general problems of the 2005 Toyota Highlander

All at once the windows, moon roof, blinkers, reverse lights, running lights and brake lights stopped working - also the automatic headlight function stopped working and we must turn on and off the headlights or risk draining the battery. It's interesting to note that the flashers work, but the blinkers do not. The wipers, radio, cruise control, etc. Are all fine. It appears all fuses associated with these items are intact - I don't know how to check the viability of the relays, but have been told it could be a relay and or a ground wire. I've purchased a new multifunction blinker headlight replacement switch and a master window replacement switch to see if this will resolve the issue - but the fact that it happened all at the same time concerns me that it could be electrical or wiring. All the wires under the dash are intact.

Short in master window switch.

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Highlander. After the vehicle was started, the abs, traction control off, vsc, tire pressure, and emergency brake warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician was not able to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,000.

When I started my car I noticed the abs,brake,tire,trac off&vsc lites were all lit. I couldn't get a diagnosis from mechanic. These lights continue to stay lit. I don't know if it is safe. I have read at least a hundred of the same complaint on blogs.

Driving down the freeway the rear passenger wheel locked up. Had to cut across two lanes of traffic to the side. The wheel still totally locked when it had to be dragged onto a flat bed. Luckily there was no injuries. Still not 100% sure or what's wrong but guessing it has something to do with the traction/abs control system. They really should look into a recall because this seems to be a common issue.

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the power windows failed to properly function for the front passenger side window intermittently and the rear windows failed to electronically close and open. The vehicle was taken to (texas Toyota of grapevine, 701 e state hwy 114, grapevine, TX 76051, (817) 329-5949) for inspection and diagnosis. In addition, the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 11v112000 (vehicle speed control) and the contact was uncertain as to when the dealer may provide the repair. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was excluded from an electrical recall to service the power master window switch failure for the windows. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.

Air conditioner, can be on the coldest seating and then turn extremely hot. Seems like when a bump is hit, it effects when this happens.

For a few days the driver side door lock hesitated opening with remote key access. After a few days, it would not unlock at all. The key does not unlock the door either. I must enter on the passenger side to unlock driver side door.

Tl-the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the front driver side power door locks failed to operate when accessing the interior and exterior door. In addition, the remote key fob failed to function. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection where they informed the contact that the power door lock actuator would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000. Kmj.

On 7/23/2011 I was at a complete stop in my vehicle. I was hit from behind by a car traveling 70mph+ and pushed into a car in front of me. The air bag light went off, but air bags did not deploy.

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Highlander hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the inverter stalled. All the warning lights illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was able to be restarted but it would not move. The vehicle was towed where the contact was informed that the inverter had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Toyota Highlander 2005 - 4 cyl driving in the rain, over puddles of water that create a splash up to about 3/4 the height of the tire (passenger side), will cause the discharge warning light to come on and cause loss of power steering (hard to turn). Suddenly, the warning light will go off and power steering will return. This is my wife's vehicle and I just noticed this issue recently while driving in heavy rain. The fault is repeatable as I noticed it for a second time today, and I managed to have it repeat the failure every time. This failure can cause a serious accident. In a rainstorm it will be typical to create a splash when turning into another street, as it is common for water to pond at the turn. Loss of power steering will cause the driver to turn the wheel harder, and when the power steering returns, then the vehicle will likely oversteer and spin out or hit anything on the direction that it is oversteered into. This incident actually occurred in two separate occasions when I was turning in the rain. The first was inadvertent and at a higher speed since it was the first time that happened when I was driving (a few weeks ago). The second time occurred today. After the incident I tried to recreate the failure, this time since I was expecting it, I did so more slowly but with the same result that will likely cause an accident. I have not taken the vehicle to the vehicle yet since I have just noticed the problem. However, we have and have had a significant amount of vehicles of different makes, and none have had this problem with splashing water causing what is probably a short and loss of power steering. After driving into the garage, I open the hood and look from the top, from the top everything seems to be dry. The other vehicles have been driven through larger splashes, without this problem.

Heater/ac functions intermittently then fails completely. Well know problem where placement of ribbon cable to potentiometer breaks loose, partially (intermittent failure), then completely (total failure). Quoted cost at any dealership $900-$1,000. I did repair myself in one hour for a cost of $10. Quick search on the web uncovered many many of same incident and, fortunately, detailed repair instructions.

I wish to report a safety defect on my 2005 Toyota Highlander. When traveling at speeds above about 35 mph I cannot hear the turn signal clicker. I am 69 years old, but do not have any significant hearing loss. Not being able to hear the clicker sometimes causes me to leave the turn signal on when it should be off. Although I have not had any accidents due to this problem, it could cause other drivers to make hazardous decisions. For example, if I had my right turn signal on by mistake someone waiting to make a right turn onto the roadway could be thinking I was about to make a right turn off the road. I've contacted Toyota about changing to a louder flasher, but they do not have one. They were not able to help me at all. Yes, the turn signal indicator lights work on the dash, but they are not in my field of view when I'm looking at the road and looking at them is an unnecessary distraction. I think audible turn signal indicators should be on all cars and the sound level should be adequate for all drivers who can hear. Preferably the sound level would be manually adjustable or automatically adjustable according to the car speed.

Heater runs erratically--blowing fine and then switching to cold air and then if I "jiggle" the control can get heat again. Had the dealer repair in fall of 2009 (about $95), but it has started acting up again.

Toyota Highlander 2005 4cyl. The heater control will only blow extremely hot air that makes the vents almost to hot to even touch. No events led up to this problem, though in researching online forums, other Toyota Highlander owners are having the same defect. I took it to my local Toyota dealer and the service associate acknowledged this is a problem with this vehicle. The cost to repair is $899. 00. This is excessive for a heater on a vehicle a little over three years old and a little over 30,000 miles. It appears this is a defective design and the wires are not welded properly. The center nut below the heater control knob loosens over time and the wires then break free from the contacts.

Toyota Highlander, 2005 yr, defective ribbon electrical cable between heat/air control on dash and computer in car. Heat on, hit a bump in the road and air conditioning comes on full blast or the reverse in the summer. Other reports on internet indicate same problem with 2001 & 2002 year vehicles. Comments are the electrical cable become hard and brittle with age and breaks or cross connects causing problem. Dealer cost is $600 - $900 to correct -- replace whole unit -- although one comment is that new wire can be soldered. It is my opinion that consumers should not have to bear the cost of a manufacturer's defective part.

- the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the door locks on the vehicle did not lock when the vehicle is placed into gear. The only way that the doors lock was by manually locking them or pushing the power lock button. Once the doors were locked they could not be opened by the pull of the door handle only by the power lock switch or manually. The contact was told by the dealer that it was only a programming issue and that they would program it for him, but he later found out that the vehicle did not have a door lock program feature. Updated 2/22/2007 -.

: the contact stated since purchase of the vehicle the dashboard panel was black during the day. Shining a flash light on the dash is the only way the dashboard gauges can be seen. The gauges are not digital. The dealership determined the dashboard panel was not able to be read but this is how the vehicle was made. The dashboard worked properly at night. Updated 01/25/06.