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
277 reports, newest first.
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
Electrical system, Hybrid propulsion system, Dec 12, 2011
TL* 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 TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/09/12*LJ THE DEALER REPLACED THE INVERTER ASSEMBLY. UPDATED 02/29/12
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
Visibility, Nov 13, 2011
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 BE A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME DEFAULT OF TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS SUN VISORS FALLING DOWNING AND NOT REMAINING SEATED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THERE IS NOT ANY GARAGE DOOR OPENERS OR ANY OTHER DEVICES ON THE VISOR TO CAUSE EXTRA HEAVINESS THAT WOULD LEAD TO THE FAILING OF THE VISOR. I HAVE TO PUT TAPE ON THE VISOR TO PROVIDE MYSELF WITH AN UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW TO SAFELY DRIVE. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Nov 10, 2011
I BROUGHT 2006-1007 HIGHLANDER HYBRID VEHICLE IN 2005 FROM THE BEGINNING I AM HAVING DIFFICULTIES WITH THE STEERING I TOLD DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, TOYOTA COMPANY MULTIPLE TIMES ABOUT THE STEERING PROBLEM. AS SOON AS I DRIVE ABOVE 25 MPH MY CAR PULLS TOWARDS RIGHT VERY BADLY I HAVE TO APPLY LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE STEERING TO PUT ON THE ROAD. DUE TO THIS I SPENT 1000S OF DOLLARS TO DO WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND STEERING CHECK DUE TO THIS I SPENT 1000S OF DOLLARS ON MY TIRES I HAVE TO CHANGE MY TIRES EVERY TWO YEARS EVEN THOUGH THE MANUFACTURER GIVES WARRANTY FOR 6 YEARS 65K MILES. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 8, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BECAME EXCESSIVELY HOT AND MELTED THE COVER. THE DEALER NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO COVER THE COST OF THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPAIRS BUT NOT THE LABOR COSTS. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 86,900.
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
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
Vehicle speed control, Aug 29, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD MOMENTARILY SURGE FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A BRAKE MODULE AND THE TRANSMISSION WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT CLIPS ON THE FLOOR MATS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 5, 2011
TOYOTA OR THE DEALER HAS FAILED TO REMEDY THE DEFECT (ACCELERATOR PEDAL) WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FOR MY 2006 HIGHLANDER. *KB
Visibility, Jul 2, 2011
DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE, HAS BEGUN DROPPING DOWN OBSCURING MY VISION WHILE DRIVING. *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
Vehicle speed control, May 30, 2011
I RECEIVED YOUR RESPONSE TO MY LETTER OF COMPLAINT DATED FEB 24, 2011. IT DID NOT ADDRESS MY CONCERN WITH THE DELAYED RESPONSE BETWEEN THE DEPRESSED ACCELERATOR AND A DELAYED ENGINE RESPONSE. RATHER I WAS INFORMED BY A FORM LETTER THAT NY COMPLAINT WOULD BE SATISFIED WITH A "FLOOR MAT ADJUSTMENT". I WAS ADDITIONALLY NOTIFIED THAT A 2ND LETTER FROM TOYOTA WOULD ARRIVE BY EARLY MAY 2011 WHEN "PARTS ARE READY AND PREPARATIONS ARE COMPLETE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THIS NOTIFICATION AS OF THIS DATE. I REPEAT; MY ACCELERATOR DOES NOT STICK". SOMETIMES THERE IS A ONE OR TWO SECOND DELAY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE RESPONDS CAUSING A FAST "LURCH FORWARD" RATHER THAN A GRADUAL INCREASE FORM THE CURRENT SPEED OR SOMETIMES FROM A COMPLETE STOP IT WILL HAPPEN. THE DELAYED ENGINE RESPONSE TO A DEPRESSED ACCELERATOR IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES. SINCERELY, *TR
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, May 25, 2011
VEHICLE HAS ORIGINAL HEADLIGHTS THAT WERE IN IT WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR.THE BULBS ARE BURNING THE LENS OVER THE LIGHTS.I "DO NOT" DRIVE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON AS THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO INSINUATE.NO DUMBASS DRIVES WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON ALL THE TIME. TOYOTA CLAIMS BULBS ARE AN EXCLUSION ON THE WARRANTY.THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM.THEY WANT TO CHARGE THE PURCHASER TO REPLACE THE BULBS WHICH SHOW EVIDENCE OF OF DEFECT AS WELL AS THE LENS COVER.I WOULD LIKE TO SEE TOYOTA OR THE MANUFACTURER OF THE BULB REPLACE THESE ITEMS AT NO COST TO THE PURCHASER.EVEN IF THEY DON'T REPLACE THE LENS COVER AT LEAST REPLACE THE BULB WITH THE PROPER BULB.CAR HAS ALWAYS JERKED FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED IT.I THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION BUT TOYOTA CLAIMS THEY DIDN'T DETECT ANYTHING WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE FOR THIS ISSUE.
Exterior lighting, May 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BURNED THROUGH THE LENS AND BOTH THE LENS AND BULBS WERE BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE HIGH BEAMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 12, 2011, crash
I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY TOYOTA 2006 HIGHLANDER BECAUSE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *TR
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.
Structure, Apr 8, 2011, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BUMPER OF HER VEHICLE WAS NOT STURDY. SHE WAS INVOLVED IN TWO COLLISIONS WHERE THE BUMPER DID NOT PROTECT AGAINST ANY DAMAGE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE A SAFEGUARD. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 05/05/11*LJ UPDATED 05/13/11
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 29, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED THE INSPECTOR INFORMED THE CONTACT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS CLOGGED UP AND THAT IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR COST WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Feb 25, 2011
VEHICLE TOYOTA 2006 VIN #[XXX] HIGHLANDER LIMITED PRIOR COMPLAINT SENT TO TOYOTA & DOT 2/4/2010. AFTER A STOP WHEN ACCELERATOR SOMETIMES THERE IS A SECOND OR TWO PAUSE BEFORE THE ENGINE RESPONDS CAUSING A SUDDEN LURCH FORWARD. ADDITIONALLY WHEN DIVING AT IN TOWN SPEEDS AND THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED AND THEN A RESUMPTION OF PRESSURE ON IT THERE IS A SECOND OR TWO PAUSE BEFORE THE ENGINE ENGAGES, ALSO CAUSING A LURCH FORWARD. I HAVE LEARNED TO "EXPECT THE CONDITION" AND MAKE ALLOWANCES FOR IT, HOWEVER IT STILL CAUSES CONCERN AND POSSIBLY A DANGEROUS ACCELERATION. THE ACCELERATOR AND ENGINE ACTIVATION NEED TO BE CORRECTED FOR THIS "PAUSE AND LURCH FORWARD RESPONSE". PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Feb 22, 2011
2006 HYBRID HIGHLANDER REPORTED AND WENT TO MEDIATION WITH NOTHING DONE. CAR HAS LOTS OF ISSUES, IT JUMPS FORWARD WHEN STOPPING ABOUT 3 FEET ON OCCASION, IT WILL GO DEAD FOR NO REASON, THE GPS FAILS AND PUTS YOU IN PA WHEN IN VA, AND ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL NIGHTMARE, HAD WRITTEN TESTIMONIALS BUT THEY IGNORED IT SAYING ALL TESTS WERE FINE AND IT STARTED WHEN THE CAR WAS ONLY ABOUT 3-5 MONTHS OLD. I WENT ON HTN MEDS BECAUSE OF THIS AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR AND HAD TO BUY ANOTHER FOR MY KIDS TO DRIVE AS IT IS NOT SAFE. THERE ARE WEBSITE WITH LOTS OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES BEING TOLD ALL ALONG THAT NOONE ELSE REPORTED IT BUT THEY ALL DID...PLEASE HELP!! *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 11, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V499000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: MASTER CYLINDER). AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WAS ON A MASSIVE BACKORDER IN WHICH A TIME FRAME COULD NOT BE PROVIDED FOR THE AVAILABILITY OF THE PART. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE.
Visibility, Feb 7, 2011
VISIBILITY - THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR APPEARS TO HAVE A "LOOSE SPRING". IT WON'T FULLY STAY IN THE UP POSITION AND WHEN PLACED DOWN, IT ALSO DROOPS. BOTH SITUATIONS IMPACT THE DRIVER'S VISION. *LN
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 24, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART SO IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE INVERTER INSIDE THE ENGINE WHICH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED TO PAY A PORTION OF THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.