The Lemon Index2006 Toyota Avalon.
The 2006 Toyota Avalon is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 124 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 200, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 23 mpg combined. The best Toyota Avalon year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 360 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota Avalon year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 18K to 74K miles on the car (289 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- speed control complaints mostly came at 11K–57K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 40K–74K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 1K–62K miles
Recalls 7
- seats 2016
The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
- seats 2014
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.
- brakes 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES.
Show all 7 recalls
- equipment 2010
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 S…
- speed control 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 …
- speed control 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- airbags 2006
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 AMOUN…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 205 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 2gr-fe engine oil leak from front timing cover
- Multiple warning lights illuminated, vehicle not shifting from park to driver
- Ticking/clicking type noise from the cylinder head
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Transmission hesitation when accelerating from a braking situation. Transmission delay impairing ability to merge or safely change lanes. Repeated occurrences since may 2006. Car is once again in shop for inspection.
2006 Toyota Avalon owner · NHTSA complaint 10195070
More owner reports
Bought the car from aug 2005. The transmission problem is getting worse. Took few seconds to respond to downshift when step on the gas pedal, few times I almost got hit from behind because of that during heavy traffic.
NHTSA complaint 10167875
Dt*: the contact stated intermittently, while accelerating and turning a corner the vehicle hesitated, and then lurched forward. The dealership was unable to determine the cause of the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10169856
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Toyota Avalon reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 200; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Avalon year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2006 Toyota Avalon problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (39%), transmission & drivetrain (26%) and speed control (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota Avalon have?
7 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Toyota Avalon get?
23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Toyota Avalon problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 18,500 and 74,500 miles. The middle report was at 45,000 miles, from 289 complaints.
Does the 2006 Toyota Avalon have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 26% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Toyota Avalon cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Toyota Avalon have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Toyota Avalon year is better than the 2006?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works