Power Train. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
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

What owners actually said

286 reports

54,594 miles · May 19, 2009

Steering

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STEERING. LOOSENESS WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. DEALER REPLACED PART (45220-48150 SHAFT ASSY) @ A COST OF $387.93 (THIS WITH A 15% DISCOUNT). IN READING YOUR COMPLAINTS FILED, I NOTE THIS WASN'T T/1ST TIME THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED & AS STATED, THERE IS A DEALER SERVICE ADVISORY ON IT. I ALSO TOOK NOTE THAT THERE APPARENTLY HASN'T BEEN ANY ACTION 2 RESOLVE THE MATTER (IE, THE OWNER CONTINUES 2 PAY 4 REPAIRS). SHOULD NOT TOYOTA B REQUIRED 2 COVER THIS TYPE OF REPAIR ? LIKE WE'RE TALKING STEERING HERE. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE WHO JUST LET'S THE PROBLEM GO TO THE POINT WHERE HE/SHE LOOSES CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE & THERE IS PHYSICAL INJURY OR DEATH? I WAS HESITANT TO WRITE THIS UP BECAUSE I DON'T SEE WHERE N INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CONDUCTED (DID I JUST MISS IT?). MY VEHICLE HAS JUST UNDER 55K MILES ON IT (ALL OF THEM ONROAD) &S BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE DEALER. TO ME IT LOOKS LIKE A $$$ MAKER 4 THE DEALER & A CALCULATED DECISION BY TOYOTA THAT ENOUGH OF THOSE REQUIRING THE REPAIR WOULDN'T COMPLAIN; LOOKS LIKE TOYOTA WINS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269450

40,000 miles · Apr 23, 2009

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2WD. THIS VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, LOW MILEAGE (ABOUT 40,000) AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. ON APRIL 19, THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL/ANTI-SLIP BUZZER SOUNDED. THE ICON LIT ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO BREAK AS IF THE CAR WAS SLIPPING. THE ROAD WAS DRY, OUR SPEED WAS EXTREMELY LOW (ABOUT 15MPH), AND THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THANKFULLY, WE WERE JUST OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY AND COULD TURN SAFELY AROUND THOUGH THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. ON APRIL 20TH, WE PHONED TOYOTA OF KEENE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING IN OUR VEHICLE. WE WEREN'T THRILLED WITH THE PROSPECT OF DRIVING UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, BUT FIGURED IF WE KEPT TO LOW SPEEDS WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE IT SAFELY. WE TOOK DOWN THE TOW COMPANY'S NUMBER JUST IN CASE. ON APRIL 21ST, MY HUSBAND SET OUT FOR THE APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIR IN KEENE. ABOUT 10 MILES FROM HOME, THE PROBLEM SUDDENLY WENT AWAY. THE SKID WARNING LIGHT WENT OUT AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED BREAKING AUTOMATICALLY. MY HUSBAND MADE IT THE REST OF THE WAY TO TOYOTA OF KEENE WITHOUT ANY ISSUES. AFTER A TEST DRIVE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED, 'THAT WAS THE SCARIEST TEST I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED,' AS THE PROBLEM HAD RETURNED WHILE HE WAS ON THE ROAD. BUT BY THE TIME HE RETURNED TO THE SHOP AND HOOKED UP THE CAR TO DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTERS, THE PROBLEM HAD AGAIN CEASED. TOYOTA OF KEENE HAS HAD MY VEHICLE SINCE APRIL 21ST, AND HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR IT OR OFFER ANY SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE. THEY CLAIM THAT THEY CAN'T REPAIR IT IF THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM WHILE THE VEHICLE IS HOOKED UP TO COMPUTERS. THOUGH I UNDERSTAND THIS EXPLANATION, IT DOES NOTHING FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY, AS WELL AS ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA COMPLAINT CENTER AND THEY OPENED UP A CASE NUMBER BUT WERE ESSENTIALLY USELESS IN ASSISTING ME. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON LINE AND FOUND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AS WELL AS CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266458

53,217 miles · Feb 25, 2009

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

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WIFE WAS DRIVING ON CLEAN DRY ROAD. SUDDENLY, THE VCS LIGHT AND TRACTION LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD WHILE ALARM SOUNDING CAME ON AS WELL. CAR SUDDENLY BRAKED, BRAKES MADE A GRINDING SOUND, AND CAR JERKED TO THE RIGHT. TRIED TO DRIVE FORWARD AND IT WOULD NOT GO OVER 10MPH. IF THE CAR DID, THE ABOVE HAPPENED AGAIN. CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE, AND WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THE SITUATION WAS VERY DANGEROUS, AS THE BEHAVIOR OF THE CAR, NOT CONTROLLED BY MY WIFE, THE DRIVER, COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. TURNS OUT, THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR WENT ON THE CAR. FIRST...THE CAR ONLY HAS 53K MILES ON IT. THIS IS NOT A 'WEAR AND TEAR' PART. THIS PART SHOULD NEVER GO WITH ONLY THIS MANY MILES ON IT. GARBAGE. SECOND, THE FAILURE OF THIS PART CAUSES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE ROAD, AS ONCE IT GOES, THE DRIVER BASICALLY HAS NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR UNTIL IT SLOWS DOWN TO UNDER 10 MILES AN HOUR. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT, FOCUS ON THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC, AND ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS AND DOCUMENTED CASES OF THIS SAME PROBLEM HAPPENING ON TOYOTA VEHICLES. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE PART FOR $700. RIP OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10259942

60,000 miles · Feb 16, 2009

Visibility

VEHICLE BLOWS HOT AIR WHEN VENTILATION SYSTEM IS TURNED ON, EVEN WHILE A/C IS ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258777

78,000 miles · Feb 16, 2009

Visibility

THE VEHICLE'S HEATING AND AIR SYSTEM CAUSES ME TO HAVE TO "JOGGLE" THE KNOB SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO IT BEGINNING TO PERFORM THE SPECIFIED NEED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258743

69,500 miles · Feb 16, 2009

Electrical System

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THE HEAT WOULD NOT ALWAYS WORK. IT WOULD BLOW COLD AIR. SOMETIMES I COULD MOVE THE KNOB AROUND AND IT WOULD COME BACK ON BUT IT DIDN'T ALWAYS WORK LIKE THAT. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND CAME UP WITH MORE THAN A DOZEN PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY DEALER SAID THE PART WAS OVER $600 TO REPLACE, THEN ON TOP OF THAT, THE DECAL WAS GOING TO COST ANOTHER $30. ONE OF THE GOOGLE SEARCHES HAD A FIX FOR IT. IT INVOLVED REMOVING THE GLOVEBOX AND PULLING THE CIRCUIT BOARD OUT. THEY SAID THERE WOULD PROBABLY BE A WIRE THAT WAS BROKEN OFF AND SURE ENOUGH THERE WAS. MY HUSBAND SOLDERED IT BACK ON, PUT THE BOAR BACK IN, AND IT WORKS LIKE A CHARM NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258737

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

53,000 miles · Jan 19, 2009

Visibility

THE PASSENGER WINDOWS ON MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAVE COME OFF THE TRACKS FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255594

100 miles · Jan 19, 2009

Air Bags

2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AIRBAGS NOT WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255541

48,000 miles · Jan 13, 2009

Visibility

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

NHTSA ODI #10254926

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