Is the 2006 Toyota Tundra a bad year?
545 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Tundra years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2006 Toyota Tundra are in line with other Tundra years. Body structure, air bags 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 Tundra 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 122,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 169 (31%) | 81k–157k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 134 (25%) | 80k–150k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 91 (17%) | 67k–165k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Brakes | 34 (6%) | 35k–139k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 25 (5%) | 45k–125k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Wheels | 17 (3%) | 32k–165k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Speed control | 35 (6%) | 22k–55k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 23 (4%) | 40k–110k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Engine | 21 (4%) | 55k–106k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 16 (3%) | 41k–100k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 16 (3%) | 45k–118k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 10 (2%) | 9k–75k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Equipment | 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 122,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 545 complaints: 38 mention a crash · 15 report an injury · 12 say the car was towed.
3 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in May 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Tamara recall - I was exiting the freeway, making a left hand turn onto the city street, I was traveling approximately 25 miles per hour.
Toyota recalled for frame rust. Vehicle taken apart and frame replaced. Vibration present between 30 and 70MPH.
Driving on the highway at normal speed of 65 MPH; suddenly I noticed an increase in rpm's and a pull of the truck, kind of pulling back and forth.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 122,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 Toyota Tundra: 13
The ball joint housing may have inadequate hardness, causing premature failure. A ball joint failure may cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the front passenger air bag. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
These vehicles were not equipped with load carrying capacity modification labels which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." Incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Certain cardone master cylinders with part numbers 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, and 11-3156, and with date codes lower than DCA7078 sold as replacement equipment for use on the vehicles listed above. Loss of brake fluid can result in poor braking performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
On certain trucks and Mini vans, due to possible improper finishing of the front suspension lower ball joint, some ball joints may experience an incidental deterioration of the internal lubrication. In extreme cases, if the vehicle is continuously operated in this condition, the lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle and could cause a loss of vehicle control.
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
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: 95
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Toyota Tundra. 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 information regarding transmission and/or park neutral position switch installation
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Frame corrosion
Lower ball joint failure
Neighbouring years
2005 Tundra: 377 complaints, keep it · 2007 Tundra: 388 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Toyota Tundra year
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Other Toyota models: Toyota 4Runner · 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 Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2006 Toyota Tundra a bad year?
545 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Tundra years. At 122,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Toyota Tundra?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (169), air bags (134), suspension (91), brakes (34), steering (25).
How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota Tundra have?
13 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 22E002000), Air bags (NHTSA 19V-741), Seats (NHTSA 16V-396), Air bags (NHTSA 16V-065) 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.