2006 Toyota Prius
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 1,439
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- Exterior lighting
Campaigns on file for 2006
Opened by NHTSA
66% of complaints
Complaints per year
2006: 1,439 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 165 |
| 2002 | 167 |
| 2003 | 99 |
| 2004 | 610 |
| 2005 | 1,051 |
| 2006 | 1,439 |
| 2007 | 2,003 |
| 2008 | 1,497 |
| 2009 | 502 |
| 2010 | 2,824 |
| 2011 | 521 |
| 2012 | 424 |
| 2013 | 411 |
| 2014 | 208 |
| 2015 | 166 |
| 2016 | 155 |
| 2017 | 91 |
| 2018 | 37 |
| 2019 | 30 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 27 |
| 2025 | 16 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Exterior lighting
66% · 947 reportsMost commonly citing headlights and tail lights.
Show complaint excerpts
Driving along a country road at night and the headlights went out. Very scary. Went off the road a bit and the car got scratched. Restarted car and headlights went on for a short time, then dim, then off.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-12-12
Service brakes
15% · 221 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and electric.
Show complaint excerpts
My car (06 Toyota Prius) had hit a pothole while on my way to church on 11/16/17. There was a lot of traffic and though I was far behind the person in front of me, my brake did not stop and my car went under the car in front of me.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-21
Also filed under Vehicle speed control
Was going to church thurs evening and fast driver ahead of me in busy intersection.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-18
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the brakes failed, causing the contact to crash into another vehicle. The contact was reported injured however a police report was not filed of the incident.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-26
Electrical system
11% · 152 reportsMost commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and traction battery.
Vehicle speed control
6% · 84 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel erroneously steered to the left direction on its own.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-07-17
Also filed under Steering
I've a 2006 Toyota Prius. Traffic stopped for a red light and I was behind a cement truck. I slowed to a complete stop about 5 ft. Behind this truck. All of sudden I noticed my car started moving forward with my foot still on the brake.
NHTSA ODI report, 2006-12-01
Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic
Air bags
2% · 32 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and side/window.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owned a 2006 Toyota Prius.
NHTSA ODI report, 2025-10-06
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the driver fell asleep while driving and crashed into a road barrier. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained head injuries and the vehicle was destroyed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-02
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2006-10-12
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2006Complaint volume 1,439 complaints filed for this model year.
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R
2006-04-06Air bags06V096000 On certain vehicles, due to improper assembly of the air bag inflator, which is used in the side air bag, the curtain shield air bag, and the knee air bag assembly, some inflators were produced with…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the specific SRS air bag. The recall began on April 6, 2006. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-888-270-9371, Scion at 1-866-548-1851, or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
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R
2006-06-09Steering06V188000 The intermediate shaft and sliding yoke in the electric power steering system can crack when large forces are applied and the connection may separate or the sleeve may fracture.
Remedy: Toyota will replace the steering intermediate shaft and inspect the sliding yoke and replace it if necessary. The recall began on June 9, 2006. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
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2009-04-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-08-27 Headlight failure
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2009-12-31Vehicle speed control09V388000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's…
Remedy: Toyota filed an amended defect report on November 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal.…
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2010-05-27Equipment10V036000 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."
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…
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2012-12-20Steering12V537000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may…
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2013-01-17Engine and engine cooling, hybrid propulsion system12V536000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2003, through March 30, 2009 and FCHV-adv vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, through September 13, 2011.…
Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer…
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2013-02-21Defect petitionClosed 2020-04-08 Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation
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2023-01-27Defect petitionClosed 2023-08-07 Pedestrian alert sounds
Buy-smart checklist
2006 Toyota Prius — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Exterior lighting: 947 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 221 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 152 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 06V096000 · Air bags
- Recall 06V188000 · Steering
- Recall 09V388000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 10V036000 · Equipment
- Recall 12V537000 · Steering
- Recall 12V536000 · Engine and engine cooling, hybrid propulsion system
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2006 Toyota Prius reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Toyota Prius is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Toyota Prius?
- The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 66% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota Prius have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.