repaired · 2017 Q4
Front assembly: seat heater/cooler
Risk. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
2005 Toyota HighlanderProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 224 owner complaints about the 2005 Toyota Highlander, most often about the power train. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-396 the manufacturer reports only 24% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 8, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Spanish Coches, CC BY 2.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Toyota Highlander has problems
224 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
51Power train3 crash/fire/injury
39Vehicle speed control18 crash/fire/injury
26Steering2 crash/fire/injury
25Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
20Visibility
13Service brakes, hydraulic
9Air bags
9Exterior lighting
8Engine and engine cooling
7820 other systems15 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 51 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 39 | 18 |
| Steering | 26 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 25 | 1 |
| Visibility | 20 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 13 | 3 |
| Air bags | 9 | 9 |
| Exterior lighting | 9 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 0 |
| 20 other systems | 78 | 15 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
6 recalls
2005 Toyota Highlander recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. IN SOME CASES, THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A SUDDEN INCREASE IN…
no report yet
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY TEMPORARILY BECOME STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION RATHER THAN RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION.
no report yet
Foundation components: master cylinder
Risk. A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Show 2 more recalls
no report yet
no report yet
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
45kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 37 power train complaints. 92% were reported before 100,000 miles.
17under 30k miles34under 100k miles3100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2005 vs. every other Highlander year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Highlander median. How we score
'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2005 Toyota Highlander safety ratings
2005 Toyota Highlander 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 4 stars (17.4% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2005 Toyota Highlander, and the recalls they led to.
- Unintended and Uncontrolled AccelerationLed to recall 11V-112
In owners' words
What Highlander owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TRANSAXLE VENT IS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID ONTO EXHAUST, POTENTIAL OF CATASTRAPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO TOTAL SUDDEN LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLIUD. LEAK IS CAUSE BY A DEFECTIVE SEAL
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…
BOUGHT THE CAR AND NOT EVEN A WEEK AFTER OWNING IT I HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED THE TRANS AND UPDATED THE COMPUTER. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSIST, THERE IS A HUGE HESITATION IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN SLOWING TO AN ALMOST STOP AND RE ACCELERATING. THE RPM'S REV…
Own a 2005 Highlander?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.