2004 Toyota Highlander complaints

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CARPET ON THE VEHICLE FLOOR WAS LOOSE AROUND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #06V253000 REGARDING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

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

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL 4 TIRES DRY ROTTED ON THE SIDEWALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENTS MADE.

THE AIR/HEAT KEEP GOING IN AN OUT. MOST OF THE TIME WHEN YOU TRY TO SWITCH IT OVER THE AC IT STAYS HOT AND SAME W/ HOT. STOPPED BY TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT ON THIS YEAR MODEL HIGHLANDERS THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE HEAT AND AIR ARE GOING BAD. BUT THEY WON'T DO A RECALL. IT EVEN MESSED 1 OF THE ACCUATORS UP AND WE HAD TO REPLACE IT LAST TIME AND NOW IT HAS DONE IT AGAIN. *NM

WHILE RESEARCHING ANOTHER MATTER CONCERNING MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON YOUR SITE, I READ COMPLAINT #10161055 CONCERNING A HESITATION PROBLEM THE OWNER WAS HAVING AND WANTED TO SAY THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS NOT CONSTANT, HOWEVER IT DOES HAPPEN FREQUENTLY. *JB

LET ME START BY SAYING I AM A DIE-HARD TOYOTA OWNER, MY CURRENT VEHICLE BEING THE 3RD TOYOTA WE OWN. I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, V6, 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC WITH AWD. THIS VEHICLE HAS A VERY SERIOUS HESITATION PROBLEM WHICH IS DANGEROUS. UPON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP OR AT SPEED, THERE IS A VERY SERIOUS LAG IN THROTTLE RESPONSE. MANY TIMES LEAVING A STOP OR ACCELERATING FROM A SLOW SPEED I.E. PARKING LOT DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WILL LAG WITH NO RESPONSE, THEN LURCH & ACCELERATE SUDDENLY. MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, SAFE PASSING, STARTS AT LIGHTS AND SAFE DRIVING IN PARKING LOTS AND AROUND PEDESTRIANS CAN BE HAZARDOUS. THOUSANDS OF OWNERS ACROSS THE NATION ARE AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECT. FROM MY RECENT RESEARCH IT APPARENTLY IS NOT RESTRICTED TO THE HIGHLANDER, BUT AFFECTS MANY TOYOTA VEHICLES WITH "DRIVE BY WIRE" AS OPPOSED TO MECHANICAL TRANSMISSION & THROTTLE LINKAGE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER RIGHT AFTER MY PURCHASE IN NOVEMBER OF 2004 AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG, NOW RECENT RESEARCH TELLS ME THEY WERE WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. I LOVE TOYOTA BUT THERE METHODS OF DEALING WITH PROBLEMS LIKE THIS IS DECEPTIVE AT BEST AND JUST SHORT OF CRIMINAL AT WORST. PLEASE "GOOGLE" TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HESITATION PROBLEM AND ALSO VISIT TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM FOR MORE EVIDENCE OF WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. TOYOTA HAS NOT DEVOTED ENOUGH RESOURCES TO THIS PROBLEM OR A PERMANENT FIX WOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEVELOPED. PLEASE CONTACT TOYOTA AND URGE THEM TO TAKE CARE OF THIS

THIS SITUATION HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I BOUGHT MY HIGHLANDER IN NOVEMBER 2004. AFTER BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY OR MOVING IN REVERSE, THE FIRST TIME BRAKES ARE USED IN THE FORWARD OR DRIVE GEAR THERE IS A LOUD CLANK OR BANG FROM THE FRONT WHEEL BRAKES. I HAVE HAD THE DEALER CHECK THEM MORE THAN ONCE AND EVERY TIME I AM TOLD THAT IT IS NORMAL OR THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST CAR EVER AND I'M SURE THAT I'VE NEVER HEARD THAT KIND OF NOISE IN MY BRAKES AFTER CHANGING GEARS. *NM

2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER VSC LIGHT COMES ON AT UNEXPLAINABLE TIME AND CAR LOSES POWER. DEALER HAS HAD THREE TIMES AND STILL HASN'T FIXED. *NM

THERE IS A SULFUR SMELL WHEN I STOP OR BACK UP ON HILLS. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER (PARTS ARE ON ORDER) AND THAT THIS WAS A DEFECT IN SOME VEHICLES. IF AN OWNER MENTIONS THE SMELL, THEY DO THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. SHOULDN'T OWNERS BE MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM? *NM

NOTICED FREE PLAY AND A CLUNKING IN STEERING WHEEL @15,000 MILES. MORE PRONOUNCED ON TURNS WITH BUMPS. COMPLAINED TO DEALER ABOUT CONDITION AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE STEERING SHAFT HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY IN SHAFT JOINT. HAD TO WAIT OVER 1 MONTH FOR THE PART TO ARRIVE. STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY PART#45220-48150 WAS REPLACED. *JB

I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V6. AT 45,000 MILES, I NOTICED A CLUNKING SENSATION IN MY STEERING WHEEL. LONG STORY SHORT, TOYOTA SAID IT WAS A FAILED U-JOINT AND HAD TO REPLACE MY STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY (PART # 45220-48150) AT A COST OF $490 TO ME. NOT COVERED BY 5 YR/ 60000 MI DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY OR 3 YR/36000 MI EITHER. I LEARNED IN AN EDMUNDS.COM HIGHLANDER OWNERS' CHAT ROOM THAT I AM NOT ALONE. SEVERAL PEOPLE COMMENTED THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THE PROBLEM ALSO OCCURS WITH CAMRYS (WHICH HAS THE SAME CHASSIS). THE OTHER OWNERS COMPLAIN OF A LONG PART BACKORDER WHICH SOUNDS LIKE THIS MAY BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. DOES THIS QUALIFY FOR A RECALL AND COULD I GET MY $490 REFUNDED IF SO? THANK YOU. *NM

I HAD A FLAT TIRE ON MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE GOING THROUGH THE TIRE REPLACEMENT STEPS AND HAD THE VEHICLE JACKED WITH THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED JACK. AFTER REMOVING THE LUG NUTS, I WENT TO REMOVE THE FLAT TIRE FROM THE WHEEL STUDS. THE JACK POPPED OUT OF PLACE AND BENT, AND IS NOW UNUSABLE. WE HAD TO FIND A HEAVY DUTY JACK TO LIFT THE VEHICLE TO GET THE TIRE OFF AND PUT THE SPARE TIRE ON. SPARE WAS PLACED AND PROPERLY TIGHTENED. NOW, THERE IS A SCRAPING SOUND WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED. I HAD FLAT FIXED AND WHEN TIRE COMPANY REMOVED SPARE, ONE WHEEL STUD FOR FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF. TIRE COMPANY SAYS THEY'VE SEEN THIS NUMEROUS TIMES WITH HIGHLANDERS; THE INTEGRITY AND/OR MACHINING OF THE WHEEL STUD APPEARS DEFECTIVE. *JB

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH A 3.3L V6 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM THE MANUFACTURER, I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM OR FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NOW THE CAR HAS ALMOST 20,000 MILES ON IT, I'VE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER A FEW TIMES AS THE HESITATION HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND THEY CONTINUE TO TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I RARELY DRIVE THE CAR NOW SINCE I HAVE COME VERY CLOSE TO HAVING A MAJOR ACCIDENTS NUMEROUS TIMES. IN EACH CASE, I WILL TRY AND MERGE ONTO A FREEWAY. GOING UP THE RAMP (OR DOWN) AND ACCELERATING TO GET UP TO SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION WILL DELAY FOR 2-3 SECONDS. I THEN PUSH THE GAS PEDAL DOWN A BIT MORE AND THE RPM'S WILL SHOOT UP, THE CAR WILL JERK, AND SPEED AHEAD. IF I DON'T APPLY THE EXTRA GAS, IT LEAVES ME IN A SITUATION WHERE I MIGHT BE HIT FROM BEHIND BY OTHER CARS. WHEN THE CAR JERKS AHEAD, I'VE COME CLOSE TO SLAMMING INTO CARS AHEAD OF ME. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB AND HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS WITH THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I HOPE NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED OR INJURED FROM THIS DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS UNWILLING TO ADDRESS, AND THAT THE NHTSA WILL INVESTIGATE THIS BEFORE ANYONE IS KILLED OR INJURED. *NM

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 WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE TRANSMISSION MOMENTARILY HESITATES BEFORE PROPERLY SELECTING THE CORRECT GEAR TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC RESET THE SOFTWARE THREE TIMES, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE REPRESENTATIVE DROVE THE VEHICLE AND EXPERIENCED THE HESITATION AND EXPLAINED, THIS IS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN AND THE VEHICLE IS FREE-WHEELING. THE REPRESENTATIVE WOULD CONTACT THE ENGINEERS AND TRY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 03/17/06. *JB

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

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

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ELECTRONICS GET CONFUSED AT STREET SPEEDS, NOT ALLOWING ME TO ACCELERATE, ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING A LEFT ACROSS TRAFFIC. I HAVE BEEN NEARLY T-BONED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. I TALKED TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ABOUT A YEAR AGO, AND THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT HE WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND EXPECTS TOYOTA TO COME UP WITH A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. RECENTLY, I LEFT A MESSAGE WITH THE SAME TECHNICIAN ASKING WHAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE, AND I RECEIVED NO REPLY. IT IS EXTREMELY SCARY TO FIND THIS 'DEAD SPOT' IN ACCELERATION. THIS IS OUR FOURTH TOYOTA, AND MIGHT BE THE LAST IF TOYOTA DOES NOT ADDRESS THIS ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *JB

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

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

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

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

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

MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V6 (3.3L WITH 5-SPEED TRANSMISSION) HAS AN INTERMITTENT FAULT WHERE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL ABRUBTLY DROP DOWN A GEAR (OR GEARS) WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY TRYING TO ACCELERATE CREATING A SENSATION LIKE IT IS BUCKING OR PORPOUSING. USUALL STEPPING OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR IS SUFFICIENT TO ELIMINATE THE BUCKING SENSATION. THIS HAS OCCURED SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN AUGUST 2004.

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

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.

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.

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

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,

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

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.

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.

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....

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

WE PURCHASED A 2004 V6/5 SPEED AUTO 2WD TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN JUNE, 04. IT HAS A HESITATION PROBLEM WHICH CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD. IT LOSES POWER FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER DECELERATING AND RE- ACCELERATING TO CHANGE LANES OR MAKE LEFT TURNS, THEREBY EXPOSING A POWERLESS, DECELERATING CAR TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWICE. THEY CLAIM IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, THEY CANNOT FIX. THEY SAY IT OCCURS AS A RESULT OF THE ADAPTIVE LEARNING ALGORITHM IN THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION PACKAGE. CHECK THE EDMONDS TOWN HALL BY SEARCHING FOR "HESITATION" AND YOU'LL FIND IT REPORTED SINCE 12/03 BY HIGHLANDER, CAMRY, SOLARA, LEXUS RX330 AND LEXUS CAMRY EQUIVALENT OWNERS ALL HAVING GOTTEN NO COMMITMENT BY TOYOTA TO FIX IT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS DESCRIBED BY THE CLASSICAL DEFINITIONS. IT OCCURS FREQUENTLY (IN MOST VEHICLES AND IN NORMAL OPERATION, AND MORE THAN A FEW OF THE OCCURRENCES WILL EXPOSE THE OCCUPANTS TO SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY. TOYOTA CLAIMS THE HESITATION IS "NORMAL" BECAUSE ALL THE HIGHLANDERS ON THE LOT DO IT--WHICH ONLY REINFORCES THE HIGH FREQUENCY ESTIMATE. FOR WHATEVER REASON, THEY ARE NOT ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE WITH ANYTHING OTHER THAN AN OFFER TO HAVE A TOYOTA REP CONFIRM YOUR CAR HAS IT AND THEN TO TAKE THE ISSUE TO ARBITRATION. ITS TIME FOR YOU TO INVESTIGATE, BEFORE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATHS OCCUR. IF WE CAN BE OF ASSISTANCE, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME. JIM MULLEN. *AK *JB

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

OWNER STATED THAT WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP HE TEST DROVE A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE OWNER FOUND THAT THE MEASUREMENTS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WERE NOT THE SAME IN EACH VEHICLE THAT WAS TEST DRIVEN. *AK

THERE WAS A SEAT BELT LOCKING REEL FAILURE THAT HAD OCCURRED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT IN A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM THE SIDE. *SC *JB

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

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

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

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

MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER MAKES A TERRIBLE HUMMING / MOANING SOUND ON ACCELERATION THAT RESONATES WITHIN THE VEHICLES AND DISTURBS THE DRIVER. THE PROBLEM TYPICALLY OCCURS DURING SPEEDING UP FROM 0 MPH. IT IS TERRIBLY FRUSTRATING THAT A BRAND NEW CAR MAKES SUCH A ANNOYING SOUND. IT IS ALSO HESITATES A LOT DURING 20-40 MPH SPEED RANGE. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND AS IT SUPPOSED TO ON ACCELERATION AND THAT TOO SPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING WITHIN THE CITY. ON CANTACTING THE DEALER AND TOYOTA'S NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE THAY SAID IT IS DESIGNED TO BE LIKE THAT AND THE HESITATION IS A BY-PRODUCT OF COMPUTER CONTROLLED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. CURRENTLY THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS. AM TERRIBLY FRUSTRATED NOW AND PROMISE TO NEVER BUY ANY VEHICLE FROM TOYOTA IN FUTURE. I WOULD ALSO MAKE SURE THAT MY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES DOES NOT GO NEAR A TOYOTA DEALER. I AM DESPERATE IN GETTING RID OF THIS VEHICLE. *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