2006 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 277 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 29 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 30 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerJun 2, 2016
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, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
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. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Campaign 16V396000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerNov 19, 2014
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 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
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.
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. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Campaign 14V743000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalFeb 24, 2011
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 11V112000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderOct 21, 2010
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 POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS LUBRICANTS FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
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.
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 AND LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Campaign 10V499000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010
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." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 10V036000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010
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 VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
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 RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Campaign 10V035000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsJun 15, 2009
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."
INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 09V223000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
40 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Engine, Aug 13, 2025
I was on the interstate driving about 72 mph when the car just shut off all the dash lights came on and the dash it said check hybrid system I had no brakes or steering I got it off the road turned it off and back on again it started up and I drove it home but the dash still displayed check hybrid system , a week later I get in it to go to work and there’s an alarm that won’t cut off and the abs , traction control and brake light and warning light and tire pressure light are all on and the brakes are hard and there’s a weird noise coming from somewhere when u push on the brake and it says check VSC system on the dash now
Engine, Jul 7, 2022
I can see many complaints similar to mine on line since the car was built in 2006. Driving on a 7hr trip when engine light came on and car overheated. We had to pull over on a busy highway and wait for car to cool down and light to go off. It was scary since I had my child in the car and traffic was moving at 60 mph. The next day I had the Toyota dealer charge me $160.00 to tell me coolant and oil were leaking from the head gasket and the bolt corroded and listed out causing a sealing issue. We just had the car in their shop doing thousands of dollars of maintenance and had a full inspection done in preparation for this trip. We also had fluid leaks from the engine twice before at 65819 miles and again at 84458 miles. No mention of this issue was ever brought up by dealer. I have full records and always did maint as suggested. so now the dealer says it will need a used engine at a cost of $9,000+. I am now without a car. This car should have been recalled and repaired, now it is totaled it. Thank goodness we were not injured or hit by another car on the interstate. sorry unable to send a copy of repair estimate done at Daytona Toyota 386-255-7475
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 5, 2021
I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING AND ALL THE DASH LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STALLED WHILE I WAS GOING 60MPH.
Engine, Oct 1, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FORWARD GEARS WERE INOPERABLE HOWEVER, THE REVERSE GEAR WORKED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MARK MCLARTY TOYOTA 4336 LANDERS RD, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR 72117 (501) 753-0400 BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Engine, Mar 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES STILL OPERATED AS INTENDED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SHOULDER AND CHECKED THE FLUID LEVELS IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 290,000.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 5, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF. THE CONTACT CALLED STEVENS CREEK TOYOTA SAN JOSE AT (408) 984-1234 (LOCATED AT 4202 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SAN JOSE, CA 95129) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT NO RECALLS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, May 24, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WON'T GO OFF ALONG VSC LIGHT. ON THE STREET WHEN THE CAR STOP RUNNING.
Engine, Jun 27, 2016
THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 103,000 MILES AND HAS FUNCTIONED FLAWLESSLY TILL RECENTLY WHEN IT STARTED USING OIL EXCESSIVELY. THAT IS ONE QUART IN 500 MILES AT FREEWAY SPEEDS.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Apr 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE BRAKE LIGHT, ANTILOCK BRAKE LIGHT, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. ..UPDATED 05/02/16 *BF *TR
Engine, Mar 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS ALL THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Engine, Oct 13, 2015
DRIVING CAR AND IT STALLED THEN MESAGE CAME ON WHICH STATED CHECK HYBRID ENGINE. TOOK IT TO SHOP AND WAS TOLD WOULD COST $9,000 AS IT WAS THE INVERTER. THEY SAID MY VIN WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THE RECALL OF 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRIDS. HAD THE POWER MODULE REPLACED AS RECALL IN 2012 BUT WHY WASNT MY CAR ON RECALL LIST FOR THE INVERTER?
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Sep 29, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE VSC LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.
Engine, Dec 17, 2014
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NORMAL SPEED, I NOTICED THE CAR OVERHEATING. THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED. PULLING INTO A 70 YEAR OLD SERVICE CENTER IN CRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND, I LEFT THE CAR WITH RELIABLE SERVICE PEOPLE AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT. IT SEEMS THAT THE BOLTS HAD COME LOOSE FROM THE ENGINE AND FLUID WAS GOING INTO THE PISTONS,THEY REPORTED TO ME THAT THE THREADS IN THE ENGINE WERE FAULTY, I THINK THEY SAID ALUMINUM, AND THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN METAL. I AM NOT MECHANICALLY INCLINED SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT THE ENGINE HEAD WAS NOT SECURE AND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER TOYOTA ENGINES. ANYWAY, AT 70 YRS OLD, IT TOOK ALL THE MONEY I HAD TO REPAIR IT AND THEY INSISTED THAT I LOOK FOR A RECALL, BECAUSE THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED. $1842.00 LATER, THE CAR IS RUNNING LIKE IT SHOULD NOW. IF TOYOTA DOESN'T TAKE CARE OF ME, I WILL SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE SPREADING THE WORD. I WILL START AT THE RHODE ISLAND DEALERS, GO ON LINE AND CONTACT ALL THE PROPER AREAS. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED TO MY TOYOTA.THIS IS THE CAR THAT THEY ADVERTISE WILL LAST 265000 MILES IF MAINTAINED PROPERLY. I BOUGHT THE CAR AT EARL STEWART TOYOTA IN LAKE PARK, FLORIDA. [XXX] TOLD ME HE WAS SORRY THAT THIS HAPPENED, TO REPORT IT TO TOYOTA. MY WIFE PASSED AWAY AND IT MOVED BACK TO MY HOME STATE IN RHODE ISLAND. THE CAR WAS MAINTAINED BY TOYOTA ALWAYS THRU MY WARRANTY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED. IN ADDITION, THE TRACTION, CHECK ENGINE, AND VHC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT COOLANT FLUID WAS LEAKING AND AN ENGINE KIT NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Engine, May 7, 2013
WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ABOUT 75MPH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ROSE ABOVE THE READ LINE (HOT). BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET TO A PARKING AREA IT CONTINUOUSLY ROSE AND FELL, HOWEVER, IT NEVER DROPPED AS LOW AS THE MIDDLE LINE ON THE GAUGE. AFTER CHECKING THE FLUIDS I HAD TO ADD WATER. I TOOK MY HIGHLANDER TO A MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND WAS LEAKING COOLANT($700 TO REPAIR THIS). I HAD THIS FIXED AND HAD NOT TAKEN IT OUT OF TOWN UNTIL APR 27, 2013 AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE THREADS WERE STRIPPED AND THE BOLTS WERE COMING OUT "THE HEAD IS PULLING AWAY FROM THE BLOCK AND COOLANT IS LEAKING. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLE AND HAVE EVERY RECEIPT FOR OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE. I WAS TOLD THAT I MAY NEED A NEW ENGINE ($6000 TO FIX THIS) AND AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR. COOLANT IS DANGEROUS TO HUMANS, ANIMALS, AND THE ENVIRONMENT SO THIS CAN BE A SAFETY CONCERN. TOYOTA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ERROR I AM VERY FRUSTRATED AND TOYOTA IS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE WITH THIS TOYOTA AND THEY HAVE LOST A LOYAL CUSTOMER OVER THIS. THIS ISSUE IS OBVIOUSLY HAPPENING MORE AND MORE EVERYDAY AND IT IS FRUSTRATING. ANY ADVISE IS WELCOME!!! *TR
Engine, May 3, 2013
WHILE DRIVING THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ROSE ABOVE THE READ LINE (HOT). BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET TO A PARKING AREA IT CONTINUOUSLY ROSE AND FELL, HOWEVER, IT NEVER DROPPED AS LOW AS THE MIDDLE LINE ON THE GAUGE. AFTER CHECKING THE FLUIDS WE HAD TO ADD WATER. WE TOOK THE HIGHLANDER AND WERE TOLD THAT IT HAD A COOLANT LEAK. FROM THERE WE TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACING. I CLAIMED THAT THIS HAD TO BE SOME SORT OF FACTORY DEFECT BECAUSE HE EXPLAINED THAT THE THREADS WERE STRIPPED AND THE BOLTS WERE COMING OUT "THE HEAD IS PULLING AWAY FROM THE BLOCK". WE HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN GREAT CARE OF OUR VEHICLE AND THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAPPEN TO ANY WELL MADE VEHICLE. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE SUFFERED WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO HELP WITH THEIR SITUATION. PLEASE SEE THE WEB PAGE BELOW. HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2006/TOYOTA/HIGHLANDER/ENGINE+AND+ENGINE+COOLING+SYSTEM THIS IS ONLY ONE OF SEVERAL THAT I HAVE FOUND. WHILE I AM NOT SURE IF THERE ARE ANY SAFETY ISSUES HERE BUT MANY PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED WHEN OBVIOUSLY TOYOTA IS NEGLECTING THIS ISSUE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO BUT ANY ADVICE WOULD BE HELPFUL. THANK YOU. *TR
Engine, Apr 11, 2013, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. ADDITIONALLY, THE TRAC OFF AND VSC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED INTO THE CENTER MEDIAN WHERE THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE. A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF SMOKE EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE GRASSY AREA UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 05/28/13*LJ UPDATED 06/11/2013 *JS
Engine, Apr 10, 2013
I WAS ADVISED THAT MY HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 80,000 MILES AND WHEN THEY WENT TO FIX IT THEY FOUND THE THREADS WERE STRIPPED AND I NEED A NEW ENGINE? AT 80,000 MILES, THIS IS INSANE. I GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT WITH THESE BOLTS. NO WAY THE THREADS SHOULD BE STRIPPLED AND A HEAD GASKET BLOWN AT 81,000. *TR
Engine, Mar 19, 2013
HIGH ENGINE RPM AT IDLE, THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 48,000. *TR
Engine, Jun 18, 2012
THREE MONTHS AND 6000 MILES PAST THE WARRANTY (66,000 MILES) OUR HIGHLANDER FAILED (OVERHEATED). I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND THERE WERE MANY SIMILAR OCCURRENCES WITH THIS ENGINE. OOLANT LEAKED FROM ENGINE ONTO FLOOR IN LARGE AMOUNTS. OUR MECHANIC SAID THREADS WERE STRIPPED AND THREE HEAD GASKET BOLTS HAD PULLED OUT. ONLY SOLUTION, NEW ENGINE OR POSSIBLE REBUILD BY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. TOYOTA REFUSED TO HELP US. THEY DENIED THAT THIS PROBLEM EVEN EXISTED. BUT WHY WOULD TOYOTA PUT OUT A BULLETIN ON HOW BEST TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM , IF THE PROBLEM DIDN'T EVEN EXIST? TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DID NOT OFFER TO HELP. WE HAD OUR LOCAL DEPENDABLE TOYOTA MECHANIC REBUILD THREADS FOR $2,700.A LOT OF MONEY TO SPEND ON A TOYOTA WITH UNDER 70,000 MILES. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA'S RESPONSE. THEY NOT ONLY LOST MY FUTURE BUSINESS BUT ALSO MY DAUGHTER'S. CAR WORKS FINE NOW. BUT I NO LONGER HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE. THAT LOSS OF FEELING OF DEPENDABILITY IS THE WORST PART. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 23, 2012
COOLANT LEAKED FROM ENGINE ONTO FLOOR IN LARGE AMOUNTS. OUR MECHANIC SAID THREADS WERE STRIPPED AND HEAD GASKET BOLTS HAD PULLED OUT. ONLY SOLUTION, NEW ENGINE OR POSSIBLE REBUILD BY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. WE WERE UNDER 60,000 MILE WARRANTY BUT OVER 60 MONTHS. TOYOTA REFUSED TO HELP US. SADLY I'VE BEEN CHANGING MY OWN OIL AND DIDN'T KEEP ALL RECEIPTS FOR A MAINTENANCE RECORD. LESSON LEARNED. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP OFFERED NEW ENGINE FOR $7,300 OR REBUILD FOR $4,600. WE HAD NON-TOYOTA MECHANIC REBUILD THREADS FOR $2,300. CAR WORKS FINE NOW. WAY MORE MONEY THAN WE EXPECTED TO SPEND ON A TOYOTA WITH UNDER 60,000 MILES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 16, 2012
I PURCHASED A USED 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FROM A FERNELIUS DEALERSHIP IN MICHIGAN IN APRIL 2011 - IT WAS IN MINT CONDITION WITH 56210 MILES ON IT - THOUGHT I HAD MADE THE BEST DEAL EVER - THEN THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING WHILE DRIVING IT OVERHEATED. THOUGHT I HAD BLOWN A HEAD GASKET ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE THREAD BOLTS ON THE SHORT BLOCK HAD STRIPPED OUT AND LEAKED RADIATOR FLUID EVERYWHERE CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT. AT THAT TIME THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME TOO BAD I BOUGHT A USED VEHICLE IF I WANTED TO TOW IT TO THEM THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT. I THAN CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATION ONLY TO BE TOLD PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THING, SINCE I WASN'T THE ORIGINAL OWNER THEY WEREN'T GOING TO HELP ME EITHER. SO NOW I'M STUCK TRYING TO FIND AN ENGINE BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP CAN ONLY OFFER ME ONE WITH 58000 MILES ON IT INSTALLED FOR ABOUT $7,000, AND FROM WHAT I'M READING ON THE INTERNET THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM WHEN THE ENGINE REACHES RIGHT OUT OF THE WARRANTY AT 60,000 MILES. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND CORPORATION WON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND FIX THE ENGINE OR AT LEAST OFFER SOME ASSISTANCE. WHY SHOULD THEIR FAULTY ENGINE PART BE MY PROBLEM? NOW OF COURSE BEING JUST A WORKING STIFF AND RETIRED MILITARY MONEY DOESN'T GROW ON TREES AND I DON'T HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE, SO I HAVE TO GET IT FIXED. I WON'T BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA AGAIN SINCE THEY DON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR OWN PRODUCT, BUT I'M STUCK WITH THIS ONE FOR NOW. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 23, 2011
MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. HE DROVE APPROX 2 MILES FROM OUR HOUSE AT AN AVERAGE SPEED OF 35 MPH WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SUDDENLY WENT PAST THE RED LINE. HE DROVE OUR CAR APPROX 2 MILES BACK TO OUR HOUSE. WE THEN HAD IT TOWED TO SAVANNAH TOYOTA WHERE THEY CHECKED THE ENGINE AND FOUND THE HEAD WARPED AND THE BOLTS STRIPPED . I WENT TO SAVANNAH TOYOTA AND TOLD THEM THAT I HAD JUST HAD THE CAR THERE FOR AN OIL CHANGE A MONTH PRIOR. AT THE TIME OF OIL CHANGE, SERVICE WRITER NOTED UNDER THE HOOD THAT HE THOUGHT THAT MAYBE THE WATER PUMP MAY BE LEAKING AS THERE WAS FLUID ON THE UPPER PART OF HOOD. THERE WAS NO NOTIFICATION OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE WATER PUMP. A MONTH LATER, THE ABOVE OVERHEAT CONDITION OCCURRED. WHEN WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS BURNED UP AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 5000.00. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO OUR REGULAR MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE BLOCK, JUST THE HEAD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROX. 2200.00.SAVANNAH TOYOTA DID CHARGE US $600 TO CHECK WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM AND IF THE ENGINE COULD BE SAVED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK BOLTS WERE STRIPPED AND COULD NOT BE RE-INSTALLED. AFTER DIS-ASSEMBLING THE ENGINE TO EVALUATE THE PROBLEM THEY DID NOT EVEN REASSEMBLE OUR ENGINE. THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AT 70,000 MILES. WE HAVE NOT YET REPAIRED THE PROBLEM CAR HAS BEEN PARKED SINCE 3-20-11 TO DATE 11-22-2011 . *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Sep 8, 2011
I WAS DRIVING IN MY HIGHLANDER WITH MY DAUGHTERS IN THE BACK SEAT WHEN SUDDENLY OUT OF NO WHERE ALL THE ALERT LIGHTS CAME ON AND THERE WAS NO POWER AT ALL - THE GAS PEDAL WAS NON FUNCTIONAL - I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE OF A AN INTERSTATE AND FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND PULL THE CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC AS IT ROLLED TO A STOP. I WAITED ON THE CROWDED INTERSTATE FOR TWO HOURS FOR A TOW. I WAS TOLD THAT THE HIGHLANDER HYBRID INVERTER HAD FAILED - THE DEALER REPLACED THE PART THAT WEEK AND THE CAR DRIVES NORMALLY NOW. I WAS ADVISED THAT IN FACT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. ONE MONTH LATER IRONICALLY I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA THAT MY MODEL OF HIGHLANDER IS BEING RECALLED FOR THE INVERTER REPLACEMENT THAT HAD JUST CAUSED THIS EXTREMELY UNSAFE VEHICLE FAILURE JUST ONE MONTH PRIOR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 15, 2011
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. SHE DROVE APPROX 1/2 MILE FROM OUR HOUSE AT AN AVERAGE SPEED OF 35 MPH WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SUDDENLY WENT PAST THE RED LINE. WE HAD OUR CAR TOWED TO CROWN TOYOTA WHERE THEY TORE DOWN THE ENGINE AND FOUND WATER PUMP LEAKING AND HEAD GASKET LEAKING OIL . THEY REMOVED ENGINE HEAD AND FOUND WARPED BLOCK AND BUT HEAD WAS OKAY. WE THEN TOWED THE HIGHLANDER TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC TO HAVE BLOCK REPLACED AND WE WERE INFORMED THE BLOCK WAS NOT WARPED BUT INSTEAD THE BOLTS ON THE ENGINE ARE STRIPPED/DEFECTED. TOYOTA WANTS $5,400 TO REPAIR VEHICLE BY INSTALLING A USED ENGINE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO HELP WITH THE COST EVEN THOUGH IT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND HAS ALREADY CHARGED US $654 TO DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM AND DID NOT EVEN REASSEMBLE OUR ENGINE. THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AT 68,970 MILES. WE HAVE NOT YET REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. *TR