2006 Toyota Highlander driver assistance problems

Filed Jul 1, 2021 · Brakes, Driver assistance · TX

The dashboard on my Highlander Hybrid 2006 (AWD) had all its check lights on suddenly. I was not driving then. The car was in my parking lot for a few hours before which it had no signs on. The warning message said: Vehicle Stability Control (VSC). I took it to my nearest Toyota service center for diagnosing the issue. They reported that the ABS systems have started to fail. Specifically, the ABS actuator is losing pressure and should be replaced. They quoted a price of $2700 approx. which includes about $2000 for parts. Turns out that this same part had been replaced in 2016 during a recall - but they cannot attend to this again without charging the customer. What I was never told about was that a whirring sound - which has always been an issue with this car - was always from the ABS actuator. The same service center has checked and diagnosed this car multiple times - so I am surprised that they did not find the ABS actuator noise a problem on earlier occasions. I have been reading about this on this forum and Toyotanation and this seems to be a consistent issue with the older Toyota hybrid highlanders and other hybrids as well - with the same diagnosis and approximately the same price quoted by the service centers. I have not currently fixed this issue since I cannot afford this price. It also seems that I will be paying for manufacturer's or service center's negligence since this actuator seemed to be faulty all along and I was not warned about this.

Filed Apr 20, 2021 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 182,000 miles · TN

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.

Filed Aug 7, 2020 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 233,000 miles · MO

The brake accumulator/actuator is a defective part and toyota has refused to honor the repair. They manipulated owners by having a warrenty support program with end dates, instead of having a recall on it. Which is why when I researched before I bought, is not listed on car fax. The warranty support was before I purchased vehicle and previously it was either ignored or missed between owners. They have had many of these and get away with it. Right now there is a class action filed in ohio over this same issue with other cars. It is a $3000 dollar part and not a knob on radio. It is a safety issue due to it being part of the braking system. I've seen where the support program said miles didn't matter but when talking to toyota they say 114,000 miles. The car is a 2006, yeah that's reasonable, even for 2017/18 letter. While driving the vsc alarm system comes on and the braking becomes difficult. The pump has always made a sound but was told by dealer it was the security alarm system making the noise. It happened in 2019 also, the alarm, but repair shop said it was calipers, so paid $800 to have them replaced with pads. Its always made noise but the alarm system started back up again last month. Now with research on my own, I know exactly what it is but toyota said they sent letter to previous owner and sorry about my luck! This has rendered this vehicle worth $5500, worthless. Cant trade in a vehicle like this and lost my income from delivery with it. I have checked off everything that would apply if it was a recall but since the support program has an end date to get out of toyota ever being responsible for their defective part, they push it off on owners. I'm just lucky, I have a cdl and good driver and have not had an accident with it. I filed a complaint with toyota and they just swiped me away as another poor sucker that didn't figure it out before I purchased.

Filed Jul 8, 2020 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 135,000 miles · WA

The brake actuator assembly has gone out at 135000 miles. It interfers with braking. The brakes lock up frequently and car will almost hop to a halt. It is quite concerning and scary when it occurs.

Filed May 21, 2020 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 172,560 miles · GA

Once after parking and then twice while driving on a highway, the check hybrid system light, the vsc light, the check engine light, and the caution light all illuminated and the vehicle lost all power including steering assistance . Each time requiring multiple key turns to restart the vehicle into limp home mode. This vehicle has been repaired once before for a similar issue which occurred while driving up a hill in moderate traffic. The tank is full of fuel, the tires are less than a year old, and the vehicle undergoes regular maintenance(which includes a new battery as the one bought from toyota had a few dead cells after only a year or two). I've read multiple complaints about this online while searching for the underlying issue and there seems to be a related recall that doesn't include my VIN.

Filed Jan 6, 2020 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 177,000 miles · VA

Ongoing issue with generation 1 highlander hybrids and prius from same date ranges. A warranty adjustment has already been issued and ended. The ABS brake accumulator gets an internal leak code c1391. Reduced braking, ESC, brake and other lights come on. Many of those repaired under warranty are already failing a second time. Vehicle is dangerous to drive since it can be driving perfectly and fail while in motion causing dangerous braking conditions.

Filed Mar 10, 2019 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 15 miles · TX

I was driving straight on the main road coming to a stop light.the vehicle would not stop after pressing on the brakes several times. There are several lights on the dash:brakes,traction control, 2 yellow exclamation marks one inside a triangle and the ,ABS. The mechanic is saying the brake actuator is faulty and needs to replaced.

Filed Feb 5, 2018 · Driver assistance, Engine · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander. On several occasions, while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost power. The contact stated that all of the warning indicators illuminated on and off. The contact called stevens creek toyota san jose at (408) 984-1234 (located at 4202 stevens creek blvd, san jose, ca 95129) where it was confirmed that no recalls were associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed May 24, 2017 · Driver assistance, Engine · 79,670 miles · NY

Takata recall. Check engine light won't go off along vsc light. On the street when the car stop running.

Filed Sep 29, 2015 · Driver assistance, Engine · 240,000 miles · NY

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.