2005 Toyota Highlander Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 17%of 224 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,200miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2005 Toyota Highlander, 17% of the 224 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,200 miles. 18 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, 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.
“Under a specific set of circumstances, the cruise control causes the car to surge past the set cruise speed. I've never let the surge get past 10 MPH above the set cruise speed, I always turn off the cruise which cancels the surge. I cannot force the replication of the problem but it has happened a number of times over the life of the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10306336, filed 2010-02, 50,000 miles“I own a 2005 Toyota Highlander and was trying to park in front of my home between two cars when the car suddenly accelerated and hit the side of my house. I am not 100% sure what happened, whether I accidentally pressed the accelerator or there was a malfunction of some kind. I had to make a 90 degree left turn between two other parked cars, so I am sure I was not driving fast at the time of the accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10304381, filed 2010-02, 29,000 miles“I am writing about a problem I encountered with my 2005 Toyota Highlander. We purchased it brand new in january of 2005. Beaverton Toyota has adjusted the computer on my car several times since the first oil change as my Highlander feels like it is changing gears by itself. The car had not done this until after the first oil change. On subsequent service calls, I would discuss the problem and they would tell me that they adjusted the car's computer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10312510, filed 2010-02, 36,725 miles“I'm the original owner & sole driver of the vehicle & ever since I test drove it the day I purchased it this car's had issues with jerky/delayed acceleration. During the test drive I was told that the car adjusts to how I drive & it'll get better. This happens pretty much every time I accelerate the vehicle after it's been stopped or the speed slowed substantially. Each & every time I try to gently accelerate the vehicle from a stop, there's a tiny delay in vehicle response from what I am inputting to the accelerator pedal. …”
NHTSA complaint #10661116, filed 2014-11, 6 miles“I am the original owner of the vehicle and throughout my ownership since 2/2005 when it was bought this car has issues with acceleration. It usually occurs when you are sitting at a stop and try to accelerate the vehicle. The car does not recognize when you are pushing the acceleration pedal and has a delay when it finally responds. There have been numerous incidents where I have tried to cross a busy intersection or pull out into traffic and the vehicle hesitates when trying to accelerate, ending with a jerk of the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10648518, filed 2014-10, 25,000 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 2005 Toyota Highlander
51 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
28 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 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 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