Power Train. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
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Steering. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

32 crash reports3 fire reports16 injury reports

Equipment complaints

10 reports

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114,520 miles · May 15, 2012

Equipment

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

NHTSA ODI #10458512

107,578 miles · Jul 21, 2011

Electrical SystemEquipment

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

NHTSA ODI #10413917

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2011

Equipment

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

NHTSA ODI #10401234

42,000 miles · Feb 15, 2011

Equipment

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE AIR CONDITIONING, HEAT, DEFROST AND THE RADIO TO FAIL. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER DID N…

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NHTSA ODI #10382783

35,000 miles · Feb 8, 2011

Equipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED, HEAT BEGAN BLOWING FROM THE VENTILATION AS OPPOSED TO COLD AIR. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AN…

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NHTSA ODI #10381108

60,000 miles · Jan 10, 2011

EquipmentVisibility

I HAVE A 2004 4 CYL HIGHLANDER, AND I CAN COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE OTHER COMPLAINERS SITUATION AS I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT HAPPENED AT AROUND 60K MILES AND THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $600. TO FIX. I DIDN'T. I JUST HAD TO PLAY AROUND WITH THE KNOB WHEN I NEED TO USE IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10375478

57,000 miles · Jan 22, 2009

Equipment

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK IN THE VEHICLE. SHE MUST TOGGLE WITH THE KNOBS IN ORDER FOR THE HEAT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. OFTENTIMES WHEN THE HEATING SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED, IT WOULD BLOW COLD AIR. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED, IT WOULD PRODUCE WARM AIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A CONSISTENT FAILURE WITH THE HIGHLANDER, BUT NO REPAIRS COULD BE MADE DUE TO WARRANTY STIPULATIONS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY INFORMATION OR COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 57,000.

NHTSA ODI #10255968

50,000 miles · Oct 6, 2008

Equipment

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THE GPS IN MY 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER GOES ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN IT DOES IT DISABLES THE DEFROSTER, AC AND HEAT. I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE GPS, BUT WHEN IT DISABLES MY DEFROSTER, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. TOYOTA HAS INFORMED ME A NEW GPS WILL COST $5,000.00. I CAN PUT A USED ONE IN FOR $1,500.00. THIS IS AN UNFAIR PRICE TO HAVE A NECESSARY SAFETY FUNCTION, THE DEFROSTER, TO WORK. DEFROSTER ARE REQUIRED FOR STATE INSPECTION. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR TOYOTA TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10244466

45,000 miles · Mar 9, 2006

EquipmentWheels

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

NHTSA ODI #10152350

5,800 miles · Jun 27, 2004

Equipment

JACK SUPPLIED WITH VEHICLE IS INADEQUATE FOR SIZE/WEIGHT OF VEHICLE PARTICULARLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL 16" WHEELS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10078895

Official recalls

11V539000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 9, 2011

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN SOME CASES, THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A SUDDEN INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL CHECK THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TO IDENTIFY WHETHER IT WAS PRODUCED BY THE U.S. SUPPLIER. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PULLEY WITH A NEW ONE AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING EARLY JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

11V112000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Feb 24, 2011

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 LEXUS RX330, RX350, AND RX400H VEHICLES. IF THE FORWARD RETENTION CLIP USED TO SECURE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE CENTER CONSOLE, IS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY TEMPORARILY BECOME STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION RATHER THAN RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION. A STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN UNINTENDED AND SUSTAINED VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE FREE OR CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

10V499000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Oct 21, 2010

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS LUBRICANTS FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAL WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 AND LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

06V253000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Jul 13, 2006

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND HYBRID VEHICLES, THE TWO RETAINING CLIPS FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE FORWARD CENTER CONSOLE CAN BECOME LOOSE. IF BOTH CLIPS SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING INTERFERENCE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ROD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO FLOOR CARPET COVER RETAINING CLIPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 24, 2006, AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY EARLY SEPTEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

04V181000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Apr 15, 2004

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE A CHILD PROTECTION LOCK (CPL) SYSTEM ON BOTH OF THE REAR SIDE DOORS. WHEN AN OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE CLOSES THE DOOR VERY HARD WITH THE CPL LEVER SET TO THE LOCK POSITION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE LEVER MAY CONTACT THE BODY PANEL, CAUSING THE CPL LEVER TO MOVE INTO THE UNLOCK POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE DOOR TO BE OPENED WITH THE INSIDE WHILE THE OPERATOR BELIEVES THAT THE CPL WAS ACTIVATED. IF THE DOOR WERE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AN OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT AND BE INJURED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE CPL LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

RQ10003 · Unintended And Uncontrolled Acceleration

Opened Feb 16, 2010 · Closed Mar 1, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:software; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I. Pedal Interference from Floor mats, Carpet Covers and Plastic Pads in Carpets.During the RQ10-003 investigation, ODI reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.Following the agency's analysis, NHTSA requested that Toyota recall additional vehicles.Toyota complied with the agency's request.The details of these recalls are set forth more fully in Toyota's reports to NHTSA pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573.These recalls are as follows:Recall 11V-112: (1) model year (MY) 2004-2006 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid; and, (2) MY 2004-2007 Lexus RX330,RX350, and RX400h (hybrid model). The total estimated population under this recall is 769,379 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by a loose floor carpet cover (trim panel). Recall 11V-113: (1) MY 2003-2009 through 2009 Toyota 4Runner; (2) MY 2006-2010 Toyota RAV4; and, (3) MY 2008-2011 Lexus LX570.The total estimated population under this recall is 1,381,000 vehicles.This recall supplements recall 09V-388 and remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment by an unsecured floor mat.Recall 11V-115: (1) MY 2006-2007 Lexus GS300 (all wheel drive vehicles); and, (2) MY 2006-2007 Lexus GS350 (all wheel drive vehicles). The total estimated population under this recall is 19,647 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by inadequate clearance between the pedal linkage and a plastic pad embedded in the vehicle's carpet.II. Potential Electronic Causes of Unintended Acceleration.After NHTSA opened RQ10-003, NHTSA launched a ten-month study of potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.NHTSA launched the study in the spring of 2010 in light of concerns aired in Congressional hearings.NHTSA enlisted engineers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with expertise in areas such as computer controlled electronic systems, electromagnetic interference and software integrity to assess whether electronic systems or electromagnetic interference played a role in incidents of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.That study has concluded.Two reports are associated with the study and are available on NHTSA's website.NASA's report is entitled Technical Support to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the Reported Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Unintended Acceleration (UA) Investigation, NESC Assessment No. TI-10-00618 (Jan. 18, 2011).NHTSA's report is entitled Technical Assessment of Toyota Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Systems (Feb. 2011).Both reports should be read in conjunction with each other. As stated in its report, NASA did not find an electronic cause of large throttle openings that can result in unintended acceleration incidents. NHTSA did not find a vehicle-based cause of unintended acceleration incidents other than the physical pedal interference causes that are being addressed by Toyota's recalls. This RQ is closed.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Electrical System:software

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal