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ProblemsByVinFile / 2006-TOYOTA-HIGHLANDERNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Toyota
2006 Toyota Highlander problems
The 2006 Toyota Highlander has 274 NHTSA owner complaints and 7 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2006 Toyota Highlander has 274 NHTSA owner complaints and 7 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is brakes at 79 complaints, typically surfacing around 103,558 miles (~$450 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
6
Severe
1
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2006 Highlander?
Avoid — the cruise-control
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the cruise-control was repaired or replaced.
1 fatality report and 1 fire-related complaint on the cruise-control
Brakes: 79 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 49,252–165,000 mi
Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average
7 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2006 Toyota Highlander? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
brakes — 79 owner reports
· tends to show around 103,558 mi · ~$450 to fix
cruise control — 35 owner reports
· tends to show around 74,956 mi · ~$600 to fix
engine — 33 owner reports
· tends to show around 88,257 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 21 owner reports
· tends to show around 97,052 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 103,558 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 7 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2006 Highlander· powertrain
While driving my vehicle all the lights on my dashboard illuminated. My vehicle lost power and I had to pull over. It died there. I was on belfield ave and gratz street in philadelphia, pa . I subsequently had it towedback to my residence.
Toyota’s part number 44050-48190 brake actuator assembly failed, as it has in other models and is very commonly doing in the Highlander model. It is triggering other warning lights issues in the vehicle. Vehicle safety is at risk. Many others have reported the same issue.
I swerved to avoid a deer and hit a concrete abutment on the side of the road. The Toyota highlander was totaled .the highlander airbag did not work properly; I hit the steering wheel column very hard and received a concussion. Also a damaged disk in my neck, whiplash, chest…
Car is lunging forward while braking.I just had to put a new abs module and pump on the vehicle which was very expensive.Since I know there was a recall but I was not notified.Is there a way to get toyota to pay for the new pump and module ?
Had a problem with your 2006 Toyota Highlander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner
Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 highlander, highlander hybrid, and model year 2004-2007 Lexus rx330, rx350, and rx400h vehicles
If this occurs, the accelerator pedal may temporarily become stuck in a partially depressed position rather than return to the idle position. A stuck accelerator pedal may result in unintended and sustained vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the floor carpet cover with a newly designed one free or charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during march 2011. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 274 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Toyota Highlander has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2006 Toyota Highlander?
On the NHTSA data, the 2006 Toyota Highlander is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the cruise-control was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 1 fatality report and 1 fire-related complaint on the cruise-control; Brakes: 79 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 49,252–165,000 mi; Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average; 7 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2006 Toyota Highlander?
Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 79 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 103,558 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2006 Toyota Highlander a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 274 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Typical failure occurs around 103,558 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2006 Toyota Highlander?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 79 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 103,558 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The cruise control is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 74,956 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Highlander has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Toyota Highlander?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 274 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $600, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Toyota/Highlander.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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