2004 Toyota Highlander Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 10%of 286 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,250miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the visibility of the 2004 Toyota Highlander, 10% of the 286 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,250 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The passenger airbag indicator warning light came on while nobody was even in the passenger seat, while traveling on a california highway. A check of the Toyota owner's manual stated that the entire airbag system would not function if this light came on and stayed on for no reason at all. Since we live no where near a dealer, nearest dealer is 100 miles away, I let it stay that way for awhile. …”
NHTSA complaint #10653201, filed 2014-11, 160,000 miles“The driver sun visor keeps dropping from it's kept position and blocks the drivers view. This almost caused 2 accidents with myself and then my wife. The sudden dropping of the visor is very dangerous. I have talked to other Highlander owners and they have similar issues.”
NHTSA complaint #10554039, filed 2013-11, 85,000 miles“I have a 2004 4 cyl Highlander, and I can completely understand the other complainers situation as I am experiencing the same problem. It happened at around 60k miles and the dealer said it would cost about $600. To fix. I didn't. I just had to play around with the knob when I need to use it.”
NHTSA complaint #10375478, filed 2011-01, 60,000 miles“The heater inside my car won't turn off. I have hot air blowing continuously, even when the air system is turned off! This makes the car dangerous to drive for very long. (t>100 most of time) there was no accident or incident, it just started. The problem is well documented on various car forums online due to wire defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10254926, filed 2009-01, 48,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10808336, filed 2015-12, 118,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10131993Dec 19, 2013This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0185-13.
- 10131988Dec 19, 2013The following procedures are recommended during routine maintenance or in the event of a customer concern for wiper performance.
- 10132136Oct 23, 2013The appearance of spots in tempered glass (when viewed at certain angles) is the result of the heat treating and quick quenching process during manufacturing.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 10% |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 5 | 3% |
| 2022 | 17 | 6% |
| 2021 | 17 | 3% |
| 2020 | 5 | 2% |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% |
| 2018 | 6 | 2% |
| 2017 | 15 | 6% |
| 2016 | 9 | 8% |
| 2015 | 13 | 7% |
| 2014 | 10 | 7% |
| 2013 | 8 | 4% |
| 2012 | 19 | 10% |
| 2011 | 35 | 19% |
| 2010 | 42 | 19% |
| 2009 | 7 | 5% |
| 2008 | 16 | 4% |
| 2007 | 15 | 12% |
| 2006 | 24 | 9% |
| 2005 | 28 | 13% |
| 2004 | 29 | 10% |
| 2003 | 34 | 13% |
| 2002 | 139 | 46% |
| 2001 | 26 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2004 Toyota Highlander
58 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsSteering
35 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 28, 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