Model year record

2005 Toyota Highlander

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 295 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V396000

Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler

Component: Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler
Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
Vehicles affected: 7,749
Reported to NHTSA: 2016-06-02
Owners notified: 2016-07-14

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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 number for this recall is SET16B.

Recall campaignNHTSA 11V539000

Engine and engine cooling

Component: Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected: 420,326
Reported to NHTSA: 2011-11-09
Owners notified: 2011-12-31

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 11V112000

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Component: Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 769,379
Reported to NHTSA: 2011-02-24
Owners notified: 2011-05-06

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V499000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 728,544
Reported to NHTSA: 2010-10-21
Owners notified: 2010-11-15

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V035000

Equipment: other: labels

Component: Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer: GULF STATES TOYOTA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 271,417
Reported to NHTSA: 2010-02-03
Owners notified: 2010-05-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Manufacturer 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 MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V253000

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Component: Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 367,594
Reported to NHTSA: 2006-07-13
Owners notified: 2006-07-24

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION MAY INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Vehicle speed control	33	36,725 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	27	15,000 mi
Electrical system	23	57,770 mi
Steering	21	56,500 mi
Power train	17	90,000 mi
Visibility	13	75,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	12	35,900 mi
Exterior lighting	8	52,991 mi
Visibility/wiper	8	100,000 mi
Air bags	7	44,200 mi
Engine	7	137,000 mi
Unknown or other	7	5,000 mi
Service brakes	6	70,333 mi
Seat belts	5	60,100 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	5	40,892 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	4	30,000 mi
Equipment	4	28,644 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)	4	45,000 mi
Steering: column	4	13,811 mi
Tires	4	52,991 mi
Engine and engine cooling	3	5,000 mi
Fuel system, other	3	35,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	3	64,000 mi
Parking brake	3	108,435 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)	3	1,200 mi
Structure	3	5 mi
Structure: body	3	104,493 mi
Structure: frame and members	3	150,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems	3	21,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	3	56,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer	2	254,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	2	51,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility	2	104,493 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	2	50,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	2	50,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	2	9,000 mi
Wheels	2	60,915 mi
Air bags: frontal	1	32,000 mi
Air bags: side/window	1	56,000 mi
Child seat: base: locking/release mechanism	1	—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	1	—
Electrical system: ignition: switch	1	540 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	1	—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	1	13,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	9,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	1	—
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices	1	25,063 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	1	38,750 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	1	30,000 mi
Other/i am not sure	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter	1	—
Power train: driveline: differential unit	1	70,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission	1	30,450 mi
Seat belts: front	1	22,900 mi
Seats	1	—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint	1	—
Service brakes, air	1	94,000 mi
Service brakes, air: controls: foot control/valve	1	5,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder	1	80,000 mi
Steering: gear box: shaft sector	1	53,000 mi
Suspension	1	104,493 mi
Suspension: front	1	50,019 mi
Suspension: rear	1	90,004 mi
Tires: valve	1	53,632 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element	1	49,500 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear	1	100,500 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages	1	26,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs	1	10,000 mi
Wheels: rim	1	9,000 mi

The 2004 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2006 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.