The 2006 Toyota Highlander has more NHTSA complaints than any other Highlander model year: 647 as of October 24, 2026. The 2008 is second with 600, then the 2021 with 540 and the 2019 with 508. The older pair and the newer pair have different problems. Brakes are the biggest theme on the 2006 and 2008; a transmission whine is the biggest on the 2019 and 2021.
These are raw counts across 6,568 complaints for the 2001 through 2026 Highlander, not adjusted for sales or miles, and owners choose whether to file. Use them to see where problems cluster.
Which Highlander years have the most complaints?
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 647 |
| 2008 | 600 |
| 2021 | 540 |
| 2019 | 508 |
| 2020 | 327 |
| 2002 | 299 |
| 2004 | 286 |
| 2017 | 274 |
The 2007, between the two worst early years, has only 233. The 2006 was the Highlander Hybrid's first model year, and the 2008 was the first year of the second generation.
What went wrong with the 2006 Highlander?
Brakes are named in 258 of the 2006's 647 complaints, about 40%, more than the next two areas combined.
I searched the narratives: 132 of the 647 describe the brakes failing or losing stopping power, and 317 mention the hybrid. I don't have the hybrid's share of 2006 sales, so this points at the hybrid rather than proves it. Keyword counts are rough, too; a narrative can match without describing the problem. The 2008 shows the brake pattern too: 120 of its 600 complaints describe brakes failing or losing power, and 151 mention the hybrid.
The 2006 has 11 recall campaigns on file.
One, 10V499000, filed in October 2010, is for the hydraulic brake system's master cylinder components. Another, 13V396000, covers the hybrid system's inverter. Two more are accelerator pedal campaigns, from 2006 and 2011.
What do 2019 and 2021 Highlander owners complain about?
Transmission & Drivetrain is named in 225 of the 2021's 540 complaints, about 42%.
In the narratives, 158 of the 2021's complaints describe a whining noise, most often from the transmission while accelerating, and some say a dealer recommended replacing the transmission. The 2019 has the same theme: 117 of its 508 complaints describe a whine. A whine you can hear on a test drive is the cheap way to find out before you buy.
Which Highlander years have the fewest complaints?
Among years with a long record, the 2016 is lowest at 116, then the 2001 at 136 and the 2014 at 137. The 2024 through 2026 have only 43, 10 and 4, but a new model year needs years on the road before its count means much.
Which Highlander years should you avoid?
On the complaint record, the 2006 and 2008, especially the hybrids, and the 2019 and 2021. The 2020, between them, has 327 complaints; check it the same way. On an older hybrid, have the brakes inspected and confirm the brake and inverter campaigns were done. On a 2019 to 2021, listen for a whine under acceleration and ask about transmission work in the service history.
Check any used Highlander's VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup before you pay. If you're shopping new instead, the 2026 Highlander hybrid rates 35 MPG combined in our best gas mileage SUV ranking. Whichever you buy, RideTruth's garage can keep watch on it for new recall campaigns.