2006 Toyota Highlander Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 102about this part
- Share
- 37%of 278 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 102 complaints about the brakes of the 2006 Toyota Highlander, 37% of the 278 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2006 Highlander hybrid brake lights came on and had no brakes. Took to a mechanic who cleared the codes and after 24 hours they came back on. Called Toyota and they said the warranty expired in 2017 for that extended warranty. I was quoted almost $2500.00 to get it fixed. Toyota said they can't do anything about the price. Now I have a vehicle I am making payments on that isn't safe to drive cause I have no brakes.”
NHTSA complaint #11323617, filed 2020-05, 166,791 miles“Brakes are failing and when I brake at a stop light, the brakes seem like they are not activating and are dangerous because I cannot stop in time. Toyota must replace this otherwise it is a huge safety issue if brakes fail.”
NHTSA complaint #11388955, filed 2021-01, 200,000 miles“While driving on the freeway and the traffic came to a slow as I was braking to slow down I noticed all the lights on my dashboard suddenly lit up, all the following engine, ABS, brakes and check vsc lights came on. I took to a dealership, piercey Toyota and they did a diagnostic and came back with codes c1391 and b1281.”
NHTSA complaint #10762104, filed 2015-09, 169,563 miles“Vsc lights came on. Eventually lost all brakes. The ABS actuator assembly had failed. I was driving slow enough to be able to pull over safely. This has been reported so many times here by different people, where is the recall on this part?!?! Toyota had issued an extended warranty covering this part because they knew there were problems with it. Thank god there wasn't an accident, grateful no one was hurt. Sickened I wasted my money on this vehicle. Never buying another Toyota.”
NHTSA complaint #11387048, filed 2021-01, 153,000 miles“My ABS, vsc, (I), and emergency brake dash lights are on continuously. It is very hard to stop the car as it feels like the brake isn't engaging. When it does engage you are jerked forward.”
NHTSA complaint #11412982, filed 2021-04, 182,000 milesRelated recalls
- 10V499000Oct 21, 2010Toyota 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…Covers: Toyota Highlander 2004–2006, Lexus RX 2004–2006, Toyota Avalon 2005–2006 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 10214323Mar 17, 2022TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
- 10210375Mar 9, 2022TSB: This Service Bulletin includes procedures to replace damaged or loose front carpet floor retainer(s) without replacing the carpet assembly. Follow the Repair Procedure in…
- 10190453Mar 12, 2021TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10187241Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10186195Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10142888Jun 20, 2018Warranty Policy Bulletin: Toyota has received some reports where various brake system related warning lamps illuminate due to internal malfunctions of the Brake Actuator Assembly.
- 10142504Apr 18, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE: April 18, 2017 Rev1: G458The Parts Information and Required Tools and Equipment sections have been updated. Some 2004 ? 2009 model year Prius and 2006 ?…
- 10111629Aug 23, 2016Warranty Policy Bulletin (POL16-03): Toyota has received some reports where various brake system related warning lamps illuminate due to internal malfunctions of the Brake…
- 10134400Apr 13, 2016TSB: Some 2004 ? 2009 model year Prius and 2006 ? 2007 Highlander HV vehicles may exhibit a condition where the brake, ABS, and/or TRAC warning light(s) are ON and/or a Check VSC…
- 10131928Feb 5, 2014A key part to maintain the proper function and safe operation of the vehicle's braking system is to perform a visual inspection when installing brake pads, calipers, and discs…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 20% |
| 2024 | 8 | 19% |
| 2023 | 20 | 11% |
| 2022 | 40 | 15% |
| 2021 | 68 | 13% |
| 2020 | 41 | 13% |
| 2019 | 20 | 4% |
| 2018 | 58 | 21% |
| 2017 | 29 | 11% |
| 2016 | 19 | 17% |
| 2015 | 15 | 8% |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 17 | 8% |
| 2012 | 14 | 8% |
| 2011 | 17 | 9% |
| 2010 | 30 | 14% |
| 2009 | 26 | 19% |
| 2008 | 81 | 20% |
| 2007 | 36 | 29% |
| 2006 | 102 | 37% |
| 2005 | 24 | 11% |
| 2004 | 24 | 8% |
| 2003 | 33 | 13% |
| 2002 | 12 | 4% |
| 2001 | 19 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2006 Toyota Highlander
43 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsEngine
19 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsAir bags
12 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