2004 Toyota Highlander

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #11V539000November 9, 2011420,326 vehicles affected

  engine and engine cooling

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #11V112000February 24, 2011769,379 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #10V499000October 21, 2010728,544 vehicles affected

  service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #06V253000July 13, 2006367,594 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #04V181000April 15, 2004366,572 vehicles affected

  latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

  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.

  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.

Other model years

• 2001 137
• 2002 301
• 2003 258
• 2004
• 2005 224
• 2006 278
• 2007 124
• 2008 405
• 2009 134
• 2010 216
• 2011 181
• 2012 182
• 2013 207
• 2014 136
• 2015 192
• 2016 111
• 2017 271
• 2018 272
• 2019 507
• 2020 321
• 2021 533
• 2022 266
• 2023 189
• 2024 43