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2006 Toyota Camry Engine Problems

20 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

20
Complaints
3
Crashes
3
Fires
Feb 2010Nov 2011
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (20)

highENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2025

Your check engine light came on and stayed on. When you took your car for state inspection, you were told there's an engine emissions leak, but the exact cause hasn't been identified yet. The dealer and Toyota were notified but haven't provided assistance. Finding and fixing the emissions leak will likely involve diagnostic testing to locate where the leak is, followed by repair or replacement of the faulty component.

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NHTSA #: 11682806
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COX TOYOTA (800-951-4400, LOCATED AT 3860 DANBROOK RD, BURLINGTON, NC 27215) WHERE THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS NOT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA #: 11259043
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2018

I HAVE PROPERLY MAINTAINED MY VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT. TUESDAY I HEADED TO WORK AND THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER TO THE GAS STATION TO CHECK IT. I HAD NO OIL IN MY CAR. I JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE LESS THAN TWO WEEKS PRIOR. I THE PROCEEDED TO PUT THREE QUARTS IN MY CAR. THE OIL LIGHT WENT OUT. I TOOK IT BACK TO TEXAS OIL LATER THAT DAY AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED. THEY CHECKED IT AND TOLD ME THE OIL WAS FULL FOR THE MOMENT. I WAS TOLD TO COME BACK AND HAVE IT CHECK THE FOLLOWING DAY. I COULDN'T GET THERE ON WEDS, I WENT THURSDAY. THE CAR WAS LOW TWO QUARTS OF OIL. THEY CHECKED THE CAR BOTH TIMES FOR AN OIL LEAK. NO LEAK. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AT FIRESTONE AND HE CHECKED THE OIL, FILLED IT UP AND TOLD ME TO COME BACK THE NEXT DAY AND HE WOULD CHECK IT OUT REALLY GOOD. I WENT TODAY AND I HAD ALMOST NO OIL. ONE QUART. HE CHECKED THE CAR. NO OIL LEAKS. HE SAID THE CAR LOOKED REALLY GOOD FOR ITS AGE. THERE WERE NO LEAKS AND NO EXPLANATION FOR THE OIL CONSUMPTION. HE TOLD ME IT NEEDED AN ENGINE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THE ENGINE COULD JUST SHUT DOWN ON ME. THAT SCARED ME. I WORK IN HOME HEALTH. I DRIVE MY CAR TO CLIENT'S HOMES. I AM AFRAID OF A FIRE OR SOMETHING WORSE HAPPENING WHILE I AM DRIVING.

NHTSA #: 11104922
mediumENGINE
Filed: Nov 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND CONSUMED OIL PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE ENGINE GASKET AND FILTER WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VOLUNTARY ENGINE ENHANCEMENT REPAIR HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,590.

NHTSA #: 10925364
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2016

MY CAR WAS TESTED AND QUALIFIED FOR AN ENGINE INTERNAL REBUILD DUE TO EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. IT'S BEEN A YEAR AND THE PARTS STILL HAVE NOT BEEN DELIVERED TO THE DEALER. MEANWHILE I HAVE TO FILL UP THE OIL 3+ TIMES IN-BETWEEN EVERY OIL CHANGE WHICH IS COSTING ME THE EQUIVALENT OF AN ADDITIONAL OIL CHANGE FOR EVERY OIL CHANGE (APPROXIMATELY $30 EXTRA EVERY OIL CHANGE).

NHTSA #: 10897379
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2016

2006 TOYOTA CAMRY 80K MILES, HAD COOLANT LEAKING INTO ENGINE CYLINDERS CAUSED BY STRIPPED HEAD GASKET BOLTS. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND A DESIGN FLAW FOR THE 2AZ-FE ENGINE WHICH OCCUR TO MANY 2002 - 2006 CAMRY. TOYOTA DEALER WANTED OVER $3,500 TO FIX IT.. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL AND REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA #: 10897116
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2016

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2006 SOLARA THAT CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 56,000 MILES. LAST YEAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TURNING ON, BUT IT WASN'T UNTIL THIS YEAR THAT I FOUND OUT THE PROBLEM. MY CAR IS BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL, ABOUT 1.75 QUARTS EVERY 1,200 MILES (ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP'S OIL CONSUMPTION TEST.) TOYOTA ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN IN 2011 STATING THAT IT WILL ONLY FIX THE 2007 AND 2008 SOLARAS. ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS A 2006, IT HAS THE EXACT SAME ENGINE AS THE 2007 AND 2008. I ALREADY CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE TWICE AND THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, ARGUING THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I AM AWARE OF THAT, BUT IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURNG PROBLEM. MY CAR IS LOW ON MILEAGE, IT'S NEVER BEEN CRASHED, AND I'VE DONE ALL THE MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALERSHIP IN A TIMELY MANNER SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. TOYOTA IS WELL AWARE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY ABOUT $3,000 TO FIX IT, IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT MY FAULT. I'M ALSO NOT GOING TO SELL IT TO SOMEONE WITHOUT TELLING THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THAT'S JUST WRONG. SO MY ONLY OPTIONS ARE PAYING FOR THE REPAIR MYSELF OR SELLING IT AND TAKING A SIGNIFICANT LOSS DUE TO THE PROBLEM. YESTERDAY MY CAR STARTED SHAKING WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHTS, MAKING LOUD UNUSUAL NOISES, LOSING POWER, AND THEN THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT TURNED ON. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE I'VE READ THAT THE ENGINE CAN EVENTUALLY JUST DIE DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. TOYOTA SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND BE FORCED TO ADMIT THE PROBLEM AND PAY FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE CUSTOMERS INVOLVED.

NHTSA #: 10884062
mediumENGINE
CrashFiled: Feb 2015

I WAS PULLING THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT AT A VERY SLOW SPEED (~4MPH). SUDDENLY THE CAR TOOK OFF WITH FULL FORCE OF ACCELERATION. THE CAR JUMPED THE CONCRETE BAR OF THE PARKING LOT AND ACCELERATED AS IF WITH FULL APPLIED GAS. IT JUST HAPPENED IN FEW SECONDS, I TRIED TO HIT THE BREAK, BUT COULD NOT STOP THE CAR UNTIL IT HIT THE 1.5" HIGH FOUNDATION OF THE BUILDING AND STOPPED. THE ENGINE WAS STILL ON, AND THE FRONT WHEELS STILL SPUN VERY FAST UNTIL I CHANGED THE GEAR TO PARKING AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10683954
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
CrashFiled: Nov 2011

2006 SOLARA WAS DRIVEN BY MY SON WHO WAS FOUND DEAD IN A CANAL ON 1/28/08 BY A PASSERBY. THE CAR HAD THE TENDENCY TO HAVE THE FLOOR MAT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE RIDE UP, WHICH I WAS USED TO AS IT WAS MY CAR. THEREFORE, I SUSPECT THE FLOOR MAT RODE UP ONTO ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAUSING CAR TO BE UNABLE TO STOP WITHOUT TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS FOUND UPSIDE DOWN WITH THE CAR IN PARK WITH THE KEYS REMOVED IN 4' OF WATER WITH MY ONLY CHILD LAYING FACE DOWN IN THE WATER DEAD. SINCE THE RECALL CAME AFTER HIS DEATH, THE CAR HAD ALREADY BEEN SALVAGED AND NOT ABLE TO HAVE PROOF TO DETERMINE CAUSE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10435721
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FireFiled: Feb 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ELECTRICAL ODOR. THE CONTACT WAS MOTIONED TO PULL OVER BY ANOTHER DRIVER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE CONTACTS INSURANCE COMPANY WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A SPONTANEOUS ENGINE FIRE AND NOT A MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA #: 10382955
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Feb 2011

TWICE BLACK FOAM MATERIAL EMITS FROM HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING DUCTS STAINING CLOTHING, AND GETTING IN EYES CAUSING IRRITATION AND BLURRED VISION. SECOND TIME THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER TWICE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10382973
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2010

2006 TOYOTA CAMRY 56K MILES REGULAR SERVICE STRIPPED HEAD GASKET BOLTS CAUSE COOLANT LEAK. ONLY RECOURSE REPAIR FOR $2000 +. TOYOTA SHOULD REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10356276
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Jun 2010

2006 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A VEHICLE FIRE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. HE LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND SAW A WOMAN SCREAMING THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. HE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND THEN IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *JB

NHTSA #: 10340063
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
CrashFiled: Mar 2010

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). I PURCHASE A 2006 CAMRY IN DEC. 2005. WITHIN WEEKS THE OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. JAN 2006 AS I ENTERED 290W IN NORTHBORO MA THE CAR ACCELERATED FROM 10MPH TO 80 +MPH WITHOUT WARNING. AS TRAFFIC WAS BUMPER TO BUMPER THE CAR SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF A SEMI TRAILER. WHEN THE CAR WAS REPAIRED OF COURSE I WAS TOLD I HAD STEPPED ON THE GAS NOT THE BRAKE. THIS WAS NOT TRUE!!! HOWEVER, HAVING NO OTHER EXPLANATION I ACCEPTED THE CAUSE. HOWEVER, AS MANY AS 2 DOZEN TIMES THE CAR ACCELERATED WHEN PARKING INTO A SPOT. I HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL IF THIS EVER HAPPENED AGAIN, AND I DID. I DROVE THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS, TOOK IT TO DEALERS, TRIED TO FILE A LEMON LAW COMPLAINT, BUT TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE FINALLY TRADED IN THE AUTO AND WANT TO RECOUP MY $4000.00 OF DEDUCTIBLES AND SURCHARGES THAT I PAID FOR NO FAULT OF MINE. HOW DO I DO THIS. [XXX] *TR

NHTSA #: 10320371
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Feb 2010

I AM REPORTING 2 INSTANCES OF UNINTENDED THROTTLE ACCELERATION IN MY 2006 SOLARA. CIRCUMSTANCES IN BOTH CASES WERE SIMILAR. THE TWO CASES: (1) APPROXIMATELY NOVEMBER 1, 2009 -- I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT. I BRAKED TO MAKE A TURN WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED VIOLENTLY. STEPPING HARD ON THE BRAKE AND PULLING THE SHIFTER INTO N STOPPED THE ACCELERATION. THE CAR THEN OPERATED NORMALLY. (2) APPROXIMATELY DECEMBER 20, 2009 -- I WAS PULLING SLOWLY INTO A PARKING PLACE IN FRONT OF A POST OFFICE WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED VIOLENTLY. STEPPING HARD ON THE BRAKE AND PULLING THE SHIFTER INTO N STOPPED THE ACCELERATION. THE CAR THEN OPERATED NORMALLY. OBVIOUSLY I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ESPECIALLY WITH THE PUBLICITY AND RECALLS BUT UNDERSTAND THAT MY MODEL IS NOT ON RECALL. *TR

NHTSA #: 10313686
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2010

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES,ENGINE SURGES AND CONTINUES TO SURGE UNTIL BRAKES ARE RELEASED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10306471
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Filed: Sep 2009

MY 2006 CAMRY RANAWAY ON RT 290 WEST WHEN IT WAS A FEW MONTHS OLD FOLLOWING THE REPLACEMENT OF AN OXYSENDOR AND INSTALLATION OF TOYOTA FLOOR MATS. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR AS IT ENTERED THE HIGHWAY AND THUS I REARENDED A SEMI WHO NEVER EVEN KNEW THAT I HIT HIM. YET, GREATER THAN 2000.00 OF DAMAGE HAPPENED TO MY AUTO. I HAVE PAID NEARLY 3000.00 IN PENALTIES FOR AN ACCIDENT WHICH I HAD NO CONTROL OVER. FROM THENCE, I WAS TOLD TO PUT MY CAR IN NEUTRAL WHEN I STOPPED AT LIGHTS ETC. IT TRIED TO RUNAWAY AT LEAST 20 TIMES SPORADICALLY.. I TOOK IT TO TOYOTA DEALERS WHO TOLD ME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I TRIED TO FILE A LEMON LAW. IT WAS 3 YRS OF DRIVING IN ?!@#$% NEVER KNOWING WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT. I HAVE WITNESSES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10285853
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FireFiled: Sep 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 30,000.

NHTSA #: 10285221
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2009

LEAKING HEAD GASKET-CAR BEGAN MAKING INTERMITTENT CLICKING NOISE. DEALER CHECKED AND SAID NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT-PROBABLY LOOSE FUEL PUMP. THEY TIGHTENED THAT. STILL NOISE. TOOK IT BACK-"OOPS" IT'S A LEAKING HEAD GASKET THEY SAID HAD BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE MANUFACTURE. HAD I CONTINUED TO DRIVE I COULD HAVE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AT ANY SPEED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10277455
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2005

I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA AVALON AND EACH TIME YOU ACCELERATE ON THE GAS A SULFUR SMELL EMITS FROM THE CAR INTO THE CABIN. HAVE TRIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT BRANDS OF GAS WITH NO LUCK. DEALERSHIP KEEPS TELLING ME IT IS JUST THE GAS IN KENTUCKY AND THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH CAR BUT I KNOW SEVERAL OTHER AVALON OWNERS THAT HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT ONLY OCCURS ON SOME CARS AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *NM

NHTSA #: 10137811

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