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RECALLROADTHE CAMPAIGN RECORD

MODEL-YEAR RECALL REPORT

2005 Toyota Highlander recalls

NHTSA's September 21, 2026 snapshot lists 5 safety recall campaigns for the 2005 Toyota Highlander, spanning 5 component groups. A model match does not confirm that a specific VIN is included.

Official source: NHTSA recall campaign file · Snapshot September 21, 2026

Distinct campaigns5not VIN-specific
Component groups5distinct top-level categories
Latest recordJune 2, 2016report received
VIN resultNot checkeduse official lookup

01 / OFFICIAL CAMPAIGNS

2005 Toyota Highlander recall campaigns

The 2005 Toyota Highlander report contains 5 distinct NHTSA campaigns; the most recently received record is campaign 16V396000 dated June 2, 2016.
Component
SEATS
Report received
June 2, 2016
Potential units
7,749campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Why it matters: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

Owner notification: July 14, 2016 · Filing manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 11V539000

Component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Report received
November 9, 2011
Potential units
420,326campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

Owner notification: December 31, 2011 · Filing manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 11V112000

Component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Report received
February 24, 2011
Potential units
769,379campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

Owner notification: May 6, 2011 · Filing manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 10V499000

Component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Report received
October 21, 2010
Potential units
728,544campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

Owner notification: November 15, 2010 · Filing manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Component
EQUIPMENT
Report received
February 3, 2010
Potential units
271,417campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

Why it matters: This does not meet the standard requirements.

Remedy

Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. dealers will also correct the owner's manual. the safety recall began on may 27, 2010. owners may contact gulf states toyota at 713-580-3300.

Owner notification: May 27, 2010 · Filing manufacturer: GULF STATES TOYOTA, INC.

02 / COMPONENT BREADTH

What defects are listed for the 2005 Toyota Highlander?

The most frequent component groups in 2005 Toyota Highlander campaign records are Equipment (1), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1), Vehicle Speed Control (1), Engine And Engine Cooling (1), Seats (1); these counts describe filed campaigns rather than observed failure rates.
Equipment1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Engine And Engine Cooling1
Seats1