Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2006 Toyota Tacoma — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2009 to Dec 2014
The most reported issue is structure problems (176 complaints). 66 complaints involved crashes. 7 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (11)
NHTSA Campaign: 14V743000
Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
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.
Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
NHTSA Campaign: 14V604000
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:LEAF
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.
Risk: If the fuel tank leaks fuel from being punctured, there is an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will install new rear leaf spring assemblies. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA Campaign: 16V396000
Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
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.
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
NHTSA Campaign: 13V337000
Component: SEAT BELTS
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured September 14, 2004, through March 29, 2010; and model year 2011 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, through September 7, 2011. If the access doors are repeatedly and forcefully closed, the screws that attach the seat belt pre-tensioner to the seat belt retractor can loosen over time. If the screws loosen completely, the seat belt pre-tensioner and the retractor spring cover could detach from the seat belt retractor.
Risk: If the seat belt pre-tensioner detaches from the seat belt assembly, the seat belt pre-tensioner will not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in a severe crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assemblies. Based on the inspection, the seat belt assembly will be replaced or new pre-tensioner screws will be installed with thread-locking sealant and a retractor spring cover with stopper ribs to prevent loosening of the screws. These services will be provided at no cost to the owner. The recall began during February 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA Campaign: 12V092000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TACOMA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2004, THROUGH AUGUST 29, 2008. OVER TIME, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION MAY DAMAGE THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY (CLOCKSPRING) THAT POWERS THE DRIVERS AIR BAG MODULE. IF DAMAGE OCCURS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG MAY BECOME DEACTIVATED.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER IS EXPECTED TO BE MAILED TO OWNERS DURING APRIL 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA Campaign: 09V388000
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
Risk: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
NHTSA Campaign: 09V223000
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Risk: INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 06V096000
Component: AIR BAGS
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.
Risk: THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 06V061000
Component: TIRES:BEAD
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE BEAD OF THE TIRE MAY BE DAMAGED DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE TIRES ONTO THE WHEELS.
Risk: IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A BULGE MAY BE FORMED ON THE SIDEWALL AND AIR MAY LEAK FROM THE AREA OF THE DAMAGED BEAD AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIRES AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 27, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 781)
Structure →7 issues
Your truck's frame has developed rust and cracks, which a mechanic determined makes it unsafe to drive. You didn't receive a recall notice about this issue from Toyota. A compromised frame can affect your vehicle's structural integrity and safety in a collision, potentially putting you and others on the road at risk.
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Your 2006 Tacoma's frame has broken and the vehicle is no longer drivable. A Toyota dealer identified severe rust on the frame in 2021 and mentioned an active recall, but when you contacted Toyota, they said the recall had expired and couldn't help. You were concerned you never received an official recall notice. The frame failure is a serious safety issue, especially since your husband uses this truck for work. Fixing this will likely require frame replacement or extensive structural repairs.
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While driving your 2006 Toyota Tacoma, you heard a loud noise from the rear of the vehicle. When you parked it, you discovered the rear subframe was fractured and had failed completely. An independent mechanic confirmed the rear subframe needs to be replaced. This occurred at approximately 230,000 miles.
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Your 2006 Tacoma has developed a 3-inch hole in the driver's side of the frame near the catalytic converter due to rust, which caused it to fail state inspection. The dealer confirmed the rust damage but the vehicle hasn't been repaired. While Toyota issued two recalls for this issue, both have expired and are no longer available. Fixing this will likely require welding or replacing the rusted section of the frame.
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Your truck's frame was replaced under recall in 2019, but the dealership didn't inform you that the trailer hitch system was severely rusted and damaged during the repair work. You discovered this rust-through damage months later when replacing the rear bumper, after already towing a trailer over 2,000 miles. A rusted trailer hitch could fail and break during towing, potentially causing an accident. You believe the dealership should have noticed and disclosed this damage when they performed the frame replacement work.
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Your Tacoma's frame and other structural components are showing significant rust. This can weaken the structural integrity of your vehicle over time. A rust inspection and treatment—which might include rust removal, protective coatings, or replacement of severely corroded parts—would be advisable to prevent further deterioration.
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Your truck's frame is rusting and pieces are falling off while you drive. When you contacted Toyota in 2017, they said the frame damage wasn't severe enough to repair under warranty. This is a structural integrity issue that will likely worsen over time.
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Suspension,structure →3 issues
A mechanic informed you that your 2006 Toyota Tacoma's frame has significant rust and corrosion that has eaten through the metal, and they said it won't be safe to drive until spring. The same shop also found that your differential needs repair. Your engine and transmission are still in good condition, but you're concerned about the frame damage and what it means for your truck's future.
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Your truck has visible holes and rust damage on the frame and frame mounts. The dealer selling this truck is not disclosing this structural damage when asked about it, even though frame damage typically requires a branded title rather than a clean title. This is a serious structural issue that affects the truck's integrity and safety. Addressing this would require professional frame repair or replacement, which is a major undertaking.
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Your 2006 Toyota Tacoma's rear subframe may need replacement due to structural deterioration, even though your vehicle wasn't included in Toyota's recall 14V604000 for similar suspension issues. A dealer mechanic identified the problem during routine service at 178,000 miles. Fixing this will likely require professional removal and installation of a new rear subframe assembly.
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Unknown Or Other →2 issues
Your mechanic has advised that your vehicle's frame has rotted and is unsafe to drive. You believe this issue should have been subject to a recall, but you never received a recall notice about it. Frame rot is a structural integrity problem that would require professional inspection and likely replacement or extensive repair of the affected frame sections.
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During a recall inspection at a Toyota dealer, you were told your truck had some rust and needed undercoating, but the dealer never followed up to complete the work. Now you've discovered a crack in your frame, which concerns you. You believe the dealer should have replaced the frame during the recall inspection and are asking NHTSA to issue a recall to address this issue. Fixing this will likely require frame replacement or welding repair at a Toyota dealer.
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Suspension,structure,unknown Or Other →2 issues
Your truck has holes in the frame and frame mounts that were present when you purchased it with a clean title. This structural damage could affect the vehicle's integrity and safety. A mechanic will need to inspect the extent of the damage and determine whether the frame can be repaired or if it needs replacement.
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Your 2006 Tacoma's frame has developed two holes approximately 3.5 inches each, which Toyota discovered during a service inspection. Toyota had previously conducted a frame inspection in 2015 and applied a corrosion-resistant coating, but these holes were not identified until later. You report not receiving proper notification from Toyota about a class action lawsuit related to this frame issue, and your requests for consideration were denied. Addressing this issue may require frame repair or reinforcement work by a Toyota dealer.
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Steering,suspension,structure →1 issue
Your 2006 Tacoma's frame has severe rust and structural damage that creates a safety risk. The vehicle was subject to a past Toyota recall for frame corrosion, but the previous owner never completed the service. You're concerned the recall wasn't properly communicated and are asking NHTSA to review whether coverage should be expanded for vehicles like yours. Addressing this would likely require professional frame inspection and potential frame replacement or reinforcement.
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Suspension,unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your truck's frame has severely rusted and deteriorated to the point where it's breaking apart, making it unsafe to drive. According to the complaint, Toyota has acknowledged this was a widespread problem with 2006 Tacomas but is refusing to repair or replace the frame. Addressing this issue will require professional frame inspection and likely frame repair or replacement.
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Power Train →1 issue
You felt vibration when releasing the gas pedal and discovered the driveshaft yoke was separating from the main shaft. Upon disassembly, you found the lock nut was missing and showed no evidence of being properly staked (secured) in place. This is a safety concern because if the lock nut comes off while driving at highway speeds, it could cause loss of control.
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Suspension →1 issue
Your truck has a recall for new leaf springs, but the dealership refused to perform it because your frame is rusty. You believe there should also be a recall or customer satisfaction program available to address the frame rust, which the dealership won't service. Getting the leaf springs replaced and the frame rust addressed may require rust treatment and possibly frame repair or replacement.
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Air Bags →1 issue
Your air bag warning light came on while driving. You didn't take the vehicle to a mechanic or dealer for diagnosis or repair. You believe this may be related to a known Toyota air bag issue (NHTSA Campaign 12V092000), though the exact cause wasn't confirmed. The repair will likely involve having a Toyota dealer diagnose the air bag system and replace any faulty components.
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Structure,unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your truck's frame is rusting badly over the right rear wheel, even though it was previously treated with frame spray. The rust continues to develop in this area despite the protective coating.
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