2004 Toyota Highlander Body & Structure Problems
8 owner-reported body & structure complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (8)
Your front bumper unexpectedly detached while driving. A mechanic found that the mounting tabs holding the lower bumper cover had failed, and the entire bumper assembly needs to be replaced. You were told there may be a recall for this issue, but neither the dealer nor Toyota was notified about your specific failure. The fix will involve replacing the front bumper assembly and its mounting hardware.
Parts you may need:
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GAS STATION DID NOT CLOSE HOOD COMPLETELY AND IT BLEW OPEN WHILE TRYING TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY AT JUST OVER 40 MILES PER HOUR.THE SECONDARY SAFETY CATCH DID NOT HOLD OR WORK ! THE HOOD BLEW OPEN AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD AND BENT THE HOOD UP INTO THE ROOF.THE TOPS OF THE FENDERS NEAR THE HINGES WERE ALSO RIPPED UP.
MY HIGHLANDER WAS INVOLVED IN A TOTAL LOSS CRASH BACK IN 2007, AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY PAID OUT A TOTAL LOSS CLAIM AND TOOK THE SALVAGE. I HAVE REPEATEDLY UPDATED TOYOTA THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED, YET THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO SEND RECALL NOTICES FOR THE PSAT 4 YEARS. PLEASE MAKE THEM STOP !! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING FROM HER DRIVEWAY AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEEDS OF 1 MPH, THE FRONT BUMPER FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE FURTHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE COMPONENTS THAT HELD THE BUMPER TO THE VEHICLE WERE ALSO BROKEN. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO REFERRED HER TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED HER BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,658.
I WANTED TO OPEN MY SUNROOF. I STARTED TO SLIDE BACK AND GOT STUCK. I HAD TO TAKE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP JUST TO HAVE THEM CLOSE IT. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THIS WAS 8TH ONE THAT WHERE THE SUNROOF BROKE. THEY HAD TO DISCONNECT THE SUNROOF JUST TO CLOSE IT. *TR
OWNER STATED THAT WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP HE TEST DROVE A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE OWNER FOUND THAT THE MEASUREMENTS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WERE NOT THE SAME IN EACH VEHICLE THAT WAS TEST DRIVEN. *AK
THE 1994 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS A STRUCTURAL DEFECT THE CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AND AT THE VERY LEAST UNACCEPTABLE FROM A QUALITY CONSUMER STANDPOINT. WHEN THE REAR WINDOW IS PUT DOWN IT CREATES A WIND NOISE AND VIBRATION THAT IS DANGEROUS TO THE PASSENGERS AND DRIVER. IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE THAT TOYOTA COULD LET THIS GO ON WITHOUT A RECALL OR AT THE VERY LEAST A WARNING AND A BETTER SOLUTION THAN "OPEN UP THE FRONT WINDOWS BEFORE OPERATING THE BACK ONES". AFTER JUST ONE MONTH OF OPERATION I AM REALLY QUESTIONING IF I WILL EVER OWN A TOYOTA AGAIN.*AK
I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. ON MY WAY TO GEORGIA ON INTERSTATE 75, WHILE GOING 70 MILES PER HOUR, I ROLLED DOWN THE BACK WINDOWS.THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SHOOK AND THE PRESSURE INSIDE WAS PIERCING TO MY EARS, I FELT LIKE THE BACK REAR WINDOW WAS GOING TO BLOW OUT. THE VHEICLE SHOOK SO VIOLENTY, I HAD A VERY HARD TIME KEEPING UNDER CONTROL WHILE I ROLLED UP THE WINDOWS IT SCARED ME SO BAD, I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I REQUESTED THAT THE DEALER (COURTESTY TOYOTA) PUT IN WIND BREAKS OR VENTS, OVER THE SIDE WINDOWS SO THAT I WAS ABLE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS AND DRIVE SAFELY AND THE DEALER REFUSED MY REQUEST. I TOLD THE DEALER, THAT I BELIEVED THIS SITUATION WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY STILL REFUSED MY REQUEST. I ASKED TO SEE THE SERVICE MANAGER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME HE WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, THAT WIND BREAKS "WOULD NOT HELP" THE SITUATION. HE SAID THAT IF I WOULD PUT DOWN THE FRONT WINDOWS A FIVE OR SIX INCHES, I WOULD NOT HAVE THE WIND PROBLEM IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I TOLD HIM, I DO NOT ALWAYS WANT THE FRONT WINDOW OPEN, WHEN I AM DRIVING, SOMETIMES, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO HAVE SOME AIR IN THE BACK. (I ALSO SAID, SUPPOSE SOME CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT SUDDENLY DECIDED TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW WHILE THE MOTHER WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE). AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS YOU WILL LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE WIND AND THE VEHICLE SHAKING SO VIOLENTLY. THE REASON I CHOSE THE HIGHLANDER WAS THAT THE BACK WINDOWS OPENED. I TAKE MY DOGS WITH ME WHEN I TRAVEL AND THEY CAN GET AIR WHILE THEY ARE RIDING IN THE BACK.*AK