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Model Year Problem Record

Toyota Prius 2006 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2006 Toyota Prius: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

1,439Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
6Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
6Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
117Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Lighting948 complaints

948 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes221 complaints

221 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System151 complaints

151 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control84 complaints

84 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 09V388000.

Engine45 complaints

45 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems35 complaints

35 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags32 complaints

32 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 06V096000.

Unknown Or Other25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering22 complaints

22 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 06V188000, 12V537000.

Power Train22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment18 complaints

18 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 10V036000.

Vehicle Structure15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Hybrid and Electric Propulsion2 complaints

2 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 12V536000.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

06V096000Reported April 3, 2006 - 133 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on April 3, 2006. The campaign covers an estimated 133 vehicles across all affected models.

06V188000Reported May 31, 2006 - 170,856 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on May 31, 2006. The campaign covers an estimated 170,856 vehicles across all affected models.

09V388000Reported October 5, 2009 - 4,445,056 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on October 5, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 4,445,056 vehicles across all affected models.

10V036000Reported February 3, 2010 - 153,418 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on February 3, 2010. The campaign covers an estimated 153,418 vehicles across all affected models.

12V536000Reported November 14, 2012 - 350,662 vehicles potentially affected

Hybrid and Electric Propulsion. Recall covering the hybrid and electric propulsion system, reported to NHTSA on November 14, 2012. The campaign covers an estimated 350,662 vehicles across all affected models.

12V537000Reported November 14, 2012 - 669,705 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on November 14, 2012. The campaign covers an estimated 669,705 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP13001Opened February 21, 2013 - Closed April 8, 2020

Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP13001Opened February 21, 2013 - Closed April 8, 2020

Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP13001Opened February 21, 2013 - Closed April 8, 2020

Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP22005Opened January 27, 2023 - Closed August 7, 2023

Pedestrian alert sounds. Resulted in recall campaign 22V063000.

PE09019Opened April 17, 2009 - Closed August 27, 2009

HEADLIGHT FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE09019Opened April 17, 2009 - Closed August 27, 2009

HEADLIGHT FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

200617
200733
2008220
2009396
2010349
201160
201252
201349
201446
201543
201641
201724
201839
201930
202010
20218
20228
20233
20246
20252
20263
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.