2004 Toyota Highlander transmission problems

Filed Aug 1, 2014 · Transmission · 187,000 miles · FL

Transmission jumps at different speeds.

Filed Apr 6, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 103,500 miles · NV

Vehicle was driven normally and parked. While parked, owner noticed small leak under front axle, investigated and leak appeared to be transmission fluid or antifreeze. Owner drove vehicle next day, parked and noticed leak was larger. Owner took vehicle to dealer next morning and was told the head gasket was failing. Dealer said alternatives were to repair head gasket ($3200+), replace engine or buy another vehicle. Owner declined repair and took vehicle to independent mechanic, who confirmed head gasket leak and recommended either sealant ($250) or head gasket repair ($1200). Owner chose sealant. About four days after sealant fix, owner was driving vehicle and stopped at a starbucks drive-through. Minutes into the wait, the vehicles temp gauge began to climb rapidly. Owner revved engine and temp declined. Owner drove vehicle home and inspected engine, discovered coolant had begun to spray from overflow reservoir. Owner let vehicle cool. Next day, owner drove vehicle at modest speed across town, watching the temp gauge. Temp would increase incrementally, then decline, but no overheating appeared. Third day, owner did same, but this time, as owner approached his home, the temp gauge shot to red. Owner parked in driveway, opened hood and found overflow reservoir bubbling, coolant spray and overflow on frame. Prior to these incidents, about one year ago the owner had been told by toyota dealer that a few engine mounts were cracked and needed replacement, which was done. No other major repairs or issues have existed with vehicle. Vehicle is not 10 years old, its 103,500 miles has been generally light highway and short-distance city driving. Oil and other maintenance has been routinely performed.

Filed Jul 3, 2012 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. The contact stated that the smell of burning oil was emitted from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the transmission oil bearing seal needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 85,000 and the current mileage was 85,250. Updated 08/08/2012

Filed Jun 19, 2012 · Transmission · 15,000 miles · FL

Since I purchased my 2004 toyota highlander v6 it has very rough shifts. The transmissions seems to hesitate and lag when I try to accelerate during normal driving speeds, (I feel like I am on a carnival ride). I have had it to 3 different dealership in florida & they all say the same thing ("that this model drives like that" & it's the way you drive") funny though when the mechanic drove it, with me in the car he said that it was the transmission. The underwriters in service think because I'm a women, it's the way I drive. I love my car but, this problem needs to be addressed by toyota & fixed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Filed Apr 2, 2012 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · TX

Hesitation during auto transmission gear changes. Engine revs very high then changes gears.

Filed Jun 23, 2011 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · OH

Toyota highlander 2004 6 cyl awd - last may squealing noise coming from back of the car. Made it to a toyota dealer and found out it was the rear differential. Took 4 days and over $1200 to fix. This week, noise coming from front of the car. Continued to get worse. Took to toyota dealer and was informed it was the drive shaft - so far out of alignment needs to be replaced? Just had it at the same dealer for maintenance 3 weeks ago - said nothing. This will cost $1300. Searching internet and finding I'm not alone, but no recall. What gives with these cars?

Filed Jun 11, 2011 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · CO · crash · 1 injury

Car hesitates and suddenly surges forward. The is the 2nd time this has occurred in the past 3 months. The first time was near my garage and fortunately the car only traveled several feet forward before hitting the corner of the garage and coming to a stop. Last sunday, I was leaving a parking lot. I was turning left when the car hesitated and suddenly surged forward at a rapid speed. Before I was able to regain control, the car had traveled approximately 20-25 feet forward, ran up on a median and crashed into a tree. I called the police about filing a report but as it occurred on private property, they declined.

Filed Dec 28, 2010 · Transmission · 91,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH and depressing the accelerator, the vehicle was hesitant to respond. The failure would occur most prominently when the vehicle was first started. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 91,000 and current mileage is 93,000.

Filed Jun 4, 2010 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · MA

My 2004 toyota highlander v6 at time has very rough shifts. The transmissions seems to hesitate and lag when I try to accelerate during normal driving speeds. This has happened when I was going 20 to 60.

Filed Mar 18, 2010 · Transmission · TX

S10 appropriate handling re complaint against toyota motor corporation and jay wolfe toyota of west county fm owner of a 2004 toyota highlander. *tgw after driving the vehicle for a few weeks, it became apparent there was a problem with the shifting with the automatic transmission. The condition was most noticeable during sharp acceleration periods. The engine would rev up, but it did not gain speed relative to the amount of pressure applied to the accelerator. The engine would sound as if it was under stress and it would then shift with a severe jolt. The dealer informed the consumer toyota was aware of the transmission flaw, but there was no fix. The consumer has since traded the vehicle.