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2006 Toyota Corolla

The Verdict

5 Total Klunk

The 2006 Toyota Corolla has 867 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (509 complaints) and engine (155 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Toyota Corolla, consider the 2025 model year which has 97% fewer complaints.

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The 2025 has 97% fewer complaints

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5

Klunk Score: Total Klunk

Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2000571022587
2001431234409
2002641529328
20031802837412356
2004133142647914
20051483653415734
20061313050915542
20071734049212622
200872271656511
200957911260916933
20105301664326439
201192194053516
2012431036056
2013772366248
201490141132822
20157613762627
20167128742018
20176125681914
2018371029507
20194412267444
202098163612229
2021489643918
20222712271315
202326324135
202424101276
2025126322

By Category

Electrical
509
Engine
155
Body
131
Transmission
42
Brakes
30

By Severity

1
379
2
355
3
6
4
127

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2006 Toyota Corolla stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Electrical 1

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure; and the contact was informed that there were no open recalls associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

3mo ago
Electrical 4

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Corolla. The contact's son was driving at 55 MPH, another vehicle ran a stop sign and pulled into his path, resulting in a frontal collision with the side of the other vehicle. The contact’s vehicle spun around and came to rest on the shoulder of the road. Despite the high-speed frontal impact, the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed, and the vehicle was towed to an auto body shop; it has not been repaired. The contact's son sustained a bruised knee, neck and back pain, and a headache, for which he was treated with Tylenol. The contact referenced NHTSA ID Number: 19V741000(AIR BAGS), recall repair was done a year before. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 265,000.

4mo ago
Electrical 1

Brought vehicle in three times, airbag was nothing at time, now the airbag lights all the time

10mo ago
Body 2

Unlatching & False Latching back seat located in the middle of the seat. Incident was discovered after recent purchased from my little sister who also just got the vehicle as well and decided to sell it to me without being aware of the defective unlatching and false Latching buckle.

23mo ago
Brakes 4

On my way to work when the I hit the brakes... brakes locked up causing me to be unable to come to a complete stop.. Driver side airbag deployed but the passenger side airbag caused the dash to explode causing a fire in the dash. With the dash exploding and the passenger side airbag not deploying correctly it cause the passenger to hit windshield! Unknown Unknown Just a check engine light for knock sensor.

33mo ago
Electrical 2

There was a recall in 2015 and 2019 for airbags on my model of Toyota. I own a 2006 Toyota Corolla CE. I was sent a letter from Toyota to go into a local dealership to get this done. There's only one dealership in our tri-city area. I took it into our local dealership called Findlay Toyota in Prescott, Arizona. I will say ahead of time that they have over 50 - one star reviews on Yelp.com From the moment I left the dealership in December of 2019 my airbag light was on in the dash area and it’s still there. When i went in and told Brian at the time he said it will go away. It never has. This warning was never on my dash prior to this recall. I’ve filed a complaint with the Attorney general’s office of Arizona and Findlay have no recollection of me ever going into their dealership. I've sent documentation of my visit on to the Attorney Generals Office and I’ve never heard back from Findlay Toyota. I've spoken to a Mike in July at Findlay and he was willing to waive the $130 or $150 fee only though if nothing is found wrong. I don't trust dealerships and if there's anything wrong then it was more than likely due to their workmanship back in 2019 that created this issue to begin with. I’ve also filed a complaint with the Attorney general’s offic of Texas against the Toyota headquarters because they in my opinion have caused this issue because I never had this problem prior to the work that was done at Findlay Toyota. All Toyota USA did was give me a case number and send me right back to Findlay Toyota who don't want to help me in the slightest. It’s just a conundrum. The sad thing is I think Toyota is a great company but the way that I’ve been treated in this matter is beyond appalling. I've also written to the headquarters of Toyota in Japan, explaining he above story. They never replied either. I've also called the general manager, a Mr. McCoy at Findlay Toyota and he hasn't called me back.

34mo ago
Body 1

Air bag light has been on for awhile and now the horn is not working. When the horn stopped working I took it in for repair again. Toyota repair department says it's a failure of the spiral cable. I found there was a recall to replace the spiral cable in Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles but 2009 - 2010 year models, not my year of 2006. The documentation I found was very clear in stating it was going to do a recall not because of a manufacturing defect but because of a design issue. I think my vehicle should have been included in the recall because it probably has the same or similar design.

34mo ago
Engine 2

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Corolla Matrix. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the check engine warning light and the battery warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and pull over on the side of the road safely where the vehicle shut off again and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle had experienced a similar failure as in NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V384000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 200,025.

34mo ago
Electrical 4

Inflator Rupture - front passenger inflator. A vehicle collision at Alma School and 8th Avenue where one vehicle turned left in front of the oncoming involved 2006 Toyota Corolla resulting in the Corolla striking the right side of the other vehicle. During the collision the airbags were commanded to deploy and the passenger inflator had a significant rupture/failure which sent shrapnel out of the dash, striking the passenger. Our unit has investigated two confirmed Takata inflator fatalities and after a brief visual inspection it was confirmed the passenger inflator is in several pieces. The appearance of the inflator is consistent with prior observed passenger side Takata inflators. The car has been preserved in our parking lot and the passenger side airbag, with related tears and shrapnel holes, was obtained and preserved as well. The crash was filmed on intersection CCTV and the inflator can be seen expelling fragments outwards. A Dropbox file has been created to exchange photos and video upon request. Thank you. I am a Detective with the Mesa Police Department Vehicular Crimes Unit and was made aware of NHTSA's interest in identifying inflator related cases.

35mo ago
Electrical 4

On March 17, 2023 at approximately 4:12 PM on Hwy 288 northbound just south of Southmore Boulevard I was struck from behind by a Blue Jetta. Skidding into me I think he was still going about 30 miles per hour if not a little more based on the violence of the crash. My vehicle was pushed forward into the car ahead of me damaging the front of my vehicle as well. Despite the impact, my air bags did NOT deploy. I had taken the vehicle in to the Toyota shop here in Humble, TX and had the "final fix" done on the airbags. I have been physically injured as a result of this automobile accident. I have filed with my Progressive Claim Adjuster and they are talking about totaling the vehicle. Policy Number 46753320. My concern is, despite the vehicle air bags being replaced, they did not deploy. The force of the impact should have been sufficient to activate them. It could of course be a defective switch given her age, but I'd rather let science do the talking.

40mo ago
Engine 2

Acccelerator gives no response when pressed without warning Unknown

40mo ago
Brakes 1

I purchased a Toyota three years ago, immediately I complained about the brakes scrubbing and squeaky sounds, the dealer denied anything was wrong with the brakes. After paying the last payment the other day, now the brake pedal is stiff as a board and takes alot of pressure to stop, which is a safety hazzard to all. Also there have been no warning lights come on notification of any problems. I've also noticed Electrical problems like the dash lights going off and on the clock works when it takes a notion.

41mo ago
Transmission 4

The contact's mother owns a 2006 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while reversing out of a parking space and as she shifted the vehicle into drive, the vehicle surged forward. The contact's mother lost control of the vehicle and crashed into several vehicles and then a curb and turned the vehicle ignition off. The contact's mother stated she had no brakes. The contact sustained bruises to her left and right legs by the knees and both wrists were bruised. Additionally, the contact had pain in her left and right shoulders. The contact did not seek medical attention. The other vehicles were not occupied. The contact stated she did not notice any warning lights were illuminated. The police were on the scene and filed a report. The contact's mother had the vehicle towed to her residence and then later towed to a dealer. The dealer did not inspect the vehicle, however, the manufacturer had an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle brakes. The mechanic determined that there were no mechanical problems with the brakes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

50mo ago
Brakes 4

My mother’s car suddenly went out of control in the parking lot of the local power company. The car was out of control like a wild horse and crashed several cars. This is not a driver error. The car mileage reading is ~40,000. I found that there are recalls on the Toyota cars (with problems such as cars went of control and accelerated uncontrollably), but not this particular car/VIN #. (The car’s airbag was on the recall list, but when we stopped at the local Toyota dealership’s service department, the assistant manager always tell us that they are busy, come back next time. It happened more than 3 times.) After contacting Toyota Corporate, Toyota sent out a third party to do an inspection on the car. The 3rd party inspector downloaded a whole bunch data. Based on the 3rd party’s findings, Toyota Corporate states that no evidence that the incident was the result of the defect in [this] vehicle. My mother maintains the car accordingly to the instructions of the local Toyota dealership’s service department. One strange thing was that the 3rd party inspector told Toyota Corporation that there were a lot fire ants presented in the car at the time of his inspection. This seems impossible. My family members and the tow truck driver did not find any fire ants before and after the 3rd party’s inspection. The vehicle’s parked at the local Toyota dealership’s parking lot at the time of inspection. There must be a problem with car when it went out of control. Please advise, thanks!

54mo ago
Electrical 2

The car went to replace the air bag with a hood and everything seemed fine but the SRS light activated every so often. this is happening since they changed the air bag and it turns it on and off whenever it wants for seconds the car has barely 22,000 miles and has not been crashed this has been happening since they changed the car's air bag air bag in the authorized toyota dealer of santana puerto rico

54mo ago
Electrical 2

Dealer repaired airbag recall, now SRS light is on and won’t turn off. Dealer now wants hundreds of dollars to check and or fix possible issue told that it may be something else and more work needed. This issue should be part of recall repairs. This car only has 63,200 miles on it well maintained should not have these issues.

60mo ago
Electrical 1

We had recall work done for Airbag, sensor light came on after repairs. One dealer quoted $150 to look at the sensor another wanted $450+. The light was not on before recall work was done. It is clear that whatever they did for the recall caused this to happen, don't care if it's not under warranty the dealer caused the issue electrical whatever and should fix it. Obviously this is a known issue with the 2006 Toyota and should also be part of the recall.

60mo ago
Body 1

THE SEATBELT IN THE REAR PASSENGER DOESN'T FUNCTION PROPERLY, IT EITHER GETS STUCK IN TRYING TO FASTEN IT OR ONCE IT'S ON IT DOESN'T FLUCTUATE AND GETS STUCK IN A TIGHT POSITION WHERE IT HAS TO BE RELEASED IN ORDER NOT TO OVERLY CONSTRAINT THE PASSENGER. THE KIDS ARE THE ONES SITTING IN THIS SEAT AND USING SEAT BELT SO IT'S CONCERNING FOR THEM NOT TO BE ABLE TO ABIDE BY STATE LAWS OF WEARING SEAT BELTS AND KEEPING THEM SAFE BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO RETRACT THE SEAT BELT.

63mo ago
Electrical 4

TL* THE CONTACT'S GIRLFRIEND OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING 25 MPH, HER VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER MOTORIST AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. DESPITE MINIMAL IMPACT, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN OCCUPANT IN THE SEAT. DUE TO THE SHOCK OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, THE CONTACT'S GIRLFRIEND JERKED THE WHEEL AND HER BACK PASSENGER TIRE HAD HIT A CURB. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT'S GIRLFRIEND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE NEXT DAY, HIS GIRLFRIEND WAS TREATED AT A HOSPITAL FOR INJURIES TO HER NECK AND RIGHT ARM. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V627000(AIR BAGS). AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE AT POHANKA TOYOTA OF SALISBURY(2010 N SALISBURY BLVD, SALISBURY, MD 21801) WHERE AN INSPECTOR WAS SENT TO THE DEALER TO INSPECT THE AIR BAG. AFTER THE INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE AND WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT NO REPAIRS WOULD BE MADE TO THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION WAS SETTLED. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 282,699.

66mo ago
Electrical 4

THE AIRBAG REPAIR BY TOYOTA OR THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT SHORT OUT (WIRE AT THE AIRBAG MODULE) AND CAUSED AN ENGINE FIRE.

69mo ago

867 total

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