2006 Toyota Highlander transmission problems

Filed Jul 12, 2024 · Brakes, Transmission · VA

Two problems being reported are severe safety issues, and could result in injury, death, and/or property damage. Problem 1: While driving, the brake pedal suddenly went all the way to the floor, and the car would not stop. To avoid hitting the car in front at a stop sign, I had to turn the wheel, resulting in running through the stop sign and onto the grass and shoulder before the car finally stopped. Multiple dashboard warning lights appeared. After stopping, the brakes momentarily returned but failed again within 2-3 minutes. A loud, high-pitched, piercing whistle sound began, indicating a complete loss of brakes. The car had to be towed 200 miles back home. It is not safe to drive the car without functioning brakes. The OBD scan codes are: C1256 (accumulator low pressure), C1391 (abnormal leak of accumulator pressure), and C1256 (accumulator low pressure). Problem 2: When starting the car, the brakes are applied first, and then the car is placed in gear. The car involuntarily and immediately jumps forward or backward and continues to move, even though the brakes are being applied. Having the foot on the brakes has NO EFFECT on the car moving! The car should not move at all when the brakes are being applied. To stop the movement, I must quickly pump the brakes repeatedly. This occurs every time the car is placed into gear after starting the engine, causing it to jump forward or backward and continue moving despite brake application. Both problems are severe safety issues, and could result in injury, death, or property damage.

Filed Oct 5, 2022 · Brakes, Transmission · LA

Power brakes stopped working while driving due to bad brake actuator. Vehicle shut down while driving due to power train system.

Filed Dec 28, 2020 · Electrical, Fuel system · 174,000 miles · PA

While driving my vehicle all the lights on my dashboard illuminated. My vehicle lost power and I had to pull over. It died there. I was on belfield ave and gratz street in philadelphia, pa . I subsequently had it towedback to my residence.

Filed Aug 19, 2017 · Transmission · 179,800 miles · MN

The vehicle will occasionally surge in speed momentarily, mostly noticed when operating below 50 MPH. It is more prevalent at lower speeds. We are the original owner.this has been an ongoing situation since the vehicle was new. Hybrid model. It has been inspected by the dealer with no issues found.

Filed Apr 7, 2016 · Suspension, Transmission · 107,000 miles · TX

I have had axles break while driving after they where replace and they say there is nothing a matter with the front end. And the frame is rusted after a year and it is breaking.

Filed Oct 24, 2014 · Transmission · 49,389 miles · TX

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.

Filed Jul 10, 2014 · Transmission · 67,152 miles · SC

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.

Filed Sep 8, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 62,000 miles · RI

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.

Filed Apr 15, 2010 · Acceleration, Transmission · CA

Ever since we purchased our 2006 toyota highlander we have randomly experienced acceleration problems. After slowing down, we slowly accelerated and would experience a sudden thrust but could slow it down by lessening the pressure on the gas pedal or by braking. This would happen at random 2 or 3 times per year. We both thought it was our fault until we read about the toyota acceleration problems. Now, we don't believe it is our fault and is a built-in problem. We recently have talked to the toyota service department and they referred us to the toyota headquarters for filing a complaint with them. We were told this car is not on the recall list. Since our problem does not seem as bad as other year's car, it may be that this is the year the problem developed in toyota and got progressively worst as adjustments were made to the car's programming or engine. The last incident involving this acceleration was in late february or early march, 2010. We hope this information may be of some help to you and us in solving our problem.

Filed Feb 24, 2010 · Transmission · VA

Toyota fly by wire transmission hesitation problem. Specifically a 2006 highlander- hesitation from stop or slow speed. Complaint across all models and several years. The approximate incident date means nothing lt is and continues to be a problem since the "fly or drive by wire" system originated. Dealer states this is the way it is supposed to operate. - an accident waiting to happen or have they already happened? What will it take to initiate a fix. This problem seems to be related to the five speed automatic transmission. The internet is full of this type of complaint.