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.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 5, 2010
A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SIGNAL LIGHT (SAFETY ITEM) IS MALFUNCTIONING AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO TOYOTA DEALER (DARCARS), I WAS TOLD I HAVE TO CHANGE THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM (LUXURY ITEM) WHICH CURRENTLY IS WORKING. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THEY HAD TO INTEGRATE THESE TWO FUNCTIONS WHEN ONE IS A SAFETY AND THE OTHER ONE IS LUXURY ITEMS. BESIDES, IT COSTS $6000 + LABOR + TAX TO CHANGE THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM. AFTER INTENSIVE SEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND OUT THAT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM EXCEPT THEY ONLY COVER THE PROBLEM UNDER THE 36,000MILE/3 YEAR WARRANTY. IF THIS WAS A MILEAGE RELATED PROBLEM, I CAN UNDERSTAND EVEN IF TWO NONE RELATED FUNCTIONS ARE INTERLOCKED, BUT THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MILEAGE AND WE CANNOT DRIVE WITHOUT A SIGNAL LIGHT BUT WE CAN WITHOUT A NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM STARTED A MONTH AGO AND I HAVE TRIED TO GET A RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA AND THEY ARE NOT GIVING ME ANY RESPONSE REGARDING THIS MATER. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 4, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE SIGNAL LIGHTS ALSO INCLUDE THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE WHICH COINCIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE NON-FUNCTIONAL TURN SIGNALS, AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED VIA EMAIL BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Aug 18, 2010
THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL ON MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER KEEPS SWITCHING BY ITSELF FROM HOT TO COLD AND HOT AGAIN. I HAVE TO ACTUALLY TURN THE AC ON EVEN WHEN THE OUTSIDE AIR COMING IN IS MODERATE BECAUSE THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL WILL SWITCH BY ITSELF TO HOT AND I CAN'T SWITCH IT OFF. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME I DRIVE AND MORE SO WHEN I GO OVER A BUMP OR MAKE A TURN. I TURN THE VENT ON FOR OUTSIDE AIR, BUT THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL GETS LOCKED ON TO HOT AND I CAN'T TURN IT OFF. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE SAID THAT IT WOULD COST AROUND $1000.00 TO FIX IT. THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE WHOLE CONTROL UNIT. I HAVE READ VARIOUS FORUMS OF NUMEROUS OWNERS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA NOT LEAVING ENOUGH SLACK IN A RIBBON CABLE WITH 3 CONNECTIONS THAT CONNECT FROM THE CIRCUIT BOARD TO THE CONTROL KNOB. THE WIRES BREAK OFF FROM THE SOLDERING ON THE KNOB. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A KNOWN DEFECT TO ME THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF, BUT CHOOSES TO IGNORE. APPARENTLY A CHEAPER FIX IS TO RE-SOLDER THE CABLE, BUT THEY REFUSED TO DO THAT. I THINK THEY SHOULD BE FIXING THIS FOR FREE. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF TOYOTA IGNORING KNOWN ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLES. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Aug 14, 2010, crash
DATE OF INCIDENT: SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 12:45 P.M. INCIDENT DESCRIPTION: COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO PARK A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER INTO A PARKING SPOT. THE DRIVER GENTLY/MINIMALLY TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO PULL INTO THE PARKING SPOT. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL FORCE PLACED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DRIVER IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE BRAKES IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE METAL PART OF A SIGN. THIS IS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR AT THIS TIME. UPDATED 10/20/10 *BF UPDATED 10/22/10 *TR
Steering, Aug 10, 2010
2004 HIGHLANDER - STEERING FAILED ON MAJOR SHOPPING ROAD TODAY. HEARD ONLY A HISSING SOUND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH A LARGE PLUME OF DARK SMOKE OUT THE TAIL PIPE. ENGINE DID NOT QUIT BUT WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO PULL WHEEL HARD RIGHT TO TURN INTO PARKING LOT. AI/C STAYED ON, DID NOT OVERHEAT, TIMING BELT JUST CHANGED, NO LEAKING FLUIDS BUT MOST OF ALL NO WARNING LIGHTS OR CHECK ENGINE LITE CAME ON. HAD PROBLEM LAST MONTH WITH A/C WHICH WAS FIXED. WHAT HAPPENS TO SOMEONE DRIVING AT 65 ON HIGHWAY AND LOSES ABILITY TO STEER ... INSTANT DEATH TO DRIVER AND PERHAPS MANY OTHERS. BEEN A TOYOTA FAN FOR 30 YEARS BUT THIS COUPLED WITH OTHER MAJOR RECALLS SERIOUSLY FRIGHTENS ME TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL AGAIN. CAR WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER WHO HAS MAINTAINED THE CAR SINCE 2004. AWAITING OUTCOME OF INVESTIGATION. POSTED 8-9-10. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 9, 2010
I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I HAVE HAD AN OCCASIONAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE HESITATING AND THEN LURCHING UPON ACCELERATION SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT AS THE VEHICLE AGES. I HAVE MENTIONED IT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE IN FOR SERVICE BUT THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN USING AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS FOR MY REGULAR SERVICE ON THE CAR (THE CAR HAS BEEN A VERY GOOD CAR OTHER THAN THE ACCELERATION ISSUE AND HAS NOT NEEDED ANYTHING OTHER THAN REGULAR SERVICE). I MENTIONED THE PROBLEM TO HIM ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND AT FIRST, HE WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM EITHER. MY HUSBAND MENTIONED IT AGAIN WHEN WE TOOK IT IN FOR THE LAST SERVICE. THIS TIME WHEN THE MECHANIC DROVE THE CAR HE WAS ABLE TO FEEL THE HESITATION AND SUBSEQUENT LURCHING. HE THEN PUT IT ON AN ANALYZER WHICH SHOWED VOLTAGE SPIKES IN THE THROTTLE BODY. HE SAID TO CALL TOYOTA. WE CALLED TOYOTA AND WERE TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO A TOYOTA DEALER. WE TOOK IT TO A DEALER THIS MORNING AND WERE TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AGAIN. I CALLED TOYOTA AND FILED A COMPLAINT (10070906470 AND 1007090670 WERE THE NUMBERS I WAS GIVEN). THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO UNTIL A TOYOTA DEALER CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SINCE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE BY OTHER 2004 HIGHLANDER OWNERS. I DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN FOR HELP. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 11, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING EXTREME FORCE TO THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION AND THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHICH ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OF DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,000.
Visibility, Jun 8, 2010
AFTER WE PURCHASED OUR 2004 HIGHLANDER SOME MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD THE BACK WINDOWS WOULD GET JAMMED WHEN ROLLED DOWN. WHEN ROLLED DOWN THEY WOULD NOT ROLL BACK UP SO WE WOULD KNOW NOT TO EVER ROLL THEM DOWN. IT WAS UNFORTUNATE TO ACCOMMODATE THE VEHICLE RATHER THAN VISE VERSA AND NOW THEY SIMPLY WENT DOWN ON THEIR OWN AND WILL NOT ROLL BACK UP. THE MISTAKE WAS PROCRASTINATING YEARS BEFORE WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED AND NOT TAKING IT RIGHT AWAY BUT NOW THAT THEY ARE COMPLETELY DOWN I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS A 2004 GENERIC DEFECT OR WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY TOYOTA. *TR
Power train, Jun 4, 2010
MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V6 AT TIME HAS VERY ROUGH SHIFTS. THE TRANSMISSIONS SEEMS TO HESITATE AND LAG WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE DURING NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS GOING 20 TO 60. *TR
Structure, Jun 1, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING FROM HER DRIVEWAY AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEEDS OF 1 MPH, THE FRONT BUMPER FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE FURTHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE COMPONENTS THAT HELD THE BUMPER TO THE VEHICLE WERE ALSO BROKEN. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO REFERRED HER TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED HER BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,658.
Exterior lighting, May 25, 2010, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY OVERHEAT AND MELT WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE BULB BECOMING EXTREMELY HOT AND MELTING THE HEAD LIGHT LENS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
Visibility, May 22, 2010
CONTROL PANEL OF 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. NUT SECURING THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL BUTTON IS LOOSE. CAUSES ENGINE AIR TO ENTER THE CABIN. A/C DOES NOT WORK; GETS JUST HOT ENGINE AIR. REFER TO SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS AT: HTTP://WWW.TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM/FORUMS/HIGHLANDER/100664-HIGHLANDER-HEAT-COOL-CONTROL/ AND HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.EF00024/4224. IT OCCURS DAILY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 20, 2010
CABIN BRAKE ASSEMBLY BRACKET BENDS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES DURING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) EMERGENCY STOPPING. THIS MOVEMENT CAUSES THE EDGE OF THE BRAKE PIVOT BOLT TO HANG ON THE UPPER BRAKE ASSEMBLY, LOCKING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND PREVENTING THE BRAKE FROM DISENGAGING. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN THIS DOES OCCUR, LOSS OF ADEQUATE BRAKE LEVERAGE AND/OR SUDDEN CHANGE IN PROXIMITY OF THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR MAY PREVENT THE DRIVER FROM APPLYING THE BRAKES TO THEIR INTENDED CAPACITY. THIS IS OF PARTICULAR CONCERN DURING AN ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE SITUATION WHEN ADEQUATE FOOT PRESSURE FAILS TO ENGAGE THE VEHICLE'S ABS. THIS DIRECTLY LEADS TO INCREASED DANGER OF INJURY/FATALITY TO DRIVERS, PASSENGERS, OCCUPANTS OF OTHER VEHICLES, AND PEDESTRIANS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO ADDRESS THIS DEFECT. DEALER REFUSED TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY DEFECT AT NO COST TO CUSTOMER. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, May 4, 2010
THE CHECK ENGINE, VSC, TRAC-OFF LIGHTS APPEARED ON MY DASHBOARD OF MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON OR AROUND MARCH 7, 2010. ON MARCH 9, I WENT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHOSE TOYOTA DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE INFORMED THEM THAT SINCE THIS VEHICLE HAD UNDER 80,000 MILES - IT WAS STILL COVERED BY MY ORIGINAL WARRANTY. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH SUNRISE TOYOTA, IN OAKDALE, NY WHERE I PURCHASED THIS HIGHLANDER. AFTER SHOWING SUNRISE TOYOTA SERVICE REP: CHARLES SALVATO THE DIAGNOSTIC PRINTOUTS - HE REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS MECHANIC INADVERTENTLY CLEARED THE WARNING LIGHTS. THEY WOULDN'T ACCEPT THE DIAGNOSTIC PRINTOUTS AS PROOF OF A PROBLEM NOR WOULD THEY AGREE TO CHECK-OUT OR RE-RUN THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. AFTER FORMALLY COMPLAINING, I DID HEAR FROM A BOB JOHNSON AT SUNRISE TOYOTA WHO ASK ME TO STOP IN. WHEN I DID STOP BY, I WAS TOLD HE WAS AT AN ALL DAY MEETING. MY DISTINCT FEELING IS THAT THEY ARE HOPING TO LET THE CLOCK RUN OUT (LET THE MILEAGE GO OVER 80,000) SO THAT NOTHING HAS TO BE DONE. I AM ASKING FOR NHTSA'S ASSISTANCE WITH THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY CONCERN. A CONCERN, I FEEL,TOYOTA IS STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 28, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY OUT OF CONTROL FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REDUCE SPEED TO 35 MPH TO GAIN CONTROL OF STABILITY. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE STABILITY CONTROL MODULE COMPUTER WAS OFF BALANCE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL FAILED AGAIN IN 2008. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 9,000.
Visibility, Apr 24, 2010
DRIVER'S SUN VISOR DROPS UNEXPECTEDLY OR WON'T STAY UP OUT OF RANGE OF VISION REPLACED BEFORE BY TOYOTA UNDER WARRANTY... NOW A $750 REPAIR??? *TR
Steering, Apr 20, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNUSUAL CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE WHERE THE NOISE HAD COME FROM. THE CONTACT STATED THE NOISE WAS HEARD ONE ADDITIONAL TIME. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 44,000.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 5, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT SPEEDS OF 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE THEN STRUCK A TREE. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM BUT WAS NOT INJURED, YET, HE IS VERY SORE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 06/04/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK. UPDATED 10/05/10
Power train, Mar 18, 2010
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING RE COMPLAINT AGAINST TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION AND JAY WOLFE TOYOTA OF WEST COUNTY FM OWNER OF A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. *TGW AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW WEEKS, IT BECAME APPARENT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFTING WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE CONDITION WAS MOST NOTICEABLE DURING SHARP ACCELERATION PERIODS. THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP, BUT IT DID NOT GAIN SPEED RELATIVE TO THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR. THE ENGINE WOULD SOUND AS IF IT WAS UNDER STRESS AND IT WOULD THEN SHIFT WITH A SEVERE JOLT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER TOYOTA WAS AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION FLAW, BUT THERE WAS NO FIX. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 9, 2010, crash
2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ACCELERATION INCIDENT, CROSSED MEDIAN, WAS HIT BROADSIDE AND TWO OCCUPANTS KILLED; MY SON AND HIS WIFE. WRITTEN LETTER OF WITNESS OF ACCIDENT IS AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/22/10 *BF UPDATED IVOQ 05/13/120 *TR UPDATED 9/28/11*CW
Vehicle speed control, Mar 5, 2010
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). PLEASE NOTE THAT THE VIN INFO IS NOT CORRECT. I INSERTED RANDOM NUMBERS BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THAT INFO IN MY POSSESSION RIGHT NOW AS I AM AT MY WORK DESK. ALSO KEEP IN MIND THAT MY CAR IS A 2004 VIBE. IT DID NOT HAVE THAT OPTION. IN 2/28/08, I HAD AN ACCELERATATION PROBLEM. IF YOU GET IN TOUCH WITH BARSTOW IN POTSDAM NY, THEY CAN VERIFY THIS. THEY HAVE IT ON RECORD. THIS PROBLEM WAS UNPREDICTABLE WHEN IT HAPPENED AND THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED, I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO STOP AFTER IT ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. I BROUGHT IT TO BARSTOW, EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND THEY SAID THEY HAD HAD NO OTHER COMPLAINTS SUCH AS MINE. THE MECHANIC THERE UNDID THE CRUISE CONTROL, AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. FIVE MONTHS LATER I HAD HIM PUT IT BACK ON IN JULY. IT COST ME $25 EA. TIME. PLEASE CONTACT KEN MURRAY AT BARSTOW MOTORS POTSDAM NY TO VERIFY ALL OF THIS. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE MONEY I HAD TO PAY AS I STRONGLY FEEL THAT THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE ONE THAT TOYOTA IS HAVING NOW WITH ACCELERATION DIFFICULTIES. ALSO, ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER PROBLEMS, I WANT TO KNOW WHAT WILL TOYOTA DO IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. MY VIBE IS A 2004. [XXX] *TR
Power train, Mar 3, 2010
2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V6 - AUTO (2WD) SINCE WE'VE PURCHASED THE T-HIGHLANDER, THE CAR WILL OCCASIONALLY SUDDENLY JERK FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR AND WHEN THE SHIFT TAKES PLACE BETWEEN 2,000 AND 2,500 RPM WHEN IN 2ND GEAR. WE HAVE BROUGHT THIS IN TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS ONLY TO BE TOLD THIS IS A "PROGRAMMING" ISSUE AND THE CAR IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SHIFT BASED ON DIFFERENT DRIVERS. I'VE LOOKED ONLINE AND ON FORUMS AND OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. I THINK IT'S TOYOTA TRYING TO SAVE $$. MY CONCERN SINCE WE'VE BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS IS THE SAME CONCERN THAT I WANT THE NHTSA TO BE AWARE OF NOW AND THAT IS, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR AND THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT HERE DUE TO SOMETHING THAT IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND/OR THE "PROGRAMMING" OF HOW THE COMPUTER SHIFTS. THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING FILED BECAUSE ALL OF THE OTHER TOYOTA PROBLEMS THAT HAVE SURFACED HAVE REAFFIRMED WHAT I'VE KNOWN ALL ALONG, THAT THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH TOYOTAS AND IN OUR CASE, NOT HAVING COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING. HOWEVER, I WAS MADE TO FEEL THAT I HAD NO BASIS FOR MY COMPLAINTS WHEN IN FACT, I DO. I HOPE THAT EVEN IF NOTHING IS DONE TO FIX MY T-HIGHLANDER AS I HAVE GIVEN UP ON IT (SHORT OF LEGAL ACTION, WHICH MIGHT BE WORTHWHILE NOW) THAT THE NHTSA DOES DO SOMETHING TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE IS INJURED AS A RESULT OF THIS "PROGRAMMING" ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Feb 24, 2010
"INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FAILURES ON 04-05 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER" THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (ST001-06) OF SHAFT REPLACEMENT ON SOME MODELS BUT NEVER BECAME A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE. ON TOYOTA PRIUS NHW20 MODEL VEHICLES PRODUCED IN JAPAN FROM JULY 2003 TO NOV 2005 ARE BEING RECALLED. TOYOTA SAYS ON SOME VEHICLE, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAY BECOME LOOSE OR DEVELOP A CRACK. WHAT ABOUT THOSE PEOPLE WHO WANTS TO KEEP THEIR TOYOTA FOR A LIFETIME? MINE IS AN SUV(HIGHLANDER) WITH A HIGHER CENTER OF GRAVITY AND ROLLING FORCE. YOUR HELP ON THIS MATTER IS DEEPLY APPRECIATED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 24, 2010, crash
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN A PARKING PLACE AT MY WORK SITE. I WAS MOVING VERY SLOWLY MOVING INTO THE PARKING SPOT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HIGHLANDER BEGAN ACCELERATING VERY RAPIDLY. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE. UPON REACHING THE FRONT OF THE PARKING SPOT THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB AND RAN INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SPIN THE WHEELS WHILE PUSHING ON THE TREE UNTIL I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. THE DAMAGE TO THE HIGHLANDER WAS $5,272.46 WHICH WAS COVERED BY MERCURY INSURANCE [XXX] . *TR
Steering, Feb 23, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED A SLIGHT VIBRATION AND NOISE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN AND IF THE FAILURE PROGRESSED TO RETURN IT FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 4/22/10 *CN UPDATED 06/01/10*JB