SOME 2004-07 MODEL YEAR HIGHLANDER OR 2006-07 MODEL YEAR HIGHLANDER HV VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION WHERE THE HEADLIGHT LENS COVER AND/OR HEADLIGHT BULB IS DISCOLORED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Toyota Highlander lighting problems
severe 7 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 7 lighting complaints filed for the 2006 Toyota Highlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA lighting complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Day running lights are burning through the lenses of both headlights. The lenses have large white spots on the area in front of the running light bulbs. The bulbs of the running lights are bulging . There may be a fire hazard. *tr
I am in the military and had my car in storage from 2008-2012 while stationed overseas. I just took my car in for the 60,000 mile service and was told my headlight cover was foggy. When I got home after picking up my car I had noticed there where two burn marks that had melted the plastic headlight covers where the high-beam lights are. I had called Toyota headquarters and they referred me to…
Had lighting trouble with your 2006 Toyota Highlander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2006 Toyota Highlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 7 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $250.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, lighting issues most often appear around 75,420 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Toyota/Highlander.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.