Toyota Highlander Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • jackmick656jackmick656 Member Posts: 61
    I did as you suggested and the pedal snaps back quickly. I still think the pedal spring has too much tension. Maybe for safety reasons the spring has to be that way. Thanks for your help WWEST.
  • jackmick656jackmick656 Member Posts: 61
    That rear window vibration is an on going problem with the Toyota HL and many other SUV makes. To compensate for the noise you can lower the front windows, that may help. I never drive with the rear windows lowered, so it is a non issue with me. I did try it one time, never again. 03HL V6 with 7000 miles, so far no problems.
  • tc123tc123 Member Posts: 10
    Hi Kjrusso,

    I understand you spray silcone on the steering column area to rid of the steering squeak, where actually is the area, I looked under the dash all I see is wires and more wires, where is the seal that biffy2 mentioned about, I like to rid of the squeaking steering too.

    Thanks alot,

    PS Im a newbie at this.
  • jimd10jimd10 Member Posts: 1
    Same as #930, a 2004 Highlander Limited with a non-automatic sunroof. I "normalized" the sunroof as the user manual describes, but it has no effect. The operation is manual only.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    You can reduce it substantially by adding two exhauster ports at the rear of the car. I used the exhauster port dress plates from a new Landcruiser to do my RX, one on each side.

    Freer air "flow through" also helps to substantially reduce instances of sudden windshield fogging during the winter months and mould and mildew odors during the summer.
  • dmoyerdmoyer Member Posts: 27
    02 V6 HL with 298500.
    Both Check Engine / VSC warning lights came and stayed on while driving. Search suggested maybe a loose gas cap, not the problem.
    Will call dealer. Any ideas or suggestions till HL can be serviced.

    Dan
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    Book says VSC indicator comes on with engine "failure", apparently that make the VSC inoperative if any engine diagnostic fails.

    I suspect you really mean 30k miles and that's about the time to expect oxygen sensor failure.
  • hlfanhlfan Member Posts: 46
    Unless you had an extra 0 on your mileage there, you should be thankful it only broke now...;-)
  • klinklin Member Posts: 54
    I have been shopping for SUV and comparing HL vs. Honda Pilot and Acura MDX. Indeed, I think I like HL the best. But it seems that HL problem/solution forum has a lot more problems (2-3X more) than Honda/Acura.

    I am getting a bit concerned on HL quality/reliability, esp. on the new 04 hesistation issue.

    Can anyone shed some light on this?

    THanks
  • thoonthoon Member Posts: 74
    I bought my Highlander this past May and I really like it. But recently, I've noticed a couple weird noises. My car has 10,310 miles on it.
    1) When I accelerate slowly, there's kind of a werring sound (wer...wer...wer) and kind of a deep rattling sound that comes and goes. It sounds like it may be the transmission?

    2) My car also has the ticking noise that others have mentioned, so I opened my hood to see was it might be and I also heard a sound that sounded like a faint toad chirp. Kind of like the werring sound.

     
    Have any of you Highlander owners experienced these sounds? My car seems like it's more louder than before when I accelerate. The engine sound also seems to have got a little louder when I'm cruising on the highway.
  • hlfanhlfan Member Posts: 46
    I just got the '04 V6 AWD. I have not noticed any hesitation, at leat not unexpected. And I've been paying special attention to this. If you let go of the break, and press the acclerator a moment later, there is no hesitation. If you immediately press the accel. after leting go of the break, maybe, but not enough to bother me.

    Go try it, you'll love it...
  • hlfanhlfan Member Posts: 46
    ... does not mix well with an unpredictable spell checker...'Scuse the gross abuse of the Queen's language...
  • plateauplateau Member Posts: 1
    Toyota has sludging problem with 3.0 V6s. It is so bad they redesigned engine for 2004. Now a 3.3 liter. No recalls that I know of, but manuf. reps know about. Engine cleaners and very frequent oil changes are necessary.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    Its those drunken olives.
  • dmoyerdmoyer Member Posts: 27
    Toyota service indicated a vacuum hose near the air filter box was disconnected.
    6 days & 500 mi. prior I had a different Toyota svc. ctr. change oil and perform a 21 point inspection.
    2 nd svc. ctr. points to that svc. as the likely cause. Felt the vacuum line removed for air filter inspection was not re installed correctly, and that it could take that long for the system to show the problem.
    A $33 svc. charge I hope to recover.
  • gwkisergwkiser Member Posts: 326
    Yep, that's happened to us as well. Seems the tech forgot to double check that after opening/closing the filter box.

    "A $33 svc. charge I hope to recover."

    I'd approach Toyota directly to recover. Don't get too involved in the fingerpointing of one guy towards another. It's a Toyota and it's a Toyota authorized dealer/repair center.
  • kaitlin07kaitlin07 Member Posts: 9
    does anyone know where are the 8 speakers located, as I can only locate 6, but the options list 8 speakers? I looked at all of the HLs and they seem to have slightly different looking radios but I can only find 2 speaker on each front seat door and one on each rear door for a total of 6 speakers. Option says JBL Premium with 8 speakers.
  • landdriverlanddriver Member Posts: 607
    This question gets asked here from time to time. The rear speakers are coaxial, meaning that each consists of two speakers, a tweeter mounted in the center of a woofer.
  • john361john361 Member Posts: 9
    I have a 2003 V6/awd Highlander. I was wondering if anyone has had a problem with wind noise coming from the rear "quarter windows?" The dealer replaced the inside moulding, but the noise is still there. ( If I press my finger on the moulding at the top rear corner of the window , the noise quits. Take it away, it returns" Any suggestions appreciated. I should tell you that I've had it back 3 times for this so far.
  • budhinckleybudhinckley Member Posts: 25
    I had the check engine/VSC light and brought the 2002 Highlander to the dealer. After very little investigating, he asked if I had my oil changed recently at a different place? How did he know? Because the air filter cover or hose wasn't put back snugly when the air filter was checked for cleanliness.

    So now I am trying to "guilt trip" the oil change place into paying me the $40 I had to pay the Toyota dealer to find this and reset the lights. (OK, I'll be happy with a couple of oil changes on the house....)

    Bud
  • saluki89saluki89 Member Posts: 5
    2002 Highlander V6 AWD.
    Today, we had the first snowfall of the season, it's also the first time I've heard/felt this strange sound. At low speeds, if I'm coasting or slowing, I hear a low rumbling noise, almost as if something's dragging underneath the vehicle. While stopped, I put the car in neutral and reved the engine. Sure enough, even stopped in neutral (also did this in park), as the engine reved down, a grumbling noise seemed to come from the engine compartment. Also, a hot smell was present when the noise was going on. I shut the engine off, restarted, noise and smell went away. This happened several times this morning.

    Anyone have any ideas?

    Thanks,
  • aliminalimin Member Posts: 80
    I had a super loud, metal rubbing against metal squeak coming from underneath my ’02 last night when I arrived home. Sounded much worse than worn brake pads – and made the noise whether the brakes were on or off. Took it to the Toyota dealer here in southeast Minnesota – even though they were busy with snow-related issues – had the service manager drive it who said he heard the noise although not as loud. Service tech drove and also heard it but not as loud. They put it up on the hoist and took all the wheels off – inspected brakes, rotors, checked underneath for anything loose along the driveshaft, etc., and couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary. Also checked for any tsbs. No noise now, after I picked it up.
     Has anyone experienced and solved this? My bluestone hl awd v6 vsd has 41,000 miles and the dealer also confirmed 70% front and 80% on the back brakes. We had about 2 inches of snow last night, with slightly above and then below freezing temperatures. Could ice have caused the problem? Could someone wedging a metal washer or coin near the rotors cause it? Appreciate anyone’s thoughts and experiences with this. Thanks. alimin
  • mike368mike368 Member Posts: 5
    yup my ckeck engine light came on the dealer replaced the vsc module on my 01 with 20000 miles and it does not have the vsc option on my 4wd.the dealer agreed but the wiring and all the components are there .its warranty
  • aliminalimin Member Posts: 80
    Uh - vsc, not vsd. Right. It is the olives...
    alimin
  • rubyruizrubyruiz Member Posts: 13
    I would be interested to hear more.

    Also I would like to hear if any one has a problem with the car stumbling when it goes from 2nd to third gear and if they have gotten anywhere with that with the dealers.

    I have taken it in twice and the dealer does not detect anything when they test drive it or run it on their machines.

    Yesterday they charged me for the diagnostic labor they did, because they did not find anything. I was also smelling a chemically burning smell after I would drive the car. It turned out to be plastic bags stuck to the exhaust system! what an expensive mess.

    I would like to know how this "sludge" problem manifests itself. What does the hesitation feel LIke?

    I psted before about the stumbling gears. Is it possible to resolve this or do I have to live with it.

    Also, one person said they disconnected some wiring to try to erase the memory. How did this work out? did it fix the problem.

    Thanks from a Highlander Owner who is $181.00 poorer today!
  • dmoyerdmoyer Member Posts: 27
    Pleased to announce that the responsible Toyota dealer did not question their fault and after some low key discussions agreed to apply the $33 to my next $49 winterization (antifreeze) service.

    I should note he attempted to deduct it from a suggested $380 30K dealer recommended service. I responded with Highlander's recommended 30K service that did not cover all the look see, touchy feely and fluid replacement items on his list.
    VETOed that service.
  • dmoyerdmoyer Member Posts: 27
    Well winter has arrived in central PA and maybe it is time to consider replacements for OE Bridgestones.
    Are tires discussed anywhere on this HL board?
    Any recommendations??
  • bigdadbigdad Member Posts: 55
    on my 02 HL at 18K after I got tired of being scared out of my mind everytime the crappy Integrity tires hydroplaned on a drop of water...the new tires are great, now have 34K on the car and very satisfied with their wet, cold performance....no snow tho. (yet!) These are the Geolanders (check out the Tire Rack for ratings etc.) they were $103/tire.
  • thoonthoon Member Posts: 74
    All the reviews I've read about the HL says that it has a very smooth and comfortable ride. But my highlander is very bumpy. I feel the smallest of bumps. Is this normal or is it just my car? My tire pressure is set at 35 PSI. I only have 10,370 miles on it.
  • rugby65rugby65 Member Posts: 81
    I posted a while back that my 03 HL limited stumbled from 1st to 2nd. I got to thinking about the way I was driving it, which was slow and easy from a stop sign so I disconected the ground cable from the battery and let it set for awhile. I reconnected the ground cable and went on a long trip. when I did this I had 2000 miles on odometer I now have 5260 and the transmission shifts like it should. after I reconnected the ground I started driving like I drove my other cars and I believe the computer re learned my driving habits and reset it self.
  • rugby65rugby65 Member Posts: 81
    I too was a little disapointed in the quality of the ride in my 03 HL but it's a giant step up from the ride in my 2001 Nissan Quest van. That thing rode like a 2ton dump truck and steered like it didn't have power steering.
    You will have to remember that the HL is basically a truck and won't give you the ride a stretched out luxury car will.
  • arizgeorge1arizgeorge1 Member Posts: 19
    Has anyone installed a trailer hitch on their Highlander? I have the "pre-towing package" on my Highlander. It doesn't look like an easy installation for the hitch, but perhaps someone has already tried it.
  • alter_issuesalter_issues Member Posts: 2
    My 03 HL which I purchased in Nov. has a very slight whine to the engine. It appears to be more pronounced when I accelerate. The whine also changes in intensity when the HL shifts into a higher gear (whine becomes less). You can not hear the whine when the engine idles. The dealer said it was the heavy duty alternator. The car has the towing package option (trans cooler, power steering cooler, larger radiator and heavy duty alternator). The dealer said they had another HL with the same setup and it had the same sound when they ran it. Has anybody else had this issue? It is only slightly annoying but I still think they should be able to build quiet alternators. I would appreciate any help. Thanks
  • rugby65rugby65 Member Posts: 81
    My 03 with the towing prep has this whine. I discovered that when I turn off the air conditioner it goes away. I just assumed that the noise was coming from the air conditioner but it could be the alternator due to it having to work harder to supply more power. I have climate control and I haven't noticed the whine as much since it has got cold here and the air conditioner does not run as much.
  • macmacmacmac Member Posts: 35
    Your tire presure setting shuld be set at 30 psi. The HL is not a Truck. Trucks are built with truck chasie which are more heavy duty. The suspension is made harder to handle the rough envirment the trucks go through. The HL, Sienna, Solra, Lexus LS300, RX300, is built with the Camery chasie. Basicly the HL is a rasied up Camery. All the cars have a different ride due to the design of the suspension ( shocks, Springs, ect. ). The HL is very close the RX300. The RX ride is better due to the better suspension and insolation to reduce the noise around the car. Our engines are practicaly the same. Just tune differently. Car companies like like to save money. There formula is (good chasie + good engine + X = $$$. X = Good design of CAR or SUV. They can use the chasie and the engine over and over. These are my thoughts. I have a 2001 HL with 57000 mi. Just change the tires to Michelin crosstrains. Great tires and the ride is better than the goodyear integrity.
  • jackmick656jackmick656 Member Posts: 61
    I own an 03 HL and my tire pressure is set at 32 psi, I tried many different settings but cannot get a smoother ride over bumps. To smooth out the bumpy ride you would have to use a psi of about 28.
  • alter_issuesalter_issues Member Posts: 2
    Thanks for the response rugby65. Unfortunately, I hear the whine whether the a/c is on or off. Since I live is PA, I really haven't run the a/c for a while except to defrost and the sound is still there.
  • wcpwcp Member Posts: 40
    It really depends on your expections and your experience with your previous vehicles.
    Although the Highlander is based on a car chassis, it is NOT a car. Its suspension is firmer than passenger cars to allow "light duty" offroading. So, if you are compaing the HL with a Camry or an Accord, yes, the ride is definitely bummpier. But if your previous vehicle is a truck based SUV or even a unibody one such as Pathfinder, I think you'd appreciate HL's ride.
  • thoonthoon Member Posts: 74
    My dealer told me the recommended tire pressure for HL's was 35 PSI. My Integrity tires also have a huge bulge, it almost looks like the tires are flat. Is this normal for Integritys? I was comparing the ride of my HL to my old saturn, and my parent's Dodge Durango and GMC Safari van. My HL is stiffer than all three of the cars. My mom was trying to apply makeup in my HL but couldn't because the car was soo bumpy.

     Alternator- Is the whine you're reffering to a "werr werr werr" sound or is it a constant whine? I also have the towing prep package and my car makes a "wer wer wer" sound when I acclerate slowly, then it goes away at the higher gears.
  • rugby65rugby65 Member Posts: 81
    Running only 30psi in your HL tires will not make it ride any smoother. The suspension system is tuned to the proper amount of air in the tires which is 35psi for the HL. also That low pressure will make it harder to steer and will get real low gas milage. The good year integrety tires are poor quality tires that were made in a hurry and with old tire molds during the FireStone Tire scare.
  • rubyruizrubyruiz Member Posts: 13
    I will show this post to my dealer and see if they can try what you did.

    I did bring your last post and the others who reported the stumbling problem to the dealer, but I don't think they tried what you did.

    How do you know so much about cars?

    Thanks for your response,

    Cassie
  • rugby65rugby65 Member Posts: 81
    Im just drawing on my years of experience and searching the enternet for solutions like you and other driver's do. I have had conversations with the technition at the dealers. When I take my HL into the dealer I don't just sit in the lounge I try to sneak into the back where they're working and talk to them. Im extreamly happy with My HL now that it shifts better. Im not at all happy with the Goodyear tires. I should have known the way the salesman was talking up the goodyear tires that some customers were questioning their quality. I wish now that I had made them exchange them for Michlens even if I had to pay more.
  • reidkreidk Member Posts: 46
    We replaced the Integrity tires that came stock on wife's '01 Highlander with a set of Michelin Cross Terrains.
    Tires show much better handling / traction, esp on wet roads. No snow yet, but we are Hopeful based upon improvement already seen + avail reviews. Mileage is slightly down, but part of that may be simply due to normal decline with colder weather, along with a change in commute (shorter distance, and now on 'local' roads).
    Not cheap, but have good tread life rating (warranty) - and local Discount Tire outlet was willing to beat a nice CostCo sale price.
  • cmunizcmuniz Member Posts: 604
    My OEM tires lasted only 27,000 miles on my 02 Highlander. The Michelin LTX M/S tires I have on it now are MUCH better. Everyone that has riden in our Highlander has complemented the ride from day one. It is very smooth. I don't understand the comments about it being bumpy. There must be something wrong with the individual vehicles or the expectations.
  • kbalchkbalch Member Posts: 19
    cmuniz, we had a set of the Michelin LTX A/T's on our old Explorer, and they were great! Glad to here the M/S perform well too. I have not had a problem with the ride in our 03 Highlander. The ride is not bumpy at all, and we too get lots of compliments. We have the Bridgestone Duelers on our HL. Pretty good tire, but only ok in snow. The HL goes fine, but the back end is a bit squirrely around turns, but behaves very predictably.(We do not have VSC option.)The Michelins were a better tire in the snow. I think the Bridgestones tend to get packed with snow.
  • nbuinbui Member Posts: 3
    My 01HL have a whine sound when I accelerate, but it goes away when the trans pick up a gear, I can feel it. Toyota dealer first changed the alternator, then changed the belts, but problem still remain!!! So, it's not the alternator dor the belts that makes the whinning sound. It must be coming from somewhere in the tranny system.
  • scoti1scoti1 Member Posts: 676
    In reply to #957 of 979 Post 945 Can you explain what the "sludging problem is? by rubyruiz Dec 06, 2003 (7:30 am)

    You asked how the sludge problem manifests itself and I do not see a reply.

    The following indicators have been reported:

    1. Smoke in exhaust (usually described as blue in color).
    2. Heavy use of oil.
    3. Check engine light illuminates.
    4. Visible signs of sludge on oil dipstick.

    None of these necessarily means that you definitely have sludge, it just means that you need to get your engine checked. The valve cover must be removed to positively identify sludge. The engine failure from sludge can be catostrphoic if left unchecked, so it is important to get this evaluated if you have any of these symptoms.
  • swiederswieder Member Posts: 2
    My 2 week old 2004 Highland V6 2wd seems to have uneven acceleration. When accelerating from a stop the gas pedal has to be pushed pretty
    hard to get going. Once we are above 40 MPH the acceleration seems smooth especially on the highway. When going in reverse the
    acceleration / engine RPM is very fast.

    Has anyone experienced anything like this? Do you think it is a simple adjustment by the dealer?

    thanks,
  • wdr2wdr2 Member Posts: 12
    During the rainy season, all of my Highlander's windows fog up when the car is parked in the sun. This happens on rainy and clear days. When I look around at other cars, I don't see this. I've been very careful not to leave wet items in the car, since I know that can cause condensation. And I leave the vents set to "open" when the car is not running. Anybody else have this problem? Any ideas what might be causing it? Thanks
  • thoonthoon Member Posts: 74
    How long has it been since you replaced your A/C cabin filter?
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