Is the 2006 Toyota 4Runner a bad year?
380 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 4Runner years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2006 Toyota 4Runner are in line with other 4Runner years. Body structure and suspension stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 4Runner owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 127,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 143 (38%) | 93k–160k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 65 (17%) | 85k–150k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Air bags | 24 (6%) | 58k–140k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 22 (6%) | 28k–132k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Visibility and wipers | 21 (6%) | 68k–170k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 18 (5%) | 65k–161k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 13 (3%) | 80k–150k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 33 (9%) | 40k–112k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 30 (8%) | 12k–98k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 17 (4%) | 23k–80k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 13 (3%) | 13k–60k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 127,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 380 complaints: 28 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 15 report an injury · 9 say the car was towed.
4 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The secondary air induction pump (Aip) and switching valves failed on my 2006 4RUNNER limited with V8. This is the same issue that is seen on Toyota sequoias and tundras.
During snowstorm in 4 wheel drive mode; 4 wheel drive system would not engage due to failure of add - auto disconnecting differential actuator.
We own a 2006 Toyota 4RUNNER - during the first year we took it in three times and told them that when we are at a stop the SUV would shift FWD while still applying the brake.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 127,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 Toyota 4Runner: 5
The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently. If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
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. 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.
These vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels. A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
These vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels. This does not meet the standard requirements.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 98
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Toyota 4Runner. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power…
Some vehicles may exhibit a cyclical grinding or groaning noise coming from the front differential in 2WD that goes away when operated in 4WD
The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Frame corrosion
Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
Neighbouring years
2005 4Runner: 425 complaints, keep it · 2007 4Runner: 154 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota 4Runner year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All 4Runner years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2006 Toyota 4Runner a bad year?
380 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 4Runner years. At 127,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Toyota 4Runner?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (143), suspension (65), air bags (24), steering (22), visibility and wipers (21).
How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota 4Runner have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Seats (NHTSA 16V-396), Air bags (NHTSA 16V-065), Speed control (NHTSA 11V-113), Equipment (NHTSA 10V-036) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.