The Lemon Index2006 Toyota Corolla.
The 2006 Toyota Corolla is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 113 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 42, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 25 to 31 mpg combined. The best Toyota Corolla year is 2002.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 840 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota Corolla 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 32K to 91K miles on the car (445 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 52K–138K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 26K–74K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 24K–82K miles
Recalls 10
- airbags 2019
These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
- airbags 2019
The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
- airbags 2015
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 Pon…
Show all 10 recalls
- airbags 2015
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.
- engine 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 COROLLA AND COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES.
- equipment 2010
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 BETW…
- 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…
- lights 2009
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.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
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 143 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 1zz-fe engine no start condition
- Engine control
- Accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedLow-speed surging2014–2015
- ClosedEngine stall2010
- ClosedEngine stalling2009–2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2050–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Vehicle stalls out when driving. Dealer replaced computer, engine control module.
2006 Toyota Corolla owner · NHTSA complaint 10223515
More owner reports
I was driving to work at 8 am in the morning and noticed that the air conditioner started pumping out hot air. Since that time my a/c has been dead. The vehicle is a 2006 Toyota Corolla le with 43,000 miles.
NHTSA complaint 10274288
A/c condenser has leak caused by alleged rock striking.
NHTSA complaint 10231119
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Toyota Corolla reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 42; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Corolla year by this measure since 2010 is 2012.
What are the most common 2006 Toyota Corolla problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (28%), electrical (19%) and airbags (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota Corolla have?
10 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Toyota Corolla get?
25 to 31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Toyota Corolla problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 32,000 and 91,000 miles. The middle report was at 56,400 miles, from 445 complaints.
Does the 2006 Toyota Corolla have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Toyota Corolla cost in fuel a year?
About $2050 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Toyota Corolla have?
1.8L 4-cyl.
What Toyota Corolla year is better than the 2006?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2013 and 2022.
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