Representative 2005 model. Photo: Vauxford, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2006 Toyota Prius recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2006 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 6
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 1,439
Latest campaign: Nov 14, 2012

Recall summary by component6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Steering	2	Nov 14, 2012	12V537000 06V188000
Engine and engine cooling	1	Nov 14, 2012	12V536000
Equipment	1	Feb 3, 2010	10V036000
Vehicle speed control	1	Oct 5, 2009	09V388000
Air bags	1	Apr 3, 2006	06V096000

Safety recalls6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Nov 14, 2012Latest campaign


Nov 14, 201212V537000	Steering Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 12V537000 What's wrong 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 built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines may have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness. Risk Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. 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 contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. Campaign NHTSA 12V537000 · Nov 14, 2012
Nov 14, 201212V536000	Engine and engine cooling The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. DetailsHide details for campaign 12V536000 What's wrong 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. During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire. The coil wire may corrode at the scratched portion. Risk The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash. 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 Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. Campaign NHTSA 12V536000 · Nov 14, 2012
Feb 3, 201010V036000	Equipment: other labels A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. DetailsHide details for campaign 10V036000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Campaign NHTSA 10V036000 · Feb 3, 2010
Oct 5, 200909V388000	Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 09V388000 What's wrong 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 FLOOR MAT. Risk 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. 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. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987. Campaign NHTSA 09V388000 · Oct 5, 2009
May 31, 200606V188000	Steering: electric power assist system THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. DetailsHide details for campaign 06V188000 What's wrong 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. Risk THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. 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. Campaign NHTSA 06V188000 · May 31, 2006
Apr 3, 200606V096000	Air bags THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. DetailsHide details for campaign 06V096000 What's wrong 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 AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH. Risk THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. 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. Campaign NHTSA 06V096000 · Apr 3, 2006

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Toyota recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2006 Toyota Prius? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component1,439

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

1,439Complaints filed

82Involving a crash

5Involving a fire

48Injuries reported · 1 death

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Exterior lighting	941	65	5	0	1
Service brakes	210	15	34	1	12
Electrical system	152	11	2	2	2
Hydraulic	94	7	11	0	2
Vehicle speed control	84	6	18	2	11
Electric	45	3	7	0	2
Air bags	30	2	24	0	19
Engine	25	2	3	0	1
Unknown or other	25	2	1	0	0
Equipment	23	2	0	0	0
Steering	22	2	3	0	4
Power train	22	2	4	0	5
Engine and engine cooling	20	1	1	0	0
Traction control system	19	1	2	0	0
Electronic stability control (ESC)	15	1	1	0	1

19 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Service brakes
“I was involved in an auto accident on 4/20/2026 @ 6:23 PM. I was driving a 2006 Prius and the vehicle in front of me stopped to make a left turn. I applied my brakes, which grabbed slightly and then released.”
Filed 05/07/2026 · ODI 11736448
Service brakes
“I am looking to receive a little bit more assistance regarding my daughter's first car that she worked very hard for. It is a 2006 Toyota Prius.”
Filed 03/13/2026 · ODI 11724026
Air bags
“The contact owned a 2006 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while slowly driving into an intersection and turning left at less than 3 MPH, the owner of a Ford F-150 coming from the driver's side of the vehicle at 35…”
Filed 10/06/2025 · ODI 11691629

Other Toyota Prius model years

All years: 2026 · 2025 · 2024 · 2023 · 2022 · 2020 · 2019 · 2018 · 2017 · 2016 · 2015 · 2014 · 2013 · 2012 · 2011 · 2010 · 2009 · 2008 · 2007 · 2006 · 2005 · 2004 · 2003 · 2002 · 2001

Other Toyota models

All Toyota models and years →

2006 Toyota Prius recall questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota Prius have?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 2006 Toyota Prius. The most recent, 12V537000 (reported November 14, 2012), concerns steering. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2006 Toyota Prius recalls for?

The largest group is steering, with 2 campaigns. Others: engine and engine cooling (1), equipment (1), vehicle speed control (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2006 Toyota Prius?

Exterior lighting is the most-reported component, named in 941 complaints out of 1,439 filed with NHTSA (65%). Across all complaints, owners reported 82 crashs and 5 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2006 Toyota Prius?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Toyota recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Toyota dealer.

Check a specific Toyota by VIN

Free · No signup · US-market vehicles, 1981+

Need the factory options too? See the Toyota build sheet & window sticker guide.

Recall summary by component6

Safety recalls6

Steering

Engine and engine cooling

Equipment: other labels

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Steering: electric power assist system

Air bags