2004 Toyota Highlander

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2007· STEERING

  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

• 12/30/2006· STEERING

  2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER BEGAN MAKING A NOISE WHICH COULD BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL, PARTICULARLY WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER A BUMP AT SLOW SPEED. TOYOTA HAS A TSB OUT ON THIS BUT IT IS NOT KNOW TO OWNERS, AND IS NOT WELL KNOW AT THE DEALERSHIP. THIS DESPITE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB. FURTHERMORE, TOYOTA REPS AND THE DEALER'S SERVICE WRITERS WILL TELL YOU FACE TO FACE IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT WON'T PUT IT IN WRITING. WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS FINALLY REPAIRED BY REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING SHAFT, I BECAME AWARE THAT PRIOR TO THE REPAIRS THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN AS THE VEHICLE NOW TRACK STRAIGHT AND THE WHEEL EASY TO TURN. WITH SUCH SYMPTOMS I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT TOYOTA SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO NOTIFY VEHICLE OWNERS. *NM

• 12/28/2010· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO RESPOND. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR MOST PROMINENTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 93,000.

• 12/24/2008· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  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

• 12/24/2007· STEERING

  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

• 12/23/2004· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER MAKES A TERRIBLE HUMMING / MOANING SOUND ON ACCELERATION THAT RESONATES WITHIN THE VEHICLES AND DISTURBS THE DRIVER. THE PROBLEM TYPICALLY OCCURS DURING SPEEDING UP FROM 0 MPH. IT IS TERRIBLY FRUSTRATING THAT A BRAND NEW CAR MAKES SUCH A ANNOYING SOUND. IT IS ALSO HESITATES A LOT DURING 20-40 MPH SPEED RANGE. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND AS IT SUPPOSED TO ON ACCELERATION AND THAT TOO SPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING WITHIN THE CITY. ON CANTACTING THE DEALER AND TOYOTA'S NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE THAY SAID IT IS DESIGNED TO BE LIKE THAT AND THE HESITATION IS A BY-PRODUCT OF COMPUTER CONTROLLED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. CURRENTLY THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS. AM TERRIBLY FRUSTRATED NOW AND PROMISE TO NEVER BUY ANY VEHICLE FROM TOYOTA IN FUTURE. I WOULD ALSO MAKE SURE THAT MY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES DOES NOT GO NEAR A TOYOTA DEALER. I AM DESPERATE IN GETTING RID OF THIS VEHICLE. *AK

• 12/21/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND DEALER PERFORMED REPAIRS. SHORTLY AFTER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE BRAKES ARE STILL NOT PERFORMING AS THEY SHOULD. THE TIRE WORE OUT PREMATURELY AT 24000 MILES. *NM

• 12/21/2004· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESCrash

  2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WAS INVOLVED IN CRASH. THE DOORS WERE NOT LOCKED WHEN TRAVELING, BUT WERE LOCKED WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP AFTER CRASH. OCCUPANTS COULD NOT GET OUT. THEY COULD NOT TURN OFF KEY. THEY COULD NOT BREAK WINDOWS TO GET OUT, EITHER, NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY KICKED THEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER. IF THERE HAD BEEN A FIRE, THE OCCUPANTS WOULD HAVE DIED.*AK

• 12/20/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE ENGINE STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE. NONE OF THE WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED NOR DID THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INFORM HIM THAT IT WAS GOING TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE THREADS FROM THE ENGINE BOLT STRIPPED AND HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 151,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 12/18/2008· VISIBILITY

  COMPLETE LOST OF HEAT FROM DEFROSTER AND HEATER. SEEM TO BE A GENERIC PROBLEM WILL ALL TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS OR MANY. *TR

• 12/16/2005· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I BOUGHT A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN NOVEMBER OF 2003 BECAUSE MY HUSBAND AND I FOUND OUT WE WERE PREGNANT AND NEEDED A BIGGER CAR. THREE MONTHS AND 5000 MILES LATER I HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF A DEFECT IN A CHIP IN THE "MOTHERBOARD." (SOME SENSOR DEFECT THAT CAUSED THE ASC MECHANISM TO FOUL UP.) ANYWAY, ON MONDAY, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AT 50500 MILES, BUT THIS TIME THE CAUSE WAS A STEERING SENSOR ACTUATOR. OF COURSE, THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I RAISED CANE BECAUSE TWO MAJOR THINGS HAVE CAUSED ME TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH BARELY 50000 MILES ON THE CAR. THEY ARE PAYING FOR THE COST OF THE PARTS BUT THAT'S IT. I TRULY BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR THE ENTIRE ORDEAL, INCLUDING TOWING, LABOR AND RENTAL CAR BECAUSE OF MY INCONVENIENCE AND OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE CAR. TOYOTA IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY BRAND NAMES OF CARS AND YOU DON'T EXPECT TO DEAL WITH THESE TYPES OF ISSUES WHEN BUYING ONE. I FEEL THAT THEY REALIZE I HAVE A DEFECTIVE CAR AND HAVE DECIDED NOT TO CARE. NOW I DON'T TRUST THE VEHICLE AND WANT TO TRADE IT IN FOR A NON TOYOTA CAR. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. *JB

• 12/14/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOOSING COOLANT BECAUSE OF A FRACTURED STRIP HEAD BOLT IN THE ENGINE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SMOKE AND OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

• 12/14/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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

• 12/11/2010· VISIBILITY

  HEATER CONTROL BOARD THAT ADJUSTS HOT AND COLD ON 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS MALFUNCTIONED. ADJUSTMENT FOR HOT AND COLD NO LONGER WORKS. WILL GO FROM HOT TO COLD AND VICE VERSA SIMPLY BY DRIVING THE VEHICLE. WENT ON MANY FORUMS AND IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WILL THE 2004. SAME PROBLEM WITH MANY PEOPLE. TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE PART IS 749.00 AND WOULD BE ABOUT $1000.00 TO REPAIR WITH LABOR. HAVE HAD NUMEROUS RECALLS WITH TOYOTA AND BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE ANOTHER. DON'T THINK THE CONSUMERS SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR FAULTY EQUIPMENT. INITIALLY THOUGHT THE VEHICLE JUST WARMED UP SLOWLY BUT NOW BELIEVE THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF A MORE COMPLEX PROBLEM WITH HEATER BOARD. CANNOT GET HEAT TO WORK PROPERLY ALL THE TIME. HAVE TO TAKE OFF KNOW FOR HOT/COLD AND WIGGLE THE STICK FOR THE KNOB TO GET ANY HEAT AND SELDOM DOES IT STAY HOT FOR LONG. HAVE NOT GOTTEN FIXED YET BUT BELIEVE I WILL HAVE TO SINCE I LIVE IN A COLD WEATHER CLIMATE. *TR

• 12/09/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  UNLOADING ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK OF THE 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AT THE BACK (BASEMENT) OF A NEW RESIDENCE. DROVE FROM THE BACK OF THE HOUSE TO THE FRONT WITH INTENTIONS OF BACKING UP TO THE GARAGE TO UNLOAD THE REMAINDER OF THE BOXES. I ENDED UP CROSSING THE ROAD DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVEWAY HITTING A TELEPHONE POLE HEAD ON; SMASHING MY HEAD AGAINST AND BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE INCURRED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN MEDICAL BILLS, APPROXIMATELY $7,000 IN DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND A WEEK OFF OF WORK. *TR

• 12/09/2006· TIRES

  I HAD A TIRE GO VERY NEARLY FLAT AND THE LOW TIRE INDICATOR ON MY 04 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER NEVER ILLUMINATED. A PASSING MOTORIST MADE ME AWARE OF THE TIRE CONDITION. I BARELY WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A STATION WITHOUT RUINING THE ALMOST NEW TIRE. I HAD JUST CAME INTO TOWN, AND WAS PREVIOUSLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH 2 ELDERLY PASSENGERS BESIDES MYSELF. MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER HERE IN MCKINNEY TX SAID THAT TOYOTA TECH SUPPORT SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. EVEN THOUGH I HAD JUST DRIVEN ABOUT 5 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH ONE TIRE PURPOSELY UNDER INFLATED BY 10 POUNDS TO PROVE TO THEM THAT IT WAS NOT WORKING, THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT TOYOTA WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT, EXCEPT TO VERIFY THAT THERE IS NO CODES SET IN THE COMPUTER! *JB

• 12/07/2013· VISIBILITY

  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

• 12/07/2004· VISIBILITY

  WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER REAR WINDOWS. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE ALMOST LOOSES CONTROL DUE TO THE NOISE. THE NOISE FROM THE WINDOW NOT ONLY CHANGES THE AIR PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH OR FASTER IT HURTS BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGERS EARS. THE CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO HEAR EMERGENCY VEHICLES AS THEY APPROACH. *TC

• 12/06/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  COOLANT LOSS DUE TO STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. ENGINE OVER HEATED. *TR

• 12/06/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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

• 12/06/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN

  THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ELECTRONICS GET CONFUSED AT STREET SPEEDS, NOT ALLOWING ME TO ACCELERATE, ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING A LEFT ACROSS TRAFFIC. I HAVE BEEN NEARLY T-BONED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. I TALKED TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ABOUT A YEAR AGO, AND THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT HE WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND EXPECTS TOYOTA TO COME UP WITH A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. RECENTLY, I LEFT A MESSAGE WITH THE SAME TECHNICIAN ASKING WHAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE, AND I RECEIVED NO REPLY. IT IS EXTREMELY SCARY TO FIND THIS 'DEAD SPOT' IN ACCELERATION. THIS IS OUR FOURTH TOYOTA, AND MIGHT BE THE LAST IF TOYOTA DOES NOT ADDRESS THIS ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *JB

• 12/04/2015· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  HEAT DOESN'T WORK AND A/C INTERMITTENTLY BLOWS COLD OR HOT. WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS WILL FOG UP IN BAD WEATHER AND WITHOUT HEAT I CAN'T DEFOG THEM FORCING ME TO PULL OVER AND MANUALLY WIPE THE FOG OFF EVERY FEW MINUTES.

• 12/04/2014· ENGINE

  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

• 12/02/2014· SEAT BELTS

  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

• 12/01/2006· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION SHIFT HESITATION ON ACCELERATION AT LOWER SPEEDS. JUST ENOUGH LAG TIME TO SCARE ME A FEW TIMES THAT I WOULDN'T MAKE IT ACROSS TRAFFIC. *JB

• 12/01/2005· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION. WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON JULY 8, 2005. THE PROBLEM DID NOT REAPPEAR UNTIL NOVEMBER 22, 2005. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS. HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AFTER IT HAD GONE THROUGH TWO FENCES AND CRASHED INTO THE CORNER OF THE NEIGHBOR'S GARAGE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTICS.*AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB

• 11/27/2013· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  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

• 11/27/2008· STEERING

  HEARD A CLICKING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. *TR

• 11/27/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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

• 11/26/2018· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. UPON APPLYING MINIMAL PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, A DUMPSTER, AND ALMOST STRUCK A GROUP OF CHILDREN BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED AND WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE PAIN TO THE NECK AND BACK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS SUBJECT TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V112000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

• 11/22/2006· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM DIFFERENTIAL - 2000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY - DEALER SAID THEY HAVE AT LEAST TWO OTHER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS THIS VEHICLE IS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. *NM

• 11/22/2004· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  HAVE EXPERIENCED ACCELERATION HESITATION PROBLEM ON 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO TOYOTA WHO INSIST THAT THE CAR IF FINE AND PERFORMING TO THEIR SPECS. ALSO CONTACTED THEIR REGIONAL OFFICE AND WAS TOLD TO PERIODICALLY CHECK WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN MAY HAVE BEEN ISSUES, BUT AS OF NOW NOTHING WAS BEING WORKED ON. TOYOTA DID ISSUES A TSB ON A DIFFERENT 2004 MODEL. AS MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR USUALLY WITH CHILDREN I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS HESITATION. *JB

• 11/21/2005· POWER TRAIN

  ENGINE HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM LOW SPEEDS; TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE AND THEN SURGE WHEN ACCELERATING. *NM

• 11/20/2014· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES

  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

• 11/19/2004· POWER TRAIN

  WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE WITH FASTER MOVING TRAFFIC THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT HESITATION. I'VE NEARLY BEEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE I JUST COULDN'T GET UP TO SPEED IN TIME. THIS IS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, V6 AWD. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WITH NO RESULTS.*AK

• 11/18/2013· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  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

• 11/18/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  ON NOVEMBER 14, 2011, I WAS PARKING MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN A VERY FAMILIAR PARKING SPACE AND SUDDENLY MY CAR TOOK ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN AND ACCELERATED, VEERED LEFT, JUMPED LOW SIDEWALK CAR BARRIER, JUMPED CURB, AND HIT A DECORATIVE POLE; BRAKES COULD NOT STOP CAR. IT WENT FROM GENTLY ENTERING A PARKING SPOT WHICH I HAVE OFTEN USED TO FULL THROTTLE SPEED. THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE STRAIGHT FORWARD IT VEERED TO LEFT. *TR

• 11/16/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  LENS PLATE COVERS OVER FOG LIGHTS ARE MELTING. THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. *TR

• 11/14/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SLOT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE LURCHING INTO ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, OXYGEN SENSOR, AND REPROGRAMMED THE ECU. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. *AK

• 11/13/2006· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED ERRATICALLY. THE DEALERSHIP HAD REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED.*AK

• 11/12/2010· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  RECENTLY DISCOVERED TWO WHITE MELTED BUMPS IN THE EXACT CENTER OF THE HEADLAMP CASING WHERE THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP BEAMS PASS THROUGH THE PLASTIC. HAVE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE JULY 2010 AND THE INCIDENT OCCURED DURING A 19 HOUR DRIVE, MOST OF WHICH TOOK PLACE DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT TURNED ON UNTIL SUNSET. CONCERNED THAT FACTORY LIGHTS ARE HOT ENOUGH TO MELT THE PLASTIC THAT IS FACTORY INSTALLED. OBVIOUS DEFECT, COULD CAUSE FIRE. IMPAIRED VISION AT NIGHT ALSO A RESULT AS PLASTIC IS NOW PERMANENTLY DAMAGED. ALSO CONCERNED THAT ISSUE COULD WORSEN AND HOLE COULD APPEAR, CAUSING RAIN AND ELEMENTS TO COME IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH LIGHTING SYSTEM. ANOTHER OBVIOUS DANGER. DISENGAGING DAYTIME LIGHTS IS NOT AN OPTION, NO CONTROL OVER OVERHEATING OTHER TO TURN ON HEADLIGHTS 100% OF TIME. ALSO CONCERNED WITH THIS SOLUTION, AS DEFECT COULD POTENTIALLY BE SIMILAR IN THESE AS WELL. ATTEMPTED TO HAVE DEALER LOOK AT PROBLEM, HOWEVER WARRANTLY PERIOD HAS EXPIRED. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, FOUND SEVERAL SIMILAR INSTANCES ON MODELS RANGING FROM 2004-2007. FEEL STRONGLY THAT ISSUE SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS PASSENGER SAFTEY IS AT RISK.

• 11/09/2007· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL,VISIBILITY

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 25-40 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING SIGNAL ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES PULSATED. THE TRAFFIC CONTROL LIGHT SHOULD HAVE ILLUMINATED WHEN THERE WAS WHEEL SLIPPAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING DRY ROAD CONDITIONS AND ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,700. UPDATED 03/10/08. *LJTHE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER STOPPED WORKING.

• 11/09/2004· POWER TRAIN

  THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. *NM THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE SHIFTS IN A HESITATION THEN SURGING MANNER NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENTS. SHIFTING IS VERY ABRUPT. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS ISSUE IS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. *TC

• 11/08/2015· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON DURING NORMAL DRIVING

• 11/07/2011· STEERING

  THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR WENT ON RANDOMLY DURING DRIVING, THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON, CAUSING ENGINE SPEED SLOW DOWN AND SLUGGISH ON ROAD, IT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. I DROVE SLOWLY TO THE DEALER, IT COSTS OVER $600.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM, I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AT TOYOTA. *TR

• 11/06/2014· AIR BAGS,VISIBILITY/WIPER

  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

• 11/06/2005· POWER TRAIN

  2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED DEVELOPED A HESITATION AFTER AROUND 10,000 MILES. THE HESITATION IS FOLLOWED BY A HEAD-JERKING SURGE. THIS SITUATION IS VERY HAZARDOUS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT OR LEFT-HAND TURN, OR FAST ACCELERATION MERGE, IN HIGH TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY 15-YR-OLD TWINS WHO ARE LEARNING TO DRIVE IN THIS VEHICLE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE NHTSA CONSIDERING THE VERY LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, HERE AND ON THE WEB. ARE YOU WAITING FOR A DEATH? MY DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *NM

• 11/05/2010· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  SUMMARY: ON DEC. 30, 2009, I EXPERIENCED A MALFUNCTION IN THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM OF MY 2004 4CYL FWD TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUV. THE MALFUNCTION IS EXACTLY OF THE NATURE DESCRIBED IN THE SUMMARY OF FINDINGS FOLLOWING AN ODI INVESTIGATION OF MALFUNCTIONS IN THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEMS OF 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA VEHICLES(NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V176000, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA09006). COMPLAINT: THE MALFUNCTION IN MY HIGHLANDER OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED FORWARD AT VERY LOW SPEED AFTER HAVING BEEN BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE SUBSEQUENTLY HESITATED AND SURGED DURING ACCELERATION AND THE BRAKES WERE AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED AND RELEASED AS IF THE VEHICLE WERE EXPERIENCING A SKID. UNLIKE THE COMPLAINTS CONSIDERED IN THE ODI INVESTIGATION, HOWEVER, THE MALFUNCTION IN MY HIGHLANDER DID NOT SELF-CORRECT. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED THE FOLLOWING DAY AT ACTON TOYOTA IN LITTLETON, MA, WHERE THE MALFUNCTION WAS CORRECTED BY RESETTING THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER THE COMPUTER WAS RESET. SINCE ACTON TOYOTA WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY A CAUSE FOR THE MALFUNCTION IN THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM, I HAD THEM REPLACE THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR AS A PRECAUTIION ON JANUARY 6, 2010. ACTION: BASED UPON MY EXPERIENCE, I THINK THAT A RECALL OF 2004 4CYL FWD HIGHLANDERS SIMILAR TO THAT FOR 2003 SEQUOIAS SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN.

• 11/04/2008· STEERING

  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

• 11/02/2012· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL WAS LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE EXHAUST. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAL AND THE GASKETS FOR THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.