One problem related to side/rear glass has been reported for the 2005 Toyota Highlander. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2005 Toyota Highlander based on all problems reported for the 2005 Highlander.
On 11/9/2011, while driving on interstate 80 near auburn, CA. , the rear window on my 2005 Toyota Highlander spontaneously exploded/shattered. I took it to a totyota dealer/bodyshop where they replaced the tempered glass at my expense ($468). They claimed they had never seen anything like it. Two weeks later on 11/28/2011, while driving on interstate 80 near rocklin, CA. , the right rear passenger door window spontaneously exploded/shattered sending chards of glass into the vehicle and out. The car is getting repaired at my expense ($408). Toyota claims they know nothing about this type of problem. This is a safety hazard worthy of investigation. During the second incident, a passenger would have been severely injured had they been sitting next to the exploding glass. If the window had been the driver-side window, it would have caused a serious crash. As it was, the car behind me had to take evasive measures to avoid the flying glass. The fact that there has been 2 incidents within two weeks involving 2 separate oem glass suggests a possible defect.