2005 Toyota Highlander problems
NHTSA has received 289 complaints about the 2005 Toyota Highlander, and 14% of them involve cruise control. After that come transmission (11%) and wipers, windshield & visibility (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 289 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Cruise control 14% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 50 and 8
- Injuries and deaths
- 34 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 53,000 miles 223 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 46 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 36 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 46 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 26 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 26 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 22 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 8 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 4 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 5 |
| 200k+ miles | 3 |
What the data shows
Among the 223 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 53,000 miles. For cruise control specifically, the median reported mileage is about 44,000 miles (29 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 50 complaints mention a crash; 8 complaints mention a fire; 34 injuries reported. Its complaints are more severe on average than those of 86% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2005 ranks 12th most-complained-about out of 24 model years of the Toyota Highlander with enough data (182 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 6 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Involved in thee car t-bone collision that caused several injuries to upper and lower extremities. The air-bag failed to inflate. Vehicle was in motion at a controlled intersection on a rural road and turning left.
On saturday, may 30th at approximately 8:30 I was moving our 2005 highlander from the street into our reserved parking space within our complex. As I was starting my right hand turn into the complex the car accelerator stuck. I hit the curb on the driver's/left side causing the vehicle to veer to the right. As the car continued to accelerate I hit a tree and knocked over one of the community's posted signage.
Recurring issue: while traveling at both highway and city street speeds, the driver attempted to pass by fully depressing the accelerator and the vehicle failed to accelerate for approximately 1-2 seconds. This has resulted in near-miss accident/injury incidents. The dealer was contacted and stated this was a routine complaint for this vehicle and the lexus rx-330. The manufacturer, toyota corporate, was contacted and the individual stated this was not a known issue. No mediation was provided from either contact.
Toyota hilander limited. I have a hesitation when I accelerate. I have had it back to toyota at least 3 times concerning this problem. They tell me that's the way it's supposed to be. It's dangerous if you are trying to get on an interstate and don't have the acceleration you need.