First, it sounds like you're using the earphone output to supply audio to the Highlander AUX input. And although you can certainly do this, you should instead use an AUX output, sourced from the iPhone's dock connector. This will feed AUX output of the correct impedence and level to your SUV's AUX input, and will be of much greater quality.
Second, you didn't specify, but I suspect you're using a physically non-compatbile audio cable to connect to the Highlanders' AUX. That is, the iPhone side of the cable probably has a connector that does not fit (properly mate) into the recessed one in the iPhone itself.
For the dock AUX audio output, you can use a SendStation PocketDock Line Out USB, available here:
http://www.sendstation.com/us/products/pocketdock/lineout-usb.html