Is the 2006 Toyota Highlander a bad year?
278 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Highlander years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2006 Toyota Highlander are in line with other Highlander years. Brakes stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 Highlander owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 103,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 102 (37%) | 53k–168k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Engine | 38 (14%) | 60k–104k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 26 (9%) | 39k–138k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 16 (6%) | 45k–105k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel system | 12 (4%) | 32k–134k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 43 (15%) | 28k–90k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 24 (9%) | 54k–100k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 22 (8%) | 13k–90k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 12 (4%) | 29k–60k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Stability control | 12 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 103,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 278 complaints: 29 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 19 report an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
7 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
While driving the temperature gauge rose above the read line (Hot). Before I was able to get to a parking area it continuously rose and fell, however, it never dropped as low as the middle line on the gauge.
Takata recall. Check engine light won't go off along VSC light. On the street when the car stop running.
Coolant leaked from engine onto floor in large amounts. Our mechanic said threads were stripped and head gasket bolts had pulled out.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 103,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 Toyota Highlander: 7
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.
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.
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.
Brake fluid containing polymers is used that acts as lubricants for certain brake system components. 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.
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.
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.
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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 91
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Toyota Highlander. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles may exhibit a MIL ON condition with Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P0A80/P1AC000 and/or P0A7F/P1A8000 stored due to dust or debris buildup…
The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power…
TechTip: Condition: Engine No Start and/or Poor Engine Power DTCs set immediately after performing service on the Inverter such as SSC D0M for IPM replacement…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
Sudden loss of power steering assist
Neighbouring years
2005 Highlander: 224 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2007 Highlander: 124 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota Highlander year
2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Highlander years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2006 Toyota Highlander a bad year?
278 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Highlander years. At 103,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Toyota Highlander?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (102), engine (38), electrical system (26), steering (16), fuel system (12).
How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota Highlander have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Seats (NHTSA 16V-396), Seats (NHTSA 14V-743), Speed control (NHTSA 11V-112), Brakes (NHTSA 10V-499) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.