I have a 2005 highlander AWD. I'm experiencing vehicle stability problems on dry roads. The rear end will fishtail upon acceleration while driving at highway speeds. It also will fishtail to a lesser degree upon deceleration. Sometimes it will fishtail while traveling straight with no input change to the accelerator and no crosswinds. Two weeks ago I had the left front wheel speed sensor go bad and set off the VSC,ABS, and TPM lights. The VSC and ABS lights came on steady and remained on and the TPM light changed from being on steady to now flashing. The TPM light had been on for the last 1and1/2 years but the VSC and ABS lights didn't go on until the wheel speed sensor failed completely. Only upon researching about the VSC and ABS lights did I realize that the 05 highlander doesn't use tire pressure monitors in the tires themselves but uses the wheel speed sensors instead. My mechanic put in a new sensor/ wiring harness and cleared all the lights. He has checked the whole suspension system, struts, sway-bars, sway-bar links, bushings, tire pressures, and all appear to be in good shape. My mechanic replaced the front left wheel bearing about a month ago. The tires are Cooper Discover AT3's and were installed new last September and still have good tread, but have slight cupping that was noticed long before the swaying started. The fishtailing actually started before the VSC and ABS lights came on but got much worse after the lights came on. The fishtailing continues even after these repairs. The fishtailing always starts with the front pulling to the passenger's side while the back end of the vehicle pulls to the driver's side. The vehicle itself pulls- not the steering wheel. My mechanic and I are stumped as to what is causing this fishtail.
scotpiper
Has your mechanic put a scanner on it while it is malfunctioning? Sounds like the TRAC system malfunctions, maybe other wheel sensors or the computer. Put a scanner on and see if the wheel speed sensors match, and if the TRAC braking control is operating . Is there any sound? If it only occurs during acceleration and deceleration I think that is a clue. Also consider taking it to another shop that specializes in suspension and alignment for a second opinion since the other options are expensive. I could see that bad valves in the rack might cause something like this.
Also, call into the Under the Hood national radio show and ask them for advice. This is just the kind of question they like to answer. They also have a after hours phone line and a Facebook group that crowd-sources answers tel:866-594-4150
I would check each wheel one at a time. Jack it up, remove the tire and get a decent pry bar and see if you can move anything. It sounds like something is changing position when you apply torque and is causing the car to track differently. Maybe you have to look a little harder than the mechanic did.
I once had an old lincoln we used to beat on in the fields and knocked the rear loose on it. Any time you hit the gas the back end would shift over a foot or so... (I know, bad comparison, just an illustration)
In addition to the seized caliper, make sure the parking brake is not sticking. You can check both of these conditions by feeling each wheel after a drive, if one is noticeably warmer than you may have found your problem.
I once had an old lincoln we used to beat on in the fields and knocked the rear loose on it. Any time you hit the gas the back end would shift over a foot or so... (I know, bad comparison, just an illustration)
In addition to the seized caliper, make sure the parking brake is not sticking. You can check both of these conditions by feeling each wheel after a drive, if one is noticeably warmer than you may have found your problem.
I too am wondering if this issue was ever solved, my 2005 Highlander has begun doing the same thing. I had the bearings checked one replaced tires are fine tire pressure is even, differentials are good. That vehicle speed sensor possibility is intriguing, did anyone follow up on that and determine that can cause this issue? It really does feel like strong wind gusts and only happens when accelerating, it's scary at times, especially at highway speeds
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