CarModelProblems.com

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes — runs 5.0× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
370Complaints
6Recalls
34Crashes
7Fires
10Injured
2Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes (20.5% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Service Brakes complaints here are 5.0× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes76 · 20.5%not available
Electrical System69 · 18.6%RecalledRecall 11V342000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic40 · 10.8%not available
Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter40 · 10.8%RecalledRecall 13V396000
Vehicle Speed Control32 · 8.6%RecalledRecall 11V112000 · Recall 06V253000
Engine25 · 6.8%RecalledRecall 11V539000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES76 · 20.5%
ENGINE25 · 6.8%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)24 · 6.5%
STEERING23 · 6.2%
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC21 · 5.7%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING20 · 5.4%

Percentages are the share of the 370 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 6 campaigns

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 11V539000 · 2011 · reported 11/09/2011

IN SOME CASES, THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A SUDDEN INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

NHTSA campaign 11V112000 · 2011 · reported 02/24/2011

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System

NHTSA campaign 11V342000 · 2011 · reported 06/29/2011

THE VEHICLE MAY ENTER A FAIL-SAFE/LIMP-HOME MODE THAT LIMITS THE DRIVABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE HYBRID SYSTEM WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

NHTSA campaign 13V396000 · 2013 · reported 09/04/2013

The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. It is possible that the hybrid system will shut down while the vehicle is being driven, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

NHTSA campaign 06V253000 · 2006 · reported 07/13/2006

THIS CONDITION MAY INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:other:labels

NHTSA campaign 09V223000 · 2009 · reported 06/15/2009

INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10386366 — filed 03/03/2011 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ESC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENTIRE…”NHTSA complaint 10386339 — filed 03/03/2011 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THE COMPUTER ON 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WON'T ALLOW ENGINE TO START. 12V BATTERY WILL NOT START AUTO UNTIL A SMALL CHARGE IS CONNECTED TO…”NHTSA complaint 10386150 — filed 03/02/2011 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

1520081010020101062720123844201429232016213320182032020212026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

Service brakes issues are the most-reported category, cited in 76 of 370 NHTSA complaints (20.5%), followed by electrical system (69), service brakes, hydraulic (40), hybrid propulsion system: inverter (40). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have?

370 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 34 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 10 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.

Does the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have any recalls?

Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 11V539000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.