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, Electric, Jan 7, 2009
WE WERE TRAVELING IN THE VEHICLE, APPROX. 20-25 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LOCKED FOR A FEW SECOND, RELEASED AND THEN ABOUT 10 SECONDS LATER, LOCKED AND RELEASED ONCE AGAIN. IT WAS AS IF WE HAD SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AS HARD AS POSSIBLE, ONLY ON THE RIGHT DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THE CODES LEAD THE TECHNICIAN TO AN OPEN CIRCUIT ON THE ABS ACTUATOR, HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY COMPANY WOULDN'T FIX OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE 1) THEY COULDN'T REDUPLICATE THE PROBLEM; AND 2) THE PART IN QUESTION IS A SMALL PART WITHIN A $3,500 LARGER PART, OF WHICH THE ENTIRE $3,500 PART WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THEY TOLD US TO WAIT UNTIL IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO BRING IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. APPROX. ONE MONTH LATER, THE VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING, HOWEVER, IT WAS ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROX. 70 MPH. THE IMPACT WAS LESS HARD AS THE SPEED WOULDN'T ALLOW THE BRAKE TO FULLY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE WARRANTY AGENT AGAIN DENIED RESOLVING THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE IT IN THEIR PRESENCE AND THE CODES WERE DEEMED INCOMPLETE AND THEREFORE, NO REPAIR. I AM CONCERNED THIS MIGHT CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND/OR DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 6, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED UNWANTED TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVITY, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BRAKE EXCESSIVELY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC REPROGRAMMED THE PCM MEMORY, WHICH REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. CURRENTLY, THE FAILURE HAS NOT RESURFACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,450. UPDATED 01-26-09 *BF UPDATED 01/27/09. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 24, 2008
THE CAR'S VSC (VEHICLE SKID CONTROL) SYSTEM ACTIVATED ON A DRY STRAIGHT ROAD. THE BRAKES WENT ON AND REDUCED THE SPEED TO ABOUT 5MPH, MAKING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE. GLAD THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN IN TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED, AND I COULD GET IT TO ABOUT 10MPH, AND THEN IT WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES QUICKLY AND REDUCED POWER NO-MATTER WHAT THE THROTTLE POSITION WAS, AND THE CAR WAS LIMITED TO ABOUT 5MPH. ONCE THIS HAPPENED THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO BE DRIVEN, UNLESS THE FUSES FOR THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE REMOVED. I DID THIS JUST TO GET IT TO THE DEALER... IT HAD BUZZERS AND WARNING LIGHTS GOING OFF. THE DEALER LOOKED AT IT AND THOUGHT THAT IT WAS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE & VSC "ECU", WHICH WAS GOING TO COST $2,400, BUT THERE COULD BE EXTRA SENSORS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TOO. THIS SEEMED VERY EXCESSIVE SO I DIDN'T HAVE THE WORK DONE. NOW THE CAR IS SITTING. I'VE HEARD THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THIS BUT I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND IT. I'VE HEARD THAT IT CAN BE THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, OR THE WHEEL ROTATIONS SENSORS, OR THE G-CENTER (ACCELEROMETER). EACH ONE IS SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS APIECE. A FAILURE IN THE SKID CONTROL SYSTEM SHOULD JUST STOP WORKING AND NOT CAUSE THE BRAKES TO BE SLAMMED ON, LEAVING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE. AND THE REPAIR COST SHOULD NOT BE $2,500 TO OVER $4,000. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. *TR
Visibility, Dec 18, 2008
COMPLETE LOST OF HEAT FROM DEFROSTER AND HEATER. SEEM TO BE A GENERIC PROBLEM WILL ALL TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS OR MANY. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 14, 2008
SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2004, I WOULD HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE CLOCK - SOMETIMES IT WOULD SHOW OTHER TIMES NOT. I HAVE A NAVIGATION SYSTEM IN THE CAR AND THE TIME IS TIED INTO IT. THIS YEAR, THE GPS STOPPED WORKING, AND WOULD KNOCK OUT THE RADIO, HEAT AND DEFROSTER. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO TOYOTA, THEY SAID IS WAS A GPS FAILURE AND SINCE I WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE, IT WOULD COST ME ABOUT $1600.00 TO REPLACE IT. I WOULD THINK THAT SOMETHING I COMPLAINED ABOUT FROM THE BEGINNING WOULD BE LOOKED NOT AND THAT A RECALL SHOULD HAVE OCCURRED IF THE DEFROSTING SYSTEM DIDN'T WORK. THAT IS A DRIVING DANGER. I HAD TO PAY FOR IT FOR THE WINTER BUT AM NOW LOOKING FOR A NEW CAR AND WILL SURELY NOT BE LOOKING AT A TOYOTA EVER AGAIN. SINCE I GOT THE REFURBISHED GPS, MY TIME IS ALWAYS THERE. *TR
Steering, Nov 27, 2008
HEARD A CLICKING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 27, 2008
NAVIGATION SYSTEMS SAYS EXTERNAL SYSTEM IS DISCONNECTED CAUSING THE HEAT/ AIR CONDITIONER & DEFROSTER TO BE DISABLED NEW SYSTEM WILL COST 5795.00 USED PART WILL COST 1500-1700.00 CAR ONLY HAS 41,864 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. *TR
Steering, Nov 4, 2008
WHILE DRIVING ON BUSY HIGHWAY THE STEERING OF MY TOYOTA BECAME IMPOSSIBLE I MANAGED TO GET CAR OFF OF ROAD . HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO GARAGE THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR HAD GONE BAD THE MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN SENT OUT ON THIS SITUATION. I JUST FEEL THAT THE OWNERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS SITUATION AND TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DANGEROUS DEFAULT. *TR
Steering, Oct 31, 2008
AFTER STARTING MY CAR AND DRIVING IT TWO BLOCKS, THE VSC LIGHT AND AUDIBLE WARNING BUZZER WENT ON AT THE SAME TIME MY CAR LOST TRACKING AND STARTED VEERING TO THE LEFT. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR HOME, BUT THE SAME THING HAPPENED AS SOON AS I DROVE IT 3 BLOCKS TO A SERVICE STATION. DIAGNOSTICS DISCOVERED THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE PART WAS REPLACED FOR $630.11. I SEE THIS AS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS IT COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY RESULTED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. *TR
Equipment, Oct 6, 2008
THE GPS IN MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER GOES ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN IT DOES IT DISABLES THE DEFROSTER, AC AND HEAT. I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE GPS, BUT WHEN IT DISABLES MY DEFROSTER, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. TOYOTA HAS INFORMED ME A NEW GPS WILL COST $5,000.00. I CAN PUT A USED ONE IN FOR $1,500.00. THIS IS AN UNFAIR PRICE TO HAVE A NECESSARY SAFETY FUNCTION, THE DEFROSTER, TO WORK. DEFROSTER ARE REQUIRED FOR STATE INSPECTION. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR TOYOTA TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? *TR
Power train, Jul 7, 2008
I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH APPROXIMATELY 70K MILES. FOR THE SECOND TIME THE WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. I SPOKE WITH TOYOTA AND THEY DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE (ALL OVER THE WEB). I BELIEVE ANYTHING RELATED TO THE DRIVABLE/STEERING IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND TOYOTA SHOULD FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILURES. *TR
Structure, Jun 16, 2008
I WANTED TO OPEN MY SUNROOF. I STARTED TO SLIDE BACK AND GOT STUCK. I HAD TO TAKE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP JUST TO HAVE THEM CLOSE IT. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THIS WAS 8TH ONE THAT WHERE THE SUNROOF BROKE. THEY HAD TO DISCONNECT THE SUNROOF JUST TO CLOSE IT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 8, 2008
I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY EMISSION SYSTEM/CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED TWICE NOW. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN 2004, WITHIN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE AND THE MOST RECENT TIME WAS MAY 2008. *TR EACH TIME THE SYMPTOM WAS A SULFUR SMELL THAT I UNDERSTAND FROM THE DEALER HAPPENS TO SOME 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS.
Exterior lighting, Apr 9, 2008
I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLAND AND BELIEVE THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT OR MANUFACTURING FLAW WITH REGARD TO THE LENS COVERS TO THE HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHT COVERS. BOTH HAVE SIGNIFICANT MELTING FROM THE LIGHT BULBS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL CATCH ON FIRE. ALL PRODUCTS INVOLVED ARE ORIGINAL TOYOTA PARTS. THE LENS COVERS EACH HAVE A LARGE (BIGGER THAN A QUARTER) CIRCULAR SPOT WHERE THE MELTING TOOK PLACE FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND THERE IS A BUBBLE ON EACH. THE SAME HAS HAPPENED WITH THE FOG LIGHTS AND THEY ARE NOW CRACKED FROM THE HEAT. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY WILL NOT FIX, REPLACE, REPAIR THE LENS COVERS AND SAY THAT THERE IS NO RECALL. I WOULD IMAGINE THAT ANYTHING MELTING ON A VEHICLE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CATCH FIRE. THIS HAS BEEN PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE OVER SEVERAL YEARS SO THE INCIDENT DATE IS NOT EXACT. IT IS EVIDENT THAT EVENTUALLY THERE WILL BE HOLES IN THESE COVERS FROM THE HEAT/MELTING AS THE DAYLIGHTS RUN CONSTANTLY AND CANNOT BE TURNED OFF. *TR
Power train, Mar 18, 2008
TRANSFER ASSY FAILED AT 74,000 MILES AND FAILED AGAIN AT 101,000 MILES. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 13, 2008
VSC SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND STARTED APPLYING BRAKES WHEN THE AUTO WAS ON DRY ROADS. SYSTEM HAS NO DISCONNECT SWITCH IN ORDER TO DISABLE SYSTEM. DROVE AUTO HOME AT ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR BECAUSE SYSTEM WOULD NOT DIS-ENGAGE. THE AUTO ONLY HAS 25,000 MILES. HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE AT 4,000 MILES. *TR
Exterior lighting, Mar 12, 2008
I WAS LEAVING MY HOME GOING TO WORK TODAY AND NOTICED THAT MY WIFE'S TOYOTA 2004 HIGHLANDER HEADLIGHT LENSES HAD STARTED TO MELT WHERE THE DAY TIME RUNNING LAMPS ARE. *TR
Steering, Mar 6, 2008
2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED STEERING SYSTEM LOOSENESS, CLUNKING. THE STEERING SYSTEM EXHIBITS EXCESSIVE FREEPLAY AND CLUNKING. A DEFECTIVE PART WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BUT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Steering, Feb 27, 2008
HIGHLANDER RECENTLY RECEIVED 30K SERVICE AT TOYOTA DEALER. CAR MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29K. THE SERVICE ADVISOR REPORTED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS MAKING A CLUNK TYPE SOUND AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. HE BELIEVED HIGHLANDERS AND TACOMA'S HAD BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM. HE DID NOT THINK THE PART WOULD BREAK BUT THAT THE PART HAD BEEN REDESIGNED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 18, 2008
SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED, THE ENGINE, VSC, AND TRACKING LIGHT BEGAN GOING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. MARIETTA TOYOTA PERSONNEL TOLD ME THAT THE GAS CAP WAS NOT ON TIGHT ENOUGH AND I SHOULD TIGHTEN IT. CALLS WERE MADE NUMEROUS TIMES TO THEM. SINCE MAY, 2007 THE LIGHTS ARE ON CONSTANTLY AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I KEEP GETTING THE SAME REPLY AND THEY DO NOT SEEM CONCERNED ABOUT IT AT ALL! *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 18, 2008
ONE WEEK AGO, WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WOULD HAPPEN. I SCHEDULED A APPOINTMENT WITH GOODYEAR TO HAVE MY BRAKES CHECKED. 2 DAYS BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT DATE, I ALSO HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. I FREAKED OUT AND WENT STRAIGHT TO GOODYEAR FOR THE REPAIR. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RUBBER ON THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD BEEN EATEN AWAY BY THE BRAKE FLUID AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE WAS A RECALL IN 2001 FOR THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE A 2004 HIGHLANDER. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 7, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVATED ON DRY SURFACE AND ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AFFECTS THE STEERING AND OCCURS EVERY FEW FEET. SINCE THAT TIME, THE SYSTEM ATTEMPTS TO ACTIVATE AUTOMATICALLY WHILE DRIVING 15-20 MPH. THE VEHICLE STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVATES AT FULL SPEED WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS IN THE MICROTRIP THAT CONTROLS THE VEHICLE STABILITY SYSTEM. THE DEALER IS CURRENTLY ATTEMPTING TO HAVE IT REPROGRAMMED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 39,000.
Steering, Dec 30, 2007
I NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE AND "SENSATION" IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TRAVELING AT A SLOW SPEED ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING CORNERS OR ON A BUMPY ROAD. IN DECEMBER, 2007 I TOOK THE HIGHLANDER TO THE DEALER AND WAS FIRST TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM AND JUST NEEDED SOME LUBRICATION. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE SERVICE MANAGER FURTHER ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF IT BEING DANGEROUS, I WAS TOLD THAT IT "COULD BE A PROBLEM AND THAT THE STEERING SHAFT SHOULD BE CHANGED". I WAS TOLD THAT THE COLUMN COULD "LOCK UP", CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. AFTER FURTHER QUESTIONING, THE DEALERSHIP GAVE ME A COPY OF THE TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN DATED FEBRUARY 2006, OBVIOUSLY TOYOTA WAS WELL AWARE OF THE POSSIBLE DANGER, I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT AN UNUSUAL PROBLEM. THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM AT A COST OF $450 TO ME SINCE THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. MY WARRANTY EXPIRED IN MAY OF 2007, ALMOST A YEAR AFTER THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED. IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA PURPOSELY HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL IN ORDER TO SAVE MONEY. THOSE OF US WHO OWN A 2004 HIGHLANDER ARE NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND OUT OF LUCK. SINCE THIS IS A POTENTIAL DANGER AND TOYOTA WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR WELL OVER A YEAR, I BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL NEEDED REPAIRS AND A RECALL ISSUED. *TR
Steering, Dec 24, 2007
BOUT MY 2004 HIGHLANDER 3 MONTHS AGO, USED, WITH 46K MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC LAST WEEK TO GET THE OIL CHANGED AND TIRES ROTATED. HE TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE AND SAID THAT IT WON'T PASS INSPECTION IN 3 MONTHS BECAUSE OF THE STEERING. THERE IS A CLUNK IN THE STEERING, WHICH I NEVER THOUGHT WAS ABNORMAL BUT HE SAID IT IS. HE ALSO SAID THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON IT. I CALLED THE DEALER AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR NEXT WEEK. I SERIOUSLY HAD BETTER NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Dec 6, 2007
2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HEADLAMP MATERIAL COVER FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MECHANIC SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT. CONSUMER STATED THE MECHANIC DID NOT OFFER A CORRECTIVE ACTION. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE LENS MATERIAL HAD MELTED AND A FOG SPOT WAS PRESENT. WHEN THE LAMP WAS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE, A BULGE WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE LAMP IN THE UP POSITION. *JB