Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 381 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Toyota 4Runner, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 107 | 28% |
| Unknown or other | 43 | 11% |
| Air bags | 21 | 6% |
| Power train | 16 | 4% |
| Suspension | 14 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 3% |
| Tires | 12 | 3% |
| Visibility/wiper | 11 | 3% |
| Suspension | 11 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 9 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
unknown, vehicle started to leak a fluid, took vehicle to mechanic shop they said frame rotted to the point they would not let me drive it home had to have it towed and now without transportation. the almost identical fr
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Frame is rotting away. The tacomas, tundras, sequoia were recalled for this issue. The tacomas frame is very close in design to the 4runner. The main difference is the 4runner uses coil springs whereas the tacoma used le
NHTSA complaint: Structure
MYself and my fiancee were driving to our family's home, the rear defrost was on due to foggy windows as we were driving down the road there was a loud noise from the back half of the 4 runner. I had turned and looked ba
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
The frame under the car rusted so much that the gas tank literally fell through the frame to the ground. This put my son at risk and fortunately he was able to pull over in a residential area and exit the vehicle. A m
NHTSA complaint: Structure
Dangerous and rusted through frame. The vehicles frame should have been recalled like the other Toyotas affected.
NHTSA complaint: Structure
We took the vehicle in for inspection and it failed due to the exhaust leaks, and more importantly the frame rusting out. We never received the recall notice for this issue. We have owned this vehicle for many years, s
NHTSA complaint: Structure
My 4runner have major frame rust issues and is a major safety hazard. This a known issue to Toyota and a recall needs to be made.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
The contact owned a 2006 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that her son was driving at an unknown speed when another vehicle pulled in front of them to change lanes without warning causing her son to t-bone the vehicle
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2006 Toyota 4Runner. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag c
Risk: If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota
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 Priu
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
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 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: THE REMEDY IS NOW AVAILABLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN EARLY APRIL 2011. THE REMEDY WILL INVOLVE MODIFICATION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT
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 CAPA
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 RECAL
| Reliability raw | 57 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 84 | excellent |
| Performance | 65 | good |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 381 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 107 of them (28%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 57/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.