2006 Toyota Highlander Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
55/100
#10 most-complained of 21 Highlander years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2006 Toyota Highlander has 277 owner complaints and 7 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 55 out of 100 — #10 highest of 21 Highlander model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is brakes (107 complaints, 39% of the total). Complaints report 29 crashes, 4 fires, 30 injuries, and 1 death.
- Complaints
- 277
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 29 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 30 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 17.5 city / 23 hwy
Top 2006 Toyota Highlander problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes107 (39%)
- Engine83 (30%)
- Electrical System33 (12%)
- Visibility & Wipers24 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain22 (8%)
- Steering16 (6%)
- Fuel System13 (5%)
- Airbags12 (4%)
- Other11 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (3%)
2006 Toyota Highlander recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V396000Jun 2, 2016Structure & Body7,749 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
- NHTSA 14V743000Nov 19, 2014Structure & Body3,233 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
- NHTSA 11V112000Feb 24, 2011Engine769,379 vehicles
Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
2006 Toyota Highlander fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17.5 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,325
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Toyota Highlander a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Toyota Highlander ranks #10 of 21 among Highlander model years (Complaint Index 55/100, verdict: Caution). It has 277 complaints and 7 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Toyota Highlander?
- The most reported problem areas are brakes (107 complaints), engine (83 complaints), and electrical system (33 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 66,000 miles.
- Does the 2006 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2006 Toyota Highlander, most recently reported 2016, covering structure & body, engine, brakes, and other.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Toyota Highlander?
- EPA rates the 2006 Toyota Highlander at 19.5 MPG combined (17.5 city / 23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,325. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.