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: service brakes
101 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Jan 15, 2019
BRAKE ACTUATOR. ON SEPTEMBER 2016 I HAD MY CAR SELF BRAKE AT 45 MPH. NO INJURIES OCCURRED, BUT I HAD CAR TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER SHIP IN ORLANDO FLORIDA. AFTER LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND CORPORATE INSPECTOR DIAGNOSIS. THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM. HOWEVER I RECENTLY DISCOVERED IN JUNE OF 2016 TOYOTA DID ISSUE A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION WARRANTY ISSUE WITH MY CARS BRAKING ACTUATOR. I WAS NEVER INFORMED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2018 I REPORTED A ISSUE WITH BRAKES. DEALER CONFIRMED IT WAS ACTUATOR. TOYOTA REFUSED OT ASSIST WITH REPAIR. IN JANUARY OF 2019, MY BRAES FAILED WHILE DRIVING. AGAIN NO INJURIES. IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE ACTUATOR. TOYOTA AGAIN REFUSED TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jan 7, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF CLEVELAND (3560 VILLAGE N BLVD, MCDONALD, TN 37353) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 259,294.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Oct 9, 2018, crash
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. THE PEDESTRIAN SUFFERED INJURIES AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *JS
Service brakes, Apr 18, 2018
TWO MONTHS AGO, MY CAR SYSTEM NOTED ABS SYSTEM PROBLEM: ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND OTHER LIGHTS ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO TOYOTA PLACE IN GARDEN GROVE, CA DEALER, THEY TOLD ME ABS SYSTEM FAILED, IT WOULD BE REPLACED AS POSSIBLE, THE COST IS FROM $2500 TO 3500. THEY ALSO SAID THE CAR I CAN DRIVE BUT THE ABS DIDN'T WORK. THE PROBLEM IS THE COST IS TOO HIGH AND I CAN'T AFFORD FOR IT. ON LAST MONDAY 04/16/2018, AROUND 7:30AM ON THE WAY DRIVING TO THE WORK PLACE, I STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOTHING, MY CAR RAN OUT OF CONTROL. LUCKILY, I WAS FIRST IN THE LINE, THEN I DROVE THE CAR WITH NO STEP ON GAS PEDAL, HIT EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON, AND USED THE LEG BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. AFTER THAT, MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE TOYOTA DEALER, THEY SAID ABS ACTUATOR STOPPED WORKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY CHARGED ME $2,642.32; THE PART COST IS $1,834.94, BRAKE FLUID IS $7.04, THE LABOR IS $650 (FROM THE ARRIVING TIME 9:36AM TO THE CALLING TIME TO NOTE MY CAR TO BE DONE AROUND 3:40PM) AND SALES TAX IS $143.30. YOU SHOULD KNOW MY CAR IS PERMANENTLY CHANGED OIL AND MAINTENANCE AT THE SAME DEALER FROM 2011, THE YEAR I BOUGHT THE CAR AS A PRE-OWNER CAR. IN THIS PERIOD TIME, MY CAR IS ALWAYS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WITH NOTHING BIG PROBLEM AND SPECIFICALLY WITH NO WARNING ABOUT ABS SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, IN OWNER'S MANUAL AND SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE GUIDE THE MANUFACTORY KEEPS SILENT RECOMMENDATION ABOUT ABS SYSTEM REPLACEMENT. TODAY, I AM FILING A COMPLAIN ABOUT THE ABS SYSTEM PROBLEM OF TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2006 BECAUSE IT IS VERY, VERY DANGEROUS FOR ITS CUSTOMERS WHEN DRIVING ON IT. I ALSO READ MORE THE SAME PROBLEM FROM ITS CUSTOMERS ON ONLINE. THEY MAY OR MAY NOT OPEN A FILE, BUT IT IS VITAL OF THE CONSUMER AND ALSO THE BUDGET OF EACH FAMILY. I HOPE YOU HAVE TO HELP TO SAVE THE LIFE OF PEOPLE ON THE ROAD AND SAVE THEIR MONEY ALSO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
Service brakes, Jun 14, 2017
PLEASE DISREGARD COMPLAIN NUMBER 10994017. THE AGENT DIDN'T PUT CORRECT DESCRIPTION. THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS SUDDENLY ON ON 6/4/2017. THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE HAD BRAKE WORK DONE IN LATE APRIL WITH TOYOTA OF NASHUA AND REPLACED THE BRAKE FLUID. THE NEXT MORNING THE BRAKE WAS NOT EFFECTIVE (MAKING NOISE WHEN PRESSING BRAKE PADDLE AND DID NOT EFFECTIVELY STOP). BROUGHT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE SEAL BROKE, CAUSED BRAKE FLUID GET TO MASTER CYLINDER, THUS FAILURE, AND THE BRAKE FLUID ALSO LEAKED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND BOTH PARTS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WE FOUND TOYOTA HAD A RECALL ON OCT 21 2010, WHICH DESCRIBED THE EXACTLY THE SAME CAUSE AS HAPPENED TO THIS CAR. FILE A CASE WITH TOYOTA CORP AND THE RESPONSE WAS ANY PART CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME. THE VEHICLE PASSED 1 YEAR WARRANTY OF RECALL WORK. SO TOYOTA IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. NOTE, IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL, WHICH WAS 2010 FOR HIGHLANDER MANUFACTURED IN 2004-2006, WHICH IS AS LONG AS 6 YEARS LATER, TOYOTA MADE THIS RECALL AND STATED THAT THEY REIMBURSED THE REPAIR COST OF MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER IF DAMAGED. THERE WAS NO MILEAGE RESTRICTION. WITH TOYOTA'S RESPONSE, WHY EVEN BOTHER RECALL? THIS RAISED SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IT'S VERY LIKELY TO CRASH WITH SUCH DAMAGE DUE TO THE SEAL LEAK. IF THIS CONTINUED TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE, TOYOTA SHOULD PUT THIS CHECK INTO THEIR REGULAR MAINTENANCE CHECK AND REPLACEMENT. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH THIS ISSUE: HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/TOYOTA/HIGHLANDER/BRAKE-MASTER-CYLINDER-PROBLEMS.PHP. TOYOTA'S RESPONSE SHOWS INDIFFERENCE TO THE CONSUMERS AND SAFETY OF THEIR LIVES. I HOPE THIS BRINGS TOYOTA MORE ATTENTION TO BE RESPONSIBLE TO THE DEFECT AS APPARENTLY THIS IS NOT THE SINGLE OCCURRENCE. WITH SUCH CONDITION OF THE BRAKE, IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY TO CAUSE CRASH. I HOPE SOMEONE CAN DO FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
Service brakes, Jun 8, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK AND THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (TOYOTA OF NASHUA; 10 MARMON DR, NASHUA, NH 03060; (603) 689-1500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-331-4331 AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 08/03/17*LJ INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Service brakes, Sep 27, 2016
THE BRAKES ON OUR TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID RANDOMLY GET MUSHY (SLIP) AND DON'T ENGAGE FOR A SECOND, THEN WILL ENGAGE. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP AS INTENDED AND WHEN NEEDED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE AT OTHER TIMES WILL SURGE WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED AND YOU ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN WELL-DOCUMENTED AT THE FOLLOWING SITE. WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES AS NOTED BY OTHERS WITH OUR VEHICLE. HTTP://FORUMS.EDMUNDS.COM/DISCUSSION/5357/TOYOTA/HIGHLANDER-HYBRID/HIGHLANDER-HYBRID-BRAKE-PROBLEMS
Service brakes, Jun 28, 2016
VEHICLE IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID THROUGH THE VACUUM LINE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE INTAKE AND THEN OUT THE EXHAUST. BRAKES ARE NOW SPONGY AND DO NOT OPERATE AS REQUIRED FOR SAFE DRIVING. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS RECALL STATING MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL NOTICE. THE BRAKE FLUID SLOW LEAK HAPPENS BOTH WHEN STATIONARY AND IN USE. THE RECALL WAS ISSUED ON OCTOBER 21, 2010. BRAKE FLUID TRAVELLING DOWN THIS PATH ALSO AFFECTS OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE ENGINE; SUCH AS, VACUUM LINES, FUEL AIR SENSORS BOTH PRIOR TO AND AFTER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ITSELF.
Service brakes, Jun 6, 2016
THE "BRAKE ACTUATOR" BECAME DEFECTIVE, AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE PART WAS VERY EXPENSIVE AND SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED WIDE SPREAD ENOUGH THAT IT SHOULD BE "RECALLED".
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
Service brakes, Sep 14, 2015
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS A NOISE THAT COMES FROM THE BRAKES AND IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES ARE FAILING SO I WENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR WAS BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT WAS QUOTED AT $3200.00. I SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED NOT JUST ONCE BUT MANY TIMES ON NUMEROUS TOYOTA VEHICLES OVER MANY YEARS. I ALSO DETERMINED THAT EVEN IF I WERE TO PAY TO REPAIR THIS CONDITION THAT IT WOULD REOCCUR DO TO THE DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THIS PART OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN ADDRESSED AND A RECALL ISSUED?
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Sep 9, 2015
DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN WARNING LIGHTS FOR ABS AND SKID CONTROL CAME ON. CHECK VSC SYSTEM IN DASH. WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED RIGHT FRONT TIRE LOCKS AND CAUSES VEHICLE TO SPIN. SLOW SPEED IS THE ONLY REASON FOR NO ACCIDENT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD "BRAKE ACCUATOR " ELECTRONICS HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $3800. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE ON THE HIGHLANDER, THE LEXUS AND THE CAMRY SO WHY HAVE THE HIGHLANDERS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL?
Service brakes, Sep 8, 2015
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE TRAFFIC CAME TO A SLOW AS I WAS BRAKING TO SLOW DOWN I NOTICED ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD SUDDENLY LIT UP, ALL THE FOLLOWING ENGINE, ABS, BRAKES AND CHECK VSC LIGHTS CAME ON. I TOOK TO A DEALERSHIP, PIERCEY TOYOTA AND THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND CAME BACK WITH CODES C1391 AND B1281.
Service brakes, Sep 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED A "VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL" ERROR MESSAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ACCUMULATOR PUMP REMAINED ACTIVATED AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
Vehicle speed control, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Service brakes, Mar 30, 2015
AFTER AN SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE AND REAR BRAKE JOB AT FIRESTONE A FEW DAYS EARLIER IN ATLANTA, I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND MY CHECK VSC SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON. I THEN TOOK IT BACK TO FIRESTONE AND THEY PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER AND THERE WERE NO CODES; SUBSEQUENTLY THEY SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DIAGNOSIS AT THE DEALER REVEALED THAT I NEEDED A NEW ABS ACCUMULATOR AND THIS COULD BE REPAIRED FOR $3,118. I WAS NOT INTERESTED IN SPENDING THIS AMOUNT SINCE THE PART HAS A KNOW DESIGN MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH ON CLEARING THE CHECK VSC SYSTEM LIGHT AND FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS AND THE CODE CLEARED FOR ABOUT 9 DAYS AND REAPPEARED ON YESTERDAY FOR SOME REASON. WHAT CAN I DO? *TR
Service brakes, Feb 19, 2015
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE BRAKES FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT, BUT IT HAD TO BE TOWED. THE REPAIR SHOP FOUND THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED. PER TOYOTA, THE VIN # FOR THE CAR IS NOT IN THE "BATCH" INVOLVED IN A RECALL IN 2010 INVOLVING THE MASTER CYLINDERS FOR HIGHLANDERS, AND THEY REFUSE TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THIS CAR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jan 7, 2015
WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WHEN AN ALARM SOUNDED AND SEVERAL DASHBOARD LIGHTS LIT UP. CENTER DISPLAY SAID "CHECK VSC SYSTEM". I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THE ABS MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST $2,800. OTHER THAN A VIBRATION UNDER THE HOOD WHILE SLOWING DOWN THE CAR APPEARS TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT IS ON WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THE ABS MAYBE DISABLED. I WAS ABLE TO RUN A VSC DIAGNOSTIC AND PULLED CODE 45. GIVEN THE NUMBER OF REPORTED INCIDENTS FOR THIS FAILURE IT APPEARS TO BE A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM. *TR
Service brakes, Nov 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYBRID WAS CALIBRATING AND WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VSC AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACTUATOR AND THE HYBRID PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 8, 2014
COMPLAINT: 2006 BASE HIGHLANDER, FWD, 4 CYLINDERS. BRAKE SYSTEM (VSC, TRAC OFF, ABS & BRAKE) AND TPMS LIGHTS ON, DISABLING SAFETY FEATURES. 1)TPMS FLASHING LIGHT. ISSUE MAY HAVE BEEN IN-PROCESS SINCE DAY 1. IT REGULARLY CAME ON, RESET BY DEALERS AND EVENTUALLY SHOWED US HOW TO RESET OURSELVES. 2)BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHTS. ALL (4) CAME ON, DIAGNOSED AS LEFT REAR WHEEL SENSOR. DEALER QUOTED COST: $1000. REPLACEMENT DIDN'T WORK, WOUND UP REPLACING WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY PIGTAIL. LASTED TWO (2) WEEKS, RE-DIAGNOSED AS ABS PUMP/CONTROL MODULE ASSEMBLY. DEALER QUOTED COST: $2500. WHILE THIS ITSELF IS RIDICULOUS, THE REPAIR COSTS WOULD EXCEED 1/8TH (13%) THE COST OF THE VEHICLE NEW! NOW, IN 2014, IT'S APPROXIMATELY (50%) OF THE CURRENT VEHICLES VALUE. THIS ISSUE HAS RECENTLY RESULTED IN SCREECHING TO A HALT IN DANGEROUS TRAFFIC. IT ESSENTIALLY NEGATES THE STAR SAFETY SYSTEM FEATURES, FOR VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL AND DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS ISSUE CANNOT BE IGNORED ANY LONGER, SINCE IT'S THE TOPIC ON NUMEROUS WEB SITE FORUMS AND INQUIRIES AND EVEN SALVAGED USED PARTS ARE BEING SOLD BY MANY SITES FOR THIS PROBLEM. RECOMPENSE: REMUNERATION OF EXPENSES TO DATE AND FUTURE REPAIRS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM IS REQUESTED. REVIEW OF TSB AND/OR INVESTIGATION INTO RECALL CAMPAIGN TO FIX ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. *TR
Service brakes, Oct 3, 2014
AFTER THE DATE OF THE CRASH THE CAR IS FAILING TO STOP PROPERLY. THE CAR WILL BUMP CONSTANTLY BEFORE A COMPLETE STOP. IT IS UNSAFE TO USE THE CAR AT HIGHER SPEED OR IN SUDDEN STOP SITUATIONS. IT IS ALSO MAKING A CONSTANT NOISE WHEN THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL HYBRID SHOP AND THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS QUICK IN JUST MINUTES. THEY SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL TOYOTA HYBRIDS. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS BUT NOT ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY. THEY SAID THAT PART SHOULD LAST FOR THE LIFE OF EVERY CAR BUT NOT FOR THE HYBRIDS. IT WAS A BAD DESIGN AND TOYOTA HAS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN FOR JUST DIAGNOSE BUT NOT REPAIR OR PREVENT. THE PART COST $2400 INCLUDING LABOR. I CALLED TOYOTA PR AND MAKE A COMPLAINT. THEY HAVE FAILED TO HELP ME NEITHER THEY PROVIDE STATUS ON THE COMPLAINT.
Service brakes, Aug 8, 2013
THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PEDAL SUDDENLY FELT 'SOFT' AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE. AFTER STOMPING ON THE BRAKE AGAIN THE VEHICLES' BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED WITH A JERK AND BEGAN WORKING NORMALLY AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF A FEW DAYS BEFORE TAKING THE VEHICLE INTO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED A FAULTY MASTER CYLINDER AND BOOSTER ASSEMBLY - BOTH OF WHICH ARE COVERED UNDER A LIMITED RECALL ON 2004 - 2006 HIGHLANDERS. UNFORTUNATELY NOT ALL 2006 HIGHLANDERS ARE COVERED EVEN THOUGH THEY EXPERIENCE THE EXACT SAME MALFUNCTION. *TR
Service brakes, Dec 18, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED BUT WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE BRAKE SWITCH WAS REPLACED, THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND WOULD HAVE TO DIAGNOSED A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,100.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Sep 13, 2011
I WENT TO THE DEALER RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V34200. THE DEALER CHECK THE HIGHLANDER AND SAID THAT THE RECALL NOT APPLY AND DID NOT NEED TO BE INSTALLED OR REPAIR THE INVERTER. THE NEXT WEEK LL THE PANEL WARNING LIGHTS TURN ON(BRAKE, SLIP, VCS WARNING, EXCLAMATION SING AND ABS). THEN A RETURN TO DEALER, THEY CHECK THE HIGHLANDER. NOW THEY SAID THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE ABS MODULE. HOW I CAN CORROBORATE THAT MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE BRAKING DISTANCE HAD INCREASED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE BRAKES DID NOT FEEL SAFE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS STILL FAULTY AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 11, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECURRING FAILURE IN WHICH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A SLIGHT HESITATION WHEN ENGAGING THE BRAKES BEFORE THEY WOULD RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS IN WHICH THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE ROTORS WERE REPAIRED ONCE BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,623.