2005 Toyota Highlander Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 4%of 224 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2005 Toyota Highlander, 4% of the 224 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On numerous occasions this vehicle stutters when merging on to traffic. On this specific instance I was merging from turn in lane. The throttle was slow to respond after depressing the accelerator pedal 3/4 of the way. Then it jumped/lurched forward. I was nearly hit but the traffic coming up from behind. This has occurred on multiple occassions in the past, beginning with 20000 miles on the car. Had brought it to the dealers attention in the past and was told that this is a design feature of the electronic throttle. They seemed to be aware of the problem but could not offer any solution. …”
NHTSA complaint #10304671, filed 2010-02, 95,000 miles“Intermittent problem: while traveling approx 30 MPH (or cruising speed), attempted to pass another vehicle. The accelerator was pressed to the floor and the vehicle refused to accelerate for a period of approximately 2 seconds. Acceleration resumed after this period. Contacted Toyota. Toyota said this is a normal phenomenon in their drive-by-wire systems.”
NHTSA complaint #10120592, filed 2005-05, 1,905 miles“2005 Toyota Highlander, car will accelerate from a dead stop on its own. Change transmission from park to drive and let off brake and car will accelerate without touching gas pedal fast enough to change gears and continue. Have reached a speed of 30 MPH before braking. The tachometer does not show that the engine is revving higher than a normal idle when in park changing into drive so it seems like an electronic problem, etc. Issue is intermittent. The car has been to 2 dealers over the time it has been owned and we were told the issue could not be duplicated so nothing could be done. …”
NHTSA complaint #10306408, filed 2010-02, 30,000 miles“When I accelerate from a very slow speed (almost stop) my 2005 Toyota Highlander will surge. I have experience this when try to pass or when slowed to take a turn but with not coming to a complete stop. The dealer has not been able to correct it. I get the feeling that they think it is normal or ok.”
NHTSA complaint #10164539, filed 2006-08“The contact stated while driving 2 MPH towards a stop, the vehicle would not accelerate. There were no warning signals prior to the incident. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer who performed diagnostic testing and temporarily recalibrated the ECM engine. Additionally, the service dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. The manufacturer was not contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #10170377, filed 2006-10, 5,000 milesRelated recalls
- 11V539000Nov 9, 2011Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004 avalon vehicles; 2004 and 2005 camry, camry solara, highlander, and sienna vehicles, 2006 highlander hybrid; 2004…Covers: Toyota Highlander 2004–2005, Lexus RX330 2004–2005, Toyota Sienna 2004–2005 +6 more
Related service bulletins
- 10253223Mar 4, 2024This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the…
- 10177599Jun 3, 2020These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no…
- 10177598Jun 3, 2020These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no…
- 10060836Feb 25, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10037592Mar 2, 2011Toyota: there may be damaged cylinder head bolts threads.
- 10034265Apr 19, 2010Toyota: 2az-fe & 2az-fxe throttle body. Engine control. Provide updated throttle body part number information for certain vehicles. The drain pipe has been eliminated on throttle…
- 10034284Feb 4, 2010Toyota: techstream ecu flash reprogramming procedure. Flash reprogramming allows the ecu software to be updated without replacing the ecu. Flash calibration updates for specific…
- 10017317May 9, 2006No start in sub-freezing ambient air temperatures.
- 10018235Nov 16, 2005Malfunction indicator lamp on diagnostic trouble code p0171, p0174, p2195, or p2197.
- 10015494Mar 24, 2005Fuel injector ticking noise. Update. *tt original.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 10% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 3 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2008 | 18 | 4% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 21 | 8% |
| 2005 | 8 | 4% |
| 2004 | 20 | 7% |
| 2003 | 46 | 18% |
| 2002 | 23 | 8% |
| 2001 | 17 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2005 Toyota Highlander
51 complaintsVehicle speed control
39 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
28 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsEquipment
8 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsTires
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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