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: vehicle speed control
43 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Mar 3, 2010
REFERENCE: NHTSA ODI NUMBER 10185505 DATED MARCH 14, 2007. THIS IS MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT ABOUT TOYOTA ACCELERATION PROBLEMS THAT HAS BEEN POSTED ON THIS SITE FOR 3 YEARS AND I'VE NEVER HAD ANY RESPONSE OF ANY KIND. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX IT AND SAID THAT IS JUST THE WAY TOYOTAS ACT. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND UNDER FLORIDA LAW A LEMON IS A CAR THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR 3 TIMES AND NOT FIXED ... GUESS I GOT A LEMON. NOW I NEVER HEARD FROM YOU SO I GUESS YOU REALLY DON'T EITHER. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 26, 2010
I HAD A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. IN FEBRUARY OF 2007, I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I HAD EXPERIENCED THE CAR SURGING/ACCELERATING UPON BRAKING AND WAS UNPREDICTABLE AS TO WHEN IT MAY OCCUR. THE TECH DIDN'T EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE/ALSO RAN DIAGNOSTICS WHICH CAME BACK AS "NO CODES FOUND". SINCE I CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE, AND AFTER LEARNING OF SIMILAR ISSUES OCCURRING IN OTHER TOYOTA MODELS AND NOW THE RECALLS, I TOOK IT BACK, AND AGAIN THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE AND GOT THE SAME "NO CODES FOUND" WHEN DIAGNOSTICS WERE APPLIED. AFTER THESE EXPERIENCES, AND READING ABOUT OTHER 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID ISSUES, I DECIDED I NO LONGER FELT SAFE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND SINCE THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE, EVEN WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, I DECIDED TO TRADE MY VEHICLE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 18, 2010
HELLO, I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A SAFETY COMPLAINT ON MY 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID, I HAD THIS CAR FOR THE PAST FOUR MONTHS AND I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, IT HAPPENS 3- 4 TIMES A WEEK, OR MAY BE EVEN MORE SINCE I SHARE THE CAR WITH MY HUSBAND I AM NOT SURE HOW OFTEN HE GETS IT. THE LAST TIME THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION HAPPENED IS TODAY, LUCKILY WE WERE NOT DRIVING CLOSE TO ANOTHER CAR. IT FEELS LIKE AS IF SOME ONE PUSHED THE CAR FROM BEHIND. THANKS FOR CONSIDERING THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY AND THIS IS NOT A PANIC REQUEST AFTER THE RECALL, IT IS A REAL AND SERIOUS ISSUE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 11, 2010
CRUISE CONTROL. IF CRUISE IS SET AT 70 MPG AND YOU RELEASE IT BY THE BRAKE THEN TRY TO RESUME THE CRUISE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS GONE TO 65 IT WILL ACCELERATE TO 72 OR 74 THEN DROP TO 70. I WILL NOT LET THIS HAPPEN NOW BY LETTING THE SPEED GET TO WHATEVER I HAD BEFORE, THEN RESUME TO THE ORIGINAL SPEED. I CAN DUPLICATE THIS ANY TIME. THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS THE WAY IT NOW WORKED. MY 1998 AVALON DOES NOT DO THIS WHEN CRUISE IS TURNED ON. *TR
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Feb 10, 2010, crash
1. I WAS TRAVELING EAST ON BOLSA AVE. GOING STRAIGHT, AND THE OTHER DRIVER WAS COMING OUT OF THE ABC MARKET DRIVEWAY. SHE MADE A RIGHT TURN. 2. MY CAR MADE A LOUD SOUND AND THEN DROVE INTO THE OTHER DRIVER'S CAR. 3. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, BUT THE CAR WENT FORWARD LIKE IT WAS A RACING CAR. THEN THE CAR WENT IN REVERSE AND LANDED FROM THE STREET ONTO THE SIDEWALK. 4. MY CAR IS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 5. I BELIEVED THE PEDAL GOT STUCK AND THE CAR ACCELERATED TOWARDS THE OTHER CAR. 6. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS GOING 100 MILES AN HOUR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 8, 2010
ON BUMPY ROADS OR DITCHES, MY 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID VEHICLE DOES NOT BRAKE OR THE BRAKE SLIPS. IT FEELS LIKE IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WITH BRAKING BECOMING INEFFECTIVE.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 5, 2010, crash
2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID - I WAS STOPPED IN A RIGHT TURN ONLY LANE. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME BEGAN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON A RED LIGHT. AS HE MOVED FORWARD, I SLIGHTLY RELEASED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES AND MY VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WHICH HAD STOPPED SUDDENLY. THIS "LUNGING" IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THIS TOYOTA VEHICLE. WE HAD THOUGHT IT WAS JUST AN IDIOSYNCRASY OF THE HYBRID VEHICLE. HOWEVER, MY BROTHER HAS A NEWER MODEL HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND HE DOES NOT EXPERIENCE THIS LUNGING. WHAT I MEAN BY LUNGING IS THAT THE VEHICLE, AT TIMES, WILL LUNGE FORWARD AS YOU RELEASE THE BRAKE AT HIGHER SPEED THAN AN IDLE. IN THE SIMPLE ACCIDENT MENTIONED ABOVE, MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED OVER $3000 IN DAMAGE, WHICH IS QUITE AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT FOR THIS TYPE OF ACCIDENT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 4, 2010
VEHICLE TOYOTA, 2006 HIGHLANDER LIMITED LETTER SENT TO TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA INC WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION. "AFTER COMING TO A STOP WHEN I DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO RESUME A FORWARD MOTION THERE IS SOMETIMES A ONE OR TWO SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE ENGINE RESPONDS. AND THAT RESUMPTION OF ENGINE SPEED IS NOT A NORMAL RATE BUT AT A HIGHER RATE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO "JUMP A LITTLE FORWARD" BEFORE RESUMING A NORMAL INCREASE IN ACCELERATOR SPEED. IN A GENERAL SENSE I WOULD DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM AS A "DELAYED ACCELERATOR RESPONSE" THAT HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 4, 2010
WE HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. I SHOULD START OFF BY STATING THAT WE LOVE THIS VEHICLE. WE HAVE, HOWEVER, NOTICED A "GLITCH" THAT MIGHT BE RELATED TO THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE PRIUS HAS AND THOUGHT WE SHOULD REPORT IT. OCCASIONALLY, WHEN WE STEP ON THE BRAKE, AND AFTER THE CAR IS SLOWING DOWN, THE ENGINE WILL SURGE FORWARD AS IF IT WANTS TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. PUMPING THE BRAKES WORKS AND THE CAR STOPS. I DON'T THINK THIS IS A PEDAL PROBLEM BUT A COMPUTER PROBLEM. SINCE WE NEVER TAILGATE AND WE ALWAYS ALLOW FOR DISTANCE TO STOP, THIS HAS NEVER POSED A PROBLEM FOR US BUT IT IS AN ISSUE WORTH NOTING. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 1, 2010, crash, fire
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR INTO AN UNDERGROUND PARKING LOT. I PUT ON THE BRAKES AND THEY WOULD NOT ENGAGE. I TRIED AGAIN. I EVENTUALLY SLAMMED INTO THE WALL AT THE END OF THE PARKING LOT. MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND I WAS HURT, TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED AND FOUND TO HAVE NO BRAKE PROBLEMS, SO I WAS DEEMED AT FAULT FOR THE ACCIDENT. THIS WAS BEFORE WE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE FLOOR MAT AND ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS WITH TOYOTAS. MY INCIDENT WAS OBVIOUSLY ONE OF A RUNAWAY CAR. IT WAS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 22, 2010
2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID SOMETIMES SURGES FORWARD ON BRAKING. SEEMS UNPREDICTABLE AS TO WHEN IT MIGHT HAPPEN. BOTH MY WIFE & MYSELF HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I WONDER IF IT IS RELATED TO THE OTHER SUDDEN ACCELERATION RECALL OF OTHER MODEL YEARS. I SEE THE 2007 TO 2010 CAMRY IS PART OF THE RECALL. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE HIGHLANDER SHARES A LOT OF PARTS WITH THAT MODEL. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Nov 27, 2009, crash
I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, MADE A RIGHT TURN TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE. I SLOWED DOWN BUT IT SEEMED THE CAR ACCELERATED. IN A MATTER OF SECONDS, THE CAR WENT THROUGH A ROW OF BUSHES AND SLAMMED INTO A TREE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 16, 2009, crash
TODAY, ANOTHER LEXUS /TOYOTA HAS AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM WHICH FINALLY CAUSED 4 DEATHS. MANY OF US HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. YOU HAVE 3 AT LEAST ALREADY LISTED IN YOUR COMPLAINTS. 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS (3) JUST TOOK OFF AND DRIVERS COULDN'T STOP THEM (I AM ONE) UNTIL THE CAR HIT SOMETHING. LEXUS TOO, MADE BY TOYOTA. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS. I WROTE TOYOTA TO EXPLAIN THAT I DID NOT PUT MY FOOT ON ACCELERATOR. I GOT A GENERIC LETTER BACK, WITHOUT HELP OR EXPLANATION. WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS , SOMEONE NEEDS TO ADDRESS THESE UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATIONS.. MY CAR FLEW THROUGH THE AIR WITH ME SCREAMING , TRYING TO STOP IT. I HIT HEADON INTO A CEMENT SIDE OF AN IRRIGATION DITCH. PASSENGER IS STILL IN REHAB SINCE MARCH OF THIS YEAR. IS IT JUST THE MATS, AS THE SAN DIEGO PRESS IS SUGGESTING WITH THE DEATH OF THE CHP AND HIS 3 FAMILY MEMBERS? I THINK NOT. SOMETHING IN ONE OF THE SYSTEMS, CODES, CRUISE CONTROL, COMPUTER OR ??? PLEASE CHECK THESE OUT. TOYOTA HAS KEPT QUIET LONG ENOUGH. FARMERS INSURANCE IS CODING MY ACCIDENT AS MY FAULT, YET I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND DID NOT CAUSE THIS ONE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 2, 2009
MY 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID PERIODICALLY LUNGES FORWARD UPON BRAKING AND WHEN STOPPED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, May 27, 2008
FRIDAY EARLY MAY 2008, I CARRIED MY HIGHLANDER FOR IT'S 30K SERVICE AT 28K, DUE TO HESITATION, LURCHING, BACKFIRING AT TIMES AND POOR GAS MILEAGE. AT THE SERVICE, I WAS TOLD THEY CLEAN THE ACCELERATOR SENOR. THE VEHICLE RAN FINE GETTING 28 MILES PER GALLON, BUT NOTICE A CHANGE IN THE VEHICLE GROUNDING. I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE NOISE THOUGH THE RADIO SOMETIMES IN THE MORNING. THE ENGINE NOISE WAS ADDED FEATURE. I NOTICED THE ENGINE SHIFTING WAS SMOOTH UNTIL THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY. IT WAS RAIN TRAFFIC MEDIUM DRIVING 65 MPH. THE HIGHLANDER CONSUMED A QUARTER OF A TANK WITHIN 20 MILES. MY HIGHLANDER IS KEPT IN GARAGE NIGHTLY AND MOST OF THE DAY. I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO MY NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER ON 16MAY08 31K. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP RESET MY VEHICLE?S COMPUTER BY CONNECTING THE BATTERY AND RECONNECTION. I WAS TOLD 2 WEEKS BEFORE HAND AT THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS A POSSIBLY OF VEHICLE ?S COMPUTER SOFTWARE NEEDING UPGRADING WHEN THEY CLEANED THE ACCELERATOR SENOR. TODAY, THE VEHICLE DOESN'T HAVE THE SMOOTH ACCELERATING POWER. FOR THIS VEHICLE, RIDING IN TRAFFIC CAUSES SERIOUS PROBLEMS DUE LACK OF POWER LURCHING, POOR GAS MILEAGE OR THE POSSIBLE OF LOSING CONTROL. NO COMPUTER TEST WAS COMPLETED. I CHANGE GAS STATION TYPES AND VARIOUS GAS TREATMENTS, IT ?S NOT THE GAS. I HAVE DRIVING AND WORKING ON CARS SINCE 1978 FROM ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND BRAKES. I EVEN NOTICED WHEN THE HIGHLANDER IS FULL WITH GAS. THE VEHICLE SOMETIME COUGH OR DELAY. IS THERE A LEMON LAW THIS? *TR
Vehicle speed control, Oct 30, 2007
I ACCELERATED TO AVOID A COLLISION AT LOW SPEED IN AN INTERSECTION. THE CAR HESITATED ABOUT 2 SECONDS AFTER I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, THEN LURCHED FORWARD, SPINNING THE DRIVE WHEELS. THE LENGTH OF DELAY OR HESITATION IN RESPONSE TO ACCELERATOR INPUT IS FREQUENTLY THERE, BUT IS SOMEWHAT UNPREDICTABLE, MAKING STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC PERFORMANCE DANGEROUS. POOR PERFORMANCE OF THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION IS PROBABLY RELATED TO THIS DEFECT. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AT 1500 MILES. THE DEALER DID A THOROUGH CHECK OF THE EQUIPMENT AND FOUND NO DEFECTIVE PARTS. DEALER STATES THAT THERE ARE NO SERVICE BULLETINS FOR THIS PROBLEM, IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM AND PROMISED TO FIX IT SINCE DECEMBER 2004. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. HAD THE PAVEMENT BEEN WET, I COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, IN THE INCIDENT DESCRIBED, THE OTHER DRIVER WAS ABLE TO AVOID A COLLISION. NEXT TIME, I MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, May 16, 2007
2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 3-3V-6 5 SPEED AUTO. VERY ERRATIC SHIFTING AND HESITATION WHEN AT SLOW SPEEDS. HAPPENED MOSTLY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND BRAKES NEEDED TO BE APPLIED MUCH HARDER THAN ONE WOULD LIKE. COULD NEVER BE SURE WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC HOW THE CAR WILL RESPOND. VERY DANGEROUS. HAD A 2002 HIGHLANDER BEFORE THIS ONE AND HAD NO PROBLEMS. CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE IN JULY 2006. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR HAS TO ADJUST TO MY DRIVING STYLE. UNLESS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON THEY WON'T EVEN TRY TO FIX ANYTHING. I EVEN HAD THE REGIONAL REP DRIVE IT (5 MILES) AND PROCLAIM THE CAR TO BE NORMAL. IF THIS IS NORMAL, YOU CAN KEEP IT. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR. TOYOTA IS WAITING FOR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO OCCUR. I INTEND TO FILE A CLAIM WITH THE NJ LEMON LAW. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Aug 29, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED AT 5 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND JUMPED OVER A CURB WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS WHILE CONSTANT BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE WHERE IT CAME TO A FINAL STOP. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER AND RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE PANEL OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.