A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SIGNAL LIGHT (SAFETY ITEM) IS MALFUNCTIONING AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO TOYOTA DEALER (DARCARS), I WAS TOLD I HAVE TO CHANGE THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM (LUXURY ITEM) WHICH CURRENTLY IS WORKING. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THEY HAD TO INTEGRATE THESE TWO FUNCTIONS WHEN ONE IS A SAFETY AND THE OTHER ONE IS LUXURY ITEMS. BESIDES, IT COSTS $6000 + LABOR + TAX TO CHANGE THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM. AFTER INTENSIVE SEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND OUT THAT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM EXCEPT THEY ONLY COVER THE PROBLEM UNDER THE 36,000MILE/3 YEAR WARRANTY. IF THIS WAS A MILEAGE RELATED PROBLEM, I CAN UNDERSTAND EVEN IF TWO NONE RELATED FUNCTIONS ARE INTERLOCKED, BUT THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MILEAGE AND WE CANNOT DRIVE WITHOUT A SIGNAL LIGHT BUT WE CAN WITHOUT A NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM STARTED A MONTH AGO AND I HAVE TRIED TO GET A RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA AND THEY ARE NOT GIVING ME ANY RESPONSE REGARDING THIS MATER. *TR
2004 Toyota Highlander complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE SIGNAL LIGHTS ALSO INCLUDE THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE WHICH COINCIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE NON-FUNCTIONAL TURN SIGNALS, AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED VIA EMAIL BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL ON MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER KEEPS SWITCHING BY ITSELF FROM HOT TO COLD AND HOT AGAIN. I HAVE TO ACTUALLY TURN THE AC ON EVEN WHEN THE OUTSIDE AIR COMING IN IS MODERATE BECAUSE THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL WILL SWITCH BY ITSELF TO HOT AND I CAN'T SWITCH IT OFF. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME I DRIVE AND MORE SO WHEN I GO OVER A BUMP OR MAKE A TURN. I TURN THE VENT ON FOR OUTSIDE AIR, BUT THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL GETS LOCKED ON TO HOT AND I CAN'T TURN IT OFF. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE SAID THAT IT WOULD COST AROUND $1000.00 TO FIX IT. THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE WHOLE CONTROL UNIT. I HAVE READ VARIOUS FORUMS OF NUMEROUS OWNERS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA NOT LEAVING ENOUGH SLACK IN A RIBBON CABLE WITH 3 CONNECTIONS THAT CONNECT FROM THE CIRCUIT BOARD TO THE CONTROL KNOB. THE WIRES BREAK OFF FROM THE SOLDERING ON THE KNOB. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A KNOWN DEFECT TO ME THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF, BUT CHOOSES TO IGNORE. APPARENTLY A CHEAPER FIX IS TO RE-SOLDER THE CABLE, BUT THEY REFUSED TO DO THAT. I THINK THEY SHOULD BE FIXING THIS FOR FREE. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF TOYOTA IGNORING KNOWN ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLES. *TR
DATE OF INCIDENT: SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 12:45 P.M. INCIDENT DESCRIPTION: COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO PARK A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER INTO A PARKING SPOT. THE DRIVER GENTLY/MINIMALLY TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO PULL INTO THE PARKING SPOT. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL FORCE PLACED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DRIVER IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE BRAKES IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE METAL PART OF A SIGN. THIS IS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR AT THIS TIME. UPDATED 10/20/10 *BF UPDATED 10/22/10 *TR
2004 HIGHLANDER - STEERING FAILED ON MAJOR SHOPPING ROAD TODAY. HEARD ONLY A HISSING SOUND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH A LARGE PLUME OF DARK SMOKE OUT THE TAIL PIPE. ENGINE DID NOT QUIT BUT WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO PULL WHEEL HARD RIGHT TO TURN INTO PARKING LOT. AI/C STAYED ON, DID NOT OVERHEAT, TIMING BELT JUST CHANGED, NO LEAKING FLUIDS BUT MOST OF ALL NO WARNING LIGHTS OR CHECK ENGINE LITE CAME ON. HAD PROBLEM LAST MONTH WITH A/C WHICH WAS FIXED. WHAT HAPPENS TO SOMEONE DRIVING AT 65 ON HIGHWAY AND LOSES ABILITY TO STEER ... INSTANT DEATH TO DRIVER AND PERHAPS MANY OTHERS. BEEN A TOYOTA FAN FOR 30 YEARS BUT THIS COUPLED WITH OTHER MAJOR RECALLS SERIOUSLY FRIGHTENS ME TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL AGAIN. CAR WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER WHO HAS MAINTAINED THE CAR SINCE 2004. AWAITING OUTCOME OF INVESTIGATION. POSTED 8-9-10. *TR
I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I HAVE HAD AN OCCASIONAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE HESITATING AND THEN LURCHING UPON ACCELERATION SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT AS THE VEHICLE AGES. I HAVE MENTIONED IT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE IN FOR SERVICE BUT THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN USING AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS FOR MY REGULAR SERVICE ON THE CAR (THE CAR HAS BEEN A VERY GOOD CAR OTHER THAN THE ACCELERATION ISSUE AND HAS NOT NEEDED ANYTHING OTHER THAN REGULAR SERVICE). I MENTIONED THE PROBLEM TO HIM ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND AT FIRST, HE WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM EITHER. MY HUSBAND MENTIONED IT AGAIN WHEN WE TOOK IT IN FOR THE LAST SERVICE. THIS TIME WHEN THE MECHANIC DROVE THE CAR HE WAS ABLE TO FEEL THE HESITATION AND SUBSEQUENT LURCHING. HE THEN PUT IT ON AN ANALYZER WHICH SHOWED VOLTAGE SPIKES IN THE THROTTLE BODY. HE SAID TO CALL TOYOTA. WE CALLED TOYOTA AND WERE TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO A TOYOTA DEALER. WE TOOK IT TO A DEALER THIS MORNING AND WERE TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AGAIN. I CALLED TOYOTA AND FILED A COMPLAINT (10070906470 AND 1007090670 WERE THE NUMBERS I WAS GIVEN). THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO UNTIL A TOYOTA DEALER CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SINCE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE BY OTHER 2004 HIGHLANDER OWNERS. I DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN FOR HELP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING EXTREME FORCE TO THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION AND THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHICH ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OF DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,000.
AFTER WE PURCHASED OUR 2004 HIGHLANDER SOME MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD THE BACK WINDOWS WOULD GET JAMMED WHEN ROLLED DOWN. WHEN ROLLED DOWN THEY WOULD NOT ROLL BACK UP SO WE WOULD KNOW NOT TO EVER ROLL THEM DOWN. IT WAS UNFORTUNATE TO ACCOMMODATE THE VEHICLE RATHER THAN VISE VERSA AND NOW THEY SIMPLY WENT DOWN ON THEIR OWN AND WILL NOT ROLL BACK UP. THE MISTAKE WAS PROCRASTINATING YEARS BEFORE WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED AND NOT TAKING IT RIGHT AWAY BUT NOW THAT THEY ARE COMPLETELY DOWN I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS A 2004 GENERIC DEFECT OR WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY TOYOTA. *TR
MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V6 AT TIME HAS VERY ROUGH SHIFTS. THE TRANSMISSIONS SEEMS TO HESITATE AND LAG WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE DURING NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS GOING 20 TO 60. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING FROM HER DRIVEWAY AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEEDS OF 1 MPH, THE FRONT BUMPER FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE FURTHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE COMPONENTS THAT HELD THE BUMPER TO THE VEHICLE WERE ALSO BROKEN. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO REFERRED HER TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED HER BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,658.
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.
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
CABIN BRAKE ASSEMBLY BRACKET BENDS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES DURING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) EMERGENCY STOPPING. THIS MOVEMENT CAUSES THE EDGE OF THE BRAKE PIVOT BOLT TO HANG ON THE UPPER BRAKE ASSEMBLY, LOCKING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND PREVENTING THE BRAKE FROM DISENGAGING. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN THIS DOES OCCUR, LOSS OF ADEQUATE BRAKE LEVERAGE AND/OR SUDDEN CHANGE IN PROXIMITY OF THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR MAY PREVENT THE DRIVER FROM APPLYING THE BRAKES TO THEIR INTENDED CAPACITY. THIS IS OF PARTICULAR CONCERN DURING AN ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE SITUATION WHEN ADEQUATE FOOT PRESSURE FAILS TO ENGAGE THE VEHICLE'S ABS. THIS DIRECTLY LEADS TO INCREASED DANGER OF INJURY/FATALITY TO DRIVERS, PASSENGERS, OCCUPANTS OF OTHER VEHICLES, AND PEDESTRIANS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO ADDRESS THIS DEFECT. DEALER REFUSED TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY DEFECT AT NO COST TO CUSTOMER. *TR
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
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.
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
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT SPEEDS OF 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE THEN STRUCK A TREE. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM BUT WAS NOT INJURED, YET, HE IS VERY SORE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 06/04/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK. UPDATED 10/05/10
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.
2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ACCELERATION INCIDENT, CROSSED MEDIAN, WAS HIT BROADSIDE AND TWO OCCUPANTS KILLED; MY SON AND HIS WIFE. WRITTEN LETTER OF WITNESS OF ACCIDENT IS AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/22/10 *BF UPDATED IVOQ 05/13/120 *TR UPDATED 9/28/11*CW
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
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
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
"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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
STEERING WHEEL MAKE A NOISE LIKE A BOLT IS MISSING. *TR
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
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
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 T
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
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
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
VEHICLE BLOWS HOT AIR WHEN VENTILATION SYSTEM IS TURNED ON, EVEN WHILE A/C IS ON. *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.
2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AIRBAGS NOT WORKING. *TR
THE PASSENGER WINDOWS ON MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAVE COME OFF THE TRACKS FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS. *TR
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
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
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