Problems · by component

2005 Toyota Highlander electrical system problems

25 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Toyota Highlander cite electrical system, 11% of all 225 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
25
11% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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 checking Carfax that the mileage was 254,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 12, 2025Electrical systemODI 11698883
“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 flashers work, but the blinkers do not. The wipers, radio, cruise control, etc. are all fine. It appears all fuses associated with these items are intact - I don't know how to check the viability of the relays, but have been told it could be a relay and or a ground wire. I've purchased a new multifunction blinker headlight replacement switch AND a master window replacement switch to see if this will resolve the issue - but the fact that it happened all at the same time concerns me that it could be electrical or wiring. All the wires under the dash are intact.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2025Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Unknown or otherODI 11688025
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2017Electrical system, Air bags, StructureCrash reportedODI 11039870
“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 GRAPEVINE, 701 E STATE HWY 114, GRAPEVINE, TX 76051, (817) 329-5949) FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. IN ADDITION, THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V112000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHEN THE DEALER MAY PROVIDE THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM AN ELECTRICAL RECALL TO SERVICE THE POWER MASTER WINDOW SWITCH FAILURE FOR THE WINDOWS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 3, 2017Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11031470
“WHEN I STARTED MY CAR I NOTICED THE ABS,BRAKE,TIRE,TRAC OFF&VSC LITES WERE ALL LIT. I COULDN'T GET A DIAGNOSIS FROM MECHANIC.THESE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO STAY LIT. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS SAFE. I HAVE READ AT LEAST A HUNDRED OF THE SAME COMPLAINT ON BLOGS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2015Electrical systemODI 10748243
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL OFF, VSC, TIRE PRESSURE, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000. ...UPDATED 09/28/15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE STEERING CONTROL AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO LOSE POWER. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WOULD HAPPEN ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. UPDATED 10/06/15*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 9, 2015Steering, Electrical systemODI 10732934

Showing 6 of 25 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.