Is the 2004 Toyota Highlander a bad year?
286 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 58, 5.8× a quiet Highlander year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
The transmission draws 5.8× the complaints of a quiet Highlander year, spread over 1k–71k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Highlander owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 12,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 58 (20%) | 1k–71k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 40 (14%) | 18k–86k miles · ahead | — |
| Body structure | 8 (3%) | 1k–110k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 35 (12%) | 33k–67k miles · ahead | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Engine | 31 (11%) | 91k–128k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Visibility and wipers | 29 (10%) | 52k–126k miles · ahead | — |
| Brakes | 24 (8%) | 48k–109k miles · ahead | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Electrical system | 18 (6%) | 42k–107k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Stability control | 17 (6%) | 50k–109k miles · ahead | — |
| Exterior lighting | 14 (5%) | 64k–137k miles · ahead | — |
| Air bags | 9 (3%) | 33k–142k miles · ahead | — |
| Equipment | 11 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 12,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 286 complaints: 32 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 16 report an injury · 5 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in May 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
At 12 months and 13,000 miles, noticed 2004 Toyota highlander to have transmission problems. During shifting, transmission often hesitates and then suddenly surges into next gear, causing inability to predict vehicle performance.
We purchased a 2004 V6/5 speed auto 2WD Toyota highlander in june, 04. It has a hesitation problem which creates a safety hazard.
I have a 2004 Toyota highlander with approximately 70k miles. For the second time the wheel bearings have failed on the vehicle.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 12,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Toyota Highlander: 5
The amount of adhesive agent applied between the outer ring and the torsional rubber damper (Inner ring) in the crankshaft pulley may be inadequate. 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.
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. If this occurs, the accelerator pedal may temporarily become stuck in a partially depressed position rather than return to the idle position.
Brake fluid containing polymers is used that acts as lubricants for certain brake system components. 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.
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. This condition may interfere with the accelerator pedal returning to the idle position increasing the risk of a crash.
Certain sport utility vehicles have a child protection lock (Cpl) system on both of the rear side doors. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 68
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Toyota Highlander. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power…
The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic…
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
Neighbouring years
2003 Highlander: 258 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2005 Highlander: 224 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Toyota Highlander year
2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Highlander years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2004 Toyota Highlander a bad year?
286 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 58, 5.8× a quiet Highlander year. At 12,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. The transmission draws 5.8× the complaints of a quiet Highlander year, spread over 1k–71k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Highlander?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (58), speed control (40), body structure (8), steering (35), engine (31). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 1k–71k miles.
How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Highlander have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 11V-539), Speed control (NHTSA 11V-112), Brakes (NHTSA 10V-499), Speed control (NHTSA 06V-253) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.