Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

2004 Toyota HIGHLANDER problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

286 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

53,126 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2004 model year. Data updated: . 235 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 46 of 286 complaints (16.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior4716.4%
Braking behavior4616.1%
Transmission and shifting3512.2%
Electrical and battery issues62.1%
Engine operation31.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission
46
Vehicle Speed Control
33
Steering
24
Electrical System
18
Engine
16
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
15
Engine And Engine Cooling
10
Visibility
10
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Power Train:Automatic Transmission46
Vehicle Speed Control33
Steering24
Electrical System18
Engine16
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)15
Engine And Engine Cooling10
Visibility10

Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 46; Vehicle Speed Control: 33; Steering: 24; Electrical System: 18; Engine: 16; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 15; Engine And Engine Cooling: 10; Visibility: 10

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
69
25,000 to 49,999
43
50,000 to 74,999
37
75,000 to 99,999
30
100,000 to 149,999
41
150,000 and above
15
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00069
25,000 to 49,99943
50,000 to 74,99937
75,000 to 99,99930
100,000 to 149,99941
150,000 and above15

Under 25,000: 69; 25,000 to 49,999: 43; 50,000 to 74,999: 37; 75,000 to 99,999: 30; 100,000 to 149,999: 41; 150,000 and above: 15

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (69). 51 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2004
38
2005
32
2006
24
2007
20
2008
20
2009
18
2010
41
2011
21
2012
18
2013
13
2014
12
2015
10
2016
8
2017
4
2018
1
2020
1
2021
1
2023
1
2024
2
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
200438
200532
200624
200720
200820
200918
201041
201121
201218
201313
201412
201510
20168
20174
20181
20201
20211
20231
20242
20261

2004: 38; 2005: 32; 2006: 24; 2007: 20; 2008: 20; 2009: 18; 2010: 41; 2011: 21; 2012: 18; 2013: 13; 2014: 12; 2015: 10; 2016: 8; 2017: 4; 2018: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 47 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 46 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 35 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10090951 · 2004-09-14 (September 14, 2004)

I PURCHASED A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN MARCH. AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF DRIVING I NOTICED THAT WHILE BRAKING AT A LIGHT, SOMETIMES THE BRAKE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE. WHEN THE DEALER LOOKED AT MY CAR HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND SAID IT WAS A "POWER SURGE" I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS AND WHY THEY DIDN'T FIX IT, BUT THE CAR STILL DOES IT 3 MONTHS LATER. ALSO I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO STALL WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC ONTO A HIGHWAY. I HAVEN'T BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE…

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090951 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10107233 · 2005-01-11 (January 11, 2005)

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…

Owner-reported narrative. 161,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10107233 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10062599 · 2004-03-19 (March 19, 2004)

AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A NISSAN PATHFINDER CUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I CRASHED INTO HIM. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN HE SUDDENLY VEERED INTO MY LAND. I TRIED TO BRAKE, BUT THERE WASN'T TIME AND I HIT THE BACK OF HIS PATHFINDER AND THEN SPUN AROUND AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL. THE SEAT BELTS EXPLODED, BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, UPON EITHER IMPACT. THE FIREMEN JUST SHOOK THEIR HEADS IN DISBELIEF AND MY CAR'S DAMAGE (~$9000). MY HIGHLANDER WAS SUPPOSED TO BE BACK TO ME IN 2-3 WEEKS, BUT IT HAS BEEN NINE WEEKS AND THE CAR STILL ISN'T FIXED DUE …

Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062599 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10083782 · 2004-08-20 (August 20, 2004)

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR-ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. *AK IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE PIVOT BRACKET HAD BENT, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL. *SC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 1,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083782 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10086822 · 2005-03-07 (March 7, 2005)

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 SEARCHI…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10086822 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10090696 · 2004-09-09 (September 9, 2004)

2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH APPROX. 11,000 MILES. 6CYL. 2W/D I HAVE NOTICED A SLIGHT BUT CONSISTENT HESITATION BETWEEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AND ACTUALLY ACCELERATING. I RECENTLY EXPERIENCED THAT WHEN ACCELLERATING HEAVILY, AS TO PASS ANOTHER CAR, THE HIGHLANDER ACTUALLY SEEMS TO PAUSE, AND TO EVEN MOMENTARILY SLOW DOWN INSTEAD OF ACELLERATING. AND THEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. THIS DELAY IS GREATER THAN 1-2 SECONDS AND IS SIGNIFICANTLY NOTICABLE. THIS IS NOT A SITUATION WHERE THE VEHICLE IS DROPING SMOOTHLY INTO A LOWER GEAR TO ACCELLER…

Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090696 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10207457 · 2007-10-30 (October 30, 2007)

I PURCHASED A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4DR 4WD 4ECT AS A PREVIOUSLY OWNED VEHICLE WITH A PREVIOUSLY OWNED VEHICLE WARRANTY. AFTER OWNING AND USING THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW MONTHS WHILE DRIVING IN A TRAFFIC SITUATION, THE RIGHT SIDE REAR BRAKE SUDDENLY LOCKED UP INTERMITTENTLY ACCOMPANIED BY SWERVING, BY PANEL VSC LIGHT FLASHES AND AN AUDIBLE WARNING. THIS SITUATION FORTUNATELY OCCURRED NEAR OUR RESIDENCE ON DRY PAVEMENT. BY DRIVING VERY SLOWLY WE MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE LOCATION. IT WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WHERE IT WAS INSP…

Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10207457 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10395715 · 2011-04-13 (April 13, 2011)

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 RE…

Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10395715 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10203753 · 2007-09-13 (September 13, 2007)

2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER BRAKES ENGAGED WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED. CUSTOMER STATES THAT HE WAS IN A PARKING LOT HIT THE ACCELERATOR AND THE BRAKES APPLIED, AND THAT MADE THE ENGINE STALL. HE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. *KB THE DEALER FOUND THE STEERING ANGEL SENSOR WAS NOT OUT PUTTING CORRECTLY WHICH CAUSED THE VSC TO ACTIVATE. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10203753 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

286 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

82.2%Usable mileage235 / 286 records
100.0%Valid incident date286 / 286 records
100.0%Valid filing date286 / 286 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates286 / 286 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Power Train
73.8%
ODI 10466502 · 4,989 mi

AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THEN BRAKING, I BACKED UP TO REALIGN THE VEHICLE BETTER. WHEN I PULLED IN THIS TIME AND BRAKE, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. I CONTINUED TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE REPEATEDLY, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT STOP. THE ENGINE THEN REVVED UP AND ACCELERATED. AT THIS SAME TIME THE GEAR SHIFT WENT INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP AS IT HIT THE BUILDING IN FRONT OF ME, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING, AND THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO BACK UP THE VEHICLE AND PARK IT …

Look up ODI 10466502 at NHTSA ↗

115.3%
ODI 10576486 · 1,500 mi

I BOUGHT A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN OCTOBER 2012 AND NEVER NOTICED ANY PROBLEM UNTIL EARLY IN 2014. WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE ON A SMALL INCLINE, THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT RESPOND. IT ACTED AS IF I AM NOT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT GOING TO THE MOUNTAINS BUT JUST A SMALL INCLINE WHEN I DRIVE HOME FROM WORK EVERYDAY. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER IN MARCH 2014 AND THEY RESPONDED SAME AS OTHER PEOPLE ON THIS WEBSITE, NO ERRORS ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND NO POSTING FROM TOYOTA. THEY ADVISED ME TO PUT IN PREMIUM FUEL AND I D…

Look up ODI 10576486 at NHTSA ↗

96.6%
ODI 10679731 · 100 mi

THIS COMPLAINT RELATES TO TRANSMISSION SHIFT SEQUENCES. WHEN STARTING OUT, THE TRANSMISSION IS IN FOURTH GEAR. IF YOU ARE AT SAY A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND ARE MAKING A LEFT TURN, AND THEN NEED TO MAKE A RAPID ACCELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS DOWN TO A LOWER GEAR, PROBABLY 1ST GEAR. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT TORQUE STEER THAT AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER WOULD FIND VERY DISTURBING. ALSO, WHEN TRAVELING 60 - 70 MILES PER HOUR AND YOU SHIFT FROM "DRIVE" TO "S" POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO FOURTH GEAR WITH A RESULTANT SIGNIFI…

Look up ODI 10679731 at NHTSA ↗

63.1%
ODI 10763791

THE TRANSMISSION HAS A FLUTTER WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT UP OR DOWN TO DIFFERENT GEARS. IT CAUSES A HESITANCY IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED BY THE CALDWELL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN CONWAY, AR USA AND I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS IN OTHER HIGHLANDERS. I REQUEST A RECALL TO HAVE THIS FIXED. THANK YOU *TR

Look up ODI 10763791 at NHTSA ↗

10.9%
ODI 11712269

I was driving on a 2-lane road early in the morning with light snowfall. There was about 1" of snow on the road, with the roads not yet plowed or treated as it was the beginning of the snowfall. About 15 minutes into my trip, I was on a relatively flat and straight stretch of the road and let up on the gas paddle to avoid going too fast -- was probably traveling ~35 mph. Although the road was straight and flat at that point, my car suddenly started fishtailing, slowly turned 180 degrees and sliding to the other side of the road, ending up on…

Look up ODI 11712269 at NHTSA ↗

7227.0%
ODI 10971162 · 192 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE FORWARD AND ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE SHAFT SUPPORT BEARING RETAINING RING FAILED AND CAUSED THE AXLE TO SEPARATE FROM THE TRANS AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192.

Look up ODI 10971162 at NHTSA ↗

6624.8%
ODI 11202999 · 15,000 mi

WHEN HIT BREAKS HARD... I HEAR A BANG/NOISE FROM REAR OF MY HIGHLANGER. ( DEALERSHIP ADMIT THIS IS ABNORMAL SOUND BUT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT). TRANSMISSION SHIFT ROUGHLY, NOT SMOOTH SHIFTING. IF CAR IS IN DRIVE AND IM HOLDING BREAKS CAR REAR STARTS MAKING BANGING NOISE N START SHAKING. SO FAR MY CAR HAS ONLY 20K MILES ON IT . SUSPENSION IS PRETTY STIFF DOESN'T HELP WHILE DRIVING OVER POST HOLES.

Look up ODI 11202999 at NHTSA ↗

19440.2%
ODI 11292174 · 10,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAMER TOYOTA (11041 SEPULVEDA BLVD, MISSION HILLS, CA 91345), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

Look up ODI 11292174 at NHTSA ↗

12338.8%
ODI 11328585

THIS VEHICLE WILL LET YOU SHUT THE ENGINE OFF IN DRIVE WITHOUT SHIFTING TO PARK. IF YOU DO THIS AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, IT WILL ROLL AWAY AND YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET BACK TO IT AND INTO IT IN TIME TO GET YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THEN SHIFT IT INTO PARK. THIS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED. YOU SHOULD HAVE TO SHIFT TO PARK BEFORE THE ENGINE CAN BE TURNED OFF. *TR

Look up ODI 11328585 at NHTSA ↗

21942.1%
ODI 11439378 · 2,000 mi

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated his wife pulled into a parking spot and turned off the engine while the vehicle was in reverse. The vehicle then switched gears to neutral on its own, started reversing, and slightly crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The warning message "Put Transmission Into park Illuminated". The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 2000.

Look up ODI 11439378 at NHTSA ↗

5320.6%
ODI 11486230

When I'm cruising about 35 mph, let off the gas and decelerate, then give a slight bit of gas, I feel a "bump" in the drive train. It's more like slop in the transmission....sounds like a metal To metal noise...this happens after car is driving more then 30 min or 45 min.

Look up ODI 11486230 at NHTSA ↗

2011.0%
ODI 11534090

The vehicle hesitates when accelerating from a stop. Dealership Technician says he noticed the hesitation when accelerating, but since there are no DTC’s and No Data found saying that there is a malfunction

Look up ODI 11534090 at NHTSA ↗

37.1%
ODI 11679694

While slowing down, the vehicle will suddenly lunge forward, as if It hit a patch of ice and then slow again. This started happening around 30,000 miles. The dealer said this is because of a transition between hydraulic braking and regenerative braking and is "NORMAL". This did not start until 30k miles. I have owned 4 hybrid vehicles and only this one does this. Upon reading and studying online, there was a bulletin for an earlier generation of this type of problem. Clearly, it is an issue as I am not the only one with this problem.

Look up ODI 11679694 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 11760578

I own a 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum purchased new. The vehicle has repeatedly exhibited hesitation, shuddering, jerking, and abnormal vibration during acceleration from a stop and the transition from electric propulsion to the gasoline engine. When accelerating from a stop, there can be a noticeable hesitation after pressing the accelerator before the vehicle responds. As the gasoline engine engages, the vehicle sometimes shudders or jerks before accelerating normally. I have also experienced vibration and lurching when the gasoline…

Look up ODI 11760578 at NHTSA ↗

Unknown Or Other
2312.6%
ODI 10744578 · 60,000 mi

THE ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK (DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR) ON MY 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER RECENTLY BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS; IT WORKED INTERMITTENTLY FOR A SHORT TIME, THEN CEASED WORKING AT ALL. AFTER A RECENT SERVICE TRIP, TOYOTA QUOTED ME OVER $500 TO REPLACE THE DOOR ACTUATOR AND LABOR. I REALIZE THIS SEEMS LIKE A SMALL ISSUE. BUT I, AND MY FAMILY, HAVE OWNED TOYOTAS PREVIOUSLY AND HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE, EVEN WITH DIFFERENT MODELS. I CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL THAT TOYOTA IS MAKING A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND I, AS A CONSUMER, AM FOOTING THE BILL FOR THEIR FAULT…

Look up ODI 10744578 at NHTSA ↗

2311.1%
ODI 10567189 · 4,650 mi

JULY 20, 2013 I PUSHED THE IGNITION BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE. I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY REALIZED IT WAS STILL MOVING. I ATTEMPTED TO GET BACK IN THE VEHICLE TO STOP IT. I FELL AND THE BACK TIRE RAN OVER MY FOOT/LEG. A MAN CAME AND JUMPED IN THE CAR TO STOP IT AFTER IT CROSSED THE STREET AND HIT A PARKED CAR. I HAVE BOTH A FRACTURED TIBIA AND FIBULA. THE TIBIA REQUIRED A SCREW TO STABILIZE HOWEVER, MY FOOT WAS SO INJURED (TORN FLESH) THAT I HAD TO WAIT 5 WEEKS FOR THE FLESH TO HEAL TO AVOID INFECTION. I HAVE BEEN OFF OF WO…

Look up ODI 10567189 at NHTSA ↗

3324.3%
ODI 10690920 · 3,000 mi

PURCHASED NEW 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN MAY 2014, AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS OF OWNERSHIP A FOUL ODOR BEGAN TO EMIT FROM A/C UNIT WHENEVER VEHICLE WAS STARTED. AFTER 3 TRIPS TO SELLING DEALER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM I WAS GIVEN TOYOTA T-SB-0142-13 WHICH INFORMS ME THAT THERE ARE 23 TOYOTA VEHICLES WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTED TO PLACE BLAME ON VARIOUS ITEMS BUT, SINCE TOYOYA PUBLISHED A TSB IT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT IS NOT WANTING IT TO BECOME KNOWN AS IT MIGHT IMPACT THEIR SEL…

Look up ODI 10690920 at NHTSA ↗

4322.4%
ODI 10717042 · 4,700 mi

THE DASH READOUT FOR MPH BEGAN SHOWING VERY ERRATIC NMBERS. GOING FROM 24.4 MPG TO 29.7 MPG AND DOWN TO 13.1 MPG ALL IN A SPAN OF ABOUT 4 MILES. THIS MPG OF 24.4 WAS FOR THE PRIOR 3000 MILES. THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THIS HAPPENING. THEY ALSO SAID THAT TOYOTA HAD NO BULLETINS FOR THIS MATTER EITHER. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THAT I MUST HAVE ACCIDENTALLY RESET THE UNIT AND BY DOING SO IT WAS NOT UNUSUAL FOR THESE LARGE SWINGS IN MPG. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. I HAD OVER 100 MILES ON SINCE MY LAST FILL UP AND UNTIL THIS HAPPENING THE …

Look up ODI 10717042 at NHTSA ↗

2119.1%
ODI 10816603 · 20 mi

WHEN I PURCHASED THIS 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LE IN MID DECEMBER, I DID NOT REALIZE UNTIL I GOT IT HOME, THERE WAS NO INTERIOR REAR DOOR RELEASE. NO RELEASE BUTTON ON THE DASH AND NO INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, FOUND MY SALESMAN AND ASKED HIM IF THERE WAS AN INTERIOR DOOR RELEASE. HE TOLD ME THERE WAS NOT AND "THAT'S WHY THEY OFFER THE LE PLUS MODEL WHICH HAS A POWER REAR DOOR WITH INSIDE RELEASE". EVERY VEHICLE I'VE OWNED SINCE 1998 HAS HAD AN INSIDE TRUNK OR REAR DOOR RELEASE. IT SEEMS LIKE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE TO ME, H…

Look up ODI 10816603 at NHTSA ↗

5319.9%
ODI 10949488 · 1,200 mi

2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SE AWD ("VEHICLE"). ON JANUARY 26, 2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 11:15 P.M., PACIFIC TIME, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE 10 FREEWAY NEAR THE LA BREA AVENUE EXIT. IT WAS DARK BUT CLEAR WITH LIGHT TO MEDIUM TRAFFIC. WHILE I WAS DRIVING AROUND 80 MPH AND MERGING TOWARD AN INNER LANE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY - ON ITS OWN - SLOWED TO AROUND 30 OR 40 MPH. CONCOMITANTLY, THE VEHICLE'S MESSAGING SYSTEM (BETWEEN THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER) BEGAN BLINKING AND ALERTING ME THAT THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM WAS EXPERIENCI…

Look up ODI 10949488 at NHTSA ↗

4316.2%
ODI 11065366 · 140 mi

I WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY 78 BY STONE MOUNTAIN AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE CAR BEHIND ME SIGNALED TO ME TO STOP. HE SAID SOMETHING FLEW OFF MY CAR AND HIT HIS WINDSHIELD. I COULD NOT IMMEDIATELY FIGURE OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I DECIDED TO LOOK AT THE SUNROOF AND DISCOVERED THAT IT HAD SHATTERED. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 11:30 PM THE SAME DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR.

Look up ODI 11065366 at NHTSA ↗

7916.4%
ODI 11175823 · 50 mi

THE GPS SYSTEM DOES NOT PROVIDE VERBAL INSTRUCTIONS; ONLY VISUAL. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO REMOVE HIS/HER EYES FROM THE ROAD AND LOOK FREQUENTLY AND MONITOR THE SCREEN. I HAVE VISITED THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES BUT THERE ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT TOYOTA IS WORKING ON A WORK AROUND BUT NO ESTIMATE IS PROVIDED. I KNOW AT LEAST 5 OTHER HIGHLANDERS IN THE TAMPA BAY AREA ARE EXPERIENCING THIS BECAUSE WHEN I OPENED A CASE WITH WWW.TOYOTA.COM THE CASE OFFICER CALLED AND HE INFORMED ME OF THIS. I W…

Look up ODI 11175823 at NHTSA ↗

4413.9%
ODI 11325952 · 50 mi

THE VEHICLE HESITATES, STALLS AND HAS BUCKING LEAPING FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY, ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS A VERY LOUD WHINING NOISE UPON SHIFTING THE CAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND BACK AGAIN FROM DRIVE TO PARK, AT A STAND STILL. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH A NEE CAR, MY WIFE AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE WHILE DRIVING IN THIS CAR. *TR

Look up ODI 11325952 at NHTSA ↗

6512.5%
ODI 11421797

I purchased my Toyota Highlander Hybrid only about 2 months ago. Since then, I've experienced several incidences of sudden acceleration. In a few of them, I was approaching a stop sign and began to slow down. Suddenly, I felt the car accelerate on its own. In both instances, I slammed on the brakes and the car jerked then stopped. There was one instance when I was going down hill and I was stepping on the brakes, but the car seemed to accelerate on its own until I stepped on the brakes again. Fortunately, there were no collisions. Howeve…

Look up ODI 11421797 at NHTSA ↗

3714.4%
ODI 11441642

When driving down interstate, ticking came from above followed by a loud bang. Moon roof busted out and glass shattered out while on interstate.

Look up ODI 11441642 at NHTSA ↗

3921.5%
ODI 11507296

The vehicle brakes stop working suddenly requiring lift the pedal and slam the brakes to make it work correctly. I almost have a bad accident for this problem. I did my research and learned this is a problem that Toyota need to fix. The situation was very scary.

Look up ODI 11507296 at NHTSA ↗

1331.0%
ODI 11580327

Driving the interstate at 75 mph, my sunroof spontaneously shattered covering us with shards of glass. Toyota dealership and insurance said a rock must have hit but there were no other vehicles near us. Was not covered under warranty, so insurance adjuster approved new sunroof install and repaint roof for over $3,000. The loud explosion and subsequent broken glass could have caused major accident as well as blindness. We feel an investigation into glass quality should be done. In my opinion, vehicles shouldn’t even have sunroofs.

Look up ODI 11580327 at NHTSA ↗

220.0%
ODI 11690033

While waiting for a traffic light to change, I pressed the pedal to accelerate, and the car would not move. Like my pedal was dead. I have experienced this issue three times. I have also experienced bucking or jerking issues.

Look up ODI 11690033 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System
2714.8%
ODI 10489150 · 1,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND STEERING TO THE RIGHT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY EMITTED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHEN POWERING OFF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE DEFROSTER FOR THE REAR WINDOW WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO REMAIN FOGGY FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES. THE M…

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2512.1%
ODI 10533705 · 600 mi

AT TOTALLY RANDOM TIMES, AFTER A FEW MILES OF DRIVING OR 100 MILES, VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING. MOST ANNOYING AND DANGEROUS IS THE WAY IT DOESN'T RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR FOR A FEW SECONDS AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT. TOOK VEHICLE TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND OF COURSE VEHICLE RAN FINE FOR THE 4 MILES THEY DROVE IT. TECH CHECKED FOR ANY TROUBLE CODES AND NONE WERE FOUND. THIS SEEMS LIKE A REAR-END ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. FOR TEN DAYS WE HAVE GOTTEN NOTHING BUT THE RUN-AROUND FROM THE NATIONAL TOYOTA "CASE MANAGER"…

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3525.7%
ODI 10568136 · 400 mi

OUR 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH 18 MILES ON FEBRUARY 25, 2014. ON MARCH 7, 2014 WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS ANOTHER DRIVER FAILED TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT SO I PRESSED THE HORN TO ALERT THE DRIVER WHILE I SWERVED OUT OF HIS PATH. THE HORN DID NOT WORK SO THE DRIVER WAS NOT ALERTED AND CONTINUED IN THEIR DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. MY NEED TO SWERVE WOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE OTHER DRIVER WAS PAYING ATTENTION AND I WAS ABLE TO ALERT HIM WITH MY HORN. *TR

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5126.6%
ODI 10664203 · 200 mi

I PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE AND SEVERAL HOURS LATER I HAPPENED TO NEED SOMETHING OUT THERE. WHEN I ENTERED I HEARD AN ELECTRIC MOTOR RUNNING EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAD BEEN TURNED OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS. CRAWLING UNDER THE CAR I FOUND THAT THE SOUND WAS COMMING FROM A MOTOR NEAR THE REAR AXLE. I REPORTED IT TO MY TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT IT WAS A MOTOR THAT MAY RUN HOURS AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF TO PURGE THE CARBON CANISTER. THEY ADVISED THAT THEY FOUND THAT INFORMATION IN THEIR SERVICE MANUAL, BUT NOT THE OWNERS MANUAL. ONE TI…

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1412.7%
ODI 10937219 · 640 mi

MY CAR ENGINE STARTED ON ITS OWN AFTER BEING TURNED OFF. I WENT SHOPPING AT WALMART AND PARKED MY 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER XLE IN THE PARKING LOT. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND PUSHED THE ENGINE START/STOP BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE CAR. MY FAMILY AND I EXITED THE CAR AND I USED THE KEYLESS ENTRY PAD TO LOCK THE DOORS. WE SHOPPED FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MIN. WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE CAR, I USED THE KEYLESS ENTRY PAD TO UNLOCK THE DOORS SO I COULD PUT OUR PURCHASES IN THE TRUNK. AS I GOT CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE I HEARD AN ENGINE RUNNING, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS…

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4617.2%
ODI 10990492 · 3,150 mi

MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, FUSES REPEATEDLY BLOWING OUT, POWER LIFT GATE NOT CLOSING, MANY DIFFERENT ERROR MESSAGE APPEARING ON THE SCREEN FOR NO REASON, VEHICLE WENT INTO ACCESSORY MODE WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER. *TR

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249.0%
ODI 11144123 · 5,900 mi

THE RADIO SHORTED OUT DISABLING ALL COMPUTER APPS I WAS TOLD BY MIDTOWN TOYOTA IT WILL TAKE A WEEK FOR NEW RADIO TO ARRIVE

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5611.6%
ODI 11181477 · 100 mi

THE VOICE COMMANDS FOR THE VEHICLE DO NOT WORK WHICH REQUIRES THE DRIVER TO LOOK AT THE NAVIGATION SCREEN OR SCROLL THROUGH THEIR PHONE BOOK RATHER THAN USING THE BLUETOOTH FEATURES. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING AND ILLEGAL IN SOME STATES WHICH REQUIRE HANDS FREE PHONE.

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165.0%
ODI 11325952 · 50 mi

THE VEHICLE HESITATES, STALLS AND HAS BUCKING LEAPING FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY, ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS A VERY LOUD WHINING NOISE UPON SHIFTING THE CAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND BACK AGAIN FROM DRIVE TO PARK, AT A STAND STILL. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH A NEE CAR, MY WIFE AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE WHILE DRIVING IN THIS CAR. *TR

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275.2%
ODI 11418965

I purchased this 2021 Highlander on April 3rd 2021. Power steering Malfunction, SRS Airbag system Malfuction first happened on April 21th 2021 when I started the vehicle. the car was towed to the dealer ship. the dealer simply re-set the system and asked me to unplug the tracker device which was installed by insurance company. Because they suspected the problem was caused by the interference from the device. I unpluged it. However, Power steering Malfunction, SRS Airbag system Malfuction happened again on May 21th 2021 when I started the car. I…

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207.8%
ODI 11470228 · 1,800 mi

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH and attempting to accelerate to enter the highway, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle responded sluggishly. The vehicle emitted abnormal sounds as though the transmission was in neutral. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal all the way to the floorboard and the vehicle responded as intended. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 40 MP…

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105.5%
ODI 11511838

******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS REQUESTED BY THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WISH TO HAVE IT REMOVED*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******

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614.3%
ODI 11634807

My car has integrated CarPlay installed for mapping. When used wirelessly with all mapping services (Apple Maps, Waze, Goole Maps) my car will appear in fields, the wrong streets, in houses. I will be given directions to turn on streets that are not where I physically am. First I worked with Apple Customer Care for over 15 hours. They have determined it is not an Apple issue. They believe it is an issue with the GNSS module in the car. I took the car twice to the dealerships service departments. The first service department did not duplicate…

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110.0%
ODI 11753999

I was backing up the vechial accelerated the steering wheel was turning rapid & a grinding noise causing me too hit another vechial about a month before my husband was driving & the vechial accelerated going toward also we had had some issues with back camera not doing a warning signal with a object behind vechial when the accident happened my vechial has braking system that stops you if something is behind you this time it didn’t I called the dealership when accident happed which was May 21 2026 & reported it they said they had accelerations …

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes
126.6%
ODI 10457095 · 1,104 mi

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING STALL IN A PRIVATE PARKING LOT, MY HIGHLANDER SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND I HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL! MY HIGHLANDER WENT UP OVER THE CURB WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLOW. I HAD BRAKES AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKE, COMING TO A SAFE STOP. NOT BEFORE SLASHING MY LEFT FRONT TIRE AND BENDING MY TIRE RIM. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED. *JS

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167.7%
ODI 10515185 · 4,500 mi

MY WIFE WAS MANEUVERING THE SUV INTO SMALL AREA PARKING LOT ONTO A CORNER SPACE, ON THE FIRST FORWARD AND BACK MOTION TO MANEUVER THE BRAKE WAS OK, THEN ON THE SECOND MANEUVER THE BRAKE DIDN'T WORK AND THE TIRE WENT OVER THE CONCRETE PARKING BLOCK THEN HITTING THE STRUCTURE OF THE DOCTORS OFFICE. EARLY ON IN THE DAY I WENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO PURCHASE A HITCH AND WHEN ABOUT TO LEAVE THE PARKING BRAKE DIDN'T RELEASE COMPLETELY, TOLD SERVICE GUY AND SAID TO GET A CLIP AND HE ALSO COMMENTED THAT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT MIGHT INSTAL…

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32.2%
ODI 10785091 · 500 mi

POPPING NOISE FROM REAR BREAK FREQUENTLY WHEN I DISENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVER. WHENEVER THIS HAPPENS THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND NOT BEEN USED FOR 3 HOURS ON; TOOK TO DEALERSHIP STATING COULD FIND PROBLEM, BUT DEALER SAYS IT DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING ABNORMAL.

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157.8%
ODI 10746188 · 3,500 mi

CLUNKING NOISE FROM REAR END OF VEHICLE WHEN BRAKING, DEALER WAS AUTHORIZED TO CHANGE REAR AWAY BARS AND SHOCKS, NO FIX, NOW TOYOTA CORP., SAYS THIS IS NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF VEHICLE ? I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING VEHICLE WITH NOISE, AND AS BRAKES FEEL SOFT ALSO.

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1917.3%
ODI 10945504

RECALL VEHICLE SOLD TO ME AS NEW CAR WIHOUT REMEDY. MANUFACTURER RECALL ISSUED NHTSA #16V775 RECALL #G03 SAFETY (NONCOMPLIANCE) RECALL G03 - REMEDY NOTICE, CERTAIN 2016 MODEL YEAR HIGHLANDER, BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR SENSOR CONNECTOR

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2810.5%
ODI 11023208

2017 TOYOTA HIGLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BREAK PEDAL THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. DUE TO THE FAILURE THE CONSUMER HAS RAN INTO A HANDICAP SIGN, LAWN TRACTOR AND WHEELBARROW. THE COLLISIONS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER, NUMBER PLATE AND NUMBER PLATE COVER. ALSO, CAUSED DEEP SCRATCHES TOT HE LEFT LOWER PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED UPDATED 09/28/2017*JS

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5319.9%
ODI 11105159 · 3,000 mi

I WAS RECENTLY IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN MY 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM. THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM WAS WORKING WELL THROUGH OUT OUR TRIP BUT UNFORTUNATELY DID NOT WORK WHEN IT WAS MOST NEEDED. WE WERE INVOLVED IN A PILE UP ON INTERSTATE I-5 GOING AT LEAST 45MPH AND NOTICED THAT THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM THAT IS SO MUCH BEING ADVERTISED DID NOT WORK AT ALL. THERE WAS NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER AND DEFINITELY DID NOT BREAK ON IT'S OWN AS ADVERTISED. AT THE TIME OF THE HIT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED A LITTLE TO LATE AT LEAST THE PASSE…

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183.7%
ODI 11258968 · 7,000 mi

ME AND MY FAMILY WERE LEAVING A HOTEL IN TARRYTOWN NY. I PARKED THE CAR: TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2019 OUTSIDE, HELPED MY WIFE AND 21-MONTH BABY INTO THE BACK SEAT AND HAD TO PUT SOMETHING IN THE TRUNK BUT IT WAS LOCKED. IN THAT MOMENT THE CAR WAS IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING; THE GROUND WAS NOT STEEP AT ALL: 5-10 DEGREES THE MOST. I TOOK OUT THE KEY FROM IGNITION TO GO OPEN THE TRUNK WITH THE BUTTON FROM THE REMOTE. SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS WITH MY WIFE AND KID IN THE BACK SEAT. THERE WAS A SLOPE FEW FEET AWAY FROM WHERE I PARKED…

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3711.7%
ODI 11364598 · 2,000 mi

I HAVE BEEN HAVING INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES WHEN TURNING ON MY CAR AND GOING IN REVERSE. ON ONE OCCASION, AFTER TURNING ON THE VEHICLE AND PUTTING IT IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE DESPITE BEING ON LEVEL GROUND. I HAD TO APPLY PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR AND HEARD THE CAR STRAIN A LITTLE BEFORE I HEARD A SOUND COME FROM THE BRAKES AND THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKED BACKWARDS. I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES AND I DID NOT HAVE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. AFTER THIS THE BAKES APPEARS TO FUNCTION AS USUAL. ANOTHER TIME, I TURNED ON …

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6612.7%
ODI 11406776 · 2,600 mi

WE ARE EXPERIENCING PCS IS NOT WORKING, WE WERE DRIVING ON FREEWAY WHEN CARS STOPPED SUDDENLY AND NOT EVEN DISPLAYING ANY WARNING SIGNAL OF 'BRAKE' ON THAT MOMENT, WE WERE SO CLOSE TO IMPACT A TRAILER, SECOND TIME SIMILAR SITUATION THE NEXT DAY AFTER THE FIRST APPT AT SERVICE WHERE THEY STATED THAT PCS WAS WORKING PROPERLY , CARS STOPPED SUDDENLY AND NOT EVEN WITH THE WARNING TIMING SET UP IN TO THE 'EARLY TIME', WARNING US TO USE THE BRAKE. THE EXPLANATION FROM SECOND APPT IT WAS 'IT WORKED WITH CRUISE ON', ON MY PREVIOUS CARS NEVER NEEDED T…

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3714.4%
ODI 11460425

When coming to a stop, intermittently the brakes feel like they disengage for a moment before kicking back in and lunging me forward. The first time it happened I thought my foot has slipped off the brake pedal. When I happened again, I knew something was wrong and started noting when it happens and the driving conditions. I have taken it in the dealer 4 times now, have opened a ticket with Toyota and have been told since they can’t reproduce the problem there isn’t much they can do to fix it. The service manager did advise that a scan of my ca…

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189.9%
ODI 11507296

The vehicle brakes stop working suddenly requiring lift the pedal and slam the brakes to make it work correctly. I almost have a bad accident for this problem. I did my research and learned this is a problem that Toyota need to fix. The situation was very scary.

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819.0%
ODI 11592160

I was in the drive thru at a fast food restaurant and after I placed my order I was about 5 cars from the pay window. As I went forward where there was a curve I stopped and then when the car in front of me moved forward to the pay window I let up on the brake and accelated slowly. When I put my foot on the brake pedal it went to the floor and the car would not stop. I served to the right of the car in front of me ( I did not hit it) and rolled to the parking space to the right. The car hit the curb and bounced up a little and hit the sign a…

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220.0%
ODI 11707018

Black Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD 2025 ~15000 miles What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Without any warning, the braking action is delayed. It is a momentary loss and happens occasionally at light braking application, nowhere near hard enough to lock the wheels up The vehicle is available for inspection upon request How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? If I were been closer to another vehicle/pedestrian/obstacle, an accident could happen Has the problem be…

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine
179.3%
ODI 10459879 · 5,000 mi

MY HIGHLANDER WAS AT THE AIRPORT FOR THREE DAYS PARKED. WHEN I WAS LEAVING THE LOT I WAS DRIVING SLOW IN THE LOT TO PAY MY PARKING. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE LOT TO MAIN STREAM TRAFFIC I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR WOULD ONLY GO SLOW AS I KEPT PUSHING THE THROTTLE. THERE WERE CARS ON BOTH SIDES OF ME WITH NO ONE IN FRONT AND THEN THE CAR JUST TOOK OFF. IT DID STARTLE ME BECAUSE I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE I AM SURE I WOULD NOT HAVE REACTED FAST ENOUGH TO STOP BECAUSE OF THE RAPID ACCELERATION. SOMETHING…

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3215.5%
ODI 10526292 · 1,300 mi

VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING. DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, WHEN TRYING TO GET VEHICLE UP TO HIGHWAY SPEED WILL DEPRESS GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING WILL HAPPEN FOR 3-4 SECONDS, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE WILL SPEED UP. THIS ONLY STARTED TO HAPPEN AFTER 1300 MILES . TOOK VEHICLE TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND OF COURSE VEHICLE RAN FINE, TECH. CHECKED FOR ANY TROUBLE CODES AND NONE WERE FOUND. ALSO SINCE THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN MY GAS MILEAGE HAS DROPPED FROM 18 MILES A GALLON TO 15 MILES A GALLON. *TR

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32.2%
ODI 10735889 · 12,748 mi

PURCHASED VEHICLE 5/26/14. AT FIRST HAD A POPPING NOISE FROM RIGHT REAR BREAK; TOOK TO DEALERSHIP STATING COULD FIND PROBLEM, SO LIVED WITH IT. AT 10,000 + MILES DEALER FOUND FRONT BREAKS WARPED, SO HAD THEM REPLACED. AROUND SAME 10K + MILES DEALER HAD TO DROP ENGINE TO REPLACE LEAKING OIL FOUND AROUND TIMING COVER AREA, STATING FACTORY INSTALL DID NOT ALLOW PROPER SEALING. ON 7/22/15, @ 12,748 MILES NOTICED OIL LEAK SAME AREA, AND INFORMED BY DEALER THAT ENGINE HAS TO BE DROPPED FOR THE 2ND TIME TO REPAIR OIL LEAK. ABOVE DOES NOT INCLUDE OT…

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105.2%
ODI 10983627 · 21,800 mi

I WAS DRIVING 80 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A "CHECK AWD" DISPLAY APPEARED. AT THAT SAME MOMENT I LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER AND TO ACCELERATE. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR OFF OF THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR CAME TO A STOP. I DID NOT SEE ANY SMOKE, OR SMELL ANYTHING AND THE ENGINE TEMP GAUGE SHOWED MID COOL SO I DECIDED TO START THE CAR AGAIN. WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR, THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE "CHECK AWD" DISPLAY CAME ON AGAIN, AND THEN SECONDS LATER A TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME ON WITH A LOUD ALARM. SMOKE STARTED COMING OU…

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98.2%
ODI 10937219 · 640 mi

MY CAR ENGINE STARTED ON ITS OWN AFTER BEING TURNED OFF. I WENT SHOPPING AT WALMART AND PARKED MY 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER XLE IN THE PARKING LOT. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND PUSHED THE ENGINE START/STOP BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE CAR. MY FAMILY AND I EXITED THE CAR AND I USED THE KEYLESS ENTRY PAD TO LOCK THE DOORS. WE SHOPPED FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MIN. WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE CAR, I USED THE KEYLESS ENTRY PAD TO UNLOCK THE DOORS SO I COULD PUT OUR PURCHASES IN THE TRUNK. AS I GOT CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE I HEARD AN ENGINE RUNNING, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS…

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4617.2%
ODI 11005233 · 1,200 mi

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER TO APPX 5MPH AND CHECK ENGINE, CHECK ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM, VISIT DEALER, LIGHTS APPEARED ON DASH, VEHICLE WAS ON HIGHWAY DRIVING AT APPX 50MPH AT TIME OF INCIDENT , DEALER REPROGAMMED ECM, AND RETURNED CAR TO OWNER AND NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN

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3312.4%
ODI 11141081 · 4,200 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF BOWIE (16700 GOVERNOR BRIDGE RD, BOWIE, MD 20716) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE GASKET WAS NOT SEALED CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,200. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

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6914.3%
ODI 11231030 · 3,300 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHEN THE CONTACT PUSHED THE IGNITION START BUTTON, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OXMOOR TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 8003 SHELBYVILLE RD, LOUISVILLE, KY 40222, [phone removed]) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,300.

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175.4%
ODI 11315755 · 300 mi

AFTER LEAVING A SHOPPING CENTER ON FEBRUARY 29 2020, WE PULLED OUT ONTO A ROAD TO HEAD TOWARDS HOME. WE WERE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR IN TRAFFIC AND RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION ON THE SCREEN THAT SAID THE ENGINE WAS OFF, PUT CAR IN PARK. THERE WAS ALSO A WARNING LIGHT THAT CAME ON FOR THE ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT. WE WERE ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TRYING TO MANEUVER THROUGH TRAFFIC OF 4 LANES. WE PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD TURN OVER, BUT NOT START. WE CALLED …

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468.8%
ODI 11416030 · 3,400 mi

VEHICLE HAS 3400 MILES AND STARTING HAVING LONGER THAN NORMAL CRANKING WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. SHORTLY AFTER THAT OCCURRED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WHERE THEY INSTALLED SOME FUEL SENSORS. 2 DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. BOTH INCIDENTS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED A SECOND TIME BACK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY ARE NOW REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP. MAYBE THEY NEED TO ADD THIS VEHICLE TO RECALL LIST

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103.9%
ODI 11473299

1. The SRS airbag malfunction alert message has been displayed for more than a month. The vehicle was brought to the Toyota dealer where it was purchased for being diagnosed and repaired TWICE, but the problem still exists now. [The alert message is always displayed and keeps the driver from seeing any other information on the instrument panel. This is annoying and very dangerous.] 2. The engine sometimes automatically turned off while the vehicle stopped and was waiting for green lights at intersections or yielding to other vehicles at stop si…

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2815.5%
ODI 11531857

When I hit the gas the car doesn’t go anywhere and almost got into an accident. Turbo lag maybe or something really really wrong. This is going to cause a huge accident

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511.9%
ODI 11659903

My car was parked in the driveway with the engine running. The engine was then turned off from outside the vehicle using the start/stop button. Once the engine stopped, the car moved backward down the sloped driveway and struck a pickup truck that was parallel parked on the street. I then entered the vehicle and attempted to shift into drive, but a warning appeared indicating the hybrid system was off and instructing me to put the car in park. Multiple attempts were made to drive the car forward, but instead, it was driving in reverse. The car…

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 11760578

I own a 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum purchased new. The vehicle has repeatedly exhibited hesitation, shuddering, jerking, and abnormal vibration during acceleration from a stop and the transition from electric propulsion to the gasoline engine. When accelerating from a stop, there can be a noticeable hesitation after pressing the accelerator before the vehicle responds. As the gasoline engine engages, the vehicle sometimes shudders or jerks before accelerating normally. I have also experienced vibration and lurching when the gasoline…

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Vehicle Speed Control
147.7%
ODI 10448197

WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE IN PRIVATE SHOPPING MALL AT SLOW RATE OF SPEED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING RAPIDLY ACCELERATED FORWARD INTO VEHICLE PARKED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE WENT UP AND OVER PARKED VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. NO ONE WAS HURT IN THIS ACCIDENT AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS MADE AS IT WAS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. COMPLAINT WAS MADE TO TOYOTA WHO INVESTIGATED AND TOYOTA DETERMINED THAT NO VEHICLE DEFECT OR DESIGN EXISTED AND REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING…

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3115.0%
ODI 10526292 · 1,300 mi

VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING. DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, WHEN TRYING TO GET VEHICLE UP TO HIGHWAY SPEED WILL DEPRESS GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING WILL HAPPEN FOR 3-4 SECONDS, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE WILL SPEED UP. THIS ONLY STARTED TO HAPPEN AFTER 1300 MILES . TOOK VEHICLE TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND OF COURSE VEHICLE RAN FINE, TECH. CHECKED FOR ANY TROUBLE CODES AND NONE WERE FOUND. ALSO SINCE THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN MY GAS MILEAGE HAS DROPPED FROM 18 MILES A GALLON TO 15 MILES A GALLON. *TR

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53.7%
ODI 10669076 · 6,000 mi

THE SPEEDOMETER CONSISTENTLY INDICATED THAT I AM TRAVELING 2 TO 3 MPH MORE THAN MY ACTUAL SPEED. THE HIGHLANDER IS FACTORY ORIGINAL WITH NO AFTERMARKET PARTS INSTALLED. THIS ISSUE WAS OBSERVED WHILE TRAVELING CROSS COUNTRY AND OBSERVING THE PLETHORA OF RADAR SPEED INDICATORS ALONG I-80 AND COMPARING TO THE INDICATOR IN THE HIGHLANDER ALONG WITH DIGITAL INDICATION ON BOTH GPS AND IPHONE APPS. I MENTIONED THIS THE TOYOTA WHILE PERFORMING THE FIRST SERVICE ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT THE SUPPOSED ISSUE. …

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115.7%
ODI 10780035 · 2,999 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AND SET AT 55 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE SET SPEED WHEN GOING DOWNHILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE FUNCTION WAS NORMAL WHEN TRAVERSING A HILL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,999. UPDATED 01/27/16*LJ UPDATED 02/04

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43.6%
ODI 10949035

OCCASIONALLY, AT A STOP SIGN/INTERSECTION OR ENTERING A HIGHWAY IF I HAVE COME TO A FULL STOP BEFORE PROCEEDING THE CAR WILL STALL. I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR AND NOTHING HAPPENS. MY WIFE AND I HAVE FOUND OURSELVES IN THIS PREDICAMENT SEVERAL TIMES NOW AND IT IS ONLY GETTING WORSE. THIS SCENARIO IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR SEVERAL REASONS, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE IS THAT MY FAMILY HAS BEEN INSIDE THE CAR WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL SCARES NOW, BECAUSE THE CAR STALLED ON US AS WE WERE ENTERING THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE SPOKEN TO TH…

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134.9%
ODI 10949488 · 1,200 mi

2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SE AWD ("VEHICLE"). ON JANUARY 26, 2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 11:15 P.M., PACIFIC TIME, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE 10 FREEWAY NEAR THE LA BREA AVENUE EXIT. IT WAS DARK BUT CLEAR WITH LIGHT TO MEDIUM TRAFFIC. WHILE I WAS DRIVING AROUND 80 MPH AND MERGING TOWARD AN INNER LANE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY - ON ITS OWN - SLOWED TO AROUND 30 OR 40 MPH. CONCOMITANTLY, THE VEHICLE'S MESSAGING SYSTEM (BETWEEN THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER) BEGAN BLINKING AND ALERTING ME THAT THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM WAS EXPERIENCI…

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83.0%
ODI 11097295 · 12,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AND SPLASHED WATER ONTO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (PERUZZI TOYOTA, 2601 BETHLEHEM PIKE, HARTFIELD, PA) WAS CALLED AND A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMA…

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112.3%
ODI 11254633 · 100 mi

SEVERE HESITATION WHEN GAS IS APPLIED, ESPECIALLY WHEN CROSSING HEAVY TRAFFIC AND INSTANT POWER/QUICK ACCELERATION NEEDED. ALSO NOTED WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS, AFTER CAR HAS SLOWED DOWN BELOW 5 MPH TO MAKE THE CORNER. GAS IS APPLIED WITH HESITATION. NOTED MORE WHEN CAR IS AT A COMPLETE STAND STILL/MOVING AT SLOW SPEED THEN GAS APPLIED TO MOVE FORWARD. CAR DOES NOT MOVE/REACT INSTANTLY. I NOTICE THIS PROBLEM ON A WEEKLY (AT LEAST) BASIS.

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103.2%
ODI 11384736 · 4,000 mi

WE RECENTLY PURCHASED OUR HIGHLANDER AND IT HAS A LITTLE OVER 4,000 MILES. TODAY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 45 MPH, THE CAR JUST LOST POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. 1. CHECK ENGINE - REDUCED ENGINE POWER 2. SECONDARY COLLISION BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WE HAD TO PARK AND WAIT FOR THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO COME AND TOW IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER. AT THIS POINT I DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG OR WHY IT JUST CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING. I AM VERY CONCERNED AND CAN ONLY HOPE TOYOTA CAN ADDRESS THIS OR REPLACE THE CAR.

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71.3%
ODI 11434865

I have a 2021 FWD Highlander Hybrid, running in ECO mode with just over 5K miles. I just had this problem happen this afternoon. Pulling into a parking spot at the grocery store. I was going pretty slow, almost stopped, and then the car engine revs and lurches forward. Thank goodness I had my foot on the brake, otherwise the car would of jumped the curb/parking block. Also, happened to me previously coming out of our neighborhood on to a busy street. I'm stopping at the stop sign, going pretty slow, and then all of a sudden the car engine revs…

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72.7%
ODI 11475871

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while her partner was reversing out of a driveway, the vehicle independently surged backward up a hill as her partner applied the brake pedal. Her partner was able to place the vehicle into drive which sent the vehicle forward. The vehicle hit a tree which stopped the acceleration. The contact heard screaming from inside her home and called 911 for assistance. The air bags did not deploy. Her partner was taken to the hospital for an examination and suffered no injuries. A police…

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84.4%
ODI 11598566

Hesitation/Non-linear Acceleration From a Stop. Reprogramming the ECM completely resolved the issue. This needs to be sent out to affected vehicles but I had to investigate and pretty much demand a resolution. I fear what this could later do to our engines, etc.

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12.4%
ODI 11678799

when I attempt to accelerate from a stop, or slowly rolling, there is a 2-3 second delay, sometimes longer, prior to the vehicle moving forward. during the delay, when accelerator is pressed, the engine does not rev, nothing happens at all. it's scary. the highlander has less than 9k miles on it. this has been happening more and more frequently. I have contacted toyota, they have yet to provide a response or solution for this safety issue.

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220.0%
ODI 11740832

The speedometer registers speed up to 7mph over actual speed for the first 15 miles then returns to matching GPS speed. Reported to Toyota, dealer said they have seen this before but not identified a fix as of today

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Steering
4625.3%
ODI 10519433 · 24,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SWAYING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO A BILLBOARD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. *TR

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4622.2%
ODI 10651095 · 15,000 mi

THE 2013 HIGHLANDER WAS SERVICED IN FLORIDA MONDAY 10/27 FOR 15000 MILES SERVICE, TODAY MY SISTER WAS DRIVING SINCE SERVICE, THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON ,THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING , THE HIGHLANDER WAS NOT STABLE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD AND SEEMED LIKE IT NEEDS A TUNE UP.I CALLED THE DEALER AND IT WAS TAKEN THEIR ,FIRST RESPONSE WAS GAS PUT IN, YES . WAS TOLD POSSIBLE THE CAP WAS NOT PUT ON RIGHT AND WITH NEWER CARS IT COULD BE A MALFUNCTION THE COMPUTER.. TURNED OUT THAT THE IGNITION COIL SWITCH WAS BAD ON THIS 2013 HIGHLANDER. WHI…

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42.9%
ODI 10632873 · 1,500 mi

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AND THE VEHICLE JERK. THEN A WARNING SIGN APPEAR ON THE DASH THAT SAID EPS FAILURE. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN. I BEGAN TO STRUGGLE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AT THAT POINT IT WAS LOCK. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS; I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO AN EMPTY PARKING SPACE, PARKED THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED TO DICK DYER IN COLUMBIA SC. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHAT WAS ACTUALLY WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. AT THIS TIME, THEY THINK THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN STATED HE HAS NEVER SEEN SUCH A PROBL…

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2513.0%
ODI 10721074 · 4,700 mi

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL ON MAY 12 ABOUT A POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. I TOOK THE CAR TO A TOYOTA DEALER ON MAY 13, AND WAS TOLD LATER THAT DAY THAT MY CAR DID INDEED HAVE ONE OF THE UNITS DEEMED DEFECTIVE. I WAS GIVEN A LOANER CAR AT NO CHARGE. EVERYTHING SEEMED OK, BUT NOW IT IS 10 DAYS LATER, AND NO REPLACEMENT PART HAS ARRIVED. NOT ONLY THAT BUT BOTH THE DEALER AND THE NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER ARE COMPLETELY UNABLE TO PREDICT WHEN ANY REPLACEMENT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. IS THERE A…

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65.5%
ODI 10859987 · 100 mi

BRAND NEW CAR IN THE SHOP TWICE DURING FIRST WEEK. FOLLOWING REFUELING (NOT TOPPED OFF - STOPPED AT FIRST CLICK) THE CAR STARTS STALLING AT RED LIGHTS OR AT LOW SPEEDS. HAS DONE THIS A DOZEN TIMES. ON THE HIGHWAY CAR STUTTERS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND TRACTION CONTROL BECOMES DISABLED. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS DUE TO OVERFILLING THE GAS TANK AND CHANGED THE CARBON CARTRIDGE FOR THE EVAC THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT THE CASE. A SECOND REFILL AFTER THE REPAIR CONFIRMED THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS EVEN WHEN FILLING UP VERY CAREFULLY. IF GASOLINE I…

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41.5%
ODI 11355319

HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE MULTIPLES TIMES TO TOYOTA DEALERS LOOKING TO ADDRESS A FRONT SUSPENSION PROBLEM. IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS SHAKING A LITTLE BIT WHEN IS BEING DRIVEN AT SLOW SPEED OVER UNEVEN STREET PAVEMENT SURFACE (SMALL POTHOLES) IT FEELS SOMETHING IN THE SUSPENSION IS LOOSE AND IT WOBBLES FROM LEFT AND RIGHT. I ALWAYS FEEL IT ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT IS THE REAL PROBLEM ARGUING THEY DON'T FEEL ANY WOBBLING ON THE VEHICLE

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103.8%
ODI 11100337 · 7,616 mi

MY VEHICLE CANNOT BE ALIGNED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION. ESPECIALLY ON WET ROADS. TOYOTA HAS HAD 5 PLUS ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THIS.VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BY 2 TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS SPECIALIST. THEY DEEMED THE VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE. 48HRS AFTER IT WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THIS DEALERSHIP FOUND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL TOE OUT SEVERELY. THEY CORRECTED THE MISALIGNMENT. AT LEAST ON PAPER THATS THE WAY IT LOOKED UNTIL ON MY WAY HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP THIS VEHICLE PULLED ME INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC.

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81.7%
ODI 11244038 · 10,800 mi

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HAD A SLIGHT LAG WHEN I APPLIED GAS THEN STARTED BEEPING AND PROVIDED THE WARNINGS: CHECK ENGINE, HYBRID SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, CHECK AWD SYSTEM. I TURNED THE CAR OFF MULTIPLE TIMES, THE ERRORS WERE STILL ON THE CAR THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I STARTED THE CAR TO TAKE IT TO THE SERVICE APPT. WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP I TURNED THE CAR OFF TO CHECK IT IN, WHEN I CAME BACK THE ERROR WAS GONE. THEY CHECKED OUT THE CAR THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND THOUGHT IT WAS JUST 'AMBIENT…

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61.9%
ODI 11315755 · 300 mi

AFTER LEAVING A SHOPPING CENTER ON FEBRUARY 29 2020, WE PULLED OUT ONTO A ROAD TO HEAD TOWARDS HOME. WE WERE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR IN TRAFFIC AND RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION ON THE SCREEN THAT SAID THE ENGINE WAS OFF, PUT CAR IN PARK. THERE WAS ALSO A WARNING LIGHT THAT CAME ON FOR THE ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT. WE WERE ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TRYING TO MANEUVER THROUGH TRAFFIC OF 4 LANES. WE PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD TURN OVER, BUT NOT START. WE CALLED …

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91.7%
ODI 11431183

I was forced to change lanes quickly from the left lane to the left shoulder of an interstate when a double tandem tractor trailer moved into my lane of traffic. The interstate was dry and the left shoulder was in excellent condition and wide enough to accommodate my vehicle easily. All lane assist options were turned off, the driving mode was set to “economy” and the cruise control was turned to “off”. A few seconds after entering the left shoulder of the interstate, I felt the rear end of my vehicle sway from side to side for a few …

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10.4%
ODI 11691598

This type of steering wheel cover on the steering wheel will wear out by 50,000 miles poor engineered

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21.1%
ODI 11578231

The fact that the dealership was able to sell this car with a recall on is crazy, yes I have blame for not looking as well but now we are having issues with the front bumper hitting the tires when you turn and making a grinding noise. We were told that there’s nothing they could do as of yet but as I see this recall has been open for a while now? This is a big concern to us what if they don’t find anything wrong or so they say and something happens? They need to speed up the process to find a solutions loosing a front bumper while your on the h…

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

110.0%
ODI 11750944

[XXX] was turning left onto [XXX] from [XXX]. Two lanes turn left. She was in the inside lane. The traffic light was red, and when it turned green, she started to turn. Partway through the turn, the steering became unresponsive. She couldn't get it to turn left, and she could not complete the turn, and crashed into the pole that holds the traffic signal. She traveled less than 100 ft total from the light to the pole. The accident was at 1:30 PM on a dry and clear day. The car has 8087 miles on it. There were no observed indications of wa…

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Air Bags
105.5%
ODI 10454532 · 3,600 mi

DRIVERS AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT. FRONT END CRUSHED, PROBABLY $20,000 DAMAGE TO FRONT END ALTHOUGH TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID IT WAS TOTALED. WIFE WAS DRIVING AND COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED IF SEAT BELT HAD FAILED ALSO. *TR

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167.7%
ODI 10546569 · 24,000 mi

PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE - BRAKES APPLIED - CAR LURCHED FORWARD (UNINTENDED ACCELERATION) - BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE - CAR JUMPED THE CURB, CROSSED THE SIDEWALK AND HIT A TREE - AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

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21.5%
ODI 10881808 · 25,700 mi

TO AVOID TWO DEER CROSSING ROAD (BULL BRIDGE ROAD, SOUTH KENT, CT) ON CURVE, LOST CONTROL ON RIGHT SHOULDER, HIT STRAIGHT ON THE UTILITY WOOD POLE. MY SPEED WAS IN BETWEEN 25 AND 30 MPH. DURING THE ACCIDENT, ALL AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK ME UP. THE IMPACT CAUSED MY CHEST, BACK, NECK AND HEAD INJURIES.

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84.2%
ODI 10779757 · 236 mi

MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. I HIT MY CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 AT 10:00 AM ON HIGHWAY 95, THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 65. A MAN HYDROPLANED IN FRONT OF ME, I HAD TO BE GOING AT LEAST 40......UPDATED 10/19/15 *BF.. ...UPDATED 12/29/15 *BF *JS *JS

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109.1%
ODI 10850747 · 1,384 mi

AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE 2016 HIGHLANDER HIT THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT THAT HAD SLOWED FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON 1-25-16 AND THE CAR WAS TRANSPORTED TO A TOYOTA AUTO BODY SHOP ON THE 26TH. SINCE THEN HIGHLANDER HAS BEEN TOTALLY REPAIRED EXCEPT FOR THE SIDE AIRBAGS. TOYOTA MOTOR IN CA HAS NO IDEA WHEN AIRBAGS WILL BE RELEASED FOR USE IN PARTS ON 2016 MODEL. IT IS NOW 3/21/16.

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93.4%
ODI 11110831 · 30,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE DRIVER FELL ASLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL. UPON WAKING UP, THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE STOMACH, HEAD, AND NECK. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FOOT, CHEST, TONGUE, AND NECK INJURIES. THE FOUR REAR PASSENGERS SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, HEAD, LIPS, FEET, AND ARMS. MEDICAL ATTE…

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197.1%
ODI 11103870

TOYOTA SINNE

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142.9%
ODI 11270202 · 1,300 mi

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A T FASHION, WAS PUSHED TO THE LEFT AND RAN INTO ADDITIONAL 2 POLES, THEN STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS AT APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 40-45 MPH AT THE TIME OF COLLISION WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS OF THE VEHICLE (TOYOTA) DID NOT DEPLOY DURING ANY OF THE COLLISION EVENTS: THE OTHER VEHICLE OR WHEN IT HIT THE POLES.

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3210.1%
ODI 11432992

While making a legal left turn on a green arrow, we were struck on the passenger side of our vehicle by a vehicle that did not stop at the red light.

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428.1%
ODI 11418384

Traveling south bound on SC11 (in Seneca South Carolina) a vehicle that was traveling east bound, failed to stop and traveled across my path. The front end of my vehicle impacted the drivers side / passenger door area of the other vehicle. The momentum of the crash, caused the other vehicle to spin counter clock wise and impact me again...on the drovers side passenger door. Our 2021 Toyota Highlander was 4 weeks old with 2K miles on it. Weather conditions were excellent. I immediately stepped on the brakes when I realized the other person was n…

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2810.9%
ODI 11473299

1. The SRS airbag malfunction alert message has been displayed for more than a month. The vehicle was brought to the Toyota dealer where it was purchased for being diagnosed and repaired TWICE, but the problem still exists now. [The alert message is always displayed and keeps the driver from seeing any other information on the instrument panel. This is annoying and very dangerous.] 2. The engine sometimes automatically turned off while the vehicle stopped and was waiting for green lights at intersections or yielding to other vehicles at stop si…

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126.6%
ODI 11563885

Safety noncompliance recall 23ta08 Safety recall 23ta12

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Power Train:Automatic Transmission925–15,000 mi6,351 mi34
ODI 10086822 · 1,000 mi

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 SEARCHI…

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ODI 10088361 · 2,265 mi

THE VEHICLE HAS A DANGEROUS HESITATION ON LOW SPEED ACCELERATION. WHEN SLOWLY ROLLING FORWARD, AND THEN ACCELERATING, SUCH AS TO PULL OUT FROM A SIDE STREET, THE VEHICLE WILL OFTEN HESITATE FOR 1 SECOND OR MORE. THIS SOMETIMES RESULTS IN ALMOST GETTING INTO A SIDE IMPACT CRASH, AS THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PULL ACROSS THE LANE OUT OF THE WAY OF ON COMING TRAFFIC. *JB

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ODI 10090696 · 11,000 mi

2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH APPROX. 11,000 MILES. 6CYL. 2W/D I HAVE NOTICED A SLIGHT BUT CONSISTENT HESITATION BETWEEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AND ACTUALLY ACCELERATING. I RECENTLY EXPERIENCED THAT WHEN ACCELLERATING HEAVILY, AS TO PASS ANOTHER CAR, THE HIGHLANDER ACTUALLY SEEMS TO PAUSE, AND TO EVEN MOMENTARILY SLOW DOWN INSTEAD OF ACELLERATING. AND THEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. THIS DELAY IS GREATER THAN 1-2 SECONDS AND IS SIGNIFICANTLY NOTICABLE. THIS IS NOT A SITUATION WHERE THE VEHICLE IS DROPING SMOOTHLY INTO A LOWER GEAR TO ACCELLER…

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Vehicle Speed Control17,000–86,000 mi37,000 mi29
ODI 10066047 · 523 mi

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PROBLEM, IN A BRAND NEW TOYOTA HIGHLANDER CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. (IT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM TWICE BEFORE)

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ODI 10091231 · 70 mi

HESITATION ON ACCELERATION. *AK

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ODI 10120992 · 9,000 mi

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

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Steering31,000–87,716 mi53,109 mi20
ODI 10145437 · 50,556 mi

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 …

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ODI 10146704 · 6,000 mi

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

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ODI 10156443 · 15,000 mi

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

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Electrical System39,564–82,500 mi63,750 mi16
ODI 10145437 · 50,556 mi

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 …

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ODI 10146704 · 6,000 mi

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

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ODI 10148539 · 12,000 mi

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 …

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Engine103,000–140,000 mi113,000 mi13
ODI 10465951 · 90,000 mi

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 INFORM…

Look up ODI 10465951 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10482953 · 113,000 mi

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.

Look up ODI 10482953 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10496546 · 117,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10496546 at NHTSA ↗

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)44,725–110,000 mi74,400 mi15
ODI 10214029 · 39,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVATED ON DRY SURFACE AND ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AFFECTS THE STEERING AND OCCURS EVERY FEW FEET. SINCE THAT TIME, THE SYSTEM ATTEMPTS TO ACTIVATE AUTOMATICALLY WHILE DRIVING 15-20 MPH. THE VEHICLE STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVATES AT FULL SPEED WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS IN THE MICROTRIP THAT CONTROLS THE VEHICLE STABILITY SYSTEM. THE DEALER IS CURRENTLY ATTEMPTING TO HAVE IT REPROGR…

Look up ODI 10214029 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10221087 · 25,000 mi

VSC SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND STARTED APPLYING BRAKES WHEN THE AUTO WAS ON DRY ROADS. SYSTEM HAS NO DISCONNECT SWITCH IN ORDER TO DISABLE SYSTEM. DROVE AUTO HOME AT ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR BECAUSE SYSTEM WOULD NOT DIS-ENGAGE. THE AUTO ONLY HAS 25,000 MILES. HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE AT 4,000 MILES. *TR

Look up ODI 10221087 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10252755 · 86,210 mi

THE CAR'S VSC (VEHICLE SKID CONTROL) SYSTEM ACTIVATED ON A DRY STRAIGHT ROAD. THE BRAKES WENT ON AND REDUCED THE SPEED TO ABOUT 5MPH, MAKING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE. GLAD THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN IN TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED, AND I COULD GET IT TO ABOUT 10MPH, AND THEN IT WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES QUICKLY AND REDUCED POWER NO-MATTER WHAT THE THROTTLE POSITION WAS, AND THE CAR WAS LIMITED TO ABOUT 5MPH. ONCE THIS HAPPENED THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO BE DRIVEN, UNLESS THE FUSES FOR THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE REMOVED. I DID THIS JUS…

Look up ODI 10252755 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling97,725–122,500 mi103,000 mi7
ODI 10294646 · 115,000 mi

COOLANT LOSS DUE TO STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. ENGINE OVER HEATED. *TR

Look up ODI 10294646 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10370659 · 95,000 mi

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.

Look up ODI 10370659 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10371259 · 151,000 mi

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.

Look up ODI 10371259 at NHTSA ↗

Visibility48,250–75,125 mi57,500 mi10
ODI 10119413 · 36,000 mi

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 REQUES…

Look up ODI 10119413 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10252173 · 66,500 mi

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

Look up ODI 10252173 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10254926 · 48,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10254926 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-051None
ODI 11739508

Hello, I am the Buyer of the subject Vehicle, Upon doing my research, I found out several reports stating that The subject vehicle's 2.4L engine has manufacturing defect, that causes Head Bolts to get stripped/melt down in to oil causing Engine failures and Life threating risk in the middle of the road.

Look up ODI 11739508 at NHTSA ↗

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 2138 reports

2022: 128 complaints · 2023: 138 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
20224992128
202352100138
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
202225502
202318001

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentPower Train:Automatic TransmissionVehicle Speed ControlSteeringElectrical SystemEngineElectronic Stability Control (Esc)Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility
Power Train:Automatic Transmission—
2
ODI 10104409

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 …

Look up ODI 10104409 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10161055 · 8,902 mi

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 …

Look up ODI 10161055 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 10273069

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 …

Look up ODI 10273069 at NHTSA ↗

2
ODI 10148539 · 12,000 mi

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 …

Look up ODI 10148539 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10273069

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 …

Look up ODI 10273069 at NHTSA ↗

0000
Vehicle Speed Control
2
ODI 10104409

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 …

Look up ODI 10104409 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10161055 · 8,902 mi

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 …

Look up ODI 10161055 at NHTSA ↗

—
1
ODI 11355039 · 250,000 mi

WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH A HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION ZONE MY CAR SUDDENLY BECAME HARD TO STEER, AND MY SPEED BECAME GREATER, TRIED TO (BREAK) DECELERATE THE CAR BEGAN SLIDING OUT OF CONTROL-PLOWING INTO THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION BARRIERS PART LODGED IN FRONT PASSENGER WINDSHIELD. THE CAR WENT THROUGH THE DITCH BECAME AIRBORNE THROUGH A ROD IRON FENCE SHATTERED THE REAR SECOND-ROW RIGHT SIDE WINDOW SPUN OUT , AND CAME TO REST JUST FEET FROM THE SOME PILEINGS. THIS IS THE INFORMATION OF MY DAUGHTER WHOM IS AN OUT OF STATE COLLEGE SENIOR AND VERY SHAKEN UP…

Look up ODI 11355039 at NHTSA ↗

00
2
ODI 10221087 · 25,000 mi

VSC SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND STARTED APPLYING BRAKES WHEN THE AUTO WAS ON DRY ROADS. SYSTEM HAS NO DISCONNECT SWITCH IN ORDER TO DISABLE SYSTEM. DROVE AUTO HOME AT ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR BECAUSE SYSTEM WOULD NOT DIS-ENGAGE. THE AUTO ONLY HAS 25,000 MILES. HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE AT 4,000 MILES. *TR

Look up ODI 10221087 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11355039 · 250,000 mi

WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH A HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION ZONE MY CAR SUDDENLY BECAME HARD TO STEER, AND MY SPEED BECAME GREATER, TRIED TO (BREAK) DECELERATE THE CAR BEGAN SLIDING OUT OF CONTROL-PLOWING INTO THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION BARRIERS PART LODGED IN FRONT PASSENGER WINDSHIELD. THE CAR WENT THROUGH THE DITCH BECAME AIRBORNE THROUGH A ROD IRON FENCE SHATTERED THE REAR SECOND-ROW RIGHT SIDE WINDOW SPUN OUT , AND CAME TO REST JUST FEET FROM THE SOME PILEINGS. THIS IS THE INFORMATION OF MY DAUGHTER WHOM IS AN OUT OF STATE COLLEGE SENIOR AND VERY SHAKEN UP…

Look up ODI 11355039 at NHTSA ↗

00
Steering
1
ODI 10273069

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 …

Look up ODI 10273069 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 11355039 · 250,000 mi

WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH A HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION ZONE MY CAR SUDDENLY BECAME HARD TO STEER, AND MY SPEED BECAME GREATER, TRIED TO (BREAK) DECELERATE THE CAR BEGAN SLIDING OUT OF CONTROL-PLOWING INTO THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION BARRIERS PART LODGED IN FRONT PASSENGER WINDSHIELD. THE CAR WENT THROUGH THE DITCH BECAME AIRBORNE THROUGH A ROD IRON FENCE SHATTERED THE REAR SECOND-ROW RIGHT SIDE WINDOW SPUN OUT , AND CAME TO REST JUST FEET FROM THE SOME PILEINGS. THIS IS THE INFORMATION OF MY DAUGHTER WHOM IS AN OUT OF STATE COLLEGE SENIOR AND VERY SHAKEN UP…

Look up ODI 11355039 at NHTSA ↗

—
4
ODI 10145437 · 50,556 mi

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 …

Look up ODI 10145437 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10146704 · 6,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10146704 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10273069

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 …

Look up ODI 10273069 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 11739508

Hello, I am the Buyer of the subject Vehicle, Upon doing my research, I found out several reports stating that The subject vehicle's 2.4L engine has manufacturing defect, that causes Head Bolts to get stripped/melt down in to oil causing Engine failures and Life threating risk in the middle of the road.

Look up ODI 11739508 at NHTSA ↗

2
ODI 10259942 · 53,217 mi

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 DEALERSH…

Look up ODI 10259942 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11355039 · 250,000 mi

WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH A HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION ZONE MY CAR SUDDENLY BECAME HARD TO STEER, AND MY SPEED BECAME GREATER, TRIED TO (BREAK) DECELERATE THE CAR BEGAN SLIDING OUT OF CONTROL-PLOWING INTO THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION BARRIERS PART LODGED IN FRONT PASSENGER WINDSHIELD. THE CAR WENT THROUGH THE DITCH BECAME AIRBORNE THROUGH A ROD IRON FENCE SHATTERED THE REAR SECOND-ROW RIGHT SIDE WINDOW SPUN OUT , AND CAME TO REST JUST FEET FROM THE SOME PILEINGS. THIS IS THE INFORMATION OF MY DAUGHTER WHOM IS AN OUT OF STATE COLLEGE SENIOR AND VERY SHAKEN UP…

Look up ODI 11355039 at NHTSA ↗

00
Electrical System
2
ODI 10148539 · 12,000 mi

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 …

Look up ODI 10148539 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10273069

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 …

Look up ODI 10273069 at NHTSA ↗

0
4
ODI 10145437 · 50,556 mi

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 …

Look up ODI 10145437 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10146704 · 6,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10146704 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10273069

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 …

Look up ODI 10273069 at NHTSA ↗

—0000
Engine00
1
ODI 11739508

Hello, I am the Buyer of the subject Vehicle, Upon doing my research, I found out several reports stating that The subject vehicle's 2.4L engine has manufacturing defect, that causes Head Bolts to get stripped/melt down in to oil causing Engine failures and Life threating risk in the middle of the road.

Look up ODI 11739508 at NHTSA ↗

0—000
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)0
2
ODI 10221087 · 25,000 mi

VSC SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND STARTED APPLYING BRAKES WHEN THE AUTO WAS ON DRY ROADS. SYSTEM HAS NO DISCONNECT SWITCH IN ORDER TO DISABLE SYSTEM. DROVE AUTO HOME AT ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR BECAUSE SYSTEM WOULD NOT DIS-ENGAGE. THE AUTO ONLY HAS 25,000 MILES. HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE AT 4,000 MILES. *TR

Look up ODI 10221087 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11355039 · 250,000 mi

WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH A HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION ZONE MY CAR SUDDENLY BECAME HARD TO STEER, AND MY SPEED BECAME GREATER, TRIED TO (BREAK) DECELERATE THE CAR BEGAN SLIDING OUT OF CONTROL-PLOWING INTO THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION BARRIERS PART LODGED IN FRONT PASSENGER WINDSHIELD. THE CAR WENT THROUGH THE DITCH BECAME AIRBORNE THROUGH A ROD IRON FENCE SHATTERED THE REAR SECOND-ROW RIGHT SIDE WINDOW SPUN OUT , AND CAME TO REST JUST FEET FROM THE SOME PILEINGS. THIS IS THE INFORMATION OF MY DAUGHTER WHOM IS AN OUT OF STATE COLLEGE SENIOR AND VERY SHAKEN UP…

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2
ODI 10259942 · 53,217 mi

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 DEALERSH…

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ODI 11355039 · 250,000 mi

WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH A HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION ZONE MY CAR SUDDENLY BECAME HARD TO STEER, AND MY SPEED BECAME GREATER, TRIED TO (BREAK) DECELERATE THE CAR BEGAN SLIDING OUT OF CONTROL-PLOWING INTO THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION BARRIERS PART LODGED IN FRONT PASSENGER WINDSHIELD. THE CAR WENT THROUGH THE DITCH BECAME AIRBORNE THROUGH A ROD IRON FENCE SHATTERED THE REAR SECOND-ROW RIGHT SIDE WINDOW SPUN OUT , AND CAME TO REST JUST FEET FROM THE SOME PILEINGS. THIS IS THE INFORMATION OF MY DAUGHTER WHOM IS AN OUT OF STATE COLLEGE SENIOR AND VERY SHAKEN UP…

Look up ODI 11355039 at NHTSA ↗

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Engine And Engine Cooling000000—0
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Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

6 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

15 mentions · 5.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 88,105 mi (14 usable records).

ODI 10252755 · 86,210 mi

THE CAR'S VSC (VEHICLE SKID CONTROL) SYSTEM ACTIVATED ON A DRY STRAIGHT ROAD. THE BRAKES WENT ON AND REDUCED THE SPEED TO ABOUT 5MPH, MAKING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE. GLAD THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN IN TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED, AND I COULD GET IT TO ABOUT 10MPH, AND THEN IT WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES QUICKLY AND REDUCED POWER NO-MATTER WHAT THE THROTTLE POSITION WAS, AND THE CAR WAS LIMITED TO ABOUT 5MPH. ONCE THIS HAPPENED THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO BE DRIVEN, UNLESS THE FUSES FOR THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE REMOVED. I DID THIS JUS…

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ODI 10266458 · 40,000 mi

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 PHON…

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ODI 10328900 · 74,400 mi

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 IN…

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Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

14 mentions · 4.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 15,000 mi (13 usable records).

ODI 10093384 · 2,000 mi

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

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ODI 10099140

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER REAR WINDOWS. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE ALMOST LOOSES CONTROL DUE TO THE NOISE. THE NOISE FROM THE WINDOW NOT ONLY CHANGES THE AIR PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH OR FASTER IT HURTS BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGERS EARS. THE CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO HEA…

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ODI 10126228 · 12,000 mi

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.

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Matching rule\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b

Brake response concerns

8 mentions · 2.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 107,600 mi (8 usable records).

ODI 10111830 · 9,000 mi

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 BRAK…

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ODI 10215385 · 64,840 mi

ONE WEEK AGO, WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WOULD HAPPEN. I SCHEDULED A APPOINTMENT WITH GOODYEAR TO HAVE MY BRAKES CHECKED. 2 DAYS BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT DATE, I ALSO HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. I FREAKED OUT AND WENT STRAIGHT TO GOODYEAR FOR THE REPAIR. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RUBBER ON THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD BEEN EATEN AWAY BY THE BRAKE FLUID AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE WAS A RECALL IN 2001 FOR THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE A 2004 HIGHLANDER.…

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ODI 10331424 · 105,400 mi

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 AVOID…

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Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Steering assistance concerns

6 mentions · 2.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 90,000 mi (6 usable records).

ODI 10107233 · 161,000 mi

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…

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ODI 10111830 · 9,000 mi

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 BRAK…

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ODI 10188944 · 41,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE NEAR THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE SWERVED WHILE DRIVING FORWARD. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE CLICKING STOPPED, HOWEVER, THE SWERVING CONTINUED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 46,000 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. *AK

Look up ODI 10188944 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Stalling or loss of power

4 mentions · 1.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 750 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10090951 · 500 mi

I PURCHASED A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN MARCH. AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF DRIVING I NOTICED THAT WHILE BRAKING AT A LIGHT, SOMETIMES THE BRAKE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE. WHEN THE DEALER LOOKED AT MY CAR HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND SAID IT WAS A "POWER SURGE" I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS AND WHY THEY DIDN'T FIX IT, BUT THE CAR STILL DOES IT 3 MONTHS LATER. ALSO I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO STALL WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC ONTO A HIGHWAY. I HAVEN'T BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE…

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ODI 10193437 · 1,000 mi

1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE TOYOTA THE HESSITATION ON ACCELERATION BEGAN. I HAD THE COMPUTER PROGRAM FLASHED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY COULD. ENTERING HIGHWAYS OR TURNING CORNERS THE CAR STALLE D UNTILL THE THROTTLE GRABBED, AND THEN TOOK OFF. IT JOLTED THE BODY AND MADE DRIVING THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER VERY DIFFICULT. *AK

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ODI 10203753

2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER BRAKES ENGAGED WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED. CUSTOMER STATES THAT HE WAS IN A PARKING LOT HIT THE ACCELERATOR AND THE BRAKES APPLIED, AND THAT MADE THE ENGINE STALL. HE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. *KB THE DEALER FOUND THE STEERING ANGEL SENSOR WAS NOT OUT PUTTING CORRECTLY WHICH CAUSED THE VSC TO ACTIVATE. *JB

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Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Oil consumption or dilution

1 mentions · 0.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 85,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10464064 · 85,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10464064 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(oil consumption|burn\w* oil|consum\w* oil|oil dilution|gas(?:oline)? in (?:the )?oil)\b