar to a known Toyota issue and recommended a dealer visit, though the vehicle was never repaired.

NHTSA #: 11543175
Fuel/propulsion System1 issue
criticalFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2023

Your accelerator pedal may suddenly stop responding when you press it, with no warning beforehand. This could leave your car unable to accelerate or move forward, creating a serious safety hazard. The issue likely involves the accelerator pedal assembly, throttle cable, or electronic throttle control system and will need professional diagnosis and repair.

NHTSA #: 11511493
Electrical System,service Brakes1 issue
criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Feb 2023

Your brake pedal has become very stiff and requires excessive pressure to stop your car, creating a safety hazard. You've also been experiencing electrical issues where your dashboard lights flicker on and off, and your clock only works intermittently. The dealer previously dismissed your brake concerns despite hearing squeaking and scrubbing noises when you first bought the car three years ago. These problems may require inspection of your brake system and electrical connections.

NHTSA #: 11508769
Power Train,service Brakes1 issue
criticalPOWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Jun 2022

While shifting from reverse into drive in a parking lot, your car suddenly surged forward and you lost control, crashing into several vehicles and a curb. You reported having no brakes during the incident, though an independent mechanic later found no mechanical problems with the brake system. No warning lights appeared before the surge occurred.

NHTSA #: 11467022
Unknown Or Other,service Brakes1 issue
criticalUNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Jan 2022

Your mother's car suddenly went out of control in a parking lot and crashed into several other vehicles at approximately 40,000 miles. You believe this was a mechanical issue, not driver error, and note that Toyota's third-party inspection found no evidence of a defect. You're concerned because the dealership delayed performing a recall-related airbag service multiple times, and you question the inspector's report about fire ants found in the car, which you and others didn't observe. Resolving this would likely require a detailed brake system inspection, accelerator inspection, and review of the vehicle's electronic control systems.

NHTSA #: 11449646
Seats1 issue
criticalSEATS
Filed: Apr 2021

Your rear passenger seatbelt gets stuck and won't work properly—it either jams when you try to fasten it or locks up too tight once fastened and won't loosen. This is a concern for your kids' safety since they can't properly use the seatbelt to stay secure while riding. The seatbelt retractor mechanism likely needs repair or replacement to restore normal operation.

Parts you may need:

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NHTSA #: 11413085
Electrical System,air Bags1 issue
criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
FireFiled: Nov 2020

Your car's airbag system or wiring at the airbag module experienced a short circuit that caused an engine fire. This appears to have occurred either with original equipment or after a Toyota repair. A complete inspection and rewiring of the airbag module and related electrical connections will be needed to prevent this hazard.

NHTSA #: 11374904
Seat Belts1 issue
highSEAT BELTS
Filed: Aug 2024

Your car's middle back seat belt buckle is not staying latched securely and sometimes appears to be fastened when it's actually not. This defect wasn't discovered until after you purchased the vehicle from your sister. The fix will likely involve replacing the faulty seat belt buckle assembly.

Parts you may need:

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NHTSA #: 11607668
Unknown Or Other1 issue
highUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Sep 2023

Your airbag warning light has been on for a while, and your horn has stopped working. The Toyota repair department says the spiral cable (a component that connects your steering wheel controls) has failed. You found that Toyota issued a recall for this same part in 2009-2010 Corollas due to a design issue, but your 2006 model wasn't included in that recall, even though it may have the same design problem.

NHTSA #: 11543511
Vehicle Speed Control1 issue
highVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Oct 2020

Your car's check engine light comes on and off, and two mechanics couldn't identify the cause. While driving, you pressed the gas pedal to the floor but the car wouldn't accelerate normally—maxing out at 55 mph on a flat road and only reaching 45 mph going uphill, consuming half a tank of gas for 15 miles. The car eventually reached highway speed only when going downhill with the pedal fully depressed. The issue may involve the engine control system, fuel delivery, or transmission not responding properly to throttle input.

NHTSA #: 11366164

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