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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 21, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND DEALER PERFORMED REPAIRS. SHORTLY AFTER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE BRAKES ARE STILL NOT PERFORMING AS THEY SHOULD. THE TIRE WORE OUT PREMATURELY AT 24000 MILES. *NM
Visibility, Dec 7, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER REAR WINDOWS. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE ALMOST LOOSES CONTROL DUE TO THE NOISE. THE NOISE FROM THE WINDOW NOT ONLY CHANGES THE AIR PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH OR FASTER IT HURTS BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGERS EARS. THE CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO HEAR EMERGENCY VEHICLES AS THEY APPROACH. *TC
Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 22, 2004
HAVE EXPERIENCED ACCELERATION HESITATION PROBLEM ON 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO TOYOTA WHO INSIST THAT THE CAR IF FINE AND PERFORMING TO THEIR SPECS. ALSO CONTACTED THEIR REGIONAL OFFICE AND WAS TOLD TO PERIODICALLY CHECK WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN MAY HAVE BEEN ISSUES, BUT AS OF NOW NOTHING WAS BEING WORKED ON. TOYOTA DID ISSUES A TSB ON A DIFFERENT 2004 MODEL. AS MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR USUALLY WITH CHILDREN I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS HESITATION. *JB
Power train, Nov 19, 2004
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE WITH FASTER MOVING TRAFFIC THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT HESITATION. I'VE NEARLY BEEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE I JUST COULDN'T GET UP TO SPEED IN TIME. THIS IS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, V6 AWD. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WITH NO RESULTS.*AK
Power train, Nov 9, 2004
THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. *NM THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE SHIFTS IN A HESITATION THEN SURGING MANNER NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENTS. SHIFTING IS VERY ABRUPT. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS ISSUE IS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. *TC
Power train, Oct 29, 2004
I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, V6, FWD. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO DOWNSHIFT SOMEWHAT UNEXPECTEDLY, BUT WORSE, WHEN I NEED TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY SUCH AS MERGING IN TO TRAFFIC ON AND INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, THERE IS A HESITATION OR LAG BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTS TO ACCELERATE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN APRIL AND HAPPENS ON A CONTINUING BASIS.
Power train, Oct 25, 2004
TRANSMISSION HESITATION AND SUDDEN DOWNSHIFTING CREATE UNPREDICTABLE AND HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS ON THE STREETS (NOT HIGHWAY).*AK
Power train, Oct 24, 2004
OUR NEW 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS HESITATION PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING AROUND 10-30 MILES PER HOUR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THERE ARE A LOT OF SITUATIONS THAT EVEN A SECOND HESITATION CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENT, SUCH AS MAKING A QUICK LEFT TURN IN A BUSY INTERSECTION TO AVOID ON COMING CARS. HERE IS HOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM: DRIVE THE CAR OVER 25 MILES PER HOUR, THEN GRADUALLY SLOW IT DOWN TO ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR. PRESS DOWN THE GAS PADDLE VERY BRIEFLY, REGARDLESS HOW HARD THE PADDLE IS HIT, THE CAR WILL NOT RESPONSE.*AK
Power train, Oct 20, 2004
2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HESITATES ON ACCELERATION AS WHEN TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. THERE IS NO WAY TO DETERMINE WHEN THIS HESITATION WILL OCCUR MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO JUDGE WHEN IT IS SAFE TO MERGE OR WHEN SOMEONE MIGHT REAR END YOU.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 19, 2004
MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER EXHIBITS A SIGNIFICANT HESITATION AT THE START OF RAPID ACCELERATION THAT I BELIEVE IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AT A SLOW SPEED AND THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED TO BEGIN A RAPID ACCELERATION (PASSING A SLOWER VEHICLE OR MERGING INTO TRAFFIC), A SIGNIFICANT HESITATION IS PRESENT BEFORE THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO ACCELERATE. THIS DELAYED RESPONSE TO THE ACCELERATOR INPUT CAN PLACE THE VEHICLE IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE CANNOT GET OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER TRAFFIC. I BELIEVE THIS BEHAVIOR COULD RESULT IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AND POTENTIAL INJURY TO PEOPLE. *AK
Power train, Oct 16, 2004
PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENS LEAVING YOU STUCK IN TRAFFIC. TRANSMISSION AND OR GAS KICK IN 2 SECONDS LATER. *JB
Power train, Oct 15, 2004
CAR LAGS WHEN SHIFING WHN COLD. TOYOTA CLAIMS THIS IS 'NORMAL"*AK
Power train, Oct 14, 2004
HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION. HAPPENS EACH TIME AIR CONDITIONER IS ON...NOT JUST AN ISOLATED CASE.*AK
Power train, Oct 12, 2004
I PURCHASED A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN MARCH 2004, LARGELY ON THE MERITS OF TOYOTA'S SAFETY RECORD AND USER REVIEWS OF DRIVEABILITY. WITHIN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF DRIVING, I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT THERE WAS A HESITATION IN THE THROTTLE UPON ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS...AS IF THE CAR HAD TO "THINK ABOUT IT" BEFORE DECIDING TO RESPOND. TOOK IT IN TO DEALER WHO FOUND "NOTHING WRONG"...NEEDED BREAK-IN PERIOD, HE SAID. PROBLEM CONTINUED AND RESULTED IN AT LEAST TWO OCCURRENCES THAT CAUSED CONCERN: ONE MAKING LEFT HAND TURN IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND ONE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO HIGHWAY. HESITATION WAS PRONOUNCED ENOUGH TO CAUSE MOMENT OF PANIC...KIDS IN CAR ETC. TOOK TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO HAD EXPLANATION OF USE OF DRIVE-BY-WIRE THROTTLE TECHNOLOGY USED IN FIGHTER PLANES, SAID THAT TOYOTA KNEW OF ISSUE BUT THERE WAS NO WAY FOR THEM TO CALIBRATE. I THEN WENT TO INTERNET TO SEE IF COULD VALIDATE AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. I AM FILING COMPLAINT IN HOPES THAT TOYOTA WILL PRESS SOLUTION TO AVOID THE INEVITABLE ACCIDENT. *NM
Power train, Oct 5, 2004
I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED V6 4WD. I WAS MERGING ON A HIGHWAY ENTRANCE RAMP SLOWING DOWN TO TIME THE TRAFFIC WHEN I SAW A GAP TO MERGE. I PRESSED ON THE GAS AND THE HIGHLANDER HESITATED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I KEEP PUMPING ON THE GAS AND THE HL WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, LUCKLY FOR ME THE TRUCK PULLING A TRAILER THAT I WAS MERGING INFRONT OF MOVED TO THE NEXT LANE IN TIME OR HE WOULD HAVE PLOWED ME INTO A CONCRETE BRIDGE ABUTMENT. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Sep 30, 2004
I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON 3/26/2004 AND AFTER ABOUT 2 MONTHS STARTED NOTICING A PROBLEM WITH HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR WHEN PASSING. THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT DIES FOR 1 TO 2 SECONDS AND THEN LURCHES FORWARD. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AT A LIGHT WITH ONCOMING CARS FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THIS ALSO CAUSES PROBLEMS WHEN TRYING TO MERGE WITH HIGHWAY TRAFFIC OR WHEN PASSING. THIS OCCURES EVERY DAY AND WHEN IT WAS REPORTED TO TOYOTA SERVICE THEY STATED IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NO FIX OR TECHNICAL BULLETIN. *AK
Power train, Sep 30, 2004
TOYOTA 2004 HIGHLANDER PURCHASED NEW ON 7/1/04 HAS TRANSMISSION SURGING AND DRIVETRAIN "CLUNK" WHEN DOWNSHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 2ND GEAR. DEALER HAS REPLACED TRANSMISSION TO NO AVAIL AND CLAIMS IT IS PART OF "FLY-BY-WIRE" DESING BY MANUFACTURER. *AK
Power train, Sep 28, 2004
THE VEHICLE HAS A CONSTANT MINOR HESITATION AND SURGING BEHAVIOR IN ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION SITUATIONS. I DON'T KNOW IF IT COULD BE A TRUE 'HAZARD' BUT IT IS QUITE ANNOYING.*AK
Power train, Sep 19, 2004
OUR 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS CONSISTENT ACCELERATION "DELAYS" THAT NOT ONLY MAKE THE VEHICLE A CHORE TO DRIVE BUT AT TIMES CAN BE DANGEROUS EX. MERGING WITH MOVING TRAFFIC.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Sep 18, 2004
HESITATION ON ACCELERATION. *AK
Power train, Sep 16, 2004
2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HESITATES ON ACCELERATION MAKING DRIVING IN TRAFFIC EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC AND ADDS MORE RISK TO BEING REAR ENDED. TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM BUT HAS NO FIX. *JB AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE IT REPAIRED I WAS TOLD THERE ISN'T A WAY TO REPAIR IT, YET THE DEALER REFUSES TO REFUND THE COST OF A 4 MONTH OLD CAR WITH 5000 MILES ON IT. *JB
Power train, Sep 14, 2004
I PURCHASED A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN MARCH. AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF DRIVING I NOTICED THAT WHILE BRAKING AT A LIGHT, SOMETIMES THE BRAKE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE. WHEN THE DEALER LOOKED AT MY CAR HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND SAID IT WAS A "POWER SURGE" I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS AND WHY THEY DIDN'T FIX IT, BUT THE CAR STILL DOES IT 3 MONTHS LATER. ALSO I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO STALL WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC ONTO A HIGHWAY. I HAVEN'T BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE RE: THE LAST ISSUE BUT I EXPECT THE SAME WRITEOFF ANSWER THAT THEY GAVE ME FOR THE FIRST PROBLEM.
Power train, Sep 14, 2004
VEHICLE; 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED, V6 ENGINE, AUTO TRANSMISSION. THERE IS A DEFINITE HESITATION/LAG/DELAY IN SHIFTING AND ACCELERATION. THIS CONDITION HAPPENS ALMOST ALL OF THE TIME AND CREATES A REAL SAFETY CONCERN. MODERATE ACCELERATION WILL PRODUCE THIS CONDITION. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS CONDITION BUT IS DOING NOTHING TO CORRECT IT.
Power train, Sep 10, 2004
I HAVE OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V6 4-WD VEHICLE SINCE JULY 10, 2004. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO I NOTICED THERE WAS SOME HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION AND ON OCCASION THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO DOWN SHIFT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN MAKING A LEFT-HAND TURN AGAINST TRAFFIC WITHOUT A TURN ARROW OR PULLING OUT INTO ANY KIND OF TRAFFIC. SOMETIMES IT WILL GO - OFTEN TIMES THERE IS A 1-2 SECOND DELAY. *AK I HAVE ALSO NOTICED ON OCCASION THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, SUDDENTLY THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS WITH NO CHANGE IN ACCELERATION ON THE DRIVER'S PART. THIS MAKES FOR A JUMPY FEEL IN WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY A VERY SMOOTH DRIVING CAR. IN ADDITION, IT IS WREAKING HAVOC ON MY MILEAGE (AM CURRENTLY GETTING 17.1 MPG EVEN ON THE HIGHWAY). I CAN SEE THESE PROBLEMS LEADING TO ACCIDENTS AND I'VE HAD A COUPLE OF CLOSE CALLS ALREADY. I ALSO HAVE TEENAGED DRIVERS AND THERE IS NO WAY I CAN FEEL THEY ARE SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN TWO TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. I AM TOLD THAT THE HIGHLANDER HAS A "UNIQUE SHIFT PATTERN" AND THE TECHNICIAN DIDN'T NOTICE ANY HESITATION PROBLEMS. UPON LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP, I NOTICED HESITATION RIGHT AWAY. I SUPPOSE THEY ARE CHOOSING TO IGNORE THESE PROBLEMS. THE SUGGESTION WAS THAT I SPEAK TO MY SALESMAN AND MAYBE THEY WOULD OFFER ME A GOOD DEAL ON ANOTHER MODEL SINCE I HAVE JUST 2,000 MILES ON THE HIGHLANDER. WHAT KIND OF SOLUTION IS THAT? FURTHERMORE, I WENT TO THIS DEALER'S WEBSITE AND FOUND SEVERAL LOW-MILEAGE HIGHLANDERS FOR SALE. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THEY HAVE HAD TO SATISFY OTHER OWNERS BY TRADE AS WELL. ASIDE FROM THAT, NOTHING WAS DONE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEMS.
Power train, Sep 9, 2004
2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH APPROX. 11,000 MILES. 6CYL. 2W/D I HAVE NOTICED A SLIGHT BUT CONSISTENT HESITATION BETWEEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AND ACTUALLY ACCELERATING. I RECENTLY EXPERIENCED THAT WHEN ACCELLERATING HEAVILY, AS TO PASS ANOTHER CAR, THE HIGHLANDER ACTUALLY SEEMS TO PAUSE, AND TO EVEN MOMENTARILY SLOW DOWN INSTEAD OF ACELLERATING. AND THEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. THIS DELAY IS GREATER THAN 1-2 SECONDS AND IS SIGNIFICANTLY NOTICABLE. THIS IS NOT A SITUATION WHERE THE VEHICLE IS DROPING SMOOTHLY INTO A LOWER GEAR TO ACCELLERATE. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURED TO ME I THOUGHT FOR A MOMENT THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FULLY DISINGAGED OR OTHERWISE FAILED. I HAD TIME TO BRIEFLY CONSIDER HOW I WAS GOING TO GET SAFELY OUT OF TRAFFIC & ONTO THE SHOULDER BEFORE IT SUDDENLY ACCELLERATED. PLEASE UNDERSTAND, THE ENGINE IN FACT DID REV IN ACCELERATION WHILE THE VEHICLE ITSELF SLOWED BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY SURGED INTO CONNECTION AT A HIGH RPM. THIS IS MY WIFES VEHICLE. SHE'S DESCRIBED THIS "SURGING" BEFORE AND I PRETTY MUCH BLEW HER OFF UNTIL IT HAPPENED TO ME. NO MORE. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. IN THE MEANTIME TOYOTA, OR MORE ACCURATELY THE MECHANIC AT THE TOYOTA DEALER, TELLS ME THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AS FAIRLY COMMON, BUT DON'T HAVE A FIX AND HAVE NOT ENTERED A BULLETIN TO THEIR DEALERS. AGAIN, THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.*AK