CarModelProblems.com

2006 Toyota Highlander Problems & Recalls

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

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes — runs 4.3× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
274Complaints
7Recalls
29Crashes
4Fires
30Injured
1Deaths

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 (24.5% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Service Brakes complaints here are 4.3× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes67 · 24.5%RecalledRecall 10V499000
Vehicle Speed Control42 · 15.3%RecalledRecall 11V112000
Electrical System26 · 9.5%not available
Service Brakes, Hydraulic20 · 7.3%RecalledRecall 10V499000
Engine19 · 6.9%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling14 · 5.1%not available

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 BRAKES67 · 24.5%
ENGINE19 · 6.9%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING14 · 5.1%
STEERING13 · 4.7%
VISIBILITY/WIPER12 · 4.4%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION11 · 4%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)11 · 4%

Percentages are the share of the 274 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 — 7 campaigns

Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

NHTSA campaign 14V743000 · 2014 · reported 11/19/2014

Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

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

Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

NHTSA campaign 16V396000 · 2016 · reported 06/02/2016

If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. 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

Equipment:other:labels

NHTSA campaign 10V035000 · 2010 · reported 02/03/2010

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

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

Equipment:other:labels

NHTSA campaign 10V036000 · 2010 · reported 02/03/2010

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE 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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

NHTSA campaign 10V499000 · 2010 · reported 10/21/2010

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. 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. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE…”NHTSA complaint 10439415 — filed 12/12/2011 · HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE…”NHTSA complaint 10439415 — filed 12/12/2011 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THE DRIVER SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AND FALLS DOWN OBSTRUCTING MY VIEW WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET THERE SEEMS TO…”NHTSA complaint 10435372 — filed 11/13/2011 · VISIBILITY

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

Complaint trend by year filed

122012152020142013201698201893620202852022452024622026

Frequently asked questions

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

Service brakes issues are the most-reported category, cited in 67 of 274 NHTSA complaints (24.5%), followed by vehicle speed control (42), electrical system (26), service brakes, hydraulic (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2006 Toyota Highlander have?

274 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 29 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 30 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2006 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?

Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V743000. 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'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.