2006 Toyota Highlander: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jul 27, 2021 · Electrical · MA

Power window failure passenger window stopped working, back passenger window was always getting stuck either halfway down or all way down ( I had the POWER DISCONNECTED for the Bk passenger window). front driver window hesitates to work, can hear window rattling part way or all the way down - Yes car available for inspection. The safety for all persons in my vehicle are at risk I have not been in an accident yet, if I do I’m worried people won’t be able to escape through the windows if needed. Dealer looked at it- too expensive to fix. Obviously no warning light This has been going on since 2012. I complained to Toyota on 8/28/2012 my incident # 120828000209 asking them if they had complaints - NO complaints regarding window failure, 2 months later toyota had a recall due to power switch failure, sticky power window switch pretty much related to catching on fire-mine has not. This has to be investigated before people get hurt !!!! I have complained to you in the past, go to Toyotanation.com and look at all the vehicles with the same issues. The date below is incorrect disregard it

Filed Mar 23, 2021 · Brakes · 191,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH down a hill, while depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floor and the vehicle hesitated and started making an abnormal sound. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact regained control and stopped the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to dch wappingers falls toyota (1349 u.s. 9, wappingers falls, ny 12590, (845) 288-0892) where it was diagnosed with needing the brake actuator to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 191,000.

Filed Mar 27, 2013 · Acceleration · 60,000 miles · CT

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.

Filed Apr 11, 2011 · Brakes · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated there was a recurring failure in which the vehicle experienced an increased stopping distance when braking at low speeds. In addition, there was a slight hesitation when engaging the brakes before they would respond. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on numerous occasions in which they were unable to diagnose the failure. The rotors were repaired once but did not correct the failure. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 65,623.

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.

Filed Apr 28, 2009 · Transmission · VA

Automatic transmission on my 2006 toyota highlander w/ 3.4 liter engine has hesitation when shifting down to 2nd or 1st gear, e.g., stepping on the gas from a complete stop to turn against on-coming traffic. There is a disconcerting moment of hesitation before the transmission seems to engage. Dealer told me it is normal due to the fly-by-wire technology. I don't believe it and I am concerned about it's safety. I am also worried that I waited this long to bring it up because the car has 35,550 miles on it and the warranty is about to run out. I have heard this from other highlander owners too.

Filed May 27, 2008 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 24,000 miles · VA

Friday early may 2008, I carried my highlander for it's 30k service at 28k, due to hesitation, lurching, backfiring at times and poor gas mileage. At the service, I was told they clean the accelerator senor. The vehicle ran fine getting 28 miles per gallon, but notice a change in the vehicle grounding. I could hear the engine noise though the radio sometimes in the morning. The engine noise was added feature. I noticed the engine shifting was smooth until the following tuesday. It was rain traffic medium driving 65 MPH. The highlander consumed a quarter of a tank within 20 miles. My highlander is kept in garage nightly and most of the day. I make an appointment to my nearest toyota dealer on 16may08 31k. The local dealership reset my vehicle?s computer by connecting the battery and reconnection. I was told 2 weeks before hand at the dealership it was a possibly of vehicle ?s computer software needing upgrading when they cleaned the accelerator senor. Today, the vehicle doesn't have the smooth accelerating power. For this vehicle, riding in traffic causes serious problems due lack of power lurching, poor gas mileage or the possible of losing control. No computer test was completed. I change gas station types and various gas treatments, it ?s not the gas. I have driving and working on cars since 1978 from engine, electrical system and brakes. I even noticed when the highlander is full with gas. The vehicle sometime cough or delay. Is there a lemon law this?

Filed Oct 30, 2007 · Acceleration · 15,252 miles · WA

I accelerated to avoid a collision at low speed in an intersection. The car hesitated about 2 seconds after I pressed the gas pedal, then lurched forward, spinning the drive wheels. The length of delay or hesitation in response to accelerator input is frequently there, but is somewhat unpredictable, making stop-and-go traffic performance dangerous. Poor performance of the cruise control function is probably related to this defect. The car was returned to the dealer for service at 1500 miles. The dealer did a thorough check of the equipment and found no defective parts. Dealer states that there are no service bulletins for this problem, in spite of the fact that toyota has acknowledged this problem and promised to fix it since december 2004. This is a serious problem. Had the pavement been wet, I could have lost control of the vehicle. Fortunately, in the incident described, the other driver was able to avoid a collision. Next time, I might not be so lucky.

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.

Filed Apr 15, 2007 · Transmission · 9,791 miles · FL

Erratic shifting of transmission,hesitation,searching for gears .transmission does not idle down when coming to a stop, causing hard braking when it should not be necessary.toyota replaced the transmission at 9,500 miles, it is having some issues just not as severe as the old transmission.

Filed Mar 19, 2007 · Transmission · 5,407 miles · FL

I bought this car 6 months ago and have the following problem. There is a unpredictable 2-3 second hesitation on acceleration when entering traffic stream from a parking lot or attempting to pass another vehicle when I am driving relatively slow and want to accelerate. When I have to scoot it stumbles before picking up speed so I am not scooting as well as I should be to keep from interfering with other oncoming traffic. It acts as if the ignition has been turned off for an instant causing me to lurch forward momentarily as the car decelerates before the engine catches and lunges forward in acceleration. This hesitation throws off my balance and timing causing a sensation of stalling in traffic and becoming a safety concern for me and is a problem. Today I took it to the toyota dealer and explained the problem as the vehicle is still under warranty. The service invoice states: "customer states there is a hesitation upon acceleration as if the vehicle cuts off and then it lunges ?????????" they said there is nothing wrong as this is an inherent toyota design feature because it has electronic throttle and they could have saved me a trip to see them if I had called and told them the problem. The service invoice states: "test drove vehicle, performed diagnostic test. No defect of parts or craftsmanship of this vehicle." they said I have just a few thousand miles on the car and the computer is learning my driving habits and may settle down after a while. I have owned many cars over the years and think I am aware of when a car tends to hesitate on acceleration. I asked them what they will tell me when I come back in a few weeks and tell them I still have the same problem and they said they will tell me the same thing. If what they say is true then all toyotas should be immediately recalled as a safety hazard. What are my options?

Filed Feb 26, 2007 · Transmission · MD · crash · 2 injuries

I noticed hesitation in gear shifting and some lunging when my foot was off the brake after I purchased a new 2006 highlander in july 2006 and made a mental note to have it checked at the first follow-up service. In october 2006, I was pulling out of a post office parking lot while aware of 2 cars at a safe distance away. When in the intersection, 1 of the 2 cars was traveling much faster than anticipated. When I accelerated quickly, the car just seemed to choke, and the car collided into my rear side (driver's side). I and the other driver had only minor injuries, but the collision was very frightening and it could have been much worse. I also felt that something more serious was wrong with my car than I had thought. After I got my car back from the body repair shop (7 weeks later), I took it into to the dealer and asked them to check the problem. I was told all of the highlanders have that hesitation if the gas pedal is pressed hard. I was told to press down only gradually. Since then, I continue to notice the problem with my car. It makes me feel very unsafe and am not sure how to resolve the issue other than to sell the car. I am worried however that others may be at risk because of this feature with the transmission.