Model year report

2006 Toyota Corolla: what breaks, and at what mileage

What breaks on the 2006 Toyota Corolla

On the 2006 Toyota Corolla, the failure owners report most often is airbag inflator rupture, and the reports cluster around 120,000 miles. The earliest to appear is other brake problem, reported by a median of 25,000 miles. Overall it scores 72 out of 100, high risk for a 2006.

High risk for a 2006 — 90th riskiest of the 343 2006 vehicles we can rate. 971 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.

What breaks on the 2006 Toyota Corolla

Owners have reported 53 named failure modes on the 2006 Toyota Corolla, and the three most-reported carry 31% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.

Airbag inflator rupture leads with 159 reports, about 1.1 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 77k to 160,000 miles.

Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure follows with 87 reports, usually reported between 33k to 77,500 miles.

Other speed control problem follows with 58 reports, usually reported between 13k to 82,500 miles.

By system, the reports fall mostly into airbag (221), electrical (130) and engine (95).

When these failures get reported

552 of the reports on the 2006 Toyota Corolla came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 59,000 miles.

Cumulatively, 40% by 50,000 miles, 78% by 100,000 miles and 91% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed, with 15 filed above the top of the chart.

The busiest stretch is between 50,000 and 60,000 miles, which alone holds 11% of the dated reports.

28% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles.

In the order they tend to show up: other brake problem around 24k, other electrical problem around 40k, other wheel or tire problem around 42k and loss of braking around 42k.

Median

Airbag inflator rupture

120k
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure

55k
Other speed control problem

47k
Other engine problem

54k
Other electrical problem

40k
Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault

121k
Airbag failed to deploy in a crash

79k
Other powertrain problem

53k
Other brake problem

24k
Other body or interior problem

55k
Air conditioning failure

48k
No-start or intermittent start failure

65k

Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens

Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 53. The full list is in the table below.

How reports accumulate

Share of reports filed by each mileage

half by 59k

Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A further 15 reports came in above that, which is why the line stops short of the top. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.

Line share of reports filed by that mileage
Dashed the median reported mileage

What happens when these parts fail

Across the named modes, 132 mention a crash, 11 a fire and 82 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.

The average severity weight across every report on this year is 5.66, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.

What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: airbag inflator rupture at $0–$0, control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure at $700–$3,000, other speed control problem at $250–$2,000 and other engine problem at $300–$4,000. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.

13% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.

Every reported failure mode

Mileage figures are percentiles of owner-reported readings. Click a column to sort.
Failure mode	System	Reports	With reading	25th	Median	75th	Per 1,000	Typical repair	Severity
Airbag inflator rupture	airbag	159	20	77k	120k	160k	1.1	$0–$0	Critical
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure	electrical	87	79	33k	55k	78k	0.6	$700–$3,000	High
Other speed control problem	adas	58	51	13k	47k	83k	0.4	$250–$2,000	Critical
Other engine problem	engine	57	54	36k	54k	85k	0.4	$300–$4,000	High
Other electrical problem	electrical	35	29	18k	40k	68k	0.2	$250–$2,000	Moderate
Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault	airbag	26	20	69k	121k	147k	0.2	$300–$1,600	High
Airbag failed to deploy in a crash	airbag	24	21	36k	79k	122k	0.2	$1,000–$5,000	Critical
Other powertrain problem	transmission	24	23	22k	53k	94k	0.2	$400–$4,500	High
Other brake problem	brakes	23	17	1k	24k	82k	0.2	$300–$1,800	High
Other body or interior problem	body	22	20	5k	55k	95k	0.2	$200–$2,000	Moderate
Air conditioning failure	hvac	19	14	34k	48k	51k	0.1	$400–$2,800	Moderate
No-start or intermittent start failure	engine	17	16	23k	65k	84k	0.1	$200–$1,800	Moderate
Other wheel or tire problem	wheels	15	12	17k	42k	57k	0.1	$200–$1,500	High
Stalling while driving	engine	14	14	32k	76k	92k	0.1	$300–$2,500	Critical
Other steering problem	steering	14	11	28k	50k	60k	0.1	$350–$2,400	High
Seat belt or retractor failure	airbag	12	9	11k	45k	96k	0.1	$200–$900	High
Loss of braking	brakes	11	8	28k	42k	60k	0.1	$400–$3,000	Critical
Other fuel system problem	fuel	10	8	40k	50k	58k	0.1	$300–$2,200	High
Parking brake failure	brakes	8	8	57k	57k	69k	0.1	$250–$1,300	Moderate
Harsh or jerky shifting	transmission	4	4	—	89k	—	0.0	$600–$4,000	Moderate
Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure	fuel	4	3	—	52k	—	0.0	$250–$1,800	Moderate
Engine sensor failure	electrical	4	4	—	156k	—	0.0	$180–$900	Moderate
Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure	steering	4	4	—	110k	—	0.0	$700–$2,600	High
Steering column or shaft failure	steering	4	1	—	70k	—	0.0	$600–$2,500	Critical
Other lighting problem	lighting	4	4	—	88k	—	0.0	$120–$1,200	Moderate
Complete engine failure or seizure	engine	3	0	—	—	—	0.0	$4,500–$12,000	Critical
Shifter, linkage or stuck-in-park failure	transmission	3	3	—	60k	—	0.0	$250–$1,400	High
Fuel pump failure	fuel	3	3	—	45k	—	0.0	$600–$2,600	High
Other visibility problem	glass	3	0	—	—	—	0.0	$150–$1,400	Moderate
Engine bay fire	engine	2	2	—	125k	—	0.0	$4,000–$20,000	Critical
Torque converter failure	transmission	2	2	—	73k	—	0.0	$1,100–$3,200	High
Fuel leak or fuel odor	fuel	2	2	—	95k	—	0.0	$300–$2,500	Critical
Alternator or charging system failure	electrical	2	2	—	67k	—	0.0	$450–$1,600	High
Backup camera failure	infotainment	2	1	—	1	—	0.0	$250–$1,200	Moderate
Instrument cluster or gauge failure	infotainment	2	2	—	6k	—	0.0	$350–$1,400	Moderate
Cruise control failure	adas	2	2	—	40k	—	0.0	$200–$1,400	High
Rust or structural corrosion	body	2	2	—	26k	—	0.0	$500–$6,000	High
Sunroof failure or glass breakage	body	2	2	—	169k	—	0.0	$700–$4,500	High
Headlight failure or clouding	lighting	2	0	—	—	—	0.0	$150–$1,800	Moderate
Tail light, brake light or signal failure	lighting	2	0	—	—	—	0.0	$100–$900	Moderate
Other suspension problem	suspension	2	2	—	24k	—	0.0	$350–$2,000	Moderate
Other driver assistance problem	adas	2	2	—	85k	—	0.0	$250–$1,800	High
Electrical fire or melted wiring	electrical	1	1	—	4k	—	0.0	$1,500–$9,000	Critical
Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure	engine	1	1	—	50k	—	0.0	$1,200–$4,500	Critical
Misfire or rough idle	engine	1	1	—	70k	—	0.0	$250–$1,600	Moderate
Overheating	cooling	1	1	—	44k	—	0.0	$400–$3,500	High
Complete transmission failure	transmission	1	1	—	20	—	0.0	$2,800–$8,000	Critical
Wiring harness or short circuit	electrical	1	1	—	90k	—	0.0	$400–$3,500	High
Premature brake pad or rotor wear	brakes	1	1	—	24k	—	0.0	$300–$1,400	Moderate
Alignment fault and uneven tire wear	suspension	1	1	—	90k	—	0.0	$150–$1,200	Moderate
Tire blowout or tread separation	wheels	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$200–$1,500	Critical
Paint peeling or clear coat failure	body	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$600–$6,000	Low
Wiper or washer failure	glass	1	1	—	120k	—	0.0	$120–$800	Moderate
Unclassified problem	other	263	62	49k	80k	125k	1.9	—	Moderate

Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.

How often, against how many were built

Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2006 Toyota Corolla draws about 6.9 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 85th percentile of complaint rates among 2006 vehicles we can rate.

That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.

The working figure is 141,082 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2006 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.

What owners wrote

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.

Airbag inflator rupture

Toyota was supposed to replace the rusted wheels but it appears they either just repainted them or replaced them with another defective wheel. The wheels are rusting excessively. I received a recall notice advising me that my passenger side airbag was on recall list but part is not available at this time no mention was made of the driver side or side impact airbags. When I telephoned toyota, I was told by toyota that no recall was being issued for driver side or side impact airbags. This car has had surge issues, rusted wheels, tires 6 and 8 years old at time car was purchased as a brand new vehicle, now shrapnel danger from airbags with no recall. I put 8500 miles on car first year I owned it. Then surge occurred and now it only has 14500 miles since I am afraid to drive it. Toyota wants me to give it to dealer to hold until it is repaired. No guarantee re damage due to car sitting on dealers lot for months I.e. Rusted brakes, engine, etc from sitting unused for months. This is ridiculous. Toyota should be made to take back this vehicle and replace it with new corolla. I bought it new since I was retiring and now retired and can…

14,500 miles NHTSA complaint 1211981 filed 2015-08-23

Toyota was supposed to replace the rusted wheels but it appears they either just repainted them or replaced them with another defective wheel. The wheels are rusting excessively. I received a recall notice advising me that my passenger side airbag was on recall list but part is not available at this time no mention was made of the driver side or side impact airbags. When I telephoned toyota, I was told by toyota that no recall was being issued for driver side or side impact airbags. This car has had surge issues, rusted wheels, tires 6 and 8 years old at time car was purchased as a brand new vehicle, now shrapnel danger from airbags with no recall. I put 8500 miles on car first year I owned it. Then surge occurred and now it only has 14500 miles since I am afraid to drive it. Toyota wants me to give it to dealer to hold until it is repaired. No guarantee re damage due to car sitting on dealers lot for months I.e. Rusted brakes, engine, etc from sitting unused for months. This is ridiculous. Toyota should be made to take back this vehicle and replace it with new corolla. I bought it new since I was retiring and now retired and can…

14,500 miles NHTSA complaint 1211982 filed 2015-08-23

Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 toyota corolla. The current and failure mileage were 11,500 miles. The check engine light kept coming on. While driving about 20 MPH under normal driving conditions the vehicle started jerking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer , and the contact was told that the automatic transmission control module (PCM )failed and had to be replaced. *ak

11,500 miles NHTSA complaint 622675 filed 2007-05-02

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 toyota corolla. The vehicle was put into the park gear, however; it shifted to reverse. The dealer replaced the computer. After the repair was made the vehicle was sitting at a stop light and the warning indicator light for the door illuminated. The speedometer began to race up and down and there was a noise heard coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle surged forward and crashed into the rear end of another vehicle. The front end of the vehicle was damaged. The driver and the infant in the other vehicle sustained injuries. There was no police report. The VIN was unavailable but will be added to the hardcopy. The failure mileage was 28,677. The current mileage was 28,660.

28,660 miles NHTSA complaint 636169 filed 2007-08-27

Recalls on the 2006 model year

NHTSA has issued 10 recall campaigns covering the 2006 Toyota Corolla, affecting an estimated 272,636 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.

The campaigns cover air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module, air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module and air bags. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.

Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.

19V741000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

928,220 vehicles 2019-10-17

Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may…
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

19V627000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

229,460 vehicles 2019-08-28

Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
Consequence: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1Q and K0Q. Pontiac owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is N192273760.

15V286000

AIR BAGS

1,069,055 vehicles 2015-05-13

Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. On June 16, 2015 Toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 Lexus SC, Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix, Toyota…
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota began the recall on July 13, 2015. Pontiac Vibe owners may contact GM at 1-800-762-2737. GM began the recall on June 29…

15V285000

AIR BAGS

1,973,468 vehicles 2015-05-13

Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004. On June 16, 2015, Toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 Sequoia, 2005-2006 Tundra, 2003-2007 Corolla, 2003-2007 Corolla Matrix, 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe and 2002-2007 Lexus SC vehicles. This is to address a safety defect…
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag. The recall began on July 13, 2015. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-762-2737. NOTE: This recall supersedes recall 14V-312 in its entirety.

10V384000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1,128,659 vehicles 2010-08-26

Defect: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles. The engine control module (ECM) for the subject models equipped with the 1zz-fe engine and two-wheel drive may have been improperly manufactured. There is a possibility that a crack may develop at certain solder points or on varistors on the circuit board.
Consequence: There are a variety of warnings and consequences associated with the defect. The engine warning lamp could be illuminated, harsh shifting could result, the engine may not start, or the engine could shut off while the vehicle is being driven. An engine shutoff while the vehicle is being driven increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the production number of the ECM and replace the ECM if necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Toyota will mail an interim owner notification the middle of september 2010 to advise owners of this defect and recall. This interim notification will inform owners that they will receive a future notification when parts become available to have the free remedy performed on their vehicle. The safety recall began on november 29, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

10V036000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

153,418 vehicles 2010-02-03

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.

10V035000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

271,417 vehicles 2010-02-03

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.

09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

16,270 vehicles 2009-04-07

Defect: Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Consequence: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on may 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

06E064000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

4,029 vehicles 2006-07-17

Defect: Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Consequence: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Tradesonic will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during july 2006. Owners may contact tradesonic at 626-934-8884.

06E023000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

292,000 vehicles 2006-03-13

Defect: Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Consequence: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began may 9, 2006. Owners may contact anzo usa at 909-468-3688.

Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.

How it ranks in the 2006 field

The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.

Risk score against the rest of the 2006 field

Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.

Left fewer and less serious reports
Right more, or worse
Marker this vehicle

How 2006 compares with the other years

High risk for a 2006 — 90th riskiest of the 343 2006 vehicles we can rate. The comparison is always within the same model year, so an older car is never penalised for having had longer to break.

Across the 31 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 1997 comes out best at 62 and 2010 worst at 82, with 2006 itself at 72.

If the model year is negotiable, 1997, 2025 and 2004 score lower than 2006 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.

Within the 2003–2008 generation specifically, 2004 is the strongest year at 69 and 2007 the weakest at 72.

Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.

Risk score by model year, out of 100

Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.

Within the 2003-2008 generation, 2004 Toyota Corolla scores best at 69 and 2007 Toyota Corolla worst at 72.

Where to spend the inspection money

The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: other brake problem from about 1k, other body or interior problem from about 5k, seat belt or retractor failure from about 11k and other speed control problem from about 13k.

On a 2006 Toyota Corolla with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether other brake problem has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.

None of this is a diagnosis. It is a list of what other owners of the same model year reported, ordered by when they reported it, which is a good place to point an inspection and a poor place to stop.

What this page cannot tell you

971 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.

Of those 971 reports, 552 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 57% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".

Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.

And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.

Questions this page answers

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Toyota Corolla?

The most-reported failures are airbag inflator rupture (159 reports, median 120,000 miles), control module (ecm/pcm/bcm) failure (87 reports, median 55,000 miles) and other speed control problem (58 reports, median 47,500 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.

At what mileage do 2006 Toyota Corolla problems start?

Other brake problem is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 25,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 1,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 59,000 miles.

Is the 2006 Toyota Corolla reliable?

It scores 72 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 90th riskiest of the 343 2006 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2006 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.

Which year of the Toyota Corolla is best?

Within the 2003–2008 generation, 2004 scores best at 69 out of 100 and 2007 worst at 72. Same body, same engines, different luck.

Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.

What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car

Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt 30 August 2026 Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed