The Lemon Index2006 Toyota Tundra.
The 2006 Toyota Tundra is better than average by owner complaints: 64 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 74, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about suspension, it has 13 recalls, and it gets 15 to 18 mpg combined. The best Toyota Tundra year is 2015.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 545 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota Tundra 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 48K to 150K miles on the car (307 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 75K–157K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 78K–150K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 66K–165K miles
Recalls 13
- suspension 2022
The ball joint housing may have inadequate hardness, causing premature failure.
- 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.
- seats 2016
The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Show all 13 recalls
- airbags 2016
The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.
- 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.
- 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…
- 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.
- 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…
- equipment 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009.
- brakes 2007
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUI…
- suspension 2007
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND MINI VANS, DUE TO POSSIBLE IMPROPER FINISHING OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, SOME BALL JOINTS MAY EXPERIENCE AN INCIDENTAL DETERIORATION OF THE INTERNAL LUBRICATION.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
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 197 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Transmission extension housing seal leak (2wd only)
- REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ?
- SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos
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
- ClosedFrame corrosion2009–2010
- ClosedLower ball joint failure2006–2007
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 $3550–4300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Faliure to fix front suspension lower ball joint, causing excessive wear on the tires and inability to drive truck due to danger to passengers.
2006 Toyota Tundra owner · NHTSA complaint 10195063
More owner reports
2006 Toyota Tundra sr5...I have noticed a major wear in the tire on the driver side. I just today noticed there was a recall on this problem with the lower arm and ball joint.
NHTSA complaint 10282396
2006 Toyota Tundra, very fast idle speed when cold and when first started.
NHTSA complaint 10294702
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Toyota Tundra reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 74; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Tundra year by this measure is 2015.
What are the most common 2006 Toyota Tundra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (23%), speed control (20%) and body structure (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota Tundra have?
13 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Toyota Tundra get?
15 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Toyota Tundra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 48,000 and 150,000 miles. The middle report was at 96,000 miles, from 307 complaints.
Does the 2006 Toyota Tundra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2006 Toyota Tundra cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 to $4300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Toyota Tundra have?
4.0L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
What Toyota Tundra year is better than the 2006?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2015, 2011 and 2013.
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