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.
Engine, May 5, 2015
WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 60-65 MPH WHEN ENGINE BEGAN OVER HEATING. PULL OVER RADIATOR WAS LOW. PUT ANTIFREEZE IN DROVE HOME CHECK WAS ALLOW AGAIN. THE NEXT CALLED TOYOTA DEALER, WITH OUT EVEN LOOKING THEY SAID YOU PROBABLY HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. BUT WHEN WE TEAR IT DOWN AND IF THE HEAD BOLTS ARE STRIPPED OUT IT WILL COST UPWARDS OF 2000.00. SO NOW I HAVE THE CAR IN AN INDEPENDENT SHOP. I'M OUT ALMOST 800.00 NOW, AND THE CARS STILL NOT FIXED. I BELIEVE TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM LONG BEFORE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THE HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN 2001-2006 MODELS.I THINK THEY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. *TR
Electrical system, May 5, 2015
WHEN DRIVING THE HEATER OR THE AIR WILL JUST COME ON, USUALLY WHEN YOU WOULD DRIVE OVER A ROUGH SPOT IN THE STREET.USUALLY THE AIR WILL COME ON IN THE WINTER AND THE HEATER WILL COME ON IN SUMMER.CALL TOYOTA THEY SAID COST ABOUT 800.00. I HAD IT FIX BY AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE.IT STILL COST ME 370.00. THEN I GO ON LINE AND OUT THERE'S HUNDREDS IF NOT LOTS MORE PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.I THINK SINCE THERE IS SO MANY PEOPLE THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA SHOULD REIMBURSE US AT LEAST PARTLY. *TR
Engine, Feb 4, 2015
MY CAR BEGAN OVERHEATING AT 140K MILES. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HAD THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT REPLACED. THE CAR OVERHEATED AGAIN A WEEK LATER. TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHEN HE WENT TO REPLACE THE GASKET HE FOUND THAT THREE HEAD BOLTS WERE STRIPPED ON THE BLOCK. THE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS SEPARATING FROM LOWER PART OF ENGINE BLOCK CAUSED A COOLANT LEAK. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING ERROR. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN BY THE SOLE OWNER. HAD OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES AND NEVER HAD AN ISSUE BEFORE NOW. PLEASE PLACE A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. THIS IS NOT THE OWNERS FAULT, NOR SHOULD IT BE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED SUDDENLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN PROVIDED WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Engine, Dec 4, 2014
AS SHOWN ON YOUR COMPLAINT SECTION I AMONG MANY MANY OTHERS HAVE BEEN SOLD A DEFECTIVE 2.4 LITER ENGINE 4 CYLINDER. THE HEAD BOLTS BECOME STRIPPED AND MIGRATE LOOSE OVER TIME AND THERE IS NO REPAIR SOLUTION. YOU HAVE TO SCRAP THE ENGINE AND MAYBE THE WHOLE VEHICLE NO MATTER HOW GOOD OF CONDITION ITS IN. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND RESULTING MAJOR LEAKAGE OF ANTIFREEZE WHICH IS A LIFE THREATENING CHEMICAL BABIES AND PETS DRINK AND DIE FROM. I FIRST FOUND THIS POOL OF ANTIFREEZE ON MY GARAGE FLOOR AND I HAVE 2 DOGS! NOT TO MENTION GETTING STRANDED OUT IN TRAFFIC OR A DESOLATE AREA WHEN ENGINE OVERHEATING OCCURS PUTTING YOUR OWN LIFE IN DANGER FROM BECOMING A STRANDED MOTORIST. *TR
Seat belts, Dec 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT AND WOULD ALSO INTERMITTENTLY SEIZE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. UPDATED 1/7/15*CN UPDATED 06/3/2015 *JS
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Nov 20, 2014
MY VEHICLE IS HAVING AN ISSUE WHERE THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS ARE BEING DISABLED. THIS IS THE DEFAULT MODE WHENEVER THERE IS AN ISSUE. IT IS NOW OCCURRING EVERY TIME I START MY CAR. *TR
Air bags, Visibility/wiper, Nov 6, 2014
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE NOBODY WAS EVEN IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, WHILE TRAVELING ON A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY. A CHECK OF THE TOYOTA OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THAT THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM WOULD NOT FUNCTION IF THIS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON FOR NO REASON AT ALL. SINCE WE LIVE NO WHERE NEAR A DEALER, NEAREST DEALER IS 100 MILES AWAY, I LET IT STAY THAT WAY FOR AWHILE. THERE WAS ALSO A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS MODEL, WHERE THE ALWAYS ON DAYLAMPS MELT THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS AND LEAVE A VISIBLE MELTED BUBBLE, THAT THE DEALER REFUSES TO FIX BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T MANUFACTURE THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE VEHICLE YEAR AND MILEAGE IS OUT OF WARRANTY- BUT, WE STILL HAVE THE VEHICLE- THEY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THEN, MOST RECENTLY, A SHUFFLING SOUND FROM BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL/ BEZEL CLUSTER OCCURRED AND MAKES THE WEIRD SOUND FOR 3 OR SO MINUTES SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME, ABOUT EVERY 2 TIMES NOW. THE SOUND USED TO MAKE A CLICKING SOUND FOR ONLY 1 MINUTE- SO, IT'S GETTING LOUDER, AND LONGER. WE WERE ALSO TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THE SUSPENSION/RODS/SHOCKS ARE BAD AND WILL NEED REPLACED- THAT IS AN EXPENSIVE FIX. *TR
Service brakes, Sep 23, 2014
BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR VERY SLOWLY AND VEHICLE SLOWLY CREEPS FORWARD. MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED WITH NEW. (HISTORY: AT 79000 MILES THE TOYOTA FACTORY RECALL TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER CUP KIT WAS PERFORMED BY TOYOTA DEALER ). *TR
Visibility/wiper, Aug 18, 2014
DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE IN THE UP POSITION AND DROPS DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY. *TR
Power train, Aug 1, 2014
TRANSMISSION JUMPS AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 14, 2014
I NOTICED THAT MY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT/MANUFACTURER PASSENGER-SIDE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHT LENS HAD A BURNT SPOT ON THE INSIDE OF THE LENS (CLEARLY MELTED LENS MATERIAL). I CHECKED THE HEADLIGHT BULB, WHICH IS A FACTORY-INSTALLED KAITO MODEL HB3 LOW-BEAM BULB. THE BULB WAS DISCOLORED BLACK AND SMOKY LOOKING WITH AN OBVIOUS BULGE OF MELTED GLASS IN ONE SIDE OF THE BULB. THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS STILL WORK, BUT THE BULB SEEMINGLY HAS OVERHEATED, MELTING BOTH THE BULB GLASS AND THE INSIDE OF THE LENS ASSEMBLY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, May 12, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AS A RESULT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V112000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Tires, Apr 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK DYNAPRO HT TIRE, SIZE: P225-70-16T, AND DOT NUMBER: 7ADHUH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE DEFLATED. THE CONTACT ADDED AIR TO THE TIRE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE TIRE BELT WAS SEPARATED AND BUBBLING. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,995.
Engine, Apr 8, 2014
VEHICLE HAD LOST SOME WATER/COOLANT AND BEGAN TO GET HOT. REPLACED FLUID AND DROVE HOME. KEPT LOOSING FLUID, SO I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP. THEY THOUGHT IT HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP WHICH DISCOVERED THAT 3-4 OF THE HEAD BOLTS ARE STRIPPED; THEY ARE STEEL AND THE BLOCK IS ALUMINUM. REPAIR KIT EXISTS AND HAS BEEN ORDERED. SO, TOYOTA MUST KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND COULD HAVE ISSUED AN ADVISORY TO ALL OWNERS. EXPECTED THIS MOTOR TO LAST 150-250 THOU MILES, BUT THIS IS A BUILT IN PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. TOYOTA SHOULD COVER THE REPAIR COSTS. *TR
Seat belts, Jan 7, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT OR UNLATCH INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Visibility, Dec 7, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN I HEARD A NOISE FROM THE MOONROOF. WHEN I OPENED UP THE MOONROOF SHADE THE MOONROOF WAS GONE. THE MOONROOF HAD BEEN RIPPED AWAY FROM THE GLUE AND FLEW UP INTO THE AIR. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2013
THE DRIVER SUN VISOR KEEPS DROPPING FROM IT'S KEPT POSITION AND BLOCKS THE DRIVERS VIEW. THIS ALMOST CAUSED 2 ACCIDENTS WITH MYSELF AND THEN MY WIFE. THE SUDDEN DROPPING OF THE VISOR IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER HIGHLANDER OWNERS AND THEY HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Nov 18, 2013
AS I'M DRIVING THE SUN VISOR FALLS DOWN BLOCKING MY VISION. THIS PROBLEM CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS A DEFECT IN THIS ITEM AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 13, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT MANUAL FORCE AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED KNEE, CHEST AND ARM INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 12-05-13 *BF
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Jul 15, 2013, crash
AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND APPLIED THE BRAKE. THE CAR ACCELERATED AND DID NOT SLOW DOWN. I CROSSED BOTH LANES OF THE STREET AND I TURNED THE CAR TO THE RIGHT. THE WHEELS OF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR HIT THE CURB AND THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR BROKE OFF. THEN, THE CAR WENT OVER THE CURB AND HIT THE STATE SIGN WITH THE LEFT FRONT OF THE CAR. THE CAR GOT STUCK IN DEEP MULCH FROM RECENT LANDSCAPING AND CAME TO A STOP.
Exterior lighting, May 6, 2013, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT NOTICED CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE IN BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT LENSES. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT LENSES HAD MELTED AND EXHIBITED A BUBBLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Power train, Engine, Apr 6, 2013
VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN NORMALLY AND PARKED. WHILE PARKED, OWNER NOTICED SMALL LEAK UNDER FRONT AXLE, INVESTIGATED AND LEAK APPEARED TO BE TRANSMISSION FLUID OR ANTIFREEZE. OWNER DROVE VEHICLE NEXT DAY, PARKED AND NOTICED LEAK WAS LARGER. OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER NEXT MORNING AND WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKET WAS FAILING. DEALER SAID ALTERNATIVES WERE TO REPAIR HEAD GASKET ($3200+), REPLACE ENGINE OR BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE. OWNER DECLINED REPAIR AND TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO CONFIRMED HEAD GASKET LEAK AND RECOMMENDED EITHER SEALANT ($250) OR HEAD GASKET REPAIR ($1200). OWNER CHOSE SEALANT. ABOUT FOUR DAYS AFTER SEALANT FIX, OWNER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND STOPPED AT A STARBUCKS DRIVE-THROUGH. MINUTES INTO THE WAIT, THE VEHICLES TEMP GAUGE BEGAN TO CLIMB RAPIDLY. OWNER REVVED ENGINE AND TEMP DECLINED. OWNER DROVE VEHICLE HOME AND INSPECTED ENGINE, DISCOVERED COOLANT HAD BEGUN TO SPRAY FROM OVERFLOW RESERVOIR. OWNER LET VEHICLE COOL. NEXT DAY, OWNER DROVE VEHICLE AT MODEST SPEED ACROSS TOWN, WATCHING THE TEMP GAUGE. TEMP WOULD INCREASE INCREMENTALLY, THEN DECLINE, BUT NO OVERHEATING APPEARED. THIRD DAY, OWNER DID SAME, BUT THIS TIME, AS OWNER APPROACHED HIS HOME, THE TEMP GAUGE SHOT TO RED. OWNER PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, OPENED HOOD AND FOUND OVERFLOW RESERVOIR BUBBLING, COOLANT SPRAY AND OVERFLOW ON FRAME. PRIOR TO THESE INCIDENTS, ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO THE OWNER HAD BEEN TOLD BY TOYOTA DEALER THAT A FEW ENGINE MOUNTS WERE CRACKED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT, WHICH WAS DONE. NO OTHER MAJOR REPAIRS OR ISSUES HAVE EXISTED WITH VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS NOT 10 YEARS OLD, ITS 103,500 MILES HAS BEEN GENERALLY LIGHT HIGHWAY AND SHORT-DISTANCE CITY DRIVING. OIL AND OTHER MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN ROUTINELY PERFORMED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Mar 27, 2013, crash
WHILE PARALLEL PARKING AND SLOWLY BACKING INTO THE PARKING SPACE, MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARD CRASHING INTO THE VEHICLE PARKED BEHIND ME. MY VEHICLE CONTINUED ACCELERATING BACKWARD INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE AND PUSHED IT BACK EVEN THOUGH I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD. I THEN PUT MY VEHICLE INTO DRIVE WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, AND IT IMMEDIATELY LUNGED FORWARD CRASHING INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. WHILE CONTINUING TO ACCELERATE FORWARD, WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, MY VEHICLE PUSHED THAT VEHICLE INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. I THEN TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND MY VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING. ALL FOUR VEHICLES SUSTAINED DAMAGE. THERE WERE NO OCCUPANTS IN THE OTHER PARKED VEHICLES. REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE TOTALED $4,076, PLUS $1,444 FOR A RENTAL CAR. I ALSO RECEIVED A SUMMONS FOR CARELESS DRIVING. I BELIEVE THE ACCIDENT WAS THE RESULT OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM. *TR
Engine, Mar 14, 2013
THE ENGINE OVERHEATED DESPITE THE NO INDICATION OF HIGH TEMPERATURES FROM THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO MISDIAGNOSED IT INITIALLY. WE THEN DROVE IT BACK FROM DEALER (7 MILES) TO OUR HOME AND IT OVERHEATED AGAIN. NOW THE DEALER SAYS AT A BARE MINIMUM THE HEAD GASKET NEEDS REPLACEMENT ($3200) AND IT COULD NEW AN ENTIRELY NEW ENGINE. I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS IS POSSIBLE AT 86,000 MILES. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM ESPECIALLY 4 CYLINDERS BUT IT IS NOT RECALL. PLEASE HELP, I AM UNEMPLOYED AND NEED THIS CAR! *TR