2004 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 286 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 32 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 23 people were injured and 47 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Engine and engine coolingNov 9, 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.
IN SOME CASES, THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A SUDDEN INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL CHECK THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TO IDENTIFY WHETHER IT WAS PRODUCED BY THE U.S. SUPPLIER. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PULLEY WITH A NEW ONE AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING EARLY JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 11V539000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalFeb 24, 2011
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 11V112000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderOct 21, 2010
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 10V499000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalJul 13, 2006
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND HYBRID VEHICLES, THE TWO RETAINING CLIPS FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE FORWARD CENTER CONSOLE CAN BECOME LOOSE. IF BOTH CLIPS SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING INTERFERENCE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ROD.
THIS CONDITION MAY INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO FLOOR CARPET COVER RETAINING CLIPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 24, 2006, AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY EARLY SEPTEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Campaign 06V253000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchApr 15, 2004
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE A CHILD PROTECTION LOCK (CPL) SYSTEM ON BOTH OF THE REAR SIDE DOORS. WHEN AN OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE CLOSES THE DOOR VERY HARD WITH THE CPL LEVER SET TO THE LOCK POSITION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE LEVER MAY CONTACT THE BODY PANEL, CAUSING THE CPL LEVER TO MOVE INTO THE UNLOCK POSITION.
THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE DOOR TO BE OPENED WITH THE INSIDE WHILE THE OPERATOR BELIEVES THAT THE CPL WAS ACTIVATED. IF THE DOOR WERE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AN OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT AND BE INJURED.
DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE CPL LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 04V181000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
286 reports, newest first.
Steering, Engine, May 22, 2026
Hello, I am the Buyer of the subject Vehicle, Upon doing my research, I found out several reports stating that The subject vehicle's 2.4L engine has manufacturing defect, that causes Head Bolts to get stripped/melt down in to oil causing Engine failures and Life threating risk in the middle of the road.
Air bags, Wheels, Oct 9, 2024, crash
My car malfunctioned my tire locked up while I was driving on the high way causing me to spin out of control and skid all the way into a guard rail totalled my car out and not one air bag went off
Air bags, Feb 16, 2024
The passenger airbag occupancy sensor in my car has stopped sensing a passenger has been stuck on "OFF" for the past 2-6 months (I believe) even when an adult is sitting in the seat. I don't know exactly when this problem began because there was never any warning light or error message which is a massive safety oversight since I could have been in accident with no knowledge that it wasn't working properly. The car is currently at the dealership and they are telling me it's $1300 to replace the sensor and that there is no way to bypass the sensor and just have it "ON" for the safety of my passenger. There is already a recall for this same system in newer Highlanders, but why is there no support for older Highlanders?
Structure, Oct 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front bumper inadvertently detached. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was determined that the front lower bumper covers had been attached with mounting tabs and that the bumper assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of an unknown recall. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
Service brakes, Jan 4, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND PRESSING TO BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL FAILED TO RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION. THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO EXCEED 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER GROOVE TOYOTA LOCATED AT 5460 S BROADWAY, ENGLEWOOD, CO 80113 HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 14, 2020, crash
WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH A HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION ZONE MY CAR SUDDENLY BECAME HARD TO STEER, AND MY SPEED BECAME GREATER, TRIED TO (BREAK) DECELERATE THE CAR BEGAN SLIDING OUT OF CONTROL-PLOWING INTO THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION BARRIERS PART LODGED IN FRONT PASSENGER WINDSHIELD. THE CAR WENT THROUGH THE DITCH BECAME AIRBORNE THROUGH A ROD IRON FENCE SHATTERED THE REAR SECOND-ROW RIGHT SIDE WINDOW SPUN OUT , AND CAME TO REST JUST FEET FROM THE SOME PILEINGS. THIS IS THE INFORMATION OF MY DAUGHTER WHOM IS AN OUT OF STATE COLLEGE SENIOR AND VERY SHAKEN UP FROM THIS ORDEAL, THIS HER STATEMENT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE. POSSIBLY THE PLACEMENT OF THE 🚧 COULD HAVE BEEN A CONTRIBUTOR, AND THE UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION. VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT USED A YEAR AGO. CAN YOU HELP UP LEARN WHY?
Vehicle speed control, Nov 26, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. UPON APPLYING MINIMAL PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, A DUMPSTER, AND ALMOST STRUCK A GROUP OF CHILDREN BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED AND WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE PAIN TO THE NECK AND BACK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS SUBJECT TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V112000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Seat belts, Sep 8, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE FABRIC MATERIAL STRAP BECAME FRAYED AND SHREDDED AT THE BUCKLE LOCATION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (ATLANTIC TOYOTA IN LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS) AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *JS
Other or unspecified, Jul 11, 2017
THE TRANSFER CASE IS LEAKING AFTER ONLY 68000 MILES. THE LEAKING OIL DROPS OVER THE HEATED EXHAUST PIPE WHICH CAUSES FUME IN THE CABIN THROUGH AIR CONDITION AND FAN
Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Service brakes, Apr 7, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. THE TRACTION CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE, VSC, AND BRAKE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V499000 (SERVICE BRAKES), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,489.
Engine, Feb 12, 2017
MY TRAC OFF LIGHTS, ENGINE AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. I WORK FAR FROM HOME SO I TOOK IT TO THE VALVOLINE NEAR MY JOB TO CHECK THE OIL. I DIDN'T WANT TO DRIVE MY CAR HOME IF THERE WAS NO OIL. THEY CHECKED THE OIL, UNDERNEATH MY CAR AND SAID EVERYTHINGWAS FINE AND TO TAKE TO MY MECHANIC TO CHECK THE ENGINE. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO KEPT IT FOR 4 DAYS AND SAID ITS THE OIL SLUGE AND HE WAS TRYING TO SAVE THE ENGINE. MY MECHANIC SAID THEY HAD A LEXUS IN THE WEEK BEFORE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM IN 2002, AND TOYOTA ONLY CONTACTEDTHE ORIGINAL OWNERS NOT ALL PEOPLE WHO HAD REGISTERED CARS. I BOUGHT THIS SECOND HAND THROUGH CAR MAX IN 2010 AND THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED THEN. MY CAR HAS 145,000.00.
Engine, Sep 13, 2016
THE OUTER RING OF THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY HAS PULLED AWAY FROM THE INNER RING CAUSING DAMAGE TO ALL SYSTEM AND CAN AFFECT STEERING. THIS ALREADY HAS A RECALL FOR MY MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR, BUT NOT FOR MY VIN NUMBER. IT SEEMS STRANGE THAT THIS EXACT SAME THING THAT HAS THE RECALL AFFECTS MY CAR, BUT REPAIR IS NOT COVERED. SHOULD RECALL BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE OTHER VIN NUMBERS??
Electrical system, Jul 13, 2016
THE PASSENGER SIDE IN THE REAR WINDOWS ARE DEFECTIVE. THEY WILL NOT POWER UP OR DOWN THE WINDOWS IN THE BACK OF SUV. ALSO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IS NOW NOT OPERATING UP OR DOWN. THE POWER WINDOW PARTS HAVE FAILED TWO YEARS AGO, AND NOW IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN. THIS 2004 SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE OTHER RECALLS ON NEWER MODELS.
Steering, Jul 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE REQUIRED GREATER EFFORT TO STEER. WHILE STEERING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE STAFF ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 123,000.
Air bags, Jun 2, 2016
THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR TWO DAYS NOW. THERE IS A BUZZING LIKE SOMETHING IS MALFUNCTIONING ON MY PASSENGER SIDE COMING FROM THE DASH I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO PEP BOYS AND THEY SAID THAT MY AIR BAG IS MALFUNCTIONING. IS RESULT OF THIS MY JOB WON'T LET ME DRIVE PATIENTS BECAUSE OF THE DANGER. THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE FIXED. I KNOW FOR A FACT IT'S THE AIRBAG BECAUSE TOYOTA TOLD WHEN I BROUGHT IT THERE BECAUSE PEP BOYS TOLD GO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO CONFIRM AND IT WAS!. THIS HAPPENS IN MOTION AND A LITTLE WHILE IN MOTION. WHEN IT IS HUMID OUTSIDE THE BUZZING IS EVEN WORSER TO WHERE THE SIDE PANEL VY DRIVERS LEFT LEG VIBRATE.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 25, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO AN OAK TREE. THE CONTACT WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED KNEE, BACK, SHOULDER, AND CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND LATER DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 10, 2016
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH ON A CITY STREETAND THE VSC INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STARTED BREAKING ON ITS OWN. A LOUD SCRAPPING SOUND WAS HEARD. IT WAS ABOUT 70DEGREES AND SUNNY AND THE CAR THOUGHT I WAS GOING DOWN A SLIPPERY SLOPE. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE. EVERY TIME I GOT ABOVE 8-10 MPH THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THE CARE WOULD START BREAKING BECOMING UNABLE TO DRIVE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 29, 2016
IN FEB 2005 WHILE DOING ABOUT 30 MPH THE VSC LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED BRAKING, ON IT'S OWN, TO THE RIGHT MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. THE NEXT MORNING THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. THE CAR DISPLAYED NO CODES AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD CALIBRATED THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. WE HAD NO FURTHER PROBLEMS UNTIL MAR 24, 2016. THIS TIME THE VSC INDICATOR CAME ON AT ABOUT 40 MPH. IF I SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 20 MPH THE INDICATOR WOULD GO OFF. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME BUT THE CAR BRAKED, ON IT'S OWN, SEVERAL TIMES. WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE TOYOTA DEALER. I'M AFRAID THAT THE EXPENSE TO REPAIR IT MAY COME CLOSE TO WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH. NHTSA NEEDS TO WAKE UP AND INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME. THIS PROBLEM COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF IT OCCURRS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE CAR BRAKES ON IT'S OWN AT 75 MPH.
Air bags, Jan 21, 2016, crash
CAR IN MOTION @45 MILES AN HOUR AT 8AM 12/29/14. DRIVER LOST CONSCIOUSNESS DUE TO MEDICAL EVENT, WHICH RESULTED IN AUTO RUNNING OFF ROAD AFTER HITTING CURB AND SIDEWALK, THEN HITTING A ROADSIDE FENCE AT AN ESTIMATED 45 MPH. THE CAR THEN ROLLED AND LANDED ON ROOF. DRIVER WAS SEAT-BELTED. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING THE COLLISION. DRIVER SUFFERED TRAUMA TO HEAD AND OTHER INJURIES. CAR WAS RATED BY INSURER AS COMPLETELY TOTALED.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 4, 2015
HEAT DOESN'T WORK AND A/C INTERMITTENTLY BLOWS COLD OR HOT. WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS WILL FOG UP IN BAD WEATHER AND WITHOUT HEAT I CAN'T DEFOG THEM FORCING ME TO PULL OVER AND MANUALLY WIPE THE FOG OFF EVERY FEW MINUTES.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 8, 2015
TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON DURING NORMAL DRIVING
Engine, Sep 26, 2015
WE HAVE A VEHICLE WITH A 2.4LITER/4 CYLINGER ENGINE THAT IS LOOSING OIL AT A RATE OF 1QRT PER 1000 MILES AND NOW THERE IS A COOLANT LEAK COMING FROM THE GASKET SEAL BETWEEN THE ENGINE BLOCK AND HEAD. THERE IS NO GUAGE THAT TELLS YOU HOW MUCH OIL IS MISSING UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE AND THE ENGINE STARTS TO OVER HEAT. BOTH THE OIL AND COOLANT IS LEAKING ON ROADS, PARKING LOTS AND DRIVEWAYS, WHAT WE HAVE FOUND IS THAT THE BOLTS THAT ARE NEAREST THE LEAK ARE STRIPPED, THEY EITHER STRIPPED IN ASSEMBLY OR FLAILED DO TO OVERHEATING OF THE BLOCK DO TO THE ENGINE BLOCK NOT HAVING SUFFICIENT COOLING BECAUSE OF A HEAVY FOAM PAD THAT RESTRICTS AIR FLOE AROUND THE ENGINE CAUSING THE HEAD TO FLEX AND LEAK AT THE GASKET SEAL BASED ON ONLINE COMPLAINTS THERE ARE HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. SEEMS THAT SOME OF THESE ENGINES ARE HAVING SUCCESS BY DRILLING, TAPPING AND INSERTING NEW COILS INTO THE ALUMINUM BLOCK, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE A PERMANENT SOLUTION. IT SEEMS THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE. THE MOST COMMON SUGGESTED REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE MOTOR AND WE ASSUME THAT THEY PROBLEM WILL HAPPEN AGAIN SINCE THEY HAVE REDESIGNED THE PROBLEM.. REPLACEMENT IS AT THE OWNERS COST FOR MATERIALS AND LABOR AT APPROX $6,000-$8,000.
Tires, Sep 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN LTX M/S2 TIRES, SIZE: P225/75/R16 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE THREAD SEPARATED FROM THE BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Seats, Aug 11, 2015
BEGAN DRIVING VEHICLE A WEEK AGO, USED TO BE MY WIFE'S VEHICLE. I NOTICED A SQUEAK IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, AND NOTICED IT WIGGLED. I EXAMINED THE MOUNTING BOLTS, AND ALL 4 SEAT BOLTS WERE LOOSE, NOT EVEN FINGER TIGHT. THE ONLY SERVICE PERFORMED ANYWHERE NEAR THE SEAT WAS RECALL WORK ON THE FLOOR MAT RETAINING CLIP AND A SEAL IN THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, BOTH RECALLS WERE DONE SIMULTANEOUSLY AT RUDY LUTHER TOYOTA, 8805 WAYZATA BLVD, GOLDEN VALLEY, MN 55426. RECALL WORK WAS DONE A COUPLE YEARS AGO. I TIGHTENED THE BOLTS WITH MY OWN TOOLS. PASSENGER SEAT BOLTS WERE TIGHT.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, May 27, 2015, crash
GAS STATION DID NOT CLOSE HOOD COMPLETELY AND IT BLEW OPEN WHILE TRYING TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY AT JUST OVER 40 MILES PER HOUR.THE SECONDARY SAFETY CATCH DID NOT HOLD OR WORK ! THE HOOD BLEW OPEN AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD AND BENT THE HOOD UP INTO THE ROOF.THE TOPS OF THE FENDERS NEAR THE HINGES WERE ALSO RIPPED UP.