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2004 Toyota Highlander recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 2004 Toyota Highlander. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Toyota been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. Recall repairs are free.

2004 Toyota Highlander recalls, newest first

November 9, 2011NHTSA 11V539000420,326 vehicles potentially affected

Engine and engine cooling

Summary
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.
Consequence
In some cases, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley which could result in a loss of power steering and a sudden increase in steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. The safety recall is expected to begin during early January 2012. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

February 24, 2011NHTSA 11V112000769,379 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal

Summary
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.
Consequence
If this occurs, the accelerator pedal may temporarily become stuck in a partially depressed position rather than return to the idle position. A stuck accelerator pedal may result in unintended and sustained vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

October 21, 2010NHTSA 10V499000728,544 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder

Summary
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.
Consequence
A leak of brake fluid could lead to a change in brake pedal feel and overtime a degradation in braking performance increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 and Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

July 13, 2006NHTSA 06V253000367,594 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal

Summary
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.
Consequence
This condition may interfere with the accelerator pedal returning to the idle position increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 15, 2004NHTSA 04V181000366,572 vehicles potentially affected

Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch

Summary
Certain sport utility vehicles have a child protection lock (cpl) system on both of the rear side doors. When an operator of the vehicle closes the door very hard with the cpl lever set to the lock position, there is a possibility that the lever may contact the body panel, causing the cpl lever to move into the unlock position.
Consequence
This condition could allow the door to be opened with the inside while the operator believes that the cpl was activated. If the door were opened from the inside while the vehicle was in motion, an occupant could fall out and be injured.
Remedy
Dealers will shorten the cpl lever. Owner notification began may 7, 2004. Owners should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 286 complaints about the 2004 Toyota Highlander with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported
32
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
23
Deaths reported
47

Most complained-about components

  1. Power train › Automatic transmission46
  2. Vehicle speed control33
  3. Service brakes25
  4. Steering24
  5. Electrical system18

Other Toyota Highlander years

Other 2004 Toyota models

Most recalled 2004 vehicles

  1. 2004 Honda Accord (22 recalls)
  2. 2004 Ford E-250 (18 recalls)
  3. 2004 Blue Bird Vision (17 recalls)
  4. 2004 Ford F-150 (16 recalls)
  5. 2004 Chevrolet Silverado (15 recalls)
All of 2004’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 2004 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control, service brakes, hydraulic, latches/locks/linkages. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 2004 Toyota Highlander recall has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Toyota dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2004 Toyota Highlander?
286 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.