Most common 2005 Toyota Highlander problems
Share of the 224 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Highlander complaints by model year
Best Highlander years: 2025, 2016, 2014. Years to avoid: 2021, 2019, 2023, 2022, 2020. Compare all years →
2005 Toyota Highlander recalls (6)
Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
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…
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016.
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the crankshaft pulley to identify whether it was produced by the U.S. Supplier. If so, the dealer will replace the pulley with a new one at no charge.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seal with a newly designed one. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on November 15, 2010.
Equipment › Other › Labels
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.
Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2005 Toyota Highlander:
Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I.
What 2005 Toyota Highlander owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 51 →
When I was trying to park my Toyota Highlander 2005 in front of the building where I work, backing up, the engine iddle went extremely high and I tried to stop, but I could not do it because the steering wheel and the brakes locked. I tried to put the gear in neutral, but instead, it went straigh to drive, so it causes major damages to 2 vehicles behind mine, and other 3 in front of mine too. Also my vehicle destroyed a mail box and a tree, but I could not stop until my Highlander stopped by itself totally destroyed. I ended up in the hospital with some trauma.
Unexplained vehicle acceleration with inability to stop before hitting vehicle in front of me. Pulled off of road behind truck to park. Lifted foot from gas pedal to put on brake so as to put vehicle into park. There was then an extreme vehicle acceleration which was uncontrollable with brake. Slammed into truck. Toyota corp claims no errors logged in computer system, and that if foot would have been on brake pedal, the filament would have broken. I can't be certain the braking happened before the accident-it was very fast. I am certain foot was on brake and not on gas!! There has been a previous denial of a petition to investigate numerous instances of this identical situation with other Toyota's-(NHTSA action # dp05002). NHTSA please investigate this!! There are too many complaints of this happening-do something before there are deaths! Is Toyota immune from safety recalls? …
Speed control & acceleration all 39 →
Unexplained vehicle acceleration with inability to stop before hitting vehicle in front of me. Pulled off of road behind truck to park. Lifted foot from gas pedal to put on brake so as to put vehicle into park. There was then an extreme vehicle acceleration which was uncontrollable with brake. Slammed into truck. Toyota corp claims no errors logged in computer system, and that if foot would have been on brake pedal, the filament would have broken. I can't be certain the braking happened before the accident-it was very fast. I am certain foot was on brake and not on gas!! There has been a previous denial of a petition to investigate numerous instances of this identical situation with other Toyota's-(NHTSA action # dp05002). NHTSA please investigate this!! There are too many complaints of this happening-do something before there are deaths! Is Toyota immune from safety recalls? …
My car was decelerating in the far right turn lane of a busy intersection. The brake had been applied approximately 1000 ft from the intersection as there were 3 vehicles stopped ahead of me. I was traveling at 10 MPH and I increased the pressure to the brake pedal as the car approached a stopped vehicle approximately 100 feet ahead of my vehicle. The engine revved to the highest RPM reading and lurched forward as I continued to apply full pressure to the brake pedal by adding my left foot to the already stationary right foot. I steered the vehicle to the right and drove on the sidewalk and grass between a burger king and autozone parking lots to avoid hitting the cars in front of me. I shifted the gear shift to neutral and the accelerator did not disengage. I was nearly standing on brake as the car continued to accelerate with the engine screaming from the high rpms. …
Steering all 26 →
When I was trying to park my Toyota Highlander 2005 in front of the building where I work, backing up, the engine iddle went extremely high and I tried to stop, but I could not do it because the steering wheel and the brakes locked. I tried to put the gear in neutral, but instead, it went straigh to drive, so it causes major damages to 2 vehicles behind mine, and other 3 in front of mine too. Also my vehicle destroyed a mail box and a tree, but I could not stop until my Highlander stopped by itself totally destroyed. I ended up in the hospital with some trauma.
On Saturday, May 30th at approximately 8:30 I was moving our 2005 Highlander from the street into our reserved parking space within our complex. As I was starting my right hand turn into the complex the car accelerator stuck. I hit the curb on the driver's/left side causing the vehicle to veer to the right. As the car continued to accelerate I hit a tree and knocked over one of the community's posted signage. The impact made the car bounce backward partially into the drive, damaging the front passenger's side, drive shaft broke, front end part flew all over and a small fire occurred. Police were call and report taken. They estimated the speed at 20-30 miles per hour. The report taken was not filed since the accident took place on private property. The tow truck driver started the vehicle to get it on the truck. He had a difficult time for he could not get the wheels to turn. …
2005 Toyota Highlander engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 23 / 21 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 22 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Toyota Highlander a good car?
Based on 224 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Highlander rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Highlander at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Toyota Highlander?
The transmission & drivetrain — 51 complaints, 23% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the speed control & acceleration (39) and steering (26).
How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota Highlander have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2005 Toyota Highlander, the most recent from June 2, 2016 (seat heater/cooler). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Highlander?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2025, 2016 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2021, 2019, 2023, 2022 and 2020. See the full Toyota Highlander years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Highlander problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 56,000 miles; 40% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.