Toyota Highlander Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • ecotrklvrecotrklvr Member Posts: 519
    Hi jpats -

    Welcome to the Forum. Yours is a good question, but it's not new. I'd suggest you do what I did - go to the box marked "Search This Discussion" and type in "mileage". Then hit the Search button, and you'll find what you seek.

    You can do this for any vehicle on the Edmunds Forums, [non-permissible content removed] well as for any search on any topic (or even all topics!). It's a great tool, and highly under-used.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    There is absolutely no way to compare the 4runner and the HL. The 4runner is not only fully capable as a standard off-road use, daily comute to home back in the words, it can work for "sports" off roading also.

    The HL....NONE OF THE ABOVE!

    Okay for dry or wet roadbeds or freshly fallen non-packed snowfall and that's about it.

    But then so is ANY 2WD, front or rear, equipped with VSC & Trac.
  • ecotrklvrecotrklvr Member Posts: 519
    Some react to the words "off-road" with their own idea of what that means. And there are LOTS of different ideas. No, I ain't taking mine over any rocks, but dirt roads, a few ruts and puddles, at slow speeds - you're fine. Especially since it's now got Traction Control as standard. Just remember you've got passenger tires (not 4 ply/6 ply rated truck tires) and less than 7 inches of ground clearance. But that'll get you lots of places you couldn't go with an Accord, for example.

    The post specifically mentioned "using it on forest trails and some mud puddles and rutted dirt roads". That's my idea too - to get to some fire-road-only locations for hiking, camping, and fishing. Plenty adventurous for me.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    can be a pretty severe detriment to getting out of a mud wallow you're stuck in. If you're able to turn Trac off, fine, otherwise stay away from muddy dirt road sections.
  • ecotrklvrecotrklvr Member Posts: 519
    The Toyota Traction Control system, called TRAC, is an issue after getting stuck - it won't allow tire spinning to "rock" yourself out of a spot. It is defeatable on the current models, going back to 2002 - when you're stopped.
  • jbolltjbollt Member Posts: 736
    Does anyone know how to keep the RDS on by default? (radio station call letters and song title/artist info) It is strange that I need to keep pushing the info button every few seconds to see the whole text. My bro-in-law has a Chevy Colorado work truck, and it can keep the info scrolling on the display all the time. Not a big issue, just a interesting feature to me that would be better if it could be set to be "on all the time"

    thanks
    Jeff
  • jackmick656jackmick656 Member Posts: 61
    Has anyone removed the adjustable supports from the luggage rack? If so please explain the procedure. Thanks.
  • jbolltjbollt Member Posts: 736
    There are thumb screws (yea right!) on the drivers side. They are so tight, that I had to use a pliers and towel to protect the plastic screws.
  • middleageguymiddleageguy Member Posts: 42
    I also keep the garage door opener in the glasses case. To keep it from rattling around, I took off the metal clip off and taped it in with some hockey tape to the back. Works great and probably a couple hundred less than Homelink.
  • b767b767 Member Posts: 6
    The bulletin is NV012-01

    Toyota Supports ASE Certification Page 1 of 1
    NV012-01
    Title:
    WIND NOISE AT "A" PILLAR
    Models:
    ’01 Highlander
    Technical Service
    BULLETIN
    November 30, 2001
    Improvements have been made to the front door weatherstrip in order to minimize wind
    noise on the 2001 model year Highlander.
    �� 2001 model year Highlander vehicles.
    MODEL STARTING VIN
    Highlander (6 Cylinder) 4WD–MCU25L JTEHF21A610032677
    Highlander (6 Cylinder) 2WD–MCU20L JTEGF21AX10023377
    Highlander (4 Cylinder) 4WD–ACU25L JTEHD21A910009089
    Highlander (4 Cylinder) 4WD–ACU20L JTEGD21A210016672
    PREVIOUS PART NUMBER CURRENT PART NUMBER PART NAME QTY
    67861–48020 67861–48021 Front Door Weatherstrip, RH 1
    67862–48020 67862–48021 Front Door Weatherstrip, LH 1
    Remove the front door weatherstrip and install new part if applicable VIN.
    OP CODE DESCRIPTION TIME OPN T1 T2
    671351 R & R Front Door Weatherstrip 0.2
    6786# 48020 91 99
    Combo A Opposite Side 0.1
    6786#–Applicable Warranty*:
    This repair is covered under the Toyota Comprehensive Warranty. This warranty is in
    effect for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle’s
    in-service date.
    * Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer’s specific complaint.
    NVH
  • guide1guide1 Member Posts: 2
    Wow, my 2004 Toyota Highlander has been doing the same thing you mentioned in your Mar.17 post. I have an appointment tomorrow with Toyota but to have it towed 35 miles to the nearest dealership along will be expensive. I have not been able to drive over 25 mph before the brakes go on and the VSC warning alarm sounds. The "Low Tire Pressure" light has been on since I replaced a very worn front tire about a week ago. Yesterday, I bought 4 new Yokohama's tires (recommended by Toyota) and got the "Low Tire Pressure" light off but the brakes are still locking up and the alarm sounding. I read about initialization after new tires but now I'm really afraid to drive the car the way it is. Any ideas out there?
  • guide1guide1 Member Posts: 2
    To clarify my post above (my first, sorry), "robert19" had mentioned the VSC light flashing and brakes locking while driving. Another individual had experienced the same thing. Both have 2004 Highlanders. A technician thought the problem might originate in the sensor of 2004 Highlanders. My VSC system is activated once I hit 25 mph and goes back off when I slow to less than 20 mph. Has anyone else had a similar situation and what was the solution? Thanks.
  • loucapriloucapri Member Posts: 214
    I looked at my wife's 01HL over the weekend, I have no idea how you can get into the ashtray. I checked the surrounding but yes, it's like a puzzle. I hope someone else will come up with an answer. Worst case, just forget it and setup your homelink. Good luck
  • dntmandntman Member Posts: 3
    FYI I have a '02 Highlander limited and it does lock & unlock doors automatically. They lock when you shift out of Park and they unlock when you shut off the car :)
  • dntmandntman Member Posts: 3
    tip you may be able to run the wire through the weather stripping to the front of the headliner, however removing the plastic on windshield pillars (AKA a-pillars) won't damage air bag, just don't shove screwdriver or anything sharp underneath it :)
  • dntmandntman Member Posts: 3
    try stongard.com and take a look it works well
  • jjudgejjudge Member Posts: 3
    I just got a 2001 Highlander (34500 miles) and did a road trip from Boston to Ohio & back. I actually love this vehicle, except for a few issues.

    Any solutions for these problems?

    1- Radio reception
    Radio picks up stations like the antenna is disconnected
    I see the complaints here, no solutions. I'd taken it in for repair/check on this issue before the roadtrip -- no improvement.

    2- no storage
    No center console, no place to put change, cup holders waaaay down by the floor (useless).

    3- NOISE
    Same old 'helicopter' painful noise when rear window is down, as listed here.
    But, also the fast/wind vibrating/metal sound ...like exhaust manifold or fan-hitting-cowling sound by left/driver side. I assume its that TSB:nv012-01 thing?

    --jjjudge
  • ksfarmboy38ksfarmboy38 Member Posts: 1
    Our 2002 did the same - just find the loose roof rack slide clamp and hand tighten.

    Annoying wasn't it?
  • landdriverlanddriver Member Posts: 607
    "Is it possible to take the plastic console cover surrounding the shifter off and get at the ashtray at from the back or underneath?"

    From my vague memory from a few years ago:

    1. Remove the two beige or gray plastic panels near the floor that mate with the shifter surround cover on either side by removing the black plastic fasteners.

    2. Remove the hammered metal or woodgrain plastic bezel adorning the shifter by grasping from the inside and firmly pulling up/away from the shifter.

    3. Remove three screws from the shifter surround cover and remove the cover to access the back of the ashtray.

    (Note that the mark of an experienced lay mechanic is to leave no dings or scratches on the plastic with the screwdriver.)
  • loucapriloucapri Member Posts: 214
    i have a 01 fwd, 4 cyl, we got it last year but it does have a center console with 2 cup holders (but not very deep)

    in our drive seat, there are 2 pocket on the right hand side and we just don't know what it is for. Map maybe?

    NOISE, I think most SUV has this rear window noise problem if you have the window down.
  • justboughtjustbought Member Posts: 2
    Thankyou very much for the information. I will attempt this procedure in the next few days and let you know how it goes. Needless to say I am greatly impressed by this forum and website, and the helpfulness of people like yourself. Thanks again.
  • rpell46rpell46 Member Posts: 15
    Hi,

    My '03 has the same. I've tried a "signal booster" on the antenna lead into the radio along with an "enhanced" reception antenna.......guess what? Neither helped. The dealer just throws up his hands and atributes the problem to poor design, (off the record, of course). So, sorry to say that we'll have to rely on CD's.

    The noise issue is typical and is easily remedied by "cracking" the other rear window or a front window...or the sunroof if you have one, to eliminate the pressure.

    I thank God that these seem to be the worst problems with this vehicle. Other than these, my 4cy.4wd suits me beautifully and I do enjoy driving it.

    Good Luck.
  • ecotrklvrecotrklvr Member Posts: 519
    Hi -

    I got my 2002 Highlander in June. The day I picked it up, I noticed that the antenna mast was loose - well, a little wobble, anyway. When I got home, I removed it completely, and cleaned the threads as best I could with a brass wire brush. I replaced it and tightened it with a open-end wrench (7mm, I think).

    Now, I only had the vehicle for 45 minutes, and really have no basis for comparison of "before and after". But now the radio seems to work fine - at least as well as the one in my '99 CR-V did. I do know that the corrosion on the threads can't help. If they're dirty or corroded, it would interfere with the transfer of the very low-level signals.

    Take care not to use a steel wire brush - use brass or nylon. The connecting parts are plated with something (going from memory here).

    Just my 2 cents.
  • vlanman25vlanman25 Member Posts: 49
    Thanks dntman I'll try it. I notice both my cars (2003 Corrola and Highlander) are suffering from the same thing. I try not to tailgate but I'm sure it's stones being kicked up on the interstate.
  • herzogtum71herzogtum71 Member Posts: 470
    When this came up before in this forum, it sounded like the complaints were from people with in-glass antennas. Is your's the flexible wire antenna mounted on the fender, rpell?

    I have the wire antenna -- FWD, '04, 4-cylinder -- and FM reception is good 30 miles from Boston. AM is okay but with typical interference from high voltage wires and bridges and underpasses, etc.
  • jjudgejjudge Member Posts: 3
    01 HL with stick antenna

    I'm driving Waltham to Bedford -- so 128 to route 3.
    I get nearly NOTHING from the radio except white noise.

    a little NPR and 107.9 near weston/waltham ... a little 89.7/90.9 when I drove to Brockton the other day. Watertown Toyota says the radio is fine :-|

    -- jjudge
  • rpell46rpell46 Member Posts: 15
    I do NOT have an "in-glass" antenna. I have a fender mount and changed the OEM antenna for a "high-reception" type....or so it's advertised....with little improvement. The only stations I receive perfectly clear are strictly local. ANY other stations that are just outside of the NYC are weak and sometimes have lots of static and fade. There are a few Long Island and New Jersey stations that I wish I could receive better.
  • eddieeeddiee Member Posts: 25
    I have an 02 non-Limited with the standard radio and stick antenna.
    I work in Bedford and live in Chelmsford and drive Rt 3 daily.

    My reception for FM is quite good.
    AM is good for 6.80 and pretty good for 8.50 (weaker as you go away from Boston when I get into Chelmsford, and near power lines, etc).

    Assuming the 01 and 02 are the same radio, I would push back on the dealer if your reception is that bad. Mine is pretty good until I get quite a ways from Boston (NH, ME).

    Eddie
  • edhedh Member Posts: 246
    in glass antenna
    very good fm reception - tested by driving out of town on interstate
    have not tried am
  • sage3sage3 Member Posts: 47
    A tough technical question here.
    At 40,000 miles my HL has a carbon build up on the engine that triggers knock noise upon aggresive acceleration when using lower grade gas. The toyota tech tried cleaning the engine with chemicals delivered through the engine vacum.He reports a huge smoke cloud following the cleaning, states" it must have burned allot of that carbon and chemical because the smoke was really dark following the procedure."
    Two weeks later my engine control light goes on, I get a diagnostic code of#P1135
    which is the bank 1 oxygen sensor. The dealer slaps me with a $370 bill for the sensor, diagnosis and labor. Is it possible that the cleaning would have damaged the sensor? Could I make them responsible for the sensor?
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    accelerated the failure but after 40,000 miles you were due...

    Not an unusual mileage for oxygen sensor failure.
  • ronm2ronm2 Member Posts: 7
    Looking for info on trailer wiring. My dealer does not even list a wiring kit for the 2005 Highlander. Can I just use an aftermarket kit designed to be used for Highlander's not having the factory tow package, even though I have the factory package. Both require the converter. On my other cars (a Ford Ranger and Windstar) these kits were easy installs. Need a source or part # if this has worked for you. Any suggestions on aftermarket Class III hitches?
  • fred82fred82 Member Posts: 4
    After market hitches are easy to install .Dealers unable to find or give information
    for hitch wires as it is part of hitch package. some post have used part Number
    08942-28870-BB Not in parts list but in computer but no information. does any one
    have one or found a source of supply?? Harness need a white square male 4 pin
    plug about 7/16 inch. on one end. The 08921-48850 is 1/8 inch larger and fits
    2001-2003. Any one need help I have shop manuals and other info
  • edhedh Member Posts: 246
    00016-48205-01

    desc:
    04 HL TOY WIRE HARN
  • condenadocondenado Member Posts: 6
    I am the original owner of a Harvest Gold 2002 4cyl Highlander. I like the car very much, get around 21 mpg city driving, er, mostly crawling on Southern California freeways! It has a little over 43,000 miles. Right now the car is at the local dealership with the interior completely disassembled. Seems it has developed a severe leaking problem in the passenger compartment. There is so much water in the car I could hear it slosh when I stopped at a signal. Although I usually park it in the garage, it has sat outside a couple times in our unusually heavy rains. The dealer so far has no clue as to how the water enters. No apparent evidence of leakage from windows, door seals, holes in roof, etc. The car has never been in an accident and has all original glass. Door panels, seats, head liner, dashboard, rear storage compartment are all dry but carpet and floor are SOAKED!!! This is my fourth Toyota, but I've never had a problem like this with any car. Has anyone else experienced unexplained interior compartment leaking with their Highlander?

    Thanks,
    Mark
  • jrfierojrfiero Member Posts: 123
    Not in the HL, but my Lexus coupe was doing this - it was plugged sunroof drains.

    ...Door panels, seats, head liner, dashboard, rear storage compartment are all dry but carpet and floor are SOAKED!!! This is my fourth Toyota, but I've never had a problem like this with any car. Has anyone else experienced unexplained interior compartment leaking with their Highlander?
  • poppop1poppop1 Member Posts: 2
    I had a similar sounding problem with my wife's 2000 Lexus RX 300 (her car, my problem) and the (correct) diagnosis that I got from the Lexus Forum was that the A/C condenser drain hose was loose or clogged, which caused a backup that flowed into the floor of the front passenger seat. I got it fixed at nominal cost at the nearby Toyota dealer. Good luck.
  • eddieeeddiee Member Posts: 25
    had posted this question a while back but didn't get any responses. Now that people have more miles on their 2002's perhaps someone has run into this.

    When I first drive my 2002 V6 and I go over the first few bumps, I hear some kind of moderate noise from the rear. It sounds like the sound you would get if you had a bad shock.

    After going over a few bumps more, this goes away (like a few hundred feet). If I stop and let it sit a while it happens again. It sounds like it's the right rear but I can't tell for sure. I'll have to ride in back and ask my wife to drive.

    The dealer says that this is normal and has something to do with the brakes setting.
    There have been a few threads here where people have been complaining of noises going over bumps on the highway but I have never heard this.

    If I put one foot on the brake and the other on the gas, it seems to be less but it still seems to be there.

    Has anyone noticed this?
    It is quite noticeable and happens every time.

    It has gotten worse and now I'm getting 'sproinging sounds' occassionally and sounds like there is something loose in the rear door.

    I have done the recall for the filler tube and had the rear axle seal replaced so they may have not tightened something up right.

    Also, my passenger seat is also pretty noisy when you go over bumps.
    I have seen this description it the TSBs. Is this common and has anyone had this fixed. "TECHNICAL INFORMATION ON DIAGNOSING FRONT SEAT BACK NOISE".
    Service Bulletin Num : NV00802
    NHTSA Item Number: 634027
    Date of Bulletin: JUN 28, 2002

    Also, the road noise is more that I expected, especially when it is windy. I have moved the roof rack all the way back and this helps some.
    There were postings on specific fixes for the 2001.
    However, I also found this TSB.
    FRONT DOOR OPENING WEATHERSTRIP
    Service Bulletin Num : BO01603
    NHTSA Item Number: 10003451
    Date of Bulletin: JUL 16, 2003
    Have people had this fixed on 2002 and later models.

    Thanks
  • cmunizcmuniz Member Posts: 604
    Can't help you with the other stuff, but ref the noise in the back - have you tried looking in the spare tire compartment under the rear cargo area to see if anything is loose. It seems that I had to do that when I first got my 02 for the same reason. I would be surprised if the brakes made that kind of noise under the conditions you described.
  • junepugjunepug Member Posts: 161
    Tell them to check the air conditioning. My 1997 Jeep leaked water into the passenger compartment on a regular basis. If I drove the car over 300 miles in one run with the air on, I would have a pool of water in both the front seat wells. Could be the drain is clogged. If not and the leak is coming from the dash, the cost will probably be somewhere around 900 dollars to fix. That is what I was quoted at the Jeep dealer. Of course, I am now the proud and happy owner of a 2003 Highlander with 27,000 trouble free miles. Knock on wood.
  • sams_6sams_6 Member Posts: 15
    Thanks dntman. How do I take the pillar covers off? Do they just 'pop off'?

    Sam
  • landdriverlanddriver Member Posts: 607
    Also be aware whenever working around airbags, the Toyota '01 shop manual recommends wearing eye protection :shades:. When working around the side airbags in the seats, the manual says to disconnect the battery and wait 90 seconds before disconnecting the connector going to the seat to prevent possible accidental deployment of airbags (the '01 shop manual doesn't address pillar airbags as this was introduced in later MYs).
  • toy3toy3 Member Posts: 1
    We have a 2004 AWD highlander. We rotated tires at 5,000 and again just now at 20,ooo. We were told that we have edge wear and scalloping. These are the original tires that came with the vehicle. We were told not to bother with an allignment because we will need 4 new tires. Any idea whats going on? Did we mess up by not getting a rotation at every 5? Or is it possible to need new tires so soon? Thanks.
  • condenadocondenado Member Posts: 6
    Thanks for the tip about the A/C condenser drain hose. Did that happen only when it rained heavily? This last time, though I found most of the water gathered under the rear seat, although the service advisor did mention that the water had gone up all the way to the top of the front passenger side carpet. The car is now at its second Toyota dealer - this one has a body shop. The first dealer had the car for almost a week and couldn't figure out how water had gotten into the car. I hope the second dealer is more astute. So far I am into this about 2 grand(!) so I have my fingers crossed. I don't think my insurance company is very happy about this claim, either. :(
  • bikeman3bikeman3 Member Posts: 85
    Are these Goodyear tires, I had them on 03 highlander, wore on both sides and I rotated @ 8k RELACED THEM WITH kELLY TIRES, although my HL is FWD I was disapointed in wear pattern. I also keep proper inflation and drive mostly highway, got about 30K outof them
  • utahsteveutahsteve Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2003 HL V6 AWD with 33,400 miles. I have recently noticed a high pitch whining noise in the rear axle. The noise starts as soon as vehicle begins mving and increases in pithc and volume. The sound is not noticeable after around 20 MPH. Has anyone experienced this with their HL? :)
  • daisy5daisy5 Member Posts: 1
    I'm not sure I'm experiencing the same problem, but I am now encountering a loud brake noise from the rear on my 2001 HL every time I press the brakes. I recently had new rear brakes installed at the dealer and I've brought it back several times about the noise. They have been unable to fix it. Now they are telling me there is nothing they can do about the noise (it's pretty loud, people can hear you coming down the street), but it is not a safety issue.

    I have about 51,000 miles on the vehicle. Does anyone else have this problem? it seems like a manufacturing problem on Highlander. Can anyone offer some advice.
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    A couple of thoughts come to mind. If the car has a sunroof, there are drain tubes front and rear of sunroof that empty down the A pillar and down rear (either C or D pillar - I've seen them but can't remember where they are routed). If these are disconnected, that may be causing an issue.

    The reference to a sloshing sound suggests water may be pooling either in the bottom of doors or the rail beneath the door. If it is in the door, you should be able to replicate the sound by swinging the door open . There are several drain holes along the bottom of the door. These are a fair size but could become blocked, particularly if the vehicle has been used in dusty conditions, or has had aftermarket sound deadening or anti-rust sprayed into the door. This can also occur where the vehicle has been very hot and the waxy deadening material used on some vehicles melts and blocks the drains. You can usually check the drains by inserting a thin, plastic coated loop of wire ( a loop of single strand of telephone wire works well) and wiggling around.

    If any drain is blocked, you can usually reopen it by applying a fine stream of water. I fabricated a metre and a half length of 4mm drip irrigation hose onto a garden hose fitting, packing it out with silicon sealer. This, connected to the mains water and inserted through a drain hole usually clears most debris. I used it regularly to clear the fender drains right in front of the doors of my Subaru Outback.

    Cheers

    Graham
  • jefferjeffer Member Posts: 31
    I've been in the market for a Ute since I kayak and need more room for gear, and of course a good roof system. I also desire 4WD for the Northeast winters. So I'm honing in a couple diffferent vehicles of which the HL is high on the list.

    Currently I own a Nissan Maxima and have a Thule rack mounted on it. I have a 65lb 17' boat. I can tell you that it is not an easy thing to get the boat on to my 56.5" car. I have to lift one end and prop in onto the trunk of the car. I put a blanket on the car to avoid scratches. Then I work my way down the boat so I can get some leverage to pick up the back of the boat and then slide it onto the roof rack and into the J hooks. No small feet to do by oneself.

    So the question is - at ~69" what am I looking at in terms of getting a kayak on top of a HL. This seems like it would be almost impossible for one person. There's no trunk to get you half way there so the leverage technique seems out of the question.

    Anyone with experience that they could share?

    Thanks,
    Jeff
  • mdchachimdchachi Member Posts: 275
    Your solution is a Subaru Baja. :-)
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