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 545 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Toyota Tundra, and it carries 13 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 | 127 | 23% |
| Air bags | 126 | 23% |
| Suspension | 46 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 36 | 7% |
| Vehicle speed control | 25 | 5% |
| Wheels | 12 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 10 | 2% |
| Suspension | 10 | 2% |
| Engine | 10 | 2% |
| Power train | 9 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The vehicle was at the independent mechanic. For a repair and discovered that the bottom frame was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was also notified of the failure; however the vehicle was not diagnosed
NHTSA complaint: Structure
My frame is rotting, with literal holes in it. I spoke with a dealership and they stated the recall had been fixed in 2015, prior to me owning it. I was told to contact the manufacturer and they said it would be an out o
NHTSA complaint: Structure
The frame has rusted so badly that the sway bar mount disengaged from the frame. Brought it to a Toyota dealership and confirmed that frame recalls were performed on earlier models with the same issue . However my year
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact’s father owns a 2006 Toyota Tundra equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: Discoverer Rugged Trek, Tire Size: 265/70/R16, DOT Number: (N/A). While the contact’s father was driving at an undisclosed speed, the
NHTSA complaint: Tires
I own a 2006 Toyota Tundra with severe frame corrosion and rot. The rust has eaten through major portions of the frame, especially around the rear crossmember and leaf spring mounts. It has compromised the vehicle’s safe
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Frame rust is so extreme that rear suspension mounts are completely disconnected from frame
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed to prevent a crash with another vehicle that had pulled in front of the vehicle, but the vehicle failed t
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that upon further inspection, it was noticed that the frame was rusted. In addition, the contact related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign that was perform
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the 2006 Toyota Tundra. 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 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX4
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-asse
Tenneco Automotive (DRiV) is recalling certain aftermarket ball joints for 2004-2007 Toyota Sequoia and 2004-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles, MOOG part number K80521, K80522, NAPA part number NCP2601633, NCP2601634, ACDelco part number 45D2344, and 45D2345. The ball joint housing may have inadequate ha
Risk: A ball joint failure may cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: DRiV will work with distributors to return unsold parts. Dealers will inspect and replace the ball joint as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owne
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
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
| Reliability raw | 49 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 69 | good |
| Maintenance | 74 | good |
| Depreciation | 91 | excellent |
| Performance | 65 | good |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 545 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 127 of them (23%). There are 13 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 49/100 (below 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 69/100, 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 65/100. 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.