2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

289

Owner Complaints

50 Crashes 8 Fires

6

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

5

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

The 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER has received a total of 289 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL. 5 technical service bulletins have been issued by Toyota Motor Corporation for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Vehicle Speed Control (33 complaints), Power Trainautomatic Transmission (27 complaints), and Electrical System (22 complaints).

Recalls for the 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, potentially affecting up to 2,565,009 vehicles.

Recall 16V396000 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

| 7,749 vehicles affected

Defect: 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....

Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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...

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Recall 11V539000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

| 420,326 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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...

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Recall 11V112000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

| 769,379 vehicles affected

Defect: 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: 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.

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Recall 10V499000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

| 728,544 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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.

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Recall 10V035000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

| 271,417 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: 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...

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Recall 06V253000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

| 367,594 vehicles affected

Defect: 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: 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.

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Owner Complaints for the 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

289 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 33 16 Crashes 1 Fire 5 Injuries
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 27 1 Crash
Electrical System
Complaints: 22 1 Crash 3 Injuries
Steering
Complaints: 21 2 Crashes 1 Fire 2 Injuries
Power Train
Complaints: 17 2 Crashes 1 Injury
Visibility
Complaints: 13
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 12 2 Crashes
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 8
Air Bags
Complaints: 7 7 Crashes 1 Fire 9 Injuries
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 7
Engine
Complaints: 6 1 Fire
Service Brakes
Complaints: 6 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 6
Seat Belts
Complaints: 5 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 5 2 Crashes
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 4
Equipment
Complaints: 4 1 Crash
Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive
Complaints: 4
Steeringcolumn
Complaints: 4
Tires
Complaints: 4
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 3
Fuel System Other
Complaints: 3
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 3
Parking Brake
Complaints: 3 2 Crashes 1 Injury
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm
Complaints: 3
Structure
Complaints: 3
Structurebody
Complaints: 3 2 Crashes 1 Fire 4 Injuries
Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
Complaints: 3
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 3
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Equipment Adaptivemobility
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Fire 1 Injury
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 2
Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 2
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
Complaints: 2
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 2
Wheels
Complaints: 2
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Air Bagssidewindow
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Child Seatbaselockingrelease Mechanism
Complaints: 1
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systeminstrument Panelspeedometerodometer
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 1
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 1
Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Exterior Lightingheadlightsconcealment Devices
Complaints: 1
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 1
Otheri Am Not Sure
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiontorque Converter
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit
Complaints: 1
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfront
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Seats
Complaints: 1
Seatsfront Assemblyhead Restraint
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Air
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Aircontrolsfoot Controlvalve
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Steeringgear Boxshaft Sector
Complaints: 1
Suspension
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Fire 1 Injury
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrear
Complaints: 1
Tiresvalve
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemwindshieldelectrical Heating Element
Complaints: 1
Visibilityglass Siderear
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasherlinkages
Complaints: 1
Wheelslugsnutsboltsstuds
Complaints: 1
Wheelsrim
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11716569 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
My 2025 Acura MDX (under 10,000 miles) has failed to restart after the automatic idle stop engaged at stoplights and drive-thru lines at least 7 separate times. When I release the brake, the engine often remains off and the vehicle will not move, leaving me stopped in traffic. I have not yet required a jump start, but on several occasions the vehicle came very close to not restarting at all. This most recently occurred at a sandwich shop drive-thru. These incidents occurred in normal drive mode and in normal weather conditions. No abnormal driving conditions were present when the failures happened. Other owners online report the same problem, with some needing to carry jumper cables. I believe this is a serious safety risk because the vehicle can stall unexpectedly in intersections and traffic when the auto stop-start system activates. I am now concerned about relying on this vehicle in traffic because I cannot trust it to restart when stopped.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Toyota Highlander. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase of the vehicle. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 123,000. It was later discovered upon checking Carfax that the mileage was 254,000.
#11688025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
All at once the windows, moon roof, blinkers, reverse lights, running lights and brake lights stopped working - also the automatic headlight function stopped working and we must turn on and off the headlights or risk draining the battery. It's interesting to note that the flashers work, but the blinkers do not. The wipers, radio, cruise control, etc. are all fine. It appears all fuses associated with these items are intact - I don't know how to check the viability of the relays, but have been told it could be a relay and or a ground wire. I've purchased a new multifunction blinker headlight replacement switch AND a master window replacement switch to see if this will resolve the issue - but the fact that it happened all at the same time concerns me that it could be electrical or wiring. All the wires under the dash are intact.
#11688025 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | | N/A miles
All at once the windows, moon roof, blinkers, reverse lights, running lights and brake lights stopped working - also the automatic headlight function stopped working and we must turn on and off the headlights or risk draining the battery. It's interesting to note that the flashers work, but the blinkers do not. The wipers, radio, cruise control, etc. are all fine. It appears all fuses associated with these items are intact - I don't know how to check the viability of the relays, but have been told it could be a relay and or a ground wire. I've purchased a new multifunction blinker headlight replacement switch AND a master window replacement switch to see if this will resolve the issue - but the fact that it happened all at the same time concerns me that it could be electrical or wiring. All the wires under the dash are intact.
#11688025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles
All at once the windows, moon roof, blinkers, reverse lights, running lights and brake lights stopped working - also the automatic headlight function stopped working and we must turn on and off the headlights or risk draining the battery. It's interesting to note that the flashers work, but the blinkers do not. The wipers, radio, cruise control, etc. are all fine. It appears all fuses associated with these items are intact - I don't know how to check the viability of the relays, but have been told it could be a relay and or a ground wire. I've purchased a new multifunction blinker headlight replacement switch AND a master window replacement switch to see if this will resolve the issue - but the fact that it happened all at the same time concerns me that it could be electrical or wiring. All the wires under the dash are intact.

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Safety Rating for the 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Toyota Motor Corporation has issued 5 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

TC13-005 — STEERING

SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.

00605 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM LIGHT ON. *TT

00106 — STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR

STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE. *AK

00405 — POWER TRAIN

ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) CALIBRATION: TRANSMISSION SHIFT FEELING ENHANCEMENT. *TT

00903 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PRE-DELIVERY SERVICE (PDS) INFORMATION. *TT

NHTSA Investigations for the 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

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