Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Toyota Highlander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The dashboard on my Highlander Hybrid 2006 (AWD) had all its check lights on suddenly. I was not driving then. The car was in my parking lot for a few hours before which it had no signs on. The warning message said: Vehicle Stability Control (VSC). I took it to my nearest Toyota service center for diagnosing the issue. They reported that the ABS systems have started to fail. Specifically, the ABS actuator is losing pressure and should be replaced. They quoted a price of $2700 approx. which includes about $2000 for parts. Turns out that this same part had been replaced in 2016 during a recall - but they cannot attend to this again without charging the customer. What I was never told about was that a whirring sound - which has always been an issue with this car - was always from the ABS actuator. …
Power window failure passenger window stopped working, back passenger window was always getting stuck either halfway down or all way down ( I had the POWER DISCONNECTED for the Bk passenger window). front driver window hesitates to work, can hear window rattling part way or all the way down - Yes car available for inspection. The safety for all persons in my vehicle are at risk I have not been in an accident yet, if I do I'm worried people won't be able to escape through the windows if needed. Dealer looked at it- too expensive to fix. Obviously no warning light This has been going on since 2012. I complained to Toyota on 8/28/2012 my incident # 120828000209 asking them if they had complaints - NO complaints regarding window failure, 2 months later toyota had a recall due to power switch failure, sticky power window switch pretty much related to catching on fire-mine has not. …
While normally driving on the highway and without no warning the vehicle the power steering stops working , it just dies with no power and dash lights warning start to flash and Check Hybrid System turns on. I am not a mechanic nor a technician . The mechanic disconnected the ground cable after waiting about 5 minutes and it resets the system. He told me that it has something that may be caused by some electrical problem . He thinks that it has to do with a recall about some soldering electrical part in the inverter control. This has happened in 3 more occasion and I've been lucky and i have time to let it go to side of the road and i disconnect the ground wire for 5 minutes and connect it back and it resets and then starts to work normal. Since the vehicle stalls completely i fear that this could cause an accident or lost of life due to other vehicles coming behind at high speeds . …
While in the mountains in heavy traffic, the vehicle all the vehicle warning lights went on and the vehicle shutdown. While negotiating the vehicle to the side of the road, I barely avoided an an accident with another vehicle. I turned the vehicle off and it restarted and drove it to a mechanic who disconnected the battery and all of the vehicle warning lights disappeared and it drove fine. It has happened twice since including today (July 7, 2015). Was told by mechanic that it was likely an inverter that would cost about $10,000. While checking the Toyota recall website, I noticed that there were a number of other recalls involving inverters and electrical system malfunctions in 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrids but was told that these did not impact this VIN #.
I had closed the windows to discover the rear passenger side window was stuck in the down position. I had written to Toyota regarding this on 08/29/2012 their response -they had no data to share on what complaints they receive to provide to the public as that is proprietary. Toyota sent it to their national headquarters, giving me a file #. The window is now stuck again. And happened another time since 08/28/2012 I just searched Toyota power window controls, there is a recall, dated announced October 10, 2012, they are saying certain models 2007-2009 highland and more. If Toyota did send my complaint to their headquarters a month and a half earlier, they should have checked their records, this has happened to other 2006 highlanders.
When is there going to be a recall for the power windows??? There was a recall for 2007 highlanders- in 2012, 2 months before I complained to Toyota, they had no complaints !!this is a safety hazard, there are sooo many complaints. I currently have 2 windows that don't work,they were stuck in the down position, both of the motors have been disconnected. The 3rd window works when it wants to. My car currently has @ 88,000 miles. The visors don't stay up, another safety hazard !!! Also way too many complaints.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander. When the vehicle was started, the brake light, antilock brake light, and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle did not accelerate and the antilock brakes did not work. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the computer core needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. ..updated 05/02/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander. While driving at an unknown speed, all the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to Toyota of cleveland (3560 village n blvd, mcdonald, tn 37353) where it was diagnosed that the ABS actuator assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 259,294.
The passenger windows continually stick in the down position. I have taken my Highlander to Toyota several times and paid hundreds of dollars in repairs. Also, the fob quit working on the driver door. I think there might be an electrical issue in the doors.
While driving my vehicle all the lights on my dashboard illuminated. My vehicle lost power and I had to pull over. It died there. I was on belfield ave and gratz street in philadelphia, pa . I subsequently had it towedback to my residence.
NHTSA investigations
Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I.
Electrical complaints in other Highlander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2006 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Toyota Highlander, 9% of the model year's 278 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2006 Toyota Highlander electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2006 Toyota Highlander, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Toyota Highlander electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.