8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,970
Average Mileage:
159,500 miles
Total Complaints:
12 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace actuator assembly (10 reports)
  2. replace actuator assembly again after being redesigned (2 reports)
2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid brakes problems

brakes problem

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2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner Comments

problem #12

Jun 122022

Highlander Hybrid Nota Trim Level 3.2lV6 Hybrid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,300 miles

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

I bought this car 2006 from Toyota dealership. I'm a single driver and used the Highlander sparingly since we had a Prius. No accidents or any other issues so far.

While driving on a motorway the warning light with ABS and brake light came on the dashboard on 6-12-22. The brakes work fine. But I am afraid to use the car. When we took it to Toyota service center they said - there is a leak in the actuator that needs replacement and gave a 2100 + tax.

We have not signed up yet for replacement - because the spare parts were not readily available. We want to make sure that their diagnosis is correct, and get a second opinion and proceed.

- Raghuveer H., Brookhaven, US

problem #11

Aug 062020

Highlander Hybrid Limited, AWD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 142,000 miles

A pampered, lady-driven, garage-kept vehicle should be repaired at cost of Toyota.

It's been a publicly known issue for years. IT'S TIME TO FIX MY VEHICLE.

SHAME ON TOYOTA!

- TT N., Valdosta, GA, US

problem #10

Jul 202020

Highlander Hybrid Limited 3.3L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 317,000 miles

click to see larger images

brake actuator assembly defect brake actuator assembly defect

I am so disgusted with Toyota right now! How do you have a faulty part and not have it on Recall? Because we could get away with not repairing it to the tune of millions of dollars by manipulated owners by offering dated warranties that many did not receive notice on. Oh well for you! The fact is not part of a Recall so you won't know looking at car facts! Its not until the part leaves you brakeless and you do your research you find out. How convenient for them. You'll be lucky if it doesn't kill you or someone else but they don't care.

So much for the honoring what they put on the road.

I am now stuck with a worthless vehicle I paid 6,000 for, and lost my livelihood because they have found away around a defective part.

This is on many of their vehicles and Lexus!

- Keri B., Joplin, MO, US

problem #9

Dec 162020

Highlander Hybrid LE 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 198,000 miles

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

So in July 2016 Toyota dealer replaced the antilock brake actuator due my ABS light being on the my car. This was covered under a warranty extension. Tech: 367 Hansel, Joel 10367. RO number 629181. At the time of the repairs, the car had 150118 miles. Now, in December 16, 2020 and at 198000 miles, the ABS light is on and I am having the same problem as I did back in 2016.

How can a component replaced at the dealer fail again in such a short time? Am I that unlucky to have 2 of these fail in less than 50K miles? Is there nobody else having this issue?

Long story short, my wife and kids almost crashed into the back of an SUV coming off the freeway. Why is Toyota company not recalling this component and fix it for good this time? An internal failure of the ABS systems is that, an internal failure. If this is substandard component why is it not being recall again to fixed? I don't have the money to repair this component every 4 years because it is defective.

If the initial reports caused for Toyota to recall this vehicle, shouldn't following reports after repairs done by Toyota be enough for another recall? It is very obvious that this ABS system has a flaw even after the initial recall, so why is it taking so long to fix something that pertains to SAFETY?

- juanandcara, Oak Harbor, US

problem #8

Aug 012019

Highlander Hybrid Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 211,000 miles

Another Hybrid ABS Actuator fail. Mine has clicked for months and kept getting worse. The VSC lights finally came on and I now have to bite the bullet like others. Wish Toyota would have made Hybrid parts less costly. The regular Highlanders' ABS Actuator are only $100-200 dollars. I did find one on eBay for $500 and it is being shipped. The local dealer said they would install it, but wouldn't warranty the part. I bought Squaretrade on eBay, but hopefully won't have to use it. Stay tuned for install update.

- Mikey F., Shawnee Mission, KS, US

problem #7

Aug 192019

Highlander Hybrid Limited 3.3L

  • CVT transmission
  • 222,302 miles

06-07 Highlander Toyota Service Technical Bulletin about Check VSC System warning light. Toyota knows or knew about the ABS Actuator Module needing to be replaced but instead on cars outside extended warranty would rather have you pay $1,989 for the part and $850 for installation.

- b3mv0b, Houston, US

problem #6

Dec 012018

Highlander Hybrid 5DR 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,880 miles

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

Brake actuator failure. My 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid limited just had a failure of the brake actuator that was diagnosed by Toyota. Unfortunately this failure happened after the time that was covered under a warranty enhancement program from Toyota for this defective part. I went to my Toyota dealer (Fort's Toyota of Pekin, 120 Radio City Dr, North Pekin, IL 61554) They said since the part did not fail during the time of the warranty enhancement they WILL NOT HELP ME. Fortunately no one in my family was injured during the failure nor was there any property or bodily injury to anyone else. As expected Toyota placed my family's lives in danger due to a known defective part that should have replaced under a recall.

- officerstimeling, East Peoria, US

problem #5

Feb 132018

Highlander Hybrid Sport 3.3L Hybrid

  • CVT transmission
  • 128,000 miles

After this forum, my brake actuator needs replaced. Took it to Toyota Hendricks in Wilmington NC yesterday with the service tech saying yeah under recall or extended warranty, bring it on in. Take it in and of course the next tech calls and says the warranty expired 12/31/2017, approximately 43 days ago, The service tech said the brake actuator failed. I said where was my letter for the recall or extended warranty. They said must have sent it to the previous owner, I have owned it for 4 years.

So calling, Toyota headquarters with no help, the dealer said they could lower the price from $3k to 1.8k, I then called a local repair shop and was told the part is $1100 plus 2 hours labor, I told Hendricks Toyota, where I have spent thousands and have 3 Toyotas in my driveway to kiss my you know what. So, they let me drive it out of there knowing there is a brake problem, unbelievable.

This is a SAFETY PROBLEM, dangerous when your BRAKES do not work, I have a 25 year old Suburban with twice the miles that stops when it's suppose to. Toyota and the parts they buy, and customer service, is a JOKE.. Last Toyota I will buy.

- Randy A., Wilmington, US

problem #4

Dec 192017

Highlander Hybrid Limited 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,000 miles

Makes noise constantly. Drains the normal car battery. There was a recall for it, recall was reinstated in 2017 but it won't be fixed under that without an error code coming up. So, $3000 problem that Toyota won't own due to a technicality.

- Jw B., Denver, US

problem #3

Jul 012016

Highlander Hybrid Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

ABS BUZZES FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR AFTER RUNRING OFF IGNITION SWITCH. I AM AFRAID THIS WILL DRAIN OR DAMAGE BATTERY OR HYBRID SYSTEM. DEALER SAYS MUST REPLACE ACTUATOR WHICH I THINK INCLUDES PUMP AND MODULE FOR $2,600. THIS IS NOT IN WARRANTY DUE TO MILAGE OF 135,000 NOR IN RECALL EVEN THOUGH MANY PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM ON THE 2006 MODEL AND CAN BE LIFE THREATENING. I CANNOT AFFORD $2,600 REPAIR. ANY IDEAS FOR CHEAPER REPAIR OR OTHER FIX OR TRY TO PUSH FOR RECALL-HOW IS THIS DONE?

- car1234, Vivian, LA, US

problem #2

May 012015

Highlander Hybrid Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

Apparently there has been a slew of related issues with Toyota's regenerative braking system and the ABS actuator. The Prius recall points to this fact. Why would the two car designs not share similar technology and similar underlying issues when the problems being reported are nearly identical to those that were reported with Pruises? (Is the plural of Prius Prii?) I have not yet paid for the $2900 repair ($2600 of which is simply for the ABS actuator), but I am annoyed to discover that Toyota has not offered a recall despite the fact that it is a common problem even among Highlander Hybrid owners.

- Andre N., Ashland, OR, US

problem #1

Sep 102014

Highlander Hybrid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles

In June 2014 we heard a squeaking noise when we put the car in drive and released the brake. We were on a trip. Two days after we returned and warning lights came on and the car would not start. We took it to the local dealer who said the battery needed to be replaced. Three months later the noise was back. We are out of town again. This time we took it to the local dealer in the town where we are staying. The mechanic immediately diagnosed this as a faulty brake actuator assembly in bad shape. Cost to fix it was $3,500. Had to do it or the brakes could fail. We had just driven 1,100 miles through the Rocky Mountains. Very scary that this problem was misdiagnosed and not repaired the first time in June. In addition, the problem with the brake actuator has been on record with the NHTSA since 2010 (35 complaints). There have been 9 complaints filed since April 2014. Toyota will not reimburse us for the repair saying our car is out of warranty. I was adamant that they should, and also should have alerted the Toyota dealers about the problem, considering that they have known about it for years. This is a serious safety issue!! We had a 7 year extended warranty on the car that has now expired. If we had known,we could have addressed it while the car was still under warranty. I noticed that one other poster had the same problem - told to replace battery when the problem was actually the actuator assembly. We contacted our dealer at home. We are waiting to hear back from the Western Regional Manger. Car has been meticulously maintained by the Toyota dealer since we bought it new in late 2006.

- Kathleen C., Carlsbad, CA, US

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