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2006 Toyota 4Runner Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 381 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Toyota 4Runner, most often about the body and structure (38% of complaints, typically around 126,500 miles). It is 5th of 27 4Runner model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2006 Toyota 4Runner problems
Body and structure
143 complaints · 38%Half of these problems showed up before 126,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The frame, heat shields, skid plate and rear axel are severely rusted. We've owned the vehicle since 2008 and it has been garaged and kept clean. The rust is reaching a point where we're concerned about the safety of the vehicle. We've noticed it coming on for about a year - now it's growing exponentially. Apparently…
Went to the Toyota shop after getting a new transmission was replaced, they noted "cust not front frame core support is rusted off found a hole in the left frame rail". They also had to use new bolts for transmission due to corrosion on undercarriage. Would not pass inspection until fixed. The frame is washed off…
Other or unspecified
74 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 136,000 miles.
While I was I driving on the highway, the rear window exploded while I was using the rear window defroster. I smelled a burning smell just prior to it exploding glass all over the back cargo area
My frame on my 4Runner is showing major signs of rust a huge hole has formed right in the main frame driver side. And another in the trailing arm mount also driver side. If my trailing arm snapped loose on a dirt road it could flip the whole car. It's only 14 years old now and this is way excessive for that age as…
Suspension
65 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 125,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
1.) while driving the vehicle is very difficult to steer. The lastest incident occurred while traveling on the highway. The was constantly swaying and pulling to direction forcing me to grip the steering wheel ; pulling it in opposite direction so tightly that my wrist were throbbing. Once I exited the highway and…
Purchased a tcuv in 2012 and live in eastern nc. Took vehicle in for diagnostic and was told that frame was severely rusted. Was not made aware when purchased. Called Toyota and awaiting a call but rep says that its out of warranty and will not assist. Vehicle can't go from fine to severe in 3 years and was certified…
Brakes
34 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, indicator light, foundation components.
Left front brake caliper extremely rusted and noticed squeaking from same. Also extremely dirty rims from brake dust, replaced with non ceramic pads, but no other rims showed same amount of grit. Took in for service and informed that all other pads had 20% life and left front caliper outside lower piston was seized as…
Brake pedal goes to floor. At stoplight pedal goes to floor and will not hold vehicle. Told it was a master cylinder. This is a $1500+ job. Dealer told me this never fails but out of warranty so their defect is my loss.
Transmission
30 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 32,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, automatic transmission.
At about 32,000 miles my truck started to feel as if it had been rear ended when I would stop at a stop light. At first it was very light, but it has since gotten worse. I took it in to the Toyota dealer and was told that they lubed the drive shaft. The drive shaft is sealed, so I asked how that could possibly help…
During snowstorm in 4 wheel drive mode; 4 wheel drive system would not engage due to failure of add - auto disconnecting differential actuator. This LED to extremely dangerous safety hazard with vehicle sliding across overhead bridge. No warning of failure, just blinking 4 wheel drive indicator on dashboard. Toyota…
Air bags
24 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 94,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Previous complaint # 10505915 - date 4/11/13 on march 27th, 2013 I had an accident on a parkway rear ended. My whole SUV front part damaged and the airbag did not deployed. I was driving around 50 miles per hour and a commercial van in front of me stopped suddenly and I tried to stop the car, however it didn't and…
On march 27th, 2013 I had an accident on a parkway rear ended. My whole SUV front part damaged and the airbag did not deployed. I was driving around 50 miles per hour and a commercial van in front of me stopped suddenly and I tried to stop the car, however it didn't and rear ended. Admitted to hospital emergency and…
Visibility and wipers
22 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 127,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield, defroster/defogger/hvac system, glass, side/rear, rear window wiper/washer.
Turned the rear defroster on and smelled something burning. Turned off the defroster and then couple minutes later, rear window exploded and totally broke. Did this leaving my neighborhood so only going about 20 MPH. It was about 53 degrees and rainy.
When using the rear defroster in the cold, the rear hatch window shattered. Common issue and Toyota does know about it but only offered 1 year enhanced warranty. Warranty is now expired and Toyota will not cover this safety hazard as my car is equipped with 3rd row seating.
Steering
22 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: column.
2006 4 runner sport edition, v8 with 30,000 miles has clunking sound when stopping or accelerating from stop. Also, wanders from side to side at normal highway speeds.
Extreme wheel shimmy at highway speeds. 3 dealerships can't find a problem thought they all feel the vibration and shake. Tires are wearing prematurely. Front end components are wearing prematurely.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 Toyota 4Runner recalls
Seats: seat heater/cooler
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: side/window
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 customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is g0c and glb.
Full defect summary
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.
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: labels
Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: labels
Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Frame corrosion
Summary
On august 7, 2018, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a defect petition from mr. Gary weinreich alleging premature frame corrosion failure in model year (my) 2002 - 2006 toyota 4runner vehicles. The petitioner based his request upon a corrosion-related front suspension failure he experienced in his my 2005 toyota 4runner, a class action lawsuit settlement involving other toyota products, and other complaints of underbody corrosion in toyota 4runner vehicles that he found in NHTSA?s online complaint database. The petitioner submitted a complaint to NHTSA documenting his experience (NHTSA id 11098055). On august 17, 2018, odi opened dp18-002 to evaluate the petitioner?s request
Unintended and uncontrolled acceleration
Summary
On february 16, 2010, NHTSA's office of defects investigation (odi) opened rq10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, toyota recalls 07e-082, 09v-388, 10v-017, and 10v-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in toyota and lexus vehicles.I. Pedal interference from floor mats, carpet covers and plastic pads in carpets.during the rq10-003 investigation, odi reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.following the agency's analysis, NHTSA requested that toyota recall ad
Questions about the 2006 Toyota 4Runner
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Toyota 4Runner?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (143 complaints, typically around 126,500 miles); other or unspecified (74 complaints, typically around 136,000 miles); suspension (65 complaints, typically around 125,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota 4Runner have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 2, 2016 (seats). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2006 a bad year for the Toyota 4Runner?
- It is 5th of 27 4Runner model years by number of complaints, with 381 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.