2005 Toyota Highlander Reliability
The 2005 Toyota Highlander has 225 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and speed control / throttle. Compared with nearby Highlander model years (2003–2007), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Highlander's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
225
NHTSA owner complaints
6
Recall campaigns
35
Complaints citing a crash
4
Complaints citing a fire
2005 Toyota Highlander complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 model year, filed between 2004 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 51 | 23% |
| Speed control / throttle | 39 | 17% |
| Visibility / wipers | 28 | 12% |
| Steering | 27 | 12% |
| Electrical system | 25 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 21 | 9% |
| Exterior lighting | 9 | 4% |
| Air bags | 9 | 4% |
2005 Toyota Highlander recalls
6 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2005 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06V253000 | Jul 13, 2006 | Speed control / throttle — 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… |
| 10V035000 | Feb 3, 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… |
| 10V499000 | Oct 21, 2010 | Service brakes — 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… |
| 11V112000 | Feb 24, 2011 | Speed control / throttle — 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… |
| 11V539000 | Nov 9, 2011 | 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… |
| 16V396000 | Jun 2, 2016 | 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… |
How the 2005 compares with nearby Highlander years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year Highlander analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 270 | 2 | Engine & cooling | Caution |
| 2004 | 286 | 5 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2005 (this page) | 225 | 6 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2006 | 649 | 11 | Service brakes | Avoid |
| 2007 | 234 | 6 | Service brakes | Avoid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2005 Toyota Highlander
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Throttle and speed control: check for surging, hesitation or a reduced-power warning, and test cruise control.
- Visibility: test the wipers at every speed, washers, defrosters and the climate system (fogging is a common complaint).
- Steering: check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering and clunks over bumps; power-steering faults show up at low speed.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 6 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2005 Toyota Highlander can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2005 Toyota Highlander reliability FAQ
Is the 2005 Toyota Highlander reliable?
The 2005 Toyota Highlander has 225 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and speed control / throttle. Compared with nearby Highlander model years (2003–2007), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Highlander's typical year.
What are the most common 2005 Toyota Highlander problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2005 Toyota Highlander are powertrain / transmission (51), speed control / throttle (39), visibility / wipers (28), steering (27). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2005 Toyota Highlander have recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2005 Toyota Highlander, including 06V253000 (speed control / throttle — accelerator pedal) and 10V035000 (equipment — other / labels). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2005 Toyota Highlander compare with the 2004 and 2006 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2004 has 286 complaints and 5 recalls (avoid); the 2006 has 649 complaints and 11 recalls (avoid). The 2005 has 225 complaints and 6 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2005 Toyota Highlander?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Toyota Highlander research
Other Toyota Highlander model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2005 Highlander, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.