10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,712 miles

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problem #4

Jan 152006

Highlander Hybrid

  • 350 miles
We bought a new 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid in 2005 and, from time to time since we bought it, the accelerator pedal kind of sticks or surges in certain driving conditions. When you try to reduce speed by taking your foot off the gas pedal. It sometimes does not immediately respond, it takes a few seconds to reduce speed and sometimes actually surges a little, which it also does sometimes when you are driving at a consistent speed. I thought it had to do with the hybrid feature and just sort of learned to be sensitive to it and hit the brakes if it needed it, but this sounds like what is going on with other models subject to the recall and, as our model is not subject to the recall, I am concerned about it. Please advise.

- Lake Bluff, IL, USA

problem #3

Feb 102010

Highlander Hybrid

  • 10,000 miles
My 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid loses all power on ice or any slippery surface. This has caused my car to "die" on several occasions including entering and exiting highways, driving on hills, driving in snow. I have slid off my driveway when I encountered an icy patch. I had no control. Upon entering a freeway via an icy entrance ramp, my car lost all power while entering traffic and I was forced to coast to the shoulder in a very dangerous situation.

- Newtown, CT, USA

problem #2

Dec 242009

Highlander Hybrid

  • 36,000 miles
I purchased a 2006 Toyota hybrid highlander from alexandria Toyota. Alexandria, va. Over the years since purchase, I have noticed problems with a peculiar "forward thrust movement" with active breaking and have had it in the shop specifically for this in 2007, as well as mentioned it at all manufacturer checkup times.the dealer downloaded some new Toyota "drive train computerized program once ("2007) to correct the problem, but the problem intermittently continues. Here is a specific example which occurred christmas eve when applying the brakes prior to the stop sign at the end of our street. I applied the brakes but the car did not stop, instead it "thrust itself", for lack of better word, further forward while breaks were applied, forcing me to slam on the brakes to avoid busy cross street oncoming traffic. Upon slamming the breaks all the way down and holding, the car reacted correctly and stopped. Inches away from a car traveling at 35 mph or more. Our street road was not wet nor did it have ice: The car motion was not one of a slippery slide. The ambient temperature was 40F. My teens were in the car, and the passenger seated teen observed the situation. She has similarly reported this tendency to "go forward" with braking rather than slow, and the need to press hard. I was naturally upset at this near miss occurrence christmas eve. I personally have had this happen at least a half a dozen times as I can recall since purchase. I called Toyota when it first happened to report it without satisfaction. I went to my dealer without correction or recognition of it being a problem. The recent reports on fellow Toyota brands have me worried. Any car that goes forward rather than stop under certain conditions when breaks are applied is worrisome. Please include your evaluation of the Highlander hybrid in your review. Is Toyota aware and not telling us? I want NHTSA to know about this and I appreciate any help you have to offer.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #1

Sep 282005

Highlander Hybrid 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles
Since I owned the car in speeds between 40 and 45 mph there is a hesitation back and fourth this is a hybrid highlander 2006 reported it twice no fix yet.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA