2004 Toyota Highlander Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Toyota Highlander. Part of Generation 1 — 2001–2007.

20032005
Complaints
335
Crashes
42
Fires
3
Injuries
25
Fatalities
47
Recalls
3

Worst 2004 Toyota Highlander Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#146 complaints

Automatic Transmission

Avg mileage:22,442 mi
Crash-related:1
#233 complaints

Unintended Acceleration

Avg mileage:61,215 mi
Crash-related:18
#323 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:65,922 mi
Crash-related:1
Considering a 2004 Toyota Highlander?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Toyota Highlander.

Automatic Transmission
46
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
22,442
Unintended Acceleration
33
complaints
Crashes
18
Fires
Avg Miles
61,215
Steering Defects
23
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
65,922
Electrical Faults
18
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
63,790
Electronic Stability Control
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
86,201
Engine Problems
15
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
120,065
Engine & Cooling
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
110,350
Visibility
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
70,900
Hydraulic Brakes
9
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
72,143
Headlight/Taillight Failures
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
94,111
Wipers & Visibility
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
131,178
Airbags
7
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
111,520
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
48,835
Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
116,868
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
32,067
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
78,524
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
48,017
Body Structure
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
31,700
Transmission / Drivetrain
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering:Column
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Tread/Belt
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Traction Control System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control:Automatic (Asc)
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Toyota Highlander. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2004 Toyota Highlander

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,918,249 vehicles.

11V539000Engine & Cooling
~420,326 affected

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.

11V112000Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
~769,379 affected

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 LEXUS RX330, RX350, AND RX400H VEHICLES. IF THE FORWARD RETENTION CLIP USED TO SECURE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE CENTER CONSOLE, IS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM.

10V499000Brake Master Cylinder
~728,544 affected

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS LUBRICANTS FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Other Toyota Highlander Years

2004 Toyota Highlander — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2004 Toyota Highlander reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2004 Toyota Highlander has 335 NHTSA complaints, 42 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 46 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Toyota Highlander?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (46 complaints, avg 22,442 mi); Unintended Acceleration (33 complaints, avg 61,215 mi); Steering Defects (23 complaints, avg 65,922 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Toyota Highlander?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 67,448 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Toyota Highlander include 42 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 25 injuries, and 47 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2004 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,918,249 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2004 Toyota Highlander?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Toyota Highlander reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2004 Toyota Highlander

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99