Model year
2006 Toyota Highlander
NHTSA lists 7 recalls and 278 complaints for the 2006 Toyota Highlander (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 6 recalls and 370 complaints under HIGHLANDER HYBRID. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are SERVICE BRAKES (71), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (42), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (26). NHTSA lists 2 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 19–27 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,500–$3,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2001 137 complaints
- 2002 301 complaints
- 2003 258 complaints
- 2004 286 complaints
- 2005 224 complaints
- 2006 278 complaints
- 2007 124 complaints
- 2008 405 complaints
- 2009 134 complaints
- 2010 216 complaints
- 2011 181 complaints
- 2012 182 complaints
- 2013 207 complaints
- 2014 136 complaints
- 2015 192 complaints
- 2016 111 complaints
- 2017 271 complaints
- 2018 269 complaints
- 2019 502 complaints
- 2020 321 complaints
- 2021 531 complaints
- 2022 263 complaints
- 2023 189 complaints
- 2024 43 complaints
- 2025 10 complaints
- 2026 4 complaints
Recalls
16V396000 · Jun 2, 2016
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…
14V743000 · Nov 19, 2014
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…
11V112000 · Feb 24, 2011
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…
10V499000 · Oct 21, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS LUBRICANTS FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF…
10V036000 · Feb 3, 2010
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY…
10V035000 · Feb 3, 2010
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE…
09V223000 · Jun 15, 2009
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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…
Complaints
278 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 29, fire flag on 4, injury field 30, deaths field 1. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| HIGHLANDER HYBRID | 6 | 370 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE06055 | SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST · STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM; STEERING | Nov 21, 2006 | Mar 28, 2007 |
| RQ10003 | Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | Feb 16, 2010 | Mar 1, 2011 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander 2WD · 2.4L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 25 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Highlander 2WD · 3.3L · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Highlander Hybrid 2WD · 3.3L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 28 | 25 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| Highlander 4WD · 2.4L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 23 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Highlander 4WD · 3.3L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 22 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Highlander Hybrid 4WD · 3.3L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 27 | 25 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2006 Toyota Highlander at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.