Worst 2005 Toyota Highlander Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Unintended Acceleration
Automatic Transmission
Electrical Faults
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2005 Toyota Highlander.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unintended Acceleration | 33 | 16 | 1 | 51,200 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 27 | 1 | — | 28,456 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 22 | 1 | — | 67,658 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 21 | 2 | 1 | 71,626 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 17 | 2 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 13 | — | — | 77,032 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 12 | 2 | — | 36,570 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 8 | — | — | 108,900 mi | |
| Airbags | 7 | 7 | 1 | 52,336 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 7 | — | — | 89,894 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 6 | — | 1 | — | |
| Brakes | 6 | 2 | — | 108,176 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 5 | 2 | — | 82,976 mi | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 5 | 2 | — | 28,497 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Column | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 2 | 1 | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2005 Toyota Highlander. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2005 Toyota Highlander
5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,197,415 vehicles.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
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.
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.
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.
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Other Toyota Highlander Years
2005 Toyota Highlander — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2005 Toyota Highlander reliable?
What are common problems with the 2005 Toyota Highlander?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2005 Toyota Highlander?
How safe is the 2005 Toyota Highlander?
Does the 2005 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2005 Toyota Highlander?
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 2005 Toyota Highlander
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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