2006 Toyota PRIUS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,439 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 1,252 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting is the most frequently named component, appearing in 823 of 1,439 complaints (57.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 266 | 18.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 84 | 5.8% |
| Steering behavior | 36 | 2.5% |
| Engine operation | 21 | 1.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 0.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 0.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 823 |
| Electrical System | 148 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 121 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 84 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 81 |
| Service Brakes | 73 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 45 |
| Engine | 25 |
Exterior Lighting: 823; Electrical System: 148; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 121; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 84; Vehicle Speed Control: 81; Service Brakes: 73; Service Brakes, Electric: 45; Engine: 25
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 141 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 462 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 318 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 128 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 116 |
| 150,000 and above | 87 |
Under 25,000: 141; 25,000 to 49,999: 462; 50,000 to 74,999: 318; 75,000 to 99,999: 128; 100,000 to 149,999: 116; 150,000 and above: 87
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (462). 187 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 17 |
| 2007 | 33 |
| 2008 | 220 |
| 2009 | 396 |
| 2010 | 349 |
| 2011 | 60 |
| 2012 | 52 |
| 2013 | 49 |
| 2014 | 46 |
| 2015 | 44 |
| 2016 | 41 |
| 2017 | 24 |
| 2018 | 39 |
| 2019 | 30 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2006: 17; 2007: 33; 2008: 220; 2009: 396; 2010: 349; 2011: 60; 2012: 52; 2013: 49; 2014: 46; 2015: 44; 2016: 41; 2017: 24; 2018: 39; 2019: 30; 2020: 10; 2021: 8; 2022: 8; 2023: 3; 2024: 6; 2025: 2; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 266 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 84 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 36 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10152925 · 2006-03-17 (March 17, 2006)
WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE BRAKES STUTTER OR GRAB. IT IS EXPLAINED IN DETAIL AT THIS THREAD: HTTP://PRIUSCHAT.COM/-T11858.HTML AND HERE: HTTP://PRIUSCHAT.COM/INDEX.PHP?ACT=ST&F=19&T=16922. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152925 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10163068 · 2006-07-21 (July 21, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH,MERGING WITH HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UP TO 90 MPH EVEN WHEN PRESSURE WAS TAKEN OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKES, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT DISENGAGE. WITH CONTINUED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE AT AN ALARMING RATE. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. UPON INSPECTION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STILL AGAINST THE FLOORBOARD. AFTER TAPPING THE ACCELERATOR A FEW…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163068 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10207560 · 2007-10-31 (October 31, 2007)
PROBLEM STARTED IN AUGUST 07 WITH DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY SHUTTING OFF. NO HIGH OR LOW BEAM, OFTEN VERY DIM. HEADLIGHT BULB REPLACED DUE TO SHORT CIRCUIT. REPLACED DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. MODULE HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED. DEALER CURRENTLY SUGGESTS THAT IT CANNOT BE FIXED IF PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED. DEALER SAID THEY HAVE SPOKEN WITH TOYOTA AND THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. DEALER DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS PROBLEM A SAFETY ISSUE. PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE RESOLVED AND THE CAR WILL AGAIN BE GOING I…
Owner-reported narrative. 27,107 miles reported. Look up ODI 10207560 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10228148 · 2008-05-19 (May 19, 2008)
IN JUNE OF 2007 I HAD MY HEAD LIGHT REPLACE IN MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. I WOULD BE DRIVING AND IT WOULD RANDOMLY GO OFF AND ON. WARRANTY COVERED THE COST. IT IS APRIL OF 2008 AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE GOING ON AND OFF AGAIN. AT FIRST THE RIGHT ONE WAS RANDOMLY ON AND OFF AND NOW BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT, AGAIN ARE ON AN OFF AND ON OCCASION I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND BOTH GO OFF. THIS IS NOT A LIGHT BULB PROBLEM. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING BEHIND THE LIGHT. MY CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND SHOULD NOT BE HAVI…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10228148 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10168050 · 2006-09-12 (September 12, 2006)
I HAVE PURCHASED A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS AND BELIEVE IT HAS A SERIOUS WINDOW DESIGN PROBLEM. OTHER AUTOMOBILES AND TRUCKS I HAVE OWNED WITH ELECTRIC WINDOWS HAVE HAD AN AUTOMATIC DOWN FEATURE ON THE DRIVERS WINDOW. IE- ONCE DRIVER STARTED WINDOW DOWN HE COULD RELEASE PRESSURE ON SWITCH AND THE WINDOW WOULD CONTINUE ITS DOWN TRAVEL TO THE BOTTOM. ON MY NEW TOYOTA THE DRIVERS WINDOW WILL ALSO CONTINUE GOING UP TO THE FULL UP POSITION AFTER SWITCH IS RELEASED. I BROUGHT THIS UP TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE DEPT THINKING THE SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. I WAS TOLD I…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10168050 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10170669 · 2006-10-12 (October 12, 2006)
HIT FROM THE SIDE, SPUN, THEN CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A POWER POLE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. EVEN THOUGH EQUIPPED WITH THE FULL CURTAIN AIRBAGS, THEY DID NOT DEPLOY, NOR DID THE FRONT AIRBAG. DUE TO NO AIRBAGS MY HEAD HIT THE SIDE DOOR MULTIPLE TIMES AND STEERING WHEEL. I WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS, TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. STILL HAVE CUTS ON HEAD, FACE SWELLING, BLACK EYE, NECK INJURY AND DIZZINESS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10170669 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10170354 · 2006-10-10 (October 10, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE ON GOING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING. ALSO, THE GAS AND MILEAGE GAUGE WERE UNRELIABLE. THE LAST STALLING FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WHICH WAS THE THIRD INCIDENT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE GAS AND MILEAGE GAUGE WERE UNRELIABLE BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT WAS MANUFACTURED. THE PROBLEMS PERSIST.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10170354 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10230246 · 2008-06-08 (June 8, 2008)
THE PRIUS STALLS WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP ON WET OR GRAVELLY SURFACES (ANY LOW TRACTION SURFACE). THIS IS ALMOST ROUTINE WHEN STARTING FORWARD WITH A TURN TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. THE FORWARD MOTION TYPICALLY STOPS, AND THEN SURGES AND STOPS AND SURGES REPEATEDLY UNTIL A MOMENTUM BUILDS TO CONTINUE ROLLING FORWARD. THIS IS FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IF TURNING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. THE TOYOTA DEALER SAYS THIS IS THE ESC AND THE BEHAVIOR IS TO BE EXPECTED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10230246 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10312686 · 2010-02-22 (February 22, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS (20 DEGREES BELOW), THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD BEGIN TO SLIP AND NOT SHIFT. IT WOULD MAKE A NOISE AND NOT ENGAGE THE ENGINE. HE NOTICED THE ISSUE EVERYTIME THE WEATHER WAS EXTREMELY COLD. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN WITH THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM WAS DUPLICATED AND HE WAS TOLD THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO LET THE VEHICLE WARM FOR AT LEAST 5 MINUTES BEFORE DRIVING. HE HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER …
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10312686 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10371794 · 2010-12-20 (December 20, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND TRYING TO PARK HER VEHICLE IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO STEEL CABLES. THE VEHICLE THEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO THE STEEL CABLES AGAIN. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED FROM THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY FROM THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10371794 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10158657 · 2006-05-31 (May 31, 2006)
GAS TANK GAUGE SAYS ITS COMPLETELY FULL NO MATTER HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE TANK. AS OF THIS WRITING I HAVE DRIVEN APPROX. 120 MILES ON THIS TANK OF GAS AND THE GAUGE STILL SHOWS THE TANK AS FULL. IT HAS NOT YET BEEN FIXED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 2,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10158657 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10220357 · 2008-03-07 (March 7, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN. ON JUNE 25, 2007, THE DEALER STATED THAT NO FAILURE COULD BE IDENTIFIED. ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2007, THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE WIRE. ON NOVEMBER 13, 2007, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK AND PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,001 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 07/10/08.*LJ TOYOTA BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE CONSUMER…
Owner-reported narrative. 24,001 miles reported. Look up ODI 10220357 at NHTSA ↗