2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: multiple warning lights

Filed May 7, 2019 · Brakes · 178,361 miles · CA

While attempting to make a stop at an intersection during city driving the brake pedal became very hard to press down and several warning lights came on my vehicle dashboard. At first, the problem was intermittent but progressively got worst over continued driving. I took my vehicle to my local toyota dealer for inspection. The service manager informed me that I had a problem with the ABS brake system module and the repair was about $2,600.00. I parked the vehicle because it was no longer safe to drive and to many close calls. Later I found out that this 2006 toyota highlander hybrid and several proceeding model years had a very extensive consumer complaint number for this very same ABS brake system concern. I contacted the service manager at the same local toyota dealership about a warranty at which time the service manager informed me that my warranty expired which I never was informed. It seems to me personally this is how the air bag safety problem was over looked on these vehicles until consumers lost their lives on faulty consumer products that got progressively worst over time. Several of the other import manufacture have offered recalls on the very same ABS system brake concern. Toyota has yet to offer a recall several model years into this safety concern with the ABS brake system. If we as consumers can't stop our vehicles while driving on the city streets or highways accidents happen and people die. This safety concern has gone on long enough with thousands of complaints over the years for the same ABS brake system concern. There must be a much better job at protecting the consumer safety from continued safety concerns not being addressed by toyota. All the other import manufactures have step up with recalls, whats taking toyota manufactures so long after years of the same safety concerns. Please help us with this ABS brake system concern.

Filed Mar 20, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 175,000 miles · VA

Intermittently, while driving down the road, all of the dash lights come on, there is a high beeping sound, and the brakes stopped functioning properly. The brakes either need to be matched with extreme force or the brakes will slam by barely touching the brake pedal. Toyota acknowledges that this is an issue and offered a warranty extension to owners of this vehicle. I purchased the vehicle after the extension was offered and haven't had issues until recently. I am concerned for not only my safety but the safety of my family. I have been a toyota fan for all of my adult life. However, after dealing with this issue and being quoted $2000 to fix it, I would offer advice to anybody or not to buy a toyota or at least not a toyota hybrid. Buyer and driver beware!

Filed Sep 7, 2015 · Brakes, Electrical · 162,000 miles · AZ

While driving home from work in normal free-flowing traffic conditions on the freeway, several lights came on the dash indicating brake issues including vsc, ABS, skid, parking brake light. Continued to cautiously drive home, brakes seemed ok. Had our non-dealer mechanic look at the brakes all were fine and had recently been replaced. He could not find a brake issue. Took to the local toyota dealer and one code came up c1391 "abnormal leak in accumulator" and was told I needed a new brake actuator at the cost of $3273.00. Diagnostic cost $138.00. Additional information on diagnostic paperwork from dealer says, "check for dtc's found c1391, check for fluid leaks, could not find leaks, check accumulator pressure voltage (3.5 v), depressed pedal 4-5 times accumulator pressure drops below 3.0 v, recommend replace brake/ABS actuator". Other notes, some part of hybrid system seems to be cycling every few minutes. Over the years, when braking, there have been times where they "jump" or don't grab during brake pressure and after reading have found this complaint with other owners. I see that the camry and the lexus have both had this part recalled/replaced by toyota and wondering why, when this is likely the same hybrid system and component, that toyota will not step up to the plate and offer this replacement part for owners for free or at a discount? The other vehicles have had accidents as a result of this part and toyota should step up to the plate on the highlander hybrid.

Filed Dec 29, 2014 · Brakes · 170,000 miles · CA

While traveling on a mountain highway my toyota highlander started making an extremely loud squealing noise from underneath the dash. All of the warning lights on the dash came on and remained on. I lost braking power and pedal went extremely hard. Vehicle brakes locked up while going downhill and vehicle spun out of control. Almost hit an oncoming vehicle coming from the opposite direction. Brakes have been malfunctioning since, vehicle is currently not being driven.

Filed Sep 27, 2014 · Brakes · 91,500 miles · PR

I already replace the brake actuator with a cost of $2,600.00, after a year it fail again. As researching in the internet I found out this is a major problem with the 2006 highlander hybrid. All the warning lights came on. The actuator is priming every 15 seconds.

Filed May 21, 2014 · Brakes · 72,000 miles · PR

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the brakes where depressed when suddenly the all the lights on the instrumental panel illuminated and the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS modulator valve needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 72,000.

Filed Aug 27, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 105,000 miles · CO

My wife was backing out of our driveway when the car suddenly lost power to the wheels and all of the warning lights came on. She was unable to move the car forward or backward to get the car out of the lane of traffic. We got the car towed to the local toyota dealership. They informed us that the inverter was bad and we needed a new one. We had received a recall notice about replacing an "intelligent power module" and had the repairs done jan 9th 2013. The repair shop has said that the replaced part is working and that it is the inverter itself that has gone bad. I have seen many other complaints about this problem online. I am just thankful that she wasn't going highway speed with our child in the car when she lost power. That could have been very dangerous.

Filed May 20, 2013 · Engine · 88,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the inverter/converter hybrid system shut down and all of the warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was advised that the coil pack that needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The approximate failure and current mileage was 88,000.

Filed Feb 19, 2013 · Electrical, Transmission · 124,000 miles · GA

Hybrid inverter failure. Accelerating from stoplight to enter highway ramp. Loud bang and all lights on dash came on. Engine continued running but no propulsion. Had it towed to dealer and informed it was a hybrid inverter failure, and would cost $10,000 to repair. We are now looking at class action lawsuits.

Filed Nov 27, 2012 · Engine · 149,994 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic light all of the lights on the instrument panel illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact merged to the side of the road where all attempts to restart the vehicle failed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the failure could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the issue. The failure and current mileage was 149,994.

Filed Oct 12, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 92,100 miles · GA

I was pulling into our driveway and when I pressed the accelerator, the car stopped and began to roll backwards. All of the warning lights came on along with a warning on the lcd panel that stated "check hybrid system" and "check vsc". It was towed to a toyota dealership. They indicated that the hybrid inverter and esu had failed and they replaced them. The vehicle still displayed several warnings and after searching for almost 1 week, they determined that the power steering esu was also bad although this was not the case prior to the hybrid failure. They said that the 12 volt battery also needed replacing although it was only 8 months old and was purchased at the dealership. When I asked how this could have happened, I was told that the vehicle must have been struck by lightning! October 1, 2011 in our state was a beautiful, clear day as it had been for a while. I suggested that the inverter and esu failure caused the power steering esu failure, not a phantom lightning strike. My vehicle is currently still at the dealership as I await their reply. Hybrid components are covered under the extended hybrid warranty but the steering esu is not and will cost $1,000 to replace unless toyota will accept that the failure of the hybrid components could have caused a powerful electrical surge that damaged the power steering ecu as well as the 12 volt battery.

Filed Jun 4, 2011 · Fuel system · 40,573 miles · FL

While driving my 2006 hylander hybrid @ 55 MPH, at night, there was a loud pop / thud and lurch, then total loss of power and the dash board lit up like a christmas tree. I barely made it to the shoulder of the road without getting getting hit from behind several times as vehicles steered around me. Honking their horns and flashing their lights at me. As I crawled to the side of the road @ 10:30 at night. I feel lucky to be alive. Vehicle has just over 40,000 mile on it and has had all required maintenance. Turned out to be the hybrid inverter failed. This is a non sevicable part.