2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 370 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes (17% of complaints); the 2007 and 2008 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2013
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 370 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“We were driving down the highway I-30 east up a hill going appt 70 mph when the car went into limp mode and slowed down to 10 mph. Then went to only 1 mph. We checked the battery connection, fuel cap, everything we found online to check.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle did not start and the hybrid warning indicator illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle was repaired three previous times by naguabo auto toyota (carretera 31 km 3.9, naguabo, pr 00718) regarding the hybrid module. The vehicle was not repaired again. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Hybrid Propulsion System · Sep 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. While driving approximately 15 mph, the vehicle lost power, the check engine and ABS warning indicators illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. Also, "check hybrid system" appeared on the instrument panel. Fred haas toyota world (20400 interstate 45 n, spring, tx 77373) was notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed because the test was not free. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 250,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“My 2006 highlander drove just fine. Parked in my usual spot and the next time I start it my p/s light is on and I have no steering. I searched online and it seems to be a common problem for it to just quit working on people. I'm curious as to why this issue hasn't been addressed by toyota yet. Thank god I wasn't driving like others were when it happened.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2019
“The brake actuator pump failed and was replace under the warrantee extension zg1. The replacement brake actuator pump failed but toyota will not cover it. It is a very expensive defective part. When the part fails many systems are impacted especially the brakes.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Apr 2019
“While driving on a residential road the brake system failed to properly stop the car. This issue first happened in january 2017. At that time I took the car in and had the brake actuator assembly replaced under a limited service recall by toyota and the replacement actuator assembly also failed within 18 months. While driving through a residential area the brakes again failed to stop the car, making a grinding noise and jerking to a halt after pressure applied to the brake pedal. Because the actuator assembly was replaced under the limited service recall toyota denies any culpability in the failure of the replacement part and refuses to offer further assistance.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Jan 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle stability control and anti lock brake system warning indicators illuminated. The contact stopped and pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. The contact stated that the failure occurred sporadically. The vehicle was repaired by toyota of hattiesburg (6461 us-98, hattiesburg, ms 39402) in february of 2017, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired for the recent failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Jan 2019
“Dashboard warning lights came on all at the same time and stayed on. Went to diagnose repair and they said it needs a new brake actuator. Upon investigating, I see that toyota extended the warranty for 10 years but it expired on dec 31 2017. Upon reflection, we have felt the brakes occasionally become very stiff and hard to stop the vehicle while in motion. The mechanic says it is because of the actuator issue. I feel this safety issue, albeit rather old, is a known issue to toyota and they should provide some recourse for the repair. I have included the diagnostic showing diagnostic codes and mechanic evaluation.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2018
“Steering does not steer correctly sometimes when I drive. Dealer says that they want $2000 to fix it by replacing the steering mechanism. I have noticed it sometimes when I am moving.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2018
“"takata recall" my 2006 toyota highlander hybrid has been making a loud scrapping screeching noise from the left rear brakes. Brake discs and emergency brakes were replaced, but the noise persists. It feels almost as if emergency brakes are activated but the car can still move forward. Sound lessens when driving and does not appear when car is in reverse.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 34 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid vehicles manufactured February 16, 2005, through July 29, 2010; and model year 2006-2008 Lexus RX400h vehicles manufactured February 23, 2005, through December 2, 2008. The Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module may contain transistors that have higher operating temperatures than the solder can support and the transistors may be heat damaged by the solder. If this occurs, various warning lamps, including the malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, will be illuminated on the instrument panel.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the IPM free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicles that had their IPM replaced under recall 11V-342 are not affected by this campaign.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL CHECK THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TO IDENTIFY WHETHER IT WAS PRODUCED BY THE U.S. SUPPLIER. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PULLEY WITH A NEW ONE AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING EARLY JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND LEXUS RX400H PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 16, 2005, THROUGH AUGUST 30, 2006. A MODULE INSIDE THE INVERTER MODULE MAY CONTAIN INADEQUATELY SOLDERED TRANSISTORS THAT DURING HIGH-LOAD DRIVING, MAY BE DAMAGED BY HEAT CAUSED BY THE LARGE CURRENT. IF THIS OCCURS, VARIOUS WARNING LAMPS, INCLUDING THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP, SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT, BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT, AND MASTER WARNING LIGHT, WILL BE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Remedy: TOYOTA/LEXUS MAILED AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION ON JULY 19, 2011 TO ADVISE OWNERS OF THIS RECALL AND THE FACT THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE A FUTURE NOTICE WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE REPAIRS. TOYOTA DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HYBRID INVERTER PRODUCTION NUMBER TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE INVERTER CONTAINS SUSPECT TRANSISTORS AND REPLACE THE MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
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 WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
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 TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND HYBRID VEHICLES, THE TWO RETAINING CLIPS FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE FORWARD CENTER CONSOLE CAN BECOME LOOSE. IF BOTH CLIPS SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING INTERFERENCE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ROD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO FLOOR CARPET COVER RETAINING CLIPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 24, 2006, AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY EARLY SEPTEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
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 FLOOR CARPET COVER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE CENTER CONSOLE, IS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Highlander Hybrid by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?
NHTSA has 370 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The most complained-about area is service brakes (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 99,320 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning hybrid propulsion system: inverter. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.