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CarComplaints.com Notes: How can we give the 2006 Camry our "Seal of Awesome" when the NHTSA data shows engine problems in the triple digits & multiple deaths/injuries/crashes etc?

The problem with NHTSA data for the 2006 Camry is that for months on end, the news media repeatedly told the public that several Toyota models had an unintended acceleration defect, & to go to safercar.gov (the NHTSA's website) to file a complaint.

So, the NHTSA received a disproportionate number of complaints about Toyota unintended acceleration issues because of the national news media attention, to the point where their data is unreliable taken in context with any other vehicle that did not receive national news attention.

In other words, it's our opinion that the 2 deaths & other injuries/fires/crashes reported to the NHTSA are significant, but (unfortunately) not out of the ordinary for any vehicle, once you factor in the effects of the extended national media coverage of Camry unintended acceleration issues.

CarComplaints.com typically receives more complaints per day about vehicles than the NHTSA does, but the news media did not repeatedly say "go to CarComplaints.com to report your Camry acceleration problems" like they did about the NHTSA -- so although we have less complaint data than the NHTSA for the 2006 Camry, our data for the Camry is a far more statistically accurate representation of the Camry's reliability than what the NHTSA data shows.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
94,290 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Toyota Camry engine problems

engine problem

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2006 Toyota Camry Owner Comments

problem #10

May 202019

Camry

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Graham, NC, USA

problem #9

Apr 072019

Camry

  • 140,000 miles
On Sunday, April 7th, I was traveling westbound on the southern state parkway at exactly fifty-five mph and exited at exit 17N. The exit ramp there is sloped uphill and parallels taylor road. There is a stop sign at the end of that ramp at hempstead avenue. Just as I was coming to the end of that ramp at very slow speed and almost to that sign, the engine suddenly sped up with extreme acceleration and the car lurched forward. I slammed my foot onto the brake pedal which kept the car from moving further forward and then before I could do anything else, the phenomenon ended and the engine returned to its normal idling speed of approximately 700 RPM on the dashboard tachometer. I drove home and parked the car in my driveway. The following morning, Monday April 8th, I made an appointment for that day to bring the car to a Toyota dealer. As I was preparing for that, I started the car and everything seemed normal. I put it into reverse in order to back out when the engine again suddenly sped up to extreme acceleration. Again, I slammed my foot onto the brake pedal and this time I put the gear shift into park which kept the car from moving further. The tachometer needle was rotated clockwise and well up into the "red" zone which begins at 6000 RPM. In a moment or so, the phenomenon again ended and the engine again returned to its normal idling speed.

- Merrick, NY, USA

problem #8

Jun 262018

Camry

  • 211,000 miles
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.

- Rosenberg, TX, USA

problem #7

Jun 012012

Camry

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine oil loss is extreme. Driver side sun visor is loose and hangs down. Blocking the view.

- Haymarket, VA, USA

problem #6

Oct 012016

Camry

  • 108,590 miles
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.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #5

Jun 152015

Camry

  • 190,000 miles
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).

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #4

Jun 012016

Camry

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Tustin, CA, USA

problem #3

Jul 102016

Camry

  • 56,000 miles
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 Solara. 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.

- Montebello, CA, USA

problem #2

Jun 192013

Camry 6-cyl

  • 81,103 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Camry. While driving between 20 and 40 mph, the vehicle hesitated, jerked, and surged forward when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. Manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,103. The consumer stated the vehicle had to be driven with the over drive option off. During slow traffic, the vehicle was kept in drive 3. this reduced the hesitation/surge events. Updated 08/21/2017

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

problem #1

Feb 162015

Camry 4-cyl

  • 76,212 miles
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.

- Austin, TX, USA

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