2006 Toyota Highlander
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 278
- Recalls
- 7
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 2006
Opened by NHTSA
37% of complaints
Complaints per year
2006: 278 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 137 |
| 2002 | 301 |
| 2003 | 258 |
| 2004 | 286 |
| 2005 | 224 |
| 2006 | 278 |
| 2007 | 124 |
| 2008 | 403 |
| 2009 | 134 |
| 2010 | 216 |
| 2011 | 181 |
| 2012 | 182 |
| 2013 | 207 |
| 2014 | 136 |
| 2015 | 192 |
| 2016 | 111 |
| 2017 | 269 |
| 2018 | 267 |
| 2019 | 490 |
| 2020 | 317 |
| 2021 | 527 |
| 2022 | 257 |
| 2023 | 181 |
| 2024 | 42 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Service brakes
37% · 102 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and electric.
Show complaint excerpts
The brakes on my 06 Highlander hybrid AWD have been finicky at best since Iâve owned the vehicle. The car lunges forward when braking, all the way until a complete stop. While driving at around 55 MPH a medium sized dog ran out into the road.
NHTSA ODI report, 2025-03-16
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander. While making a turn at 5 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle accelerated at an unknown speed. As a result, the vehicle struck a pedestrian. A police report was filed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-10-09
Also filed under Vehicle speed control
Multiple warning lights appeared on the dash board including ABS, also check VSC system in the dialogue window. Code C1391 (Abnormal leak in accumulator) appeared in a diagnostic scan.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-07
Vehicle speed control
16% · 44 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed continuously however, the vehicle continued to accelerate rapidly.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-06-03
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 2 MPH, the vehicle erroneously accelerated and the contact crashed into a pole. The passenger sustained bruising to the chest.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-04-11
Dt*: the contact stated while brake pressure was applied at 5 MPH into a parking space, the vehicle lurched forward and jumped over a curb without warning.
NHTSA ODI report, 2006-08-29
Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic
Electrical system
9% · 26 reportsPower train
8% · 22 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.
Engine and engine cooling
8% · 21 reportsMost commonly citing engine and exhaust system.
Safety timeline
7 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2006Complaint volume 278 complaints filed for this model year.
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I
2006-11-21Preliminary evaluationClosed 2007-03-28 Sudden loss of power steering assist
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R
2009-09-18Equipment09V223000 Toyota is recalling 27,080 model year 2005 through 2010 passenger cars built from September 1, 2005 to May 4, 2009. These vehicles were not equipped with load carrying capacity modification labels…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with a new, accurate label to be installed over the inaccurate label free of charge. The safety recall began on August 18, 2009. Owners may contact…
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I
2010-02-16Recall queryClosed 2011-03-01 Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
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2010-05-27Equipment10V036000 Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire selection and rims."
Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on May 27, 2010. Owners may contact…
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2010-05-27Equipment10V035000 Gulf States Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These…
Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety…
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2010-11-15Service brakes, hydraulic10V499000 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. Brake fluid containing…
Remedy: 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…
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2011-05-06Vehicle speed control11V112000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, and model year 2004-2007 Lexus RX330, RX350, and RX400H vehicles. If the forward retention clip used to secure the…
Remedy: 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.
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2015-01-29Seats14V743000 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...
Remedy: 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.
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2016-07-14Seats16V396000 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,...
Remedy: 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.
Buy-smart checklist
2006 Toyota Highlander — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 102 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 44 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 26 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 09V223000 · Equipment
- Recall 10V036000 · Equipment
- Recall 10V035000 · Equipment
- Recall 10V499000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 11V112000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 14V743000 · Seats
- Recall 16V396000 · Seats
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2006 Toyota Highlander reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Toyota Highlander is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Toyota Highlander?
- The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota Highlander have?
- 7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.