Toyota Highlander Complaints (2004)

286 consumer complaints on file.

#10316983March 5, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). PLEASE NOTE THAT THE VIN INFO IS NOT CORRECT. I INSERTED RANDOM NUMBERS BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THAT INFO IN MY POSSESSION RIGHT NOW AS I AM AT MY WORK DESK. ALSO KEEP IN MIND THAT MY CAR IS A 2004 VIBE. IT DID NOT HAVE THAT OPTION. IN 2/28/08, I HAD AN ACCELERATATION PROBLEM. IF YOU GET IN TOUCH WITH BARSTOW IN POTSDAM NY, THEY CAN VERIFY THIS. THEY HAVE IT ON RECORD. THIS PROBLEM WAS UNPREDICTABLE WHEN IT HAPPENED AND THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED, I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO STOP AFTER IT ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. I BROUGHT IT TO BARSTOW, EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND THEY SAID THEY HAD HAD NO OTHER COMPLAINTS SUCH AS MINE. THE MECHANIC THERE UNDID THE CRUISE CONTROL, AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. FIVE MONTHS LATER I HAD HIM PUT IT BACK ON IN JULY. IT COST ME $25 EA. TIME. PLEASE CONTACT KEN MURRAY AT BARSTOW MOTORS POTSDAM NY TO VERIFY ALL OF THIS. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE MONEY I HAD TO PAY AS I STRONGLY FEEL THAT THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE ONE THAT TOYOTA IS HAVING NOW WITH ACCELERATION DIFFICULTIES. ALSO, ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER PROBLEMS, I WANT TO KNOW WHAT WILL TOYOTA DO IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. MY VIBE IS A 2004. [XXX] *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10315985March 3, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10313920February 24, 2010
STEERING
"INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FAILURES ON 04-05 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER" THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (ST001-06) OF SHAFT REPLACEMENT ON SOME MODELS BUT NEVER BECAME A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE. ON TOYOTA PRIUS NHW20 MODEL VEHICLES PRODUCED IN JAPAN FROM JULY 2003 TO NOV 2005 ARE BEING RECALLED. TOYOTA SAYS ON SOME VEHICLE, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAY BECOME LOOSE OR DEVELOP A CRACK. WHAT ABOUT THOSE PEOPLE WHO WANTS TO KEEP THEIR TOYOTA FOR A LIFETIME? MINE IS AN SUV(HIGHLANDER) WITH A HIGHER CENTER OF GRAVITY AND ROLLING FORCE. YOUR HELP ON THIS MATTER IS DEEPLY APPRECIATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10313910February 24, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10313128February 23, 2010
STEERING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10311339February 17, 2010
AIR BAGS
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.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10310900February 16, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10310631February 15, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10307884February 9, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10307262February 7, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10307026February 6, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10304074February 2, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10303528February 1, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON AUGUST 18TH 2007 I SENT A LETTER TO TOYOTA MOTOR SALES WRITING CONCERNING A PROBLEM WITH MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WHICH HAD SURGED IN A PARALLEL PARKING SITUATION HITTING THE CAR BEHIND AND DAMAGING IT AND MY VEHICLE. . HER HEADLIGHT AND BUMPER WERE DAMAGED. . THE REPAIR ON THE OTHER CAR CAME TO $1800.00. AND MORE. I REPORTED IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER IN SPIRIT LAKE, IA. AND ALSO TO THE TOYOTA MOTOR SALES IN TOLEDO , OHIO 43699-0024. THE SPIRIT LAKE DEALER TOLD ME IT MUST HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY BAD GAS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10301891January 22, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10295149December 9, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294646December 6, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
COOLANT LOSS DUE TO STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. ENGINE OVER HEATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292292November 16, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LENS PLATE COVERS OVER FOG LIGHTS ARE MELTING. THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10286617October 7, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10281722August 25, 2009
STEERING
STEERING WHEEL MAKE A NOISE LIKE A BOLT IS MISSING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273069June 8, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, STEERING, WHEELS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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