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severe 27 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Of the 27 cruise control complaints filed for the 2005 Toyota Highlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Among the 18 model years of Toyota Highlander in our records for cruise control problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 16 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
This condition may interfere with the accelerator pedal returning to the idle position increasing the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TOYOTA: ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY INFORMATION REGARDING THE INSPECTION, REMOVAL, AND INSTALLATION, IF LUBRICATION OR OIL, IS APPLIED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Owners of 2005 Highlanders report sudden, uncontrolled acceleration that strikes with little warning. The vehicle revs to 6,000–7,000 RPM and lurches forward, usually at low speeds—parking, stop signs, intersections—but also on highways. Braking either fails or demands both feet at full pressure to slow the car. The engine roars loudly; one owner called it a "surging sound." Many crashes follow: into brick columns, garage walls, vehicles, fences, and houses. Injuries include broken ribs, head trauma, neck and shoulder pain.
Dealers consistently report they cannot find a malfunction when the vehicle is inspected. One technician discovered a plastic A/C panel lodged between the accelerator pedal; others simply say hesitation and surging are normal. Toyota issued recalls for floor mats (06V253000) and accelerator pedal (09V388000), but not all 2005 Highlanders are covered—particularly Japan-built models, which Toyota claims have a different pedal design and thus are ineligible. One owner's incident was documented with a case number and received a carpet clip recall with no recurrence; others report Toyota offered zero assistance.
A few complaints describe cruise control surging past set speed on uphill grades, and accelerator hesitation when merging or passing that dealers dismiss as design intent. Floor mats pushing onto pedals trapped some owners on the verge of accidents, though securing them with clips stopped the physical movement but not the engine-driven surging.
Same Toyota Highlander cruise control reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Engine revs to high RPM and vehicle accelerates without driver input, or after driver releases throttle. Occurs at low speeds (parking, stop signs, intersections), during shifts, or while stopped. Braking may be ineffective or require extreme pressure.
When: Various speeds from idle to 65 mph; at parking, stop signs, intersections, or during gear shifts; occurs sporadically over vehicle lifespan
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs to high RPM (6000–7000) without driver input; Vehicle lurches forward suddenly when stopped or at low speed; Brake pedal becomes ineffective or requires both feet at full pressure; Loud roaring or surging sound from engine; Vehicle continues accelerating even when shifting to neutral; Airbag may deploy on impact if crash occurs
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite crashes into buildings, brick columns, vehicles, fences, and garage walls; some report totaled vehicles and injuries. Dealers unable to diagnose when vehicle is inspected; problem may not recur after ignition reset. One case involved a plastic panel behind air-conditioning system that fell between accelerator pedal.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 06V253000 (floor mat); Recall 09V388000 (accelerator pedal) does not cover all 2005 Highlanders, particularly Japan-built models. Some owners report Toyota refused to apply accelerator fix to Japan-built units, citing different pedal design. One owner reported Toyota offered no assistance after injury-causing crash. One owner documented incident (case #1002135597) and received 60F carpet clip recall applied, with no subsequent incidents.
Cruise control causes vehicle to surge past set speed by 10 mph or more. Occurs under specific conditions: cruise disengaged to slow on downhill, then re-engaged on uphill grade at higher throttle input.
When: Long uphill grades; vehicle traveling at cruise set speed (e.g., 60 mph)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates past set cruise speed by 5–10 mph; Engine RPMs remain high during surge; Surge only halts when driver manually disengages cruise control
Repairs/costs cited: Owner has not been able to force replication; problem occurred multiple times over vehicle lifespan but operator able to interrupt with cruise disengagement.
Prolonged delay between pressing accelerator and vehicle response. Occurs after releasing throttle at low speed, during turns, or when attempting to pass. In one case, plastic panel behind A/C fell and lodged between accelerator pedal, causing sticking.
When: Low-speed driving (under 35 mph); during turns; highway passing attempts; one case at 23,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation before acceleration begins after throttle input; Dangerous delay when pulling into traffic or passing; Accelerator pedal sticks to floor in one case; Requires pushing pedal to floor to increase speed
Repairs/costs cited: One case: plastic A/C panel fell and lodged between accelerator pedal, causing sticking at 23,000 miles. Owners report fuel system cleaning and carbon removal temporarily resolved issue in one vehicle. Dealers claim hesitation is normal operation or cannot duplicate problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers report this is normal vehicle operation and refuse to address.
Floor mats become trapped between brake and accelerator pedal, pushing forward and nearly causing accidents. Carpet also ripped where mats were located.
When: Ongoing throughout ownership; one case at 71,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Floor mats push forward onto brake and accelerator pedals; Mats nearly trap pedal during braking or acceleration; Carpet ripped or damaged where mats positioned
Repairs/costs cited: Owner installed grommets and clips to secure mats; this resolved mat movement but did not address underlying acceleration issue (which owner confirmed was engine-related, not pedal-related).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 06V253000 addressed floor mat issue; dealer instructed owner to contact manufacturer for mat compensation.
Synthesized from 27 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota highlander. While entering a parking space, just before applying the brake, the vehicle accelerated into a concrete step. No one was injured during the crash but the vehicle suffered damage to the front end. He called the manufacturer and they collected all the information regarding the incident. However his vehicle was excluded from recall 09v388000…
It's a meaningful issue. 27 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 30,300 and 86,000 miles, with the median around 62,600. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,300; a quarter make it past 86,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.