Two problems related to speed control cable have been reported for the 2004 Toyota Highlander. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Toyota Highlander based on all problems reported for the 2004 Highlander.
On February, 18, 2011 at appproximately 1:30 p. M. I got into my 2004 Toyota Highlander, which was parked in a private parking lot at 1 meetinghouse rd. In chelmsford, MA. I turned the key on, started the car, and put the gear in reverse to back out of the parking space. As I touched the accelerator pedal with my right foot, the car accelerated uncontrollably at a speed that did not correspond with the pressure I had put on the pedal. I immediately put my foot on the brakes, but there was no response from the brake system. The steering wheel was turned to back out in a counterclockwise direction, and within no more than 4 seconds, the car crashed into a building approximately 20 feet from where the car was initially parked. The car was totally unresponsive to my efforts to brake subsequent to this sudden and inexplicable acceleration. I’m lucky I wasn’t killed, because my vehicle was totaled.
Dt: 2004 Toyota Highlander with hesitation problem. For example, when entering interstate and need to accelerate, it hesitates then quickly jolts. Taken to dealer who said there is nothing they can do. Explained vehicle has an electric throttle control and is not controlled by a throttle cable as part of federal emissions regulation, this makes changing gears a little longer to do since the throttle does not open all the way out .