VehicleVerdict

2006 Toyota 4Runner problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 520 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.0 times the median 4Runner year — the 2006 model ranks #5 of 43 4Runner years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 37 injuries in total across these filings.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 144 reports (28% of the total).

520

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

34

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

37

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other 4Runner years?

4Runner NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted923 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 2 complaints1986: 13 complaints1987: 7 complaints1988: 12 complaints1989: 7 complaints1990: 95 complaints1991: 55 complaints1992: 73 complaints1993: 58 complaints1994: 76 complaints1995: 201 complaints1996: 203 complaints1997: 363 complaints1998: 303 complaints1999: 446 complaints2000: 638 complaints2001: 240 complaints2002: 306 complaints2003: 906 complaints2004: 923 complaints2005: 573 complaints2006: 520 complaints2007: 204 complaints2008: 134 complaints2009: 33 complaints2010: 175 complaints2011: 182 complaints2012: 112 complaints2013: 48 complaints2014: 90 complaints2015: 116 complaints2016: 104 complaints2017: 47 complaints2018: 77 complaints2019: 87 complaints2020: 43 complaints2021: 54 complaints2022: 55 complaints2023: 42 complaints2024: 11 complaints2025: 54 complaints2026: 7 complaints
4Runner NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 4Runner years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Toyota 4Runner problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure14428%
Other7414%
Suspension6513%
Brakes367%
Transmission306%
Electrical System255%
Visibility & Wipers255%
Airbags245%
Steering224%
Tires & Wheels183%
Engine183%
Speed Control173%
Fuel System61%
Lighting41%
Seats31%
Driver Assistance31%
Seat Belts20%
Latches & Locks20%
Trailer Hitch10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2006 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V396000SeatsJune 2, 2016 · 7,749 units

Defect

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 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Consequence

If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

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 SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

16V065000AirbagsFebruary 5, 2016 · 320,409 units

Defect

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 control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.

Consequence

If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy

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 customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0C and GLB.

11V113000Speed ControlFebruary 24, 2011 · 1,363,244 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES. 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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

THE REMEDY IS NOW AVAILABLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN EARLY APRIL 2011. THE REMEDY WILL INVOLVE MODIFICATION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

10V035000OtherFebruary 3, 2010 · 271,417 units

Defect

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 CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy

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 RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

10V036000OtherFebruary 3, 2010 · 153,418 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

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 SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Frame rust damage, normal street driving. Lower control arm mounts disintegrated causing vehicle to be not drivable. Along with complete frame rust that possibly couldve lead to even more dangerous conditions. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 15, 2021 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER ON HIGHWAY WHEN FRAME BROKE BY REAR TIRE CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO THE MEDIAN. I HAD TOWED TOO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE WHOLE FRAME WAS ROTTED FROM RUST AND THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER DRIVE ABLE. WHAT? IT RAN LIKE A CHAMP AND AND I NEVER HAD ANY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 26, 2020 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 4 RUNNER ON THE HWY. THE FRAME COLLAPSED BY THE REAR WHEEL AND I LOST CONTROL AS THE REAR END WAS "WAGGING". TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THEY WERE NOT OPEN OR UP FRONT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEMATIC DEFECT THAT TOYOTA HAS TURNED ITS BACK ON. THE TACOMA, HIGHLANDER, AND TUNDRA MODELS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · February 25, 2020 · crash

“VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY (RUNNING) WITH TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FULLY ENGAGED. VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY, ACROSS STREET, OVER CURB, AND DOWN A STEEP RAVINE HITTING A TREE. BROACHED LOCAL DEALER CONCERNING ANY SAFETY ISSUES OR VEHICLE PROBLEMS AND THEY INDICATED NONE HAD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 28, 2009 · crash

“VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY (RUNNING) WITH TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FULLY ENGAGED. VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY, ACROSS STREET, OVER CURB, AND DOWN A STEEP RAVINE HITTING A TREE. BROACHED LOCAL DEALER CONCERNING ANY SAFETY ISSUES OR VEHICLE PROBLEMS AND THEY INDICATED NONE HAD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 28, 2009 · crash

2006 Toyota 4Runner — common questions

Is the 2006 Toyota 4Runner reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 520 complaints put the 2006 model at #5 of 43 4Runner years. It is one of the 4Runner years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 4Runner problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (144 complaints), other (74 complaints), suspension (65 complaints).

Does the 2006 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Toyota 4Runner. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Toyota 4Runner under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota 4Runner years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 4Runner years to avoid are 2004, 2003, 2000, 2005, 2006, 1999, 1997, 2002, 1998, 2001, 2007, 1996, 1995, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2015, 2012, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2017. The cleanest record among 4Runner years belongs to 1985.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.