Toyota Highlander problems

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 273 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Toyota Highlander is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

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: 78 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 49,252–165,000 mi; Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 78 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 101,480 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.

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.

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.

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 273 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.