Major Problems with 2004 Toyota Highlander Derived from Complaints & Recalls

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Worst 3 complaints of 2004 Toyota Highlander

2004 Toyota Highlander AIR BAGS Victims: 48 Mileage: 163000 miles

2004 Toyota Highlander VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Victims: 5 Mileage: 28000 miles

2004 Toyota Highlander FRONTAL Victims: 2 Mileage: 2500 miles

Browse 2004 Toyota Highlander complaints by category

Problems with AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and STEERING are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Toyota Highlander owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN we purchased a 2004 v6/5 speed auto 2wd toyota highlander in june 04. it has a hesitation problem which creates...	46 ~ 16587 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL unintended acceleration problem in a brand new toyota highlander causing an accident. (it had the same problem twice before)...	32 ~ 47664 miles
STEERING i bought a 2004 toyota highlander in november of 2003 because my husband and i found out we were pregnant...	22 ~ 48566 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM i bought a 2004 toyota highlander in november of 2003 because my husband and i found out we were pregnant...	18 ~ 56702 miles
ENGINE tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. the contact started the vehicle and the check engine and voc warning...	15 ~ 104056 miles
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. while driving 40 mph the vehicle stability system activated on dry surface and...	14 ~ 74501 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING indicator lights on dash say contact your dealer. one is the tire pressure and the other is the engine. have...	10 ~ 77245 miles
VISIBILITY while driving the normal vibration of the vehicle causes the driver's side visor to fall down obstructing the view of...	10 ~ 70900 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC consumer complained about a brake system problem. consumer took vehicle to the dealer on several occasions and dealer performed repairs....	9 ~ 64127 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2004 toyota highlander headlamp material cover failure. consumer states that the mechanic said he had never seen anything like that....	8 ~ 70583 miles
VISIBILITY/WIPER tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. the contact stated that whenever the weather was hot outside the driver...	8 ~ 114780 miles
ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL car has an unacceptable lag when accelerating. *ak...	7 ~ 34882 miles
SERVICE BRAKES i was pulling into a parking space in a parking lot going less than 5 miles per hour. as i...	5 ~ 115042 miles
AIR BAGS 2004 toyota highlander airbags not working. *tr...	5 ~ 111520 miles
AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. the contact stated that the heat does not always work in the vehicle....	5 ~ 62820 miles
TREAD/BELT > TIRES my vehicle is a 2004 toyota highlander. during the 15 000 mile service at the dealership it was brought to...	5 ~ 19199 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING engine hesitation and delayed acceleration. *nm...	5 ~ 19240 miles
HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING the new model year 04 toyota highlander suv and sienna vans have poorly designed and or misadjusted daytime running lights...	5 ~ 28810 miles
BODY > STRUCTURE i have a 2004 toyota highlander. on my way to georgia on interstate 75 while going 70 miles per hour...	5 ~ 31700 miles
SEAT BELTS my 7 year old got trapped in the seatbelt and he had to be cut out. he was sitting in...	4 ~ 78250 miles
POWER TRAIN hesitation during auto transmission gear changes. engine revs very high then changes gears. *tr...	4 ~ 101375 miles
COLUMN > STEERING noisy steering shaft caused me to take car to dealership where i was told the shaft was 'worn' (tiny bearings...	4 ~ 35369 miles
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC when the consumer applied the brakes the pedal went to the floor. this resulted in the consumer's vehicle rear-ending another...	4 ~ 33234 miles
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM the check engine vsc trac-off lights appeared on my dashboard of my 2004 toyota highlander on or around march 7...	3 ~ 103296 miles
DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY control panel of 2004 toyota highlander. nut securing the temperature control button is loose. causes engine air to enter the...	3 ~ 78333 miles
POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS > VISIBILITY the passenger windows on my toyota highlander have come off the tracks for the second time in two years. *tr...	3 ~ 30418 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER dealer (green's toyota lexington kentucky) making recall repairs on my 2004 toyota highlander (recall # 06v253000) failed to comply with	3 ~ 74414 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE identical to complaint #10114548 my event happened january 6 2005 with less than 10 000 miles on vehicle. now at...	3 ~ 49000 miles
CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN transmission hesitation and sudden downshifting create unpredictable and hazardous driving conditions on the streets (not highway).*ak...	3 ~ 170 miles
COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING the temperature control on my 2004 toyota highlander keeps switching by itself from hot to cold and hot again....	2 ~ 59000 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC we were traveling in the vehicle approx. 20-25 mph when suddenly the right front brake locked for a few second...	2 ~ 60500 miles
EQUIPMENT the gps in my 2004 toyota highlander goes on and off without warning. when it does it disables the defroster...	2 ~ 55000 miles
RACK > RACK AND PINION > STEERING tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. when making a left turn the contact heard a clicking noise near the...	2 ~ 28000 miles
SHAFT SECTOR > GEAR BOX > STEERING tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. when making a left turn the contact heard a clicking noise near the...	2 ~ 20500 miles
DIFFERENTIAL UNIT > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN transmission fluid leaking from differential - 2000 miles out of warranty - dealer said they have at least two other	2 ~ 87540 miles
TIRES it is not possible to safely drive the toyota highlander 2004 with the michelin 225/65/r17 tires sold as original equipment...	2 ~ 51998 miles
PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS > TIRES indicator lights on dash say contact your dealer. one is the tire pressure and the other is the engine. have...	2 ~ 14875 miles
AUTOMATIC (ASC) > ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL on 3/17/05 i drove my toyota 2004 highlander 2 025 mileage onto a main street at about 5 mph. a...	2 ~ 31013 miles
DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE have experienced acceleration hesitation problem on 2004 toyota highlander. have taken the car to toyota who insist that the car...	2
ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT > MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT jack supplied with vehicle is inadequate for size/weight of vehicle particularly on vehicles equipped with optional 16" wheels. *jb...	2 ~ 25400 miles
SEATS began driving vehicle a week ago used to be my wife's vehicle. i noticed a squeak in the driver's seat...	1 ~ 140000 miles
TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) > POWER TRAIN tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. the contact stated that the smell of burning oil was emitted from...	1 ~ 85000 miles
BRAKE LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. the contact stated when driving at low speeds the right rear brake lights...	1 ~ 135000 miles
ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT i took my 2004 toyota highlander v6 to longo toyota for brake booster recall in november 2010. they kept my...	1 ~ 78000 miles
ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT > WINDSHIELD > DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM the temperature control on my 2004 toyota highlander keeps switching by itself from hot to cold and hot again....	1
BUMPERS > BODY > STRUCTURE tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. the contact stated while reversing from her driveway at relatively low speeds...	1 ~ 73658 miles
NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM) > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. the contact stated that the gps navigation system on the vehicle failed which...	1 ~ 42000 miles
DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN i have a 2004 toyota highlander with approximately 70k miles. for the second time the wheel bearings have failed on...	1 ~ 70000 miles
EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING i have had to have my emission system/catalytic converter replaced twice now. the first time was in 2004 within the...	1 ~ 40000 miles
WHEELS 2004 highlander having same problems as all other reported problems for this vehicle. hesitation steering shaft replacement 2 wheel bearing...	1
MASTER CYLINDER > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC one week ago when i stepped on the brake a loud grinding noise would happen. i scheduled a appointment with...	1 ~ 64840 miles
PINION SHAFT > RACK AND PINION > STEERING i noticed a clunking noise and "sensation" in the steering wheel when traveling at a slow speed especially when turning...	1 ~ 39000 miles
ABS WARNING LIGHT > ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC i purchased a toyota highlander 4dr 4wd 4ect as a previously owned vehicle with a previously owned vehicle warranty. after...	1 ~ 13000 miles
STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR > STEERING steering. *tr...	1 ~ 33000 miles
SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY > VISIBILITY moon roof began making slightly funny sound on occasion then was fine and stopped making noise then very shortly after	1 ~ 37700 miles
FILLER PIPE AND CAP > TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE since the vehicle was first purchased the engine vsc and tracking light began going on and off intermittently. marietta toyota...	1
WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. while driving 25-40 mph the traction control warning signal illuminated and the brakes...	1 ~ 60000 miles
STRUCTURE i wanted to open my sunroof. i started to slide back and got stuck. i had to take it to...	1 ~ 55000 miles
PEDALS AND LINKAGES > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC variation in brake pressure. sometime brakes feel fine and brand new and other times brake almost goes to floor. *tr...	1
SIDEWALL > TIRES dt*: the contact stated that all 4 tires dry rotted on the sidewalls. the vehicle was taken to a private	1
CATALYTIC CONVERTOR > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM there is a sulfur smell when i stop or back up on hills. the dealer said that they would replace...	1 ~ 20182 miles
LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS > WHEELS i had a flat tire on my 2004 toyota highlander. my husband and i were going through the tire replacement...	1 ~ 45000 miles
CONNECTING > RELAY > ROD i own a 2004 toyota highlander v6. at 45 000 miles i noticed a clunking sensation in my steering wheel....	1 ~ 45000 miles
EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING dt: the contact stated while pulling into a parking slot heard a grinding noise followed by the vehicle lurching into...	1 ~ 37000 miles
REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY 2004 toyota highlander design defect in the outside side view mirrors. *mr the consumer started adjusting the left door mirror...	1
POWER ASSIST > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC no events led up to the failure. wife drove car brake warning comes up on dashboard she pulled over. wife...	1 ~ 19365 miles
FOG LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING i have a 2004 toyota highland and believe there is a design defect or manufacturing flaw with regard to the...	1
MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN acceleration lags all the time but is especially apparent when "flooring it" upon freeway entry passing etc. i see that	1
LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES erroneous "reminder" from toyota states they previously sent an "official safety recall notification" for "safety recall campaign ssc 40b" re...	1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 2004 toyota highlander was involved in crash. the doors were not locked when traveling but were locked when the car...	1 ~ 22500 miles
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS was t-boned on drivers side and the air bags did not deploy. *ak...	1 ~ 5800 miles
HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING while driving 3 mph driver noticed that the slip light indicator appeared on the dashboard and remained on. suddenly the...	1 ~ 161000 miles
GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN the vehicle would not shift properly. *nm the consumers vehicle shifts in a hesitation then surging manner nearly causing accidents.	1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER 2004 highlander has bad throttle surge problem .....dealer dont know what to do.....says it is normal????? there is definitly a	1 ~ 1000 miles
GLASS, SIDE/REAR > VISIBILITY while driving 30 mph the driver heard a loud squeaking noise coming from both passenger and driver rear windows. suddenly...	1
HEAD RESTRAINT > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS the head rest on the third row of the vehicle dropped down. it will not stay up. took vehicle to	1
FRONT > SEAT BELTS there was a seat belt locking reel failure that had occurred in a rollover accident in a toyota highlander. *ak	1 ~ 4000 miles
TORQUE CONVERTER > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN i purchased a 2004 toyota highlander in march. after a few weeks of driving i noticed that while braking at...	1 ~ 500 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS air bags failed to deploy. a nissan pathfinder cut in front of me and i crashed into him. i was...	1 ~ 2500 miles

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