2006 Toyota Highlander Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 3%of 278 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,600miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2006 Toyota Highlander, 3% of the 278 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,600 miles. 1 a fire, 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 have a 2006 Toyota Highlander limited v6. The car is 66.000miles, I noticed that the day lights has been overheated as a result 1 white spot melted in each headlight lense. It might be a hazard fire issue and do not feel safe driving this car. Toyota should resolve this issue and replace the headlights.”
NHTSA complaint #10823207, filed 2016-01, 65,600 miles“I am in the military and had my car in storage from 2008-2012 while stationed overseas. I just took my car in for the 60,000 mile service and was told my headlight cover was foggy. When I got home after picking up my car I had noticed there where two burn marks that had melted the plastic headlight covers where the high-beam lights are. I had called Toyota headquarters and they referred me to the hawaii dealership since they could not locate my VIN number. I called the hawaii dealership, and had no luck there either. This is unsat and is a continuous problem for this year of Toyota Highlander. …”
NHTSA complaint #10660556, filed 2014-11, 66,600 miles“Day running lights are burning through the lenses of both headlights. The lenses have large white spots on the area in front of the running light bulbs. The bulbs of the running lights are bulging . There may be a fire hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #10487719, filed 2012-12, 93,000 miles“Overheating of drl/high beam headlamp bulbs, causing melting/ distortion of clear headlamp housings and opaque white areas to form in housings directly in front of inboard bulbs. The involved bulbs are also observed to be deformed and bulging. First noted at 65k miles. This issue is seen to be commonly reported for Highlander 2001-2007, and thus represents a consistent design defect and possible fire hazard. Toyota dealership is now determining whether Toyota will cover repair of this design defect under our comprehensive extended warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10480932, filed 2012-10, 65,000 miles“Vehicle has original headlights that were in it when I bought the car.the bulbs are burning the lens over the lights.I do not drive with the high beams on as the dealership tried to insinuate.no dumbass drives with the high beams on all the time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10403437, filed 2011-05Related service bulletins
- 10024893Apr 15, 2008Some 2004-07 model year highlander or 2006-07 model year highlander hv vehicles may exhibit a condition where the headlight lens cover and/or headlight bulb is discolored.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 12 | 5% |
| 2021 | 8 | 2% |
| 2019 | 4 | 1% |
| 2018 | 5 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 9 | 8% |
| 2015 | 10 | 5% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 5 | 2% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 | 12 | 6% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 7 | 3% |
| 2005 | 9 | 4% |
| 2004 | 14 | 5% |
| 2003 | 15 | 6% |
| 2002 | 12 | 4% |
| 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 complaintsEngine
19 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsElectronic stability control
12 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsOther or unknown
10 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