Anyone got a solution to 2005 Highlander stalling very frequently?

Question

My 2005 Toyota Highlander has about 26k miles on it. Recently began stalling (today 4 times in two hours). Happens Mostly on start up or nearly after. Engine dies, battery stays on. You can turn the key off and right back on and it starts up. I'm afraid that we will get killed in it as it has stalled at several intersections. Sometimes cold start up is worse. Good on gas and battery power. , dealer says no codes showing so they won't touch it unless it happens to them while they are driving it. They've driven it twice and of course nothing has happend. They keep acting like I'm crazy and I've just got water in my gas or something, but this has been going on for a long time and we've added fuel cleaner twice, w/ no help. Out of options. I've seen a handful of posts about this problem on a few other sites but have never seen anyone get a solution. PLEASE HELP. 17 month old daughter rides in this car frequently, but i'm afraid for her to now.

the dealer says it doesn't matter if the car is under warranty unless they catch the car in the act so to say. SO what good is a warranty if they tell me there is no problem. I've ran all of the gas out of the tank, filled it up with new gas, and put fuel injection cleaner in it. After the car has warmed up, it still does this on occasion at stop lights and ramps. Hope this helps the confusion.

Answer 1

replace the fuel filter, ever since the gas crisis we have had alot of dirty fuel has gotten into our cars because the gas tanks and the gas stations were emptied and all the crap accumulated in those tanks found there way up and into the pumps, thus fuel filters have been needing to replaced sooner then normal.

Answer 2

It possibly might be a failing fuel pump. When a fuel pump dies, the car just stops. I would take the car to another Toyota Dealer or go back to the dealer and ask to speak to the service manager. If you can't get anywhere with them contact Toyota Motor USA @800-331-4331. Tell them your issue and that the dealer won't fix the car. State to them that you feel this car is unsafe and if you are in an accident due to the car stalling, you will sue them.

I got GM to purchase a car back from me due to many issues with it, one of them was the throttle cables came off while driving and the transmission losing eletrical power while driving. Images driving on the 405 freeway in Los Angeles and all of the sudden having the car slow down to 40 mph cause the transmission looses power. I stated to them that if I was in an accident because of this I would sue GM for failure to repair the car. I got a phone call the next day from the regional manager stating he had a check for 30k waiting at the dealer for me, and that they needed the pink slip for the car.

Safety issues like that should be addressed right away. Toyota service can vary from dealer to dealer. I had to take my Camry into them three times to get an oil leak fixed. First they where like oh it was a sloppy oil change and left over oil dripping down. I told them I didn't feel that was the case but they cleaned the whole underneath of the engine. Second time they where like its impossible for it to be leaking oil, its bone dry. Third time, I brought them evidence of the car leaking onto large sheets of paper that I parked on. All they did evertime was to put the car on the lift and look under the car. On the third time the service manager and myself got under the car on the lift and you can see a little oil on the bottom of the oil pan. I told them to keep the car overnight to get it to leak, I even had to tell them it leaks the most when it was parked in the driveway at an angle, and suggested that they lift the front of the car. Sure enough, it leaked for them.

Lesson, be persistant. Toyota dealers are very busy, very high volume. But they will fix your problem, be persistant.

Good luck.

edit: You might want to check the toyota forums at www.toyotanation.com to see if anyone has had this problem. Also you can check on the NHTSA website @ http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.bead436724af02e770f6df1020008a0c/

Answer 3

Sounds to me like a clogged or clogging fuel filter. All the additives you have put in might have broken some debris loose and it is clogging things up. Try changing the filter, it should be a cheap item unless it happens to be in the gas tank.
Good luck

Answer 4

we've offered 5 Toyotas from type new and my spouse drives 2005 Toyota Highlander 6 cylinder All Wheel rigidity and third seat. It runs fantastic different than gas mileage isn't so super possibly bec super engine and massive tires. word we additionally appeared at 4 cylinder version in spite of the shown fact that it lacked many concepts she needed. FYI she in the past drove 1993 Toyota Camry LE that had 211,000 miles whilst all her sisters insisted on SUVs for defense motives and that i currentlky rigidity 1998 Toyota Sienna XLE minivan with one hundred thirty,000 miles. i might propose Honda CRV as a greater suitable SUV selection once you're finding for style and gas mileage besides as roominess bec it has 4 cylinder engine and AWD <- 2 of her sisters have them. wish the Above info facilitates!

Answer 5

I would first pop the hood and makes sure that a vaccuum line hasnt slipped off. you wouldnt beleive the stuff a leaky vaccum or pressure line can cause.
Then i would ensure that you have good gas (but i doubt this is the culprit)

does it stall after it warms up fully?

hope this helps and let me know.

logixautoparts.com

Answer 6

yes,,its under warranty ,,why try and repair it,,when its covered by a good warranty that will repair it free of charge,,if you let someone else mess with it,,you can void the warranty on it,,take it back,and use the warranty while you can,good luck hope this help,s.,have a good x-mas.

Answer 7

You have 25,000 miles on it. Use your warratny and let toyota worry about it.