2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2005 Toyota Highlander. This model year has 225 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2005 Toyota Highlander Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Unintended Acceleration
Steering Defects
Considering a 2005 Toyota Highlander?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2005 Toyota Highlander. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 51 | 3 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 39 | 18 | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 27 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 25 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 21 | 5 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 20 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 14 | — | 1 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 13 | 3 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 9 | — | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 9 | 9 | 1 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 8 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 6 | 3 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Other | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Air | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Other/I Am Not Sure | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
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.
Showing 225 most recent complaints
My 2025 Acura MDX (under 10,000 miles) has failed to restart after the automatic idle stop engaged at stoplights and drive-thru lines at least 7 separate times. When I release the brake, the engine often remains off and the vehicle will not move, leaving me stopped in traffic. I …
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Toyota Highlander. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase of the vehicle. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 123,000. It was later discovered upon checki…
All at once the windows, moon roof, blinkers, reverse lights, running lights and brake lights stopped working - also the automatic headlight function stopped working and we must turn on and off the headlights or risk draining the battery. It's interesting to note that the flasher…
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while the vehicle was on a lift at the independent mechanic, it was discovered that the rear subframe was rusted. The contact was informed that the subframe needed to be replaced. No warning lights were illuminate…
Passager seat burnt up from the heated seats
The contact owned a 2005 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle accelerated and crashed into a fence. The air bags did not deploy. At the time of the crash, the vehicle was 20 MPH. The vehicle was towed to a …
I was driving home and a deer ran infront of me. I tried to put my seat belt on before but it locked, so I tried to get home to my 3yr old safely without it.
Driver's seat belt locked up so I was unable to wear it, I hit a deer tried to swerve to miss it, and my car was shaking uncontrollably.
The contact owns a Mifold Original Grab-and-Go Booster Seat, Model Number: MF01/US, Manufactured Date: May 3, 2019. The contact stated that her daughter had unbuckled the seat belt but was unable to unlatch the seat belt from the buckle. The seat belt was extremely tight and woul…
MY 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER LOOKS TO BE LEAKING NEAR THE BRAKE BOOSTER. I KNOW THAT IT WAS REPLACED BY TOYOTA DEALER UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V499000. HOWEVER I DO NOT REMEMBER THE YEAR. I WAS DRIVING ON LOCAL STREETS, WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL A…
SHORT IN MASTER WINDOW SWITCH
REAR BREAK LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT WITH FUSE BLOWING. NO REAR LIGHTS AT ALL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I KEEP REPLACING THE 10A FUSE BUT CAN'T FIND CAUSE OF FAILURE. VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY. CAUSE OF LIGHTS SUDDENLY GOING OUT IS UNKNOWN.
INVOLVED IN THEE CAR T-BONE COLLISION THAT CAUSED SEVERAL INJURIES TO UPPER AND LOWER EXTREMITIES. THE AIR-BAG FAILED TO INFLATE. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT A CONTROLLED INTERSECTION ON A RURAL ROAD AND TURNING LEFT.
BRAKE FLUID HAS TO BE REFILLED EVERY 500 MILES. THERE MUST BE A LEAK SOMEWHERE IN THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. ONCE WE ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BRAKE NEARLY FAILED DUE TO ABSENCE OF BRAKE FLUID
ENGINE SLUDGE
ON 7/23/2011 I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP IN MY VEHICLE. I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A CAR TRAVELING 70MPH+ AND PUSHED INTO A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT OFF, BUT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE SUDDENLY DROVE IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED TO PROPERLY FUNCTION FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW INTERMITTENTLY AND THE REAR WINDOWS FAILED TO ELECTRONICALLY CLOSE AND OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO (TEXAS TOYOTA OF GRAPEVIN…
TRANSAXLE VENT IS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID ONTO EXHAUST, POTENTIAL OF CATASTRAPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO TOTAL SUDDEN LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLIUD. LEAK IS CAUSE BY A DEFECTIVE SEAL
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL.
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2005 Toyota Highlander.
Recalls for 2005 Toyota Highlander
6 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2005 Toyota Highlander. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2005 Toyota Highlander — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2005 Toyota Highlander reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2005 Toyota Highlander has 225 NHTSA owner complaints, 35 crash-related, and 6 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Transmission / Drivetrain (51 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Highlander?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (51 complaints). #2: Unintended Acceleration (39 complaints). #3: Steering Defects (27 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2005 Toyota Highlander?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2005 Toyota Highlander?▾
The 2005 Toyota Highlander has 35 crash-related complaints and 4 fire reports out of 225 total NHTSA complaints. 20 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2005 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?▾
Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2005 Toyota Highlander. The largest issue: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2005 Toyota Highlander?▾
The 2005 Toyota Highlander has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Transmission / Drivetrain issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Highlander reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
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. Full report just $4.99.