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Thanks again!
We are not going to stand by and let Toyota get away with not correcting the problem.
STEERING VIBRATION while braking at 70 mph by dmoyer, msg 1439
My only experience was on a hot day, long time running at +70 mph and then had a sudden but not panic breaking sequence. At first the steering wheel vibrated back and forth what felt like the front end out of alignment, lasted just several seconds, released the brake, braked again, less noticeable and then shortly afterwards felt no vibration after the third time. Continued to drive for several hours and no problems. It was scary at 70 the first time. Felt nothing from the brake pedal. The question is how do you pose the issue to Toyota if you can't demonstrate it!
In my 01 AWD RX300 I often notice a distinct "throbbing" when on wet pavement and slightly downhill. I have always assumed that it was due to this pressure regulating system trying to achieve equal braking on all wheels simultaneously.
No slippage between tire and pavement but one or two wheels tending to slow faster than others and the system slightly releasing pressure on those to equalize all around braking.
If its gone and the problem is gone then don't go to the dealer?
Thanks for your insight. Makes sense under the conditions that I experienced.
I'll remember your "Periodically, just perform a controlled burn off" next time.
Still disgusted with Toyota's response to my problem with the brakes on my Highlander and find their response that brakes are within manufactures specification as is master cylinder totally unacceptable. Am filing an incident report with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and discussing situation with an attorney.
Could really enjoy my Highlander if I had more confidence in the brake system.
There was some confusion recently regarding the 2000# hitch installed on recent 2004 highlanders. My highlander was built in May 2004 and came with a 2000# hitch ( Part no PT22869025 ). After checking with Toyota and my dealer's customer service, I found that the original rating was correct and that Toyota had a new 3500 # hitch ( part no PT22869045 ). I replaced my original hitch today with the 3500# version. It is identical in configuration but has heavier gauge material. I feel much more comfortable with the greater capacity.
Thanks!
Now that we've removed your final excuse, go for the trade! We love our '04 as well, now 9 months in to it, no problems.
Some members on this board may not be aware that, although the Highlander was introduced in 2001, there was a minor redesign commencing with the '04 model year. The changes of course were few, consisting of subtle enhancements to the exterior body panels and some interior trim color differences. If you're an '04 owner, don't worry that these changes were merely cosmetic and solely implemented by Toyota to attract new customers to the Highlander and increase its sales. Revel in your purchase; hold your head high on the freeway, and enjoy your brief elation with your presumed superior vehicle. We 'classic' owners will quietly take pride in the distinction of knowing that we own an 'original.'
not exactly XKE level cars
I've recently looked at a new Toyota Highlander. Having never owned a Toyota (yet), I am curious as to the common repair "quirks" that are typical of the brand.
I currently have a 1996 Chevy Monte Carlo (which I hate, I might add) and am tired of poor craftsmanship and expensive minor and major repairs-not to mention crappy styling. I realize that no brand is immune from repair, but I would like to know some of the more common repairs to get a general idea for what I'm really up against.
I've also heard about the upcoming hybrid model, but my dealer claims they have no info. Does anyone know the expected price increase and what trim levels they will hybrid first?
If you would like, please contact me off-list at: shootvideo@yahoo.com
Thanks in advance!
A couple of days ago I discovered that there is a little plastic piece at the base of the wiper that covers the bolt that attaches the wiper to the vehicle. This plastic piece is easily removed. Once it is removed, the rear wiper will lock into place at a 45 degree angle off of the glass, just like the front wipers.
Knowing this will make it easier to replace the blade, but it's not something I'd want to do each time I clean the rear window at a gas station. I'm still puzzled about why Toyota would have made this change.
is your HL US/Canada or Japan made?
Mine is Japan - can pull the wiper off about 4 inches (but not at 45 degrees)
My first experience with a Toyota was when I sold my '73 Chevrolet Vega and bought an '83 Toyota pickup. The Vega was notorious for always breaking down, whereas the Toyota pickup never broke down, save for replacing the water pump a couple of times and an oil seal in the 21 years I've owned it (see my profile).
Great things about Toyotas:
1. I've almost forgotten what the inside of a repair shop looks like.
2. I'm almost hoping my car breaks down just to inject some excitement into an otherwise mundane reliability experience.
3. Can't use the excuse of my car breaking down for being late to work any more.
4. If you plan to drive your Toyota into the ground before buying another, take heed; your car may outlast you.
5. Reason Japanese cars in the 'early days' were notorious for water pumps going out at 100K miles: in the early days most American cars never made it to 100K miles. (Of course, that's changed in the last 20 years, thank goodness!!)
6. Without the hassle of dealing with broken-down cars I have too much spare time on my hands.
The Highlander may not be quite as reliable as the '83 pickup judging from some of the posts here, but my experience with it has been excellent. Only problems I've encountered are a glovebox rattle and side wind noise, both of which were fixed by the dealer under warranty via TSB. Other known quirks are somewhat cumbersome shiftpoints with the transmission on V6 models, buffeting effect with rear windows only rolled down (exhibited by many other vehicles and easily alleviated by cracking front windows), wheel baring noise, warped brake rotors, and vibration from engine transmitted into passenger compartment. Except for the last two the problems are very minor and usually easily addressed by dealer under warranty; some of these known problems may have been corrected on more recent Highlanders (havn't heard anything about side wind noise and wheel baring noise in a long time). As for the last two these are more serious but the prevalence of these problems (percentage of Highlanders afflicted with them) is not readily ascertained from the posts here.
There may be one or two quirks I may have forgotten, and I'd encourage you to scan all of the posts in this discussion for further info.
In general the Highlander is an excellent vehicle; very few are disappointed with their purchase, and I wouldn't let reliability or fear of repairs dissuade your decision in any way in this instance. I wouldn't hesitate buying another Highlander if I was in the market for another one!
The hybrid is expected to cost perhaps $3000 more -- supposed to be available early next year but with a long waiting list expected, but may be worth it if this is what you want; there's a separate discussion on the Highlander Hybrid that you should check out for more info.
Good luck!
Mine was made in Japan. Other '04s at my dealer have the same rear wiper set-up, and another poster tried some '04s on a lot in his area and found the same thing. If yours is different, I wonder if maybe a bunch of them came through with a defective black plastic cover.
japan - yes
the plastic cover on mine will snap off.
when it is off the wiper arm will tilt out all the way and lock at 45 degrees.
the cover has two tabs that hold it in place. It also has a locator "pin" that goes down beside the wiper arm, that causes the interference and keeps the arm from coming out more.
Sounds like a design screw up to me. I am tempted to cut the tab off.
Would the design with pin possibly add strength to the wiper arm and help keep it from sagging under the weight of ice and snow? I wouldn't think so, but it's the only thing I can think of to explain the design if it isn't a design screw up.
Matt
Mine in mixed driving gets 19.5 - 20.5
26 at steady 65 with air on
I'm curious to the true off-road capabilities of the Highlander. Granted, I do not expect this to be a rock-hopping Jeep Wrangler or Hummer H2 (If I needed that type of vehicle, I'd buy one), but I'm interested in it's ability to navigate on non-paved surfaces and muddy/gravel/remote roads and trails that are moderately-to-lightly demanding.
Are people using premium in the v6?
Also, does anyone consider the 4 cylinder 4x4 to be under-powered?
Was set on the v6, but the 4 cylinder may be less expensive in the long run. I do not plan on towing anything (just a wife and two growing boys.)
I think some people who drive the v6 think the 4 cyl is under power. I really doubt that the v6 has that much power anyway. They are just numbers and in order to get to that number, we are talking about hitting 5000-6000rpm. How many people really drive their car like that?
The best way for you to decide is to take the whole family to take a test drive. Test on both 4 and 6 on the same route and you can make your choice. Also, if you want to keep the car for long team, yes, gas price is a factor too.