2006 Toyota Highlander Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 4%of 278 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 37,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 Toyota Highlander, 4% of the 278 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,000 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I swerved to avoid a deer and hit a concrete abutment on the side of the road. The Toyota Highlander was totaled .the Highlander airbag did not work properly; I hit the steering wheel column very hard and received a concussion. Also a damaged disk in my neck, whiplash, chest contusions, and facial abrasions.”
NHTSA complaint #10667669, filed 2014-12, 100,000 miles“I was hit at approx 40-50 MPH forcing my car into the car in front of me in traffic both of us ad a dead stop on rte 1 south saugus ma. I have a Toyota Highlander, airbags were not deployed and looks like they should have considering the impact that I made to the vehicle in front of me after I was hit. I have neck, shoulder and back injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #10231182, filed 2008-06, 37,000 miles“1. I was traveling east on bolsa ave. Going straight, and the other driver was coming out of the abc market driveway. She made a right turn. 2. My car made a loud sound and then drove into the other driver's car. 3. I had my foot on the brakes, but the car went forward like it was a racing car. Then the car went in reverse and landed from the street onto the sidewalk. 4. My car is a 2006 Toyota Highlander 5. I believed the pedal got stuck and the car accelerated towards the other car. 6. It felt like the car was going 100 miles an hour.”
NHTSA complaint #10308599, filed 2010-02, 39,800 miles“Driver side airbag has to be replaced in 3 month old Toyota Highlander. Warning light did activate indicating problem. Dealership indicated until repair is done air bag shouldn't deploy inadvertently but probably won't deploy in an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10151088, filed 2006-02, 4,985 miles“Dt: consumer was in a car accident on august 17, 2005 and side/curtain air bags did not deploy. It was side impact at 45 MPH. Had not contacted Toyota at this point.”
NHTSA complaint #10133915, filed 2005-08, 900 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10227898Nov 23, 2022TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10132410Jul 20, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling…
- 10131961Jan 14, 2014Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury…
- 10132055Nov 4, 2013Beginning in 1998, Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Toyota does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover…
- 10132149Oct 21, 2013Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed. Please note the following information for…
- 10133915Jan 3, 2013Toyota vehicles are equipped with SRS, including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer…
- 10042555Sep 6, 2011Toyota: information provided for replacing the seat covers for vehicles equipped with side airbags.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 | 6% |
| 2022 | 32 | 12% |
| 2021 | 42 | 8% |
| 2020 | 32 | 10% |
| 2019 | 14 | 3% |
| 2018 | 19 | 7% |
| 2017 | 9 | 3% |
| 2016 | 10 | 9% |
| 2015 | 8 | 4% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 17 | 8% |
| 2012 | 10 | 5% |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% |
| 2010 | 14 | 6% |
| 2009 | 8 | 6% |
| 2008 | 58 | 14% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 12 | 4% |
| 2005 | 9 | 4% |
| 2004 | 9 | 3% |
| 2003 | 9 | 3% |
| 2002 | 13 | 4% |
| 2001 | 10 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2006 Toyota Highlander
102 complaintsVehicle speed control
43 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsEngine
19 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsElectronic stability control
12 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Toyota Highlander
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