The 2006 Highlander is mechanically solid overall, but the 3.3L V6 (non-hybrid) suffers from a catastrophic oil-consumption defect that can destroy engines. The AWD transmission and its cooling system also show chronic weaknesses around 100k miles.
Symptoms: Burning 1+ quart every 1,000 miles without external leaks, Blue smoke from exhaust on cold start or acceleration, Check engine light (P0300-series misfires) when rings carbon up, Complete engine seizure if oil level goes unnoticed
Fix: Piston ring design allows oil to bypass into combustion chambers; carbon deposits worsen it. Full engine rebuild (pistons, rings, hone cylinders, often bearings) or short-block replacement required. 18-24 labor hours for in-chassis rebuild, 28-32 for full R&R.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Pink fluid puddle under vehicle (transmission fluid mixed with coolant), Transmission slipping or delayed engagement, Overheating transmission temperature gauge, Milky or strawberry-colored fluid on dipstick
Fix: Steel cooler lines rust through where they pass frame rails; fluid cross-contaminates into radiator. Requires new cooler lines, radiator flush (sometimes radiator replacement), transmission flush, filter. If coolant entered transmission, full rebuild needed. 3-5 hours if caught early, 20+ if transmission damaged.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 (lines only); $3,500-5,000 (if trans rebuild needed)
Front and Rear Transmission Mounts Collapse
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk or thud when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration at idle that disappears when shifted to Neutral, Excessive engine/trans movement visible when revving in Park
Fix: Rubber isolators deteriorate; front mount sees most stress. Replace front and rear mounts as a pair. 2.5-3.5 hours.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Front Lower Control Arm Bushings Torn
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front suspension, Steering wander or vague on-center feel, Inner-edge tire wear, Alignment won't hold or shows out-of-spec camber/caster
Fix: Rear bushings in lower control arms crack and separate, especially in rust-belt states. Most shops replace entire control arm assemblies rather than pressing bushings. 3-4 hours for both sides including alignment.
Estimated cost: $700-1,100
EVAP Charcoal Canister Clogging
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light P0441, P0446 (EVAP system incorrect purge flow), Fuel tank hard to fill / pump nozzle clicks off repeatedly, Fuel smell near rear of vehicle, Hissing sound when opening fuel cap
Fix: Charcoal canister saturates from repeated short trips or overfilling tank; vent valve sticks. Replace canister and vent valve as assembly. 1.5-2 hours.
Estimated cost: $400-650
Power Steering Rack Seeping
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 110,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: Power steering fluid drips from bellows boots at tie-rod ends, Groaning or whining when turning at low speed, Steering effort increases gradually over weeks, Puddle on ground after sitting overnight, driver's side front
Fix: Inner rack seals fail; fluid leaks into boots and eventually outside. Rack replacement required (rebuilds rarely available or reliable). 4-5 hours including alignment.
Estimated cost: $900-1,500
Owner tips
Check oil level every 500 miles on 3.3L V6 engines — this is not optional; engine failure happens fast once consumption starts
Inspect transmission cooler lines at every oil change for rust, especially at frame contact points; catch this before fluids mix
Replace transmission fluid every 30,000 miles even though Toyota says 'lifetime' — cooling system stress shortens fluid life
Avoid topping off fuel tank past first click — EVAP system is fragile and canister replacement is expensive
Avoid the 3.3L V6 gas models unless you can verify short-block replacement or accept engine-rebuild risk; the 2.4L I4 and Hybrid 3.3L don't share the oil-consumption defect and are much safer used buys.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: 12V auxiliary battery only; hybrid system uses separate high-voltage battery pack
As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.
Every control module on the 2004-2007 Toyota Highlander — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
⚠️ Optional equipment; sensor calibration may be required
Back Monitor Camera ECU (CAMERA ECU)0.6 hr R&Rno coding
📍 Rear cargo area, integrated with camera assembly or behind trim
⚠️ Optional equipment on 2006-2007; plug-and-play
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 LEXUS RX330, RX350, AND RX400H VEHICLES. IF THE FORWARD RETENTION CLIP USED TO SECURE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE CENTER CONSOLE, IS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY TEMPORARILY BECOME STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION RATHER THAN RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION. A STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN UNINTENDED AND SUSTAINED VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE FREE OR CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · 10V499000
2010-10-21
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS LUBRICANTS FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Consequence: A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAL WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 AND LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · 10V035000
2010-02-03
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · 10V036000
2010-02-03
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · 09V223000
2009-06-15
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Consequence: INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2006 Toyota Highlander 3.3L V6 Hybrid and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.