2004 Toyota Highlander complaints

MY HIGHLANDER WAS INVOLVED IN A TOTAL LOSS CRASH BACK IN 2007, AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY PAID OUT A TOTAL LOSS CLAIM AND TOOK THE SALVAGE. I HAVE REPEATEDLY UPDATED TOYOTA THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED, YET THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO SEND RECALL NOTICES FOR THE PSAT 4 YEARS. PLEASE MAKE THEM STOP !! *TR

THE THREADS IN THE ENGINE BLOCK BECAME STRIPED LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE/PISTONS. RECOMMENDATION WAS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. *TR

VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT FROM THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR SENSORS HAVE GONE OFF PERIOD. CALLED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURE LINE AND BOTH TOLD ME THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM, WHICH IS UNTRUE I FOUND HUNDREDS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

THE THREADS IN THE ENGINE BLOCK BECAME STRIPED LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE/PISTONS, BLOWING THE HEAD GASKET. *TR

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.

LATE LAST YEAR WE NOTICED THAT THE DAYRUNNING PORTION OF THE HEADLAMP COVER HAD MELTED ON THE INSIDE, NEXT TO THE TIP OF THE BULBS ON EACH SIDE. THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN THE DAYRUNNING FEATURE ON OR OFF, IT IS ALWAYS ON. NOT ONLY DOES THIS WEAR DOWN THE BATTERY, WHICH WE'VE ALREADY REPLACED IN ONE YEAR, BUT THE HEADLIGHT COVER CANNOT HANDLE THE HEAT GENERATED FROM CONSTANTLY BEING "ON". WE WOULD LIKE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED AND A DISCOUNT GIVEN ON A NEW SET, SINCE IT ISN'T OUR FAULT, AS IT COULDN'T BE TURNED OFF. HEADLIGHTS ARE EXPENSIVE, AND AT NIGHT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, SINCE OUR VISIBILITY IS DRASTICALLY REDUCED- WHERE WE LIVE, THERE ARE DEER AND WINDING HILLY ROADS. IF TOYOTA WON'T DO ANYTHING, WE WILL BE FORCED TO DO THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR OURSELVES, BUT WILL BE VERY, VERY DISAPPOINTED. TOYOTA SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT, THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. *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

WITH NO WARNING OR PRIOR INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM, THE STEERING RACK AND PINION BROKE MAKING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY UN-STEERABLE. TOYOTA REPAIR FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP BELT WAS BROKEN AND THE PUMP HAD LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A FREEWAY THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS AND IT WAS JUST FORTUNATE THAT THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON ONE OF THE FEW STRAIGHT STRETCHES AND IT WAS POSSIBLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD SURFACE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE WEATHER WAS HOT OUTSIDE THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR FELL DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE, BUT IT WAS CONSIDERED USAGE AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 89,559.

SUN VISOR (DRIVER SIDE) FELL DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH A SPEED OF ABOUT 65MPH.. IT BLOCKED MY VIEW. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO A SAFE PLACE. THE VISOR IS HOLDING IN PLACE BY A RUBBER BAND AND A STICK BUT THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN MY CAR IS PARK THE HEAT INSIDE THE CAR MELTS THE RUBBER BAND AND THE VISOR FALLS OVER AGAIN. I TALKED TO TOYOTA DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY IS OVER AND THAT THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO BUY A NEW VISOR FOR ABOUT $500 (+ INSTALLATION FEES AND EXTRA ELECTRONIC MIRROR CABLE). TOYOTA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, IT IS A DRIVING HAZARD. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. *TR

ENGINE WAS LEAKING COOLANT. CAR WAS BROUGHT TO REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE CYLINDER'S HEAD BOLTS WERE STRIPPED CAUSING THE LEAK. LATER WAS INFORMED DAMAGE WAS DUE TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE INSULATION FOAM RUBBER PIECE BETWEEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE ENGINE BLOCK THAT CREATED AN UNEVEN DISPERSION OF HEAT, CREATING FATIGUE IN THE ALUMINUM BLOCK ALLOWING THE HEADBOLT TO STRIP. CONTACTED TOYOTA WHO REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. REPAIRS TOTALED $2,000 DUE TO THIS MANUFACTURING ERROR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED A LEAK FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHO STATED THAT THE LEAKING FLUID WAS ANTIFREEZE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS AND THREADS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE, DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING AND CHEAP MATERIAL OF THE HEAD BOLTS UNDER THE ENGINE. COOLANT WAS LEAKING AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. UPDATED 11/29/12 UPDATED 11/27/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THIS MALFUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND OVER HEAT RESULTING IN A PERSON BEING STRANDED. UPDATED 12/10/2012 *JS

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING LOT, GOING LESS THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR. AS I TURNED INTO THE SPOT, THE CAR LURCHED AHEAD, SO QUICKLY, THAT SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES STILL CAUSED ME TO SLIDE A BIT. I ENDED UP HITTING A CAR PARKED IN THE SPOT IN FRONT OF ME, AND CAUSING $1400 WORTH OF DAMAGE (TO MY FRONT BUMPER AND THE OTHER CARS REAR BUMPER). I HAD A FRIEND IN THE CAR WITH ME WHO VOUCHED FOR THIS. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT BEFORE, AND WAS COMPLETELY BAFFLED BY WHAT HAPPENED. AFTER GOOGLING THIS, I SEE THAT THIS CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL SIMILAR INCIDENTS, AND I AM NOW WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY CAR. I AM UNSURE HOW TO PROCEED, AS I HAVE READ THAT MECHANICS SEEM UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE EVENT THAT OCCURS WHERE IT SEEMS TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. VERY EMBARRASSING- I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR ACCIDENT BEFORE! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND VOC WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE PULLEY THAT COULD CAUSE THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO BECOME COMPROMISED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V539000, (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO ALSO INFORMED HER THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

MY 7 YEAR OLD GOT TRAPPED IN THE SEATBELT AND HE HAD TO BE CUT OUT. HE WAS SITTING IN HIS HIGH BACK BOOSTER WITH THE SEATBELT PULLED OVER AND BUCKLED. BEFORE UNBUCKLING, HE PUT HIS HEAD THROUGH AND UNDER THE SHOULDER BELT PORTION. AFTER DISENGAGING THE BUCKLE, THE BELT STARTED TO RETRACT, AND GOT CAUGHT ON THE ARMREST OF THE BOOSTER SEAT AND STARTED TIGHTENING AROUND MY CHILD. EVERYTIME HE WIGGLED OR MOVED TO GET OUT, IT TIGHTENED FURTHER TO THE POINT WHERE HE WAS HAVING TROUBLE BREATHING. THERE WAS NO WAY TO MANUALLY LOOSEN THE BELT AS IT CONSTRICTED AROUND HIM FURTHER AND FURTHER LIKE A BOA CONSTRICTOR. I HAD TO SCREAM FOR HELP AT THE CAR WASH I WAS AT AND THE WORKERS BROUGHT SCISSORS TO CUT THE BELT AND GET HIM OUT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SMELL OF BURNING OIL WAS EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION OIL BEARING SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,250. UPDATED 08/08/2012 *JS

SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V6 IT HAS VERY ROUGH SHIFTS. THE TRANSMISSIONS SEEMS TO HESITATE AND LAG WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE DURING NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS, (I FEEL LIKE I AM ON A CARNIVAL RIDE). I HAVE HAD IT TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP IN FLORIDA & THEY ALL SAY THE SAME THING ("THAT THIS MODEL DRIVES LIKE THAT" & IT'S THE WAY YOU DRIVE") FUNNY THOUGH WHEN THE MECHANIC DROVE IT, WITH ME IN THE CAR HE SAID THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. THE UNDERWRITERS IN SERVICE THINK BECAUSE I'M A WOMEN, IT'S THE WAY I DRIVE. I LOVE MY CAR BUT, THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA & FIXED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *JS

INTERMITTENT LOSS OF AC WHEN HITS BUMPS. ON 06/23/11 I TOOK IN MY WIFE'S 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TO ALAMO TOYOTA WHERE THEY CHARGE ME $92.72 TO TIGHTEN OR AS THEY PUT IT RETORQUE BOLTS BEHIND AC PANEL IN WHICH LOOKING AT IT NOW THERE ARE NO BOLTS BEHIND PANEL THERE IS ONE UNDERNEATH THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB AND SCREW ON THE SIDE . THEY TIGHTEN THAT NUT DOWN ON THE CONTROL/TEMP KNOB AND WHAT IT DID IT PULLED AWAY THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND MADE CONTACT WITH THE THREE CONDUCTOR ON THAT RIBBON CABLE BEHIND THE KNOB. WHICH WAS A QUICK FIX WHICH ESSENTIALLY STOPPED WORKING (THEY BROKE OFF ) . I TAKE IT IN AGAIN TO ALAMO TOYOTA AND NOW THEY SAY ITS MY COMPRESSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR $1460.00 PLUS TAX I HAD ALREADY READ THE ONLINE FIX , I EXPLAIN TO THEM AND SHOWED THEM PICTURES OF THE ONLINE FIX. THEY SAID ITS THE COMPRESSOR. SO I CAME HOME TOOK IT APART AND FOUND TWO OF THE WIRE ON THE RIBBON CABLE BROKEN OFF .I INSTALLED THREE NEW WIRE BY SOLDERING THEM REPLACING THE RIBBON CABLE. AC IS WORKING AGAIN THANKS TO THE THAT ONE PERSON THAT PUT THOSE PICTURES ONLINE OF THE FIX THIS PERSON HE SAVED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE. I THANK HIM, AND I WILL NEVER DEAL WITH TOYOTA AGAIN I ALSO OWN A TUNDRA AND AS SOON AS I CAN I WILL TRADE BOTH IN FOR SOMETHING OTHER THEN TOYOTA. THEY ARE PART OF AMERICAN GREED. *JS

HESITATION DURING AUTO TRANSMISSION GEAR CHANGES. ENGINE REVS VERY HIGH THEN CHANGES GEARS. *TR

COOLANT LOSS DUE TO STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. NO SMOKE OR HEAT OR WARNING ON DASH. HAVE TO CHANGE ENGINE BLOCK COSTING $6,000 FOR PARTS AND REPAIR. DEALER NOT RESPONDING. ALWAYS HAVE RECEIVED MAINTENANCE WITH THE SAME DEALER/SERVICE CENTER. *TR

MY CAR STARTED HEATING UP AS I ACCELERATED ONTO THE HIGHWAY. I SAW THE DIAL GOING INTO THE RED ZONE. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS TOWED AT MY EXPENSE TO HILLTOP RICHMOND TOYOTA. I WAS TOLD THAT AFTERNOON THAT THE HEAD GASKET AND THE WATER PUMP BOTH BLEW OUT. I NOW HAVE A $2,500 REPAIR ON MY HANDS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS I FOUND THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY TOYOTA OWNERS AND THAT WAS VERIFIED BY THE DEALERSHIP PERSON AS WELL. TOYOTA IS USING BOLTS THAT STRIP WHICH CAUSE THE HEAD GASKET TO FAIL. THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL REPORTS ABOUT A FOAM PIECE IN THE BLOCK THAT ALSO FAILS AS IT IS FAULTY AS WELL. *TR

BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL AND FILTER REPLACEMENT. AS DEALERS NORMALLY DO, THEY ALSO DID SPOT CHECKS ON BRAKES, HOSES, ETC. THE TWO FRONT WHEELS HAD BEEN REMOVED SUPPOSEDLY TO CHECK THE WEAR ON THE BRAKE PADS. AS THE MECHANIC WAS REINSTALLING THE WHEELS, TWO OF THE LUGS BROKE OFF. THE SERVICE REP SHOWED ME ONE AS HE EXPLAINED WHY THE OIL AND FILTER JOB WAS TAKING MUCH LONGER THAN EXPECTED. I STUDIED THE FRACTURE FACE AND SAW TYPICAL FATIGUE FAILURE WITH ORIGIN AND PROGRESSION FEATURES. IT WAS QUITE EVIDENT THE PROBLEM STARTED MUCH EARLIER THAN TODAY. I ONLY SAW ONE BROKEN LUG, BUT THE SERVICE REP SAID THAT THERE WERE TWO LUGS THAT BROKE PREMATURELY WHEN THEY WERE REINSTALLING ONE WHEEL. THIS CONCERNS ME SO I AM GIVING THIS INFORMATION TO NHTSA. I HAVE TAKEN CLOSE-UP PICTURES OF THE FRACTURE FACE IF YOU WOULD LIKE THEM SUBMITTED. TO BE SAFE, I AM HAVING ALL THE FRONT WHEEL LUGS REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. AGREED, THIS ISN'T NECESSARILY A TOYOTA PROBLEM. IT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY OVERTORQUE WHEN I HAD THE TIRES REPLACED. IF IT IS A TOYOTA PROBLEM, YOU'LL HAVE OTHER REPORTS SIMILAR TO MINE. (I AM A RETIRED SR. QUALITY ENGINEER FAMILIAR WITH ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION, FAILURE MODES, METALLURGY, METALLOGRAPHY, MACHINING PRACTICES, THREADS, ETC.) *TR

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

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

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

I TOOK MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V6 TO LONGO TOYOTA FOR BRAKE BOOSTER RECALL IN NOVEMBER 2010. THEY KEPT MY CAR NEARLY 7 WEEKS BEFORE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. A FEW DAYS AFTER PICKING UP MY VEHICLE, WHILE I WAS PARKED DROPPING OFF MY PASSENGER, MOST OF THE CONTROL PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED (BRAKES, ABS, TRAC OFF, VSC, CHECK ENGINE). I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID TO BRING THE CAR BACK. I TOOK THE CAR BACK AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WERE RUN AND CONCLUDED THAT A CODE WAS STORED BUT IT WAS NOTHING SPECIFIC THAT HAD FAILED. BRAKE SYSTEM WAS BLED. IN JUNE 2011, THE LIGHT CLUSTER ("CHRISTMAS TREE" IS HOW THE DEALER REFERS TO IT) ILLUMINATED AGAIN WHILE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PICK UP MY CAR FROM MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER (BOB SMITH TOYOTA). AGAIN, THE CAR WAS LEFT. AGAIN IT WAS REPORTED TO ME THAT THE SYSTEM HAD STORED A CODE BUT NO SPECIFIC COMPONENT WAS IN FAILURE AND THE BRAKES WERE BLED. APPROXIMATELY, JULY 20, 2011 AND JULY 23, 2011, THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN, ONLY FOUR OF THEM (TRAC OFF, VSC, ABS, BRAKES). I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA DEALER ON TUESDAY, JULY 26 AND WAS FORCING THE ISSUE ON JULY 29, 2011 AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR AUGUST 1, 2011. ON JULY 31, 2011, THE SAME FOUR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AND STAYED ON. I STOPPED, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND EXPERIENCED A VERY SPONGY, SQUISHY BRAKE PEDAL. I CONTACTED TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION TO FURTHER ADDRESS THE CONCERN OF MY VEHICLE NOW BEING UNSAFE AS A RESULT OF THEIR RECALL. TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION WA

INTERMITTENT LOSS OF A/C AND/OR HEAT AND FINALLY TOTAL LOSS OF A/C ON MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. INITIAL FIX WAS TO TIGHTEN THE NUT ON THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL. I FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS INHERENT AFTER GOING TO THE WEB AND LEARNING OF THE MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ASSEMBLY AND THE QUICK FIX. ESSENTIALLY THE A/C STOPPED WORKING ENTIRELY. I BROUGHT IT TO MY PRIVATE MECHANIC AND HE FOUND THAT THE CABLE FROM THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL TO THE MOTHER BOARD WAS BROKEN. I INQUIRED HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN AND WAS ADVISED THAT WHEN THE NUT ON THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL CAME LOOSE, THE WHOLE UNIT WAS TURNING WHEN I WAS ADJUSTING THE TEMPERATURE, WHICH CAUSED THE CABLE TO BREAK. THE LACK OF A LOCK WASHER OVER THE FLAT WASHER WAS THE CULPRIT THAT ALLOWED THE NUT TO COME LOOSE. BECAUSE THE CABLE FROM THE MOTHERBOARD TO THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL IS HARD WIRED, THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXITMATELY $950.00. NOTE: I HAVE THE ENTIRE FAULTY ASSEMBLY AT HOME, IN THE EVENT YOU REQUIRE TO SEE IT. *KB

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2004 6 CYL AWD - LAST MAY SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM BACK OF THE CAR. MADE IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER AND FOUND OUT IT WAS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. TOOK 4 DAYS AND OVER $1200 TO FIX. THIS WEEK, NOISE COMING FROM FRONT OF THE CAR. CONTINUED TO GET WORSE. TOOK TO TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS INFORMED IT WAS THE DRIVE SHAFT - SO FAR OUT OF ALIGNMENT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED? JUST HAD IT AT THE SAME DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE 3 WEEKS AGO - SAID NOTHING. THIS WILL COST $1300. SEARCHING INTERNET AND FINDING I'M NOT ALONE, BUT NO RECALL. WHAT GIVES WITH THESE CARS? *TR

DRIVER SUN VISOR DEFECT HAS CAUSED NUMEROUS SAFETY ISSUES AND NEAR ACCIDENTS. VISOR WILL NOT REMAIN UP WHILE DRIVING IN 2004 TOYATA HIGHLANDER. *TT

CAR HESITATES AND SUDDENLY SURGES FORWARD. THE IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS. THE FIRST TIME WAS NEAR MY GARAGE AND FORTUNATELY THE CAR ONLY TRAVELED SEVERAL FEET FORWARD BEFORE HITTING THE CORNER OF THE GARAGE AND COMING TO A STOP. LAST SUNDAY, I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT. I WAS TURNING LEFT WHEN THE CAR HESITATED AND SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AT A RAPID SPEED. BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL, THE CAR HAD TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 20-25 FEET FORWARD, RAN UP ON A MEDIAN AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. I CALLED THE POLICE ABOUT FILING A REPORT BUT AS IT OCCURRED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, THEY DECLINED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WOULD INVOLUNTARILY SWITCH FROM BLOWING COOL AIR TO HOT AIR WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CONTROL BOARD FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON DUE TO THE WIRING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN AND THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER......DRIVER SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP. BLOCKS VISION. TOYOTA WILL NOT FIX AT THEIR EXPENSE. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO STEP UP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE WAS BROUGHT TO HIS ATTENTION BY ANOTHER DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.

THE LENSES OF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS/HIGH BEAMS HAVE DEVELOPED WHITE, OVAL-SHAPED BUBBLING/MELTING MARKS OF APPROXIMATELY 0.5 TO 0.75 INCHES IN DIAMETER, IN THE CENTER OF THE LENSES, DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE LAMPS. I FIRST NOTICED THIS IN DECEMBER 2010 JUST PRIOR TO CHANGING THE ORIGINAL LAMPS (THEREFORE THE REPLACEMENT LAMPS DID NOT CAUSE THIS PROBLEM). I REPORTED THIS TO TOYOTA, CASE NUMBER 1012071480. TOYOTA TOLD ME TO TAKE THIS UP WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF A DEALER. AT THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INITIALLY QUOTED A PRICE OF $988 TO REPLACE THE ASSEMBLIES. AFTER DISCUSSION WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND HIS FOLLOW-UP WITH TOYOTA, THE PRICE WAS LOWERED TO $396 TO PAY ONLY FOR LABOR, PARTS TO BE PROVIDED AT NO CHARGE. I OPTED TO NOT HAVE THIS DONE FOR THIS PRICE. POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUES: 1) DAMAGED/MELTING LENSES COULD IMPACT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE HIGH BEAMS AND/OR THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS; 2) HEAT THAT IS HOT ENOUGH TO DAMAGE/MELT THE LENSES COULD BE A FIRE HAZARD; 3) DAMAGED/MELTING LENSES COULD BE AN INDICATION OF AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I HAVE DIGITAL PHOTOS TAKEN IN DECEMBER 2010 SHOWING THE DAMAGED/MELTING LENSES THAT I HAVE PROVIDED TO TOYOTA AND WOULD BE PLEASED TO PROVIDE TO NHTSA. I HAVE ALSO RETAINED THE ORIGINAL LAMPS, AND THE CAR STILL HAS THE DAMAGED/MELTED LENSES. *TR

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

ON FEBRUARY, 18, 2011 AT APPPROXIMATELY 1:30 P.M. I GOT INTO MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, WHICH WAS PARKED IN A PRIVATE PARKING LOT AT 1 MEETINGHOUSE RD. IN CHELMSFORD, MA. I TURNED THE KEY ON, STARTED THE CAR, AND PUT THE GEAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE. AS I TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WITH MY RIGHT FOOT, THE CAR ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY AT A SPEED THAT DID NOT CORRESPOND WITH THE PRESSURE I HAD PUT ON THE PEDAL. I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO BACK OUT IN A COUNTERCLOCKWISE DIRECTION, AND WITHIN NO MORE THAN 4 SECONDS, THE CAR CRASHED INTO A BUILDING APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET FROM WHERE THE CAR WAS INITIALLY PARKED. THE CAR WAS TOTALLY UNRESPONSIVE TO MY EFFORTS TO BRAKE SUBSEQUENT TO THIS SUDDEN AND INEXPLICABLE ACCELERATION. I'M LUCKY I WASN'T KILLED, BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *TR

COOLANT LOSS DUE TO STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. ENGINE OVER HEATED. NO HEAT.*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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CYLINDER BEHIND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING AND THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE HER WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED, HEAT BEGAN BLOWING FROM THE VENTILATION AS OPPOSED TO COLD AIR. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 03/07/11*LJ UPDATED 07/18/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, AND NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE RAPIDLY INCREASED TO HOT AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE FOR ONE HOUR AND THEN RESUMED DRIVING WITHOUT THE ENGINE OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THEY WERE INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK BOLTS WERE STRIPPED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY BEGAN TO VEER OFF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE THEN SUDDENLY SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED INTO A RAVINE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWICE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK AND WAS ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TWO DAYS. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE CONTACTS INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE CRASH, AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE AND THE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 01/14/11*LJ