Is the 2006 Toyota Camry a bad year?
317 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Camry years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2006 Toyota Camry are in line with other Camry years. Speed control and air bags stand out for this year: see below.
6th quietest of 20 Camry years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 Camry 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 35,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 108 (34%) | 12k–74k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 59 (19%) | 47k–113k miles · ahead | — |
| Brakes | 39 (12%) | 12k–107k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 28 (9%) | 18k–72k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 18 (6%) | 1k–48k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Tires | 14 (4%) | 12k–62k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Equipment | 10 (3%) | 9k–56k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 8 (3%) | 20k–89k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 5 (2%) | 28k–65k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Electrical system | 21 (7%) | 40k–120k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 18 (6%) | 56k–122k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Body structure | 12 (4%) | 40k–93k miles · ahead | — |
| Seat belts | 9 (3%) | 41k–111k miles · ahead | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 9 (3%) | 50k–90k miles · ahead | — |
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 35,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 317 complaints: 101 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 56 report an injury · 13 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jun 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2006 Toyota Camry: 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 may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring. 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.
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.
Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims" The vehicles' tire and loading information label or placard on the driver's side b-pillar incorrectly indicates the spare tire size. A misprinted label would lead to improper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
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: 73
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Toyota Camry. 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…
The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic…
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Engine surging
Neighbouring years
2005 Camry: 719 complaints, keep it · 2007 Camry: 2,882 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Toyota Camry year
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Questions
Is the 2006 Toyota Camry a bad year?
317 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Camry years. At 35,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Toyota Camry?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: speed control (108), air bags (59), brakes (39), steering (28), transmission and drivetrain (18).
How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota Camry have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Seats (NHTSA 16V-396), Seats (NHTSA 14V-743), Equipment (NHTSA 10V-036), Equipment (NHTSA 10V-035) 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.