2004 Toyota Highlander Complaint Log

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING RE COMPLAINT AGAINST TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION AND JAY WOLFE TOYOTA OF WEST COUNTY FM OWNER OF A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. *TGW AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW WEEKS, IT BECAME APPARENT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFTING WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE CONDITION WAS MOST NOTICEABLE DURING SHARP ACCELERATION PERIODS. THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP, BUT IT DID NOT GAIN SPEED RELATIVE TO THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR. THE ENGINE WOULD SOUND AS IF IT WAS UNDER STRESS AND IT WOULD THEN SHIFT WITH A SEVERE JOLT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER TOYOTA WAS AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION FLAW, BUT THERE WAS NO FIX. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE.

THE CABIN TEMPERATURE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE TEMPERATURE WILL CHANGE DRASTICALLY WITHOUT ANY ADJUSTMENT TO THE CONTROLS. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE CONTROL ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF CLOSE TO $900. *KB

2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER EXPRESSES DISCONTENT REGARDING TOYOTA *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ON FOUR OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. ON THE FOURTH OCCASION, IT NOT ONLY STALLED, BUT ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE BEHIND THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. (CONSUMER DIDN'T STATE IF THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE) *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN AND THE FAILURE WAS RECREATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000. UPDATED 5/2/11 *CN

THE CHECK ENGINE, VSC, TRAC-OFF LIGHTS APPEARED ON MY DASHBOARD OF MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON OR AROUND MARCH 7, 2010. ON MARCH 9, I WENT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHOSE TOYOTA DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE INFORMED THEM THAT SINCE THIS VEHICLE HAD UNDER 80,000 MILES - IT WAS STILL COVERED BY MY ORIGINAL WARRANTY. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH SUNRISE TOYOTA, IN OAKDALE, NY WHERE I PURCHASED THIS HIGHLANDER. AFTER SHOWING SUNRISE TOYOTA SERVICE REP: CHARLES SALVATO THE DIAGNOSTIC PRINTOUTS - HE REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS MECHANIC INADVERTENTLY CLEARED THE WARNING LIGHTS. THEY WOULDN'T ACCEPT THE DIAGNOSTIC PRINTOUTS AS PROOF OF A PROBLEM NOR WOULD THEY AGREE TO CHECK-OUT OR RE-RUN THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. AFTER FORMALLY COMPLAINING, I DID HEAR FROM A BOB JOHNSON AT SUNRISE TOYOTA WHO ASK ME TO STOP IN. WHEN I DID STOP BY, I WAS TOLD HE WAS AT AN ALL DAY MEETING. MY DISTINCT FEELING IS THAT THEY ARE HOPING TO LET THE CLOCK RUN OUT (LET THE MILEAGE GO OVER 80,000) SO THAT NOTHING HAS TO BE DONE. I AM ASKING FOR NHTSA'S ASSISTANCE WITH THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY CONCERN. A CONCERN, I FEEL,TOYOTA IS STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. *TR

2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS 57,000 MILES, SINCE I OWNED THE CAR THE FOLLOWING OCCURS; ON SLIPPERY CONDITIONS THE VCS LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND IT WOULD TAKE A SECOND OR SO FOR BRAKES TO ENGAGE. TODAY ON A DRY PAVEMENT SURFACE (NO RAIN OR SNOW) THE VCS LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON WHEN TRAVELING 20 MILES AN HOUR LOCKING MY BRAKES FOR NO APPARENT REASON MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TRIED DRIVING AGAIN BUT BREAKS IMMEDIATELY LOCKED UP ONCE I HIT 10-15 MILES AN HOUR AND STEERING WHEEL WAS ALSO LOOSE CAUSING DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAD CAR TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND IT IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED, TECHNICIAN SAID THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR IS FAULTY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED $500. NOT SURE IF THIS WILL CORRECT THE 1 SECOND GAP IN BREAK ENGAGEMENT ON SLIPPERY SURFACES WHICH HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2004. *TR

2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V6 - AUTO (2WD) SINCE WE'VE PURCHASED THE T-HIGHLANDER, THE CAR WILL OCCASIONALLY SUDDENLY JERK FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR AND WHEN THE SHIFT TAKES PLACE BETWEEN 2,000 AND 2,500 RPM WHEN IN 2ND GEAR. WE HAVE BROUGHT THIS IN TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS ONLY TO BE TOLD THIS IS A "PROGRAMMING" ISSUE AND THE CAR IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SHIFT BASED ON DIFFERENT DRIVERS. I'VE LOOKED ONLINE AND ON FORUMS AND OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. I THINK IT'S TOYOTA TRYING TO SAVE $$. MY CONCERN SINCE WE'VE BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS IS THE SAME CONCERN THAT I WANT THE NHTSA TO BE AWARE OF NOW AND THAT IS, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR AND THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT HERE DUE TO SOMETHING THAT IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND/OR THE "PROGRAMMING" OF HOW THE COMPUTER SHIFTS. THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING FILED BECAUSE ALL OF THE OTHER TOYOTA PROBLEMS THAT HAVE SURFACED HAVE REAFFIRMED WHAT I'VE KNOWN ALL ALONG, THAT THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH TOYOTAS AND IN OUR CASE, NOT HAVING COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING. HOWEVER, I WAS MADE TO FEEL THAT I HAD NO BASIS FOR MY COMPLAINTS WHEN IN FACT, I DO. I HOPE THAT EVEN IF NOTHING IS DONE TO FIX MY T-HIGHLANDER AS I HAVE GIVEN UP ON IT (SHORT OF LEGAL ACTION, WHICH MIGHT BE WORTHWHILE NOW) THAT THE NHTSA DOES DO SOMETHING TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE IS INJURED AS A RESULT OF THIS "PROGRAMMING" ISSUE. *TR

HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA 3.3L 2WD HIGHLANDER THAT HAS HAD A SURGING PROBLEM WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A START SINCE I HAD IT NEW....DEALER RECALIBRATED COMPUTER BUT DIDNT FIX THE PROBLEM....THEY TOLD ME THIS IS NORMAL.....IT IS NOT NORMAL AND IS VERY DANGEROUS....BEING THEY DONT WANT TO FIX IT, I GUESS IT WILL COME DOWN TO A LAW SUIT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS.....THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF POST ON THIS PROBLEM AND TOYOTA SHOULD BE RECALLING AND FIXING......WONT NEVER BUY TOYOTA AGAIN IF SOMETHING ISNT DONE BECAUSE THEY STILL SEEM TO BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM IN OTHER MAKES AND MODELS IN TOYOTA LINE....AND LEXUS........*CN

MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED V6 DEVELOPED SUBSTANTIAL TRANSMISSION/ TRANSAXLE LEAK AT 56,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS ABLE TO LEAK INTO THE FRONT TRANSAXLES AND THEN ONTO THE GROUND. TOYOTA IS AWARE THAT THE #2 AXEL SEAL IS AT FAULT AS IT IS WELL REPORTED. THE REPAIR WAS OVER $2,000. I FIXED MINE, BUT AM CONCERNED ABOUT THOSE THAT WON'T BE FIXED. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THE TRANSMISSION LEAKS OUT IN TOTAL WOULD THE RESULTING TRANSMISSION FAILURE RESULT IN INJURY.*TW

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.

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

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

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

STEERING WHEEL MAKE A NOISE LIKE A BOLT IS MISSING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNUSUAL CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE WHERE THE NOISE HAD COME FROM. THE CONTACT STATED THE NOISE WAS HEARD ONE ADDITIONAL TIME. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 44,000.

I JUST THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW, LAST YEAR MY GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK. I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHEN I INVESTIGATED IT, I FOUND THAT THE PLASTIC PANEL TO THE RIGHT OF THE PEDAL HAD BROKEN LOOSE CAUSING THE PANEL TO LIFT UP SO THAT THE PEDAL COULD GET STUCK UNDER IT. THE PLASTIC SCREW HAD COMPLETELY SHEARED OFF. I WENT TO TOYOTA HERE IN BOULDER AND THEY REPLACE THE SCREW. WHY MANUFACTURERS USE PLASTIC SCREWS IS BEYOND ME. I WAS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED THAT TOYOTA WOULD HAVE USED PLASTIC SCREWS FOR WHAT IS APPARENTLY A STRESSED AREA. I'M JUST GLAD I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS PRETTY SCARY! *TR

CONTROL PANEL OF 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. NUT SECURING THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL BUTTON IS LOOSE. CAUSES ENGINE AIR TO ENTER THE CABIN. A/C DOES NOT WORK; GETS JUST HOT ENGINE AIR. REFER TO SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS AT: HTTP://WWW.TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM/FORUMS/HIGHLANDER/100664-HIGHLANDER-HEAT-COOL-CONTROL/ AND HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.EF00024/4224. IT OCCURS DAILY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED A SLIGHT VIBRATION AND NOISE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN AND IF THE FAILURE PROGRESSED TO RETURN IT FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 4/22/10 *CN UPDATED 06/01/10*JB

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2WD. THIS VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, LOW MILEAGE (ABOUT 40,000) AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. ON APRIL 19, THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL/ANTI-SLIP BUZZER SOUNDED. THE ICON LIT ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO BREAK AS IF THE CAR WAS SLIPPING. THE ROAD WAS DRY, OUR SPEED WAS EXTREMELY LOW (ABOUT 15MPH), AND THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THANKFULLY, WE WERE JUST OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY AND COULD TURN SAFELY AROUND THOUGH THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. ON APRIL 20TH, WE PHONED TOYOTA OF KEENE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING IN OUR VEHICLE. WE WEREN'T THRILLED WITH THE PROSPECT OF DRIVING UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, BUT FIGURED IF WE KEPT TO LOW SPEEDS WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE IT SAFELY. WE TOOK DOWN THE TOW COMPANY'S NUMBER JUST IN CASE. ON APRIL 21ST, MY HUSBAND SET OUT FOR THE APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIR IN KEENE. ABOUT 10 MILES FROM HOME, THE PROBLEM SUDDENLY WENT AWAY. THE SKID WARNING LIGHT WENT OUT AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED BREAKING AUTOMATICALLY. MY HUSBAND MADE IT THE REST OF THE WAY TO TOYOTA OF KEENE WITHOUT ANY ISSUES. AFTER A TEST DRIVE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED, 'THAT WAS THE SCARIEST TEST I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED,' AS THE PROBLEM HAD RETURNED WHILE HE WAS ON THE ROAD. BUT BY THE TIME HE RETURNED TO THE SHOP AND HOOKED UP THE CAR TO DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTERS, THE PROBLEM HAD AGAIN CEASED. TOYOTA OF KEENE HAS HAD MY VEHICLE SINCE APRIL 21ST, AND HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR IT OR OFFER ANY SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE. THEY CLAIM THAT THEY CAN'T REPAIR IT IF THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM WHILE THE VEHICLE IS HOOKED UP TO COMPUTERS. THOUGH I UNDERSTAND THIS EXPLANATION, IT DOES NOTHING FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY, AS WELL AS ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA COMPLAINT CENTER AND THEY OPENED UP A CASE NUMBER BUT WERE ESSENTIALLY USELESS IN ASSISTING ME. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON LINE AND FOUND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AS WELL AS CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE. *TR

STEERING. LOOSENESS WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. DEALER REPLACED PART (45220-48150 SHAFT ASSY) @ A COST OF $387.93 (THIS WITH A 15% DISCOUNT). IN READING YOUR COMPLAINTS FILED, I NOTE THIS WASN'T T/1ST TIME THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED & AS STATED, THERE IS A DEALER SERVICE ADVISORY ON IT. I ALSO TOOK NOTE THAT THERE APPARENTLY HASN'T BEEN ANY ACTION 2 RESOLVE THE MATTER (IE, THE OWNER CONTINUES 2 PAY 4 REPAIRS). SHOULD NOT TOYOTA B REQUIRED 2 COVER THIS TYPE OF REPAIR ? LIKE WE'RE TALKING STEERING HERE. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE WHO JUST LET'S THE PROBLEM GO TO THE POINT WHERE HE/SHE LOOSES CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE & THERE IS PHYSICAL INJURY OR DEATH? I WAS HESITANT TO WRITE THIS UP BECAUSE I DON'T SEE WHERE N INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CONDUCTED (DID I JUST MISS IT?). MY VEHICLE HAS JUST UNDER 55K MILES ON IT (ALL OF THEM ONROAD) &S BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE DEALER. TO ME IT LOOKS LIKE A $$$ MAKER 4 THE DEALER & A CALCULATED DECISION BY TOYOTA THAT ENOUGH OF THOSE REQUIRING THE REPAIR WOULDN'T COMPLAIN; LOOKS LIKE TOYOTA WINS. *TR

WIFE WAS DRIVING ON CLEAN DRY ROAD. SUDDENLY, THE VCS LIGHT AND TRACTION LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD WHILE ALARM SOUNDING CAME ON AS WELL. CAR SUDDENLY BRAKED, BRAKES MADE A GRINDING SOUND, AND CAR JERKED TO THE RIGHT. TRIED TO DRIVE FORWARD AND IT WOULD NOT GO OVER 10MPH. IF THE CAR DID, THE ABOVE HAPPENED AGAIN. CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE, AND WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THE SITUATION WAS VERY DANGEROUS, AS THE BEHAVIOR OF THE CAR, NOT CONTROLLED BY MY WIFE, THE DRIVER, COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. TURNS OUT, THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR WENT ON THE CAR. FIRST...THE CAR ONLY HAS 53K MILES ON IT. THIS IS NOT A 'WEAR AND TEAR' PART. THIS PART SHOULD NEVER GO WITH ONLY THIS MANY MILES ON IT. GARBAGE. SECOND, THE FAILURE OF THIS PART CAUSES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE ROAD, AS ONCE IT GOES, THE DRIVER BASICALLY HAS NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR UNTIL IT SLOWS DOWN TO UNDER 10 MILES AN HOUR. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT, FOCUS ON THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC, AND ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS AND DOCUMENTED CASES OF THIS SAME PROBLEM HAPPENING ON TOYOTA VEHICLES. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE PART FOR $700. RIP OFF. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE AIR CONDITIONING, HEAT, DEFROST AND THE RADIO TO FAIL. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE AN EXPLANATION OF WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AIRBAGS NOT WORKING. *TR

THE VEHICLE'S HEATING AND AIR SYSTEM CAUSES ME TO HAVE TO "JOGGLE" THE KNOB SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO IT BEGINNING TO PERFORM THE SPECIFIED NEED. *TR

THE PASSENGER WINDOWS ON MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAVE COME OFF THE TRACKS FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE PLASTIC ON THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE PEELED, SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO APPEAR VERY DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT BUFFING WOULD REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51400, UPDATED 10/19/09 *CN UPDATED 10/19/09

THE HEATER INSIDE MY CAR WON'T TURN OFF. I HAVE HOT AIR BLOWING CONTINUOUSLY, EVEN WHEN THE AIR SYSTEM IS TURNED OFF! THIS MAKES THE CAR DANGEROUS TO DRIVE FOR VERY LONG. (T>100 MOST OF TIME) THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT, IT JUST STARTED. THE PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON VARIOUS CAR FORUMS ONLINE DUE TO WIRE DEFECT. *TR

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

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

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

THE HEAT WOULD NOT ALWAYS WORK. IT WOULD BLOW COLD AIR. SOMETIMES I COULD MOVE THE KNOB AROUND AND IT WOULD COME BACK ON BUT IT DIDN'T ALWAYS WORK LIKE THAT. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND CAME UP WITH MORE THAN A DOZEN PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY DEALER SAID THE PART WAS OVER $600 TO REPLACE, THEN ON TOP OF THAT, THE DECAL WAS GOING TO COST ANOTHER $30. ONE OF THE GOOGLE SEARCHES HAD A FIX FOR IT. IT INVOLVED REMOVING THE GLOVEBOX AND PULLING THE CIRCUIT BOARD OUT. THEY SAID THERE WOULD PROBABLY BE A WIRE THAT WAS BROKEN OFF AND SURE ENOUGH THERE WAS. MY HUSBAND SOLDERED IT BACK ON, PUT THE BOAR BACK IN, AND IT WORKS LIKE A CHARM NOW. *TR

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

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND SWERVED TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A LARGE PILLAR ON AN OVERPASS AND BOUNCED OFF OF IT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE ALSO CRASHED INTO A SECOND PILLAR. THE DRIVER SUFFERED NO INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WITH THE MASSIVE IMPACT OF THE CRASH. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MUST BE STRUCK IN A SPECIFIC AREA FOR THE DEPLOYMENT TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,498.

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

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

VEHICLE BLOWS HOT AIR WHEN VENTILATION SYSTEM IS TURNED ON, EVEN WHILE A/C IS ON. *TR

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN A PARKING PLACE AT MY WORK SITE. I WAS MOVING VERY SLOWLY MOVING INTO THE PARKING SPOT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HIGHLANDER BEGAN ACCELERATING VERY RAPIDLY. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE. UPON REACHING THE FRONT OF THE PARKING SPOT THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB AND RAN INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SPIN THE WHEELS WHILE PUSHING ON THE TREE UNTIL I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. THE DAMAGE TO THE HIGHLANDER WAS $5,272.46 WHICH WAS COVERED BY MERCURY INSURANCE [XXX] . *TR

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

RIGHT PASSENGER FRONT ROW WINDOW MOTOR STOPPED WORKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS WINDOW WAS RARELY USED SO IT WAS VERY SURPRISING. NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.COST $345.36 TO FIX. WAS FIXED BECAUSE OF FEAR OF NOT BEING ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE IN CASE OF A CRASH. TOYOTA SAYS 2004 IS NOT PART OF CURRENT RECALL FOR WINDOW MOTORS BUT DEFINITELY SEEMS LIKE THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED BECAUSE HAD SAME PROBLEM HAPPEN AGAIN ON THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR ON JULY 09. SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND AGAIN THIS WINDOW BARELY USED. COULD NOT AFFORD TO FIX SO IT IS STUCK IN UP POSITION. HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND HOPING THEY WILL EXPAND RECALL TO 2004 HIGHLANDERS. I HOPE ALL TOYOTA OWNERS WILL REPORT WINDOW MOTOR PROBLEMS AND ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS TO BOTH THE NHTSA AND TOYOTA. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 4 CYL HIGHLANDER, AND I CAN COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE OTHER COMPLAINERS SITUATION AS I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT HAPPENED AT AROUND 60K MILES AND THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $600. TO FIX. I DIDN'T. I JUST HAD TO PLAY AROUND WITH THE KNOB WHEN I NEED TO USE IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK IN THE VEHICLE. SHE MUST TOGGLE WITH THE KNOBS IN ORDER FOR THE HEAT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. OFTENTIMES WHEN THE HEATING SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED, IT WOULD BLOW COLD AIR. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED, IT WOULD PRODUCE WARM AIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A CONSISTENT FAILURE WITH THE HIGHLANDER, BUT NO REPAIRS COULD BE MADE DUE TO WARRANTY STIPULATIONS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY INFORMATION OR COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 57,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY OVERHEAT AND MELT WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE BULB BECOMING EXTREMELY HOT AND MELTING THE HEAD LIGHT LENS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

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.

2004 HIGHLANDER, HAVING SAME PROBLEMS AS ALL OTHER REPORTED PROBLEMS FOR THIS VEHICLE. HESITATION, STEERING SHAFT REPLACEMENT, 2 WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENTS, LOUSY ORIGINAL TIRES, BAD SODERING OF HEAT/AIR BOARD LEADING TO NOT WORKING PROPERLY, CAN NOT HAVE BACK WINDOWS DOWN DUE TO NOISE AND VEHICLE SHAKING, HAD REAR WIPER MOTOR REPLACED WITHIN 1ST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP. WHILE I DID PURCHASE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, WHICH DID COVER THE COST OF THE WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT, IT DID NOT COVER THE COST OF HAVING TO REPLACE THE TIRES DAMAGED BY THE BAD BEARING - AND TOYOTA DOES NOT CARE. IN THEIR RACE TO BECOME THE NUMBER ONE CAR MAKER, THEY HAVE GIVEN UP ON BEING THE SAFEST, MOST RELIABLE CAR MAKER - AND THEY HAVE CERTAINLY GIVEN UP ON BEING CUSTOMER FRIENDLY. ACCORDING TO SEVERAL TOYOTA DEALERS, THEY DON'T HAVE TO, SINCE THEY CONTINUE TO BE POPULAR SELLING VEHICLES. I AM GETTING NERVOUS AS THE TIME FOR MY WARRANTY COMES DUE TO EXPIRE - AND FOR THE FIRST TIME AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING TRADING IT IN BEFORE THAT HAPPENS. THAT WAS NOT THE INTENT WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, BUT AFTER READING ALL THE PEOPLE HAVING ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS, I AM VERY CONCERNED. *TR

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

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

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

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

DRIVER'S SUN VISOR DROPS UNEXPECTEDLY OR WON'T STAY UP OUT OF RANGE OF VISION REPLACED BEFORE BY TOYOTA UNDER WARRANTY... NOW A $750 REPAIR??? *TR