2006 Toyota Tacoma Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 56about this part
- Share
- 7%of 782 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,700miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 56 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Toyota Tacoma, 7% of the 782 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,700 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Rear differential oil leak. There had been a recall in the 2016 Toyota Tacoma but my 2006 has the same problem starting years ago. I did not know it was leaking until I took it to the dealership.”
NHTSA complaint #11405623, filed 2021-03, 78,600 miles“For at least 2 mos previous I would hear a chirping noise from the engine compartment. It would get louder as you accelerated & seamed more noticeable in warmer weather. Took vehicle in to dhc torrance Toyota & said it was my idler bearings. I thought that was odd since the truck only has 37400 miles. It cost me over $800.00.”
NHTSA complaint #10480075, filed 2012-10, 37,400 miles“When the vehicle had around 112,000 miles on it the check engine light came on and it experienced irregularities with regard to shifting. The code was ran and the shift solenoid was the issue. A new transmission was recommended. We were not informed of this when we purchased the vehicle second hand. Approximately a year later the same thing happened with the shifting and the check engine light coming on. Unfortunately by the time we took it to a certified Toyota dealer the light was off and it was running smoothly. …”
NHTSA complaint #11203777, filed 2019-04, 130,000 miles“I was slowly entering a parking space. I pressed the brake pedal and the engine speed increased to maximum RPM. I jammed the emergency brake and threw the transmission into park. A great cloud of blue smoke issued forth from the spinning tires. This never happened before and it's definitely a problem with the truck and not my foot! Several years ago, as a pedestrian, I saw the exact same thing happen to a jeep cherokee at a stop sign.”
NHTSA complaint #10563264, filed 2014-02, 56,954 miles“I own a 2006 Toyota Tacoma which I purchased new, and now have 11,347 miles on it. It's an automatic 4 speed ect-I transmission. From date of purchase to present at speeds between 50 and 60 MPH there is a loud gera whine. Below 50 and above 60 it goes away. I think it may be caused by the ring & pinion gears in the differential,although I am not certain.”
NHTSA complaint #10182296, filed 2007-02, 6 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244108Aug 16, 2023TSB: Some 2005 ? 2023 model year Tacoma vehicles equipped with a manual transmission may exhibit a squeak or creak noise from the clutch pedal when it is depressed or released.
- 10164907Aug 19, 2019TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0186-12. * Applicability has been updated to include 2018 and 2019 model…
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10150021Sep 14, 2018Customer Support Program: Toyota has received reports in which customers have indicated that there is a drivetrain vibration and/or drivetrain noise. If the vehicle continues to…
- 10146002Jun 27, 2018TSB: REVISION NOTICE June 27, 2018 Rev2: ? The Production Change Information and the Parts Information sections have been updated. March 14, 2018 Rev1: ? The Production Change…
- 10142895Jun 20, 2018Warranty Policy Bulletin: Toyota has received reports in which customers have indicated that there is a drivetrain vibration and/or drivetrain noise. If the vehicle continues to…
- 10142876Jun 8, 2018TSB: REVISION NOTICE June 8, 2018 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to exclude 2016 ? 2017 model year Tacoma vehicles. ? The Repair Procedure section has been updated. May…
- 10152113Mar 14, 2018TSB: REVISION NOTICE March 14, 2018 Rev1: ? The Production Change Information and Repair Procedure sections have been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin…
- 10129996Feb 21, 2018TSB: REVISION NOTICE February 21, 2018 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2015 ? 2017 model year Tacoma vehicles. ? The Parts Information and Repair Procedure…
- 10129209Jan 23, 2018Dealer Daily Message: Customer Support Program ZH2 Certain 2005 ? 2011 Model Year Tacoma Coverage for Propeller Shaft Universal Joints ? If the ZH2 condition is present for an…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 31% |
| 2025 | 22 | 19% |
| 2024 | 55 | 35% |
| 2023 | 7 | 13% |
| 2022 | 10 | 17% |
| 2021 | 14 | 17% |
| 2020 | 15 | 17% |
| 2019 | 40 | 18% |
| 2018 | 29 | 14% |
| 2017 | 68 | 28% |
| 2016 | 136 | 42% |
| 2015 | 9 | 9% |
| 2014 | 13 | 14% |
| 2013 | 22 | 18% |
| 2012 | 35 | 12% |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% |
| 2010 | 29 | 10% |
| 2009 | 75 | 14% |
| 2008 | 23 | 5% |
| 2007 | 68 | 13% |
| 2006 | 56 | 7% |
| 2005 | 57 | 8% |
| 2004 | 22 | 5% |
| 2003 | 18 | 5% |
| 2002 | 21 | 6% |
| 2001 | 15 | 4% |
| 2000 | 11 | 5% |
| 1999 | 16 | 6% |
| 1998 | 10 | 3% |
| 1997 | 9 | 7% |
| 1996 | 14 | 6% |
| 1995 | 12 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2006 Toyota Tacoma
242 complaintsSuspension
154 complaintsVehicle speed control
147 complaintsAir bags
76 complaintsOther or unknown
50 complaintsBrakes
49 complaintsSteering
40 complaintsEngine cooling
27 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsEngine
18 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsTires
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Toyota Tacoma
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology