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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Feb 23, 2010
I'VE OWNED A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SINCE NEW, ONCE IN A WHILE THIS CONDITION WOULD OCCUR, NOW IT IS ALL THE TIME. IT JUST TURNED OVER 80K MILES. I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS, NOT EVEN TOYOTA NO. 60F. WHEN YOU ARE COMING TO A STOP,AT NORMAL SPEEDS,NORMAL BRAKING PEDAL PRESSURE, JUST BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPS, IT LAUNCHES FORWARD WITH YOUR FOOT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN YOU APPLY MORE PRESSURE AS IF THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY, IT IS WORSE. MY WIFE AND I HAVE LEARNED TO COMPENSATE BY COASTING THEN STOPPING. I EMAILED TOYOTA.COM ABOUT THIS TWICE, NO ANSWERS. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Feb 23, 2010
1. TRAVELING AT ABOUT 45-55 MILES PER HOUR, GAS PEDAL STICKS. ALSO, THE DEALER SOLD ME THE CAR WITH OUT A DRIVER FLOOR MAT. SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2007, I'VE NOTICED A GRADUAL EROSION OF THE FLOOR MAT BENEATH MY RIGHT FOOT AND JUST BELOW THE GAS PEDAL. THERE IS NOW A HOLE IN THE CARPET AND AN INDENTATION IN THE FLOOR OF THE CAR. ALSO, THERE IS A SMALL TOGGLE TYPE OBJECT JUTTING OUT FROM UNDER THE CARPET JUST BELOW THE GAS PEDAL 2. IT OCCURS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. 3. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 22, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FLOOR MATS BECAME TRAPPED BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL ALMOST CAUSING TWO ACCIDENTS. ALSO THE CARPET IN THE VEHICLE WAS RIPPED WHERE THE FLOOR MATS WERE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND CONTACT WAS TOLD TO CALL THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER, INFORM THEM OF THE PROBLEMS SO SHE CAN GET TOTAL COMPENSATION FOR HER MATS. THE CONTACT CALLED AND IS WAITING FOR THEM TO CALL BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. UPDATED 03/08/10
Vehicle speed control, Feb 22, 2010
TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL ALL OLDER MODELS RELATING TO PEDAL ACCELERATOR. TOYOTA SHOULD BE RECALLING ALL RELATED VEHICLES AS FAR BACK AS 2003 MODELS IF IT ALREADY KNOWS THE COMPUTER COMPONENT IN THOSE CARS HAVE THE SAME PEDAL ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS AS THE NEWER MODELS. WHY AREN'T THEY MADE TO DO THAT? I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND I AM WORRIED EVERYTIME I GET IN MY CAR NOW. *TR
Parking brake, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Vehicle speed control, Tires, Feb 21, 2010
2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. DRIVING TO WORK IN A BLIZZARD ON 12/11/09 ALL DASH BOARD LIGHTS WENT ON. DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT THE SUNROOF HOUSING FAILED CAUSING $3,977.16 WORTH OF DAMAGE. BEING OUT OF WARRANTY THE DEALER AGREED TO PAY 2,000.00. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE ANOTHER 1,500 AND WE PAID 477.16. WE PICKED UP THE CAR ON 12/24/09. ON 2/2/10 WE RETURNED IT AFTER NOTICING A BURN SPOT ON EACH OF THE PLASTIC HEAD LIGHT COVERS. THE DEALER FOUND BOTH HIGHBEAM BULBS MELTED,AND SUGGESTED I HAD OVERUSED THEM CAUSING THE INTENSE HEAT THAT DID THE DAMAGE. I AM CONCERNED IT COULD BE A RESULT OF DELAYED WATER DAMAGE SHOWING UP. OUR CONCERNS WITH THIS CAR(WHICH WE PURCHASED NEW IN NOV. OF 2005)GOES BACK TO 9/7/06 WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT SLOW THE CAR GOING DOWN HILLS. ON 2/28/07 WE HAD BRAKE AND WIPER BLADE ISSUES. ON 4/20/07 THE BLADES LOCKED DURING A DOWNPOUR ON THE 5 FREEWAY. I HAD TO PULL OVER IN A PANIC. ON 7/12/07 THE CARGO CLIP HAD TO BE REPLACED. ON 9/10/07 THAT PARKING BRAKE DID NOT HOLD PROPERLY AND THERE WAS A RATTLE FROM THE RIGHT REAR. ON 11/6/07 WE COMPLAINED OF SQUEAKY BRAKES. DEALER TIGHTENED LOOSE NUTS AND BOLTS ON 4X4 ASSEMBLY. ON 4/1/08 THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED @ 29,080 MILES.ON 10/22/08 THE SOUND SYSTEM FAILED AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. NEXT WEEK WE ARE HAVING THE 5TH SET OF TIRES PUT ON THIS VEHICLE WHICH HAS ONLY 53,000 MILES ON IT. THE SET TO BE REPLACED HAS ONLY ABOUT 15,000 MILES ON THEM. THEY HAVE A 60,000 MILE WARRANTY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 21, 2010, crash
I AM WRITING ABOUT A PROBLEM I ENCOUNTERED WITH MY 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WE PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW IN JANUARY OF 2005. BEAVERTON TOYOTA HAS ADJUSTED THE COMPUTER ON MY CAR SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE FIRST OIL CHANGE AS MY HIGHLANDER FEELS LIKE IT IS CHANGING GEARS BY ITSELF. THE CAR HAD NOT DONE THIS UNTIL AFTER THE FIRST OIL CHANGE. ON SUBSEQUENT SERVICE CALLS, I WOULD DISCUSS THE PROBLEM AND THEY WOULD TELL ME THAT THEY ADJUSTED THE CAR'S COMPUTER. ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2009, I WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE STORE PARKING LOT AND WAS ABOUT TO PULL INTO A PARKING PLACE BY THE FRONT OF THE STORE WHEN I HEARD A SURGING SOUND AND MY CAR QUICKLY WENT FORWARD AND SMASHED INTO A BRICK COLUMN IN FRONT OF THE STORE AND THEN IT WENT BACKWARDS AND STOPPED. THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS SMASHED AND WAS NOT DRIVABLE. I HAD NOT SPOKEN ON MY CELL PHONE SINCE THE NIGHT BEFORE, I HAD NO ONE ELSE IN THE CAR WITH ME TO DISTRACT ME, AND I WAS NOT SPEEDING OR SWERVING TO AVOID ANOTHER PERSON OR CAR. I THANK GOD THAT I HIT THE BRICK COLUMN IN FRONT OF THE STORE INSTEAD OF A PERSON OR ANOTHER CAR. MY SHOULDER, NECK AND TEETH STILL HURT FROM HITTING THE BRICK COLUMN SO HARD. I HAD JUST GOTTEN GAS, AND I HAD MY TIRES ROTATED A FEW DAYS BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. I ASKED THE BODY SHOP WHO FIXED MY CAR AND BEAVERTON TOYOTA TO CHECK THE ACCELERATOR. AT THE TIME OF MY ACCIDENT, THEY WERE LOOKING FOR CAR MATS THAT WEREN'T PROPERLY INSTALLED. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. IT SEEMS STRANGE THAT WITH ALL THE RECALLS NOW, EVEN TOYOTA CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE ACCELERATORS. I THINK IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A GLITCH IN THE COMPUTER. I CAN STILL HEAR THAT SURGING SOUND AND AM AFRAID IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN. THERE IS NO REASON FOR IT TO HAVE SURGED AND SMASHED INTO A BRICK COLUMN AS I WASN'T STOMPING ON THE ACCELERATOR OR BRAKE WHEN I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT TO PARK MY CAR. I HAVEN'T BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT FOR 38 YEARS. *TR
Air bags, Feb 20, 2010, crash
THE SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WAS INITIALLY STRUCK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN STRUCK (T-ED) ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A LARGE PICKUP TRUCK (APPROX SPEED 60 MPH). THE IMPACT DENTED THE DOORS TO THE SEATS AND BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN DUE TO THE IMPACT. VSC, ABS WERE ENGAGED AS EVIDENCED BY THE PANEL LIGHTS ON AT THE END OF THEE CRASH, HOWEVER NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED RESULTING IN TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (CLOSED HEAD INJURY), POST CONCUSSIVE SYNDROME, GRAND MAL SEIZURE, RETROGRADE AMNESIA FOR DRIVER. VEHICLE ALSO HAD A THIRD IMPACT AS IT WAS PUSHED INTO BARRIER WALL. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Feb 16, 2010
TIE RODS SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. WHEELS TURNED SIDEWAYS. GOING 30 MILES PER HOUR, WAS ABLE TO BRING VEHICLE TO A STOP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY CLAIMED RUST, BUT WE RECEIVED VERBAL AFFIRMATION THAT NO RUST WAS FOUND. *TR
Power train, Feb 16, 2010
2005 HIGHLANDER LTD. HAS A SURGING EFFECT SINCE DAY ONE. ALSO SURGES SLIGHTLY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. TOYOTA SAID AT TIME TO CONTACT DEALER. TOYOTA HAS KEPT IT'S HEAD IN THE SAND TOO LONG. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 16, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 65 MPH, SHE PRESSED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR AND WHEN SHE TOOK HER FOOT OFF, THE PEDAL DID NOT RELEASE FROM THE DEPRESSED POSITION. SHE KEPT PUMPING THE PEDAL BUT IT CONTINUED TO STICK TO THE FLOOR UNTIL SHE CRASHED INTO THE WALL OF SOMEONE'S HOME. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH (BROKEN RIBS AND HEAD INJURIES). A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 97,000.
Equipment, Feb 15, 2010, crash
ALREADY HAVE A CASE NUMBER, REPORTED ON 1/22/2010. I HAD A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT IN MAY OF 2007 WHERE THE PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE CAR ACCELERATED AND I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE BRAKES TO WORK. I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING BACKWARDS OUT OF A PARKING SPACE IN A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT. I HAVE HAD TO PAY EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUMS EVERY SIX MONTHS AND HAVE THAT ACCIDENT ON MY RECORD. THE FL HWY PATROL OFFICER SAID THE ACCIDENT WAS DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. ONE OF THE WITNESSES WAS AN OFF-DUTY LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICER SAID HE HEARD THE ACCELERATION AND COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT SOMEONE WAS ACCELERATING IN THE PARKING LOT OF A PUBLIX SUPERMARKET. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT TOYOTA IS GOING TO DO TO HELP CAR OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD ACCIDENTS TO CORRECT THEIR DRIVING RECORDS AND TO CONTACT INSURANCE COMPANIES TO HELP THE INSURED TO RECOUP EXTRA MONIES PAID BECAUSE THE CAR HAS BAD EQUIPMENT, WHICH TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE RECALLED LONG AGO.. *TR
Power train, Feb 9, 2010, crash
I OWN A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I WENT TO A FRIEND'S HOUSE AND PARKED VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE IN THE DRIVEWAY BY PLACING THE GEAR SHIFT IN THE PARK POSITION. I LEFT THE VEHICLE IDLING WHILE I WENT INTO MY FRIEND'S HOUSE TO GET A GROCERY LIST. I WENT IN AND OUT OF THE HOUSE ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT 10- 15 MINUTES TO RETRIEVE ITEMS FOR MY FRIEND THAT WERE OUTSIDE. ON BOTH OCCASIONS MY VEHICLE WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY IDLING. WHILE I WAS BACK INSIDE RETRIEVING THE GROCERY LIST MY FRIEND AND I OBSERVED MY VEHICLE MOVING THROUGH HER BACK YARD AND PROCEEDED INTO THE WOODS BEHIND HER HOUSE WHERE IT CAME TO A STOP AFTER HITTING A TREE. THIS VEHICLE SOMEHOW TOOK ITSELF OUT OF THE PARK POSITION AND INTO DRIVE!!!! I REPORTED THIS TO MY TOYOTA DEALER AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THE REGIONAL TOYOTA MANAGER SAID THERE WAS NO WAY THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED AND THAT IT WAS NOT THE SAME ISSUE BEING INVESTIGATED (GAS PEDAL ISSUE). I WENT AHEAD AND HAD THE CAR REPAIRED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY PAID FOR IT (EXCEPT FOR MY $500.00 DEDUCTIBLE) WITH NO INVESTIGATION OR QUESTIONS. I PICKED THE CAR UP TODAY AND NOW I AM HEARING ON THE NEWS THAT MANY OF THE SO CALLED GAS PEDAL INCIDENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EXPLAINED AND THAT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT MANY OF THE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED INCIDENTS CAN ONLY BE EXPLAINED BY A FAULTY COMPUTER. RIGHT AFTER THE ACCIDENT I ASKED THE TOYOTA DEALER/REGIONAL MANAGER SPECIFICALLY IF MY INCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. THE ANSWER WAS NO! *TR
Visibility, Feb 7, 2010
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUNVISOR DOES NOT STAY UP IN MY 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. IT FLIPS DOWN FREQUENTLY BLOCKING DRIVER'S VIEW WHILE DRIVING AND CREATES DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. I WENT ONLINE AND DISCOVERED MANY MANY SAME COMPLAINTS ON MESSAGE BOARDS - ONLY ON DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. *TW
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Vehicle speed control, Feb 5, 2010
2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, CAR WILL ACCELERATE FROM A DEAD STOP ON ITS OWN. CHANGE TRANSMISSION FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND LET OFF BRAKE AND CAR WILL ACCELERATE WITHOUT TOUCHING GAS PEDAL FAST ENOUGH TO CHANGE GEARS AND CONTINUE. HAVE REACHED A SPEED OF 30 MPH BEFORE BRAKING. THE TACHOMETER DOES NOT SHOW THAT THE ENGINE IS REVVING HIGHER THAN A NORMAL IDLE WHEN IN PARK CHANGING INTO DRIVE SO IT SEEMS LIKE AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM, ETC. ISSUE IS INTERMITTENT. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO 2 DEALERS OVER THE TIME IT HAS BEEN OWNED AND WE WERE TOLD THE ISSUE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED SO NOTHING COULD BE DONE. I CALLED THE SAME DAY THIS EMAIL WAS SENT AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING BY THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. WELL, THE RECALLED GAS PEDALS DON'T STICK ALL THE TIME SO THEY ARE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS SO WHERE IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEIR CARS AND OURS! I HAVE TRIED EVERY CONTACT NUMBER FOR TOYOTA AND CANNOT GET ANYWHERE!!!!!! *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 5, 2010
UNDER A SPECIFIC SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES, THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSES THE CAR TO SURGE PAST THE SET CRUISE SPEED. I'VE NEVER LET THE SURGE GET PAST 10 MPH ABOVE THE SET CRUISE SPEED, I ALWAYS TURN OFF THE CRUISE WHICH CANCELS THE SURGE. I CANNOT FORCE THE REPLICATION OF THE PROBLEM BUT IT HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES OVER THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THE CIRCUMSTANCES I CAN IDENTIFY ARE THE CRUISE IS SET ON A SPECIFIC SPEED (LIKE 60 MPH), THE CRUISE IS DISENGAGED TO SLOW DOWN (WELL BELOW 60 MPH), USING THE GAS PEDAL TO SPEED UP ON A LONG UPHILL GRADE, ENGAGE THE CRUISE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE SET SPEED (60 MPH) AND THE CRUISE BLOWS PAST 60 MPH. IN THE SECONDS IT TAKES TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL, I'VE REACHED 70 MPH. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Feb 4, 2010
MY 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, V6 MODEL, ALWAYS ON APPLYING THE BRAKES THE FIRST TIME AFTER STARTING IN THE MORNING IS LIKE THE ABS SYSTEM IS ENGAGED, IT TAKES LONGER TO STOP THAN IT WILL ON THE SUCCEEDING BRAKING APPLICATIONS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY TO SOMEONE WHO MAY NOT BE PREPARED FOR THIS OR IS NOT THE USUAL DRIVER. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST HYDRAULICS BUT NOW I THINK IT IS TIED TO THE ABS SYSTEM, AFTER READING OF THE PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION. *TR
Power train, Feb 4, 2010
MY 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS CHRONIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHEN ACCELERATING, THE ENGINE REVS BUT THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES NOTICEABLY BEFORE GOING INTO GEAR. SOMETIMES THE HESITATION LASTS SO LONG THAT IT INTERFERES WITH MY ABILITY TO MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY AND THOSE ARE VERY SCARY SITUATIONS. SOMETIMES THE TRANSMISSION CANNOT DECIDE WHAT GEAR TO BE IN AND WHEN IT DOES ENGAGE THE WHOLE CAR BUCKS OR SHUDDERS. EVERYONE WHO DRIVES MY CAR EXPERIENCES THE SAME PROBLEM. EVEN THE PASSENGERS NOTICE. THE TOYOTA DEALER CLAIMS THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS MY DRIVING AND THAT I HAVE NOT ADJUSTED TO THE CAR'S "DRIVE BY WIRE" SYSTEM. ONE MECHANIC DID ADMIT THAT THERE WERE ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION'S COMPUTER FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. OTHER THAN THAT, TOYOTA INSISTS THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM AND THAT I HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE THE CAR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 4, 2010
2005 TOYOTO HIGHLANDER, 40,000 MILES TO DATE. ABRUPT ACCELERATION OCCURRED TWICE FOR NO REASON-CAR DOES NOT HAVE FLOOR MATS THAT COULD INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR, FIRST OCCURRANCE IN 2006 WAS WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, BRAKING SOLVED THE PROBLEM SECOND OCCURANCE IN 2008- CAR WAS MOVING AT IDLE SPEED-FOOT WAS NOT OR NEAR THE ACCELERATOR BUT ABOVE BUT NOT TOUCHING THE BRAKE. BRAKING SOLVED THE PROBLEM. INFORMED TOYOTA DEALER-THEY WERE CLUELESS AND HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF A PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 3, 2010
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THIS VEHICLE STUTTERS WHEN MERGING ON TO TRAFFIC. ON THIS SPECIFIC INSTANCE I WAS MERGING FROM TURN IN LANE. THE THROTTLE WAS SLOW TO RESPOND AFTER DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL 3/4 OF THE WAY. THEN IT JUMPED/LURCHED FORWARD. I WAS NEARLY HIT BUT THE TRAFFIC COMING UP FROM BEHIND. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASSIONS IN THE PAST, BEGINNING WITH 20000 MILES ON THE CAR. HAD BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION IN THE PAST AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A "DESIGN FEATURE" OF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE. THEY SEEMED TO BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT OFFER ANY SOLUTION. THE ECM WAS REPROGRAMMED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY BUT THAT ALSO DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 3, 2010, crash
I OWN A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND WAS TRYING TO PARK IN FRONT OF MY HOME BETWEEN TWO CARS WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE. I AM NOT 100% SURE WHAT HAPPENED, WHETHER I ACCIDENTALLY PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR OR THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION OF SOME KIND. I HAD TO MAKE A 90 DEGREE LEFT TURN BETWEEN TWO OTHER PARKED CARS, SO I AM SURE I WAS NOT DRIVING FAST AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 2, 2010
MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2005 WILL ACCELERATE BY ITSELF WHEN I START OUT AT A LIGHT MAKING IT REV THE ENGINE EXCESSIVELY. THIS HAPPENED ALOT WHEN I GOT THE CAR UNTIL LAST FALL I GOT FUEL SYSTEM CLEANED AND ALL CARBON REMOVED FROM LINES. IT WENT AWAY AFTER I GOT CARBON CLEANED OUT AND NOW IT HAS RECENTLY STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN. IT SOMETIMES MAKES MY FRONT TIRES SQUEAL. I HAVE ASKED THE JOE MEYERS TOYOTA IN HOUSTON, TX. ABOUT IT AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. I NEVER BROUGHT IT UP WITH THEM AGAIN. I NEED TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS ANY FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM ASAP SINCE THERE HAS BEEN ISSUES WITH THIS BEING WORSE AND CAUSING DEATHS. NOTE: AFTER BUYING THE CAR IN JAN 06 THE FLOOR MATS CONSTANTLY PUSHED FORWARD UPTO PEDALS SO I GOT MY HUSBAND TO USE A GROMMET ON THEM TO MAKE HOLES AND ATTACH VIA CLIPS FROM JOE MEYERS TOYOTA. NOW THEY DON'T MOVE. THIS WAS NEVER THE CAUSE OF THE ACCELERATION. IT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE - PEDAL WAS NOT STUCK. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Feb 2, 2010
GOING UP HILL ON HWY 24 LEAVING GEO INTO TN IN RAIN AT 55 MPH AND TOOK FOOT OF GAS PEDAL IT DID NOT SLOW DOWN. I DRIVE A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. *TR
Steering, Jan 29, 2010
2005 YEAR MODEL TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THERE HAD BEEN A STEERING WHEEL "KNOCKING" SINCE ABOUT 5000 MI. IT COULD ONLY BE DETECTED WHEN GENTLY TURNING (WIGGLING) THE STEERING WHEEL. I TOOK IS TO TOYOTA DEALER SHORTLY BEFORE THE THREE YEAR FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. I WAS NOT TOLD WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS BUT IT COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IF THE CV JOINT IS DEFECTIVE. *TR
Power train, Equipment, Jan 28, 2010
MY 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V6 4WD, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW, HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A HESITATION/SHIFTING PROBLEM FOR NEARLY AS LONG AS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE PROBLEM DOES NOT ALWAYS OCCUR, IT IS QUITE PRONOUNCED WHEN IT DOES AND HAS RESULTED IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE DIRECT ATTENTION OF TOYOTA MOTOR SALES IN CALIFORNIA, AND THEIR RESPONSE HAS BEEN DISTURBINGLY POOR. THE TOYOTA DEALER THAT HAS BEEN SERVICING MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL, BUT APPARENTLY CANNOT TAKE ACTION TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITHOUT CORPORATE AUTHORIZATION. HERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE PROBLEM: THE VEHICLE CANNOT ALWAYS DECIDE WHEN TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP - THERE HAVE BEEN MANY INSTANCES OF INITIAL HESITATION/LACK OF ADEQUATE POWER UPON APPLYING THE GAS PEDAL. FOR EXAMPLE, I HAVE EXPERIENCED A DELAY OF A SECOND OR TWO WHEN APPLYING THE GAS PEDAL TO PROCEED. THIS HAS RESULTED IN SOME VERY CLOSE CALLS WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ALSO, THERE ARE OCCURRENCES WHERE THE VEHICLE CANNOT SEEM TO DECIDE BETWEEN GEARS (IT WILL SOMETIMES JUMP UP/DOWN BETWEEN THE LOWER GEARS, SUCH AS 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND/OR 2ND TO 3RD GEAR). FURTHERMORE, I HAVE NOTICED A GENERAL LACK OF ADEQUATE ACCELERATION/GAS PEDAL RESPONSE, ESPECIALLY DURING CITY DRIVING (IE. LOWER SPEEDS). MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER HAS RECORDS OF THE PROBLEM SINCE APPROXIMATELY 16,000 MILES (THE VEHICLE NOW HAS ABOUT 44,000 MILES). I BELIEVE THE ISSUE IS THE ECM, WHICH WAS REPROGRAMMED BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNED. BASED ON MY RESEARCH, I BELIEVE THE ECM MAY BE DEFECTIVE AND THAT REPLACING THE UNIT MAY SOLVE THE PROBLEM. TOYOTA WILL NOT REPLACE THE ECM. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THE TOYOTA DEALER WAS ABLE TO VERIFY THE HESITATION PROBLEM DURING A SERVICE VISIT. HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT LATER WITH THE SCAN TOOL ATTACHED - THEY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR TWO DAYS TRYING TO GET A SNAP SHOT BECAUSE THE TOYOTA FIELD SERVICE TECHNICIAN TOLD THEM "NO REPAIRS ARE TO BE MADE UNTIL THE PROBLEM OCCURS MORE OFTEN." TW*
Vehicle speed control, Dec 16, 2009, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, JUST BEFORE APPLYING THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO A CONCRETE STEP. NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE CRASH BUT THE VEHICLE SUFFERED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY COLLECTED ALL THE INFORMATION REGARDING THE INCIDENT. HOWEVER HIS VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL 09V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,892.