NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2004 Toyota Highlander 4WD; the most frequently affected component is vehicle speed control — accelerator pedal. Owners filed 286 complaints, most often about engine. Among the 13 model years of this model in the database, 2004 ranks #6 for number of recalls.
Engine and engine coolingCampaign 11V539000 · 09 Nov 2011
Problem: 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.
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.
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.
Vehicle speed control — Accelerator pedalCampaign 11V112000 · 24 Feb 2011
Problem: 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.
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.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic — Master cylinderCampaign 10V499000 · 21 Oct 2010
Problem: 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.
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.
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.
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
What owners complain about
Share of the 40 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.
Engine8 · 20%
Electronic stability control (esc)6 · 15%
Air bags5 · 12%
Visibility/wiper4 · 10%
Vehicle speed control4 · 10%
Service brakes4 · 10%
Steering4 · 10%
Electrical system4 · 10%
When complaints were filed
201411
201510
20168
20174
20181
20201
20211
20231
20242
20261
From owner complaints
Heat doesn't work and a/c intermittently blows cold or hot. Windshield and windows will fog up in bad weather and without heat i can't defog them forcing me to pull over and manually wipe the fog off every few minutes.
As shown on your complaint section i among many many others have been sold a defective 2.4 liter engine 4 cylinder. The head bolts become stripped and migrate loose over time and there is no repair solution. You have to scrap the engine and maybe the whole vehicle no matter how good of condition its in. This problem…
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. The contact stated that the seat belt failed to retract and would also intermittently seize. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000. Updated 1/7/15*cn updated 06/3/2015 *js
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. While driving various low speeds, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning. Upon applying minimal pressure to the accelerator pedal, the accelerator pedal became stuck and the contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle, a dumpster, and almost struck a group of…
Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.