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ProblemsByVin File / 2006-TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER
2006 · toyota

toyota Highlander problems

2 safety recalls. 273 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

brakes
78 reports · avg $450
severe
cruise control
35 reports · avg $600
critical
engine
33 reports · avg $3,100
severe
electrical
21 reports · avg $850
moderate
visibility
21 reports · avg $350
moderate
powertrain
19 reports · avg $2,500
severe
steering
15 reports · avg $700
severe
airbags
11 reports · avg $1,100
severe

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.
12/28/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11385175.0
2006 Highlander · brakes
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.
12/26/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11707172.0
2006 Highlander · airbags Crash
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…
12/22/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10667669.0
2006 Highlander · brakes
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 ?
12/21/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11631922.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 11V112000 24/02/2011

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.
severe NHTSA 10V499000 21/10/2010

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES

A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAL WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 AND LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Common questions

Is the 2006 Toyota Highlander reliable?

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.

What's the most common problem on the 2006 Toyota Highlander?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 78 complaints filed. 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. 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 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 22 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with toyota. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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