2006 Toyota Highlander: check engine light

Filed Jul 7, 2022 · Engine · FL

I can see many complaints similar to mine on line since the car was built in 2006. Driving on a 7hr trip when engine light came on and car overheated. We had to pull over on a busy highway and wait for car to cool down and light to go off. It was scary since I had my child in the car and traffic was moving at 60 mph. The next day I had the Toyota dealer charge me $160.00 to tell me coolant and oil were leaking from the head gasket and the bolt corroded and listed out causing a sealing issue. We just had the car in their shop doing thousands of dollars of maintenance and had a full inspection done in preparation for this trip. We also had fluid leaks from the engine twice before at 65819 miles and again at 84458 miles. No mention of this issue was ever brought up by dealer. I have full records and always did maint as suggested. so now the dealer says it will need a used engine at a cost of $9,000+. I am now without a car. This car should have been recalled and repaired, now it is totaled it. Thank goodness we were not injured or hit by another car on the interstate. sorry unable to send a copy of repair estimate done at Daytona Toyota 386‑255‑7475

Filed Aug 24, 2021 · Brakes, Steering · NC

In the last 4 weeks my 06 Highlander Hybrid has had malfunctions in the brakes and in the power steering. Both issues rendering the car inoperable. The first issue that was to arise was the brake actuator pump. I noticed it was failing when i got in the vehicle to move it out of the driveway and noticed after i put the car in gear that their was no power brake assist. When the car was shifted into drive the car began rolling even while i was pushing hard on the brakes. Luckily the brake assist resumed and i did not run into anything but the car unintentionally moved about 5 feet. I mentioned this to my wife, and she said while driving home one day the car made a high pitched buzz. She was close to home, so she made it home and parked the car and forgot about the noise. After the car was turned back on again no noise was made and no CEL or warnings were displayed. The actuator was replaced, and the car operated fine for about one week and probably 40 miles of driving. I want to mention I had noted a odd feeling in the brakes for years leading up the the failure. The brake pedal would continue to the floor while trying to maintain constant pressure on the brakes. I believe this is due to the actuator losing pressure, but it would cause an uneasy sensation of failing brakes, but no CEL's were ever triggered. The new actuator fixed this. After fixing the car we drove it on a few trips. Yesterday 8/24/21 my wife went to drive the car, and it wouldn't start. She tried about 10 times and it wouldn't turn on. I put a battery charger on the car and the battery looked okay. I tried to start it a few time probably 5 and finally got the READY light, so the car was ready to go, but all of a sudden the car would shut off and the READY light would go out and the P/S light would come on. This light is triggered when something is wrong with the power steering system, and the computer will disable the vehicle. The car immobile now. These are worth recalling.

Filed Mar 30, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · 199,000 miles · FL

The vsc light, ABS light, check engine light and sound is are on. The code is back as well c1391 for this brake actuator. It is a well known problem with toyotas . This was fixed once already by toyota dealer and failed after 40k miles again. How can a part has failed again in such a short time and miles? This is a common problem and we can't get help from toyota company other than to pay for their lack of quality on parts? I can't afford $4000 plust to fix a part that only lasted 40,000 miles. When is toyota going to do a recall on this part and fix it for good?

Filed Mar 8, 2021 · Brakes · 149,000 miles · TX

The vsc light, ABS light and now the check engine light is on. The code comes back to c1391 which is the brake actuator. It is a known problem with toyota that occurs @118,000 miles. I was told it was going to cost $4,000, but they finally only made me pay for the labor and tax. However, it has now been 30,000 miles later and that part has failed again. I can't afford $2500-$4000 to fix a part that only lasts 30,000 miles. I have seen this complaint over and over. Can we get some help??

Filed Aug 30, 2020 · Fuel system, Visibility · 130,000 miles · AZ

My 2008 highlander only has 130,000 miles, yet the driver's side visor drops and falls unexpectedly while driving, thus causing a driving safety hazardthe vehicle is accident free. I have codes check engine, vsc and trac off. Gas cap was replaced with new official toyota matched part & system checked but problem found - this display light combination is common on toyotas around this time.. My gas mileage & acceleration performance is negatively affected. Inability to properly accelerate creates a danger for inability to avoid collisions.

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 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 Apr 11, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · 90,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander. When the vehicle was started, the brake light, antilock brake light, and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle did not accelerate and the antilock brakes did not work. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the computer core needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. ..updated 05/02/16 *bf

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.

Filed Sep 18, 2014 · Engine · 130,000 miles · MA

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.

Filed May 16, 2007 · Acceleration · 50 miles · NJ

2006 toyota highlander 3-3v-6 5 speed auto. Very erratic shifting and hesitation when at slow speeds. Happened mostly in stop and go traffic. Very dangerous because car lurched forward and brakes needed to be applied much harder than one would like. Could never be sure when merging into traffic how the car will respond. Very dangerous. Had a 2002 highlander before this one and had no problems. Car has been back to the dealer 4 times since purchase in july 2006. Each time I was told that the car has to adjust to my driving style. Unless the check engine light goes on they won't even try to fix anything. I even had the regional rep drive it (5 miles) and proclaim the car to be normal. If this is normal, you can keep it. I am so disappointed in this car. Toyota is waiting for a serious accident to occur. I intend to file a claim with the nj lemon law.