Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Toyota Highlander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Highlander. While driving various low speeds, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning. Upon applying minimal pressure to the accelerator pedal, the accelerator pedal became stuck and the contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle, a dumpster, and almost struck a group of children before coming to a stop. In an attempt to stop the vehicle, pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal and then the brake pedal. The vehicle finally stopped and was turned off. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained severe pain to the neck and back, which required medical attention. A dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the crash. The vehicle was subject to NHTSA campaign number: 11V112000 (vehicle speed control). …
While traveling through a highway construction zone my car suddenly became hard to steer, and my speed became greater, tried to (break) decelerate the car began sliding out of control-plowing into the road construction barriers part lodged in front passenger windshield. The car went through the ditch became airborne through a rod iron fence shattered the rear second-row right side window spun out , and came to rest just feet from the some pileings. This is the information of my daughter whom is an out of state college senior and very shaken up from this ordeal, this her statement to the best of my knowledge. Possibly the placement of the 🚧 could have been a contributor, and the uncontrollable acceleration. Vehicle was bought used a year ago. Can you help up learn why?
While parallel parking and slowly backing into the parking space, my vehicle suddenly accelerated backward crashing into the vehicle parked behind me. My vehicle continued accelerating backward into the other vehicle and pushed it back even though I was applying the brakes as hard as I could. I then put my vehicle into drive while applying the brakes, and it immediately lunged forward crashing into the vehicle in front of me. While continuing to accelerate forward, with the brakes applied, my vehicle pushed that vehicle into the vehicle in front of it. I then turned off the ignition and my vehicle stopped moving. All four vehicles sustained damage. There were no occupants in the other parked vehicles. Repairs to my vehicle totaled $4,076, plus $1,444 for a rental car. I also received a summons for careless driving. …
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 was pulling into a parking space in a parking lot, going less than 5 miles per hour. As I turned into the spot, the car lurched ahead, so quickly, that slamming on the brakes still caused me to slide a bit. I ended up hitting a car parked in the spot in front of me, and causing $1400 worth of damage (to my front bumper and the other cars rear bumper). I had a friend in the car with me who vouched for this. I have never had an accident before, and was completely baffled by what happened. After googling this, I see that this car has had several similar incidents, and I am now worried about the safety of my car. I am unsure how to proceed, as I have read that mechanics seem unable to duplicate the event that occurs where it seems to accelerate rapidly. Very embarrassing- I have never had a car accident before!
Date of incident: Saturday, July 17, 2010 at approximately 12:45 p.m. Incident description: coming from a complete stop, turned the steering wheel to park a 2004 Toyota Highlander into a parking spot. The driver gently/minimally touched the accelerator pedal to pull into the parking spot. The vehicle suddenly accelerated without any additional force placed on the accelerator pedal. The driver immediately applied the brakes in an attempt to stop the vehicle. Prior to the vehicle coming to a complete stop, the front of the vehicle struck the metal part of a sign. This is the first occurrence of sudden acceleration since purchasing the vehicle used from a dealership. The vehicle has not been scheduled for repair at this time. Updated 10/20/10 updated 10/22/10
I was in the process of parking my 2004 Toyota Highlander in a parking place at my work site. I was moving very slowly moving into the parking spot when all of a sudden the Highlander began accelerating very rapidly. I could not stop the car by stepping on the brake. Upon reaching the front of the parking spot the vehicle jumped the curb and ran into a tree. The vehicle continued to spin the wheels while pushing on the tree until I turned the ignition off. The damage to the Highlander was $5,272.46 which was covered by Mercury insurance [redacted] .
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Toyota Highlander. While driving 20 MPH and making a right turn, the vehicle accelerated to approximately 75 MPH. The vehicle crashed into an oak tree. The contact was knocked unconscious and taken to the hospital. The contact sustained knee, back, shoulder, and chest injuries that required medical attention. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and later deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
On August 18th 2007 I sent a letter to Toyota motor sales writing concerning a problem with my Toyota Highlander which had surged in a parallel parking situation hitting the car behind and damaging it and my vehicle. . Her headlight and bumper were damaged. . The repair on the other car came to $1800.00. And more. I reported it to the Toyota dealer in spirit lake, ia. And also to the Toyota motor sales in toledo , ohio 43699-0024. The spirit lake dealer told me it must have been caused by bad gas.
Unloading items from the trunk of the 2004 Toyota Highlander at the back (basement) of a new residence. Drove from the back of the house to the front with intentions of backing up to the garage to unload the remainder of the boxes. I ended up crossing the road directly in front of the driveway hitting a telephone pole head on; smashing my head against and breaking the windshield. I have incurred thousands of dollars in medical bills, approximately $7,000 in damage to my car and a week off of work.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
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…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the floor carpet cover with a newly designed one free or charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during March 2011. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
On certain sport utility and hybrid vehicles, the two retaining clips for the driver's side forward center console can become loose. If both clips separate from the floor carpet cover, the cover May lean toward the accelerator pedal, causing interference with the accelerator pedal rod.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the two floor carpet cover retaining clips free of charge. The recall began on July 24, 2006, and should be completed by early September 2006.
Acceleration complaints in other Highlander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2004 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2004 Toyota Highlander, 14% of the model year's 286 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Toyota Highlander acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-112 (accelerator pedal, Feb 24, 2011); NHTSA recall 06V-253 (accelerator pedal, Jul 13, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Toyota Highlander acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 19 crashes, 0 fires and 10 injuries and 2 deaths to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.