2004 Toyota Highlander Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 40about this part
- Share
- 14%of 286 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 38,088miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2004 Toyota Highlander, 14% of the 286 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,088 miles. 19 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While traveling through a highway construction zone my car suddenly became hard to steer, and my speed became greater, tried to (break) decelerate the car began sliding out of control-plowing into the road construction barriers part lodged in front passenger windshield. The car went through the ditch became airborne through a rod iron fence shattered the rear second-row right side window spun out , and came to rest just feet from the some pileings. …”
NHTSA complaint #11355039, filed 2020-09, 250,000 miles“On november 14, 2011, I was parking my Toyota Highlander in a very familiar parking space and suddenly my car took on a life of its own and accelerated, veered left, jumped low sidewalk car barrier, jumped curb, and hit a decorative pole; brakes could not stop car. It went from gently entering a parking spot which I have often used to full throttle speed. The car did not accelerate straight forward it veered to left.”
NHTSA complaint #10436406, filed 2011-11, 125,360 miles“As I exited the freeway I took my foot off the accelerator and applied the brake. The car accelerated and did not slow down. I crossed both lanes of the street and I turned the car to the right. The wheels of the left side of the car hit the curb and the front and rear wheels on the left side of the car broke off. Then, the car went over the curb and hit the state sign with the left front of the car. The car got stuck in deep mulch from recent landscaping and came to a stop.”
NHTSA complaint #10525448, filed 2013-07, 141,000 miles“I was pulling into a parking space in a parking lot, going less than 5 miles per hour. As I turned into the spot, the car lurched ahead, so quickly, that slamming on the brakes still caused me to slide a bit. I ended up hitting a car parked in the spot in front of me, and causing $1400 worth of damage (to my front bumper and the other cars rear bumper). I had a friend in the car with me who vouched for this. I have never had an accident before, and was completely baffled by what happened. …”
NHTSA complaint #10467769, filed 2012-07, 86,000 miles“On august 18th 2007 I sent a letter to Toyota motor sales writing concerning a problem with my Toyota Highlander which had surged in a parallel parking situation hitting the car behind and damaging it and my vehicle. . Her headlight and bumper were damaged. . The repair on the other car came to $1800.00. And more. I reported it to the Toyota dealer in spirit lake, ia. And also to the Toyota motor sales in toledo , ohio 43699-0024. The spirit lake dealer told me it must have been caused by bad gas.”
NHTSA complaint #10303528, filed 2010-02, 35,000 milesRelated recalls
- 11V112000Feb 24, 2011Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 highlander, highlander hybrid, and model year 2004-2007 lexus rx330, rx350, and rx400h vehicles. If the…Covers: Toyota Highlander 2004–2006, Lexus RX330 2004–2007, RX Hybrid 2004–2007 +2 more
- 06V253000Jul 13, 2006On 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…Covers: Toyota Highlander 2004–2005, Lexus RX330 2004–2005, RX Hybrid 2006 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10045140Jun 13, 2012Toyota: accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and installation, if lubrication or oil, is applied.
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 30% |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 9 | 5% |
| 2022 | 8 | 3% |
| 2021 | 9 | 2% |
| 2020 | 10 | 3% |
| 2019 | 13 | 3% |
| 2018 | 9 | 3% |
| 2017 | 13 | 5% |
| 2016 | 4 | 4% |
| 2015 | 11 | 6% |
| 2014 | 5 | 4% |
| 2013 | 31 | 15% |
| 2012 | 14 | 8% |
| 2011 | 12 | 7% |
| 2010 | 22 | 10% |
| 2009 | 14 | 10% |
| 2008 | 45 | 11% |
| 2007 | 16 | 13% |
| 2006 | 43 | 15% |
| 2005 | 39 | 17% |
| 2004 | 40 | 14% |
| 2003 | 28 | 11% |
| 2002 | 31 | 10% |
| 2001 | 15 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2004 Toyota Highlander
58 complaintsSteering
35 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
29 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsElectronic stability control
17 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsEquipment
10 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsTires
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology