NHTSA vehicle safety data

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 370 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Toyota dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid owner complaints

Owners have filed 370 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, describing incidents dated September 28, 2005 to January 14, 2026.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 137 complaints
Electrical System 74 complaints
Engine 53 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 53 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 33 complaints
Steering 25 complaints

Of the 370 complaints on file, 34 report a crash and 7 a fire; across all 370 complaints, owners report 10 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11711152 · Filed January 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 72 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the "Check Hybrid System", "Check…
ODI #11502242 · Filed January 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check hybrid system and two other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact managed to coast the vehicle to the side of the highway; however, the vehicle failed to restart…
ODI #11302108 · Filed January 26, 2020
WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I-30 EAST UP A HILL GOING APPT 70 MPH WHEN THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND SLOWED DOWN TO 10 MPH. THEN WENT TO ONLY 1 MPH. WE CHECKED THE BATTERY CONNECTION, FUEL CAP, EVERYTHING WE FOUND ONLINE TO CHECK.

Read all 370 complaints

Owner-reported

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid mileage at failure

331 of the 370 complaints on file for the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Service Brakes	Median 90,000 miles	Middle half 40,000–150,000 miles	Based on 122 complaints
Electrical System	Median 115,000 miles	Middle half 80,000–140,000 miles	Based on 65 complaints
Engine	Median 105,000 miles	Middle half 60,000–130,000 miles	Based on 51 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System	Median 110,000 miles	Middle half 70,000–130,000 miles	Based on 48 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control	Median 60,000 miles	Middle half 30,000–120,000 miles	Based on 30 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP22-005: Pedestrian alert sounds
Closed August 7, 2023
- Recall 22V-063
Preliminary Evaluation PE11-005: Hybrid inverter failure - vehicle stall
Closed July 20, 2011
- Recall 11V-342
Recall Query RQ10-003: Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
Closed March 1, 2011

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Inverter Failure may cause Hybrid Vehicle to Stall

NHTSA #13V396000 · Hybrid Propulsion System — Inverter · NHTSA notice

Reported September 4, 2013 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 133,081 vehicles

Toyota campaign DLF, D0M · Owners notified November 4, 2013 · Vehicles built February 16, 2005 – July 29, 2010 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid vehicles manufactured February 16, 2005, through July 29, 2010; and model year 2006-2008 Lexus RX400h vehicles manufactured February 23, 2005, through December 2, 2008. The Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module may contain transistors that have higher operating temperatures than the solder can support and the transistors may be heat damaged by the solder. If this occurs, various warning lamps, including the malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, will be illuminated on the instrument panel.

Safety consequence

The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. It is possible that the hybrid system will shut down while the vehicle is being driven, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the IPM free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicles that had their IPM replaced under recall 11V-342 are not affected by this campaign.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

CRANKSHAFT PULLEY

NHTSA #11V539000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported November 9, 2011 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 420,326 vehicles

Owners notified December 31, 2011 · Vehicles built September 23, 2004 – March 31, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.

Safety consequence

IN SOME CASES, THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A SUDDEN INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL CHECK THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TO IDENTIFY WHETHER IT WAS PRODUCED BY THE U.S. SUPPLIER. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PULLEY WITH A NEW ONE AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING EARLY JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

INVERTER ASSEMBLY

NHTSA #11V342000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported June 29, 2011 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 82,273 vehicles

Owners notified January 5, 2012 · Vehicles built February 16, 2005 – August 29, 2006 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND LEXUS RX400H PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 16, 2005, THROUGH AUGUST 30, 2006. A MODULE INSIDE THE INVERTER MODULE MAY CONTAIN INADEQUATELY SOLDERED TRANSISTORS THAT DURING HIGH-LOAD DRIVING, MAY BE DAMAGED BY HEAT CAUSED BY THE LARGE CURRENT. IF THIS OCCURS, VARIOUS WARNING LAMPS, INCLUDING THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP, SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT, BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT, AND MASTER WARNING LIGHT, WILL BE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Safety consequence

THE VEHICLE MAY ENTER A FAIL-SAFE/LIMP-HOME MODE THAT LIMITS THE DRIVABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE HYBRID SYSTEM WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

TOYOTA/LEXUS MAILED AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION ON JULY 19, 2011 TO ADVISE OWNERS OF THIS RECALL AND THE FACT THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE A FUTURE NOTICE WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE REPAIRS. TOYOTA DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HYBRID INVERTER PRODUCTION NUMBER TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE INVERTER CONTAINS SUSPECT TRANSISTORS AND REPLACE THE MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Notes

FLOOR CARPET COVER AND RETENTION CLIPS

NHTSA #11V112000 · Vehicle Speed Control — Accelerator Pedal · NHTSA notice

Reported February 24, 2011 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 769,379 vehicles

Toyota campaign BOA/BLC · Owners notified May 6, 2011 · Vehicles built August 22, 2003 – July 26, 2006 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

TOYOTA SAFETY RECALL BOA LEXUS SAFETY RECALL NO. BLC.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

INCORRECT GVWR LABELS

NHTSA #09V223000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported June 15, 2009 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 27,080 vehicles

Owners notified September 18, 2009 · Vehicles built September 1, 2005 – May 4, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

CARPET INTERFERENCE WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL

NHTSA #06V253000 · Vehicle Speed Control — Accelerator Pedal · NHTSA notice

Reported July 13, 2006 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 367,594 vehicles

Toyota campaign 6LD 60F · Owners notified July 24, 2006 · Vehicles built March 14, 2005 – May 24, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND HYBRID VEHICLES, THE TWO RETAINING CLIPS FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE FORWARD CENTER CONSOLE CAN BECOME LOOSE. IF BOTH CLIPS SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING INTERFERENCE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ROD.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO FLOOR CARPET COVER RETAINING CLIPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 24, 2006, AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY EARLY SEPTEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NO. 60F AND LEXUS RECALL NO. 6LD.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

4 investigations

370 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Hybrid Propulsion System

ODI #11711152

Incident: January 14, 2026 · Filed: January 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 72 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the "Check Hybrid System", "Check AWD", and "Check VCS" messages were displayed. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact notified an independent mechanic of the failure, and the mechanic stopped by the residence. The independent mechanic retrieved a DTC that the power inverter for the hybrid system had failed and caused the vehicle to go into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The contact stated that when the dealer searched the VIN on the NHTSA.gov website, the VIN search showed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V396000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the recall did not apply to the VIN. The vehicle remained at the residence unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,455.

Engine; Hybrid Propulsion System

ODI #11502242

Incident: July 1, 2021 · Filed: January 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check hybrid system and two other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact managed to coast the vehicle to the side of the highway; however, the vehicle failed to restart. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed. The mechanic discovered that there was a leak in the inverter cooling system. Upon investigation, the contact discovered an unknown recall that was related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but informed her that the vehicle was not included in the unknown recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 280,000.

Vehicle Speed Control; Unknown or Other; Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ODI #11302108

Incident: January 26, 2020 · Filed: January 26, 2020

WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I-30 EAST UP A HILL GOING APPT 70 MPH WHEN THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND SLOWED DOWN TO 10 MPH. THEN WENT TO ONLY 1 MPH. WE CHECKED THE BATTERY CONNECTION, FUEL CAP, EVERYTHING WE FOUND ONLINE TO CHECK.

Electrical System; Hybrid Propulsion System

ODI #11288602

Incident: September 30, 2019 · Filed: December 12, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START AND THE HYBRID WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THREE PREVIOUS TIMES BY NAGUABO AUTO TOYOTA (CARRETERA 31 KM 3.9, NAGUABO, PR 00718) REGARDING THE HYBRID MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ODI #11241523

Incident: April 22, 2019 · Filed: August 2, 2019

CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, HOWEVER IT POTENTIALLY CAUSES UNSAFELY IF NOT FIXED AS REQUESTED. THE REASON I COME TO YOU FOR COMPLAINT, I DO HAVE A SITUATION WITH CARLSON TOYOTA AND/OR TOYOTA MOTOR GROUPS. HERE THE SITUATION WHAT HAPPENS. I DO HAVE 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. I DROVE THIS SUV SINCE 2009. I HAVE A NUMBER OF RECORDS FROM THE SAME DEALER TO MAINTAIN THE SUV SAFE. HOWEVER, COUPLE MONTH AGO ON 04/22/2019, I GOT SOME OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHT INDICATES ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) CHECK LIGHT IS ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE CARLSON TOYOTA DEALER PAY DIAGNOSED FEE $149.00 AND THE RESULTS IS UNPREDICTABLE PRICES. SEE THE LISTS: 1) BREAK ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY----------------------------$2225.00 2) RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING AND HARNESS ----------$1156.00 TOTAL------------------------------------------------------$3,381.00 THE REASON I AM COMPLAINING TODAY NOT BECAUSE OF THE PRICE TO HIGH. HOWEVER, I FOUND TOYOTA PUBLISHED LETTER ON APRIL 19, 2016, TO ALL TOYOTA DEALER PRINCIPALS, GENERAL MANAGERS, SERVICE MANAGERS, AND PARTS MANAGERS. UNDER THE SUBJECT LINE WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM ?ZG1, FOR ALL 2006-2007 MODEL YEAR HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND OTHERS TYPE INCLUDED. ALSO, DOWN THE LAST THREE PARAGRAPH (SEE ATTACHED LETTER) INDICATES UNDER OWNER LETTER MAILING DATE, SAID ?TOYOTA WILL BEGIN TO NOTIFY OWNERS IN LATE APRIL, 2016 AND WILL BE MAILED OVER SEVERAL MONTHS. A SAMPLE OF THE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER HAS BEEN INCLUDED FOR YOUR REFERENCE.? AFTER I FOUND THE PUBLISHED NOTICE, I WENT TO THE CARLSON TOYOTA DEALER ON 06/18/2019. I DESCRIBED THE SITUATION AND I SHOWED THE RECIPES OF WHERE I GET FROM DURING INSPECTION, AND FINALLY THEY TOLD ME THIS WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM IS EXPIRED. I ASK THEM HOW IS EXPIRED, NOBODY TOLD ME ABOUT THIS RECALL OR WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM. I NEED HELP TO RESOLVE THIS SITUATION. SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENTS. *JS

Engine

ODI #11221174

Incident: June 16, 2019 · Filed: June 19, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. FRED HAAS TOYOTA WORLD (20400 INTERSTATE 45 N, SPRING, TX 77373) WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BECAUSE THE TEST WAS NOT FREE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.

Steering

ODI #11220268

Incident: June 15, 2019 · Filed: June 15, 2019

MY 2006 HIGHLANDER DROVE JUST FINE. PARKED IN MY USUAL SPOT AND THE NEXT TIME I START IT MY P/S LIGHT IS ON AND I HAVE NO STEERING. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR IT TO JUST QUIT WORKING ON PEOPLE. I'M CURIOUS AS TO WHY THIS ISSUE HASN'T BEEN ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA YET. THANK GOD I WASN'T DRIVING LIKE OTHERS WERE WHEN IT HAPPENED.

Service Brakes

ODI #11217854

Incident: December 15, 2018 · Filed: June 4, 2019

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ON MY 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 3 TIMES SINCE 2014. REPLACING THIS PART IS A $2500 - $3000 REPAIR. THE FIRST TIME, WE PAID OUT OF POCKET. THE SECOND TIME, I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET AND I DECLINED. PARKED THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND THEN RECEIVED NOTICE FROM TOYOTA THAT THE PART WAS BEING OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY UNDER LETTER ZG1. AT THAT POINT, I HAD THE PART REPLACED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. NOW THE PART HAS FAILED AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AS IT CONTROLS THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM AND FAILURE CAN HAVE DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES. I THINK TOYOTA RECOGNIZED THE ISSUE, MADE ADJUSTMENTS, BUT DID NOT MAKE PROPER ADJUSTMENTS AND STILL HAS ISSUES WITH THIS PART. PARTICULARLY - THIS ISSUE MAY BE RELATED TO THE FACT THAT THE HYBRID VEHICLES RELY ON THE BRAKING SYSTEM TO REGENERATE THE BATTERY.

Service Brakes

ODI #11206072

Incident: July 7, 2018 · Filed: May 7, 2019

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION DURING CITY DRIVING THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME VERY HARD TO PRESS DOWN AND SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON MY VEHICLE DASHBOARD. AT FIRST, THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT BUT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORST OVER CONTINUED DRIVING. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE AND THE REPAIR WAS ABOUT $2,600.00. I PARKED THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AND TO MANY CLOSE CALLS. LATER I FOUND OUT THAT THIS 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND SEVERAL PROCEEDING MODEL YEARS HAD A VERY EXTENSIVE CONSUMER COMPLAINT NUMBER FOR THIS VERY SAME ABS BRAKE SYSTEM CONCERN. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE SAME LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ABOUT A WARRANTY AT WHICH TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT MY WARRANTY EXPIRED WHICH I NEVER WAS INFORMED. IT SEEMS TO ME PERSONALLY THIS IS HOW THE AIR BAG SAFETY PROBLEM WAS OVER LOOKED ON THESE VEHICLES UNTIL CONSUMERS LOST THEIR LIVES ON FAULTY CONSUMER PRODUCTS THAT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORST OVER TIME. SEVERAL OF THE OTHER IMPORT MANUFACTURE HAVE OFFERED RECALLS ON THE VERY SAME ABS SYSTEM BRAKE CONCERN. TOYOTA HAS YET TO OFFER A RECALL SEVERAL MODEL YEARS INTO THIS SAFETY CONCERN WITH THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM. IF WE AS CONSUMERS CAN'T STOP OUR VEHICLES WHILE DRIVING ON THE CITY STREETS OR HIGHWAYS ACCIDENTS HAPPEN AND PEOPLE DIE. THIS SAFETY CONCERN HAS GONE ON LONG ENOUGH WITH THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OVER THE YEARS FOR THE SAME ABS BRAKE SYSTEM CONCERN. THERE MUST BE A MUCH BETTER JOB AT PROTECTING THE CONSUMER SAFETY FROM CONTINUED SAFETY CONCERNS NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA. ALL THE OTHER IMPORT MANUFACTURES HAVE STEP UP WITH RECALLS, WHATS TAKING TOYOTA MANUFACTURES SO LONG AFTER YEARS OF THE SAME SAFETY CONCERNS. PLEASE HELP US WITH THIS ABS BRAKE SYSTEM CONCERN.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Service Brakes

ODI #11202900

Incident: April 22, 2018 · Filed: April 22, 2019

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED IN AUGUST 2018. IN JANUARY, WARNING LIGHTS INDICATED A 'VSC SYSTEM' PROBLEM. THE EVENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I RESEARCHED CAR REPAIR WEBSITES AND FORUMS, AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS OFTEN A SIMPLE PROBLEM WITH A SENSOR FOR THE FUEL DOOR, OR A LINKAGE IN THE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY. I FOLLOWED INSTRUCTIONS, AND THE LIGHT TURNED OFF. OVER THE PAST SIX WEEKS, THE LIGHTS HAVE RETURNED, USUALLY IN ASSOCIATION WITH REFUELING THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TODAY, AND WAS INFORMED THAT AN ABS ACTUATOR WAS FAILING. THE PART IS $1700 FROM TOYOTA, WITH LABOR TOTALING $600. FURTHER RESEARCH REVEALED THE PROBLEM WAS WIDESPREAD, BUT THE ONLY REMEDY WAS A 'WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT' THAT HAS ALREADY EXPIRED. I CANNOT AFFORD THIS REPAIR, AND I WAS NOT INFORMED OF THIS ISSUE AT PURCHASE. BECAUSE THIS ISSUE WAS CRITICAL FOR VEHICLE SAFETY, I FELT THE NEED TO ALERT THE NHTSA TO A CONTINUING PROBLEM.

Other Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years

Check your 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Toyota Highlander Hybrid at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Toyota VIN