2005 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 225 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 35 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 20 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerJun 2, 2016
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Campaign 16V396000 on NHTSA.gov
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
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Campaign 10V035000 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
Representative owner complaints
225 reports, newest first.
Power train, Nov 19, 2010
I HAVE 2005 HIGHLANDER LIMITED V6 AWD. THE CAR HAS ISSUES WITH THE DIFFERENTIAL FLUID LEAKING AFTER 30,000 MILES OR EVERY TWO YEARS. THE DEALER FIXED THE LEAKING FOR MY CAR AT 35,429 MILES (NO CHARGE DUE TO WARRANTY) IN 2008; HOWEVER, THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS LEAKING AGAIN AT 67,329 MILES THIS YEAR. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE WARRANTY FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL IS 5 YEARS OR 60,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. ONCE THE VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE OF THESE WARRANTY GUIDELINES THE COST OF REPAIRS BECOMES THE OWNER?S RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
Steering, Nov 18, 2010
VEHICLE: 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. DEFECT: THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH (THE DEVICE THAT TURNS OFF THE SIGNAL AFTER A TURN IS COMPLETED) HAS FAILED IN OUR VEHICLE. WE ARE TOLD BY A LOCAL DEALER THAT TOYOTA'S TURN SIGNAL SWITCHES FAIL AT A VERY HIGH RATE. THIS COMPONENT SHOULD NEVER FAIL OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. GIVEN THE HIGH INCIDENCE OF FAILURES, TOYOTA'S DESIGN IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE. HAZARD: IF THE DRIVER FORGETS TO MANUALLY TURN THE SIGNAL OFF, OTHER DRIVERS ARE GIVEN A FALSE SIGNAL AND LIKELY TO MISINTERPRET THE DRIVER'S INTENT. THIS COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. REPAIR: TOYOTA'S CHARGE FOR REPAIRING THE DEFECTIVE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS EXCESSIVELY HIGH -- APPROXIMATELY $450. CONSEQUENTLY, MANY DRIVERS ARE FORCED TO ACCEPT AND LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM, RESULTING IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION. REMEDY: TOYOTA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO EITHER RECALL AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TURN SIGNAL SWITCHES OR REPAIR THEM AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. *TR
Visibility, Nov 17, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOWS HAD BEEN FALLING OFF TRACK SINCE MAY 2009. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE MECHANISM THAT LOWERED AND RAISED THE WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000.
Electrical system, Nov 9, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE INVERTER STALLED. ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INVERTER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 29, 2010, crash
IN A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE FRONT BUMPER CORNER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE BRAKES IN THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE FEEL VERY SPONGY MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE SPEED AND TRAJECTORY OF THIS VEHICLE AT SLOW SPEEDS. *TR
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Oct 28, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 06V253000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,200. UPDATED 01/31/11/ *BF UPDATED 04/20/11
Power train, Oct 24, 2010
FRONT DIFFERENTIAL CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED ON 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER (4WD) (65,220 MI) WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE. VEHICLE INSTANTANEOUSLY LOST SPEED (TO 30 MPH) & WE NARROWLY AVOIDED BEING RUN OVER BY SEMITRAILER AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DUE TO CONFIGURATION OF ROAD - ONLY SPORADIC SHOULDERS BECAUSE OF TERRAIN - THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. CAR STUCK IN TRAVEL LANES FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD. FEEL VERY LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS HURT. REPAIRING DEALER ASSERTED THAT THE PART HAD NO FLUID REMAINING DUE TO SEAL LEAK. VEHICLE WAS LAST SERVICED BY LOCAL DEALER ~2,000 MILES EARLIER (63,226 MI) WITH NO LEAKAGE SEEN. ENTIRE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL / TRANSFER CASE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED (STILL HAVE PART). CAR WAS TOTALLY INSPECTED BY REPAIRING DEALER AT THE TIME (65,220 MI) AND NO OTHER PROBLEMS FOUND. ONE MONTH LATER FOUND FLUID PUDDLE IN DRIVEWAY (66,216 MI). DEALER INVESTIGATED AND REPORTED THAT THE INSPECTION PLUG ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS RAPIDLY LEAKING DIFFERENTIAL FLUID. TOLD NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE TILL PLUG AND GASKET REPLACED. SEEMS TO BE OK NOW. SO, WITHIN A MONTH AND 1,000 MI USE, BOTH THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL RAPIDLY LOST FLUIDS. I SUSPECT BAD GASKETS WERE USED IN MANUFACTURE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 30, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, WHEN SHE TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE CONTACT NOTICED NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH SURGING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS BEING FILED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 53,000.
Exterior lighting, Sep 24, 2010
I AM APPROACHING 50,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I JUST RECENTLY NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHT LENS ON BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAS AN OPAQUE SPOT ABOUT ONE INCH IN DIAMETER DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE HIGHBEAM LIGHT BULB. TOYOTA HAS RECOGNIZED THIS PROBLEM SINCE APRIL 15, 2008 AS EVIDENCED BY TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #T-SB-0036-08 DATED APRIL 15, 2008. WHEN YOU GOOGLE THE BULLETIN IT WILL BECOME APPARENT THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS FOR SOME 2004 TO 2007 MODELS, A SPAN OF THREE YEARS. THE BULLETIN WILL ALSO SHOW THAT TOYOTA WILL REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHTS IF COMPLAINED ABOUT DURING THE 36,000 / 3 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD. I AM OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND IN FEAR THAT IT WILL COST ME SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPAIR A DESIGN DEFECT THAT TOYOTA HAS BEEN AWARE OF FOR SEVERAL YEARS. FROM WHAT I READ FROM OTHER POSTERS TOYOTA'S ATTITUDE APPEARS TO BE IT IS NOT OUR PROBLEM. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Aug 12, 2010
THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ON OUR 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FAILED AT 94,000 MILES. WE HEARD STRANGE NOISES FROM THE REAR END AND ASKED OUR MECHANIC TO CHECK. HE INDICATED THAT THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS "CUPPED" AND SUGGESTED REPLACEMENT. SINCE IT WAS TIME FOR NEW TIRES ANYWAY, WE DID THAT BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED. UPON RETURNING TO THE MECHANIC HE DUG FURTHER AND REPORTED THAT BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE WORN, THE LEFT (TO THE POINT OF BEING DANGEROUS) MORE THAN THE RIGHT, TO THE POINT THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE WENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER FROM WHO WE PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED THE DIAGNOSIS AND WE ARRANGED FOR THE NEEDED REPAIRS. WHEN WE ASKED THE DEALER AND TOYOTA DIRECTLY WHETHER THIS WAS PROBLEM THEY HAD SEEN BEFORE THEY INDICATED IT WAS JUST WEAR AND TEAR AND BASICALLY, OUR HARD LUCK. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 3, 2010
2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WOULD NOT PASS 2010 MASSACHUSETTS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO FAULTY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THERE IS FOG IN THE LENS AND NIGHT TIME LIGHT IS IMPAIRED???? TOYOTA WILL NOT COVER THE $900 EXPENSE TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHTS. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THIS EXPENSE AS WELL. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 17, 2010
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2005 - 4 CYL DRIVING IN THE RAIN, OVER PUDDLES OF WATER THAT CREATE A SPLASH UP TO ABOUT 3/4 THE HEIGHT OF THE TIRE (PASSENGER SIDE), WILL CAUSE THE DISCHARGE WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON AND CAUSE LOSS OF POWER STEERING (HARD TO TURN). SUDDENLY, THE WARNING LIGHT WILL GO OFF AND POWER STEERING WILL RETURN. THIS IS MY WIFE'S VEHICLE AND I JUST NOTICED THIS ISSUE RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN. THE FAULT IS REPEATABLE AS I NOTICED IT FOR A SECOND TIME TODAY, AND I MANAGED TO HAVE IT REPEAT THE FAILURE EVERY TIME. THIS FAILURE CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IN A RAINSTORM IT WILL BE TYPICAL TO CREATE A SPLASH WHEN TURNING INTO ANOTHER STREET, AS IT IS COMMON FOR WATER TO POND AT THE TURN. LOSS OF POWER STEERING WILL CAUSE THE DRIVER TO TURN THE WHEEL HARDER, AND WHEN THE POWER STEERING RETURNS, THEN THE VEHICLE WILL LIKELY OVERSTEER AND SPIN OUT OR HIT ANYTHING ON THE DIRECTION THAT IT IS OVERSTEERED INTO. THIS INCIDENT ACTUALLY OCCURRED IN TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN I WAS TURNING IN THE RAIN. THE FIRST WAS INADVERTENT AND AT A HIGHER SPEED SINCE IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING (A FEW WEEKS AGO). THE SECOND TIME OCCURRED TODAY. AFTER THE INCIDENT I TRIED TO RECREATE THE FAILURE, THIS TIME SINCE I WAS EXPECTING IT, I DID SO MORE SLOWLY BUT WITH THE SAME RESULT THAT WILL LIKELY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE VEHICLE YET SINCE I HAVE JUST NOTICED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, WE HAVE AND HAVE HAD A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF VEHICLES OF DIFFERENT MAKES, AND NONE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH SPLASHING WATER CAUSING WHAT IS PROBABLY A SHORT AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING. AFTER DRIVING INTO THE GARAGE, I OPEN THE HOOD AND LOOK FROM THE TOP, FROM THE TOP EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE DRY. THE OTHER VEHICLES HAVE BEEN DRIVEN THROUGH LARGER SPLASHES, WITHOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 16, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE IN HER GARAGE AT A RELATIVELY LOW SPEED. HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED TO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE WALL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE AN INVESTIGATOR WAS SENT TO FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE INVESTIGATOR ADVISED THE RESULTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE WITHIN THIRTY DAYS. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,600.
Electrical system, Visibility, May 19, 2010
HEATER RUNS ERRATICALLY--BLOWING FINE AND THEN SWITCHING TO COLD AIR AND THEN IF I "JIGGLE" THE CONTROL CAN GET HEAT AGAIN. HAD THE DEALER REPAIR IN FALL OF 2009 (ABOUT $95), BUT IT HAS STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, May 11, 2010
2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. ERRATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL FROM HEATER. WHEN SET ON COOL WILL SUDDENLY BLOW HOT AIR AND VICE VERSA. ON-LINE COMPLAINTS INDICATE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM RESULTING FROM DEFECTIVE CONTROL UNIT IN THIS AND OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES OVER SEVERAL YEARS. THE CONTROL KNOW COMES LOOSE AND THEN THE WIRING BEHIND IT BREAKS FROM THE CIRCUIT BOARD RESULTING IN ERRATIC AIR TEMPERATURES. I ALSO HAVE CONCERN THAT THIS ELECTRICAL FAILURE COULD CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL SHORTS OR PROBLEMS. DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE CONTROL UNIT AT PRICES RANGING FROM $500 TO $1500. ON-LINE CONSUMERS REPORT FIX ONLY REQUIRES RESOLDERING THE 3-WIRE CONTACTS AT A COST OF A FEW DOLLARS. IT IS OBVIOUS TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THE RELATIVELY EASY FIX DOCUMENTED WITH PICTURES ON-LINE BUT CONTINUES TO DENY THAT IT IS THEIR PROBLEM. IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH SEVERAL YEARS AGO, BUT CHARGING OWNERS HUGE FEES FOR REPLACING A SIMPLE COMPONENT SEEMS TO BE WHAT TOYOTA FEELS IS THE APPROPRIATE SOLUTION. *TR
Power train, May 1, 2010
I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS SLIPPED FROM ABOUT 45,000 MILES WHEN IT SHIFT FROM 3RD TO 4TH. TAKEN IT TO DEALER FOR UPGRADE ON ECM AND THIS DID NOT FIX PROBLEM AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 19, 2010
WHILE COMING TO A RED LIGHT I APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR DID NOT STOP. TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AGAIN AND THE SECOND TIME THE BRAKES WOKED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE TO MY WIFE AND ONCE TO ME. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 10, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE SPEED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,500.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 9, 2010, crash
2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAUSED A CRASH. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE WAS ABOUT TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE, SHE HEARD A SURGING SOUND AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE QUICKLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK COLUMN IN FRONT OF THE STORE AND THEN IT WENT BACKWARDS AND STOPPED. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 7, 2010
AN AFTERNOON DURING AUGUST OR EARLY SEPTEMBER 2009 I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 HIGHLANDER IN A HIGH TRAFFIC ROUTE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK DOWN, LEADING TO AN INITIAL HIGH SPEED AND STEADILY HIGH RPMS (6-7000). I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE SPEED BY STEPPING DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET WHILE KEEPING EXCEEDINGLY HIGH RPMS ON HEAVY TRAFFIC. IN THE EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL STRESS OF THE MOMENT, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO A BUILDING ENTRANCE. WITH THE CAR ON "PARKING" POSITION, THE RPMS KEPT HIGH AND DID NOT DECREASE DESPITE STEPPING FURTHER ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRYING TO "UNSTUCK" IT, WHICH WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. FINALLY I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. AFTER TURNING THE CAR BACK ON, THE PROBLEM DID NOT RECURRED. I TOOK THE CAR TO ITS REGULAR MAINTENANCE SERVICE IN HARR TOYOTA (100 GOLD STAR BLVD., WORCESTER, MA) IN SEPT. 19, 2009, EXPLAINED THE EVENT, THEY DOCUMENTED IT, AND APPLIED THE 60F CARPET CLIP RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO SIMILAR INCIDENT SINCE THEN. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO TOYOTA COMPANY WITH DOCUMENTATION # 1002135597. TOYOTA CLAIMS THEY WILL NOT APPLY THE CURRENT RECALL ACCELERATOR FIX TO MY CAR BECAUSE IT IS NOT ON THE OFFICIAL RECALL AND THE CAR WAS BUILT IN JAPAN (BASED ON VIN), WITH A DIFFERENT ACCELERATOR PEDAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2010
2005 HIGHLANDER V6 AWD. HAS A SURGING EFFECT SINCE DAY ONE. ALSO SURGES SLIGHTLY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. IN TRAFFIC STOP AND GO SITUATION, VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN LUNGES FORWARD. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE LANES. DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. TOYOTA SAID AT TIME TO CONTACT DEALER.
Electrical system, Mar 3, 2010
I WISH TO REPORT A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS ABOVE ABOUT 35 MPH I CANNOT HEAR THE TURN SIGNAL CLICKER. I AM 69 YEARS OLD, BUT DO NOT HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANT HEARING LOSS. NOT BEING ABLE TO HEAR THE CLICKER SOMETIMES CAUSES ME TO LEAVE THE TURN SIGNAL ON WHEN IT SHOULD BE OFF. ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, IT COULD CAUSE OTHER DRIVERS TO MAKE HAZARDOUS DECISIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, IF I HAD MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ON BY MISTAKE SOMEONE WAITING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ONTO THE ROADWAY COULD BE THINKING I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN OFF THE ROAD. I'VE CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT CHANGING TO A LOUDER FLASHER, BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE ONE. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO HELP ME AT ALL. YES, THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR LIGHTS WORK ON THE DASH, BUT THEY ARE NOT IN MY FIELD OF VIEW WHEN I'M LOOKING AT THE ROAD AND LOOKING AT THEM IS AN UNNECESSARY DISTRACTION. I THINK AUDIBLE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS SHOULD BE ON ALL CARS AND THE SOUND LEVEL SHOULD BE ADEQUATE FOR ALL DRIVERS WHO CAN HEAR. PREFERABLY THE SOUND LEVEL WOULD BE MANUALLY ADJUSTABLE OR AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTABLE ACCORDING TO THE CAR SPEED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 2, 2010, crash
ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN CHARLOTTESVILLE VA. SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE CAR WAS IN REVERSE. RIGHT CAR SIDE DAMAGED ALONG WITH 2 OTHER CARS. MODEL OF CAR IS 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER VS AWD LIMITED. TOTAL COST TO REPAIR THE TOYOTA WAS $6,900. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 26, 2010
IMPOSSIBLE TO READ INSTRUMENT PANEL ON SUNNY DAYS, SET TO FAR BACK WITH NO STRONG BACK LIGHT, CAN'T SEE ODOMETER, GAS, OIL AND HOW YOU ARE GOING, PLUS CAN'T READ MILEAGE NEVER-NO STRONG LIGHT BEHIND ANYTHING TO MAKE IT STAND OUT ON BRIGHT DAYS. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER TOYOTA HIGHLANDER OWNERS AND THEY ALL SAY THE SAME THING. IN 20005 WHEN II FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR I BOUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF TOYOTA DISTRICT MANAGER AND TO THE PRESIDENT WITH NO REPLY TO ANY OF MY LETTERS. *TR
Steering, Feb 25, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN INCLUDING THE SOUND OF METAL RUBBING TOGETHER. THE CONTACT SAID THAT THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE MANUFACTURERS DESIGN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVISED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 59,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.