1.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
115,163 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Toyota Highlander brakes problems

brakes problem

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2006 Toyota Highlander Owner Comments

problem #11

Jul 202020

Highlander

  • 233,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The brake accumulator/actuator is a defective part and Toyota has refused to honor the repair. They manipulated owners by having a warrenty support program with end dates, instead of having a recall on it. Which is why when I researched before I bought, is not listed on car fax. The warranty support was before I purchased vehicle and previously it was either ignored or missed between owners. They have had many of these and get away with it. Right now there is a class action filed in Ohio over this same issue with other cars. It is a $3000 dollar part and not a knob on radio. It is a safety issue due to it being part of the braking system. I've seen where the support program said miles didn't matter but when talking to Toyota they say 114,000 miles. The car is a 2006, yeah that's reasonable, even for 2017/18 letter. While driving the vsc alarm system comes on and the braking becomes difficult. The pump has always made a sound but was told by dealer it was the security alarm system making the noise. It happened in 2019 also, the alarm, but repair shop said it was calipers, so paid $800 to have them replaced with pads. Its always made noise but the alarm system started back up again last month. Now with research on my own, I know exactly what it is but Toyota said they sent letter to previous owner and sorry about my luck! this has rendered this vehicle worth $5500, worthless. Cant trade in a vehicle like this and lost my income from delivery with it. I have checked off everything that would apply if it was a recall but since the support program has an end date to get out of Toyota ever being responsible for their defective part, they push it off on owners. I'm just lucky, I have a cdl and good driver and have not had an accident with it. I filed a complaint with Toyota and they just swiped me away as another poor sucker that didn't figure it out before I purchased.

- Joplin, MO, USA

problem #10

Jul 062020

Highlander 6-cyl

  • 135,000 miles
The brake actuator assembly has gone out at 135000 miles. It interfers with braking. The brakes lock up frequently and car will almost hop to a halt. It is quite concerning and scary when it occurs.

- Colfax, WA, USA

problem #9

May 212020

Highlander 6-cyl

  • 172,560 miles
Once after parking and then twice while driving on a highway, the check hybrid system light, the vsc light, the check engine light, and the caution light all illuminated and the vehicle lost all power including steering assistance. Each time requiring multiple key turns to restart the vehicle into limp home mode. This vehicle has been repaired once before for a similar issue which occurred while driving up a hill in moderate traffic. The tank is full of fuel, the tires are less than a year old, and the vehicle undergoes regular maintenance(which includes a new battery as the one bought from Toyota had a few dead cells after only a year or two). I've read multiple complaints about this online while searching for the underlying issue and there seems to be a related recall that doesn't include my VIN.

- Augusta, GA, USA

problem #8

Dec 162019

Highlander

  • 177,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Ongoing issue with generation 1 Highlander hybrids and prius from same date ranges. A warranty adjustment has already been issued and ended. The ABS brake accumulator gets an internal leak code C1391. Reduced braking, ESC, brake and other lights come on. Many of those repaired under warranty are already failing a second time. Vehicle is dangerous to drive since it can be driving perfectly and fail while in motion causing dangerous braking conditions.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #7

Mar 082019

Highlander

  • 15 miles
I was driving straight on the main road coming to a stop light.the vehicle would not stop after pressing on the brakes several times. There are several lights on the dash:brakes, traction control, 2 yellow exclamation marks one inside a triangle and the, ABS. The mechanic is saying the brake actuator is faulty and needs to replaced.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #6

Mar 152017

Highlander

  • miles
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.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #5

Apr 042017

Highlander

  • 79,670 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Takata recall. Check engine light won't go off along vsc light. On the street when the car stop running.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #4

Sep 292012

Highlander

  • 240,000 miles
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.

- Bethpage, NY, USA

problem #3

Sep 052015

Highlander

  • 75,000 miles
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?

- Alexander City, AL, USA

problem #2

Feb 172014

Highlander 4-cyl

  • 69,547 miles
I was backing out of my driveway, stopped waited for traffic, backed up, got stuck on a small pile of snow, left rear tire started to spin I pulled forward and back again the traction light came on, had no traction. It happened again, backing out of my driveway.

- Millis, MA, USA

problem #1

Apr 182012

Highlander

  • 85,000 miles
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.

- Hendersonville, TN, USA

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