2005 Toyota Highlander Complaint Log

THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR DROPS DOWN RANDOMLY AND OBSTRUCT MY VISION. I HAVE HAD MANY NEAR ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

ENGINE/TRANSMISSION IS VERY JERKY AND ON AGAIN OFF AGAIN WITH ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE SEVERAL ACCIDENTS, AND I AM CONSIDERING GETTING RID OF THE CAR. IT SEEMS THAT TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH HIGHLANDER FOR SOME PERIOD OF TIME. AND I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD HONOR THE HARD WORKING CITIZENS THAT BUY THEIR VEHICLES AND PROVIDE A RECALL TO REPAIR THE AFORE MENTIONED PROBLEMS. *TR

TRAVELING AT APPROX 35MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING DECELERATED RAPIDLY TO ZERO MPH AND A LOUD GEAR - LIKE CRUNCHING AND GRINDING SOUND WAS HEARD UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY MOVE AT 1 MPH TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND WAS TOTALLY DISABLED. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. MECHANICS CONCLUDED THE FRONT DRIVE DIFFERENTIAL SUFFERED A MAJOR FAILURE AND THEN RUINED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000. *TR

BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH 49K MILES APPROXIMATELY. DID NOT DO THIS FOR THE FIRST 1.5 YRS WE OWNED THIS NOW PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANNY AND DEALER TOLD US IT IS SUPPOSE TO DO THAT. I DONT THINK SO BY OTHER PEOPLE IN THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FORUMS. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WITH THIS TRANNY PROBLEM AND TOYOTA HAS NO FIX BUT TO REPLACE THE TRANNY FOR $5000.00 WIFE'S 2005 HIGHLANDER IS NOT SHIFTING CORRECT WHEN SHE SLOWS DOWN AND THEN TRIES TO SPEED UP OR WHEN SHE GOES AROUND A CORNER SLOW AND SPEEDS UP THE TRANNY HAS A DELAY AND THEN SHIFTS KINDA HARD. WHEN STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP SHIFTS FINE NO PROBLEMS JUST SLOWING DOWN AND THEN ACCELERATING IT WILL DELAY THEN SHIFT. IT KIND OF JERKS THE CAR AND MAKES YOU WONDER WHAT IS GOING ON. CAR HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IN TRAFFIC WITH THE DELAY SHIFTING TRYING TO MERGE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. MANY CLOSE CALLS OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. BEEN ON MANY FORUMS AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE TOYOTA DEALERS THAT THIS IS NORMAL WHICH I FEEL IS A BULL CRAP STORY JUST TO GET RID OF THE PERSON/COMPLAINT. I'M PUTTING IN THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY COMPLAINT IN MY JUDGMENT AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX THESE TRANNY PROBLEMS. THANKS *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR IS DROOPING MORE AND MORE. NOW IT IS PARTLY IN MY LINE OF SIGHT (I'M 6'3") AND WHEN I HIT A BUMP IT DROPS DOWN EVEN FURTHER AND BLOCKS ABOUT HALF OF MY VISION OUT THE WINDSHIELD. VERY DANGEROUS. BEFORE I START DRIVING, I CAN GENTLY RAISE IT AND SLOWLY LET IT DROP TO WHERE IT STOPS WHERE IT ONLY PARTIALLY BLOCKS MY VISION. AS LONG AS I CAN AVOID BUMPS/POTHOLES, IT WILL STAY BUT IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH OF A BUMP TO KNOCK IT LOOSE TO WHERE IT DROPS DOWN FURTHER AND BECOMES A SAFETY HAZARD BY BLOCKING TOO MUCH OF MY VISION. THIS STARTED SOME YEARS AGO AND HAS STEADILY GOTTEN WORSE.

FOR A FEW DAYS THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK HESITATED OPENING WITH REMOTE KEY ACCESS. AFTER A FEW DAYS, IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK AT ALL. THE KEY DOES NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR EITHER. I MUST ENTER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO UNLOCK DRIVER SIDE DOOR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ACCESSING THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DOOR. IN ADDITION, THE REMOTE KEY FOB FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 12/12/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE FOB WORKS ON THE PASSENGER AND BACK DOORS, BUT NOT THE DRIVER'S SIDE. UPDATED 12/12/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V499000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES SEIZED ABNORMALLY, SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE NEVER SAW ANY OF THE TECHNICIANS SERVICE HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,333.

2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALL NOTICE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED, HE WAS ADVISED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING TO SCHOOL TO PICK UP KIDS, THE ENGINE GOT OVERHEATED. COOLANT IS FULL IN THE RADIATOR. NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN SNOWY WEATHER AND APPLYING THE BRAKE, THE WHEELS SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BUT WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER AND MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

THIS PROBLEM WAS FOR THE HEATING AND A\C. THIS WEBSITE TELLS OF THE PROBLEM IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE VEHICLE: WWW.DEVALCOURT.COM/2010/03/FIXING-2004-TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER-AC-AND-HEAT-ISSUE/ . THE WAY TOYOTA MADE THE WIRING (TOO SHORT FOR THE DIAL) WAS FAULTY IN THAT, AFTER REPEATED USE (WHO DOESN'T USE THEIR HEATING AND A/C REGULARLY?) THE WIRES WOULD BREAK OFF CAUSING A SHORT. WHENEVER WE DRIVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE A/C SHIFTS TO HEAT OR THE HEAT SHIFTS TO A/C. WE USED TO REMOVE THE COVER OF THE KNOB AND TIGHTEN THE HEX NUT THERE, BUT NOW THAT DOESN'T WORK. THIS IS ESPECIALLY WORRISOME IN THE WINTER WHEN THE DEFROST SHIFTS TO A/C AND THE FRONT WINDOW STARTS TO "FOG" UP. THIS MAKES FOR EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DRIVING AND INHIBITS YOUR ABILITY TO SEE CLEARLY AND NAVIGATE THE ROADS. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A DESIGN FLAW BY TOYOTA AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. PLEASE NOTE, ON THE WEBSITE MENTIONED ABOVE -- THERE ARE MANY MORE YEAR MODELS (2001, 2004 WERE ALSO MENTIONED) THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THIS. THANK YOU! *TR

I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE KEEPS FALLING OUT OF ITS PLACE AND OBSTRUCTING VIEWS . I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY WANT MORE THAN $400.00 TO FIX IT. THE VISOR FALLING DOWN IS DANGEROUS AND DISTRACTING. IN MY ABLE OPINION TOYOTA HAS TO RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. *TR

ON 11/9/2011, WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 80 NEAR AUBURN, CA., THE REAR WINDOW ON MY 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED/SHATTERED. I TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER/BODYSHOP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE TEMPERED GLASS AT MY EXPENSE ($468). THEY CLAIMED THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. TWO WEEKS LATER ON 11/28/2011, WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 80 NEAR ROCKLIN, CA., THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED/SHATTERED SENDING SHARDS OF GLASS INTO THE VEHICLE AND OUT. THE CAR IS GETTING REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE ($408). TOYOTA CLAIMS THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WORTHY OF INVESTIGATION. DURING THE SECOND INCIDENT, A PASSENGER WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED HAD THEY BEEN SITTING NEXT TO THE EXPLODING GLASS. IF THE WINDOW HAD BEEN THE DRIVER-SIDE WINDOW, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS CRASH. AS IT WAS, THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD TO TAKE EVASIVE MEASURES TO AVOID THE FLYING GLASS. THE FACT THAT THERE HAS BEEN 2 INCIDENTS WITHIN TWO WEEKS INVOLVING 2 SEPARATE OEM GLASS SUGGESTS A POSSIBLE DEFECT. *KB

BRAKES MADE METAL/METAL GRINDING NOISE. FOUND REAR BRAKE ROTORS BADLY CORRODED. APPROX. 30% OF BOTH ROTORS FUNCTIONAL. SEVENTY PERCENT CAKED WITH THICK RUST. DRIVER'S SIDE REAR CALIPER SLIDER PIN STUCK. FRONT BRAKES DID MOST OF WORK, THEREFORE PADS ARE PREMATURELY WORN. IN DECADES OF DRIVING, I'VE NEVER HAD BRAKE WORK BEFORE 80,000 MILES. CAR IS USED ALMOST DAILY AND ALWAYS GARAGED. ROTOR CASTINGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. BRAKES HAVE BEEN INSPECTED BY TOYOTA DEALER EVERY 6 MONTHS. NO PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED, BUT CORROSION IS SEVERE, THICK WITH FLAKING. I HAVE DEALER SERVICE RECORDS AND PHOTOS TO SUPPORT MY SAFETY CONCERNS. TOYOTA RECALLED 130,000 VEHICLES IN CHINA BECAUSE OF A DEFECT IN THE REAR WHEEL DISK BRAKES WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RUST. PERHAPS SOME OF THESE ROTORS FOUND THEIR WAY ON TO OUR HIGHLANDER. MY FAMILY AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THANKFULLY, NO EMERGENCY STOPS HAVE BEEN REQUIRED. HOW MANY OTHER HIGHLANDERS HAVE CORRODED, UNSAFE, BRAKE ROTORS? UPDATED IVOQ 01/26/12 *TR

WE WERE INVOLVED IN A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. A MOTORCYCLE WAS SPEEDING AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR WAS SEVERELY BASHED IN, THE STEEL FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS BENT, AND THE FLOOR WAS COMING UP. I CALLED TOYOTA TO ASK WHY THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE TOOK REPORTS. TODAY THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD ONLY DEPLOY IF THERE WAS A SEVERE INTRUSION, ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO BE HURT. I WAS HURT (BACK AND HEAD) AND MY LITTLE COUSIN SUFFERED A NOSEBLEED. HE ALSO SAID THE MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE IS SEATBELTS. I SAID THERE WAS A SEVERE INTRUSION, BAD ENOUGH THE CAR WAS TOTALED. I TOLD HIM THAT I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED IN HIM AND TOYOTA AND THAT I WAS ONLY CALLING BECAUSE THEY NEED TO KNOW THESE THINGS SO THEY CAN MAKE THEIR CARS SAFER. I HAD FOUR LITTLE CHILDREN IN MY CAR THAT DAY AND I ALWAYS THOUGHT WE WERE IN THE SAFEST CAR. NO MORE TOYOTAS FOR ME. *TT

CAR LOSS CONTROL DUE TO ELECTRICAL POWER IS GONE. CAR LOSS SPEED AT 45MPH AND HAS TO PULL OVER AND STOP. DIAGNOSIS LATTER FOUND BATTERY IS GOOD, BUT ALTERNATOR IS BAD. IN MY CASE, BATTERY WAS REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO. *TR

MY 2005 LIMITED EDITION TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES. THE RIGHT CALIBER IS STICKING, WHICH HAS CAUSED HEAT AND WARPING IN THE HUB SYSTEM AND AFFECTED THE ABS SENSOR. THESE WILL BOTH NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $1000. THE FRONT STRUTS ARE LEAKING. THE LARGEST PROBLEM IS WITH THE TRANSMISSION WHICH HAS SOME TYPE OF INTERIOR PROBLEM. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT I REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS, BASED ON WHAT THE TOYOTA SHOP SAID WAS $3400-$4600. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 94,000 MILES ON IT. THE BRAKE ISSUES WITH THE CALIBER, ROTERS, AND HUB SYSTEM WILL GET REPLACED NEXT WEEK. THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR WILL NOT BE REPAIRED AT THIS TIME UNLESS THE TOYOTA GOODWILL PETITION GOES THROUGH. THE COST IS TOO GREAT. *TT

ON 7/23/2011 I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP IN MY VEHICLE. I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A CAR TRAVELING 70MPH+ AND PUSHED INTO A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT OFF, BUT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

SEAT BELT ARE FRAYED AND COMING APART. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AS WELL AS TOYOTA COSTUMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT IS NO LONGER THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. THEY SAID THEY'D BE HAPPY TO CHANGE THE SEAT BELTS, AND THEN HANDED ME A HEFTY QUOTE. THANKS TOYOTA, GLAD YOU CARE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND AS THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED BUT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 79,000.

I OWN 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON MAY 09,2011 I WAS GETTING ON THE FREE WAY AND ACCELERATED TO MERGE INTO THE FREEWAY , I REALIZED THAT THE CAR WAS GOING FULL SPEED AND THAT THE GAS PEDAL HAD GOTTEN STUCK. I WAS ABLE TO EXIT AND PRESS THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET, PUSHED IN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PULLED OUT THE KEY. I DON'T KNOW HOW I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND WAS LUCKY TO FIND AN EXIT THAT GAVE ME MORE TIME TO STOP THE CAR. THE HEATER, AIR CONDITION, RADIO AND CD PLAYER ALL ORIGINAL STOPPED WORKING ONE YEAR AGO. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE HAYWARD TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY KEPT IT UNTIL MAY 11,2011.THE MANAGER FROM THE SERVICES DEPARTMENT CALLED ME TO INFORM ME THAT IT WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP AND THAT I NEEDED TO PAY THEM $120.00 FOR RUNNING THE TESTS ON THE CAR. HE STATED THAT NOTHING WAS FOUND AND THAT I NEEDED TO PICK THE CAR UP. I HAVE TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND I HAD A BAD SCARE AND COULD HAVE ENDED IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT, UNTIL TODAY I HAVE NIGHTMARES OF THE INDECENT. I STATED MY CONCERN TO THE MANAGER THAT I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR WITH MY CHILDREN AND LOVED ONES. HE SAID THAT I COULD TRADE IT IN. I INFORMED HIM THAT I STILL PAY THE CAR AND HAVE A LOAN BALANCE OF $15,000.00 WITH THE BANK I AM DRIVING A RENTAL CAR AND HAVE TO PAY $19.00 PER DAY BECAUSE THE TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER COULD NOT GIVE ME A RENTER CAR FOR LESS THAN $25.00 PER DAY. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH TWO CHILDREN AND CAN NOT AFFORD A NEW CAR LOAN. I AM REQUESTING THAT TOYOTA PAYS ME THE BLUE BOOK VALUE OF MY CAR AND TAKE THEIR CAR BACK. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR AND I AM VERY CONCERN OF THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE TAKE TIME TO INVESTIGATE MY URGENT MATTER. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

RUN AWAY THROTTLE AND NO ABILITY TO BRAKE 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER CAUSING CRASH INTO HOUSE WALL AND FRONT END DAMAGE TO CAR I TOOK FOOT OF GAS PEDAL AND MOVED TO BRAKE CAR CONTINUED AT SAME SPEED IT WAS TRAVELING AND BRAKE PEDDLE WAS APPLIED HARD AND NO EFFECT. CAR STRUCK HOUSE AND PUSHED ON THE WALL A MOMENT THEN DROPPED TO IDLE. *TR

BROUGHT MY CAR INTO TOYOTA FOR "FLOOR CARPET COVER AND RETENTION CLIPS" AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. I REPLACED THE FLOOR MATS MYSELF AT A COST OF $108.00 PLUS TAX. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER STATES THE STEERING COLUMN WAS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE EACH TIME THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED *TGW THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED, BUT THERE WAS NO WAY TO LUBRICATE IT, TO ELIMINATE THE SOUND. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT IT, WAS TO INSTALL A NEW STEERING BOX WHICH WOULD COST BETWEEN $400-500.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. IN APRIL 2011, THE DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE LOCKED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CALIPERS. IN AUGUST 2011, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR CALIPERS HAD RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKES AND STATED THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,800.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V499000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: MASTER CYLINDER). THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS EXHIBITED NINETY PERCENT ABNORMAL WEAR AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE NEVER REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL REQUEST *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY WERE VERY SLOW TO RESPOND. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED HE HEARD A CLANKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED HE COULD FEEL A BUMP IN THE STEERING COLUMN DURING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER TURNS WERE MADE AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

02/28/11, I OWN A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND THE SUN VISOR (WITH LIGHTED MIRROR) ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT STAY UP. WHEN I DRIVE IT CAUSES A VISIBILITY ISSUE. THIS DEFINITELY CREATES A DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION ON THE ROAD BECAUSE PART OF THE VISIBILITY IS BLOCKED. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT MY CAR IS BARELY 6 YEARS AND I AM ALREADY HAVING ISSUES. I HAVE NEVER HAD THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS WITH OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

IN FEB 2011 MY TOYOTA DEALER, WILDE TOYOTA, INSTALLED 4 BRAND NEW TIRES ON MY 2005 HIGHLANDER. THEY PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT AS WELL. SINCE THEN MY STEERING WHEEL HAD BEEN OFF CENTERED. WHEN I DRIVE STRAIGHT I HAVE TO HOLD MY STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT. WILDE TOYOTA TRIED TO FIX THIS ISSUE 4 SEPARATE TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. A TOYOTA FIELD TECH CAME OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT ITS SET TO FACTORY SPECS. AFTER HE MADE SOME MINOR ADJUSTMENTS THE STEERING WHEEL HAS TO BE HELD TO THE RIGHT SIDE NOW INSTEAD OF THE LEFT SIDE IN ORDER TO DRIVE STRAIGHT. THE FIELD TECH DECLINED TO SPEAK TO ME DIRECTLY. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE. THEY ARE NOT ALLOWING ME TO HAVE A SECOND OPINION BY ANOTHER FIELD TECH. I FEEL THAT I AM DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##

THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE WHEN IT IS ALL THE WAY UP. BECAUSE OF THE INHERENT DESIGN PROBLEM AND POSSIBLY BECAUSE OF WEIGHT AND OR VIBRATION OF THE VISOR IT FALLS DOWN MAY BE UP TO 30 DEGREES. THERE ARE TWO POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS ISSUE: 1. SAFETY ISSUE: IT PARTIALLY BLOCKS THE VISION OF THE DRIVER ON THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING WHICH IS DANGEROUS. 2. PHYSICAL INJURY: WHILE THE DRIVER IS EXITING OUT OF THE CAR OR WHEN THE DRIVER MOVES HIS HEAD FORWARD, THERE ARE CHANCES THAT HE/SHE MAY BUMP THEIR FOREHEAD TO THE VISOR. *TR

SEAT BELT CLIP BROKE; IT HAD BEEN USED MINIMALLY OVER TIME AND WAS NOT ABUSED WHEN IT FAILED TO BUCKLE. *TR

THERE IS A DISTINCT CLUCK FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AT SLOW SPEEDS AND WHILE TURNING (INDICATING SOMETHING IS LOOSE OR NOT TIGHT), I HAVE READ THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FROM TOYOTA FOR THIS ISSUE BUT I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT REQUIRES THE REPLACEMENT OF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ON THE STEERING COLUMN. TSB # ST001-06 FOR HIGHLANDER AND CAMRY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE INVERTER STALLED. ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INVERTER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR KEEPS COMING DOWN CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *TR

I HAVE 2005 HIGHLANDER LIMITED V6 AWD. THE CAR HAS ISSUES WITH THE DIFFERENTIAL FLUID LEAKING AFTER 30,000 MILES OR EVERY TWO YEARS. THE DEALER FIXED THE LEAKING FOR MY CAR AT 35,429 MILES (NO CHARGE DUE TO WARRANTY) IN 2008; HOWEVER, THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS LEAKING AGAIN AT 67,329 MILES THIS YEAR. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE WARRANTY FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL IS 5 YEARS OR 60,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. ONCE THE VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE OF THESE WARRANTY GUIDELINES THE COST OF REPAIRS BECOMES THE OWNER?S RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

MY 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DEVELOPED A LEAK FROM THE TRANSFER CASE, WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A COMPLETE LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID AS WELL AS LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THERE ARE DOCUMENTED ACCIDENTS WHICH HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS REPAIR WOULD NORMALLY BE COVERED BY A 5 YEAR/60,000 MILE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY HOWEVER THE LEAK WAS DISCOVERED A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE 5 YEAR TIME PERIOD EXPIRED. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT TOYOTA WAS AWARE OF THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND FIRST RELEASED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) IN NOVEMBER OF 2007 WITH THE MOST RECENT TSB BEING ISSUED MAY OF 2010. MY VEHICLE WAS CLEARLY UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME THAT THE TSB'S WERE INITIALLY ISSUED, BUT TOYOTA WITHHELD THIS INFORMATION FROM THE CONSUMER. THIS RESULTS IN A COST OF SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS TO THE CONSUMER IN POTENTIAL REPAIRS. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS AND THEY REFUSE TO NEGOTIATE ANY TYPE OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. TOYOTA HAS CONTINUED TO ISSUE TSB'S FOR THE SAME PROBLEM FOR 3 YEARS AND HAS APPARENTLY MADE NO ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM DURING PRODUCTION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. THE VEHICLE MOVED TO THE DRIVERS LEFT LANE AND A CRASHED OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AND MOVED INTO THE THIRD LANE OF THE HIGHWAY CRASHING INTO THE MEDIAN WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ( NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V499000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC FOUNDATION MASTER CYLINDER) AND WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, WHEN SHE TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE CONTACT NOTICED NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH SURGING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS BEING FILED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 53,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 06V253000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,200. UPDATED 01/31/11/ *BF UPDATED 04/20/11

VEHICLE: 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. DEFECT: THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH (THE DEVICE THAT TURNS OFF THE SIGNAL AFTER A TURN IS COMPLETED) HAS FAILED IN OUR VEHICLE. WE ARE TOLD BY A LOCAL DEALER THAT TOYOTA'S TURN SIGNAL SWITCHES FAIL AT A VERY HIGH RATE. THIS COMPONENT SHOULD NEVER FAIL OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. GIVEN THE HIGH INCIDENCE OF FAILURES, TOYOTA'S DESIGN IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE. HAZARD: IF THE DRIVER FORGETS TO MANUALLY TURN THE SIGNAL OFF, OTHER DRIVERS ARE GIVEN A FALSE SIGNAL AND LIKELY TO MISINTERPRET THE DRIVER'S INTENT. THIS COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. REPAIR: TOYOTA'S CHARGE FOR REPAIRING THE DEFECTIVE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS EXCESSIVELY HIGH -- APPROXIMATELY $450. CONSEQUENTLY, MANY DRIVERS ARE FORCED TO ACCEPT AND LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM, RESULTING IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION. REMEDY: TOYOTA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO EITHER RECALL AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TURN SIGNAL SWITCHES OR REPAIR THEM AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. *TR

I AM APPROACHING 50,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I JUST RECENTLY NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHT LENS ON BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAS AN OPAQUE SPOT ABOUT ONE INCH IN DIAMETER DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE HIGHBEAM LIGHT BULB. TOYOTA HAS RECOGNIZED THIS PROBLEM SINCE APRIL 15, 2008 AS EVIDENCED BY TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #T-SB-0036-08 DATED APRIL 15, 2008. WHEN YOU GOOGLE THE BULLETIN IT WILL BECOME APPARENT THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS FOR SOME 2004 TO 2007 MODELS, A SPAN OF THREE YEARS. THE BULLETIN WILL ALSO SHOW THAT TOYOTA WILL REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHTS IF COMPLAINED ABOUT DURING THE 36,000 / 3 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD. I AM OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND IN FEAR THAT IT WILL COST ME SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPAIR A DESIGN DEFECT THAT TOYOTA HAS BEEN AWARE OF FOR SEVERAL YEARS. FROM WHAT I READ FROM OTHER POSTERS TOYOTA'S ATTITUDE APPEARS TO BE IT IS NOT OUR PROBLEM. *TR

2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WOULD NOT PASS 2010 MASSACHUSETTS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO FAULTY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THERE IS FOG IN THE LENS AND NIGHT TIME LIGHT IS IMPAIRED???? TOYOTA WILL NOT COVER THE $900 EXPENSE TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHTS. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THIS EXPENSE AS WELL. *TR

THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ON OUR 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FAILED AT 94,000 MILES. WE HEARD STRANGE NOISES FROM THE REAR END AND ASKED OUR MECHANIC TO CHECK. HE INDICATED THAT THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS "CUPPED" AND SUGGESTED REPLACEMENT. SINCE IT WAS TIME FOR NEW TIRES ANYWAY, WE DID THAT BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED. UPON RETURNING TO THE MECHANIC HE DUG FURTHER AND REPORTED THAT BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE WORN, THE LEFT (TO THE POINT OF BEING DANGEROUS) MORE THAN THE RIGHT, TO THE POINT THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE WENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER FROM WHO WE PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED THE DIAGNOSIS AND WE ARRANGED FOR THE NEEDED REPAIRS. WHEN WE ASKED THE DEALER AND TOYOTA DIRECTLY WHETHER THIS WAS PROBLEM THEY HAD SEEN BEFORE THEY INDICATED IT WAS JUST WEAR AND TEAR AND BASICALLY, OUR HARD LUCK. *TR

FRONT DIFFERENTIAL CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED ON 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER (4WD) (65,220 MI) WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE. VEHICLE INSTANTANEOUSLY LOST SPEED (TO 30 MPH) & WE NARROWLY AVOIDED BEING RUN OVER BY SEMITRAILER AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DUE TO CONFIGURATION OF ROAD - ONLY SPORADIC SHOULDERS BECAUSE OF TERRAIN - THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. CAR STUCK IN TRAVEL LANES FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD. FEEL VERY LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS HURT. REPAIRING DEALER ASSERTED THAT THE PART HAD NO FLUID REMAINING DUE TO SEAL LEAK. VEHICLE WAS LAST SERVICED BY LOCAL DEALER ~2,000 MILES EARLIER (63,226 MI) WITH NO LEAKAGE SEEN. ENTIRE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL / TRANSFER CASE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED (STILL HAVE PART). CAR WAS TOTALLY INSPECTED BY REPAIRING DEALER AT THE TIME (65,220 MI) AND NO OTHER PROBLEMS FOUND. ONE MONTH LATER FOUND FLUID PUDDLE IN DRIVEWAY (66,216 MI). DEALER INVESTIGATED AND REPORTED THAT THE INSPECTION PLUG ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS RAPIDLY LEAKING DIFFERENTIAL FLUID. TOLD NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE TILL PLUG AND GASKET REPLACED. SEEMS TO BE OK NOW. SO, WITHIN A MONTH AND 1,000 MI USE, BOTH THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL RAPIDLY LOST FLUIDS. I SUSPECT BAD GASKETS WERE USED IN MANUFACTURE. *TR

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2005 - 4 CYL DRIVING IN THE RAIN, OVER PUDDLES OF WATER THAT CREATE A SPLASH UP TO ABOUT 3/4 THE HEIGHT OF THE TIRE (PASSENGER SIDE), WILL CAUSE THE DISCHARGE WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON AND CAUSE LOSS OF POWER STEERING (HARD TO TURN). SUDDENLY, THE WARNING LIGHT WILL GO OFF AND POWER STEERING WILL RETURN. THIS IS MY WIFE'S VEHICLE AND I JUST NOTICED THIS ISSUE RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN. THE FAULT IS REPEATABLE AS I NOTICED IT FOR A SECOND TIME TODAY, AND I MANAGED TO HAVE IT REPEAT THE FAILURE EVERY TIME. THIS FAILURE CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IN A RAINSTORM IT WILL BE TYPICAL TO CREATE A SPLASH WHEN TURNING INTO ANOTHER STREET, AS IT IS COMMON FOR WATER TO POND AT THE TURN. LOSS OF POWER STEERING WILL CAUSE THE DRIVER TO TURN THE WHEEL HARDER, AND WHEN THE POWER STEERING RETURNS, THEN THE VEHICLE WILL LIKELY OVERSTEER AND SPIN OUT OR HIT ANYTHING ON THE DIRECTION THAT IT IS OVERSTEERED INTO. THIS INCIDENT ACTUALLY OCCURRED IN TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN I WAS TURNING IN THE RAIN. THE FIRST WAS INADVERTENT AND AT A HIGHER SPEED SINCE IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING (A FEW WEEKS AGO). THE SECOND TIME OCCURRED TODAY. AFTER THE INCIDENT I TRIED TO RECREATE THE FAILURE, THIS TIME SINCE I WAS EXPECTING IT, I DID SO MORE SLOWLY BUT WITH THE SAME RESULT THAT WILL LIKELY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE VEHICLE YET SINCE I HAVE JUST NOTICED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, WE HAVE AND HAVE HAD A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF VEHICLES OF DIFFERENT MAKES, AND NONE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH SPLASHING WATER CAUSING WHAT IS PROBABLY A SHORT AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING. AFTER DRIVING INTO THE GARAGE, I OPEN THE HOOD AND LOOK FROM THE TOP, FROM THE TOP EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE DRY. THE OTHER VEHICLES HAVE BEEN DRIVEN THROUGH LARGER SPLASHES, WITHOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE IN HER GARAGE AT A RELATIVELY LOW SPEED. HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED TO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE WALL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE AN INVESTIGATOR WAS SENT TO FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE INVESTIGATOR ADVISED THE RESULTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE WITHIN THIRTY DAYS. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,600.

2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. ERRATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL FROM HEATER. WHEN SET ON COOL WILL SUDDENLY BLOW HOT AIR AND VICE VERSA. ON-LINE COMPLAINTS INDICATE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM RESULTING FROM DEFECTIVE CONTROL UNIT IN THIS AND OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES OVER SEVERAL YEARS. THE CONTROL KNOW COMES LOOSE AND THEN THE WIRING BEHIND IT BREAKS FROM THE CIRCUIT BOARD RESULTING IN ERRATIC AIR TEMPERATURES. I ALSO HAVE CONCERN THAT THIS ELECTRICAL FAILURE COULD CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL SHORTS OR PROBLEMS. DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE CONTROL UNIT AT PRICES RANGING FROM $500 TO $1500. ON-LINE CONSUMERS REPORT FIX ONLY REQUIRES RESOLDERING THE 3-WIRE CONTACTS AT A COST OF A FEW DOLLARS. IT IS OBVIOUS TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THE RELATIVELY EASY FIX DOCUMENTED WITH PICTURES ON-LINE BUT CONTINUES TO DENY THAT IT IS THEIR PROBLEM. IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH SEVERAL YEARS AGO, BUT CHARGING OWNERS HUGE FEES FOR REPLACING A SIMPLE COMPONENT SEEMS TO BE WHAT TOYOTA FEELS IS THE APPROPRIATE SOLUTION. *TR