2006 Toyota Highlander Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 7%of 278 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 102,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the engine of the 2006 Toyota Highlander, 7% of the 278 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 102,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving car and it stalled then mesage came on which stated check hybrid engine. Took it to shop and was told would cost $9,000 as it was the inverter. They said my VIN was not on the recall list for the recall of 2006 Highlander hybrids. Had the power module replaced as recall in 2012 but why wasnt my car on recall list for the inverter?”
NHTSA complaint #10781604, filed 2015-10, 115,000 miles“I was advised that my head gasket blew at 80,000 miles and when they went to fix it they found the threads were stripped and I need a new engine? At 80,000 miles, this is insane. I googled this problem and found many people are having the same problem. There is obviously a manufacturers defect with these bolts. No way the threads should be strippled and a head gasket blown at 81,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10505824, filed 2013-04, 81,000 miles“While driving the temperature gauge rose above the read line (hot). Before I was able to get to a parking area it continuously rose and fell, however, it never dropped as low as the middle line on the gauge. After checking the fluids we had to add water. We took the Highlander and were told that it had a coolant leak. From there we took it to a Toyota dealership and were told that the entire engine would need replacing. …”
NHTSA complaint #10510571, filed 2013-05, 103,000 miles“Driving down the road at normal speed, I noticed the car overheating. This had never happened. Pulling into a 70 year old service center in cranston, rhode island, I left the car with reliable service people and they checked it out. It seems that the bolts had come loose from the engine and fluid was going into the pistons,they reported to me that the threads in the engine were faulty, I think they said aluminum, and they should have been metal. I am not mechanically inclined so I don't understand the whole problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10664871, filed 2014-12, 90,195 miles“When I was driving on the interstate about 75mph the temperature gauge rose above the read line (hot). Before I was able to get to a parking area it continuously rose and fell, however, it never dropped as low as the middle line on the gauge. After checking the fluids I had to add water. I took my Highlander to a mechanic and they told me that the intake manifold was cracked and was leaking coolant($700 to repair this). I had this fixed and had not taken it out of town until apr 27, 2013 and the same thing happened again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10511027, filed 2013-05, 102,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10179763Aug 11, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179759Aug 11, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179719Aug 11, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179715Aug 11, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10149217Sep 14, 2016TSB: Supersession Notice. Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are…
- 10134223Sep 15, 2015TT: The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been interrupted.
- 10096556Sep 15, 2015Tt: the vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the engine ecm has been interrupted.
- 10132529Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
- 10134169Mar 18, 2015TechTip: Condition: Engine No Start and/or Poor Engine Power DTCs set immediately after performing service on the Inverter such as SSC D0M for IPM replacement or Inverter…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 12% |
| 2023 | 28 | 15% |
| 2022 | 11 | 4% |
| 2021 | 47 | 9% |
| 2020 | 17 | 5% |
| 2019 | 71 | 14% |
| 2018 | 35 | 13% |
| 2017 | 47 | 17% |
| 2016 | 9 | 8% |
| 2015 | 10 | 5% |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 32 | 15% |
| 2012 | 17 | 9% |
| 2011 | 17 | 9% |
| 2010 | 12 | 6% |
| 2009 | 23 | 17% |
| 2008 | 58 | 14% |
| 2007 | 7 | 6% |
| 2006 | 19 | 7% |
| 2005 | 6 | 3% |
| 2004 | 16 | 6% |
| 2003 | 41 | 16% |
| 2002 | 7 | 2% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
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 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 27, 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