Toyota Highlander Maintenance and Repair

sburke

My new 2003 HL's manual says that I don't need maintenance until 5-7,000 miles.How does that work? Is that accurate? I am used to the old 3,000 mile intervals

junepug

I would stick to the 3 to 4 thousand mile interval. The 2004 manual does not state the 7000 mile interval since the owners were letting it go beyond 7000 miles thus causing a sludge problem.

koho955

I have a 04 HL LTD. In the owners manual it states that you can have your Toyota Dealer make it so that when you hit the door unlock button on your key-fob, ALL doors open with one push of the button (not a double push). My toyota dealer says this can't be done and definitly can't figure out how to do this. Has anyone had this adjusted on their HL computer? The book clearly states 4 or 5 times that this should be no problem. Thanks, KOHO

twobrowns

Your dealer is wrong. I recently had my o4 HL reprogramed although the dealer charged $40?

bikeman3

changing oil at 5-7000 miles is perfectly ok with Toyota and does not result in sludge problems. I don't know where the ideas germinate from , perhaps these people never change their oil and in that case, they will develop sludge and grime problems. If you invest 30K or more in a vehicle this good why would not change the oil at the appropriate time!

grapevinetx

There were Sienna owners with the pre-2003 3.0 liter V6 who had sludge and say (I have no reason to doubt them) that they did follow the Toyota recommended 7,500 mile oil change schedule. I'm not convinced that everyone that had sludge grossly abused their vehicle. In using the 7,500 mile change schedule they were following the regular maintenance interval when perhaps their driving conditions actually put them into the severe (5,000 mile) interval.

When the Toyota sludge issue finally came to a head a year or so ago, posts from Toyota personnel, in my opinion, defined severe usage conditions somewhat differently / more broadly than what is stated in the owners manuals. My recollection is that the Toyota posts indicated that the conditions defined in the manual as severe were just some examples of severe conditions and that there could be reasons why the severe schedule should be followed other than what is stated in the manual. I found this a bit waffling on Toyota's part because I feel that it is in Toyota's court to define accurately and completely what does and does not constitute severe use of their engines.

Given the outcome of the sludge issue, I would follow the severe use oil change interval on any Toyota. The added cost of changing oil and filter under the severe rather than regular schedule is minimal in comparison to the repair costs that could be incurred if you were to have a sludge problem and your maintenance records give Toyota any reason to place blame on you.

thoon

I recently found the technical service bulletins for my 2003 Highlander. They are covered under warrenty right? Do I just take my car to the dealer? What are the TSB's for the front door opening weather strip (#BO01603) and the electrical system tsb (#EL01203)?

snakehair

Toyota tried to put the problem on the maintenance of the car rather than a design that allowed oil to pool up rather than circulate. Everyone should of received a letter from Toyota saying the problem is covered if the routine maintenance called for is followed. I don't believe it ever was a maintenance issue. Several articles have come out concerning this.

koho955

twobrowns, If you live in the Chicago area what dealer did you go to???

KOHO

oldman

I read somewhere on the web that Toyota's engineers really had only a few theories to explain the major failures. There was some discussion that the main theory was that restrictions in the coolant passages designed into the heads, originally intended to enhance emissions quality, had created hot spots in the heads that cooked the oil. Some other talk indicated there were colder areas in the block which made the oil tend to "gel" under some regimes, thus obstructing flow in the galleys. But there was no manufacturing defect, apparently a design defect, since it happened in vehicles where oil was changed every 3000. The new engine, my 3.3l has a Landcruiser oil filter on it OEM, with a filter in the bypass valve, perhaps because globs of gelled oil were bypassing the filter in some regimes?? Anyway, Toyota had to be forced into covering by class action threats.

dmoyer

AutoZone does it free according to someone on the Mazda Millenia board, where check engine light issues seem to be big problems.

lmacmil

I had my Explorer done twice at two different locations. Another option is to disconnect the battery for 20-30 minutes. That should reset the computer (and all your radio presets). If the fault doesn't come back, the CEL won't either.

ams17

I just purchased a 04 Highlander and have a question regarding the rear wiper. When you turn the knob back towards you it just sprays washer fluid on the rear window. Shouldn't the wiper arm go on a clean the window? The front wipers work correctly when you pull the arm towards you it sprays the fluid and wipes the window. The back one just sprays fluid on the window. I need to then turn the knob forward to move the wipers. The dealer personnel says that is how it is suppose to work. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

thoon

You have to turn the knob foward wall the way until it stops, then it will spray and wipe at the same time. When you turn it back, it's to spray just the washer fluid to melt ice and snow.

starrider

Howdy folks,

I am the new guy here, i have a question that needs a quick response. my wife and i are looking at buying a 2004 highlander. The 6 we have test driven are really nice. except 3 of them had a very "jerky" response from the tranny while shifting from first to second and second to third. the sales guy says the service guy says it is a sfety feature to prevent over reving of a cold tranny. I don't buy it, like i said 3 out of 6 have done this. it made nodifference between 2wd or 4wd only noticable difference was that the limited's did not have this problem.

any help here would be appreciated.

Thank you

God Bless You

lmacmil

So did you ask the service guy why this "safety feature" wasn't available on the other 3? I have test driven several and they all shifted very smoothly.

starrider

Yeah I asked him a lot of questions about how silly that excuse really sounded. I have researched this site some more and think I have an answer. This sounds almost as silly but with the advancement of technologies it does not surprise me. According to other owners the transmission has to "learn" my driving habits. It adjusts itself to the conditions it is under.

This sounds more practical (even though it sounds to science fiction like) than the idea of the "safety feature". We are going back to do a much longer test drive on one we liked and we will see if it is true.

Any other thoughts would be appreciated.

thank you

God Bless

wwest

Duh!

And just who tells the idiot thing which of us, wife or I, is driving?

Extremely disparate driving styles.

hobie1981

Hi: My 2001 HL is nearing 90K and it's time to start thinking about replacing the Timing Belts. I've been advised that it would also be a good idea to replace the water pump at the same time as the belts get replaced. Anyone have both of these services done yet and what did they pay. Getting all sorts of prices from local dealers. Ranging from $600.00 to $850.00

Thankx...

Hobie

grapevinetx

HL, and to my knowledge, all Toyota automatics are designed to delay the upshift points when the vehicle is started cold in order to heat the engine and catalytic converter faster. I suppose that this feature could make the shifts feel rougher. This effect, though, should only occur when the vehicle is started completely cold and for the first few minutes of operation, until the engine starts to show temperature. Exactly how long would be affected by the outdoor temperature, but unless you're in Alaska or something, I can't see it taking more than 5 minutes. Of course, you can figure out if this is what you're experiencing by making sure that your test drive is long enough to warm the vehicle.

oldman

Agree grapevine, toyotas all seem to have this feature which can be annoying on cold days, especially if you pull out into high speed traffic and it won't advance through the gears. One becomes concerned that reving a cold engine might lead to oil starvation, but toyota would not respond to my inquiry about this.

As for the upshift from 1-2, I will say my 04 awd 3.3 does shift wierd at that point. It seems to linger as if uncertain, pauses a second, retards power, and finally shifts. This is not jerky, but mushy, and the only way to stop that wierd shifting is to accelerate firmly and don't let up on the throttle to help it shift. It is more noticable in the cold. Otherwise the tranny is typical toyota perfect.

wwest

That with the e-throttle the engine ecu retards the throttle before shifting, maybe only when cold?

ront02769

hi all. quick question. I am in MA and am in need of 30K service for my 2003 highlander. have called two dealers. dealer I bought from says $700. other dealer says anywhere from $375--$530 and gives me a rental for the day. SOUNDS as if they are both doing the same thing.

any ideas what the difference might be??

thanks.

ront

Karen_S

You can ask them to either fax or email an itemized list of the service. That way you can compare between the two.

koho955

A little advice when getting a 30K service. Dealers make most of their money from people that say "do the 30K service". Instead, when you go into the dealer, tell them to hook the car up to the computer, check the breaks..... and to call you with what the car NEEDS. What happens is the dealer does service the car but not all the things done need to be done. They end up making a fortune by adding some window washer fluid and brake fluid. Try it

cmuniz

I'm getting my 02 Highlander w/30,000 serviced by the dealer on Thu in North Carolina. They offer two services:

Mini - $139 which is basically a full service oil change checking a bunch of stuff and changing the engine coolant plus replacing a/c filter.

Max - $299 which adds replacing air cleaner element, replace tranny fluid, rotate tires, replace windshield wipers and fuel induction service. This is what I'm getting done!

$700 is way too much to pay. I would go to the owners manual and make a list of recommended items and then get a quote for those itmes only.

7332high

I have a 2001 Highlander and we noticed last year that both of the front mudflaps have been tearing. I've looked at other Highlanders on the road and noticed the same thing happening with some of them. Some worse than others. Anyone had the same problem? We're curious how this is happening as we drive the car under very normal driving conditions. Maybe just poor quality??

mchilton

We have had our new HL for a week now and love the power and ride comfort.
I noticed the hesitation on the transmission shifting the first day we picked it up. I found it really strange, but since then the shifting has become smoother to the point where I don't even notice the shifts.
We do have one problem though, the gas gauge is continually on full. It has gone down to 3/4 twice and then back up again to F. My wife and I keep asking each other if we filled up with gas.
The float or sensor in the gas tank must be stuck, so we filled up for the first time today hoping that the gas would help work it loose again. We will see over the next few days if it worked or not.

hlfan

I had a very similar problem before with a corolla and a Rav4. Seems Toyota still didn't nail it. Think of the slider on a adjustable resistor, if it looses contact somewhere along the line, it will read one of the extremes. My corolla would suddenly read empty, when I knew it was still 1/4 full. If I kept on going, it would should 3/8 full after a few miles, as the slider cleared over the "dirty" area. Both were repaired free of charge under warrantee.

carny

I am a new owner of 2004 HL v/6 with the new 5 speed auto. transmission. I see from other post that several other people are having the same shift problems that I am having. The car has 5000 miles on it and been to the dealer once to try and solve the problem. I was told that the transmission "learns" you driving habits over time. The dealer reset the computer and the slow shifting problem is not any better. In short, I am really disappointed in this car and its performance. This car falls well short of the quality of the other Toyota products that I have owned in the past. I understand that Lexus and some Camry owners driving cars/suv's with the 3.3v/6 and the 5 speed tranny are also complaining of this same problem. I sure hope Toyota comes up with a fix soon or this car is history with me.

wwest

And just how does the tranny know which person, him or her, is currently in the driver's seat?

hlfan

The 04 does have a scale in both seats :-)

herzogtum71

I've had my 04 FWD Highlander for a week, and I noticed the first problem with the vehicle yesterday when I filled the tank for the first time. When I tried to lift the rear wiper so I could clean the rear glass with the squeegee, I could lift it only a half inch or so. Shouldn't I be able to lift it up like the front wipers to allow for access to the glass? Does anyone else's not lift up? I didn't find anything in the owner's manual about the rear wiper other than how to work it. It works fine, by the way.

Also have a question about the CD player. The owner's manual says you can play 3" CD singles (same thing as mini-CDs?) without needing an adapter. Do you just stick them in the middle of the CD slot?

Thanks very much. So far -- after 300 miles -- I am really enjoying the Highlander.

phrosut

Mine is an '03 and the rear wiper works just like the fronts. You can pull it away from the rear window at about a 45 degree angle and it locks there so you can clean the glass.

Never tried a mini-CD and didn't know I could.

20,000 miles and still enjoying it.

phrosut

Aaahhhhhhh.... spring weather! We rarely open the sunroof because it's usually too hot or too cold. But today it is beautiful and I opened it for a mid-morning drive I needed to make around town.

I also hit the open button the second time, after learning here that it would open even farther.

Whoa!! The pulsing/helicoptor/throbbing noise started, similar to when we open only one rear door window, only not quite as loud (although I wasn't going over 40mph). Never had that happen before. Closed the sunroof, then reopened it to the first place it stops. No noise.

I guess that's why Toyota has it stop at the "almost-all-the-way open" position.

herzogtum71

Thanks, phrosut. I'm going to call the dealer and schedule a time to have them take care of the rear wiper.

Also, I want them to listen to the transmission after I put it in park to see if the little clunk I hear is normal. It seems like it's coming from the shifter area just after I take my foot off the brake pedal when parking.

Related question: Do most people use the parking brake with AT's these days? This is my first AT in 25 years.

Regarding pulsing noise: This was a prominent feature of the '94 Corolla wagon I just traded. If one of the kids opened a rear window, it was pretty bothersome for me as the driver unless I cracked open one of the front windows as well.

rugby65

"Also, I want them to listen to the transmission after I put it in park to see if the little clunk I hear is normal. It seems like it's coming from the shifter area just after I take my foot off the brake pedal when parking."

 herzogtum71, My 03 HL does this too if Im on an incline and it rolls forward or backwards.

raggedy1

hey 7332high, I first posted about this problem in msg #668, june 20, 2003. nobody else chimed in although I, like you, have seen numerous HLs out there with torn or tearing mudguards. I took it to one dealer and they accused me of hitting something that caused both front mudguards to tear! i was furious and called toyota customer care. they had me go to another dealer. this other dealer replaced them without a hitch. the service invoice said "one time goodwill" so I'm skeptical whether they really believe that the mudflaps are a problem or not. in any event, i urge you to take yours into a dealer and also to call toyota customer care to log this problem. i don't think enough people notice or care that the mudflaps are tearing.
i think highway driving is causing the tears. the wind seems to push pretty hard on the inner edge of the mudflap. you can see this with HLs on the freeway where the torn mudflap is bent from the force of the wind. i drive about 85mph during my commute so there is plenty of opportunity for the wind to beat up my mudflaps over time. the original set tore after 30K miles...

hljoe

Have a '04 HL and the rear wiper does not lift off the window too much. Sounds like Toyota made a change. Let us know herzogtum71, how you make out with the dealer.

bdyment

My 04 Limited rear wiper only lifts off the glass
about 2 in. and does not lock in an up position.
Checked some more on tne dealer's lot. They are all the same. Probably a change for 04.

herzogtum71

I talked with the service manager by phone. He said that the rear wipers on some models are designed that way. He said to stop by sometime when I'm in the area so they can look at it and see if that's the case. So my plan was to first stop by and try to lift the rear wiper on some other '04s on the lot, but bdyment beat me to it.

It no doubt is a change for 2004, and in this case I wonder what the advantage is from Toyota's perspective. Another change for '04 is that the spare tire is now under the vehicle like with old-style pick-up trucks and the late 70's Honda wagons. I can understand that change as part of a minor redesign to accommodate the models with a third-row seat, but it seems like the change in the rear wiper will just make it more difficult for people to clean the glass and replace the wiper blade.

mzopinonated

When I open mine all the way, I just open another window a couple of inches and it takes care of the noise. Even opening the back windows work fine.

phrosut

Yeah, I figured that I could cancel out the pulsating noise from the sunroof by slightly opening another window. I just found it interesting that initially the sunroof only opens "most" of the way because Toyota engineers must have discovered the noise and then programmed the sunroof to not open all the way as a "fix". And I guess it actually IS a fix, as I never had the noise from the sunroof until I hit the button the second time to get it to open fully. It's rare [due to outside temps] that I could/would drive with the sunroof open anyway. Unlike driving with only one of the rear door windows down which, since we have no kids, would never happen.

Actually, this forum is absolutely amazing! What a car!!! Our complaints mainly are about wind noise under certain conditions, rear wipers that don't lock in an "away" position, transmissions that change shifting style the longer they are driven, and brakes that SOME feel are mushy or soft [I'm not among them]. So very nice to have a vehicle with so little to complain about.

humblejohn

from this site i get an invoice price of $27,926 and to this i added 4% for dealer markup. I come out with a very high $30,160. I live in a northern nj. this is the price i would expect to pay (+ taxes & delivery).
I am just re entering the new car market after 5 yrs in a camry. is the highlander v6 a "hot" car. In two of the dealers i visited the car was not showcased in the showroom but parked in the back lot. I wonder if this means i have a lot more bargaining power. The 4cyl 2.2 liter engine makes the highlander a "camry" with an suv body. i would also appreciate any lease deals that anyone has struck with this car. ie length of lease etc. thanks in advance.

typesix

Most people do not use parking brake with AT nowadays because they are too lazy. I use it most of the time(except when brakes may freeze), would not trust AT to hold, especially on a grade. The park mode on AT is just a little finger that drops into a gear wheel. Most owner's manuals tell you to use parking brake. Highlander parking brake though is stupid foot operated brake, not a hand brake.

herzogtum71

Humblejohn, there's a $500 factory rebate on Highlanders until, I think, April 5. The same dealer I bought my FWD from was also advertising $3,500 off the sticker price of all Highlander Limiteds, including the rebate. I'd think you could do better than 4 percent above factory invoice, especially since there should be several dealers to choose from where you are.

Re the parking brake, the Highlander owner's manual does recommend using it all the time. I've been using it on hills, even ones that are better described as slight inclines. I was at the post office a few weeks ago when a Mercedes sedan rolled backwards from its parking space and crashed into a tree at the other end of the parking lot. Just a slight downward slope. The car obviously was in "park," and something failed. After reading the description of the little finger, I can better imagine what happened with the Mercedes.

birdman

humblejohn, two weeks ago my wife and I bought a HL Limited with just the standard build options. We were able to buy at invoice in Indiana. The HL isn't a "hot" car because the body style is a couple years old, but I sense that demand is pretty good here. Ours had to be found from vehicles in transit.

I'll give a hint in negotiation. If you're a Costco member, and say that you might purchase through Costco, the dealer will cut to the chase and offer you $400 or so over invoice. I started from there.

wwest

Parking brakes do fail, the foot pedal actuated one on my 1960 Ford slipped the pawl/rachet and the car rolled, in gear, backwards down an embankment. Luckily no damage whatsoever.

herzogtum71

Automatic transmission. Driver with key inside the post office. Can you remove the key from the ignition in a mid-90's Mercedes without being in Park?

typesix

Yes, parking brakes can fail, then the transmission acts as backup to the parking brake. Many floor mounted ATs do not require being in Park mode for ignition key to be removed,this happened to a neighbor whose Peugeot rolled halfway down a sloped driveway before resting it's undercarriage on a low retaining wall. A tow truck managed to move the car with minor damage.