Toyota Highlander Maintenance and Repair

landdriver

Don't really know for sure but highly suspect that the wheels of hybrids and non-hybrids are interchangeable, as are most non-hybrid related components in the Highlander line.

acg

Hello, I have read this forum for a while, but this is my first posting. I bought my 04 HL this year and love it. I got the V6 4x4 and still get 23 MPG on the highway. Anyway, I have 2 recent issues that surprised me. First, both my headlights stopped working at the same time. DRL and highbeams worked, but the regular headlamps wouldn't. I have the 100K warranty so I went to the dealer who replaced the bulbs (without my permission) and charged me for it. I find it hard to believe that both my headlights burned out at the same time. The true test will be if it happens again anytime soon. Issue #2, my power steering makes a whining noise when the wheel is turned first thing in the morning. After the engine has run for a couple minutes its fine. I told them about this and then insisted that I flush the power steering fluid. Worried that a future power steering issue may not be covered under warranty if I didn't do it, I gave them the go. Anyone have similar issues or suggestions? Other than these, I love the vehicle.

typesix

Having both low beams burn out at same time can happen. I was on a trip from Boston to Pittsburgh in a friend's car and both low beams burned out at the same time.Another passenger and I didn't think it was a headlight problem but the driver replaced both bulbs and low beams were fine.

jrfiero

from message 3493 - "Can someone please tell me how to change the oil filter without making a mess. 03 H/L. Thanks."

On a V6? There's a little lip under the filter (at least on my 2001) which directs the oil away from the engine but behind the crossmember into your drain pan, UNLESS you unscrew the filter too quickly. Crack it, let it drain slowly, then slowly loosen it more. Once it has drained while still on the fitting, take it off, aim the open end up, and slide it out between the fan and the manifold. This is all from above, I've never removed the panel some people mention.

Jonas

codtail

Local dealer repeatedly denied any defect and reputedly contacted Toyota headquarters re the matter and said the same. Wheel started "sticking" on turns ie steering wheel required some added effort to return to dead center. Dealer in FL found the knuckle on the steering column required replacement and did so to the tune of $500 +/- which also labor. Additional charges were incurred eg re-alignment of front end etc. This was a problem from new as manifested by the "clunk" noise upon turning R or L but as I said it was stated to be OK and normal. It was not covered under warranty (73,000 miles on odometer) even though the problem manifested itself early on (complaints had not been documented by dealer).

user777

http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Toyota/1140076800000_1141718400000_ST001-06/11.html

Examine all pages of the above TSB. I would call Toyota Corporate / Consumer Affairs and ask that they re-imburse for the charges. Have some idea of when it was brought in for service and the problem reported by you. It's possible it was documented. Corporate should intervene on your behalf.

Lots of luck.

edh

I Took car in to have a steering clunk looked at- they have ordered a "lower column shaft" whats that ?- a lower U joint assembly? - so maybe the Camry steering clunk is spreading to the Highlanders.?????????????????? Warranty so far.
20,000 miles on 04 Highlander 2 WD.

Unrelated - They were also going to replace the drivers side inside door panel but could not as the part they ordered (and told me it was in) when they took it out of the box had a cut in it.
How is that prevented? Should the parts people take the stuff out of the box and look at it before calling you? The dea;ership says the parts people do not do that?? Toyotas are good cars but I think the dealer service has fallen off in the last 10 years - like Toyota makes the cars and GM services them.

phrosut

We soon will be putting a child seat in our HL (not ours, but for another family member). Someone at one of her "pre-birth" classes said that something should be put on leather seats before attaching the child seat. They said that they had only heard that the rubber non-slide sheeting works well but they hadn't actually tried it. I don't know if I'm describing it correctly.... we have used it for years in the shelves of our RV to keep things from sliding around while travelling. Kind of an open weave, rubber coated fabric.

Does anybody here do this? What do you use?

Phil

stever

I've heard towels but there may be some issues with the fit. Check out the Child Car Seats That Fit discussion while waiting for responses in here.

Steve, Host

nwt

I have a VW Passat-- still under warranty. It has had engine problems etc. The VW dealer never wants to give me a free loaner or a free rental car. They send me to the rental car office next door and tell me to put the rental on my credit card and if the issue is in fact under warranty, they will reimburse me! If the car is still under warranty -- less than 3 years old -- shouldn't they presume the fact that it is not running is a warranty issue? I want to know if Toyota and/or Lexus treat their customers better? Thank you. :mad:

desertguy

It isn't Toyota, Lexus, or even VW that decides the rental car issues. It is up to the individual dealers. With my Jaguar, the dealer gives an XType loaner free while the car is in for repair. From the Jaguar boards I have heard that other Jag dealers give the customers a Taurus if they are even able to get a free loaner. My Toyota dealer does not give free loaners at all.

jrhfla

See my posting # 3498 and review the related thread postings. A number of us (Highlander and Camry) have been stung by Toyota for a defective steering column shaft assembly. Repair cost $500. It's only covered by the 36 mo./36000 mi. warranty. Mine went bad at 45000 mi. I had it fixed and it rides fine now. My answer to Toyota: Next time, I'll buy a Honda Pilot.

master1

Most dealers will usually try to make you pay for everything, even if it is on the warranty. I can tell you this, with Toyota you will never have to go back to another dealer because Toyota's always work. (Except for oil changes, filter changes, regular maint.) I am pretty sure that you would be happy with a Toyota - they always start in hot or cold, and it is rare to have major mechanical problems. If you like a Toyota, buy it, don't worry about the dealer.

edh

my dealer is replacing the lower steering column joint on a 2004 Highlander at 20,000 miles.

toinny

My '04 Highlander had the same problem. The steering shaft assembly was replaced and it fixed the problem.

edh

seems they would recall/TSB the Highlander

hl04ma

Hello,

I just purchased my 04 highlander and I do like it but am having a few issues that are bothering me.

1. I had read about the sunroof/"helicopter" noise issue on this board before purchasing the car, but was yet surprised when I discovered that the noise is simply unbearable. This seems to be stemming from a bad design. It appears to be the shape/aerodynamics of the cabin that may be to blame here. But I am not sure. Has anyone found a good solution yet?

Apart from that I have not discovered any other issues yet.

bdyment

The only solution seems to be to open a front window slightly to balance the air pressure. Most SUVs and vans with sunroofs have this problem.

edh

mine does it only when the back windows only are open.

My Hil was delivered with a mis aligned front end- too much toe in causing the inside of both front tires to wear greatly in 4000 miles. dealer realigned it and rotated tires those new tires also were eaten up in 2000 miles-
I found that a dealer alignment only checks that its within the very wide factory specs- and if the front end guy is told "check alignment" only - and he is not told you are having a problem, then thats all they do- just check it.

desertguy

You are right. That drumming noise is unbearable. My VW GTI had the same problem. For my '04 HL, I purchased the sunroof wind deflector. It is worth it as it takes out at least 80% of the noise. We ride around with the roof open whenever climate permits.

jbollt

I had read about the sunroof/"helicopter" noise issue on this board before purchasing the car, but was yet surprised when I discovered that the noise is simply unbearable.

Just a thought..you might want to check if the sunroof has been "normalized". Not sure what the exact procedure is, but it is found in the owners manual.

If the sunroof is opened manually, by holding the switch in the open position until it is fully opened, the noise is much more prevalent. The automated "one touch" feature (set by the normalization procedure) stops the glass in a slighlty less than fully open position and minimizes the noise.

I hope this wasn't too confusing.

mattrix

I have an 01 V6 Highlaner with 64K miles. Lately I've had a lot or rattling noise coming from the front left when going over bumps. I pulled the wheel to take a look and I noticed a small clip protruding (towards me) from a hole in the side of the caliper. I pushed the clip back in and the noise seems to be gone. Is this the anti-rattle clip or perhaps a clip to hold the brake pad in place?

Thanks...

rugby65

"I found that a dealer alignment only checks that its within the very wide factory specs- and if the front end guy is told "check alignment" only - and he is not told you are having a problem, then thats all they do- just check it."

There in lies the problem with trying to get warranty work done.....Your success depends entirely on the service writer..My 03 Hl purchased new pulled to the right,so when I took it back in for warranty work I didn't just set there and wait I walked around to where the front end tech was checking it. I discussed my problem with him and he told me what he found and we agreed on a remedy.. The service manager doesn't make a commission on warranty work so they could care less if your problem is fixed. They spend their time talking with the mechainics that are working on work that is making him and the dealer money.
I have purchased 6 new vehicle's and the thing I hate more than anything is having to go in for warranty work.
If this part of buying a new car could be changed some way I would buy more often......I have problems now but I won't take it in it's not worth the grief If only I were a really important person, like a judge I heard of. After taking his new buick in two times for the same thing he told the dealer if his problem was corrected this time he would be looking at him accross from his bench.

edh

yeah the service writers can foul it up- the other time I went in I had a noise in only some windows at certain conditions.
service writer wrote only "wind noise" on the ticket
I talked to teh tech after his 45 min test drive and he said I wish I had known .......

landdriver

Been a while since I took apart the calipers but my general recollection is the only clips present are the clips that hold the brake pads.

shelley3300

I have to say I love my Highlander except lately it has this vibration when driving does not matter if it is at low speed or fast. Also when you brake at high speed it vibrates into the steering wheel! I have had the brakes changed, new tires, balanced, rebalanced, rotated. And it still vibrates, anyone have any idea? I took it to the dealer they have no idea...

edh

warped rotor or try another alignment shop- My infiniti was balanced 3 times at one store and still bad went elsewhere and they got it right

landdriver

While reading your post even before looking at edh's reply warped rotors came to mind as the likely culprit. The warping of the disks on the rotors is a problem several posters have experienced -- the rotors need to be ground/"turned"(?) to fix this; if it happens a subsequent time they'll probably need to be replaced as a second grinding may remove too much material.

dominor5

I had the same issue about a year ago. I had the front rotors replaced and that resolved the problem. I initially thought of having them cut but decided to have them replaced anyway--if you have them cut, it will just make them thinner and therefore more susceptible to warping; then you'll have them replaced anyway and end up paying twice for labor. What you should do to save money is buy the rotors yourself, last time I checked at tirerack the Brembos were around $80 each which is much less than full retail at the dealer or even at a shop of your choice.

shelley3300

Thank you for all of your input but my mechanic told me it was a universal joint. And that the way Toyota designed it you cannot replace just one universal joint you have to replace the drive shaft! So I am not a happy camper very disappointed that I have only had the vehicle for 3 years and already something big is going on. Any one else have this problem, maybe it is a defect? Thanks again.

hl04ma

I talked to the dealer about the problem, and he says the problem is because of the buffeting of the wind in the rear of the cabin when you have the sunroof open. This may happen when you have just the rear window open or when you have just the sunroof open. The noise seems to be minimized when another window is rolled down partially. Not great, but not too bad either.

I am still considering the wind-deflector but am worried that there may be some adhesive involved in fixing the sunroof wind-deflector. If the deflector can be affixed just with some screws and can be removed and put back on at will, then I will consider installing it...

thanks for all the responses!

phrosut

WWEST posted a while back that removing the rubber "flap" that's behind the air exhaust louver in the rear that the buffeting sound is eliminated (or at least greatly reduced). You can find the exact post if you like using search. I haven't tried this fix because we rarely use the sunroof and never drive around with only a back window open.

Phil

landdriver

There is no adhesive; the deflector is held in place via a pair of clips that hook under the sunroof opening.

shelley3300

It actually is the drive shaft. My mechanic told me that the universal joint which is in the drive shaft had failed causing the noise. The issue was that the way Toyot designed the system is that you have to replace the drive shaft as there is no access to the single failing universal joint! So over $1,000.00 later my Highlander runs like new again. He said I should send a letter to Toyota as this is a design flaw, and also was a failure during manufacturing. Thanks for all of the input hopefully you will not have the same problem! I am familur with the noise related to the windows, just open the right ones and it goes away!

glanwin

There is a TSB for this kind of Wind Noise already for 05 HL. I took the TSB to my dealer and complained about our 05 HL LTD. However, my dealer refused to fix it and claimed that they do not do any warranty work on Saturday.

They also claimed that they need to 2 different working business days to fix this problem. The first day is to identify the problem. The second one is only needed when the problem is identified based on their judgement. Of course, they refused to give me a free loaner when my car is in the shop even I have Toyota Platinum Extra Care and this car is still in warranty. My dealer basically trying to make it difficult so we will not bring our cars back for any warranty works. :mad:

edh

what is the seal problem. Noise? air? water leak? which window

call Toyota or go to a different dealer

edh

they replaced the inside front door panel on the passenger side on my 04 and it cured it (maybe it will come back with wear but pass window is not used much)

. the drivers side panel is being replaced today.

Toyta did a poor job on this door seal

edh

Anyone know what v6 Highlanders get at 60, 70 and 80 MPH?

desertguy

My '04, 3.3 V6 Lmtd got 19mpg on a trip from Iowa to Phoenix(about 1800 miles) this was driving 80mph whenever possible and usually setting the cruise at 75 other times. The car had two people and was loaded from the back of the front seats to the tailgate. I was disappointed as I had hoped for around 23mpg. We are about to take the same trip in reverse and with prices as high as they are my gas bill will be more than my car payment.

I still would not trade the HL for something more economical. We love it too much.

wwest

No, it depends on tires, the level of headwind, level/not terrain, and roadbed surface smoothness/not.

mtrialsm

I have a 2005 HL. 28k miles on orginal Bridgestone tires.
I just replaced one of the tires because of a side puncture.
Now the stupid tire presure dash light keeps coming on.
I know that system measures tire speed, so now that I have
a different diameter tire,,,,,,,,,well it's anoying!
Can't belived the 'pass/fail' software tolerance is so tight!

mikefm58

Did you reset the dash light? On my '04 HL I have to hold the button until the light flashes 3 times.

mtrialsm

Yes, I reset it 4 times!
The dealer told me to check the spare tire???

desertguy

I copied this from the forum about a year ago:

"The instructions in my owner's manual on how to reset the low tire pressure switch are wrong. The manual says 'after turning the vehicle on, hold the reset switch until it goes off.' There should have been an extra step. After holding the reset switch until the light goes off, turn the vehicle off, then back on again and hold the button again until the low tire pressure warning light blinks 3 times."

Worked for the poster and worth a try.

mtrialsm

Thanks,
I just did that,,,,,,,time will tell.

dadscad

We bought a new '04 Highlander Limited in June of '04 for my wife to drive. I drive the car on rare occasions and one occasion was a vacation trip we took in October of '05. The car had just under 30K on it at that time. I immediatly noticed the clunk in the steering and could feel it in the brake pedal and the floor under my feet. Primarily in slow maneuvers turning the wheel and applying slight throttle, as in parking lot maneuvers. Also when sitting still and rocking the steering wheel back and forth it could be felt.

I had the car in the dealer the next week to have it checked and they determined it was the steering shaft. It was to be ordered and they would call us when it arrived.

Long story short, this dealer is usually very good but they dropped the ball this time. Plus it turned out the part was on back order from Japan. I finally got the repair in late January '06. Like I said, I don't drive the car often and it was late March or early April before I was behind the wheel again. I asked my wife why she didn't tell me the steering wheel was not straight after the dealer fixed it, she didn't notice! Any way, I did get the thing back to the dealer and they straightened it at no charge.

From the posts here, it looks like Toyota has a problem with this part. I think I'll notify nhtsa as rbova suggests.

frogg

An old problem, forgotten by most...all except those of us who have lived with it for months. To repeat the problem here briefly...the car goes into neutral for an unusual amount of time at low speeds between gears. The delay is not consistent. At times it seems to shift normally; then when you need it most, you find yourself out of gear with the engine revving up.
The fix: begin running high octane (92-93) fuel. After you are through 1/2 of the second tank, do the following: Remove the fuse panel cover. There is a fuse removal tool in the lid. Remove the fuse identified as "ECU-B". Leave it out for 5 minutes or more. Reinsert the fuse. The computer is now reset. Continue burning high octane fuel. You'll notice a major difference in the way the car shifts. And the fuel economy will be improved, since you are no longer spending half the time in neutral in city driving conditions.

zoesmom1

My turn signals stopped working. When this happens, I can't roll down my windows. I found out my turn signals are aftermarket, which is odd since it is a 2001, but anything is possible. The fuse has been changed twice but it still does not work. Has this happened to anyone else? Now I may have to pay for some rewiring.

jbollt

I found out my turn signals are aftermarket

What exactly do you mean by this? The bulbs are aftermarket? There are seperate light housings that were purchased in a store and mounted somewhere?

?????

natenj1971

My dad just traded in a 2002 Jeep GC for a 2005 HL. He likes it very much (gas mileage especially) but is wondering if new tires will improve ride quality. The HL has 15k miles on it and the tires look fine but he tells me he feels every bump in the road, every crack, has anyone upgraded tires or perhaps another solution? I drove it and it seemed fine to me but then again I drive a honda