2006 Toyota Highlander Toyota Highlander 2006

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2006 Toyota Highlander repairs by problem area

Engine (30%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (6%)

Brakes and Traction Control (14%)

Suspension and Steering (14%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (26%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)

Other (8%)

Chart based on 115 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2006 Toyota Highlander.

2006 Toyota Highlander repair cost distribution

$2500+ (1%)

$1000 - $2499 (17%)

$500 - $999 (24%)

$100 - $499 (24%)

< $100 (34%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 105 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2006 Toyota Highlander

Engine not specified

Toyota Highlander in West Virginia, United States
Oct 2016 - Oct 2016
Oct 2016

156000 mi

US $700
wheel bearing so bad that they did not recommend that I drive the vehicle home due to safety issues. 
Toyota Highlander in Texas, United States
Feb 2017 - Mar 2017
Mar 2017

174000 mi

US $100
Leaking coolant , close to the oil filter 

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2006 Toyota Highlander 4dr SUV

215-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed automatic FWD

Toyota Highlander in North Carolina, United States
Sep 2009 - Jul 2022
Mar 2014

179000 mi

US $190
Check engine light came on. Took a few days to diagnose the problem - something with EVAP system. Canister was suspect but they replaced gas cap and tightened a hose clamp. So far this has been sufficient. 
Jun 2015

205000 mi

US $620
Rear passenger electric window failed. Replaced motor 
Apr 2017

228000 mi

US $2
Automatic climate control was broken. I repaired the wiring to temp switch. No cost but some hours of labor. 
Toyota Highlander in North Carolina, United States
Sep 2009 - Jun 2011
Apr 2010

76000 mi
Gas cap improperly closed so the car detected an exhaust leak. Engine and Traction Control lights were on. Once the gas cap was installed properly and the codes reset the lights did not return. 
Toyota Highlander in West Virginia, United States
Feb 2012 - Sep 2012
Mar 2012

198000 mi

US $1465
Water pump replacement, including timing belt 
Toyota Highlander in Virginia, United States
Oct 2009 - Oct 2012

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2006 Toyota Highlander 4dr SUV

215-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed automatic AWD

Toyota Highlander in Minnesota, United States
Feb 2009 - Jan 2022
Jul 2017

152000 mi

US $400
Tune up - plugs/wires  also front rotors were warped a bit so replaced them and new brake pads Replace Alternator. The battery light came on so I checked voltage with a multimeter and did a self diagnosis. I kept a charger on it at night and turned off electronics and limited driving until I could get it in for repair. 
Toyota Highlander in British Columbia, Canada
Aug 2010 - Sep 2016
May 2011

55180 mi

C $90
Purge valve cleaned 
Apr 2014

95560 mi

C $1500
Rear wheel bearings 
Toyota Highlander in Massachusetts, United States
Oct 2011 - Jun 2012
Nov 2011

56000 mi
Problems known at time of purchase and agreed by dealer to be repaired. No cost & loaner supplied. Both rear wheel bearings and spindles replaced, worn. Front brake pads replaced. Water pump leaking. Replaced pump and T-belt. 
Toyota Highlander in Minnesota, United States
Sep 2012 - Jan 2013
Jan 2013

99000 mi

US $380
passenger side rear wheel bearing failed. 
Toyota Highlander in Virginia, United States
Aug 2015 - Apr 2017
Mar 2016

82000 mi

US $400
Had Timing Belt, Drive Belt and Water Pump replaced. Timing Belt was past due due to the age of the car. The water pump was leaking slightly. 
Toyota Highlander in South Carolina, United States
Jul 2008 - Feb 2018
Dec 2016

74000 mi

US $752
Key fobs stopped working and system wouldn't enter programming mode (tried changing fob batteries first). After two days of intermittent success, replaced sending unit located in year hatch. 
Toyota Highlander in Virginia, United States
Feb 2015 - Dec 2017
Jul 2015

133300 mi

US $850
Window stuck in down position. Had to replace both window and regulator. 
Jun 2017

151000 mi

US $1000
Replaced both front lower control arms. 
Aug 2017

156000 mi

US $950
Alternator failed and was replaced with an OEM unit. 
Toyota Highlander in Ontario, Canada
Nov 2007 - Mar 2010
Aug 2009

31000 mi

C $523
Slight intermittant "clunk" type feeling through the steering wheel, mainly when turning wheel hard over to left and then correcting when backing out of a parking spot. Replaced steering wheel shaft. Replaced rear brake pads and calipers and refinished rotors. 
Toyota Highlander in Venezuela
Apr 2018 - Nov 2018
Nov 2018

119040 mi

$1200
Right rear strut broke internally. Both rear struts replaced 
Toyota Highlander in Michigan, United States
Nov 2007 - Jun 2022
Jan 2011

61000 mi
Transmission was intermittently "hard shifting". No codes were set. Mechanic was able to replicate by driving vehicle. Toyota replaced the transmission & covered 100% of cost of repair (although out of warranty), as I had brought it in twice previously for same issue with no resolution. 
Toyota Highlander in Massachusetts, United States
Aug 2016 - Jun 2018
Oct 2017

68000 mi

US $900
New battery Replaced two accessory belts except for drive (serpentine) belt. 
Toyota Highlander in Ontario, Canada
Jan 2013 - Jan 2016
May 2013

48360 mi

C $1800
Had transmission oil leak that required the drive-shaft and other components to be removed in order to fix the leak. Parts were only 10% of the repair, the rest was labor. 
Aug 2015

58280 mi

C $1200
Replaced leaking transfer case seals 
Toyota Highlander in Maryland, United States
Mar 2015 - Apr 2018
Dec 2015

155000 mi

US $47
Power steering pump and hose failure. Low tire pressure gauge reset. 
Feb 2016

156700 mi

US $300
Rusty exhaust part replaced. 
Nov 2016

165800 mi
Reported leak in ABS module - waiting to determine the extent before repairing. Update after sold car: As it turns out it was a very minor leak and never really caused an issue with the brakes. We drove it as it was and no service center ever mentioned it again. 

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2006 Toyota Highlander 4dr SUV

208-horsepower 3.3L V6 Hybrid CVT FWD

Toyota Highlander in Ohio, United States
Nov 2012 - Jun 2022
Jun 2014

132000 mi

US $450
Radiator replaced 
Jul 2015

144500 mi

US $900
AC condenser needed replaced as AC stopped working 
Jun 2022

237000 mi

US $550
AC Condenser had a hole it in, so AC stopped working 
Toyota Highlander in Alabama, United States
Mar 2016 - Dec 2016
Jun 2016

85000 mi

US $100
Replaced CV axle on front passenger side. Vehicle had lots of shaking when brakes were applied. Once replaced, vehicle drives like new. 
Toyota Highlander in Jordan
Jan 2015 - Jul 2015
Jan 2015

93000 mi

$250
Car started overheating very quickly. Turns out the radiator was busted. Part of the radiator needed to be replaced. 
Feb 2015

93400 mi

$1000
My ABS started malfunctioning, driving was ok except for odd noises and choppy brakes at very low speeds. Had to replace the ABS which is very costly at the dealership, so I bought it used instead. 
Jun 2015

95480 mi

$50
AC has been problematic for the last couple of years, but replacing the gas at a respectable shop fixed this. Problem started when the car's radiator failed and ended up with a small hole (details in a different entry). 
Toyota Highlander in California, United States
Jul 2010 - Mar 2013
May 2011

51000 mi
Tear in leather fixed under warranty. 
Mar 2012

88000 mi

US $180
Needed new battery 
Toyota Highlander in Missouri, United States
Sep 2013 - Feb 2017
Mar 2015

130000 mi

US $250
The framework the operates the passenger window was bent and had to be replaced. 
Jul 2016

153700 mi

US $759
Water pump for hybrid system failed: had to be replaced 
Dec 2016

164000 mi

US $310
Replace right rear wheel bearing due to VCS/ABS warning lights activated. 
Toyota Highlander in Nebraska, United States
Dec 2014 - Jul 2018
Apr 2017

138000 mi

US $1200
leaky transmission seal needed to be replaced 
Jul 2018

149000 mi

US $1100
[blend door] motor for thermostat change botton 
Toyota Highlander in Texas, United States
Mar 2012 - Feb 2014
Aug 2013

153400 mi

US $1300
AC Condenser leak 
Toyota Highlander in Illinois, United States
Nov 2008 - Dec 2015
Mar 2009

36000 mi
Adjusted brake pedal for brake light switch to activate. 
Toyota Highlander in Indiana, United States
Jan 2010 - Mar 2018
Jul 2014

126800 mi

US $400
Power windows in rear stopped working due to sliding of glass-holding trim piece out of place. 
Jul 2015

143500 mi
Sunroof stopped opening and closing. Left rear window came off track. 
Dec 2015

150000 mi

US $400
Half shaft (Left) 
Nov 2017

174000 mi

US $600
O2 sensor and hose 
Feb 2018

181000 mi
Right Rear Window came off track. Was replaced under warranty by SAFELITE 
Toyota Highlander in California, United States
May 2016 - Jan 2022
Jun 2018

150000 mi

US $169
Our non-hybrid battery died after a door failed to latch and the interior lights stayed on for 36 hours. Our fault completely! 
Sep 2021

197000 mi

US $700
Replace radiator and water pump 
Toyota Highlander in Minnesota, United States
Feb 2008 - Mar 2010
Jan 2008

32000 mi
Failure of Hybrid Inverter. 
Toyota Highlander in Puerto Rico
Sep 2013 - Jun 2018
Sep 2014

91000 mi

US $1600
Break actuator fail again in a year. 
Nov 2015

103000 mi

US $3100
Hybrid Battery 
May 2018

130000 mi

US $1600
Brake actuator again 
Jun 2018

131000 mi

US $317
Replaced shocks 
Toyota Highlander in California, United States
Mar 2008 - Apr 2011
Mar 2011

45000 mi
Replaced hybrid inverter 

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2006 Toyota Highlander 4dr SUV

208-horsepower 3.3L V6 Hybrid CVT AWD

Toyota Highlander in Michigan, United States
Dec 2014 - Dec 2017
Aug 2017

170000 mi

US $350
Light stayed on 
Toyota Highlander in Virginia, United States
Oct 2009 - Oct 2012
Jul 2009

38500 mi

US $50
Purged brake actuator as recommended by Toyota dealer to address actuator squeak issue. Process was not successful. Was informed I need a new actuator at ~$2000 repair cost. 
Toyota Highlander in Connecticut, United States
Sep 2014 - Dec 2014
Sep 2014

120000 mi

US $95
Check Hybrid, check VSC lights; diagnosed as under-charged regular (non-hybrid) battery; topped off charge Problem not solved. 
Oct 2014

120000 mi

US $800
Check hybrid light and check VCS light; diagnosed as un-attached ground wire; re-attached wire. Problem not solved. Check hybrid light and check VCS light; car lost power on highway, reverted to "limp home" mode. Towed to dealer. Diagnosed hybrid water pump broken. They say they will not know whether $9000 inverter is broken until they fix water pump. Diagnosed problem as the "other water pump." Paid $800 for repair, but seems to have solved the problem described above. 
Toyota Highlander in Alabama, United States
Jan 2013 - Mar 2018
Dec 2017

195500 mi
VSC displayed as well as check ABS. Hissing should has been heard for several months when applying brake unless applied lightly. Nothing done VSC and check ABS went away hasn't reappeared for a month still has hissing sound. 
Jan 2018

200000 mi

US $30
Shop determined the VSC module went out. No longer under under recall extended warranty Toyota would not make exception to cover. I am not fixing it as will trade vehicle soon. 
Toyota Highlander in Rhode Island, United States
Apr 2012 - Aug 2015
Feb 2015

131300 mi

US $650
some steering wheel vibration 
May 2015

140000 mi

US $1200
3 of the 4 brake calipers seized. had to replace all pads, rotors, and 3 calipers. 
Toyota Highlander in Minnesota, United States
Nov 2007 - May 2013
Dec 2008

38000 mi

US $39
Windshield washer pump clogged with gravel,dirt. 
Mar 2009

39000 mi

US $30
Window jumped track, replaced into proper position. 
Apr 2009

41000 mi

US $30
Noisy belt, tightened 
Jul 2012

68300 mi

US $800
New wheel bearing 
Nov 2012

71700 mi

US $300
remote needed to be replaced 
Toyota Highlander in Colorado, United States
Sep 2009 - Sep 2016
Sep 2016

93000 mi

US $700
Radiator blew, needed to be replaced 
Toyota Highlander in Washington, United States
Nov 2009 - Jun 2018
Dec 2009

22000 mi
VSC light and message on dashboard. Dealer stated "brake accumulator" needed replacing. 
Jul 2017

79000 mi

US $350
factory radio started to fail; replaced it with aftermarket unit 
Toyota Highlander in Texas, United States
May 2008 - Dec 2012
Oct 2008

30000 mi
TSB on brake actuator getting air trapped a causing it to clunk during braking. Bleading of the brake system provided a temporary fix, but it will need to be redone again as the noise has returned. 
Dec 2008

31000 mi
Brake Actuator is still having issues with trapped air causing a malfunction. 
Feb 2009

35000 mi
Brake Actuator is still having issues with trapped air and Toyota has not fix in place. I have been told it's a non-safety issue and can not be repaired. 
Toyota Highlander in Vermont, United States
Nov 2007 - Jul 2018
Jun 2010

28000 mi
Igniter on one cylinder failed 
Jul 2015

48300 mi

US $2497
Cracked mounting points on shock absorber and suspension arm sub-assembly. 
Toyota Highlander in Missouri, United States
Nov 2010 - Mar 2012
Sep 2011

95000 mi

US $500
Bad ignition coil caused the car to stop running completely. Still able to pull to side of road under "Limp Home" mode in electric. 
Toyota Highlander in New Jersey, United States
Nov 2007 - Jan 2017
Dec 2007

27000 mi
ALL brake warning lights appeared on the dashboard along with "CHECK VSC SYSTEM". I had only manual (push pedal HARD) brakes. Dealer replaced ABS Actuator under warranty and paid 2 days of rental under warranty. 
Mar 2008

30000 mi
Felt a "click" in the steering when holding wheel in a constant position in a turn. Dealer replaced intermediate steering shaft. 
Toyota Highlander in New York, United States
Sep 2013 - Nov 2016
May 2015

114000 mi

US $110
Hood latch replacement 
Aug 2016

130000 mi

US $70
Milliamp drain on battery traced to the security circuit. Pulled the fuse and reinserted it. Drain went away 
Toyota Highlander in Virginia, United States
Nov 2010 - Jul 2018
Jan 2013

138000 mi

US $63
Dead battery replaced. 
Mar 2016

142000 mi

US $590
Leaking Radiator. Replaced Radiator. 
Jul 2018

172000 mi

US $3
Replace rear marker bulbs 
Toyota Highlander in Arizona, United States
May 2012 - Jun 2022
Dec 2012

110000 mi

US $350
The seat belt would not retract and it could not be repaired. front passenger seat belt was replaced. not covered under warranty due to age and mileage. 
Nov 2013

119400 mi

US $500
radiator leak 
Nov 2014

129700 mi

US $1100
front struts 
Jun 2018

159000 mi
rear window track actuator slipped out of track 
Toyota Highlander in California, United States
Jan 2011 - May 2019
Jan 2014

105000 mi

US $500
Tailgate latch failed. Tailgate could not be opened at all due to failure. Repair required replacement of entire latch mechanism inside tailgate. 
Dec 2015

119000 mi

US $30
Changed headlight bulb 
Jun 2018

145000 mi

US $1150
Radiator cracked and leaked 
Toyota Highlander in Virginia, United States
Nov 2010 - Dec 2017
Mar 2012

122000 mi

US $50
Issue with battery holding charge even with new battery. Hybrid system charges vehicle and if you don't drive it much or long distances the battery can discharge. No fix available. Charging the battery at home and have emergency jumper. 
Jan 2017

149000 mi

US $800
Front struts were leaking oil and making noise. Drives like new now. Really needed this work. Common issue with this vehicle at these miles 
Dec 2017

154000 mi
Battery cooling fans died leading to battery meltdown. Repairs exceeded value of vehicle 

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2006 Toyota Highlander 4dr SUV

155-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Toyota Highlander in Florida, United States
Mar 2017 - Mar 2018
Apr 2017

170000 mi

US $125
Alternator failed, was replaced for $125, doing it myself 
Toyota Highlander in Puerto Rico
Dec 2014 - Dec 2014
Mar 2014

58000 mi

US $250
Alternator and battery replacement. Leak in the condenser Replaced radiator and cooling fans. 
Toyota Highlander in Tennessee, United States
Feb 2014 - Sep 2015
Aug 2014

111200 mi

US $710
Replacement of alternator 
Toyota Highlander in North Carolina, United States
May 2013 - Jun 2016
Jul 2014

167000 mi

US $890
Alternator failure Emissions sensor replacement 
Sep 2014

167000 mi

US $2000
Catalytic converter replacement, $1400 Valve cover gasket replacement, $600 
Jan 2016

197000 mi

US $325
Oxygen sensor replacement 

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2006 Toyota Highlander 4dr SUV

155-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic AWD

Toyota Highlander in Maryland, United States
Oct 2010 - Nov 2013
Nov 2013

85000 mi

US $200
Routine replacement of battery. 

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2005.5 Toyota Highlander 4dr SUV

215-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed automatic AWD

Toyota Highlander in Victoria, Australia
Mar 2011 - Dec 2012
Dec 2011

81220 mi

A $1600
transfer case rebuild 

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See TrueDelta's information for all Toyota models.

2006 Toyota Highlander Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2006 Toyota Highlander problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.