Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options

Toyota Highlander

1…192193195197198…211

Comments

  • warlwarl Member Posts: 5
    We pick up our new 2005 HL LTD this past Monday. We loves this vechile. I had been driving Ford Expllorers for the past 10 years. A 1992 Eddie Baurer, and a 1996 Limited. The HL puts the Explorer to shame.
    I have a few questions that maybe someone out there can help me with. I have the leather package, moonroof, the JBL in dash 6 cd changer.
    1. Can the information on the radio stay on longer when the Text button is pushed.
    2. Can the doors be programed to open and close automatically when you put the car in gear and when you take it out of gear.
    3.In the owners manual it shows a 115volt outlet behind the console with a switch on the dashboard to turn it on, it also shows a/c vents in back of front seats. My car has neither of these 2 features, Are they options or are they supposed to be standard on the car. Any info would be appreciated.
  • jbolltjbollt Member Posts: 736
    warl:
    1. I also would like the info to stay on the radio display longer, if anyone knows how, PLEASE post.
    2. I know you really mean you want the door locks to unlock and lock automatically, I wouldn't want the doors to open....sorry, couldn't resist! :-) I don't think so, as others here have commented on this.
    3. The manuals tend to cover all models/options, even options that are not available in this country. (ex: daytime running lights are required in Canada, even on the base model HL, so the info is in the manual) I believe this is the case of the rear A/C vents and 115V outlet.

    Hope this helps, and enjoy your new HL, we have an 03 and an 05!
  • ceciliadceciliad Member Posts: 2
    On July 4, 2005, we were in a restaurant about 10 minutes when somebody came in screaming "Anybody with a green SUV with a camper hitched to it, your car is on fire!".
    The insurance appraiser told us later that he suspects it was an electrical fire, but his job description did not include investigating why it happened. So we called Toyota Canada. They have yet to return our call.
    Meanwhile, we bought another 2005 Highlander. Call us optimists, more like blind loyalists. Everyone in our family drives Toyota. Both our cars are Toyotas.
    Anybody heard of a Toyota Highlander going up in flames? The insurance appraiser told us that he has seen many trucks burn, mostly Fords. This is the first time he has seen a Toyota burn.
  • kenm1kenm1 Member Posts: 1
    I have an 04 Highlander Ltd. Fist, the AC voltage outlet only comes with the DVD player. I don't know of a way to keep the text on longer on the JBL radio. I too have had Fords for a long time where the radio conintually shows the text. Let me know if you have an hesitation while stepping on the gas. Big problem in the 04s.
    Kenm1
  • brian211brian211 Member Posts: 69
    Looked at the highlander, jeep cherokee and a few other suv types with awl or 4x4. Please discuss reason you chose highlander over others. Would you do it again? Had poor experience with local new york toyota dealer. After deciding not to buy a larger vehicle, 4runner or pathfinder as gas is 280 here in new york, btw does highlander run on regular, sales man said he would charge 1200 over invoice which I felt was insulting. The model had everything, not a ltd, but with leather and heated seats. Msrp was 34300. Was told 32500. Something wrong. Went back to jeep dealer while employee pricing is on till tomorrow. Was quoted a 34500 vehicle for 28800. So my question, what's your opinion? Is a highlander worth the hassle with the dealers?
  • jim70jim70 Member Posts: 27
    We have been studying which car to buy for a long time and reading what people say here has helped too. Obviously what might bother one person may not apply to another but it definitly gave us things to look for. We went with an open mind however and were initially liking the Pilot because you can get a little more for your money. But after many test drives of both the Highlander and the Pilot we have decided on the V6 AWD Highlander Limited with leather seats. It is a bit more expensive than a similar Pilot but worth it to us for 3 reasons (and this is just our opinion, some may agree and some may not)

    1) More comfortable front seats.
    2) Quieter ride.
    3) Seems easier to manuver

    We also like the open feeling of the cockpit and in the limited version it comes across quite luxurious.

    Th MSRP is 35828 (no dealer add ons, everthing but NAV and DVD) and the very best price I can seem to get here in Utah is $31500. Is that reasonable? I think that is close to invoice price but it seems that in some parts of the country (or maybe better negotiators) you can get it for below invoice?
  • pilot130pilot130 Member Posts: 319
    Never heard of a Highlander fire for any reason.
    There were a few reports a couple of years ago of fires in one or two Siennas but after investigation, the cause was determined to be unrelated to mechanical or electrical deficiencies.
    Be cautious in relying on comments by an insurance company official. Insurance adjusters aren't qualified nor mandated to assess causes of fires. Their job is only to determine extent of damage and subsequent action by their company.
    Normally in an unusual situation like this one, the fire dept. attending must investigate and determine cause. I'm surprised that you didn't get any feedback from them. In our country (Canada) this would be almost automatic in cases like that.
    The fire could have resulted from any number of factors. Spontanious combustion in an on board garbage bag is one. Debris packed around the catalytic converter in the exhaust system is another. Smokers cause many fires when they throw cigarette butts out windows. Debris in the engine compartment is another common cause. Yet another, previous damage to the vehicle may have resulted in an electrical anomaly. Even a ham handed oil change person could have inadvertently dislodged an electrical wire when doing the oil change--it happens.
    Don't limit your choices to only one possibility. There are many besides the more common ones I mentioned..
    The fact that you were camping at some point when this incident occurred is an indication of where the cause may lie. I would start looking at that.
  • natharnathar Member Posts: 10
    I've had a hard time getting the MSRP's I see at the dealer to match up with the MSRP's on Edmunds.com. I believe Toyota had a midyear price increase of $200, which means that some identical cars on the lot have differing MSRP's.

    With the $800 cash incentive (which expired August 1st - we'll see if they have another one this month) I think you should be able to get about $500-$600 under invoice.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I don't see a Highlander price increase but maybe:

    Popular Toyota Models Get Price Hike (Inside Line)

    Or maybe you're in the South?

    Why does the car I'm looking at have a different invoice price or MSRP than what's listed on Edmunds.com?

    Steve, Host
  • dcms1dcms1 Member Posts: 9
    I've been searching to see if I can find other reports of this, but my problem seems to be unique. I have an '01 Highlander Limited with the in-dash 6-CD player. Whenever traveling we rely on books on CD for our entertainment, but last weekend the think started switching tracks randomly. It'll go from 1 to 13 to 15 to 5, etc., in no apparent pattern. That wouldn't matter so much with a music CD, but it doesn't really work with a novel's greater reliance on sequence! Otherwise it continues to function flawlessly. Anybody have any thoughts, or do I need to appeal to the dealer? :cry:
  • lmacmillmacmil Member Posts: 1,758
    When we first got ours, the CD player would default into random play mode. We got the manual out and figured out how to turn it off and now it's ok. Your problem sounds different but I threw this out anyway.
  • natharnathar Member Posts: 10
    Nope, not from the South. But that's the answer I got from some of the dealers. It was kind of a 50-50 split around here. Half the dealers would have the car for one price, and the other would have it for that same price + $200. The options were absolutely identical.
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    To clear Random play, put the player onto a CD and press RAND quickly. I think this is the preset button 4 (radio channel 4 when used as CD player)

    Cheers

    Graham
  • 4x4luke4x4luke Member Posts: 1
    Is there access to RCA jacks on the factory stereo in a 2003HL Limited? Or where can I find this info?

    Thanks
  • dcms1dcms1 Member Posts: 9
    Well that was easy! And I appreciate that no one compounded my embarrassment at being utterly unaware of the random option by pointing out that I was uninformed! Honestly, in 4 years of owning the car that never occurred to me, though we use it on the player at home all the time. Anyway, thanks for the help!
  • landdriverlanddriver Member Posts: 607
    Not sure but highly doubt there are RCA jacks on the back of the factory unit.
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    scname Mar 1, 2001 9:08am

    Please do not misunderstand. No one is asking you to leave this discussion! The Edmunds.com Owners Clubs are built by its members, with the help of your friendly neighborhood host. :-) I hope you'll reconsider and give it a chance to thrive.

    KarenS
    Host
    Owner's Clubs
  • suvtimesuvtime Member Posts: 58
    I was wondering if any long legged or tall Highlander owners have any complaints with leg room for the driver? I have test driven a 05 Highlander and found the leg room OK, but still I would have moved the seat back further if I could have. Again it seems ok for a short test drive but I wonder if it would bother me over time.

    :)
    Thanks
  • toyotakentoyotaken Member Posts: 897
    If you're driving a model with the power seat, you can tilt the seat to give you a bit more thigh support. This might be a bit more comfortable. The other alternative is to talk to a shop that does modifications either for custom work or for those who are disabled to move the seat tracks back a bit for you. I only say this because I know that the Dealer in all liklihood will not move the seat tracks for liablity concerns.

    Hope this helps.

    Ken
  • gklatvgklatv Member Posts: 35
    I'm not quite 6 ft. tall, and, too, would prefer the drivers seat to be back a bit futher. However, I am comfortable driving my '03 HL Ltd. 3-4 hours non-stop.
  • buchtabuchta Member Posts: 5
    What have folks been charged to change the timing belt and drive belts...I just moved to Virginia and they want $1000.00 to change the timing and drive belts, as well as the water pump and 3 oil seals....

    That seems exorbitant, and I've never been asked ot change out water pumps and seals as part of a timing belt change, so that makes me suspicious that they're trying to rob folks here in Virginia.
  • jbolltjbollt Member Posts: 736
    I don't have an answer, but it would help someone here to give you some info if you mentioned what year, model, and engine you are speaking of, and perhaps, how many miles you have on your car.
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    I'd call around to some other Toyota dealers to see if they're all in the same ball park. My '99 CRV was $600 this past Junuary.
  • petlpetl Member Posts: 610
    I agree, why is it necessary to change the water pump and oil seals if there it is not required? These items are labour intensive that can add up to quickly. I also agree with jbollt. More info is needed. It cost me approx. $300.00 Canadian to have the timing belt replaced on my Camry (at the dealer).
  • buchtabuchta Member Posts: 5
    Sorry, It is a 2001 Highlander, 6 cylinder...
  • buchtabuchta Member Posts: 5
    I'll get this right yet, the HL has 100 thousand miles on it, no leaks, no drips, operating temp always in exactly the same place.
  • toyotakentoyotaken Member Posts: 897
    It's not necessary to replace the water pumps and seals, but when they change the timing belt, it opens these components up so that they can do it much more easily while they're there. It's not necessarily a bad idea as preventive maintenance, but certainly isn't necessary. What's the price differential between the timing belt alone and the whole shebang? If there isn't a big difference, you may want to consider having it done while there in there. From my experience, it shaves about 2-3hours off of the water pump alone if they do it at the same time.

    Hope this helps.

    Ken
  • mckeownmckeown Member Posts: 165
    Don't get me wrong, I'm not sticking up for the dealer or his prices, but I do know why they want to do the water pump and seals. I'm a local mechanic and take care of other vehicles as well as my wife's 04 Highlander.
    This engine, like the Chrysler/Mitsubishi 3.0 V6 and Subaru 2.2/2.5L engines has a water pump driven from the timing belt. While they have it apart, after 100K, it's a good maintainence item to do, as well as the seals and some pulleys. Reason will follow. To do either the Water Pump or seals later requires the timing belt to be removed.
    1- This IS an interference engine, that is, if the timing belt breaks, the pistons WILL slam into the valves destroying the engine, hence the change interval.
    2 - If the water pump 'seizes', it will destroy the belt in record time and there is a good change the above will happen.
    3 - Oil leaks and Water pump leaks do destroy a timing belt prematurely. I had one Subaru jump timing less than a month after the owner noticed the leaks in his driveway. He was fortunate, jumped enough to make it run badly without destroying the engine.
    Now to the price.....I think 1K is outrageous, I would go back to doing this full time if I could command those prices, but I do it when I can, and if the neighbors can wait, they usually know I do it as if it were my own car. I would shop around for an independent dealer who has done a Toyota V6. They are a tight squeeze and tedious.
    My $.02
  • herzogtum71herzogtum71 Member Posts: 470
    Mckeown, I was told that I had a non-interference engine ('04 4-cylinder). Is the 6-cylinder different? Or was I misinformed?
  • lmacmillmacmil Member Posts: 1,758
    My salesman told me the 3.3L V6 was a non-interference engine also.
  • petlpetl Member Posts: 610
    Toyota's have non-interference engines. If the timing fails, the motor stops and no damage will occur. You may be stuck somewhere and towing may be unavoidable. Check it out here... yotarepair.com/
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    In the case of my '99 CRV, I also had them do the water pump, seals, and all accessory belts as all those had to be taken off anyway, so there was no additional labor to have them changed, just the price of the parts.
    .
    Mckeown said it best though......good advice.
  • mckeownmckeown Member Posts: 165
    I beg to differ, in the 2004-2005 service manual under the heading of 3.3l Timing Belt Replacement it states:

    NOTICE:
    With the Timing Belt Removed:
    The crankshaft pulley MUST be at the correct angle to avoid
    damage in later steps. If the crankshaft pulley is at the
    wrong angle and then the camshaft timing pulley and the
    Camshaft are moved, the piston head and valve head may
    Come in contact and be damaged.

    So if they are concerned with them coming into contact with each other during a timing belt replacement, I would not want to see the pistons/valves if the belt broke at highway speeds.

    The 4 Cylinder has Timing chains..one from the crank to an intermediate shaft, then another from there to the twin cam cogs. I don't see that same warning under the chain replacement.
  • mckeownmckeown Member Posts: 165
    To the Moderators, this is a link to the GATES Belt .PDF file. If it OVERSTEPS my link bounds, Please remove it. Thanks.

    Here is a link to the Gates Timing belt replacement list. PAY ATTENTION to the * listed after the engine. You will see a lot of Newer Toyota's ARE interference Engines, Looks like 98 and newer all V6's which means ALL V6 Highlanders.
    Don't get upset, or shoot the messenger, just heed the Maintainence Intervals and you should have years of good service.
    http://www.gates.com/downloads/download_common.cfm?file=GatesTBR.pdf&folder=brochure
  • petlpetl Member Posts: 610
    I stand corrected. The quoted source is obviously outdated. I guess I'm still living in the past.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I started to link to Gates myself but from everything I've read about my (non-Toyota) minivan it has a non-interference engine. Gates continues to insist that it's an interference one. And yes, my timing belt is past due to be changed.

    So trust, but verify. :-)

    Steve, Host
  • condenadocondenado Member Posts: 6
    Beware Toyota extended warranties. They are written specifically to exclude many items and situations that involve defects in workmanship or parts. Please refer to message #2872 in Highlander Problems and Solutions to learn about my experience.
  • terlbearterlbear Member Posts: 1
    Look at BF Goodrich Longtrail T/A. It is a Light Truck tire with great traction. It is very quite and great performance. I live in New Hampshire and we get an average of 80 to 120 inches of snow each year, sometimes more if we get Nor'easters.

    This tire is the best I have found. You will not have any traction problems when towing.
  • warlwarl Member Posts: 5
    I only have about 600 miles on the car. So far no hesitation.
  • fly190fly190 Member Posts: 8
    when we were ready to purchase a camry XLE last year, the dealer did not have the exact car that we wanted. He exchanged one of his cars for the car that we wanted that was on the dealers lot in N.C., therefore, miles were put on the new car driving to N.C. and miles driving from N.C. It was still a new car and I will do that arrangement again if I can't find what I am looking for locally.
  • fly190fly190 Member Posts: 8
    want to buy a highlander and will be transporting gardening supplies (bags of potting soil, mulch, as well as plants). There is plenty of cargo space, however I am concerned about the fabric interior being such a light color. Any comments are appreciated.
  • hsvillagehsvillage Member Posts: 36
    I have an ' 01 AWD with the light interior that's occasionally used to carry mulch, plants etc and I carry a piece of 6mil plastic sheeting that can be unrolled in a few secs. I use it mainly to catch the material coming from the plastic bags that seem to seek me out . I pull the plastic out after I've unloaded and shake it out in a part of the yard that my wife wont notice. The few times I've gotten potting soil on the floor it has been fairly easy to clean . I was concerned about the light color on the drivers seat but it has held up these 5 years and I dont hesitate to drink a "Big Gulp" or eat a burger in my Highlander.
  • morrisrmorrisr Member Posts: 4
    I need to like my new car! This is too expensive to 'do over'. I did the research, looked, tested, etc and decided on the Highlander Ltd AWD. Day one I chocked up to getting used to it. 10k miles later I can't stand it and feel like I have been taken. It is sluggish, has difficulty accelerating up hills, feels light weight, the brakes grab, the list goes on. Ready for its 2nd dealer service - the first was not good, we now have the steering wheel crooked to the other side, a new noise, still grabby brakes and still not 'free rolling', now there is a crack in the windshield (stone) a single piece of glass(?) and the tires are terrible in rain, bad ventilation in the back seat, seat heaters are inadequate, no daytime running lights so I leave the fogs on, it shifts into overdrive too frequently and very roughly, it feels like a cheap unsafe vehicle and I'm uncomfortable driving it at this point. I'm getting around 14-18 mpg, I don't consider that good for the lack of power, I bought it late Feb. Please tell me again why this was worth over $30k? I think I have missed it.
  • lmacmillmacmil Member Posts: 1,758
    You are a very small minority I'm afraid. My wife loves hers. The only minor annoyance is the hesitation on downshifting (only under certain conditions) otherwise it's a very nice vehicle in our opinion. The around town gas mileage is disappointing, especially now with $2.50/gal for regular. We have a 2004 Ltd AWD V6. Good luck.
  • rblelandrbleland Member Posts: 312
    Well, if we assume that all you said is true (this being the internet, not everyone on here is "real"), you did indeed get one of the few bad ones. My '05 HL w leather pkg V6 AWD is just excellant and I am very pleased with the vehicle (and I am fussy). Try another dealer for service and contact Toyota rep to see if something can be done. Some of the problems you are having sound fixable to me. Good luck.
  • morrisrmorrisr Member Posts: 4
    Thank you Imacmil & Rbleland - I'm real, just new to this forum. Also have the deceleration down shift 'kick', noticable going down hill without any accelerator. A little accelerator and the kick is reduced significantly. Think it is time to take the service consultant for a ride. This is the V6, leather, all the bells and whistles. I've been reading the posts on this forum and will look further for my specific issues. The car was 'grossly out of alignment' at its first service, according to the serv mgr (did not give/show me the print out!) . I had complained about the alignment but it didn't pull, so it was discounted and I had to argue with them to check/align the vehicle. I am now wondering if it is the dealership. I have been warned about the 'other' dealer in the area. I must be picky, too. I traded a Volvo and also have a Chevy 2500HD for towing, I'm trying to be realistic but will go back to Volvo if it isn't significantly improved with the next visit. Thanks again.
  • billranbillran Member Posts: 113
    I am really sorry to hear about the problems you are having. We have had our Highlander for 9 months now and love everything about it. We got the V6 AWD and it rides smooth, is very quiet and drives wonderfully. I have read a lot about the hesitation issue and I have my own theory. I will agree that our Highlander shifts just a little differently than our previous car. But our Highlander by no means has anything close to what I would call a "dangerous condition". After reading this board I dont doubt that some people unfortunately got a car with a problem, that happens. But I also think that some people get their car and notice that it shifts "differently". Then when they start reading these forums they begin to think that they got stuck with a problem and jump on board the hesitation train. I am not trying to play down the issues for those of you who do have legitimate problems. But far too often it gets blown WAY out of proportion into this "Deadly Design Flaw" which just aint true.

    You can read countless professional reviews and lots and lots of consumer comments that say the car is a dream to drive. I can tell you I am very happy with ours. So it is just impossible that Every Highlander is afflicted with a "Deadly Design Flaw". It just does not stack up.

    Again, for those of you with real problems, I wish you every success in resolving them. But to exaggerate blow the issue way out of proportion actually discredits the whole issue. We love our Highlander and I have two co-workers who love theirs as well. It runs and shifts just fine.
  • morrisrmorrisr Member Posts: 4
    Glad to hear you and others love your HL. Not sure why my questions have prompted your attack and reference to a 'Deadly Design Flaw' or the hesitation issue.
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    Sorry to hear about your problems. But how could you have done your homework with the list of complaints?

    " It is sluggish, has difficulty accelerating up hills, feels light weight, the brakes grab.......bad ventilation in the back seat, seat heaters are inadequate, no daytime running lights.......it shifts into overdrive too frequently and very roughly, it feels like a cheap unsafe vehicle "

    All of those items would have come out if you did your homework correctly with a sufficient test drive.
  • morrisrmorrisr Member Posts: 4
    Did the homework, test drive, etc - didn't sit in the back seat. My list of complaints is for the vehicle that I bought, not the test drive vehicle. I am looking for solutions/assistance for bringing the vehicle I own up to reputation/standard. Thanks for your help.
Sign In or Register to comment.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles