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2005 Toyota Highlander Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 224 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Toyota Highlander, most often about the transmission (23% of complaints, typically around 45,000 miles). It is 12th of 26 Highlander model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2005 Toyota Highlander problems
Transmission
51 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive), driveline, manual transmission.
Purchased a new 2005 Toyota Highlander 4WD. After 45k miles the 4WD transfer case began to leak gear oil and transmission fluid. I noticed this since I do all my own oil changes on the vehicle. No harm was done, but I have brought the same problem to the dealership 5 times. Each time they stated that they have…
I've owned a 2005 Toyota Highlander since new, once in a while this condition would occur, now it is all the time. It just turned over 80k miles. I have not been notified of any recalls, not even Toyota no. 60f. When you are coming to a stop,at normal speeds,normal braking pedal pressure, just before the vehicle…
Speed control
39 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 44,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
Tl 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 contact owns a 2005 Toyota Highlander. While entering a parking space, just before applying the brake, the vehicle accelerated into a concrete step. No one was injured during the crash but the vehicle suffered damage to the front end. He called the manufacturer and they collected all the information regarding the…
Visibility and wipers
28 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 77,500 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, power window devices and controls, windshield wiper/washer, glass, side/rear.
The driver's side sun visor on our 2005 Highlander is failing to hold position for the second time. The dealer replaced the visor after the first failure but has not replaced the second failing visor. The visor falls to the full down position and blocks a significant share of the driver's field of vision.
The driver's side sunvisor does not stay up in my 2005 Toyota Highlander. It flips down frequently blocking driver's view while driving and creates dangerous situations. I went online and discovered many many same complaints on message boards - only on driver's side. This needs to be looked into.
Steering
26 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: column, gear box.
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…
2005 Toyota Highlander 4x4 v6. The steering became jerky when turning and especially when going over bumps. The intermediate shaft assembly had to be replaced to fix the issue. The technician researched it and there have been two technical bulletins put out by Toyota and they have redesigned the original part so that…
Electrical
25 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, instrument cluster/panel, instrument panel.
Heater/AC functions intermittently then fails completely. Well know problem where placement of ribbon cable to potentiometer breaks loose, partially (intermittent failure), then completely (total failure). Quoted cost at any dealership $900-$1,000. I did repair myself in one hour for a cost of $10. Quick search on the…
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…
Brakes
24 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: controls, foundation components.
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…
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…
Engine
14 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
2005 Toyota Highlander, car will accelerate from a dead stop on its own. Change transmission from park to drive and let off brake and car will accelerate without touching gas pedal fast enough to change gears and continue. Have reached a speed of 30 MPH before braking. The tachometer does not show that the engine is…
I am the original owner of the vehicle and throughout my ownership since 2/2005 when it was bought this car has issues with acceleration. It usually occurs when you are sitting at a stop and try to accelerate the vehicle. The car does not recognize when you are pushing the acceleration pedal and has a delay when it…
Wheels and tires
12 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, rim, valve.
2005 Toyota Highlander hybrid. Driving to work in a blizzard on 12/11/09 all dash board lights went on. Dealership found that the sunroof housing failed causing $3,977.16 worth of damage. Being out of warranty the dealer agreed to pay 2,000.00. Toyota customer service another 1,500 and we paid 477.16. We picked up the…
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota Highlander. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the "low tire pressure" warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The indicator remained illuminated until the mechanism was turned off. The failure occurred whenever the vehicle was driven on the highway. The contact pulled over to…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Toyota Highlander recalls
Seats: seat heater/cooler
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Set will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on july 14, 2016. Owners may contact set customer service at 1-866-405-4226. Set number for this recall is set16b.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4runner, highlander, sequoia, and sienna, 2005-2010 avalon and tundra, 2006-2008 camry solara, 2006-2010 highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 rav4 and tacoma, 2007-2010 fj cruiser, 2007-2011 camry hybrid, 2009-2010 venza, 2010-2012 prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: master cylinder
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: labels
Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.
Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states toyota at 713-580-3300.
Full defect summary
Gulf states toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: This condition may interfere with the accelerator pedal returning to the idle position increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Unintended and uncontrolled acceleration
Summary
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 ad
Questions about the 2005 Toyota Highlander
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Highlander?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (51 complaints, typically around 45,000 miles); speed control (39 complaints, typically around 44,000 miles); visibility and wipers (28 complaints, typically around 77,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota Highlander have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 2, 2016 (seats). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Toyota Highlander?
- It is 12th of 26 Highlander model years by number of complaints, with 224 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.