TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ?Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Toyota Highlander steering problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 15 steering complaints filed for the 2006 Toyota Highlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 17 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 steering 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.
TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty to pair the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ? Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report three distinct steering problems on the 2006 Highlander Hybrid. Most common is sudden loss of power steering assist—the steering wheel becomes stiff and difficult to turn at speeds ranging from 5 to 45 mph, often with a P/S warning light on the dashboard. Some drivers lose assist intermittently below 30 mph; others experience complete failure. Restarting sometimes restores assist; sometimes it doesn't.
The second pattern is catastrophic: power steering, ABS brakes, stability control, and the hybrid system all fail simultaneously, illuminating multiple warning lights and immobilizing the vehicle. This has happened to owners within two weeks of purchase and again after dealer repairs. Dealers have attempted computer reboots and replacements with limited success.
The third issue is chronic steering pull to the right above 25 mph, reported by one owner from early ownership onward despite multiple dealer visits. That owner spent thousands on alignment and steering work, replacing tires every two years despite the manufacturer's six-year warranty.
Dealer diagnostics have been inconclusive. One quoted replacement of the transaxle assembly, rack and pinion, and electrical motor. Owners note a related recall exists but their VINs don't match, and Toyota claims the transaxle is not a hybrid component covered under the 8-year/80,000-mile hybrid warranty.
Same Toyota Highlander steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Sudden loss of power steering assist
Power steering assist fails without warning, leaving the steering wheel stiff and difficult to turn. Occurs at various speeds (5 mph to 45 mph) and may be accompanied by P/S warning light on dashboard. Some incidents resolve after restarting the vehicle; others persist.
When: Between 61,000 and 142,000 miles; some cases within weeks or days of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes stiff and difficult to maneuver; P/S warning light illuminates on dashboard; Loss of power assist while driving; Vehicle difficult to control; Intermittent loss of assist at low to moderate speeds (below 30 mph); Steering seizes or locks
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnostics inconclusive in some cases; pump cleaning unsuccessful. One case required replacement of rack and pinion and electrical motor. Transaxle assembly replacement quoted at $4,867.71 plus $700 labor. Replacement parts covered under limited 1-year warranty only, not hybrid warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota hybrid warranty is 8 years/80,000 miles for hybrid components; transaxle assembly claimed to be non-hybrid component. Computer 'reboot' attempted in some cases; computer replacement undertaken in others. Owner noted related recall exists but does not include their VIN.
Simultaneous loss of power steering and brake assist with hybrid system shutdown
Power steering, ABS brakes, stability control, and hybrid engine all fail at the same time. Check Hybrid System light, VSC light, Check Engine light, and Caution light illuminate simultaneously. Vehicle becomes immobilized and requires multiple key turns to restart in limp-home mode.
When: Early in ownership (2 weeks old) and after repairs; one case at 66,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check Hybrid System warning light; VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) light; Check Engine light; Caution light; Complete loss of power steering assist; Loss of ABS braking function; Vehicle shuts off and loses all power; Vehicle immobilized until restart; High-pitched buzzing noise (one case); Vehicle does not start or requires multiple start attempts
Codes mentioned: Malfunction codes (unspecified)
Repairs/costs cited: Brake actuator pump replaced in one case ($5,957.45 quote for transaxle assembly, 14 labor hours). New battery installed. Computer replacement attempted. No permanent fix achieved in reported cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer computer 'reboot' performed; vehicle operated for one week then failed again. Computer replacement undertaken. Toyota indicated transaxle assembly not covered under hybrid warranty (8 years/80,000 miles).
Chronic steering pull to the right with control difficulty
Vehicle pulls strongly to the right above 25 mph, requiring excessive steering pressure to keep on road. Chronic issue reported from early ownership, unresolved despite multiple dealer visits and manufacturer complaints. Owner incurred substantial expenses on wheel alignment, steering checks, and premature tire replacement.
When: From early ownership onward; reported as chronic condition
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulls to right at speeds above 25 mph; Requires excessive pressure on steering wheel to maintain control; Premature tire wear; Tire replacement needed every 2 years despite 6-year/65,000-mile warranty
Repairs/costs cited: Owner spent thousands of dollars on wheel alignment and steering checks; replaced tires every 2 years. No permanent resolution reported.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and Toyota notified multiple times; no resolution documented.
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I turned on the car and the steering wheel locked up or was not powersteering any longer and for a 55 year old woman driving this car is impossible. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota highlander. While making a right turn at approximately 5 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the instrument panel illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 142,085. Updated…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2006 Toyota Highlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 66,000 and 172,560 miles, with the median around 116,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 66,000; a quarter make it past 172,560. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.