NHTSA vehicle safety data

2006 Toyota 4Runner Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2006 Toyota 4Runner has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 381 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Toyota dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2006 Toyota 4Runner, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2006 Toyota 4Runner owner complaints

Owners have filed 381 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Toyota 4Runner, describing incidents dated November 12, 2005 to September 1, 2026.

Most-cited components

Structure 143 complaints
Unknown or Other 74 complaints
Suspension 65 complaints
Service Brakes 33 complaints
Power Train 30 complaints
Air Bags 24 complaints

Of the 381 complaints on file, 28 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 381 complaints, owners report 18 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11762066 · Filed September 4, 2026
During routine maintenance, we noticed frame rot.
ODI #11743956 · Filed June 14, 2026
unknown, vehicle started to leak a fluid, took vehicle to mechanic shop they said frame rotted to the point they would not let me drive it home had to have it towed and now without transportation. the almost identical frames on other toyota vehicles were recalled for exactly the same problem. i dont…
ODI #11732907 · Filed April 22, 2026
Frame is rotting away. The tacomas, tundras, sequoia were recalled for this issue. The tacomas frame is very close in design to the 4runner. The main difference is the 4runner uses coil springs whereas the tacoma used leaf springs. Toyota stated that because the 4runner was made in Japan unlike the…

Read all 381 complaints

Owner-reported

2006 Toyota 4Runner mileage at failure

266 of the 381 complaints on file for the 2006 Toyota 4Runner give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Structure	Median 125,000 miles	Middle half 95,000–155,000 miles	Based on 96 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2006 Toyota 4Runner in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP18-002: Frame corrosion
Closed March 18, 2022
Recall Query RQ10-003: Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
Closed March 1, 2011

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Seat Heater Electrical Wiring

NHTSA #16V396000 · Seats — Front Assembly — Seat Heater/Cooler · NHTSA notice

Reported June 2, 2016 · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Potentially affected: 7,749 vehicles

Repair completion: 23.63% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign SET16B · Owners notified July 14, 2016 · Vehicles built December 5, 1987 – January 27, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Inadvertent Side Curtain Air Bag Deployment

NHTSA #16V065000 · Air Bags — Side/Window · NHTSA notice

Reported February 5, 2016 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 320,409 vehicles

Repair completion: 37.64% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Toyota campaign G0C, GLB · Owners notified December 1, 2016 · Vehicles built August 1, 2003 – June 15, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

PEDAL ENTRAPMENT

NHTSA #11V113000 · Vehicle Speed Control — Accelerator Pedal · NHTSA notice

Reported February 24, 2011 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 1,363,244 vehicles

Toyota campaign 9LG · Owners notified April 13, 2011 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

TOYOTA'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBERS ARE 90L (TOYOTA) AND 90LG (LEXUS).CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF SAFETY RECALLS 09V-388 AND 10V-023.

LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS

NHTSA #10V035000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported February 3, 2010 · GULF STATES TOYOTA, INC.

Potentially affected: 271,417 vehicles

Owners notified May 27, 2010

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS

NHTSA #10V036000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported February 3, 2010 · SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, LLC

Potentially affected: 153,418 vehicles

Owners notified May 27, 2010

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

2006 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

20% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

2 investigations

381 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Toyota 4Runner.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11762066

Incident: September 1, 2026 · Filed: September 4, 2026

During routine maintenance, we noticed frame rot.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11743956

Incident: May 6, 2024 · Filed: June 14, 2026

unknown, vehicle started to leak a fluid, took vehicle to mechanic shop they said frame rotted to the point they would not let me drive it home had to have it towed and now without transportation. the almost identical frames on other toyota vehicles were recalled for exactly the same problem. i dont understand why toyota will stand behind some of their vehicles and take care of some of the toyota owners but not all.

Structure

ODI #11732907

Incident: September 8, 2022 · Filed: April 22, 2026

Frame is rotting away. The tacomas, tundras, sequoia were recalled for this issue. The tacomas frame is very close in design to the 4runner. The main difference is the 4runner uses coil springs whereas the tacoma used leaf springs. Toyota stated that because the 4runner was made in Japan unlike the others that were made in the USA, that the 4runners were not part of the recall.most of the 4runners that are no longer drivable, are because of rotted frames. The repair kits that fix the rotted frames on the tacomas are the same kits that fix the 4runners. Now toyota won't even touch my vehicle for other repairs because of the rot holes.

Visibility/Wiper

ODI #11703997

Incident: December 8, 2025 · Filed: December 9, 2025

MYself and my fiancee were driving to our family's home, the rear defrost was on due to foggy windows as we were driving down the road there was a loud noise from the back half of the 4 runner. I had turned and looked back behind me and the rear hatch window was completely shattered. Its still intact in the window frame but about to fall out. This happened out of nowhere no warnings or anything.

Structure

ODI #11686705

Incident: September 8, 2025 · Filed: September 11, 2025

The frame under the car rusted so much that the gas tank literally fell through the frame to the ground. This put my son at risk and fortunately he was able to pull over in a residential area and exit the vehicle. A mechanic and welding company both assessed the vehicle and acknowledged the u unusual and excessive rusting. In researching online and speaking to car experts, this seems and is confirmed to be poor manufacturing and materials used for the frame.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11685575

Incident: September 6, 2025 · Filed: September 7, 2025

Excessive frame corrosion

Structure

ODI #11674391

Incident: July 17, 2025 · Filed: July 17, 2025

Dangerous and rusted through frame. The vehicles frame should have been recalled like the other Toyotas affected.

Structure; Unknown or Other

ODI #11641564

Incident: February 4, 2025 · Filed: February 9, 2025

We took the vehicle in for inspection and it failed due to the exhaust leaks, and more importantly the frame rusting out. We never received the recall notice for this issue. We have owned this vehicle for many years, so there is no reason we would not have been notified for the recall of the frame. The vehicle was just serviced last year and we spent a great deal of money to keep it running properly so we would not have any issues and it would last us for quite a long time to come. With the frame being rusted through, there is simply no way to keep this vehicle safe. Toyota did not notify customers that had the vehicles with the frame issue. This is something that is simply not acceptable. We are a family of Toyota owners and have always depended on the reliability of them. Finding this out has really shocked us and honestly diminished our trust in the Toyota reliability. Is Toyota willing to fix this issue, are we just stuck with this. Please help.

Suspension; Structure

ODI #11630483

Incident: October 31, 2024 · Filed: December 12, 2024

My 4runner have major frame rust issues and is a major safety hazard. This a known issue to Toyota and a recall needs to be made.

Air Bags

ODI #11624146

Crash 1 injury

Incident: November 5, 2024 · Filed: November 8, 2024

The contact owned a 2006 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that her son was driving at an unknown speed when another vehicle pulled in front of them to change lanes without warning causing her son to t-bone the vehicle and sending the other driver's vehicle to spin crashing into other vehicles nearby. The air bags deployed however their son received 2nd-degree burns on their right and 1st-degree burns on their lower region, and a concussion. The contact was unable to confirm if any other persons received injuries but was able to confirm other vehicles were damaged from the crash. Medical attention was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to their insurance company's facilities who had stated the vehicle was totaled. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

Other Toyota 4Runner model years

Check your 2006 Toyota 4Runner VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Toyota 4Runner at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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