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.
Power train, Jul 15, 2005
MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V6 (3.3L WITH 5-SPEED TRANSMISSION) HAS AN INTERMITTENT FAULT WHERE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL ABRUBTLY DROP DOWN A GEAR (OR GEARS) WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY TRYING TO ACCELERATE CREATING A SENSATION LIKE IT IS BUCKING OR PORPOUSING. USUALL STEPPING OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR IS SUFFICIENT TO ELIMINATE THE BUCKING SENSATION. THIS HAS OCCURED SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN AUGUST 2004.
Engine and engine cooling, Tires, Jul 13, 2005
INDICATOR LIGHTS ON DASH SAY CONTACT YOUR DEALER. ONE IS THE TIRE PRESSURE AND THE OTHER IS THE ENGINE. HAVE CARRIED TO DEALER 3 TIMES AND STILL OCCURS. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO PICKUP TOMORROW AND CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT. ONLY LISTED LAST DATE
Power train, Jun 22, 2005
AT APPRX. 13000 MILES ON A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, NOTICED INCREASINGLY ROUGH SHIFTING FROM THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE OFTEN HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING, THEN SURGES INTO NEXT GEAR, CAUSING UNPREDICTABLE RIDE. THROUGHOUT THE GEARS, VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE HUNTING FOR GEARS, UPSHIFTING & DOWNSHIFTING AT ODD TIMES, CAUSING A ROUGH, UNPREDICTABLE RIDE. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY 'RECALIBRATED' THE TRANMISSION, HOWEVER, THIS DIDN'T SEEM TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM.
Power train, Jun 22, 2005
AT 12 MONTHS AND 13,000 MILES, NOTICED 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. DURING SHIFTING, TRANSMISSION OFTEN HESITATES AND THEN SUDDENLY SURGES INTO NEXT GEAR, CAUSING INABILITY TO PREDICT VEHICLE PERFORMANCE. THROUGHOUT DRIVING, TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE ITS HUNTING FOR GEARS, FREQUENTLY SHIFTING AT ODD TIMES, CAUSING A ROUGH, UNPREDICTABLE RIDE.
Tires, Jun 4, 2005
MY VEHICLE IS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. DURING THE 15,000 MILE SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT ALL 4 TIRES WERE WORN TO THE POINT OF NEEDING REPLACEMENT. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT THE TIRES WERE WEARING EVENLY AND THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS AT THE RECCOMMENDED PRESSURE. DURING MY INSPECTION I COULD FEEL SOME SLIGHT CUPPING ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE TIRES. THE TIRES ARE TOYO TRANPATH A11 SIZE P225/70R16. THE DEALERSHIP IS SUPPOSED TO CONTACT MANUFACTURER TO SEE WHAT KIND OF ASSISTANCE THEY CAN PROVIDE. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO ODI NUMBER 10067341
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 27, 2005
NO EVENTS LED UP TO THE FAILURE. WIFE DROVE CAR, BRAKE WARNING COMES UP ON DASHBOARD, SHE PULLED OVER. WIFE CALLED ME ON CELL. I THOUGHT IT W THE PARKING BRAKE. I TOLD HER TO MANIPULATE TO CLEAR THE WARNING TO NO AVAIL. THEN I TOLD HER TO OPEN THE HOOD TO LOOK AT THE BRAKE CYLINDER. THE BRAKE CYLINDER HAD DISCONNECTED FROM ITS HOLDER. A SINGLE PIN HOLDS IT IN PLACE. THIS PIN APPARENTLY BROKE CAUSING THE CYLINDER TO FALL OVER AND RELEASE THE BRAKE FLUID. THE CYLINDER WAS LAYNG OVER ON ITS SIDE DANGLING BY TWO WIRES. MY WIFE WAS ABOUT 80 MILES FROM HOME VISITING HER PARENTS. SHE THOUGHT SHE COULD DRIVE HOME SO IT COULD BE REPAIRED BY OUR DEALER, DAYTON TOYOTA IN DAYTON, NJ. I TOLD HER NOT TO DRIVE GIVEN THAT THERE WAS NO BRAKE FLUID. IF SHE HAD DRIVEN HER STOPPING DISTANCES WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT LONGER. WE CONTACTED AAA THEN A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER - STAR TOYOTA OF BAYSIDE, NY. THEY ARRANGED FOR A FLATBED TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON A SUNDAY SO IT STAYED AT A AAA SERVICE STATION OVERNIGHT. STAR TOYOTA NOTED THAT THEY WOULD WORK ON IT RIGHT AWAY SO MY WIFE COULD DRIVE HOME. THEY DIDN'T WORK ON IT UNTIL WEDNESDAY WHEN I HAD TO GO GET THE CAR. STAR REPLACED THE CYLINDER SUB ASSEMBLY, BLED THE SYSTEM AND REPLACED THE FLUID. MY CONCERN IS HOW MANY OTHER 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS ARE OUT THERE WITH THIS TYPE OF DEFECT. AS NOTED THERE WAS NO REASON FOR TEH FAILURE OF THE PIN HOLDING THE BRAKE FLUID CYLINDER. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A WARNING TO DEALERS TO CHECK FOR THIS PROBLEM.
Power train, May 17, 2005
I OWN A 2004 HIGHLANDER LIMITED, V6, 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC. WHEN DECELERATING AND THEN ACCELERATING, THERE IS A 1 TO 2 SECOND HESITATION BEFORE THE CAR MOVES AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME. THIS INACTION BY THE VEHICLE IS A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN MERGING ONTO A FAST-MOVING FREEWAY. NOTE: THIS HESITATION DOES NOT OCCUR IF YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I DID A WEB SEARCH TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, AND I FOUND A LOT OF COMPLAINTS (YOU NEED TO ADD "WEB SEARCH" TO YOUR "SOURCE" LIST BELOW). SO IT'S NOT JUST MY VEHICLE. THIS DESIGN FAULT IS EVIDENT ON ALL TOYOTAS WITH THE 3.3 LITER, 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC. EVIDENTLY THE LEXUS ES330 AND RX330 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE A FRIEND WITH A 2004 SIENNA THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN, THEY SAID IT WAS THE ELECTRONICALLY-CONTROLLED TRANSMISSION, AND THAT "IT WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY." I ASKED ABOUT REPROGRAMMING THE FLASH MEMORY OF THE CONTROLLER INVOLVED AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO UPDATED SOFTWARE, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. SO, I GUESS IT'S UP TO YOU TO GET TOYOTA TO DO SOMETHING. I SEE HERE ON YOUR SITE, THAT THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A REPEATABLE, MEASURABLE SYSTEM FAULT. JUST TAKE A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH A V6 OUT FOR A DRIVE. THEN SLOW DOWN A BIT, THEN ACCELERATE AS YOU WOULD NORMALLY. THE CAR WILL HESITATE. EVERY TIME. NOW DO THIS WHILE YOU'RE MERGING ONTO A FAST-MOVING FREEWAY. WHEN IT HESITATES, YOU'LL DO AN "OH,?!@#$%" AND ACCELERATE HARDER, AT WHICH POINT THE TRANSMISSION WILL HESITATE SLIGHTLY AGAIN, THEN SHIFT DOWN. THE ENGINE WILL REV UP AND YOU'LL ROAR OUT ONTO THE FREEWAY LIKE AN IDIOT. PLEASE. DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT, IF IT HASN'T HAPPENED ALREADY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, May 16, 2005
DT: 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH HESITATION PROBLEM. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN ENTERING INTERSTATE AND NEED TO ACCELERATE, IT HESITATES THEN QUICKLY JOLTS. TAKEN TO DEALER WHO SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. EXPLAINED VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRIC THROTTLE CONTROL AND IS NOT CONTROLLED BY A THROTTLE CABLE AS PART OF FEDERAL EMISSIONS REGULATION, THIS MAKES CHANGING GEARS A LITTLE LONGER TO DO SINCE THE THROTTLE DOES NOT OPEN ALL THE WAY OUT . *TT
Engine and engine cooling, May 9, 2005
EXCESSIVE SULFUR DIOXIDE IN 2004 V6 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, THERE IS ALREADY A TSB ON THE V4, BUT I OWN A V6 AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW (STOP AND GO AND ACCELERATION, THERE IS A ROTTEN-EGG SMELL). I'VE BEEN TOLD BY 2 TOYOTA SERVICE STATIONS THAT IT IS THE GAS. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT THE CASE. I'VE TRIED EVERY TYPE OF GAS AVAILABLE.
Visibility, May 3, 2005
WHILE DRIVING THE NORMAL VIBRATION OF THE VEHICLE CAUSES THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR TO FALL DOWN OBSTRUCTING THE VIEW OF THE ROAD. THIS OCCURS FREQUENTLY ESPECIALLY IF THE ROAD IS UNEVEN AND ON THE FREEWAY. THE VISOR CONTAINS A FACTORY GARAGE DOOR OPENER BUILT IN. I AM 6'1" TALL; THUS, THE VIEW OF THE ROAD IS MOSTLY OBSTRUCTED. THIS FIRST OCCURRED AS I WAS DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, FORTUNANTLY I WAS NOT INVOLED IN AN ACCIDENT. IF I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THERE WAS A GOOD CHANCE OF THIS CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA REQUESTING INFORMATION ON A QUICK FIX, IF APPLICABLE, AND ASKED IF THEY ARE WILLING TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIRING THE DEFECT AS THE WARRANTY OF THE VEHICLE HAS EXPIRED.
Fuel system, Other, May 2, 2005
2004 HIGHLANDER HAS BAD THROTTLE SURGE PROBLEM .....DEALER DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO.....SAYS IT IS NORMAL????? THERE IS DEFINITLY A PROBLEM.....JUST READ SOME OF THE INTERNET SITES ON THIS AND YOU WILL SEE....
Electronic stability control, Mar 23, 2005
ON 3/17/05 I DROVE MY TOYOTA 2004 HIGHLANDER, 2,025 MILEAGE, ONTO A MAIN STREET AT ABOUT 5 MPH. A BEEPING SOUNDED, THE SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT BLINKED SLIGHTLY, AND HORRIBLE CRUNCHING AND CLANGING SOUNDS OCCURED UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IT FELT LIKE THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP. I TRIED TO SLOWLY RESUME DRIVING SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE CAR WAS INOPERABLE AND THE DEALER SENT A TOW TRUCK. THEY SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITHIN THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WHICH INTERACTS WITH THE YAW AND STEERING ANGLE SENSORS, AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THERE IS ALSO SUPPOSE TO BE A G-SENSOR ACCORDING TO TOYOTA'S WEB SITE GLOSSARY. (THE DEALER NEVER HEARD OF THE G-SENSOR). THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD STEERING ANGLE SENSOR AND HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND SINCE I'VE ONLY DRIVEN IT A FEW MILES, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S OKAY. WHAT IF THE REPLACEMENT SENSOR IS ALSO BAD? I OFTEN DRIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS ALONE, AND AM EXTREMELY WORRIED ABOUT IT. I AM RETIRED AND BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY, RELYING ON TOYOTA'S EXPERTISE, OR SO I THOUGHT! THE VSC SITUATION IS VERY SERIOUS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. I NOW WISH I HAD BOUGHT A HONDA PILOT. *AK
Power train, Mar 7, 2005
WE PURCHASED A 2004 V6/5 SPEED AUTO 2WD TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN JUNE, 04. IT HAS A HESITATION PROBLEM WHICH CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD. IT LOSES POWER FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER DECELERATING AND RE- ACCELERATING TO CHANGE LANES OR MAKE LEFT TURNS, THEREBY EXPOSING A POWERLESS, DECELERATING CAR TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWICE. THEY CLAIM IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, THEY CANNOT FIX. THEY SAY IT OCCURS AS A RESULT OF THE ADAPTIVE LEARNING ALGORITHM IN THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION PACKAGE. CHECK THE EDMONDS TOWN HALL BY SEARCHING FOR "HESITATION" AND YOU'LL FIND IT REPORTED SINCE 12/03 BY HIGHLANDER, CAMRY, SOLARA, LEXUS RX330 AND LEXUS CAMRY EQUIVALENT OWNERS ALL HAVING GOTTEN NO COMMITMENT BY TOYOTA TO FIX IT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS DESCRIBED BY THE CLASSICAL DEFINITIONS. IT OCCURS FREQUENTLY (IN MOST VEHICLES AND IN NORMAL OPERATION, AND MORE THAN A FEW OF THE OCCURRENCES WILL EXPOSE THE OCCUPANTS TO SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY. TOYOTA CLAIMS THE HESITATION IS "NORMAL" BECAUSE ALL THE HIGHLANDERS ON THE LOT DO IT--WHICH ONLY REINFORCES THE HIGH FREQUENCY ESTIMATE. FOR WHATEVER REASON, THEY ARE NOT ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE WITH ANYTHING OTHER THAN AN OFFER TO HAVE A TOYOTA REP CONFIRM YOUR CAR HAS IT AND THEN TO TAKE THE ISSUE TO ARBITRATION. ITS TIME FOR YOU TO INVESTIGATE, BEFORE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATHS OCCUR. IF WE CAN BE OF ASSISTANCE, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME. JIM MULLEN. *AK *JB
Power train, Feb 20, 2005
POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING THE 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY FILED A COMPLAINT HERE AND WITH TOYOTA ABOUT THE CAR CUTTING OUT BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MPH WHICH IS DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC. THE HESITATION IS MORE PREVALENT NOW WITH 10,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH AT 700 MILES IT WAS INFURIATING NOT KNOWING IF YOU WERE SAFE TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC OR MAKE A LEFT TURN. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS COMPANY CAN SELL UNSAFE CARS AND BE ALLOWED TO CHEAT THE PEOPLE WHO PAID FOR THEM. WHEN THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED OF COURSE. HOW LONG BEFORE SOMEONE HOLDS TOYOTA RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE PROBLEMS? HOW DO INDIVIDUALS FIGHT LARGE FOREIGN COMPANIES? ISN'T IT THIS AGENCY'S JOB TO MAKE SURE AMERICAN CONSUMERS ARE SAFE AND TREATED FAIRLY? *JB
Structure, Feb 18, 2005
OWNER STATED THAT WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP HE TEST DROVE A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE OWNER FOUND THAT THE MEASUREMENTS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WERE NOT THE SAME IN EACH VEHICLE THAT WAS TEST DRIVEN. *AK
Power train, Feb 16, 2005
SAFETY CONCERN WITH 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TRANSMISSION. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTS IN A HESITATION MODE THEN SURGES. THE VEHICLE TAKES A LONG TIME TO SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. *TC *JB
Seat belts, Feb 16, 2005, crash
THERE WAS A SEAT BELT LOCKING REEL FAILURE THAT HAD OCCURRED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT IN A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM THE SIDE. *SC *JB
Power train, Feb 14, 2005
2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HESITATION IN THE TRANSMISSION. DEALER SAID IT WAS "NORMAL", BUT I SEE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED AND THE NHTSA IS CONTEMPLATING A FORMAL INVESTIGATION. MY HIGHLANDER HESITATES EVERY TIME I REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE GAS AND QUICKLY REAPPLY IT. IN SOME CONDITIONS, IT HAPPENS AS I'M DECELERATING AND PRESS THE GAS. ALSO, PERIODICALLY, THE TRANSMISSION WILL JUMP BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN GEARS AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE DOESN'T KNOW WHICH GEAR TO BE IN.*AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 12, 2005
ERRONEOUS "REMINDER" FROM TOYOTA STATES THEY PREVIOUSLY SENT AN "OFFICIAL SAFETY RECALL NOTIFICATION" FOR "SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN SSC 40B" RE "CHILD PROTECTION LOCK SYSTEM". WE HAVE RECEIVED NO PREVIOUS NOTICE OF THIS ALLEGED RECALL. I HAVE ALREADY SENT A SEPARATE INQUIRY AND COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA MOTORS, USA ABOUT THIS. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT WE MISSED THE FIRST NOTICE, AND THAT TOYOTA CAN'T KEEP IT STRAIGHT WHO THEY NOTIFIED AND WHO THEY DIDN'T NOTIFY. *JB
Power train, Feb 1, 2005
I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED V6 AWD. THE CAR HAS EXTREMELY DANGERIOUS PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS WHICH WILL BE THE CAUSE OF MANY ACCIDENTS. THERE IS AN UNEXPECTED AND VARYING DEGREE OF LAG IN ACCELERATION WHEN TRYING TO ACCLERATE TO MERGE ON HIGHWAYS OR TO MAKE TURNS ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS A SEVERE AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM WHICH WILL LEAD TO LOSS OF LIFE. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS "JUST A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR" AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE. THIS KIND OF "CHARACTERISTIC" IS TOO DANGEROUS TO JUST ACCEPT THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM!*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 24, 2005
ENGINE HESITATION AND DELAYED ACCELERATION. *NM
Steering, Jan 11, 2005
WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE SLIP LIGHT INDICATOR APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. DRIVER PULLED OVER, AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT STEERING NEEDED TO BE ALIGNED, AND ALIGNED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK......STEERING SENSOR IS ON BACK ORDER FOR 1 MONTH. THIS SENSOR IS ON BOTH THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND SIENNA. *AK
Air bags, Jan 3, 2005, crash
WAS T-BONED ON DRIVERS SIDE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Dec 23, 2004
MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER MAKES A TERRIBLE HUMMING / MOANING SOUND ON ACCELERATION THAT RESONATES WITHIN THE VEHICLES AND DISTURBS THE DRIVER. THE PROBLEM TYPICALLY OCCURS DURING SPEEDING UP FROM 0 MPH. IT IS TERRIBLY FRUSTRATING THAT A BRAND NEW CAR MAKES SUCH A ANNOYING SOUND. IT IS ALSO HESITATES A LOT DURING 20-40 MPH SPEED RANGE. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND AS IT SUPPOSED TO ON ACCELERATION AND THAT TOO SPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING WITHIN THE CITY. ON CANTACTING THE DEALER AND TOYOTA'S NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE THAY SAID IT IS DESIGNED TO BE LIKE THAT AND THE HESITATION IS A BY-PRODUCT OF COMPUTER CONTROLLED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. CURRENTLY THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS. AM TERRIBLY FRUSTRATED NOW AND PROMISE TO NEVER BUY ANY VEHICLE FROM TOYOTA IN FUTURE. I WOULD ALSO MAKE SURE THAT MY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES DOES NOT GO NEAR A TOYOTA DEALER. I AM DESPERATE IN GETTING RID OF THIS VEHICLE. *AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 21, 2004, crash
2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WAS INVOLVED IN CRASH. THE DOORS WERE NOT LOCKED WHEN TRAVELING, BUT WERE LOCKED WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP AFTER CRASH. OCCUPANTS COULD NOT GET OUT. THEY COULD NOT TURN OFF KEY. THEY COULD NOT BREAK WINDOWS TO GET OUT, EITHER, NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY KICKED THEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER. IF THERE HAD BEEN A FIRE, THE OCCUPANTS WOULD HAVE DIED.*AK