Toyota Highlander Maintenance and Repair

flaowner

I have a 2002 Highlander V6 FWD. Overall we love it, but have noticed a couple annoyances. First, when you step on it to pass, etc., it seems to think about it for just long enough to make you step on it more. Then you really jump due to the down shift and too much throttle. Is there a way to smooth out this transition other than anticipating it? Next, we opted for the standard radio/tape/CD player. Coming from a Chrysler Mini with premium sound, we REALLY miss the sound quality. Any suggestions for upgrades that won't break the bank (i.e. speakers)?

junepug

Try the following procedure for radio quality. It works on my 2003 by adding a midrange control. Don't forget to turn off the radio before turning off the motor.

Hold down the right adjustment button for a long time, more than 20 seconds. It will beep and then the mid setting will be in the list. Adjust the range to your preference. I have mine on "4". Do not turn off the car before the radio or the mid range option will be lost.

wwest

I hadn't noticed this before but this past weekend I happened to enter a fairly tight right turn while simultaneously giving it WOT. The transmission didn't downshift, quite a noticeable delay, until I was exiting the turn.

VSC??

brutus_1

I purchased an 04 HL in November, We love the vehicle, but have a few things I'd like to bounce off of others here. 1) The heater blows great from the vents, but is poor when going to the feet. Service manger says Toyota has this history of poor heat. I think it might be an adjustment issue as the motor seems to work harder blowing through the foot vents. 2)when coming to a stop, then resuming moving forward I get a hesitation, not much, but enough to notice. Last 3) I have a 3rd row seat and 2wd, Hitch places say they only have Class 3 with 2 inch receivers. I only need a class 2 with 1 1/4, any comments input would be appreciated.

wwest

You can increase the level of heating two ways. Toyota and Lexus' automatic climate control systems, and maybe even the manual ones, run the A/C FULL-TIME, year around.

The theory is that even in the wintertime when you don't need cooling if you run the A/C to first cool the incoming airflow it will also get dehumidified and that will aid in keeping the windshield from fogging over in the wintertime.

The Fly in the ointment is that the efficiency of the A/C for dehumidification declines precipetously with temperature until at about 35F OAT it is non-existent.

My 01 RX had two C-best options that allow the dealer to unlink the A/C from automatic operation both in normal mode and defrost/defog/demist mode.

If your HL doesn't have the same C-best capability you can always resort to my previous method of simple opening the A/C compressor clutch circuit during the winter months.

The second method that I often still use is to turn the heat up to max until the cabin becomes comfortably warm and then reset it to my desired operating temperature.

hlfan

What is c-best ? I hate the 04 HL going to a/c on when I want auto climate control, and it's 35 outside. Can my dealer change this ?

Also, even with the 3.3 V6, I expect the a/c to take a noticeable portion of the output, and the mpgs. I havent used it enough (I bought mine in the winter) to know for sure. What's you take ?

tnx

wwest

I seem to remember that with the 2.3L engine in the Pinto station wagon the A/C could account for as much as 50% of the fuel useage on a hot day with four passengers.

There is a calculation for converting A/C output BTUs to HP but I don't remember what it is nor do I have any idea what the BTU output of the A/C really is.

sburke

I try to take off the antenna at car washes, but I cannot turn it hard enough. Do I need to be concerned about letting it stay during an automatic car wash. Any tools that may help loosen it?

rugby65

I have been noticing lately on my 03 limited that when I start off from a stopped position my steering wheel jerks to the right.
In order to see if they way I was holding the steering wheel was causing this, I started from a dead stop with no hands on the wheel and it would jerk to the right.

I have 8000 miles on it and the steering has not
been right from day one.

It is very tire some to steer. If the steering is right on a vehicle you should not ever be aware of having to steer it.

I would appreciate any one's thought's on the steering of their High Lander's

sdanders

in front wheel drive cars. When the drive axles are of different length, different amount of torque is generated between the axles...can't say if this is what you are noticing, but pulling to one side on initial acceleration (especially hard acceleration) is typical. You may have another issue; your car is still in warranty so have it checked to be sure you don't have a bind in the rack or a tie rod end problem (as examples).

rugby65

Thanks for the info.
I forgot to mention that when the right front wheel hits a bad spot in the road I can feel the steering wheel pull to the right.

wwest

right front brake caliper piston is sticking.

Torque steer isn't pronounced enough to notice just starting off slowly or moderately. Torque steer will be most noticeable under hard acceleration.

phrosut

I have an '03 Limited AWD and it does NOT in any way pull to the right, neither accelerating from a stop nor hitting potholes. I can floor it from a stop {detailed in an earlier post to avoid being hit in rear} and it doesn't pull to the right. The Ford Taurus wagon I traded for this had a slight pull on acceleration and was common to it and many other front-wheel drive cars, as mentioned by sdanders. Because I was used to it (had that Taurus over a decade) it was very noticeable that this HL DIDN'T have "torque steer". Assuming that you have AWD, and assuming that the FWD version doesn't torque steer either, you need to get that fixed under warranty.

wwest

I think the HL has the same V6 engine and drivetrain as my 01 AWD RX and the RX most definitely exhibits torque steer!

And how could it not, the left and right halfshafts are of equal diameter but of differing lenths by almost 50%

phrosut

Maybe the AWD option counteracts torque-steer, as my HL definately DOESN'T have any noticeable pulling due to acceleration or any other condition. As I said, I was used to it in our Taurus and had to get "used" to it NOT being there in the HL. It has always been my understanding, too, that the differing lengths of halfshafts was designed to counter the effects of torque-steer (which worked well in some vehicles and not-so-well in others).

wwest

On my 01 AWD RX300 the torque steer is most pronounced in the wet with a hard, 90 degree, right turn and hard acceleration, the torque steer makes it want to tighten the turn.

thoon

reklawc- did you get your window seal problem fixed by your dealer? I 2003 highlander has the same problem. Is there a TSB for the fix?

sdanders

HL. I normally don't accelerate hard, but did so a couple of times to check it out, and found it to torque steer to the right with hands off the wheel. Makes sense given the difference in half shaft length. My son's Nissan really has a lot of torque steer....common fwd phenomenon....

rugby65

Thank's for testing to see if your's pulled to the right when starting from a stop.

birdman

I have a month-old '04 AWD HL limited and it steers exactly straight with hard acceleration from a stop. Rugby65, I think you have a steering problem, not a normal response.

rugby65

Thanks birdman, I intend to take it in to the service Dept. I'm also going to have them check the door seals.
I hear wind sounds and road noise in the driver's seat. I'm going to have my wife drive and see if I hear it in other doors.

macmac

Just had my 2001 HL 60,000 Service. Still runs like new. After 60,000 miles in L.A. traffic. I thought I might need some new break pads front and rear. Service guys at Longo Toyota said I didn't need them yet. They said I still had 8mm in the front pads and 6mm in the rear pads. Can anybody tell me what the minimum MM are before the pads are changed? Also I read that some of you were having problems with there rotors warpping. I ask them about that and the service guy told me that he has not heard that on the Highlander, but has heard that on the Tundra. My rotors were OK.
Has anybody had to flush there break fluid yet? They said that mine was dirty. How does the break fluid get dirty? Also They said there was alot of carbon build up in on the valves and in the T-body. Can a do-it-yourselfer clean it up them selves?

reklawc

This has been a frustrating problem and is probably more prevalent than most owners realize. What happens is that when the front side windows are in the full up position, you can hear tire or wind noise coming in from the bottom window seal area. Many people may not even notice if its not too bad, particularly if they have owned other noisy SUVs. But the way to check is to play with the window button to get the window to "almost" but not totally full up position and the noise goes away. When the outside seal starts moving up, you have gone too far. The problem occurs during the very last movement of the window, which is actually out and not up. i.e. The bottom of the window cams out and opens up the inside bottom seal. It is so slight that it is difficult to see. To your question--I was told by my service manager that Toyota Technical Dept. is working on a fix and will probably issue a TSB at some point. Then I was told they are not working on a fix. Then I was told that they are working on a fix. As of two weeks ago there was no TSB. My dealership did attempt a fix by compressing the inside door panel closer to the window. This helped some but window is still quieter when window is not pressed all the way up. What I have done is put a mark on each front side window and use that to help adjust to proper position. When windows are properly positioned, there is zero noise - very very quiet. Everyone should try this. thoon, I would be interested in your comments. By the way, other than this problem, it is a wonderful car.

thoon

The seals on the bottom of my front windows have a gap between them and the window. Especially my drivers side. It's so large that when I lower the window, part of the seal gets pull down with the glass into the door. I'm going to take my car to my dealer pretty soon.
  
  Does anyone know what the TSB bulletin for the front door seals is for? I thought it was for the window seals but I guess not.

mccannr

I have the receipt and window sticker for the 2004 Highlander tow prep package, and the brochure clearly states that "trailer prewiring" is included. But, it's not there. Both the dealership and toyota.com are giving me the runaround. By the way I owned a 2001 Highlander and installer the hitch myself, there is no plastic box on the 2004, the spare is there.

sdanders

at post #1132, they describe it on a 2004 as being next to the charcoal cannister next to gas tank.

mccannr

Here is the latest, from Toyota;

Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
We appreciate the opportunity to address your inquiry.

The pre-wiring for the tow package on the 2004 Highlander is located internally within the body of the vehicle. In order for the pre-wire to be utilized, the wiring harness and converter would need to be installed.

Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters under file #200404121335. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Toyota Customer Experience

sdanders

mzopinonated

Sounds like the same line as the prewire for the alarm. Another way to scam you out of your money twice. Once on the front end and again when you try to utilize what you thought you paid for in the first place.

gary1

I'm looking for a rear bumper cover for a 2004 Higlander. I can only find them for 2003's. Are they the same?

marjo2649

I just purchased a 2004 4-cyl, FWD, 5-passenger. All of the literature I read before the purchase has the listed Payload Capacity at 1840 lb. Imagine my surprise when I drive my new vehicle home and read the owners manual and it says that the capacity is only 860 pounds for passengers and luggage. The higher capacity is one of the reasons I purchased the Highlander. What is correct?

herzogtum71

I think you must be reading the somewhat garbled explanation on pages 306-307 in the owner's manual that is supposed to provide an "example for your vehicle."

The Highlander sales brochure clearly states that the payload is 1,840 pounds -- meaning the weight of occupants, available extra equipment, and cargo.

There's supposed to be a placard somewhere on the vehicle that lists the payload capacity. Does anyone know where to find it? It's not in the glovebox as I was expecting.

phrosut

The weight capacities are on stickers located on the frame of the driver's door (not on the door, but on the frame around the door).

herzogtum71

... does indeed say 860 pounds maximum for passengers and cargo. That's a 980-pound discrepancy. Something doesn't make sense here. Four good-sized adults and their luggage could easily exceed 860 pounds.

Can someone tell us what the sticker says on the 4WD Limited with V6 and 3rd row seat? According to the brochure, that version of the Highlander has a payload of 1,425 pounds -- 415 pounds less than the 2WD. If the 860-pound rating is correct, that would mean that the Limited V6 with 3rd row would have a payload capacity in the range of only 445 pounds. Two good-sized adults would exceed that!

Could the sticker say 860 pounds when it really should say 860 kilograms? 860 x 2.2 = 1,892. That's a bit more than 1,860, but in the ballpark.

wwest

The maximum weight limit might be simply the OEM, factory, tire weight limit.

My 01 has been upgraded to 17x8 wheels" with michelin cross terrains rated at 1929lbs/tire, yeilding ~4 tons max weight from that prospective.

biffy2

Hopefully someone out there can help. 2002 V6 awd with steel wheels. I get a shake coming through the steering wheel, but only at speeds between 110 and 120 km/h. Above and below these speeds everything is great. This has occurred with two different sets of tires and the wheels have been balanced at different shops. The wheels were also inspected for out of round and found to be fine.
Any suggestions (besides not driving between 110 and 120) appreciated

desertguy

Checked my '04 AWD Limited with 3rd seat and the sticker on the door frame says 1159 lbs. The brochure says payload is 1425 which sounds correct. If you take the gross vehicle weight of 5360# and subtract the curb weight for my HL of 3935# you come up with 1425#. This seems reasonable to me as my curb weight is over 400# more than yours, hence the lower payload.

herzogtum71

Re post 1222. I checked the placard/sticker this morning in the glove box of my wife's Matrix and found that it has the same 860 pound limit as the Highlander. Payload is defined as the useful load that a vehicle can carry, which no doubt is determined in part by the tires.

Desertguy, I follow your calculation for gross weight rating minus curb weight equals payload. Do you have an explanation why your placard says 1159 pounds while ours says 860 pounds? I notice from the brochure that the Limiteds have different tires. Is that a consideration?

bdyment

My 2004 Limited V6 with third seat states 526 kg. or 1156 lbs. on the door jamb sticker. However the Canadian brochure indicates 476 kg. or 1050 lbs.

Toyota seems to be allover the map on this item.
It is interesting that the 4 cylinder FWD has a capacity of 680 kg. or 1500 lbs. total. Of course the vehicle weighs less. The Toyota.ca web site agrees with the brochure.

desertguy

I havn't a clue what the 1159# means. (I was afraid you would ask that question :-) The tires could play a part. My tires say on the sidewall that the max load capacity is 1860# per tire!

herzogtum71

That's a pretty apt description. I can understand the payload information in the brochure since all Highlanders have the same suspension and body construction. Assuming a maximum weight that these things can support, it makes sense for the payload to be less in the models that already have some extra weight due to larger engine, 3rd row seat, etc. But the Matrix with the same maximum weight for passengers and cargo as the FWD Highlander???

Maybe we should all ask our respective service managers to explain the discrepancy next time we have our vehicles in for service. It will be interesting to see how many different answers we get:)

herzogtum71

Biffy2, it seems like your post is getting lost in the shuffle. Have you had the alignment checked? The other thing that comes to mind probably doesn't apply since the Highlanders have automatic transmissions (I assume that was the case in 2002), but I had a similar situation with a '94 Corolla wagon with a manual transmission and the diagnosis was a worn clutch cable.

marjo2649

Here is Toyota's response to my inquiry about the Payload Capacity.
It sounds good to me, sort of.

Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S. A., Inc.
We apologize for your concerns regarding the correct payload capacity of your 2004 Highlander.

The correct payload capacity of your 2004 Highlander 4 cylinder is 1,840 lbs as stated in the brochure. The number quoted in the Owner's Manual is based on an average seat capacity of 150 lbs and does not account for additional cargo. The number is only provided as a reference.

We apologize for any confusion or frustration that this may have caused.

wwest

A number without good foundation as REFERENCE??

corner_kick

Not a big audiophile so the standard stereo met my need. Tried the midrange trick but nothing happened. The displayed switched from the bass adjustment back to the regular display while still holding the button in. Must have help it in a couple of minutes but nothing. Any help finding the midrange setting on the 04 stereo? Does it have a midrange adjustment?

herzogtum71

doesn't explain why the 5-passenger placard says "total weight including passengers and cargo must never exceed 860 pounds." Or why the placard on models with third-row seat says the same thing except 1159 pounds. (The 1159 is in the owner's manual and just adds 600 pounds -- or 599 to be exact -- to the 5-passenger figure to account for 2 third-row passengers at the arbitrary weight Toyota chose of 150 pounds per person, but without the suspension being beefed up to handle the extra weight.

I'm not going to be concerned if I have 1,000 pounds of humans in the car plus their luggage, unless it's a regular occurrence in which case I guess it would be smart to make sure the tires are rated for that weight. But this whole situation is pretty bizarre with the garbled paragraphs in the owners manual and the placards. I assume Toyota had a reason for including this information, but who knows what it might have been?

Thanks for pursing this, marjo, and for letting us know Toyota's response.

lgjava

I was looking at the engine today, and I noticed many of the nuts inside near the engine (on the compressor, etc.) were rusted. The block near the engine also has a nice rust coating as well. How many Highlander owners notice the rust in the engine? Is it normal? My rotors, for example, are rusted (also the steel around the rotors.) To top this off, my new Higlander came with several badly painted panels. Has anyone else noticed these things?

lamontbond

i just took my 2004 highlander in for its 1000 mile oil change and i asked them about vibration and noise that i had been hearing when stopped at a light and my foot was on the brake. they told me that it is a power surge and is common on the highlander but that there was nothing wrong with the brakes. can anyone verify this or offer a more credible explanation for my problem. personally i thought it was the air conditioner compressor kicking in but i really don't know the first thing about the topic.

richfl

found this article, 2004 toyota highlander new car test drive by mitch mccullough on autobytel. driving impressions: " further enhancing engine smoothness are active-control engine mounts that cancel vibration."

phrosut

My '03 V6 has slight surges at idle, and I can hear the AC compressor kicking on at the same time. Seems only that the computer is giving the extra fuel to match compressor use and hasn't been a bother for me.