2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid ranks worst among 21 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 370 complaints, mostly about brakes. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this year, and it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Highlander Hybrid years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 21 Highlander Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 370
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 34
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 10
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 27.5 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 2
Top 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes151 (41%)
- Electrical System89 (24%)
- Engine81 (22%)
- Fuel System53 (14%)
- Steering25 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain19 (5%)
- Other10 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers10 (3%)
- Airbags9 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the brakes losing pressure or failing to grab when slowing down at low speeds, sometimes on hills.
- Some describe the ABS not engaging until the vehicle reaches a certain speed, causing rear-end collisions in stop-and-go traffic.
- Several complaints describe sudden unintended acceleration while backing up or parking, in some cases striking pedestrians.
- One owner reported an engine fire with smoke and flames after driving up a steep hill.
- A driver reported the vehicle losing all power on icy or slippery surfaces, including while entering a freeway.
- One report describes frontal airbags failing to deploy in a head-on crash into a concrete light pole.
2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V396000Sep 4, 2013Fuel System133,081 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
- NHTSA 11V539000Nov 9, 2011Engine420,326 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
- NHTSA 11V342000Jun 29, 2011Electrical System82,273 vehicles
Electrical system
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27.5 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 26.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Highlander Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Highlander Hybrid ranks worst of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 370 complaints, mostly brake-related. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other years of this model.
- What year Toyota Highlander Hybrid should I avoid?
- The 2006 model year has the highest complaint index (100) and the most complaints (370) among all Highlander Hybrid years, and it tops the worst-first ranking.
- Does the 2006 Highlander Hybrid have brake problems?
- Yes. Brakes are the top problem area, with 151 complaints (41% of all complaints for this year), 15 crashes, and a median failure mileage of 90,000 miles.
- Does the 2006 Highlander Hybrid have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2006 Highlander Hybrid, covering the fuel system, engine, and electrical system, including an inverter module replacement and floor carpet clip fixes.
- How many fires and injuries were reported for the 2006 Highlander Hybrid?
- NHTSA data shows 7 fire reports, 10 injuries, and 2 deaths tied to complaints for the 2006 Highlander Hybrid.