2005 Toyota Highlander Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report transmission and drivetrain problems — hard or delayed shifting, fluid leaks from the transfer case and front differential — along with accelerator pedal complaints that range from sticking pedals to unintended acceleration during parking maneuvers. A second cluster involves front-end noises: a clunk or knock from the steering column at low speed, and driver-side sun visors that no longer stay up. Many reports arrive between roughly 30,000 and 100,000 miles, and several owners say dealers could not reproduce the concern or described it as normal.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Sticking accelerator pedal and unintended acceleration

   • 27 complaints (12%)
   • median 44,200 mi at 5.1 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 16 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2015

   Owners describe the accelerator pedal sticking down or the vehicle accelerating on its own — sometimes from a stop, sometimes while parking or reversing, and sometimes while at speed. Several complaints mention the engine revving high and brakes seeming unable to stop the vehicle, resulting in collisions with objects or other vehicles. Some say dealers could not duplicate the problem or pointed to the floor carpet cover as the cause. Reported from very low mileage up to about 100,000 miles, often during parking, reversing or low-speed maneuvers.

   Recall 11V112000Recall 06V253000

   What to check: Confirm with a dealer whether the accelerator pedal and floor carpet cover recalls were completed. Check that the carpet cover and floor mat are properly clipped and clear of the pedal, and test that the pedal returns freely.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On saturday, may 30th at approximately 8:30 I was moving our 2005 Highlander from the street into our reserved parking space within our complex. As I was starting my right hand turn into the complex the car accelerator stuck. I hit the curb on the driver's/left side causing the vehicle to veer to the right. As the car continued to accelerate I hit a tree and knocked over one of the community's posted signage. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10726359, filed 2015-06, 104,493 miles

   “An afternoon during august or early september 2009 I was driving my 2005 Highlander in a high traffic route when the accelerator pedal got stuck down, leading to an initial high speed and steadily high rpms (6-7000). I was able to control the speed by stepping down the brake pedal with both feet while keeping exceedingly high rpms on heavy traffic. In the emotional and physical stress of the moment, I was able to drive to a building entrance. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10317451, filed 2010-03, 30,300 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shifting problems and drivetrain fluid leaks

   • 30 complaints (13%)
   • median 63,610 mi at 4.2 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • filed 2005–2017

   Complaints describe delayed or harsh shifting, especially when slowing and then accelerating again or coming out of a slow corner, and some report sudden downshifts or total loss of forward power while driving. A separate group describes transmission fluid leaking from the transfer case or front differential, in some cases reaching the exhaust and producing smoke and a burnt smell, and a few report the front differential running dry and failing. Owners say dealers either replaced the transmission or differential at significant cost or told them the behavior was normal. Most reports fall between about 29,000 and 120,000 miles, with several leaks noted just past the powertrain warranty.

   Recall 11V5390002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the transfer case and front differential for fluid seepage or a burnt smell, and ask for service records on transmission fluid. On a test drive, note any delay or clunk when accelerating out of a slow corner.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My Highlander has 120,000 miles on it and the transmission suddenly gave out while driving on the highway. It started by downshifting suddenly, making it difficult to retain control of the vehicle. Then I lost all forward power and had to coast to a stop on the side of the interstate. I am now stuck paying a $3500+ repair bill despite keeping up on regular maintenance according to the manufacturers maintenance guide. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10929644, filed 2016-12, 120,000 miles

   “Bought the car used with 49k miles approximately. Did not do this for the first 1.5 yrs we owned this now problems with the tranny and dealer told us it is suppose to do that. I dont think so by other people in the Toyota Highlander forums. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10550632, filed 2013-11, 90,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Steering column clunk or knock at low speed

   Mentioned in 7 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe a clunk, knock or clicking from the steering column when turning the wheel slightly off center, at parking speeds or over bumpy roads. Owners report that dealers diagnosed the intermediate steering shaft and either replaced it or greased it, and some note the noise returns over time. Some owners say the shaft was replaced under warranty, while others paid for the repair themselves. Commonly reported between roughly 14,000 and 60,000 miles, often noticed at low speed or while turning.

   What to check: With the car parked, turn the wheel a few degrees left and right and listen for a clunk. Ask whether the intermediate steering shaft has been replaced or greased.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There is a distinct cluck from the steering column at slow speeds and while turning (indicating something is loose or not tight), I have read there is a technical service bulletin from Toyota for this issue but I believe this could be a safety issue as it requires the replacement of the intermediate shaft on the steering column. Tsb # st001-06 for Highlander and camry.”

   NHTSA complaint #10392996, filed 2011-03, 45,000 miles

   “I noticed a clunking noise and odd vibration in the steering wheel when traveling at a slow speed especially when turning corners or on a bumpy road. I do believe that if the steering intermediate shaft is not replaced, it could easily cause unnecessary accidents due to loss of steering. Toyota has issued 2 TSB concerning this problem, however they should be forced to have this part replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10370188, filed 2010-12, 61,500 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake pedal goes to the floor / master cylinder leaks

   • 29 complaints (13%)
   • median 55,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2025

   Complaints describe the brake pedal traveling all the way to the floor with reduced braking, sometimes returning to normal on the next press. Owners mention fluid seeping near the master cylinder or brake booster, and some reference the master cylinder recall; a few report problems persisting after the recall repair was performed. Reported from about 28,000 to 185,000 miles, often as an intermittent symptom.

   Recall 10V499000

   What to check: Check the brake fluid level and look for dampness around the master cylinder and booster. Ask whether the master cylinder recall work was completed and confirm the pedal feels firm when held under pressure.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While coming to a red light I applied the brakes but the pedal went all the way to the floor and the car did not stop. Took my foot off the brake pedal and applied the brakes again and the second time the brakes woked. This has happened once to my wife and once to me.”

   NHTSA complaint #10320983, filed 2010-03, 28,000 miles

   “My 2005 Toyota Highlander master brake cylinder looks to be leaking near the brake booster. I know that it was replaced by Toyota dealer under NHTSA campaign number: 10v499000. However I do not remember the year. I was driving on local streets, when I stepped on the brake pedal and it went all the way to the floor. The next time I tried to step on the pedal it was working ok. But then the 3rd time I stepped on the brake pedal it was going all the way to the floor again. This was a shocked since it got me to work 9 hours earlier with no issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11378322, filed 2020-12, 185,000 miles
5. 5
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Driver-side sun visor will not stay up

   • 14 complaints (6%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2009–2016

   Owners report that the driver-side sun visor droops or falls down on its own, sometimes dropping further over bumps and partly blocking the view through the windshield. Complaints say the visor loses its ability to stay in the raised position and that the issue appears mainly on the driver's side. Mostly reported from about 36,000 to 115,000 miles as the visor pivot wears.

   What to check: Raise the driver-side visor and let it go; if it sags or drops, plan on a replacement visor or pivot.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The driver's side sunvisor does not stay up in my 2005 Toyota Highlander. It flips down frequently blocking driver's view while driving and creates dangerous situations. I went online and discovered many many same complaints on message boards - only on driver's side. This needs to be looked into.”

   NHTSA complaint #10307125, filed 2010-02, 75,000 miles

   “The driver side visor is drooping more and more. Now it is partly in my line of sight (I'm 6'3 ) and when I hit a bump it drops down even further and blocks about half of my vision out the windshield. Very dangerous. Before I start driving, I can gently raise it and slowly let it drop to where it stops where it only partially blocks my vision. As long as I can avoid bumps/potholes, it will stay but it doesn't take much of a bump to knock it loose to where it drops down further and becomes a safety hazard by blocking too much of my vision. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10824640, filed 2016-02, 100,000 miles

Buying note. These reports center on the transmission and drivetrain, the accelerator pedal, steering shaft noise and brakes, so service records and a pre-purchase inspection that includes a transmission and brake check are worth the cost. Confirm that the accelerator pedal, carpet cover and master cylinder recalls were completed on the specific vehicle.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.