2006 Toyota Highlander Complaint Log

WHILE IN THE MOUNTAINS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE ALL THE VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON AND THE VEHICLE SHUTDOWN. WHILE NEGOTIATING THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I BARELY AVOIDED AN AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND IT RESTARTED AND DROVE IT TO A MECHANIC WHO DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND ALL OF THE VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS DISAPPEARED AND IT DROVE FINE. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE INCLUDING TODAY (JULY 7, 2015). WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT IT WAS LIKELY AN INVERTER THAT WOULD COST ABOUT $10,000. WHILE CHECKING THE TOYOTA RECALL WEBSITE, I NOTICED THAT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF OTHER RECALLS INVOLVING INVERTERS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS IN 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRIDS BUT WAS TOLD THAT THESE DID NOT IMPACT THIS VIN #.

WE HEARD ON THE NEWS THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON AIR BAGS ON DIFFERENT MAKE CARS, AND TOYOTA WAS ON THE LIST. THIS WAS ON NEWS OCTOBER 22,2014. THE AIR BAG WAS CALLED TAECOTA, OR TAYCOTA. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED. IN ADDITION, THE TRACTION, CHECK ENGINE, AND VHC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT COOLANT FLUID WAS LEAKING AND AN ENGINE KIT NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

AFTER THE DATE OF THE CRASH THE CAR IS FAILING TO STOP PROPERLY. THE CAR WILL BUMP CONSTANTLY BEFORE A COMPLETE STOP. IT IS UNSAFE TO USE THE CAR AT HIGHER SPEED OR IN SUDDEN STOP SITUATIONS. IT IS ALSO MAKING A CONSTANT NOISE WHEN THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL HYBRID SHOP AND THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS QUICK IN JUST MINUTES. THEY SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL TOYOTA HYBRIDS. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS BUT NOT ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY. THEY SAID THAT PART SHOULD LAST FOR THE LIFE OF EVERY CAR BUT NOT FOR THE HYBRIDS. IT WAS A BAD DESIGN AND TOYOTA HAS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN FOR JUST DIAGNOSE BUT NOT REPAIR OR PREVENT. THE PART COST $2400 INCLUDING LABOR. I CALLED TOYOTA PR AND MAKE A COMPLAINT. THEY HAVE FAILED TO HELP ME NEITHER THEY PROVIDE STATUS ON THE COMPLAINT.

2006 HIGHLANDER GENERATES ROARING TYPE NOISE HEARD FROM THE FRONT END WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND HUMMING NOISE HEARD AFTER 40MPH. TOYOTA SERVICE DEALER FOUND THAT FRONT DIFFERENTIAL IS BAD. ESTIMATE $4,500 TO REPAIR. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE BRAKES FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT, BUT IT HAD TO BE TOWED. THE REPAIR SHOP FOUND THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED. PER TOYOTA, THE VIN # FOR THE CAR IS NOT IN THE "BATCH" INVOLVED IN A RECALL IN 2010 INVOLVING THE MASTER CYLINDERS FOR HIGHLANDERS, AND THEY REFUSE TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THIS CAR. *TR

I HAVE OWNED THIS HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2006, FOR EXACTLY 1 WEEK. THERE WERE NO INCIDENTS LEADING UP TO THIS ONE WHILE OWNER DROVE VEHICLE THAT WEEK. OWNER STARTED CAR ON SATURDAY MORNING TO GET KIDS TO SOCCER GAME AND VOCAL CLASS, BOTH MISSED. UPON STARTING VEHICLE DRIVER NOTICED P/S WARNING SENSOR LIGHT ON DASHBOARD. THEN PUT CAR IN REVERSE AND REALIZED THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING IN VEHICLE? THIS WAS THE ONE AND ONLY LIGHT THAT CAME ON. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP WHO SAYS THEY WILL CONTACT OWNER ON MONDAY. *TR

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, STOPPED WAITED FOR TRAFFIC,BACKED UP, GOT STUCK ON A SMALL PILE OF SNOW, LEFT REAR TIRE STARTED TO SPIN I PULLED FORWARD AND BACK AGAIN THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON, HAD NO TRACTION. IT HAPPENED AGAIN, BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. *TR

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, WITH SUNROOF, SUNSHADE AND WINDOWS AND DOORS CLOSED, THE SUN ROOF AND SUNSHADE WAS RIPPED OUT OF THE CAR. THE PIECES WENT FLYING INTO THE ROAD AND SIDE OF THE ROAD BEHIND ME. THANKFULLY NOT HITTING OTHER CARS. WE HAD NO NOTIFICATION OF A RECALL, OR PROBLEM WITH SUNROOF UNIT. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR FALLS DOWN AND BLOCKS MY VIEW OF THE ROAD. THE VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN POSITION. IT IS TOO HEAVY. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AND DROPS DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY BLOCKING VISION AHEAD, VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR FAILURE, WILL NOT RETURN TO UPRIGHT POSITION. *TR

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PEDAL SUDDENLY FELT 'SOFT' AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE. AFTER STOMPING ON THE BRAKE AGAIN THE VEHICLES' BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED WITH A JERK AND BEGAN WORKING NORMALLY AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF A FEW DAYS BEFORE TAKING THE VEHICLE INTO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED A FAULTY MASTER CYLINDER AND BOOSTER ASSEMBLY - BOTH OF WHICH ARE COVERED UNDER A LIMITED RECALL ON 2004 - 2006 HIGHLANDERS. UNFORTUNATELY NOT ALL 2006 HIGHLANDERS ARE COVERED EVEN THOUGH THEY EXPERIENCE THE EXACT SAME MALFUNCTION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED CONTINUOUSLY HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING A CHAIN REACTION CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND BRUISED THE CONTACT'S LEFT ARM, CHEST AND NECK. THE CONTACT ALSO SUSTAINED MULTIPLE BRUISES FROM THE SEAT BELT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER FOR INSPECTION OF THE MASSIVE FRONT END DAMAGES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

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. I CLAIMED THAT THIS HAD TO BE SOME SORT OF FACTORY DEFECT BECAUSE HE EXPLAINED THAT THE THREADS WERE STRIPPED AND THE BOLTS WERE COMING OUT "THE HEAD IS PULLING AWAY FROM THE BLOCK". WE HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN GREAT CARE OF OUR VEHICLE AND THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAPPEN TO ANY WELL MADE VEHICLE. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE SUFFERED WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO HELP WITH THEIR SITUATION. PLEASE SEE THE WEB PAGE BELOW. HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2006/TOYOTA/HIGHLANDER/ENGINE+AND+ENGINE+COOLING+SYSTEM THIS IS ONLY ONE OF SEVERAL THAT I HAVE FOUND. WHILE I AM NOT SURE IF THERE ARE ANY SAFETY ISSUES HERE BUT MANY PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED WHEN OBVIOUSLY TOYOTA IS NEGLECTING THIS ISSUE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO BUT ANY ADVICE WOULD BE HELPFUL. THANK YOU. *TR

THE SUN VISOR ON THE RSIDE WILL NO LONGER STAY UP. IT FALLS DOWN AND IMPEDES VISION. IT WILL NOT STAY UP NOR STAY FLUSH AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD EITHER SO IT SERIOUSLY BLOCKS VISION. IT JUST KEEPS COMING DOWN AND THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING TO THE CHEST. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000......UPDATED 06-19-13 *BF UPDATED 06/27/2013 *JS

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. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE THREADS WERE STRIPPED AND THE BOLTS WERE COMING OUT "THE HEAD IS PULLING AWAY FROM THE BLOCK AND COOLANT IS LEAKING. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLE AND HAVE EVERY RECEIPT FOR OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE. I WAS TOLD THAT I MAY NEED A NEW ENGINE ($6000 TO FIX THIS) AND AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR. COOLANT IS DANGEROUS TO HUMANS, ANIMALS, AND THE ENVIRONMENT SO THIS CAN BE A SAFETY CONCERN. TOYOTA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ERROR I AM VERY FRUSTRATED AND TOYOTA IS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE WITH THIS TOYOTA AND THEY HAVE LOST A LOYAL CUSTOMER OVER THIS. THIS ISSUE IS OBVIOUSLY HAPPENING MORE AND MORE EVERYDAY AND IT IS FRUSTRATING. ANY ADVISE IS WELCOME!!! *TR

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. *TR

HIGH ENGINE RPM AT IDLE, THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 48,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. ADDITIONALLY, THE TRAC OFF AND VSC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED INTO THE CENTER MEDIAN WHERE THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE. A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF SMOKE EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE GRASSY AREA UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 05/28/13*LJ UPDATED 06/11/2013 *JS

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. *TR

DRIVE SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN POSITION. WHEN I WANT IT DOWN TO BLOCK THE SUN FROM MY EYES, IT HANGS IN THE MIDDLE AND WON'T STAY UP AGAINST THE WINDOW, IMPAIRING VISIBILITY. *TR

WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS IS THE SECOND TOYOTA VEHICLE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE. TOYOTA GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER [XXX] TO REFERENCE. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD A PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA WINDSHIELDS CRACKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED BUT WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE BRAKE SWITCH WAS REPLACED, THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND WOULD HAVE TO DIAGNOSED A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,100.

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. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MADE NOISE WHENEVER IT WAS THE ROLLED UP OR DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE MASTER WINDOW SWITCH HAD FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

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. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE VSC LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, CAR BROKE DOWN AND STOPPED FUNCTIONING. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS CHARGED $4259.81 TO REPLACE TRANSFER CASE. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATING, I DISCOVERED THAT TOYOTA HAD ISSUED A TSB (TC008-07) TO REPLACE THE RIGHT-HAND BEARING SEAL THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS. MY CAR WAS IN SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES PRIOR WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, AND THEY COULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS BY REPLACING THE SEAL. *TR

WHEN IS THERE GOING TO BE A RECALL FOR THE POWER WINDOWS??? THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2007 HIGHLANDERS- IN 2012, 2 MONTHS BEFORE I COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA, THEY HAD NO COMPLAINTS !!THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, THERE ARE SOOO MANY COMPLAINTS. I CURRENTLY HAVE 2 WINDOWS THAT DON'T WORK,THEY WERE STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION, BOTH OF THE MOTORS HAVE BEEN DISCONNECTED. THE 3RD WINDOW WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS @ 88,000 MILES. THE VISORS DON'T STAY UP, ANOTHER SAFETY HAZARD !!! ALSO WAY TOO MANY COMPLAINTS.

I HAD CLOSED THE WINDOWS TO DISCOVER THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WAS STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION. I HAD WRITTEN TO TOYOTA REGARDING THIS ON 08/29/2012 THEIR RESPONSE -THEY HAD NO DATA TO SHARE ON WHAT COMPLAINTS THEY RECEIVE TO PROVIDE TO THE PUBLIC AS THAT IS PROPRIETARY. TOYOTA SENT IT TO THEIR NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, GIVING ME A FILE #. THE WINDOW IS NOW STUCK AGAIN. AND HAPPENED ANOTHER TIME SINCE 08/28/2012 I JUST SEARCHED TOYOTA POWER WINDOW CONTROLS, THERE IS A RECALL, DATED ANNOUNCED OCTOBER 10, 2012, THEY ARE SAYING CERTAIN MODELS 2007-2009 HIGHLAND AND MORE. IF TOYOTA DID SEND MY COMPLAINT TO THEIR HEADQUARTERS A MONTH AND A HALF EARLIER, THEY SHOULD HAVE CHECKED THEIR RECORDS, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER 2006 HIGHLANDERS. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR IS BROKEN AND WILL NOT STAY FULLY UPRIGHT OR FULLY DOWN, IT HANGS MIDWAY BLOCKING VISION OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND UPPER FIELD OF VISION, I HAVE TO HOLD THE VISOR UP WITH MY HAND TO SEE TRAFFIC LIGHTS. I FREQUENTLY BUMP MY FOREHEAD INTO THE VISOR WHEN TURNING MY HEAD TO LOOK TO THE REAR OVER MY LEFT SHOULDER AS I AM DRIVING. I CONTACTED MY TOYOTA DEALER, GIVEN A BALLPARK ESTIMATE OF $300-500 TO REPAIR. *TR

DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION AGAINST THE CEILING. IMPAIRS DRIVER'S VISION. *TR

THE SUN VISOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT STAY UP. IT JUST KEEPS COMING DOWN AND THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING. I'VE HAD 5 DIFFERENT TOYOTAS AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. *TR

COMPLAINT: 2006 BASE HIGHLANDER, FWD, 4 CYLINDERS. BRAKE SYSTEM (VSC, TRAC OFF, ABS & BRAKE) AND TPMS LIGHTS ON, DISABLING SAFETY FEATURES. 1)TPMS FLASHING LIGHT. ISSUE MAY HAVE BEEN IN-PROCESS SINCE DAY 1. IT REGULARLY CAME ON, RESET BY DEALERS AND EVENTUALLY SHOWED US HOW TO RESET OURSELVES. 2)BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHTS. ALL (4) CAME ON, DIAGNOSED AS LEFT REAR WHEEL SENSOR. DEALER QUOTED COST: $1000. REPLACEMENT DIDN'T WORK, WOUND UP REPLACING WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY PIGTAIL. LASTED TWO (2) WEEKS, RE-DIAGNOSED AS ABS PUMP/CONTROL MODULE ASSEMBLY. DEALER QUOTED COST: $2500. WHILE THIS ITSELF IS RIDICULOUS, THE REPAIR COSTS WOULD EXCEED 1/8TH (13%) THE COST OF THE VEHICLE NEW! NOW, IN 2014, IT'S APPROXIMATELY (50%) OF THE CURRENT VEHICLES VALUE. THIS ISSUE HAS RECENTLY RESULTED IN SCREECHING TO A HALT IN DANGEROUS TRAFFIC. IT ESSENTIALLY NEGATES THE STAR SAFETY SYSTEM FEATURES, FOR VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL AND DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS ISSUE CANNOT BE IGNORED ANY LONGER, SINCE IT'S THE TOPIC ON NUMEROUS WEB SITE FORUMS AND INQUIRIES AND EVEN SALVAGED USED PARTS ARE BEING SOLD BY MANY SITES FOR THIS PROBLEM. RECOMPENSE: REMUNERATION OF EXPENSES TO DATE AND FUTURE REPAIRS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM IS REQUESTED. REVIEW OF TSB AND/OR INVESTIGATION INTO RECALL CAMPAIGN TO FIX ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID . THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V342000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE NOT ADVISED THE CONTACT OF WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE RECALL WAS REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

COOLANT LEAKED FROM ENGINE ONTO FLOOR IN LARGE AMOUNTS. OUR MECHANIC SAID THREADS WERE STRIPPED AND HEAD GASKET BOLTS HAD PULLED OUT. ONLY SOLUTION, NEW ENGINE OR POSSIBLE REBUILD BY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. WE WERE UNDER 60,000 MILE WARRANTY BUT OVER 60 MONTHS. TOYOTA REFUSED TO HELP US. SADLY I'VE BEEN CHANGING MY OWN OIL AND DIDN'T KEEP ALL RECEIPTS FOR A MAINTENANCE RECORD. LESSON LEARNED. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP OFFERED NEW ENGINE FOR $7,300 OR REBUILD FOR $4,600. WE HAD NON-TOYOTA MECHANIC REBUILD THREADS FOR $2,300. CAR WORKS FINE NOW. WAY MORE MONEY THAN WE EXPECTED TO SPEND ON A TOYOTA WITH UNDER 60,000 MILES. *TR

THE WEBASTO SUNROOF HAD A SAFETY RECALL THAT I DIDN'T RESPOND TO IN TIME. THE SERIAL NUMBER IS 6256887. THE FORM SAID IF I WAITED TO LONG I WOULD NEED TO FILE A CLAIM...I SHOULD HAVE PAID MORE ATTENTION TO THE FINE PRINT! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/09/12*LJ THE DEALER REPLACED THE INVERTER ASSEMBLY. UPDATED 02/29/12

I PURCHASED A USED 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FROM A FERNELIUS DEALERSHIP IN MICHIGAN IN APRIL 2011 - IT WAS IN MINT CONDITION WITH 56210 MILES ON IT - THOUGHT I HAD MADE THE BEST DEAL EVER - THEN THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING WHILE DRIVING IT OVERHEATED. THOUGHT I HAD BLOWN A HEAD GASKET ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE THREAD BOLTS ON THE SHORT BLOCK HAD STRIPPED OUT AND LEAKED RADIATOR FLUID EVERYWHERE CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT. AT THAT TIME THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME TOO BAD I BOUGHT A USED VEHICLE IF I WANTED TO TOW IT TO THEM THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT. I THAN CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATION ONLY TO BE TOLD PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THING, SINCE I WASN'T THE ORIGINAL OWNER THEY WEREN'T GOING TO HELP ME EITHER. SO NOW I'M STUCK TRYING TO FIND AN ENGINE BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP CAN ONLY OFFER ME ONE WITH 58000 MILES ON IT INSTALLED FOR ABOUT $7,000, AND FROM WHAT I'M READING ON THE INTERNET THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM WHEN THE ENGINE REACHES RIGHT OUT OF THE WARRANTY AT 60,000 MILES. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND CORPORATION WON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND FIX THE ENGINE OR AT LEAST OFFER SOME ASSISTANCE. WHY SHOULD THEIR FAULTY ENGINE PART BE MY PROBLEM? NOW OF COURSE BEING JUST A WORKING STIFF AND RETIRED MILITARY MONEY DOESN'T GROW ON TREES AND I DON'T HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE, SO I HAVE TO GET IT FIXED. I WON'T BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA AGAIN SINCE THEY DON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR OWN PRODUCT, BUT I'M STUCK WITH THIS ONE FOR NOW. *TR

I BROUGHT 2006-1007 HIGHLANDER HYBRID VEHICLE IN 2005 FROM THE BEGINNING I AM HAVING DIFFICULTIES WITH THE STEERING I TOLD DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, TOYOTA COMPANY MULTIPLE TIMES ABOUT THE STEERING PROBLEM. AS SOON AS I DRIVE ABOVE 25 MPH MY CAR PULLS TOWARDS RIGHT VERY BADLY I HAVE TO APPLY LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE STEERING TO PUT ON THE ROAD. DUE TO THIS I SPENT 1000S OF DOLLARS TO DO WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND STEERING CHECK DUE TO THIS I SPENT 1000S OF DOLLARS ON MY TIRES I HAVE TO CHANGE MY TIRES EVERY TWO YEARS EVEN THOUGH THE MANUFACTURER GIVES WARRANTY FOR 6 YEARS 65K MILES. *TR

THE DRIVER SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AND FALLS DOWN OBSTRUCTING MY VIEW WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET THERE SEEMS TO BE A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME DEFAULT OF TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS SUN VISORS FALLING DOWNING AND NOT REMAINING SEATED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THERE IS NOT ANY GARAGE DOOR OPENERS OR ANY OTHER DEVICES ON THE VISOR TO CAUSE EXTRA HEAVINESS THAT WOULD LEAD TO THE FAILING OF THE VISOR. I HAVE TO PUT TAPE ON THE VISOR TO PROVIDE MYSELF WITH AN UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW TO SAFELY DRIVE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BECAME EXCESSIVELY HOT AND MELTED THE COVER. THE DEALER NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO COVER THE COST OF THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPAIRS BUT NOT THE LABOR COSTS. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 86,900.

THREE MONTHS AND 6000 MILES PAST THE WARRANTY (66,000 MILES) OUR HIGHLANDER FAILED (OVERHEATED). I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND THERE WERE MANY SIMILAR OCCURRENCES WITH THIS ENGINE. OOLANT LEAKED FROM ENGINE ONTO FLOOR IN LARGE AMOUNTS. OUR MECHANIC SAID THREADS WERE STRIPPED AND THREE HEAD GASKET BOLTS HAD PULLED OUT. ONLY SOLUTION, NEW ENGINE OR POSSIBLE REBUILD BY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. TOYOTA REFUSED TO HELP US. THEY DENIED THAT THIS PROBLEM EVEN EXISTED. BUT WHY WOULD TOYOTA PUT OUT A BULLETIN ON HOW BEST TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM , IF THE PROBLEM DIDN'T EVEN EXIST? TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DID NOT OFFER TO HELP. WE HAD OUR LOCAL DEPENDABLE TOYOTA MECHANIC REBUILD THREADS FOR $2,700.A LOT OF MONEY TO SPEND ON A TOYOTA WITH UNDER 70,000 MILES. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA'S RESPONSE. THEY NOT ONLY LOST MY FUTURE BUSINESS BUT ALSO MY DAUGHTER'S. CAR WORKS FINE NOW. BUT I NO LONGER HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE. THAT LOSS OF FEELING OF DEPENDABILITY IS THE WORST PART. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE COMPUTER HAD DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE DEALER RESET THE AIR BAG AND THE WARNING LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES LATER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS WEIGHT LIMIT ON THE SEAT THAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

I WENT TO THE DEALER RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V34200. THE DEALER CHECK THE HIGHLANDER AND SAID THAT THE RECALL NOT APPLY AND DID NOT NEED TO BE INSTALLED OR REPAIR THE INVERTER. THE NEXT WEEK LL THE PANEL WARNING LIGHTS TURN ON(BRAKE, SLIP, VCS WARNING, EXCLAMATION SING AND ABS). THEN A RETURN TO DEALER, THEY CHECK THE HIGHLANDER. NOW THEY SAID THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE ABS MODULE. HOW I CAN CORROBORATE THAT MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL. *TR

VEHICLE HESITATES OR STALLS ON ACCELERATION. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN IF PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE. VEHICLE WILL ALSO LUNG OR OVER ACCELERATE ON SOME OCCASIONS AFTER HESITATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE BRAKING DISTANCE HAD INCREASED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE BRAKES DID NOT FEEL SAFE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS STILL FAULTY AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

I WAS DRIVING IN MY HIGHLANDER WITH MY DAUGHTERS IN THE BACK SEAT WHEN SUDDENLY OUT OF NO WHERE ALL THE ALERT LIGHTS CAME ON AND THERE WAS NO POWER AT ALL - THE GAS PEDAL WAS NON FUNCTIONAL - I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE OF A AN INTERSTATE AND FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND PULL THE CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC AS IT ROLLED TO A STOP. I WAITED ON THE CROWDED INTERSTATE FOR TWO HOURS FOR A TOW. I WAS TOLD THAT THE HIGHLANDER HYBRID INVERTER HAD FAILED - THE DEALER REPLACED THE PART THAT WEEK AND THE CAR DRIVES NORMALLY NOW. I WAS ADVISED THAT IN FACT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. ONE MONTH LATER IRONICALLY I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA THAT MY MODEL OF HIGHLANDER IS BEING RECALLED FOR THE INVERTER REPLACEMENT THAT HAD JUST CAUSED THIS EXTREMELY UNSAFE VEHICLE FAILURE JUST ONE MONTH PRIOR. *TR