2004 Toyota Highlander Complaint Log

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

IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2004 WITH THE MICHELIN 225/65/R17 TIRES SOLD AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT IN ANY KIND OF SNOW CONDITIONS. EVEN WITH AS LITTLE AS 1-2 INCHES OF SNOW THESE TIRES ON THE HIGHLANDER TRAP AND BUILD UP SNOW IN THE WHEEL WELL LEAVING THE DRIVER WITH NO STOPPING ABILITY.*AK

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

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

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

MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HESITATES FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM ABOUT 40 TO 50 MPH SUCH AS GETTING ONTO A FREEWAY. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE. I FIND THIS HESITATION TO BE VERY DISCONCERTING AND MAKES ME WORRY ABOUT MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. *JB

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

2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DESIGN DEFECT IN THE OUTSIDE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS. *MR THE CONSUMER STARTED ADJUSTING THE LEFT DOOR MIRROR AND DISCOVERED A BLIND SPOT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS RIGHT AT THE HIGHLANDERS REAR BUMPER. WHEN APPROACHING A PASSING LANE, THE VEHICLE ABSOLUTELY DISAPPEARS NO MATTER HOW HIGH THE MIRROR WAS ADJUSTED. *SC

2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD EXPERIENCED A DANGEROUS HESITATION WHILE TRYING TO DOWNSHIFT. *MR *SC

WE HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, AND WE HAVE HAD SURGES ON THE GAS SINCE WE BOUGHT IT IN 2004. IT USUALLY IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN CONTROL, AS YOU WILL BE DRIVING ALONG, AND IT WILL SURGE FORWARD A BIT, BUT WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO APPLY BRAKE AND CONTROL IT. THERE HAS ONLY BEEN ONE INSTANCE WHERE IT SURGED STRONGLY, AND I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WE TRIED TO SELL THE CAR A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, BUT THE BUYER TEST DROVE IT, AND NOTICED THE SURGING, ASKED ABOUT IT, AND THEN DECIDED NOT TO BUY IT - SO WE KEPT IT AFTER THAT. WE WERE THINKING IT IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM, OR SOMETHING.... WE HAVE NEVER TAKEN IT INTO A SHOP TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED, BUT THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS IMPORTANT TO MENTION IT, IN CASE OTHER HIGHLANDERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS THE GAS PEDAL STICKING, BUT JUST THE GAS SURGING SOMEHOW, BUT MAYBE IT IS RELATED. *TR

INDICATOR LIGHTS ON DASH SAY CONTACT YOUR DEALER. ONE IS THE TIRE PRESSURE AND THE OTHER IS THE ENGINE. HAVE CARRIED TO DEALER 3 TIMES AND STILL OCCURS. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO PICKUP TOMORROW AND CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT. ONLY LISTED LAST DATE

2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ENGINE DIES, WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH, ENGINE LIGHT AND VSC AND TRAC OFF LIGHTS WERE ON, WOULD SLOW DOWN TO 10 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. *KB THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL UNIT WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES. JB

2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, AWD AND A V6. THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN ACCELARATING AFTER BRAKING. CAN BE UP TO 3 SECONDS BEFORE POWER IS RESTORED. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IS NORMAL. *TR

MY VEHICLE IS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. DURING THE 15,000 MILE SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT ALL 4 TIRES WERE WORN TO THE POINT OF NEEDING REPLACEMENT. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT THE TIRES WERE WEARING EVENLY AND THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS AT THE RECCOMMENDED PRESSURE. DURING MY INSPECTION I COULD FEEL SOME SLIGHT CUPPING ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE TIRES. THE TIRES ARE TOYO TRANPATH A11 SIZE P225/70R16. THE DEALERSHIP IS SUPPOSED TO CONTACT MANUFACTURER TO SEE WHAT KIND OF ASSISTANCE THEY CAN PROVIDE. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO ODI NUMBER 10067341

NO EVENTS LED UP TO THE FAILURE. WIFE DROVE CAR, BRAKE WARNING COMES UP ON DASHBOARD, SHE PULLED OVER. WIFE CALLED ME ON CELL. I THOUGHT IT W THE PARKING BRAKE. I TOLD HER TO MANIPULATE TO CLEAR THE WARNING TO NO AVAIL. THEN I TOLD HER TO OPEN THE HOOD TO LOOK AT THE BRAKE CYLINDER. THE BRAKE CYLINDER HAD DISCONNECTED FROM ITS HOLDER. A SINGLE PIN HOLDS IT IN PLACE. THIS PIN APPARENTLY BROKE CAUSING THE CYLINDER TO FALL OVER AND RELEASE THE BRAKE FLUID. THE CYLINDER WAS LAYNG OVER ON ITS SIDE DANGLING BY TWO WIRES. MY WIFE WAS ABOUT 80 MILES FROM HOME VISITING HER PARENTS. SHE THOUGHT SHE COULD DRIVE HOME SO IT COULD BE REPAIRED BY OUR DEALER, DAYTON TOYOTA IN DAYTON, NJ. I TOLD HER NOT TO DRIVE GIVEN THAT THERE WAS NO BRAKE FLUID. IF SHE HAD DRIVEN HER STOPPING DISTANCES WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT LONGER. WE CONTACTED AAA THEN A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER - STAR TOYOTA OF BAYSIDE, NY. THEY ARRANGED FOR A FLATBED TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON A SUNDAY SO IT STAYED AT A AAA SERVICE STATION OVERNIGHT. STAR TOYOTA NOTED THAT THEY WOULD WORK ON IT RIGHT AWAY SO MY WIFE COULD DRIVE HOME. THEY DIDN'T WORK ON IT UNTIL WEDNESDAY WHEN I HAD TO GO GET THE CAR. STAR REPLACED THE CYLINDER SUB ASSEMBLY, BLED THE SYSTEM AND REPLACED THE FLUID. MY CONCERN IS HOW MANY OTHER 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS ARE OUT THERE WITH THIS TYPE OF DEFECT. AS NOTED THERE WAS NO REASON FOR TEH FAILURE OF THE PIN HOLDING THE BRAKE FLUID CYLINDER. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A WARNING TO DEALERS TO CHECK FOR THIS PROBLEM.

I OWN A 2004 HIGHLANDER LIMITED, V6, 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC. WHEN DECELERATING AND THEN ACCELERATING, THERE IS A 1 TO 2 SECOND HESITATION BEFORE THE CAR MOVES AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME. THIS INACTION BY THE VEHICLE IS A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN MERGING ONTO A FAST-MOVING FREEWAY. NOTE: THIS HESITATION DOES NOT OCCUR IF YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I DID A WEB SEARCH TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, AND I FOUND A LOT OF COMPLAINTS (YOU NEED TO ADD "WEB SEARCH" TO YOUR "SOURCE" LIST BELOW). SO IT'S NOT JUST MY VEHICLE. THIS DESIGN FAULT IS EVIDENT ON ALL TOYOTAS WITH THE 3.3 LITER, 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC. EVIDENTLY THE LEXUS ES330 AND RX330 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE A FRIEND WITH A 2004 SIENNA THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN, THEY SAID IT WAS THE ELECTRONICALLY-CONTROLLED TRANSMISSION, AND THAT "IT WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY." I ASKED ABOUT REPROGRAMMING THE FLASH MEMORY OF THE CONTROLLER INVOLVED AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO UPDATED SOFTWARE, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. SO, I GUESS IT'S UP TO YOU TO GET TOYOTA TO DO SOMETHING. I SEE HERE ON YOUR SITE, THAT THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A REPEATABLE, MEASURABLE SYSTEM FAULT. JUST TAKE A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH A V6 OUT FOR A DRIVE. THEN SLOW DOWN A BIT, THEN ACCELERATE AS YOU WOULD NORMALLY. THE CAR WILL HESITATE. EVERY TIME. NOW DO THIS WHILE YOU'RE MERGING ONTO A FAST-MOVING FREEWAY. WHEN IT HESITATES, YOU'LL DO AN "OH,?!@#$%" AND ACCELERATE HARDER, AT WHICH POINT THE TRANSMISSION WILL HESITATE SLIGHTLY AGAIN, THEN SHIFT DOWN. THE ENGINE WILL REV UP AND YOU'LL ROAR OUT ONTO THE FREEWAY LIKE AN IDIOT. PLEASE. DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT, IF IT HASN'T HAPPENED ALREADY. *TR

EXCESSIVE SULFUR DIOXIDE IN 2004 V6 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, THERE IS ALREADY A TSB ON THE V4, BUT I OWN A V6 AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW (STOP AND GO AND ACCELERATION, THERE IS A ROTTEN-EGG SMELL). I'VE BEEN TOLD BY 2 TOYOTA SERVICE STATIONS THAT IT IS THE GAS. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT THE CASE. I'VE TRIED EVERY TYPE OF GAS AVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY OUT OF CONTROL FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REDUCE SPEED TO 35 MPH TO GAIN CONTROL OF STABILITY. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE STABILITY CONTROL MODULE COMPUTER WAS OFF BALANCE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL FAILED AGAIN IN 2008. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 9,000.

AT APPRX. 13000 MILES ON A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, NOTICED INCREASINGLY ROUGH SHIFTING FROM THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE OFTEN HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING, THEN SURGES INTO NEXT GEAR, CAUSING UNPREDICTABLE RIDE. THROUGHOUT THE GEARS, VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE HUNTING FOR GEARS, UPSHIFTING & DOWNSHIFTING AT ODD TIMES, CAUSING A ROUGH, UNPREDICTABLE RIDE. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY 'RECALIBRATED' THE TRANMISSION, HOWEVER, THIS DIDN'T SEEM TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM.

AT 12 MONTHS AND 13,000 MILES, NOTICED 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. DURING SHIFTING, TRANSMISSION OFTEN HESITATES AND THEN SUDDENLY SURGES INTO NEXT GEAR, CAUSING INABILITY TO PREDICT VEHICLE PERFORMANCE. THROUGHOUT DRIVING, TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE ITS HUNTING FOR GEARS, FREQUENTLY SHIFTING AT ODD TIMES, CAUSING A ROUGH, UNPREDICTABLE RIDE.

WHILE DRIVING THE NORMAL VIBRATION OF THE VEHICLE CAUSES THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR TO FALL DOWN OBSTRUCTING THE VIEW OF THE ROAD. THIS OCCURS FREQUENTLY ESPECIALLY IF THE ROAD IS UNEVEN AND ON THE FREEWAY. THE VISOR CONTAINS A FACTORY GARAGE DOOR OPENER BUILT IN. I AM 6'1" TALL; THUS, THE VIEW OF THE ROAD IS MOSTLY OBSTRUCTED. THIS FIRST OCCURRED AS I WAS DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, FORTUNANTLY I WAS NOT INVOLED IN AN ACCIDENT. IF I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THERE WAS A GOOD CHANCE OF THIS CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA REQUESTING INFORMATION ON A QUICK FIX, IF APPLICABLE, AND ASKED IF THEY ARE WILLING TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIRING THE DEFECT AS THE WARRANTY OF THE VEHICLE HAS EXPIRED.

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLAND AND BELIEVE THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT OR MANUFACTURING FLAW WITH REGARD TO THE LENS COVERS TO THE HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHT COVERS. BOTH HAVE SIGNIFICANT MELTING FROM THE LIGHT BULBS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL CATCH ON FIRE. ALL PRODUCTS INVOLVED ARE ORIGINAL TOYOTA PARTS. THE LENS COVERS EACH HAVE A LARGE (BIGGER THAN A QUARTER) CIRCULAR SPOT WHERE THE MELTING TOOK PLACE FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND THERE IS A BUBBLE ON EACH. THE SAME HAS HAPPENED WITH THE FOG LIGHTS AND THEY ARE NOW CRACKED FROM THE HEAT. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY WILL NOT FIX, REPLACE, REPAIR THE LENS COVERS AND SAY THAT THERE IS NO RECALL. I WOULD IMAGINE THAT ANYTHING MELTING ON A VEHICLE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CATCH FIRE. THIS HAS BEEN PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE OVER SEVERAL YEARS SO THE INCIDENT DATE IS NOT EXACT. IT IS EVIDENT THAT EVENTUALLY THERE WILL BE HOLES IN THESE COVERS FROM THE HEAT/MELTING AS THE DAYLIGHTS RUN CONSTANTLY AND CANNOT BE TURNED OFF. *TR

ON 3/17/05 I DROVE MY TOYOTA 2004 HIGHLANDER, 2,025 MILEAGE, ONTO A MAIN STREET AT ABOUT 5 MPH. A BEEPING SOUNDED, THE SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT BLINKED SLIGHTLY, AND HORRIBLE CRUNCHING AND CLANGING SOUNDS OCCURED UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IT FELT LIKE THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP. I TRIED TO SLOWLY RESUME DRIVING SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE CAR WAS INOPERABLE AND THE DEALER SENT A TOW TRUCK. THEY SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITHIN THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WHICH INTERACTS WITH THE YAW AND STEERING ANGLE SENSORS, AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THERE IS ALSO SUPPOSE TO BE A G-SENSOR ACCORDING TO TOYOTA'S WEB SITE GLOSSARY. (THE DEALER NEVER HEARD OF THE G-SENSOR). THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD STEERING ANGLE SENSOR AND HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND SINCE I'VE ONLY DRIVEN IT A FEW MILES, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S OKAY. WHAT IF THE REPLACEMENT SENSOR IS ALSO BAD? I OFTEN DRIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS ALONE, AND AM EXTREMELY WORRIED ABOUT IT. I AM RETIRED AND BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY, RELYING ON TOYOTA'S EXPERTISE, OR SO I THOUGHT! THE VSC SITUATION IS VERY SERIOUS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. I NOW WISH I HAD BOUGHT A HONDA PILOT. *AK

ACCELERATION LAGS ALL THE TIME, BUT IS ESPECIALLY APPARENT WHEN "FLOORING IT" UPON FREEWAY ENTRY, PASSING, ETC. I SEE THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST FREQUENT COMPLAINTS ABOUT 04 HIGHLANDERS. OVERALL, QUITE DISAPPOINTED IN MY OVERPRICED SUV. *TR

DT: 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH HESITATION PROBLEM. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN ENTERING INTERSTATE AND NEED TO ACCELERATE, IT HESITATES THEN QUICKLY JOLTS. TAKEN TO DEALER WHO SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. EXPLAINED VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRIC THROTTLE CONTROL AND IS NOT CONTROLLED BY A THROTTLE CABLE AS PART OF FEDERAL EMISSIONS REGULATION, THIS MAKES CHANGING GEARS A LITTLE LONGER TO DO SINCE THE THROTTLE DOES NOT OPEN ALL THE WAY OUT . *TT

2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HESITATION IN THE TRANSMISSION. DEALER SAID IT WAS "NORMAL", BUT I SEE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED AND THE NHTSA IS CONTEMPLATING A FORMAL INVESTIGATION. MY HIGHLANDER HESITATES EVERY TIME I REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE GAS AND QUICKLY REAPPLY IT. IN SOME CONDITIONS, IT HAPPENS AS I'M DECELERATING AND PRESS THE GAS. ALSO, PERIODICALLY, THE TRANSMISSION WILL JUMP BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN GEARS AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE DOESN'T KNOW WHICH GEAR TO BE IN.*AK

ERRONEOUS "REMINDER" FROM TOYOTA STATES THEY PREVIOUSLY SENT AN "OFFICIAL SAFETY RECALL NOTIFICATION" FOR "SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN SSC 40B" RE "CHILD PROTECTION LOCK SYSTEM". WE HAVE RECEIVED NO PREVIOUS NOTICE OF THIS ALLEGED RECALL. I HAVE ALREADY SENT A SEPARATE INQUIRY AND COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA MOTORS, USA ABOUT THIS. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT WE MISSED THE FIRST NOTICE, AND THAT TOYOTA CAN'T KEEP IT STRAIGHT WHO THEY NOTIFIED AND WHO THEY DIDN'T NOTIFY. *JB

I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED V6 AWD. THE CAR HAS EXTREMELY DANGERIOUS PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS WHICH WILL BE THE CAUSE OF MANY ACCIDENTS. THERE IS AN UNEXPECTED AND VARYING DEGREE OF LAG IN ACCELERATION WHEN TRYING TO ACCLERATE TO MERGE ON HIGHWAYS OR TO MAKE TURNS ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS A SEVERE AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM WHICH WILL LEAD TO LOSS OF LIFE. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS "JUST A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR" AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE. THIS KIND OF "CHARACTERISTIC" IS TOO DANGEROUS TO JUST ACCEPT THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM!*AK

ENGINE HESITATION AND DELAYED ACCELERATION. *NM

IDENTICAL TO COMPLAINT #10114548 MY EVENT HAPPENED JANUARY 6, 2005 WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. NOW, AT 35,750 MILES, I HAVE O2 SENSOR PROBLEMS ON A ROUTINE BASIS(3RD SENSOR ON ORDER FROM DEALER RIGHT NOW). I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THESE PROBLEMS WILL CONTINUE PAST WARRANTY, I HAVE LITTLE FAITH IN THIS VEHICLES SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE -EVERY DAY I CROSS MY FINGERS THAT NOTHING ELSE GOES "BRAKES" WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 2 SMALL CHILDREN. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *NM

EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY HIGHLANDER, NEW, I INFREQUENTLY EXPERIENCE AN UNEXPECTED SURGE IN ACCELERATION WHILE BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, OR AFTER SLOWING TO TURN A CORNER. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE TURNING A CORNER. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP TO TWO DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS, IN THE PAST, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEIR ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION WAS THEIR BIGGEST COMPLAINT, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. WHILE DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM TO A SERVICE REP AT A DEALERSHIP, A GENTLEMAN, ALSO WAITING FOR SERVICE, INDICATED THAT HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS NEWER MODEL RAV 4. THIS MAY HAVE HAPPENED FEWER THAN TWO DOZEN TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE HIGHLANDER. HAS THIS PROBLEM BEEN BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION, OR DO YOU KNOW IF TOYOTA HAS EVER DEVELOPED A "FIX" FOR THIS? *TR

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

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

POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING THE 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY FILED A COMPLAINT HERE AND WITH TOYOTA ABOUT THE CAR CUTTING OUT BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MPH WHICH IS DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC. THE HESITATION IS MORE PREVALENT NOW WITH 10,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH AT 700 MILES IT WAS INFURIATING NOT KNOWING IF YOU WERE SAFE TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC OR MAKE A LEFT TURN. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS COMPANY CAN SELL UNSAFE CARS AND BE ALLOWED TO CHEAT THE PEOPLE WHO PAID FOR THEM. WHEN THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED OF COURSE. HOW LONG BEFORE SOMEONE HOLDS TOYOTA RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE PROBLEMS? HOW DO INDIVIDUALS FIGHT LARGE FOREIGN COMPANIES? ISN'T IT THIS AGENCY'S JOB TO MAKE SURE AMERICAN CONSUMERS ARE SAFE AND TREATED FAIRLY? *JB

WAS T-BONED ON DRIVERS SIDE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

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

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

WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE SLIP LIGHT INDICATOR APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. DRIVER PULLED OVER, AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT STEERING NEEDED TO BE ALIGNED, AND ALIGNED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK......STEERING SENSOR IS ON BACK ORDER FOR 1 MONTH. THIS SENSOR IS ON BOTH THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND SIENNA. *AK

OUR NEW 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS HESITATION PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING AROUND 10-30 MILES PER HOUR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THERE ARE A LOT OF SITUATIONS THAT EVEN A SECOND HESITATION CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENT, SUCH AS MAKING A QUICK LEFT TURN IN A BUSY INTERSECTION TO AVOID ON COMING CARS. HERE IS HOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM: DRIVE THE CAR OVER 25 MILES PER HOUR, THEN GRADUALLY SLOW IT DOWN TO ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR. PRESS DOWN THE GAS PADDLE VERY BRIEFLY, REGARDLESS HOW HARD THE PADDLE IS HIT, THE CAR WILL NOT RESPONSE.*AK

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

SAFETY CONCERN WITH 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TRANSMISSION. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTS IN A HESITATION MODE THEN SURGES. THE VEHICLE TAKES A LONG TIME TO SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. *TC *JB

MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER EXHIBITS A SIGNIFICANT HESITATION AT THE START OF RAPID ACCELERATION THAT I BELIEVE IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AT A SLOW SPEED AND THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED TO BEGIN A RAPID ACCELERATION (PASSING A SLOWER VEHICLE OR MERGING INTO TRAFFIC), A SIGNIFICANT HESITATION IS PRESENT BEFORE THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO ACCELERATE. THIS DELAYED RESPONSE TO THE ACCELERATOR INPUT CAN PLACE THE VEHICLE IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE CANNOT GET OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER TRAFFIC. I BELIEVE THIS BEHAVIOR COULD RESULT IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AND POTENTIAL INJURY TO PEOPLE. *AK

CAR LAGS WHEN SHIFING WHN COLD. TOYOTA CLAIMS THIS IS 'NORMAL"*AK

PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENS LEAVING YOU STUCK IN TRAFFIC. TRANSMISSION AND OR GAS KICK IN 2 SECONDS LATER. *JB

2004 HIGHLANDER HAS BAD THROTTLE SURGE PROBLEM .....DEALER DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO.....SAYS IT IS NORMAL????? THERE IS DEFINITLY A PROBLEM.....JUST READ SOME OF THE INTERNET SITES ON THIS AND YOU WILL SEE....

I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON 3/26/2004 AND AFTER ABOUT 2 MONTHS STARTED NOTICING A PROBLEM WITH HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR WHEN PASSING. THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT DIES FOR 1 TO 2 SECONDS AND THEN LURCHES FORWARD. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AT A LIGHT WITH ONCOMING CARS FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THIS ALSO CAUSES PROBLEMS WHEN TRYING TO MERGE WITH HIGHWAY TRAFFIC OR WHEN PASSING. THIS OCCURES EVERY DAY AND WHEN IT WAS REPORTED TO TOYOTA SERVICE THEY STATED IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NO FIX OR TECHNICAL BULLETIN. *AK

TOYOTA 2004 HIGHLANDER PURCHASED NEW ON 7/1/04 HAS TRANSMISSION SURGING AND DRIVETRAIN "CLUNK" WHEN DOWNSHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 2ND GEAR. DEALER HAS REPLACED TRANSMISSION TO NO AVAIL AND CLAIMS IT IS PART OF "FLY-BY-WIRE" DESING BY MANUFACTURER. *AK

THE VEHICLE HAS A CONSTANT MINOR HESITATION AND SURGING BEHAVIOR IN ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION SITUATIONS. I DON'T KNOW IF IT COULD BE A TRUE 'HAZARD' BUT IT IS QUITE ANNOYING.*AK

OUR 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS CONSISTENT ACCELERATION "DELAYS" THAT NOT ONLY MAKE THE VEHICLE A CHORE TO DRIVE BUT AT TIMES CAN BE DANGEROUS EX. MERGING WITH MOVING TRAFFIC.*AK

I HAVE OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V6 4-WD VEHICLE SINCE JULY 10, 2004. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO I NOTICED THERE WAS SOME HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION AND ON OCCASION THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO DOWN SHIFT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN MAKING A LEFT-HAND TURN AGAINST TRAFFIC WITHOUT A TURN ARROW OR PULLING OUT INTO ANY KIND OF TRAFFIC. SOMETIMES IT WILL GO - OFTEN TIMES THERE IS A 1-2 SECOND DELAY. *AK I HAVE ALSO NOTICED ON OCCASION THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, SUDDENTLY THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS WITH NO CHANGE IN ACCELERATION ON THE DRIVER'S PART. THIS MAKES FOR A JUMPY FEEL IN WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY A VERY SMOOTH DRIVING CAR. IN ADDITION, IT IS WREAKING HAVOC ON MY MILEAGE (AM CURRENTLY GETTING 17.1 MPG EVEN ON THE HIGHWAY). I CAN SEE THESE PROBLEMS LEADING TO ACCIDENTS AND I'VE HAD A COUPLE OF CLOSE CALLS ALREADY. I ALSO HAVE TEENAGED DRIVERS AND THERE IS NO WAY I CAN FEEL THEY ARE SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN TWO TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. I AM TOLD THAT THE HIGHLANDER HAS A "UNIQUE SHIFT PATTERN" AND THE TECHNICIAN DIDN'T NOTICE ANY HESITATION PROBLEMS. UPON LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP, I NOTICED HESITATION RIGHT AWAY. I SUPPOSE THEY ARE CHOOSING TO IGNORE THESE PROBLEMS. THE SUGGESTION WAS THAT I SPEAK TO MY SALESMAN AND MAYBE THEY WOULD OFFER ME A GOOD DEAL ON ANOTHER MODEL SINCE I HAVE JUST 2,000 MILES ON THE HIGHLANDER. WHAT KIND OF SOLUTION IS THAT? FURTHERMORE, I WENT TO THIS DEALER'S WEBSITE AND FOUND SEVERAL LOW-MILEAGE HIGHLANDERS FOR SALE. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THEY HAVE HAD TO SATISFY OTHER OWNERS BY TRADE AS WELL. ASIDE FROM THAT, NOTHING WAS DONE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEMS.