2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 4%of 370 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 4% of the 370 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,500 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Plastic headlight lenses are melting directly over the daytime running light (drl) halogen bulbs on both sides. The lights are the same as the 'brights' but should be at 50% power when used as drl's. Dealer informs me that they have never had this complaint and cannot find any other instances on-line or in their database, but there are several that I found within a few minutes of searching. …”
NHTSA complaint #10372761, filed 2010-12, 83,000 miles“My 2006 Highlander Hybrid has burn marks on the headlight lens where the daytime running lights have gotten so hot that they actually melt the plastic on the inside of the headlight lens. This has reduced my visibility when driving at night and I would imagine that if it is getting hot enough to melt the headlight lens it creates a fire hazard as well. When I first noticed the issue, it didn't create a noticeable difference in driving visibility but as the problem gets worse and the spot gets larger there is a noticeable difference. …”
NHTSA complaint #10956745, filed 2017-02, 90,000 miles“I own two highlander hybrids, 2006. One was purchased in september 2005, the other in september 2006. On the older of the two, in front of the daytime running lights I have exactly the same melted plastic shown in multiple pictures I found online. On the newer one, you can see imperfections forming on one side, and a smaller fully melted area in the other. I am in touch with Toyota and they are offering new lens parts and I must pay labor. …”
NHTSA complaint #10292096, filed 2009-11, 40,000 miles“I own two highlander hybrids, 2006. One was purchased in september 2005, the other in september 2006. On the older of the two, in front of the daytime running lights I have exactly the same melted plastic shown in multiple pictures I found online. On the newer one, you can see imperfections forming on one side, and a smaller fully melted area in the other. I am in touch with Toyota and they are offering new lens parts and I must pay labor. …”
NHTSA complaint #10292093, filed 2009-11, 45,000 miles“The headlamp covers on my 2006 Toyota highland hybrid show significant melting exactly where the day lights shine through the plastic. This is definitely a defect in the materials, as the lights cannot be turned off by the driver. The vehicle has just 75000 miles, & the lens covers & bulbs are the original equipment. The dealer refused to correct this without approval from Toyota. Toyota refuses to acknowledge that this is a defect and will not replace the lamps and/or the lens covers. I believe this is a safety hazard, as others have reported fires started by the overheated lenscovers. …”
NHTSA complaint #10400779, filed 2011-05, 75,000 milesExterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 15 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
137 complaintsElectrical system
74 complaintsHybrid propulsion system
45 complaintsVehicle speed control
33 complaintsEngine cooling
28 complaintsEngine
25 complaintsSteering
25 complaintsElectronic stability control
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsAir bags
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology