Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 435 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Toyota Camry, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 94 | 22% |
| Air bags | 47 | 11% |
| Structure | 36 | 8% |
| Steering | 25 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 23 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 14 | 3% |
| Power train | 14 | 3% |
| Tires | 13 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 12 | 3% |
| Visibility | 10 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
You have this… I am informing you that I am moving forward with pursuing legal representation and am onboarding THE SIMON LAW FIRM, P.C. In [XXX] to manage my claim. Moving forward , I request that any upcoming physical
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
You have this. Additional research about the cause of the crashes. None of this was published by Toyota as a potential disastrous problem.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
You have this Three separate events 05/15 05/18-20? 06/10/2026
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHSTA SAFETY COMPLAINT TEXT Safety defect and Incident Chronology: I am reporting a catastrophic, recurring sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) defect originating strictly from a forward idle state, culminating in a
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owned a 2006 Toyota Camry. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle crashed into a street pole and rolled several times before crashing into a parked vehicle, where it came to
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Copper wiring on driver seat caught fire causing damage to driver door driver harness underneath the dash and electric seat mechanism also caused staining to the fabric and interior
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? LOCKS NOT WORKING How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? ONLY DRIVER LOCK IS UNLOCKING/OPENING Has the
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The steering wheel while taking a right turn locked and wouldn't straighten all lights turned off on the panel all was locked and caused a crash because steering was locked into a turn
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2006 Toyota Camry. 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.
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 affec
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
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
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
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 S
| Reliability | 68 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 86 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 81 | excellent |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 435 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and vehicle speed control is the most reported area with 94 of them (22%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 68/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, 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: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. 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.