2008 Toyota Highlander Problems & Complaints

The contact owned a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, an abnormal, booming sound was emitted from the vehicle as heavy, black smoke entered her vehicle. Due to the smoke, the contact's vision became obstructed, and the contact immediately shifted into park and jumped out of her vehicle for safety. It was unknown if there were any warning lights. As a result, the contact injured her right hip and strained her vocal cords. The vehicle quickly became engulfed in flames as authorities were called to the scene. The fire department extinguished the flames as both a fire and a police report were filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was deemed a total loss. There was no property damage. The origin of the fire was unknown, and an investigation was opened by the insurance company. The contact sought medical attention the next day and was treated for the strain on her right hip. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was given a case number. The contact was also informed that she would receive a response from them within 45 days. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

THERE WAS NO INCIDENT. WHEN THE BRAKE MALFUNCTION SCREEN DISPLAYED, I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER IN PUEBLO, COLORADO. I RECEIVED THE ATTACHED SERVICE MESSAGE AND PICKING TICKET; 17june2025. IT ALSO NEEDS NEW BRAKE PADS, ROTOR ADJUSTMENT, AND 5 NEW TIRES. TOTAL~$6000. WAY TOO PRICY! I PAID FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST, AND DROVE HOME CAREFULLY! THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY CARPORT SINCE, AND I AM WALKING THE CITY LIMITS FOR ALL PURPOSES. THE 12V BATTERY DIED MID-JULY, WITHOUT REPLACEMENT SINCE. I LIVE IN LA JUNTA, 70 MILES EAST OF THE DEALER. SO WE'RE LOOKING AT 99,000 TOTAL MILES AS IT SITS.

My 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is having severe issues with the ABS system. Toyota is reporting that it needs an ABS actuator and ABS pump replacements. These were a part of Toyota's previous Customer Support Program, but the program expired before I owned the vehicle. That is EXTREMELY dangerous and the issue with the ABS system should be considered a Safety Recall that is ALWAYS available to Toyota customers to rectify and paid for by Toyota. It is a BRAKING ISSUE. It is not just brake pads, or normal wear and tear. This is a known issue and regardless of the timeline, Toyota should absolutely pay for the repair.

The Intelligent power module failed on the vehicle. I read this is common for my vehicle however there is no recall matching my VIN. Vehicle was purchased out of state one year ago. We took the vehicle to a Toyota dealership who suggested I inquire about the issue because it’s possible this VIN should have been included.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 123,399, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 271,890.

Good Afternoon, The brake actuator and booster pump failed on my 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. ABS, Brake, and VSC warning lights came on, and the brakes became weak and unsafe. A repair shop confirmed the issue with codes C1252, C1256, and C1391. I tried to fix it at a local shop last year, but the problem came back. It seems this repair can only be fully done at a Toyota dealer due to software requirements. However, the dealer repair cost is very high. I cannot afford the repair or a new car right now because of family budget limits — we have three children and rely on this vehicle every day(only one car). Toyota declined to help, even though I later found this issue was once covered under Program ZKC, which I missed. The vehicle is still unsafe and available for inspection. Thank you very much for considering my issue!

Brake actuator failure. Have to manually brake, stopping distance significantly increased. 3,145$ to replace at Toyota dealership.

In June 2019, Toyota issued a recall for ABS malfunction, diagnostic code C1391 - brake actuator and accumulator. New parts were issued by Toyota in 2019 as part of the recall. My vehicle experienced ABS malfunction, diagnostic code C1391 in March 2022 and was repaired by Toyota with the new and improved parts issued as part of the recall. As of October 14, 2024, my vehicle is experiencing the same issue again - ABS brake malfunction diagnostic code C1391, with the brake system light, master warning light, abs light and ABS Malfunction warning noted on the screen. The vehicle can be inspected. Toyota has inspected and confirmed it is the same issue again. The new and improved parts from 2019 should not fail within 20,000 miles. Toyota did confirm that they used the new parts issued as part of the recall and cannot explain why they failed faster than the original parts causing dangerous braking issues.

We were driving at about 40 MPH and approached our turn. When I depressed the brakes, they felt spongy and I had trouble slowing quickly. The yellow triangle illuminated on the dash and a long warning beep sounded. I was able to get safely parked in a parking lot, and my son came and took a look as well. We had the car towed to a shop, who diagnosed the problem, stating that we needed to replace the brake booster pump and actuator assembly. A family member noted that Toyota had issued a recall for vehicles with the same year/make/model for the braking system, so we had it towed to our local Toyota dealership to verify that they had no open recalls on the brakes and complete a full inspection otherwise. They validated that the brake booster pump and actuator assembly needed to be replaced. I am left wondering why my vehicle was not included in Toyota's recall.

There was a customer support program from Toyota for certain Highlander from 2008 to 2010. The deadline was in 2020. The same issue started for me three weeks ago. Local Toyota Service center confirmed that it is the same code and issue but quoted me over $3000 to replace the whole thing. Since Toyota admitted that this is a faulty part and had support program to replace the parts, there should not be expiration date on the support program. This issue can only be fixed by Toyota Service center since it requires specialized tool and software. Customer should not be forced to pay the excessive fees because Toyota used faulty parts in the beginning.

The brake pedal gave no resistance, going right to the floor. The ABS system warnings lit up on the dashboard at the same time. I was able to pull the car over safely, but it was not driveable and needed a tow to a repair shop. The repair shop noted that the brake actuator assembly and skid module failed and needed replacement. AFTER DOING RESEARCH WE ARE CONFIDENT THE ISSUE IS EXACTLY AS HUNDREDS OF OTHER OWNERS HAVE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO TOYOTA, BBB, AND NHTSA. TOYOTA HAS SINCE ISSUES RECALLS AND WARRANTY EXTENSIONS FOR THE OTHER TOYOTA HYBRID MODEL THAT UTILIZE THE SAME PLATFORM/SYSTEM BUT JUST NOT FOR THE LATER 2008 HIGHLANDER HYBRID. SOMEONE NEEDS TO STEP UP AND HOLD TOYOTA ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE SAME FAULTY PARTS THEY CONTINUED TO INSTALL IN THEIR OTHER HYBRID VEHICLES THEY SOLD TO CONSUMERS. THE ABS SYSTEM IS CLEARLY NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AS HUNDREDS OF CONSUMERS HAVE PREVIOUSLY NOTED. WHY WOULD TOYOTA COVER THE COST OF REPAIR FOR OTHER HYBRIDS WITH THIS SAME DEFECT BUT NOT OTHERS? THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL OR WARRANTY EXTENSION ISSUED FOR THIS MODEL/YEAR AS TOYOTA HAS ISSUED FOR OTHER HYBRID MODELS USING THE SAME PLATFORM. THIS IS CLEARLY A WELL-DOCUMENTED PROBLEM FOR THE 2008 MODELS.

The ECU requires a reflash or replacement. The hybrid batteries over heat and regen braking randomly shuts off during braking or before/after due to overheating becuswe the cooling fans do not engage past level 1 or 2. The fans in fact never go full speed unless commanded by a Toyota service tech via the software during fan testing. Upon testing I noticed they not once went high enough to be audible and thus overheated. Manu forms indicate this is a common issue and requires 180-$300 for a reflash and/or replacement of the compu) ECU to alleviate this issue. Second issue I've found is the 3rd row seat belts just like some other MY Highlanders have their restraints cut at the shackle holding them to the body of the vehicle. I have seen several sheered this way including my own vehicle.

The engine burns Coolant and yet doesn't overheat. The engine on cyl 4 misfires. Changing the head gasket didn't repair the issue, replacing all fuel Injectors and ignition parts didn't either. Heads inspected and passed. Compression testing passed. Always misfires on cyl 4. No repair aside from an ecu reflash or replacement seems to be possible. 4 shops looks at it and couldn't find any reason why it was misfiring and no traces of water were found in the interior, on the floor, in the oil or exhaust in the cooling system.

Intermittent warnings "Check ABS", "Check Brake System", "Check VSC System" have been showing up on the vehicle display along with the brake and traction control warning lights. This has been happening on and off for several months. Diagnostic Trouble Code reader shows "C1391 Abnormal Leak of Accumulator pressure".

Myself, and many other 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid owners, have a vehicle code labeled C1391 "Leak in Accumulator" wherein the vehicles brake actuator and brake booster pump malfunction. The dash of my vehicle has the following indicators on; Check ABS, Check Brake System, Check VSC System, Yellow Master Warning Light, Red Brake System Light & Buzzer, Yellow ABS Warning Light, and Yellow Slip Indicator Light. This has been a significant cause of concern for me over the past two-three years since purchasing this vehicle. This is a known issue throughout the Toyota Highlander Hybrid community and the dealership is not upholding their previous recall which occurred in late 2019 and ended in 2020, after I had purchased the vehicle. The cost of repairs is upwards of $4,000 and Toyota has not given the proper opportunity for recall repairs to owners. This is a significant safety issue because if the brakes fail, a severe crash may injure myself or others. The problem has been reproduced by several other owners, dealerships, and independent service centers (this is a well known and common issue). This vehicle is available for inspection if requested. I plead that you please insist on Toyota reopening their recall to provide service to the owners of this vehicle, this is an issue with their manufacturing and not on the owners/operators. This problem occurred immediately after receiving scheduled maintenance to my vehicle from a certified Toyota Dealership, whom have quoted me the above cost for repairs and may have caused the issue in the first place.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the front end of the vehicle was making an abnormal clunking sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the entire subframe was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

I was in a car accident yesterday two cars hit me from behind my daughter was in the third row and my other kids in the second row. The air bags didn't deploy and my daughters seatbelt in the third row didn't lock when the cars impacted my vehicle her seat belt kept going forward with her. Also my seat belt unlocked and came off upon impact of car

Brought this sport utility truck from a dealership out of Sandersville, Geogia in 2018. Never had an issue with this vehicle. All services are done in the dealership. It previously has 168k mileage. I have always heard sounds from as i have learned is the ABS motor\pump system since purchasing the vehicle in 2018, but never any issues. Now November 2023 this ABS situation has my whole dashboard lit up. This got full attention due we were traveling when this occurred to us telling me to stop the vehicle, pull over, shut the car off and contact a dealer. We exited the freeway at a gas station to see what the matter was about. I didn't since any tightness in the brake pedal so I drove back home to be safe. Warning messages read: Check VSC System, BRAKE Malfunction, Cheak Brake , Check ABS. I have not been able to get it fix due to the cost of the repair on an issue Toyota already knew about. It's our brakes Toyota. Has money over ridden the performance of these vehicle's? Safety for the customer is first, I thought.

I own a 2008 Highlander Hybrid Limited. The ABS actuator and assembly have gone bad. The following dash lights are illuminated: ABS, VSC, brake warning, and parking brake. The issue has been confirmed by toyota dealer. This defect has been reported HUNDREDS of times and Toyota has yet to issue a recall for 2008 and above models. In 2019 there was a Customer Support Program Bulletin(CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM BULLETIN (ZKC): REPAIR COVERAGE FOR BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY ON CERTAIN 2008-2010 MY HIGHLANDER HYBRID VEHICLES) stating, " Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the certain internal malfunctions of the brake booster assemblies. One or more of the following specific Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) C1391, C1252, C1256 or C1253 will be stored in the vehicles memory to be used as verification." This 'customer support' bulletin was published June 6TH, 2019 and revised August 28TH, 2019. The bulletin continues, "Primary Coverage offers the Customer Support Program until December 31, 2020, regardless of mileage. After the Primary Coverage, the Secondary Coverage is applicable for 10 years or 150,000 miles from the vehicle’s date of first use, whichever occurs first." However, as this document clearly states that the affected and covered vehicles range from those manufactured in the years 2008-2010, the owners of a 2008/2009 model would only be eligible for primary coverage; allowing only about 1 year and 7 months for possible brake failure before a customer could file a claim for repair under warranty. Without any coverage the total cost for repair amounts to +$3,000.00(.) Seeing as this is an issue with Toyota manufacturing it seems that Toyota is much more concerned with keeping their money instead of preventing injury by issuing a recall and taking care of their customers.

This exact issue has occurred before and was already recalled and repaired. The issue is the brake system malfunctions and the vehicle information center states to take vehicle to dealership for repair immediately. Brakes can fail and multiple warning system are displayed.

Air bag lights continue to show. Vehicle had not been in any accidents. Seat warms do not work light comes on when you turn them on. Driver window will go up half way occasionally. Back wiper motor makes loud noise and doesn’t work anymore. Tire sensor also comes out.

My 2008 toyota highlander gas pedal must be lose.because I barley push the gas and it takes on fast.i was driving home on the highway and the truck just died .the battery dies I couldn't turn my wheel I could not press the break

I checked by local car repair shop found out failure code C1391. Mean- Brake Actuator Assembly fault. Recall program ended already by 2020. But is not my mistake, i every time on time change oil, tire, brake pads and do State inspection. this is Part defect from beginning some cars failing low mileage some failing after. This is whole part failure only by Toyota Hybrid vehicles. This repair only done by Toyota dealership because of Toyota software to install. Repair cost about 3500$ and i can't afford this repair cost i have 3 children 6years, 3years, 10 month old. Dangerous to drive with kids. Toyota USA already denied my request. Sincerly, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

The Hybrid inverter failed on the car instantly stopping the car without any sort of warning what so ever. Car did not have a limp mode or any way to get the car off to the side of the road. It stopped in the traffic lane and had to be pushed out of harm's way. A search shows like it's becoming a common problem, $12,000.00 to fix it is another problem.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and stabili-trak warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved DTC: C1391, indicating that the brake actuator assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the Extended Program had expired, and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Unable to buckle 3rd row passenger side seat belt buckle. Safety of my children were put at risk as I didn’t realize this until recently since our family grew. No warning indicating lights are on.

Airbag failed to deploy in a front-left collision with another vehicle. The other vehicle's airbags did deploy. The vehicle is totalled and not available for inspection. The lack of deployment resulted in a head injury and whiplash. There was no advanced warning of this being a problem.

All the lights relating to brakes and ABS flashed up on the dashboard. We continued home slowly. Upon investigation from a trusted mechanic it seems it is the brake actuator. From numerous reviews and complaints online this is a reoccurring issue with Toyota cars but recalls were only issued for 2006-2007 models even though the 2008 Highlander hybrids use the same part.

While driving the vehicle the back door and glass back panel sometimes release and open unexpectedly . I saw that a "service bulletin" was issued for a problem with the rear door, (T-SB-0091-12), but a dealership told me my vehicle wasn't "covered".

Needed to have hub and bearing and spindles replaced in front driver's side wheel (AWD). Repair shop completed repairs and aligned the vehicle. Computer needed to be reset after alignment. Shop followed reset instructions and vehicle then showed codes for the ABS system (ABS pump and actuator and skid control module). Repair shop cannot reset computer without replacing parts estimated cost is over $5,600. No work on brakes or ABS system was done. No errors or codes previously existed prior to replacement of bearing and hub. No codes existed until after the alignment was completed. ABS system no longer works. Repair was completed at an independent repair shop. Have appointment with dealership on 9/29 to see if code can be reset. These codes were an issue in 06-07 Highlander hybrids and Prius models and part of a recall.

ABS warning light at 118,000 7/8/2022 C1391 This is a known recall and problem on the earlier model Highlanders, as well as the second generation Highlanders, but not recalled as of today 8/19/22. It is a flawed ABS design and safety hazzard.

Brake system failed in hybrid and issue is well documented. Current lawsuits however not including this make/model.

Slowing down, but the car surged forward colliding into a building. The dealership only ran a .5 hour diagnosis and couldn't find anything. Did not proceed w/further diagnosis as did not want to pay out of pocket.

No nothing has been inspected I didn’t even know it had a recall all my lights on my truck are on now

This vehicle has had ongoing issues with the O2 sensors not working, I have researched online for years and have read that there are several online forums of 2008 Highlander owners complaining of the same issue. The problem that I (we all) face with this, is that it constantly fails, never being able to know if there is an actual issue becuase of the faulty sensors or wiring causing the sensors to go out. I am always frightened that something is wrong with the car and spent hundreds and continue to spend having my car checked. I am a single mom who lost my job at the beginning of the pandemic, I have two school aged kids. Having them in a car that I can not be sure we are safe in, is scary. The cost to replace the sensors as there are 3 that have been a constant pain of not working correctly is insane! It is going to be in upwards of $600 to repair! I absolutely can't afford that, being an unemployed single mother of two. Even when I was employed, living paycheck to paycheck to have to pay out almost a thousand dollars when from what I've read from others that replacing will still result in it failing again. So I have to drive around in a car that has all the sensor lights on, something really bad could happen to the car and since all the sensor lights remain on, I'll never know if something is wrong with the car- something bad could happen to me and my children while we are driving in the car. How can someone replace the sensors only for them to keep going out. This is a serious problem, I've dealt with this for years, only today did I learn that I could report this after receiving a recall letter from Toyota today regarding the paint on my car.

ABS system failure for the second time after repair, cost $3400 to replace after causing complete loss of brakes. 4 years after incident same exact ABS warning and VCS system failure with message to immediately take vehicle to dealership. There is a class action lawsuit on other hybrid models but Toyota inspected and said it would cost another $3500 to fix because there is no recall on the part.

Chief complaint ISSUES were as follow : " BRAKE MALFUNCTION STOP The vehicle in a safe plase immediately and contact Dealer." Warning lights were illuminated on the instrument cluster or information display: yellow master warning light, the red brake system warning light and buzzer, yellow ABS warning light, yellow SLIP indicator light. After carefull diagnosis, it was determined that the brake booster pump was turning on frequently or working constantly. Unusual squeaky noise can be heard when depressing the brake pedal. In addition, the ABS Diagnostic Trouble Codes were identical as the problem. From research it should be noted. Toyota has previously identified and issued safety recall for the same vehicle however stopped short of including the 2008 Toyota Highlander hybrid model with the aforementioned Vin number.

The drivers door either locks or doesn’t when hitting the lock button it shake (unlocks an locks rapidly.

The driver door lock either won’t unlock or won’t lock it does a back n forth montion

The radio started skipping and the DVD player won’t turn on

When I started my 2008 Highlander Hybrid on Valentine’s Day and drove 3 car lengths from my drive way, my dash screen notified me with “Check ABS, Check Brake System, and Check VSC System” all with “Have your car checked by a dealer”. I reversed the car and returned to my driveway. My husband called a friend mechanic shop owner who ran the diagnostic report that showed a C1391code. I remembered I received a notification letter regarding this issue and called the dealer. Service agent indicated that without Toyota doing the diagnostic run on my vehicle, they could not give me any quote on the price, but notified me that the letter I received had expired on December 31, 2020 or 10 years or 150,000 miles. My Highlander had this alert screen notification at 144,000 miles. I was told I would be responsible for repair charges. Feeling very frustrated, I called the Toyota corporate number and spoke to a female who then connected me with a supervisor. I explained my experience and the representative explained the notification letter had expired and was unlike a recall, which was indefinite. I emphasized to him that since Toyota knew this was a problem, how could they put an expiration date on the failed Brake Booster Actuator Pump Assembly that they clearly knew was a brake problem. Furthermore, Toyota, which I have been a loyal owner of five vehicles, had only allowed one year + for their accountability to the fixing the brake assembly parts. This meant it was a luck of the draw depending on miles driven for the brake assembly to fail during the little more than a year notification period for Toyota to be responsible for replacing the parts. I find this to be very unfair and unjust. I voiced my opinion to the 800 number a second time, & was told that if the NHTSA had determined it a recall, no expiration date. As a senior citizen who is on a fixed income, I believe Toyota should fix all Brake Booster Actuator Pumps that fail and NHTSA should demand a recall.

The Brake Actuator Assembly and Brake Booster Pump Assembly have failed on my 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. As I understand, this is a common problem for my vehicle and Toyota has agreed to fix it if the mileage is under 150,000 miles (which mine is) AND the time since first use is less than 10 years (which is not the case.) For this safety issue, I think Toyota should be standing behind the safety of their vehicles and fix my brake pump. This is putting my family at risk. This issue has been confirmed by my local independent auto service company. The warning lights came on after the failure (brake, ABS, master warning, traction control).

The ABS ACTUATOR failed in my 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The screen inside the car flashed ABS // VSC // CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM. Vehicle is at 144,000 miles The component is out of stock nationwide and Toyota dealer has issued a warranty extension.

On November 26, 2021 my 2008 Highlander Hybrid started displaying Check ABS, Check VSC System, Check Brake System and Brake Malfunction, errors on the display screen. I could feel the the grinding noise and brake pedal seemed different than normal. The Brake Malfunction error was displayed with a warning to "Stop the vehicle in a safe place immediately, and contact a dealer". I bought a vehicle diagnosis code reader and it showed C1391 (Abnormal Leak in Accumulator Pressure). I received the same code late last year in 2020 and took my vehicle to dealer. They told me that I was not driving my vehicle due to pandemic and the 12V battery went bad. They removed the errors and I replaced the battery from Walmart. I did not see the error code again until now (after 1 year). I received a Customer Support Program Bulletin letter (POL19-06) from Toyota in 2019 or early 2020 which mentioned C1391 as a verification of problem in vehicle. I showed it to the dealership during my 2020 visit and they said my vehicle is not covered. I believed them since I did not see the error again after replacing the 12V battery. Now I am having the same problem again. The ABS error was displayed on 11/26/2021. I was able to read and reset the ABS error code C1391 on 11/30/2021. The ABS error showed up again on 12/2/2021 while I was driving the car with my family in it. I had to reset it to reach home safely. It ABS error came back ON again before reaching home. I am unable to get it fixed because the extended warranty provided by Toyota for this known safety issue expired on 12/31/2020 and now I am billed for the replacement parts and labor ($4000). Toyota should have opened a recall for this faulty ABS system or should not have an expiry date to this program. After searching the internet I am also surprised that this problem is not only with Highlander Hybrid but though out Toyota and Lexus product lines. I request you to please ask Toyota to open a recall on this life threatening issue.

On January 19, 2021, after driving for about two hours, I suddenly started to hear an unusual knocking noise from the engine. I slowed down, but I was unable to pull over immediately because I was driving on a very dark two lane highway, with no safe shoulder. After the same noise continued for about five to ten minutes, a light began to flash indicating extremely low oil pressure, and warning that the car should stop immediately. At that point, fortunately, I was able to pull over at a gas station, where I discovered that oil was gushing from my engine onto the ground. I checked my oil dipstick and noted that the car had no oil, and was thus inoperable. I was extremely concerned that the engine had been damaged while being driven with little to no oil. In 2014, Toyota issued a notice of a Warranty Enhancement Program – ZE2, related to extending warranty coverage for repairs related to a leaking or seeping engine oil cooler pipe. I never received any owner notification of this issue in 2014. Toyota refused to pay for the repair in 2021, and now in November 2021, the engine has quit due to the damage incurred in January 2021. The engine oil cooler pipe is defective and my family could have been seriously injured or killed by its catastrophic failure.

On September 25, 2021, my husband was driving our 2008 Highlander locally to the store. The low pressure light came on and said pull over immediately. He pulled over and and checked the oil dip stick and our car was totally out of oil. He also notice oil under our car and a line of oil going up the street. The following day, I contacted Toyota Experience Center and was informed their were no service campaigns on my Highlander. I had the car towed to my local mechanic and he verified that the car had no oil and replaced the failed oil cooler hose. My concern is that the oil cooler hose failed, draining all of the oil in minutes. I feel this is a safety issue because of how rapidly it occurred and If we couldn't immediately stop the car our engine could have seized up and made the car stop.

On approx. August 13, 2021, my 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicle began making grinding sounds when the brake is fully depressed while the transmission lever is set to "drive". On approx. August 20, 2021, my vehicle started showing 4 error messages on the display: Brake Malfunction, Check ABS, Check VSC System, and Check Brake System. The Brake Malfunction error was displayed with a warning to "Stop the vehicle in a safe place immediately, and contact a dealer". At the same time, these 5 warning lamps became illuminated: Brake System Warning Light and Warning Buzzer (Red), Brake System Warning Light (Yellow), Master Warning Light (Yellow), ABS Warning Light (Yellow), and SLIP Indicator (Yellow). A car repair technician obtained the following error codes from the vehicle in a diagnosis: C1241 (Low or High Power Supply Voltage), C1253 (Pump Motor Relay), and C1391 (Abnormal Leak in Accumulator). I was informed that the VSC (vehicle stability control) safety feature of the vehicle is disabled while the error codes and messages are present. Toyota previously issued a customer support bulletin (No. POL19-06) on June 6, 2019, titled "Customer Support Program ZKC: Certain 2008-2010 Model Year Highlander Hybrid Vehicles Coverage for Brake Actuator Assembly and Brake Booster Pump Assembly". In the bulletin, Toyota acknowledged that its 2008-2010 Highlander Hybrid models had "certain internal malfunctions of the Brake Actuator Assembly". Affected error codes include C1391, C1252, C1256, and C1253. Affected warning lamps consists of all 5 of the warning lamps that were illuminated in my vehicle. Affected parts include 04008-26448 (Actuator Assy, Brake w/ Fluid) and 04008-51148 (Pump Kit, Brake Booster w/ Accumulator). Instead of issuing a recall for this hazardous defect, Toyota opted to offer "Customer Support Program ZKC". The malfunction that manifested my vehicle is not eligible for this program. Toyota should issue a proper recall to address this safety hazard.

2008-2010 Toyota Highlander (hybrid, in my case) has an ongoing problem with the brake actuator and brake booster. In my case, within a year I will have had these items replaced twice. The cost to me will be about $3000. According to many website chats and blogs, this is a repeated repair even after having replaced it.

srs light stays on. have seen many comp;aints on this with 2008 highlander. many say its a wiring problem in steering column.

MAY 2021 UPDATE: 2008 HIGHLANDER HYBRID 184,XXXMI I OWN A 2008 HIGHLANDER HYBRID IN GREAT SHAPE, MINUS INTERNAL LEAKAGE IN MY BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. MY CAR THREW THE DEATH CODE [C1391] WHICH IS THE INDICATION THAT THIS IS THE ISSUE. THE SCREEN INSIDE THE CAR FLASHED ABS // VSC // CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM A DEALERSHIP AND HAS BEEN IN THE FAMILY EVER SINCE. THE "RECALL" ON THE ACTUATOR IS NOT ACTUALLY A RECALL, IT IS A "WARRANTY EXTENSION."AFTER RECEIVING A QUOTE FOR REPLACEMENT OF $4200CAD, I CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT MY ISSUE. MY HIGHLANDER HAS 184,XXXMI AND IS A 2008 SO IT IS BEYOND THE MILAGE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY (150,000MI) AND BEYOND THE END DATE OF THE INFINITY MILEAGE REPLACEMENT (NEW WARRANTY ENDED DEC 2020, OF COURSE). I CALLED TOYOTA, MADE A CLAIM, AND 24HRS LATER I CALLED BACK IN AND WAS DIRECTED TO SPEAK WITH THE WARRANTY DEPARTMENT MANAGER. ALTHOUGH MY APPROACH WAS DIRECT, THOROUGH, AND CALM, HE REALLY DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE. HE DEFENDED TOYOTA STATING THAT THEY "ALREADY WERE BEING VERY GRACIOUS BY EXTENDING THE CLAIM TO BEGIN WITH" AND THAT "THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO." I FIND THE FACT THAT TOYOTA RECOGNIZES THEY HAVE USED A FAULTY PART IN THEIR HIGHLANDERS, AND DID NOT LIST IT AS A "RECALL" (SO YOU COULD GET IT SWAPPED OUT BEFORE IT CAUSED PROBLEMS) IS RIDICULOUS. I MISSED THE CUT-OFF BY 5MO AND HIS ONLY RECOMMENDATION WAS TO CALL MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS AND "SHOP AROUND" FOR A CHEAPER PART. ESTIMATED REPAIR COST: $4,200CAD

ON MARCH 26, 2021 WHEN WE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THERE WERE SEVERAL INDICATORS AND MESSAGES THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE SERVICED BY A TOYOTA DEALER IMMEDIATELY. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH IT BECAME CLEAR THAT TOYOTA IS FULLY AWARE OF MALFUNCTIONS OF THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ON THIS VEHICLE AND COMMUNICATED IT TO OWNERS IN A CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM NOTIFICATION-ZKC IN 2019. IN THAT VOLUNTARY COMMUNICATION, TOYOTA IDENTIFIED THE MALFUNCTIONS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND STATED THAT THE COST OF REPAIRS WAS COVERED THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2020. HOWEVER, SINCE THIS PROBLEM DID NOT BECOME APPARENT UNTIL MARCH 26, 2021 TOYOTA DID NOT FULLY COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS. IT IS UNCLEAR WHY THIS KNOWN DEFECT AND MALFUNCTION HAVE NOT BEEN TREATED AS A RECALL. THERE ARE NUMEROUS CASES THAT HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED ONLINE OF BRAKE FAILURE ON THIS VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE MALFUNCTIONS OF THE BRAKE ACTUATOR AND BOOSTER PUMP SOME WITH CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES. NO ONE AT TOYOTA HAS BEEN ABLE TO EXPLAIN WHY REPAIRS ARE NOT COVERED AFTER DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND INDICATE THAT IT WAS APPARENTLY AN ARBITRARY DATE. MY ASSUMPTION IS THAT THIS WAS A DELIBERATE EFFORT BY TOYOTA TO LIMIT THEIR FINANCIAL EXPOSURE WITH NO REGARD FOR THE SAFETY OF DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. HOPEFULLY THE NHTSA WILL INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND REQUIRE TOYOTA TO NOTIFY ALL OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE OF THE DEFECT AND POTENTIAL DANGER ASSOCIATED WITH BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE AND HAVE TOYOTA RECALL THE VEHICLE AND MAKE THE APPROPRIATE REPAIRS. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR THE REPAIR IS $2,700.

THE ABS ON OUR 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID LIMITED WENT OUT SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE WE HAD PLANNED A LONG TRIP. WE HEARD A NOISE AND TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED IT. THANKFULLY WE WERE NOT HURT OR IN AN ACCIDENT.THE 2006 AND 2007 HIGHLANDERS HAVE RECALLS ON THEM FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE 2008 HAS THE SAME BRAKE COMPONENTS, PER OUR MECHANIC, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE 2008. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY, AS IT USES THE SAME PARTS THAT ALREADY HAVE A RECALL ON THEM.

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

MY 2008 HIGHLANDER HYBRID CAME UP WITH THE FOLLOWING LIGHTS IN THE DASHBOARD AND INFORMATION DISPLAY: BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, CHECK ABS AND CHECK VSC SYSTEM. THE BRAKES GOT HARD TO PRESS ALL THE SUDDEN AFTER THE LIGHTS CAME ON, I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENED. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA BACK IN 2019 STATING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY MODEL'S BRAKE ACTUATOR AND THAT IF MY VEHICLE HAD THESE SYMPTOMS, THEY WOULD REPAIR IT FOR FREE, BUT I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE PROBLEM PRESENTED ITSELF. THE PRIMARY COVERAGE FOR THIS WAS UNTIL DECEMBER 31ST, 2020 AND THE SECONDARY COVERAGE WAS UNTIL THE CAR HAD 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES ON IT. THEY TOLD ME I DON'T QUALIFY FOR EITHER COVERAGES SINCE THE WARRANTY EXTENSION WAS UNTIL 2020 AND MY CAR ALREADY HAS 12 YEARS (FIRST DATE OF USE MAY, 2009), EVEN THOUGH IT ONLY HAS 80,280 MILES ON IT. MY LOCAL DEALER'S ESTIMATE FOR THIS PROBLEM TOTALS $3,873.55 WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS FOR A PROBLEM THEY RECOGNIZED HAPPENS TO EVERY MODEL IN MY CATEGORY, AND A PROBLEM THEY WOULD'VE FIXED FOR FREE LESS THAN 4 MONTHS AGO. EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME TO BE CAREFUL AND NOT DRIVE THE CAR AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS SHOULD'VE BEEN A RECALL, NOT A WARRANTY EXTENSION.

VEHICLE DRAINED THE NEW 12 VOLT BATTERY RECENTLY INSTALLED. I DELIVERED THE BATTERY TO THE VENDOR WHO CHARGED IT AND RAN AN ANALYSIS AND FOUND THAT THE BATTERY WAS IN PROPER WORKING ORDER. THEY INDICATED SOMETHING IN THE VEHICLE CAUSED THE DRAIN. UPON REPLACING THE FULLY CHARGED BATTERY THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THERE WERE THREE WARNING MESSAGES: CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, CHECK VSC SYSTEM, AND CHECK 4WD SYSTEM. THE BRAKING SYSTEM ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ONE IN THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR AND I RECEIVED A CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM NOTIFICATION LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER INDICATING COVERAGE FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY WHICH CAUSES THESE WARNINGS. WHEN I HAD THIS CHECKED PRIOR TO THE COVERAGE EXPIRATION DATE OF DECEMBER 31, 2020, THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS NOT THE ISSUE. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE SEEMS PROHIBITIVE AT OVER $3,000.00.

THE CAR KEEPS LUNGING FORWARD AS THE BRAKE IS BEING PRESSED AT TIMES. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS IN SNOWY AND SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. I WAS FORCED ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AS THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT A STOP. THE CAR BRAKE STOPPED WORKING BRIEFLY AND THE CAR INSTEAD JERK FORWARD. I CALLED TOYOTA ON 3/1/2021 WHO CLAIMED IT IS PART A CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM TO REPAIR AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND NOT CLASSIFIED AS A RECALL AND WILL THEY WILL NOT MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. THIS IS A DEFINITE RECALL AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ASAP. I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD, SNOWY CONDITIONS, AND ATTEMPTED TO STOP GOING DOWNHILL WHEN THE CAR JERKED FORWARD AS THE BRAKE WAS BEING APPLIED.

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A SHORT TRIP ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY EIGHT YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHEN A HOSE ON THE ENGINE OIL COOLING ASSEMBLY BURST. THIS RESULTED IN ALL OF THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE BEING DRAINED IN A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AS A RESULT OF THIS. I DIDN'T DISCOVER THE ISSUE UNTIL PULLING BACK INTO MY DRIVEWAY IN WHICH THERE IS AN INCLINE. THEN THE LIGHT INDICATING LOW OIL PRESSURE FINALLY CAME ON. I OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND THE DIPSTICK TO BE COMPLETELY DRY. I ALSO FOUND A SLOW DRIP OF OIL UNDER THE CAR (ONLY SLOW SINCE IT WAS ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF OIL REMAINING). I THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE BACK HATCH OF THE VEHICLE WERE COVERED WITH OIL. MY DAUGHTER AND I ARE VERY FORTUNATE THAT THE OIL THAT COVERED THE VEHICLE DID NOT CATCH FIRE AND AS FAR AS I KNOW THE OIL SLICK ON THE HIGHWAY DID NOT CAUSE ANY ACCIDENTS. I AM NOW BEING TOLD BY TOYOTA THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, BUT IT IS NOT LISTED AS A RECALL. NOT ONLY DID THEIR KNOWN ENGINEERING ISSUE PUT MY FAMILY AND OTHER FAMILIES' LIVES IN DANGER, THEY ARE ALSO NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THAT THEIR KNOWN DEFECT CAUSED. THERE IS A "WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT" THAT WAS ISSUED BY TOYOTA FOR THIS DEFECT. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA THE WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTICE WAS ISSUED TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF MY VEHICLE AND I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO HAD OTHER WORK PERFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE THEN AND WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT OR WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT. I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW A MANUFACTURER CAN KNOW A DEFECT EXISTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE ENGINE SEIZURE, FIRE AND ACCIDENTS, BUT NOT ISSUE A RECALL. INSTEAD THEY LIMIT THE NOTICE TO A "WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT" WHICH ISN'T CAUGHT BY THE DEALERSHIP FROM A VIN CHECK.

STEERING WENT OUT ALL OF ASUDDEN WITHOUT NOTICE,ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH,,MY SPEED WAS LEGAL SPEED IN TEXAS 80MPH,,,ALSO A THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND FELT LIKE BRAKES WERE GOING TO BE APPLIED,,TURNED ENGINE OFF, RESTARTED CAR AND ABS BRAKE LIGHT WENT OFF

WHILE DRIVING ON I40 NEAR TEXAS/NM STATE LINE, OIL COOLER LINE FAILED RESULTING IN THE HIGHLANDER DUMPING OIL ON THE ROADWAY FOR OVER A MILE BEFORE IT WAS NOTICED. PULLED OFF IMMEDIATELY, SAW OIL POURING OUT FROM BOTTOM PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE COVER. EXTERIOR LOWER PASSENGER SIDE AND REAR OF VEHICLE WERE ALSO COVERED IN OIL. NO DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS EVER WARNED OF ISSUE. THIS LEFT US STRANDED ON SIDE OF BUSY INTERSTATE WITH HEAVY SEMI TRAFFIC FOR HOURS WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TO A SHOP FOR REPAIRS, WHERE WE HAD TO WAIT A DAY FOR THE PART. COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE TOYOTA KNEW OF A DEFECTIVE DESIGN THAT COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS AND DEATH, AND CHOSE NOT TO ISSUE A RECALL! WILL BE SEEKING LEGAL ACTION.

THE INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY FAMILY NORTH ON INTERSTATE 81 AT 1:00 AM. WE WERE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 75 MPH. IN MY DRIVER-SIDE MIRROR, I NOTICED WHAT LOOKED LIKE A MIST GETTING KICKED UP BEHIND THE CAR AND COVERING THE REAR WINDOW. IN THE DARK, I COULDN'T TELL IF IT WAS WATER OR SOME OTHER LIQUID. THE ROAD WAS DRY SO MY WIFE AND I PLANNED TO GET OFF ON THE NEXT EXIT AND INSPECT THE CAR, WE HAD CHILDREN IN THE CAR, AND STOPPING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DID NOT SEEM SAFE. WHILE WE WERE LOOKING FOR THE NEXT EXIT, I KEPT LOOKING FOR INDICATOR LIGHTS TO COME ON AND CHECKING THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE TO SEE IF I COULD DISCERN IF THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STAYED WITHIN NORMAL LEVELS. THEN AFTER A FEW MINUTES, ABOUT 5-6 MINUTES, THE ENGINE SEIZED. ALL OF THE INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE DISPLAY SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE VSC SYSTEM. THANKFULLY THE CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN ON THE EMERGENCY BLINKERS AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. WHEN FINALLY WE GOT THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE OIL COOLANT LINE HAD "BLOWN" AND OUR ENGINE HAD SEIZED FROM A LOSS OF ENGINE OIL. TWO WEEKS BEFORE THIS INCIDENT THE CAR ALSO DISPLAYED THE VSC WARNING SO WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO BEAMAN TOYOTA WHERE WE PAID 1818.60 TO HAVE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE WATER PUMP AND DRIVE BELT REPLACED. KNOWING WE WERE GOING ON THE ABOVE TRIP WE HAD ALL THE RECOMMENDED REPAIRS PERFORMED SO WE COULD BE CONFIDENT IN THE CAR DURING OUR TRIP.

THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE THE PULSATE WGEN YOU START TO PRESS ON THEM. THEN WHILE ENGAGING THE BRAKES IT WILL FEEL LIKES ITS GRABBING THEN IT RELEAES AND THE PEDAL FEELS LIKE IT HAS NO PRESSURE IN IT. THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, ALL THE LIGHTS ARE ON FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM, AND NOW IT HAS A LONG HIGH PITCH BEEP WHEN TURNING THE CAR ON OR APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BREAK PEDAL.

2008 HIGHLANDER HYBRID LIMITED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SHOWED CODE P0A1B - DRIVE MOTOR 'A' CONTROL MODULE, THE CODE WAS CLEARED MANUALLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF, THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 3 MILES THEN PARKED. THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHT WENT OFF ON ITS OWN AS WE TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND HAS NOT BEEN BACK ON SINCE DRIVING IT THERE AND BACK, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY DROVE AROUND A LITTLE AND THE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON, WE BROUGHT IT HOME AND HAVE DRIVEN ABOUT 7 MILES WITHOUT THE LIGHT COMING ON. ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND CORPORATE TOYOTA THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR OUR VIN BUT IT IS SHOWING ALL SIGNS OF THE INVERTER ASSEMBLY RECALL THAT AFFECTED 235,000 VEHICLES IN THE RECALL. TOYOTA QUOTED THE REPAIR AT $9000+ AND EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES THEY WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE IT IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE REPAIR COST IS MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE CAR.

CLUNKING NOISE FROM STEERING COLUMN STARTED IN JULY OF 2020 AND IS GETTING WORSE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 130000. I MOSTLY HERE THE NOISE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND ALSO FEEL THE CLICK IN THE STERRING WHEEL.

I HAD AN ENGINE OIL COOLER HOSE RUPTURE AT 131000 MILES. I LEFT AN OIL SLICK A MILE LONG ON THE STREET CAUSING A HAZARD IN THE ROAD AND A MESS IN MY GARAGE. ENGINE OIL HAD SPRAYED ALL OVER THE LOWER HALF OF THE ENGINE AND ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH WAS HEAVILY SMOKING AND I NOTICED A SMALL FIRE DOWN IN THE LOWER HALF OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SO I HAD TO POUR WATER ON THE FIRE. TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR A GOOD 7 YEARS BECAUSE I RECEIVED A "WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTICE" (ZE2) IN 2014 STATING THAT THE OIL COOLER HOSE COULD SPRING A "LEAK" AND THEY WERE EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR SAID PART TO 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES. BUT TOYOTA PLAYED DOWN THE SEVERITY OF THE ISSUE STATING THAT A MAJORITY OF VEHICLES WITH THIS KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART WOULDN'T FAIL. TOYOTA KNEW THAT THE RUBBER HOSE WILL FAIL ON ALL VEHICLES DUE TO THE HEAT/COOL CYCLE BY ITS CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER (ABOUT 6 INCHES AWAY) SO THEY REDESIGNED THE OIL COOLER LINES TO BE ALL METAL. ALL TOYOTA/LEXUS VEHICLES WITH THE 2GR-FE ENGINE (2007-2011) WILL EXPERIENCE THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE RUBBER OIL COOLER HOSE(S) OVER TIME AND I'M SURE VEHICLE FIRES HAVE ALREADY HAPPENED DUE TO THIS KNOWN DESIGN FLAW.

MILEAGE ON 2008 HIGHLANDER SPORT IS 159226. WIFE ADJUSTED STEERING TELESCOPE/TILT WHEN SLOWING TO STOP SIGN. STEERING WHEEL COLUMN CAME OFF IN HER LAP.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, SMOKE WAS SUDDENLY PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRONT HOOD BEFORE THE ENGINE STALLED. AFTER STOPPING AND EXAMINING UNDER THE HOOD IT WAS DISCOVERED NO OIL WAS PRESENT IN THE ENGINE AND OIL HAD SPILLED ONTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE OIL COOLER LINE HAD BURST CAUSING OIL TO LEAK FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,652.

HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2008 WE WERE DRIVING ON A COUNTRY BACK ROAD. IN IDAHO, WE HAD JUST STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND WENT TO DRIVE FORWARD AFTER GOING AROUND 100-200 METERS AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THEN THE SCREEN WITH ALL THE WARNINGS BEGAN GOING OFF. ALL OF THEM SAYING PULL OVER TOT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THAT ALL THE SYSTEMS WERE FAILING. ALL THE WARNINGS SAID THINGS TO TAKE THE CAR TO DEALER. WE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN TRIED TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD BY PUTTING IT IN DRIVE AND YOU COULD HEAR THE CAR TRYING TO DO SOMETHING BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR DID TURN ON BUT THAT WAS IT.

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE TRACTION SENSOR CAME ON. FOLLOWED BY A WARNING OF CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM AND VCS SYSTEM. AND CAR SHUT COMPLETELY OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ENGINE OIL COOLER PIPE RUPTURED WITHOUT WARNING WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, SHUTOFF THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE OIL WAS COMPLETELY DRAINED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE INSPECTED. THE INSPECTION CONFIRMED THE DRIVER'S ASSESSMENT. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A MANUFACTURER'S EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE ON SIMILAR VEHICLES HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,156.

I HAVE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2008. MY CAR IS MAKING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD WHENEVER I HIT THE BRAKE REGARDLESS OF IF THE CAR IS MOVING OR HALT. INITIALLY TOYOTA SERVICE GUYS SAID THAT THE SOUND IS EXPECTED AND NOTHING IS WRONG WITH MY CAR BUT DURING MY LAST VISIT TO THEM THEY MENTIONED MY ABS ACTUATOR AND MOTOR HAS GONE BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE ESTIMATE COST TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS AROUND $3200. I HAVE READ ONLINE ABOUT THE SIMILAR CASES AND I REQUEST TOYOTA TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL TO REPLACE THE PAT 'ABS ACTUATOR AND MOTOR'. PRIOR MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND ALTHOUGH 2008 USES THE SAME COMPONENTS , IT HAS NOT BEEN RE-CALLED.

DEAR SIR/MADAM THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER /CAMRY AND SIENNA HAVE A OIL COOLER LINE WHICH IS MADE OF RUBBER AND EXPLODE DUE TO THE HIGH TEMPERATURE OF THE OIL. ALL THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN CAUSING OIL TO BE LEAKED ALL OVER THE ROADS OF AMERICA WITH TOYOTA NOT HAVING ISSUED A RECALL. YEARS 2008 - 2013 .THIS ISSUE IS DANGEROUS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLASHED AND THEN THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. IT SAID THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HYBRID SYSTEM TO PULL OVER AS SOON AS YOU COULD SAFETY AND TO CONTACT THE DEALER. WELL THE ENGINE DIED ABRUPTLY AND LOSS POWER IMMEDIATELY. LUCKILY I WAS ON A ONE LANE ROAD WITH A SHOULDER AND NO ONE IMMEDIATELY BEHIND ME. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT WAS A LOWER END MOTOR FAILURE BUT REALLY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. IN FACT IT IS STILL AT THE MECHANIC'S AND THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT. IT APPEARS THAT IT MAY BE THE ENGINE INVERTER BUT STILL NOT SURE. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION AND TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE ADDRESS THIS. MY CAR IS A 2008 HIGHLAND HYBRID WITH 119,000 MILES ON. *TR

RECENTLY ALL THE BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. THE WARNING NOTE ON THE SCREEN SAID TO TAKE IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER TO FIX. AFTER THEIR DIAGNOSTIC THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT BOTH THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP AND ABS ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3,064 INCLUDING THE 3-4 HOURS LABOR COST AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE APPARENTLY IT IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THESE VEHICLES.FOR SOMETHING AS SERIOUS AS THIS I'M SURPRISED THAT THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

THE RUBBER OIL COOLER LINE (PART NUMBER: 040004-29131) OF OUR 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER BURST AT 139,000 MILES CAUSING AN OIL SPILL AND COMPLETE AND IRREVERSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OIL STARVATION WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN HIGH-SPEED MOTION IN A CONGESTED HIGHWAY DURING ICY-AND FOGGY CONDITIONS. DRIVER MANAGED TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROAD, NOT CAUSING ANY ACCIDENTS, JUST BEFORE THE ENGINE IRREVERSIBLY BROKE AND SHUT DOWN. TWO DAYS PRIOR THE INCIDENT, OIL-CHANGE SCHEDULED SERVICE WAS PERFORMED BY A TOYOTA-CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP SHOWING NO SIGNS OF ENGINE/ENGINE OIL-COOLING LINE ABNORMALITIES. DEFECTIVE SOFTWARE DISPLAYED WARNINGS ON THE DASHBOARD OF LOW ENGINE OIL/PRESSURE SECONDS BEFORE THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. THIS DEFECTIVE PART HAS BEEN SPECIFICALLY ACKNOWLEDGED IN THE TOYOTA'S 2014 "WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM, ZE2" FOR REPAIRS AT NO COST UNTIL JANUARY 31, 2016 OR PAST THAT DATE FOR "10 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF FIRST USE OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST." TOYOTA CLAIMS THEY MAILED A LETTER FOR "SEVERAL MONTHS" AFTER "LATE JULY 2014" FOR ZE2 TO OWNERS BUT THE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE NEITHER EVER RECEIVED SUCH LETTER NOR WAS NOTIFIED BY TOYOTA CORP./DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE HAS BEEN UNDER *CONSISTENT, SCHEDULED, AND REGULAR CAR SERVICES* SINCE ITS ORIGINAL AND SOLE PURCHASE IN 2008. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL TO THE NHTSA UPON *UNREASONABLY DANGEROUS DESIGN* FOR USING RUBBER PRESSURIZED PIPES IN V6 ENGINES INSTEAD OF METAL-BASED MATERIALS, DEFECTIVE PART AWARENESS, INCIDENT HISTORY, AND THE EXTENT OF THE HIGH HAZARD RISK THAT INVOLVES THIS PART FAILURE: OIL SPILL (NOT OIL LEAKING AS STATED IN ZE2) CAN OCCUR AT HIGH RESULTING IN A NON-OPPORTUNITY TO PREVENT VEHICLE LOSS AND HIGH PROBABILITIES OF CRASH, INJURIES, FIRE, AND/OR FATALITIES. THIS IS ALSO EXACERBATED BY THE EMBEDDED DEFECTIVE SOFTWARE IN TERMS OF POOR TIMING TO DISPLAY ENGINE FAILURE.

ABS FAILURE, WHICH SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL BASED ON AN ONLINE SEARCH. PRIOR MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE, AND ALTHOUGH THE 2008 USES THE SAME COMPONENTS, IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE GIVEN THAT THE BRAKES CAN FAIL. FIXING THE ISSUE BEFORE IT BECOMES A DISASTER COSTS $4000 +

THE ENGINE OIL COOLER PIPE ON MY 2008 HIGHLANDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND LEAKED AT 124,000 MILE/12 YEARS (IN FEB 2020). HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON A HIGHWAY & SMOKE IN MY CABIN. TOYOTA HAS SET A LIMIT OF EXTENDED LIMITED WARRANTY (LCS-ZE2) TO FIX THIS DEFECT BUT ONLY IF IT OCCURS AT < (OR EQUAL) 10 YRS OR 150,000 MILES. MANY REPORTS ON THE WEB INDICATE CARS PAST THE TOYOTA ARBITRARY CUT OFFS FOR TIME AND MILES. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT/RISK BECAUSE ALL OF THE OIL COULD LEAK OUT FROM A DEFECTIVE PIPE & ENGINE COULD CATCH FIRE OR FREEZE. I HAD SMOKE IN THE CABIN AND A LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT. OF NOTE, MY CAR WAS SERVICED (OIL CHANGE) AND A MULTIPOINT INSPECTION BY TOYOTA 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO OIL LEAK (IN JAN 2020) AND THE OIL LEAK WAS NOT NOTED. THIS MEANS THAT THE LEAK OCCURRED RECENTLY AND WELL PAST THE ARBITRARY TIME INTERVAL/MILEAGE LIMIT SET BY TOYOTA. AT NO TIME DID MY TOYOTA DEALER NOTIFY ME REGARDING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT OR THAT THIS COULD E A PROBLEM OR NOR DID MY TOYOTA DEALER SPECIFICALLY LOOK FOR THIS PROBLEM ON MY CAR DURING INSPECTION. A FULL SCALE RECALL IS REQUIRED FOR THIS DEFECT, NOT A LIMITED WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT LETTER. ATTACHED ARE 1- THE INVOICE TO FIX THE OIL ENGINE PIPE LEAK 2- THE INSPECTION FROM TOYOTA DEALER WITH NO EVIDENCE OF AN OIL LEAK (JAN 2020) 3-WARRANTY & WEBCHAT OTHER OWNERS COMPLAIN OF SIMILAR DANGEROUS EFFECTS OF THE OIL LEAK AND EXPENSIVE REPAIRS THAT OCCURRED PAST THE TOYOTA ARBITRARY LIMITS 4. INVOICE DOCUMENTING THE OIL CHANGE (JAN 2020) SHOWING NO EVIDENCE OF A LEAK WHEN TOYOTA SET THE LIMITS ON THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES, THEY HAD NO IDEA IF THAT WOULD BE SUFFICIENTLY IN LENGTH TO CATCH ALL THE PROBLEMS. BECAUSE TOYOTA OWNERS KEEP THEIR VEHICLES FOR A LONG TIME, THESE ARBITRARY INTERVALS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT. THEREFORE A FULL RECALL IS REQUIRED.

WHEN ACCELLERATING INTO TRAFFIC AFTER STOPPING FOR A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT THE CAR MOVES INTO THE TRAFFIC BUT DOES NOT ACCELLERATE BUT COASTS DISPITE FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL. AFTER 2 TO 5 SECONDS THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE. THE TECH AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE COMPUTER THROTTLE CONTROL THAT SETS ACCORDING TO DRIVING HABITS. THIS STALL WHEN ACCELLERATION IS NEEDED HAS ALMOST CAUSED MANY COLLISIONS FROM TRAFFIC COMING UP BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THIS STALL HAPPENS ALSO WHEN TRYING TO PASS A VEHICLE ON ROADS, PULL OUT FROM BEHIND VEHICLE BEING PASSED, DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND NO ACCELERATION FOR 2 TO 5 SECONDS THEN THE ACCELLERATION HAPPENS. THIS COMPUTER FLAW IS SUCH A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT IF I LET ANYONE ELSE DRIVE MY VEHICLE, I HAVE TO WARN THEM ABOUT THE ACCELERATION DELAY AND TO MAKE SURE THERE IS BEYOND NORMAL CLEAR SPACE BEFORE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. I TRY TO DRIVE SMOOTHLY AND AVOID FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL. IN ORDER AVOID A SAFETY ISSUE THIS COMPUTER THROTTLE PROBLEM REQUIRES THE GAS PEDAL TO BE CONSTANTLY FLOORED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN ACCELERATION IS REALLY NEEDED THAT IT WILL HAPPEN. I AM SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER DOING A DRIVING WORK AROUND OF THIS ISSUE. THIS HAS HAPPEND CONSISTANTLY SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2009.

WHEN ACCELLERATING INTO TRAFFIC AFTER STOPPING FOR A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT THE CAR MOVES INTO THE TRAFFIC BUT DOES NOT ACCELLERATE BUT COASTS DISPITE FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL. AFTER 2 TO 5 SECONDS THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE. THE TECH AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE COMPUTER THROTTLE CONTROL THAT SETS ACCORDING TO DRIVING HABITS. THIS STALL WHEN ACCELLERATION IS NEEDED HAS ALMOST CAUSED MANY COLLISIONS FROM TRAFFIC COMING UP BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THIS STALL HAPPENS ALSO WHEN TRYING TO PASS A VEHICLE ON ROADS, PULL OUT FROM BEHIND VEHICLE BEING PASSED, DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND NO ACCELERATION FOR 2 TO 5 SECONDS THEN THE ACCELLERATION HAPPENS. THIS COMPUTER FLAW IS SUCH A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT IF I LET ANYONE ELSE DRIVE MY VEHICLE, I HAVE TO WARN THEM ABOUT THE ACCELERATION DELAY AND TO MAKE SURE THERE IS BEYOND NORMAL CLEAR SPACE BEFORE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. I TRY TO DRIVE SMOOTHLY AND AVOID FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL. IN ORDER AVOID A SAFETY ISSUE THIS COMPUTER THROTTLE PROBLEM REQUIRES THE GAS PEDAL TO BE CONSTANTLY FLOORED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN ACCELERATION IS REALLY NEEDED THAT IT WILL HAPPEN. I AM SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER DOING A DRIVING WORK AROUND OF THIS ISSUE. THIS HAS HAPPEND CONSISTANTLY SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2009.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE'S CABIN ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CAUSING THE RUGS TO BECOME DRENCHED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DRAINING SYSTEM FOR THE SUNROOF WAS CLOGGED THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HER SHOES GETTING WET AND APPLYING THE WRONG PEDAL WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT THE CONTACT OPENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND NOTICED THAT THE CARPET WAS DRENCHED. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY 2020. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT DETERMINED THAT THE WATER WAS ENTERING THE CABIN THROUGH THE SUNROOF. THE CHANNEL THAT DRAINED THE SUNROOF WAS CLEARED, BUT THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,450.

I HAVE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2008. MY CAR IS GIVING A SOUND UNDER THE HOOD WHENEVER I HIT THE BRAKE. NO MATTER THE CAR IS HALT OR MOVING. INITIALLY TOYOTA SERVICE GUYS SAID THAT THE SOUND IS EXPECTED AND NOTHING WRONG MY CAR. YESTERDAY THEY WERE TELLING THAT THE "ABS ACTUATOR" IS BAD AND HAS TO BE REPLACED NOW OR LATER. THE ESTIMATED COST TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS $3000. I HAVE READ ONLINE ABOUT THE SIMILAR CASES. I REQUEST TO TOYOTA TO RECOGNIZE THE ISSUE AND ISSUE A RECALL TO REPLACE THE PART "ABS ACTUATOR ASSY". THE ATTACHED URL DESCRIBE THE SIMILAR ISSUE AND AT YOU CAN HEAR THE SOUND IN THE YOUTUBE URL: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=WVFUMDZLE4Y&FEATURE=YOUTU.BE

RECENTLY WE'VE GOT A BUNCH OF WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD OF OUR CAR INDICATING A BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AND URGING US TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN A SAFE LOCATION. THE BRAKES WERE STILL WORKING AND WE WERE ABLE TO CAREFULLY AND SAFELY DRIVE HOME. AFTER SCANNING THE CAR FOR ABS ERROR CODES AND DOING A QUICK ONLINE SEARCH, I REALIZED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY AND ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY FAILED IN OUR CAR.

SRS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON VEHICLE MONITOR ALARMS ONCE THE CAR IS STARTED AND REMAINS ALARMED AT ALL TIME.

BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY (PROBLEM KNOWN TO TOYOTA FOR THIS AND OTHER MODELS,) FAILED, LEADING TO DASH MESSAGES: MASTER WARNING, ABS WARNING, BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING (BRAKE MALFUNCTION: STOP THE VEHICLE IN A SAFE PLACE IMMEDIATELY AND CONTACT A DEALER), SLIP INDICATOR. BRAKE PEDAL FUNCTION SEEMS LIMITED, AND DANGEROUS. ALL WARNINGS COME BACK UPON SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING VEHICLE.

THE DRIVER SIDE SUNVISOR WILL NOT STAY UP OUT OF PLACE WHEN NOT NEEDED. WHEN DRIVER IS DRIVING ESPECIALLY IF BRAKES ARE USED THE VISOR FALLS BLOCKING VIEW AND IS QUITE DANGEROUS. VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP.

ON MY WAY HOME ON SATURDAY NIGHT, ABOUT 2 TO 3 STREETS FROM MY HOUSE, MY DASH STARTED TO SAY LOW FUEL. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME BECAUSE I WAS SO CLOSE. I GET HOME AND JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO LISTEN TO MY CAR AND EVERYTHING SOUNDED GOOD. I SHUT THE CAR OFF. ON MONDAY MORNING, I WALKED OUT AND NOTICED ALL THE OIL IN THE CAR HAD LEAKED OUT OF THE CAR ONTO MY DRIVEWAY. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD SEND A TOW TRUCK. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER ARRIVED AND CHECKED THE OIL WITH THE DIP STICK. SINCE THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE, WE DID NOT START THE ENGINE. HE TOWED THE CAR TO TOYOTA (WHERE I HAVE ALL MY WORK DONE INCLUDING INSPECTIONS-WHICH THE LAST ONE WAS DONE 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT). THE TOYOTA MECHANICS LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE. THEY CALLED ME AND SAID A HOSE UNDER THE ENGINE HAD CRACKED CAUSING THE OIL TO LEAK OUT. THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART AND IT WOULD FIXED AND READY BY TUESDAY. THE PART DIDN'T COME IN AS EXPECTED AND THE CAR WAS NOT FIXED UNTIL WEDNESDAY. I LEFT WORK ON MY BREAK TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE WEDNESDAY NIGHT WHEN THEY CALLED AND SAID IT WAS READY. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE FROM TOYOTA AND DROVE BACK TO WORK. ON THE WAY, I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE BUT ASSUMED IT WAS OK SINCE IT WAS JUST FIXED. AFTER MY SHIFT (THURSDAY MORNING), I CAME OUT AND STARTED THE CAR. IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, A LOUD BANGING NOISE CAME FROM THE ENGINE. I CALLED TOYOTA AND HAD THEM TOW THE VEHICLE BACK TO TOYOTA. THEY LOOKED AT THE CAR AND CALLED ME AND STATED THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN AND THAT IT WOULD COST $7000 TO REPLACE. THEY SAID I COULD KEEP THE VEHICLE THERE UNTIL I DECIDE WHAT TO DO.

I SENT A LETTER TO TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA AFTER BEING REFUSED SERVICE AT A LOCAL DEALER TO RESOLVE A SAFETY ISSUE, WITH NO REPLY. WHILE PRESSING BRAKE WHEN STARTING I GOT A COUPLE OF ERROR MESSAGES THAT SAID TO CONTACT A TOYOTA DEALER. I DID SOME VERY DETAILED RESEARCH INTO THIS PROBLEM AND WHAT OTHERS HAD ENCOUNTERED. I FOUND THE ERRORS WOULD ONLY SHOW WHEN THE 12 VOLT BATTERY WAS GETTING LOW ON CHARGE. THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP IS ONE OF THE SUSPECT ITEMS DRAINING THE BATTERY BECAUSE IT CONTINUES TO RUN LONG AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. SINCE I DON'T HAVE THE TOOLS TO CHECK THE CURRENT DRAW ON THIS OR IF IT IS EVEN SUPPOSED TO RUN LONG AFTER THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF, I WANTED MY TOYOTA DEALER TO CHECK THIS. THERE IS A " CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM NOTIFICATION - ZKC" RELATED TO THIS FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY. I SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED THAT THEY CHECK OUT THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP EVEN IF NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I ALSO TOLD THEM ABOUT THE ERRORS ONLY OCCURRING ON A LOW 12 VOLT BATTERY CHARGE. THEIR DIAGNOSIS SHOWED AN ERROR CODE OF POAA6 AND ONLY THE WARNING LIGHTS AND ERROR MESSAGE IN THE CAR DISPLAY. THEY NOT ONLY DECIDED THIS WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY BUT ALSO IGNORED MY SPECIFIC REQUEST TO TEST THE BRAKE SYSTEM AT MY EXPENSE. NO ATTEMPT AT CHECKING BRAKES OR 12 VOLT CHARGING SYSTEM. I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO OPEN THE INVERTER TO CHECK THAT WITH THE KNOWN OUTCOME THAT THIS INVERTER IS NOT REPAIRABLE BUT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $10,000.. NEW 12V BATTERY INSTALLED. COMPUTERS CAN MALFUNCTION IF NOT GIVEN THE DESIGN OPERATING VOLTAGE! I HAVE TROUBLE BELIEVING THAT THERE IS A "HYBRID BATTERY VOLTAGE SYSTEM ISOLATION FAULT" DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE ON BOARD COMPUTER DOES NOT REPORT THIS MESSAGE WHEN OPERATING ON A FULLY CHARGED 12 VOLT SYSTEM - IN OTHER WORDS OPERATING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS.

TOYOTA JUST DENIED OUR CLAIM FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM (MALFUNCTION OF THE BREAK ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY IN 2008 HIGHLANDER HYBRID). SUPPOSEDLY THE REPAIR PERFORMED ON OUR VEHICLE "DOES NOT MEET THE CRITERIA FOR REIMBURSEMENT". INTERESTING. PROBLEM WITH OUR VEHICLE WAS EXACTLY WHAT THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM ZKC IS FOR. THEY HAVE BEEN PLAYING GAMES WITH US FOR ALMOST 3 MONTHS. WE SENT THEM THE COMPLETE DOCUMENTATION SEVERAL TIMES (THEY TRIED TO CLAIM SOMETHING WAS ALWAYS MISSING). NOTHING WAS MISSING. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE AND HAVE KEPT EVERY RECEIPT, EVERY DMV DOCUMENT, EVERY CREDIT CARD STATEMENT... WE KEPT RE-SENDING THEM THE DOCUMENTS; SOME OF THEM AS MANY AS 4 TIMES. INTERESTING, WHEN I CALLED THEM, THEY HAD THE DOCUMENTS ON FILE. THEY JUST DO NOT WANT TO PAY; WAY TOO OBVIOUS. TOYOTA REPS ARE HORRIBLE ACTORS... WE ARE NOT GIVING UP. WE WILL BE CALLING AND E-MAILING THEM UNTIL THEY REIMBURSE US. IF THEY DO NOT, WE (AND OTHER PEOPLE IN OUR VERY EXTENDED FAMILY) WILL NOT BUY A TOYOTA VEHICLE AGAIN. SO SHORTSIGHTED BY TOYOTA: SAVE $3700 BUT LOSE SEVERAL CUSTOMERS... THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN DECEMBER 2015. IT TOOK TWO TRIPS TO TOYOTA DEALER (AND $3700) TO HAVE THIS FIXED.

UPPER STEERING COLUMN DETACHED FROM STEERING SHAFT WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, IMMEDIATELY AFTER DRIVER ADJUSTED THE TILT FEATURE. VEHICLE WAS ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY TRAVELING 70 MPH WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN AND REATTACH STEERING WHEEL. NO CRASH OR INJURIES RESULTED. AFTER INCIDENT, DRIVER VISITED TWO DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS TO INQUIRE ABOUT ANY BULLETINS OR NOTICES REGARDING THE ISSUE. BOTH DEALERS COULD NOT FIND ANY BULLETINS OR NOTICES. VEHICLE APPEARS TO HAVE PREVIOUS FRONT-END DAMAGE FROM PREVIOUS CRASH, AS EVIDENCED BY MISALIGNED FRONT BUMPER COVER.

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON A CITY STREET, THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED ENTIRELY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS WARNING THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. IN THE MOMENT OF FAILURE, THE ABS WARNING SYSTEM ALERT SHOWED ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY. EVENTUALLY, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN, AND I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATORS SHOWED AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM APPEARED TO BE SOMEWHAT FUNCTIONAL AGAIN. THE MECHANIC WE BROUGHT IT TO WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM IN THE SAME CONDITIONS, BUT IS AS YET UNCLEAR ON WHAT IS CAUSING THE FAILURE.

THE STEERING SHAFT MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE DURING LOW SPEED TURNS. THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS OVER THE YEARS, BUT NO RECALL. MEANWHILE, TOYOTA IS CHARGING AROUND $800 TO MAKE THE REPAIR.

ABS AND VSC SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON SUDDENLY FOR THE FIRST TIME WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I PARKED THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. I WAS STRANDED AND SUDDENLY HAD A CRITICAL BRAKE FAILURE WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. MY VEHICLE HAS LOW MILEAGE AT APPROX. 70,000. THIS IS A DANGEROUS FAILURE WHICH HAS BEEN COVERED BY WARRANTY IN PREVIOUS MODELS AND IS STILL A PROBLEM.

ON THE HIGHWAY AT 75 MILES/HOUR (WITH MY 3 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACKSEAT), LOSS OF ENGINE OIL PRESSURE. DIAGNOSED AS THE ENGINE OIL COOLER PIPE, OIL WAS EVERYWHERE WITHOUT ANY IN THE ENGINE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON MANY ENGINES WHICH WAS COVERED BY TOYOTA FOR A LIMITED TIME/MILEAGE WITH A LIMITED EXTENDED WARRANTY UNDER A "CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM (ZE2)." WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS POTENTIAL ISSUE, AS WE WOULD HAVE ELECTED TO FIX THIS PRIOR TO AN OIL BLOWOUT, TO PREVENT A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT WITH LOSS OF THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING, PARTICULARLY WITH OUR CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE.

GOODYEAR FORTERA HL TIRES PURCHASED AT SAMS CLUB IN WV IN NOVEMBER 2018. TIRES ARE 245/65/R17 WITH DOT CODE M71TJA2R1918. TIRES APPEARED TO HAVE SOME CRACKING ON THE SIDES OF TREADS SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION BY SAMS CLUB. BY APPROXIMATELY 20K MILES WITH EVEN TREADWEAR AND PROPER MAINTENANCE TIRES BECAME MORE CRACKED ON THE SIDES OF THE TREADS AND SMALL CUTS BEGAN APPEARING ON SURFACES AND IN TREAD GROOVES. TIRE WOULD GET SMALL AIR LEAKS THROUGH SOME OF THESE CUTS. SAMS WOULD OFFER TO PATCH THE TIRES UNDER ROAD HAZARD AND CLAIMED GLASS ON ROADWAYS WOULD CAUSE THIS. SOME PATCHES WOULD TEAR LARGER AND LEAK AROUND THE PATCHES PUT IN PLACE. ATTEMPTING STANDARD BLACK PLUG PATCHES WOULD RESULT IN HOLE TEARING LARGER THAN IT BEGAN. SAMS APPLIED A FLAT SEAL/PLUG FROM INSIDE THE TIRE THAT ALSO HAD TEARS FORM ON THE EDGE AND HAD FURTHER LEAKS FROM SAME HOLE. TWO TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED BY DIFFERENT SUPPLIER 9/15/19 AND ANOTHER TIRE OF THE TWO REMAINING HAVE BEGAN LEAKING AROUND PLUGS 9/19/19.

AT TOYOTA, WE ARE DEDICATED TO PROVIDING VEHICLES OF OUTSTANDING QUALITY AND VALUE. AS PART OF OUR CONTINUAL EFFORTS TO ENSURE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, TOYOTA WOULD LIKE TO ADVISE YOU OF A VOLUNTARY CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN INITIATED FOR YOUR VEHICLE. TOYOTA HAS RECEIVED REPORTS REGARDING CERTAIN INTERNAL MALFUNCTIONS OF THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY IN CERTAIN 2008-2010 MODEL YEAR HIGHLANDER HYBRID VEHICLES. IN THESE REPORTS, CUSTOMERS HAVE NOTED VARIOUS BRAKE SYSTEM RELATED WARNING LAMPS ARE ILLUMINATED. THIS CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM PROVIDES COVERAGE AS IT APPLIES TO THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY. THE SPECIFIC CONDITION COVERED BY THIS PROGRAM IS FOR CERTAIN INTERNAL MALFUNCTIONS OF THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. IF THE CONDITION IS VERIFIED, THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED WITH NEW BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY UNDER THE TERMS OF THIS CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. IF THE FOLLOWING WARNING LAMPS ARE ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE MAY BE EXPERIENCING A CONCERN WITH THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY THAT IS COVERED BY THIS CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. THE PART IS BACK ORDERED AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE. I JUST PICKED THE VEHICLE FOR THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WILL NOTIFY ME WHEN IT'S AVAILABLE. I'M STILL DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I FIRST FILED 7 MONTHS AGO. IT'S FUNNY HAS THE PART IS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE, BUT IT'S ON BACK ORDER FOR MY VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. LOOKS LIKE I'M GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT AGAIN. THANKS FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER.

2008 HIGHLANDER, ENGINE OIL COOLER PIPE FAILED, DROPPED 4 QTS OF OIL ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH LED TO A SLIPPERY SITUATION, I PULLED OVER BUT A CAR BEHIND ME SKIDDED THROUGH THE OIL AND REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF THEM DUE TO THE OIL LEFT ON THE ROAD IMPACTING THEIR SAFE STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS FAILED PART WAS A RUBBER HOSE HOLDING HOT MOTOR OIL NEXT TO THE CATATLYTIC CONVERTER, TERRIBLE DESIGN, TOYOTA REPLACED THIS ORIGINAL RUBBER HOSE WITH PART 04004-29131 THAT WAS METAL PIPES NOT HOSES. THIS PART WAS ELIGIBLE FOR A TOYOTA EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE (TOYOTA WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT ZE2) TILL 2016 OR SO, BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED VIA MAIL OF THE ISSUE, THEREFORE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT IT UNTIL AFTER MY CAR BROKE DOWN. THERE ARE MANY DOCUMENTED ISSUES OF THIS PART FAILING, AND ALSO MANY DOCUMENTED ISSUES OF TOYOTA FAILING TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS DUE TO THEIR INABILITY TO LINK VIN TO MAILING ADDRESS PRIOR TO 2014. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA DIDN'T NOTIFY ME PROPERLY, WHICH CAUSED AN UNSAFE SITUATION FOR ME AND OTHER MOTORISTS. HAD THIS BEEN A RECALL, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN OBLIGATED TO MORE FORMALLY NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND DEALERSHIPS ABOUT THIS HAZARD, AND WOULD HAVE TO FIX THEM ALL, VS. THE RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER THAT THEY DID FIX. I CALLED TOYOTA MOTOR CORP CUST SERVICE, AND THEY TOLD ME THEY NO LONGER HAD ANY FINANCIAL OR NOTIFICATION OBLIGATION FOR THIS DESIGN & SAFETY DEFECT AS THE 'WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT' HAD EXPIRED. PLEASE REQUIRE A RECALL! THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF CARS ON THE ROAD TODAY WITH THIS UNSAFE CONDITION READY TO CAUSE PROBLEMS!

WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BREAKS THERE IS A CHIRPING SOUND. TOYOTA HAS DEEMED THIS AN ABS ACTUATOR FAILING ISSUE; WHICH IS AN ISSUE I HAVE SEEN REPEATEDLY ONLINE POSTED BY OTHER HY HI DRIVERS. I AM ALSO SEEING 2 YEARS PREVIOUS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS VERY ISSUE. WHY IS THE RECALL NOT EXTENDED AND IS THERE ANY WAY FOR IT TO BE? THE COST OF THE VEHICLE TO THE COST OF REPAIR IS SO GREAT AND UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS NOT A NORMAL FAILURE THAT IS TO BE EXPECTED. ITS TO MY UNDERSTANDING THAT A COMPLETE FAILURE CAN CAUSE A VERY UNAVOIDABLE FATAL CRASH AS THE BREAKING SYSTEM FAILURE WOULD LOCK UP ALL BREAK FUNCTION. THIS HAS OCCURRED IN THE PAST TOO WITH VEHICLES UNDER FURTHER DETERIORATION OF THE ABS ACTUATOR. WOULD YOU PLEASE GIVE HEAVY THOUGHT TO AN EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY TO COVER THIS ISSUE FOR THE 2008 MODELS? ITS A GREAT RISK TO HIGHLANDER DRIVERS AND THOSE AROUND US.

FOUND STEERING SHAFT NOISY/ WORN/LOOSE

THE ENGINE IS EMITTING SMOKE, CREATES RATTLING SOUND. AT START TIMING CHAIN SOUNDS SCARED KIDS. WHILE DRIVING YOU CAN HEAR KNOCKING SOUND AND IF SOMETHING CAN BREAK WHILE DRIVING.

ABS MODULE FAILURE, SAME US OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINING. GOT DASH LIGHTS ON AND THE CAR LOST COMPLETE BRAKE POWER. ABS ACTUATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE PRICE FOR THE PART IS UNBELIEVABLE HIGH AND SEEMS TO BE RECALLED ON EARLIER MODELS

THE CAR WAS TRAVELING APPROX. 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY I NOTICED SMOKE COMING UP FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND IN THE PROCESS NOTICED THE ENGINE SOUNDING DIFFERENT AND PERFORMANCE LEVEL QUICKLY DROPPING. I THEN NOTICED THE OIL LIGHT COME ON, SO I CONTINUED TO FIND THE FIRST SAFE SPOT AVAILABLE TO PULL OVER. I THEN CALLED AAA AND THEY HAD TO TOW THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CAR HAD EVIDENTLY DRAINED ALL OF ITS OIL, LEAVING A PUDDLE. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO NEIGHBORHOOD CAR CARE IN MISSION VIEJO. IT WAS NOTICED AT THE SHOP THAT THE ENGINE AND COMPARTMENT WERE COVERED IN OIL. I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE OIL COOLER LINE HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH AN UPGRADED PART. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT HAVING THE ENGINE COATED IN OIL IS A FIRE HAZARD, AND HE TOLD ME I WAS LUCKY MY ENGINE DIDN'T CATCH FIRE WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. HE TOLD ME AFTER THE REPAIR, THAT I WOULD NEED TO GET THE ENGINE AND COMPARTMENT CLEANED TO AVOID A FIRE. OUT OF CONCERN OF THE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION I WAS IN, I CONTACTED TOYOTA. THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBABLE FAILURE OF THE PART, AND SAID THERE WAS A WARRANTY, BUT THEY DON'T INFORM CUSTOMERS UNLESS THEY HAVE A FAILURE WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD. HAD I BEEN INFORMED OF THIS POTENTIAL DANGER, I WOULD HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY, BEFORE PUTTING MYSELF AND FAMILY AT RISK.

VVT-I OIL LINE FAILURE CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE OIL WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED ON A HIGHWAY. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND REPAIRED DUE TO LACK OF QUALITY PARTS USED IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. TOYOTA IDENTIFIED THIS PROBLEM INTERNALLY YET FAILED TO TAKE APPROPRIATE MEASURE TO IDENTIFY ALL MODELS EQUIPPED WITH SUBSTANDARD OIL LINES AND, LIKEWISE, DID NOT ATTEMPT IN EARNEST TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF AFFECTED MODELS. THE RESULT OF TOYOTA'S LACK OF APPROPRIATE EFFORT IN NOTIFYING OWNERS RESULTED IN OIL LINE PARTS FAILURES OCCURRING OUTSIDE OF AN EXTENDED COVERAGE PERIOD INSTITUTED BY TOYOTA. BECAUSE TOYOTA DID NOT ACT IN GOOD FAITH, OWNERS WERE NOT NOTIFIED AND WERE SUBSEQUENTLY PUT AT RISK OF OIL LINE PARTS FAILURES RESULTING IN ENGINE DAMAGE OR EVEN ENGINE FAILURE. MANY OF THE AFFECTED MODELS ARE STILL IN OPERATION AND THE DRIVERS OF THESE VEHICLES WILL HAVE NO IDEA UNTIL THE PART FAILS DUE TO TOYOTA'S LACK OF APPROPRIATE ACTION. TOYOTA OFFERS NO SUPPORT FOR THIS DEFECT OUTSIDE OF A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT OR LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN WHICH OWNERS WERE NOT SUFFICIENTLY MADE AWARE OF.

POPING CLUNKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. HAD MECHANIC CHECKED IT AND NOTIFIED TOYOTA VIA EMAIL TO NO AVAIL . THEN THIS YEAR HAD THE CAR STICKER INSPECTION DONE WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE CLICKING SOUNDS. NOW I START TO GET WORRY IS THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE HAS AN IMPACT ON MY LIFE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. CHECKED THE INTERNET AND FOUND SIMILAR ISSUE WITH OWNER'S COMPLAINT ABOUT INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. HOPEFULLY TOYOTA WILL DO A RECALL TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM AND SAFEGUARD THE PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE STEERING MAKES A LOUD KNOCK WHEN TURNED TO LEFT OR RIGHT.

THE STEER WHEEL MAKES A KLUNK NOISE WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTIONS AT LOW SPEED. THIS PROBLEM DEVELOPED AT ABOUT 90,000 MILES AND THE NOISE HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN MORE FREQUENT AND LOUDER. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 110,000 MILES NOW.

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO DEFECTIVE SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM. *LD *TR

ABS SYSTEM HAS FAILED JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. PUMP KEEPS COMING ON EVERY 5 SECONDS OR SO. SCREEN TELLS YOU TO STOP THE CAR AND CONTACT THE DEALER. TOYOTA NEEDS TO COVER THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR OR AT LEAST SOME PORTION OF IT.

2008 HIGHLANDER CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED TO A COMPLETE LOSS. NONE OF THE NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS WORKED CORRECTLY TO ALERT MY WIFE. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION MOVING APPX 20 MILES PER HOUR AND THE CABIN FILLED WITH SMOKE AND WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. OIL SPRAY WAS NOTED AND PICTURES TAKEN ON THE ROADWAY BEHIND THE VEHICLE TO THE BURN SITE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON AN OIL LINE FOR THIS VEHICLE IN THE PAST.

EVERY TIME YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT BUT IT GETS WORST IN THE RIGHT IT WILL MAKE A THUD SOUND AND YOU CAN FEEL IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL , I NOTICED THAT 4 YEARS AGO AND IT'S GOES NOTICED ON AND OFF BUT NOWADAYS IT IS MORE FREQUENT AND A FRIEND OF MINE HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINT COZ WE HAD BOTH THE SAME CAR CAR BUT MINE IS 2 YEARS OLDER AND ASSEMBLED IN JAPAN ... PROBABLY THE STEERING COLUMN THAT THEY USED.

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SPORT AWD 2008 MAKES CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING. RESEARCHED ISSUE ONLINE AFTER TAKING TO MULTIPLE SHOPS THINKING IT WAS TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND LEARNED ABOUT FAULTY INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. I HAVE TO PAY $536 THROUGH LOCAL MECHANIC FOR FIX BECAUSE TOYOTA WONT ISSUE RECALL OF KNOW DEFECTIVE PART DESIGN.

AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, I HAVE NOTICED THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND TOYOTA ISSUED RECALLS OUT FOR 2006 & 2007 BUT HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED 2008 AS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT AND NOTICED THERE ARE OTHERS OUT THERE THAT HAVE BEEN IN ACCIDENTS. WHY IS IT THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS? FIRST, I HEARD AN AIRY SOUND WHEN BRAKING THEN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE ALMOST COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. THE HIGHLANDER TRULY FELT LIKE IT WAS NOT STOPPING. I LITERALLY HAD TO PUT MY COMPLETE BODY WEIGHT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO FINALLY GET IT TO STOP AS IT KEEPS SURGING FORWARD. IT WAS SCARY, TO SAY THE LEAST. I WAS IN A HEAVY POPULATED PARKING LOT. I COULD'VE HIT A PEDESTRIAN OR HIT ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO STOP FROM SURGING FORWARD. AFTER ALL THIS, FINALLY, LIGHTS APPEARED. (ENGINE LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, VSC LIGHT & SKID LIGHTS CAME ON). WOULDN'T YOU THINK AFTER JUST BEING FULLY SERVICED AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, SOMETHING WOULD'VE BEEN NOTICEABLE? I REACHED OUT TO TOYOTA CORP. AND AGAIN I WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT COMMON AND NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. I SAW A VERY COMMON DENOMINATOR THAT ONCE THE HIGHLANDER HITS A CERTAIN MILEAGE THIS HAPPENS AND A VERY COSTLY MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. A PARKING LOT AND IN MOTION.

THIS VEHICLE HAS A KNOCKING/CLUNKING/CLANKING/THUMPING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IT SOUNDS DANGEROUS AND I WONDER IF THE STEERING COLUMN WILL BREAK APART WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE, BUT THE DEALERS ARE ALWAYS UNABLE TO REPLICATE IT, SOME SAY THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. IT HAS BECOME WORSE RECENTLY.

SUNROOF SHATTERED

DROVE TO STORE, WHEN VEHICLE IN PARK, WENT TO DRIVE HOME. WHEN I WENT TO ADJUST TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL VIA LITTLE LEVER, THE WHOLE STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF THE COLUMN INTO MY HANDS, TRIED PUTTING IT BACK IN PLACE, GOT IT ON COLUMN, THE ANTI SKID LIGHT LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING INITIATING THE BRAKING SYSTEM,ANTI-SKID, CANNOT DRIVE ABOVE 5 MPH BECAUSE IT ACTIVATES ANTI SKID, MAKES A LOT OF NOISE, SLOWS THE VEHICLE BACK DOWN APPROX.75200 MILES ON VEHICLE,

STEERING WHEEL IS MAKING CLUNKY NOISES WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKES COMPLETELY MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND AVOID A CRASH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER (TOYOTA OF STAMFORD, 909 E MAIN ST, STAMFORD, CT 06902, (203) 348-3751) STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT COVERED BY A RECALL AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 265,000.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AND AN ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED ALONG WITH A LOUD RINGING SOUND. THE MESSAGE ON THE SCREEN SAID TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AND CALL A DEALER BECAUSE THERE IS A BRAKE MALFUNCTION. IT ALSO SAID TO CHECK THE ABS AND THE VSC. I COULD FEEL THE MY BRAKE PEDAL WASN'T REACTING WHEN I PRESSED ON IT. I HAD TO PRESS THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN REALLY HARD TO GET THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN.

WE WERE DRIVING ON WA14 GOING ABOUT 55MPH WHEN OUR RIGHT SIDE AIRBAG CURTAIN EXPLODED. WE WERE NOT IN A COLLISION. NO BODY DAMAGE. THE AIRBAGS EXPLODED OUT OF THIN AIR.

OIL COOLER PIPE MALFUNCTION. WHILE DRIVING, THE OIL COOLER PIPE STARTED TO LEAK FROM A HOLE IN THE RUBBER SECTION BETWEEN THE METAL CLAMPS. ALL THE ENGINE OIL CAME OUT WITHIN A FEW MINUTES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. TOYOTA HAD A RECALL IN 2011 FOR THIS EQUIPMENT, BUT NO LONGER ALLOWS REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT UNDER RECALL.

I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING A SIDE CITY STREET, ON A SLIGHT CURVE, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED. AS A RESULT, MY DAUGHTER HIT A TREE. MY DAUGHTER WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH AND THE IMPACT WAS IN THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

MY STERING WHEEL IT MAKING NOISE ALL THE TIME WHEN YOU TURN LEFT OR RIGHT ITS CLICKING WHEN I WENT TO TOYOTA DEALER THEY ASKED FOR $3000 FOR REPAIR AND I HAVE THAT CLICKING THE YEAR AFTER I BUY THIS CAR

ABS ACTUATOR NOT WORKING. BRAKE MALFUNCTION WARNING ON DISPLAY SCREEN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD SOMETIMES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR WHEN UTILIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEVE LANDERS TOYOTA (10825 COLONEL GLENN RD, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72204) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER WINDOW MASTER SWITCH FAILED AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V689000 (VISIBILITY), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT (SHE BELIEVES SHE WAS TRAVELING UNDER 25 MPH AS SHE CAME TO A RED LIGHT) ON A BUSY ROAD THE VEHICLE MADE A BEEPING ALERT SOUND AND THE DISPLAY ROTATED THROUGH THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES: " (!) CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM- HAVE YOUR VEHICLE CHECKED BY A DEALER, BRAKE BRAKE MALFUNCTION- STOP THE VEHICLE IN A SAFE PLACE IMMEDIATELY AND CONTACT DEALER, ABS CHECK ABS- HAVE YOUR VEHICLE CHECKED BY A DEALER, CHECK VSC SYSTEM- HAVE YOUR VEHICLE CHECKED BY A DEALER." LUCKILY SHE WAS WITHIN A MILE OR TWO OF MY HOME AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT THERE SAFELY. SHE TOOK PHOTOS OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WITH HER CELL PHONE. THEY ARE ATTACHED. WE DROVE IT TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED US THAT THE ABS ACCUMULATOR/ACTUATOR WAS INTERNALLY LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE DROVE IT HOME WHERE WE PARKED IT FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. IN THE MEANTIME, I CALLED TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE AND THAT I HAD SEEN RECALLS ONLINE FOR THE PREVIOUS TWO YEAR MODELS AND ASKED IF THE REPLACEMENT WOULD BE COVERED ON OUR 2008. THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE AGREED TO SUBMIT INFORMATION TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO COVER $1000.00 OF THE COST AS A WARRANTY SERVICE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IF THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS AND A RECALL ISSUED THAT WE COULD LATER BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REMAINING AMOUNT. I UNDERSTOOD THAT MY INFORMING THEM OF THE ISSUE WOULD BE PASSED ON TO THOSE WHO INVESTIGATE THESE MATTERS TO DETERMINE WHAT WOULD BECOME A RECALL ITEM BUT WE NOW SEE THAT OUR COMPLAINT IS NOT LISTED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, THUS THE SLOW REPORTING OF THIS ISSUE. THE REPAIR COST WAS $3273.78 FOR PARTS (AFTER THE $1000.00 ASSISTANCE DISCOUNT) AND $490.50 FOR LABOR, PLUS A $40 ENVIRO FEE AND TAX.

VEHICLE WOULD NOT GET OUT OF 1ST GEAR WHEN IN MOTION. WHEN ACCELERATING, IN EITHER MANUAL OR AUTOMATIC, VEHICLE WOULD GO IN NEUTRAL AND COAST WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. REVERSE WORKED FINE. WOULD ALSO NOT START OUT IN A HIGHER GEAR WHEN SHIFTED INTO 2-4 GEARS.

BRAKE BOOSTER AND ACTUATOR PER TOYOTA DEALERSHIP OF FAYETTEVILLE ARKANSAS FAILED ON THIS CAR ALTHOUGH SAME SYSTEM USED ON SAME YEAR CAMRY THAT WERE TECALLED

I RECENTLY LEARNED IT IS A "KNOWN" ISSUE BY TOYOTA THAT THE OIL COOLER LINE COULD RUPTURE. THIS HAPPENED TO ME AS I WAS DRIVING ON A VERY BUSY 3-LANE HIGHWAY. MY ONLY INDICATION WAS WHEN THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING AN URGENT NEED FOR ME TO PULL OVER. LUCKILY I WAS ALREADY IN THE RIGHT LANE GETTING READY TO GET OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT, HOWEVER ONLY 5 MINUTES EARLIER I WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, KEEPING UP WITH THE 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC. I FEEL THIS ISSUE IS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE I BARELY HAD ENOUGH TIME TO EXIT THE ROAD QUICKLY AND SINCE THIS HAS THE POSSIBILITY TO CEASE THE ENGINE, I FEEL IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WHEN MY SUV WAS CHECKED MY THE MECHANIC HE INFORMED ME THAT I HAD VERY LITTLE OIL LEFT IN MY ENGINE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA WHO STATED THEY DID NOT SEE HOW THIS WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. I DISAGREE.

DRIVING DOWN ROADWAY WHEN A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE ENGINE, FOLLOWED BY CHECK OIL LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE SHORTLY AFTER. DROVE TO NEAREST AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SITE FOR SERVICE FEARING MORE DAMAGE TO ENGINE BY DRIVING FARTHER. MECHANIC DISCOVERED OIL LINE (PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER RECALL) HAD BURST AND EMPTIED ALL OIL ONTO ROADWAY. PREVIOUS REPAIR, DONE UNDER SPECS OF RECALL, DIDN'T HOLD UP AND REQUIRED ANOTHER REPAIR. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CALLED DUE TO RECALL BEING PERFORMED THERE PRIOR. BECAUSE IT WAS COMPLETED TO SPECS, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. REPAIR COMPLETED WITH METAL (NOT RUBBER) TUBING AND PAID FOR OUT OF POCKET BY DRIVER. FIRE RISK NOTED SINCE OIL SPRAYED UNDERNEATH CAR, ONTO BACK OF CAR AND ONTO ROADWAY.

SUDDEN LOSS OF OIL WHILE DRIVING CAUSING ME TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY SECONDARY TO LOUD ENGINE NOISE, DECREASED POWER, AND FEAR OF CAUSING MORE ENGINE DAMAGE. LOCAL MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE OIL COOLING TUBE BURST AND DUMPED ALL THE OIL. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU ARE FORCED TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER ON A BUSY ROAD AND LEFT STRANDED AS WELL AS THE FIRE RISK WHEN ALL THE OIL NOW COVERS THE ENGINE/UNDERBODY/BACK OF VEHICLE.

ENG LIGHTS AND SERVICE LIGHTS STAYS ON EVEN AFTER SERVICE HARD TO START BATTERY ALWAYS DOWN DEALERSHIP COULD'T FIX PROBLEM!!

THE CAR BLEW THE ENGINE OIL COOLER PIPE LEAKING PROFUSELY I DROVE IT AT NIGHT CAME HOME AND THERE WAS A 12 X 12 OIL LEAK IN MY GARAGE. I PULLED IT OUT OF THE GARAGE WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING AND THERE WAS ANOTHER 12 X 12 OIL SPILL ON MY DRIVE WAY. I HAVE A LINE ALL THE WAY DOWN MY STREET OF THE OIL SPEWING OUT OF THE ENGINE . I HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED THE FOLLOWING DAY TO TOYOTA WHO KNEW ABOUT THE PART AND OFFERED AN EXTENDED 10 YEAR WARRANTY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THERE WAS ONLY 2 QUARTS OF OIL LEFT IN THE CRANK CASE. NO LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I WOULD HAVE BLOWN MY MOTOR FOR SURE IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE IS A VIDEO FROM TOYOTA ABOUT THE ENGINE OIL COOLER PIPE LEAKING AND THAT THEY CHANGED THE PART FROM RUBBER HOSES TO METAL. WHY WAS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS PART. IT IS NOT A MATTER OF IF IT WILL FAIL BUT WHEN. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS SITUATION!

WHEN DRIVING IN ROUTINE CITY DRIVING AT LOW SPEED, BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP DASH. "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, CHECK VSC SYSTEM, CHECK ABS SYSTEM, PULL TO SIDE AND GO TO DEALER" DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS BRAKE ACCUMULATOR PUMP ASSEMBLY. PART ALONE COST ABOUT 2,000.00 PLUS LABOR. PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY AND UNLESS YOU FIX IT, IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS PART HAS FAILED IN OTHER TOYOTA MODELS THAT HAS RESULTED IN A RECALL. ,

TURNING MY CAR RIGHT OR LEFT THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE AND I CAN'T GET A GOOD TURN. IT SEEMS THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL POWERING STEERING. I HAVE RESEARCHED TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS AND THE ONLY THING I HAVE FOUND IS OTHER COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING. I BOUGHT MY CAR BASED ON RESEARCH AND THE DURABILITY OF TOYOTA, ALSO I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF THE CAR. I HAVE GONE IN FOR ALL THE RECALLS. BUT THE ISSUE WITH EPS HAS ME VERY CONCERNED.

DRIVING ON A RURAL 2 LANE ROAD THE CAR STARTED KNOCKING AND THE LIGHT FOR THE VSC CAME ON. IT SAID TO BRING TO THE DEALER. GOT HOME AND CHECKED THE OIL AND THERE WAS NOT ONE DROP ON THE DIP STICK. (MY OIL WAS CHANGED AT THE DEALER TWO WEEKS PRIOR). THE OIL WAS HOWEVER SPRAYED UNDER THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE PART THAT IS THE PROBLEM IS THE OIL COOLER LINE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V245000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.

AT 5:00 PM ON MAY 16, 2017 I DROVE HOME FROM WORK (15 MINUTES OF IN-TOWN DRIVING) EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND WENT INSIDE TO PREPARE TO LEAVE WITH MY FAMILY FOR MY SON'S SENIOR HONORS NIGHT. AT 5;45 PM WE GOT INTO THE CAR AND IMMEDIATELY MY MOM AND MY HUSBAND SAID, "WHAT'S BURNING?". IT SMELLED LIKE PAPER BURNING. BEFORE LEAVING THE HOUSE, MY HUSBAND POPPED THE HOOD TO MAKE SURE THERE WASN'T A WIRE OR SOMETHING ELSE BURNING UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. WE DOVE 10 MINUTES TO TOWN TO EAT. WE STAYED IN RESTAURANT 30 MINUTES. WHEN WE RETURNED TO MY CAR, MY MOTHER GOT IN THE PASSENGER'S FRONT SEAT AND AND MY HUSBAND IN BACK AND WE ALL SMELLED A STRONG SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING. I LOOKED AT MY MOM BEFORE STARTING THE CAR AND SAW THE BLACK, BURNT HEADREST. IT APPEARS THERE WAS AN ACTUAL FLAME AT SOME POINT. EVERYONE GOT OUT OF THE CAR, WE REMOVED THE HEADREST, BUT THE BACK LEFT SIDE OF THE PASSENGERS SEAT WAS STILL VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH. MY HUSBAND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE FIRE STATION NEARBY, SINCE THE TOYOTA DEALER WAS ALREADY CLOSED. THE FIREFIGHTERS UNPLUGGED THE WIRES FROM THE SEAT. THE SEAT COOLED BACK DOWN.

SUN VISOR DOE NOT STAY UP.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. EVERY TIME A TURN WAS MADE, THE STEERING SHAFT MADE A NOISE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2016. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHAFT ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE TO BE REPAIRED UNDER TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 0034-13. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

IT WAS RAINING AND THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WAS TAKING IN WATER. TOYOTA CLAIMED FROM CRACKED TAIL LIGHT BUT TAIL LIGHT HAD NOT BEEN LEAKING BEFORE. WATER IN BACK OF CAR RUINED HYBRID BATTERY AND TRANSITORS. AFTER LOOKING UP ISSUE. FOUND OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM. THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF AFTER THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. LUCKY MY WIFE HAD JUST PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT.

PURCHASED THIS 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID NEW FROM GREENTREE TOYOTA IN DANBURY CT. WE SELECTED THE HYBRID VERSION TO SAVE ON GAS. LITTLE DID WE KNOW OUR SAVINGS IN GAS WOULD BE SUCKED UP IN OIL CONSUMPTION. I NEED TO CARRY A CASE OF OIL IN THE CAR AT ALL TIMES. ASKED TOYOTA SERVICE IN DANBURY CT TO INVESTIGATE AND THEY CONDUCTED THE SAME OIL TEST OTHERS SPEAK ABOUT. ALTHOUGH THEY SAY OUR HIGHLANDER PASSED THE TEST I END UP ADDING ABOUT 2 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN EVERY OIL CHANGE. THIS CAR WAS SERVICED IN EXACT COMPLIANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE SCHEDULE. THE TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN DANBURY CT JUST SAYS THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR A CAR WITH 135,000 MILES ON IT TO BURN OIL. THIS WAS A HUGE INVESTMENT. I WOULD EXPECT AT LEAST 200K MILES ON A CAR BEFORE EXPERIENCING THIS SORT OF PROBLEM. VERY DISAPPOINTING. I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED TOYOTA TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. INSTEAD WE GET A WELL ORCHESTRATED DON'T ADMIT ANY WRONGDOING RESPONSE. TOYOTA SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR PRODUCING A SUBSTANDARD PRODUCT.

UNDETECTED BRAKE FLUID LEAK WHILE IN USE. VEHICLE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS CHECKED FOR LEAKS BUT NOT VISIBLE.

TAKATA RECALL MY CAR WAS INVOLVED IN THE INITIAL RECALL, TOYOTA REPLACED THE AIRBAG IN SEPTEMBER 2015. IN OCTOBER 2016 MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED TO BE THE SAME ISSUE I HAD BEFORE - AIRBAG ISSUE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO FIX THE CAR AGAIN STATING THEY ONLY HAVE A ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON WARRANTY WORK WHICH THIS ISSUE IS JUST OUT OF THAT PERIOD. I HAVE TRIED TO REACH A MANAGER AT THE TOYOTA WARRANTY CENTER NUMEROUS TIMES BUT HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL.

AS I WAS MAKING A SLOW RIGHT TURN ONTO A SIDE STREET, THE STEERING WHEEL GAVE OUT AND I HIT A PARKED CAR. THEN MY DASHBOARD LIGHT INDICATOR FOR THE STEERING WHEEL LIT UP.

BRAKING BECAME ERRATIC. PEDAL WAS SQUISHY AND ABS LIGHTS CAME ON. THIS OCCURRED OVER SEVERAL MONTHS BUT ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF FOR A WHILE THEN COME BACK ON.

RE: NHTSA RECALL 14V168000, AKA SC-E0M141007, (10/07/14) 'A NUMBER OF VEHICLES INCLUDING THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2008-2010, WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY CONTAINS ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TO THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MODULE HOUSED IN A SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY, WHICH INCLUDES A FLEXIBLE FLAT CABLE (FFC). DUE TO THE SHAPE AND LOCATION OF THE FFC'S RETAINER, THE FFC COULD BECOME DAMAGED WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. CONSEQUENCE: IF THE FFC IS DAMAGED, CONNECTIVITY TO THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE COULD BE LOST AND THE AIR BAG DEACTIVATED. 2 YRS AGO OUR '08 HIGHLANDER SPORT THE CRUISE CONTROL STARTED ACTING ERRATICALLY, NOT ENGAGING/NOT TURN/OFF USING THE COLUMN MOUNTED STALK. OUR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, & TIME PASSED, & THE CC BECAME UNRELIABLE, ON A FEW OCCASIONS WAS UNSAFE WHEN IT DID NOT 'CANCEL' PULLING BACK ON THE STALK. I'M HANDY SO I PULLED OFF THE STEERING WHEEL AND TOOK APART THE CLOCK SPRING, DISCOVERED THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE WAS COATED IN A WAXY DIRTY LOOKING BUILDUP & THERE WERE ABRASIONS ON THE FLAT WIRE TAPE, EXPOSING THE COPPER BENEATH, WHICH CRACKED. THIS TO ME IS THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED TO THE WIRE TAPE FOR THE VEHICLES IN THE AIRBAG RECALL MENTIONED ABOVE, ONLY THE DAMAGE ON MINE HAPPENED TO THE CC WIRING PORTION AND NOT THE AIRBAG PORTION (OR THE HVAC CONTROLS OR HORN WIRING). I FEEL OUR VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN AND THAT OUR CLOCK SPRING SHOULD BE REPLACED AS WELL. PLEASE REFER TO THE 2 PHOTOS I ATTACHED. THE ONE SHOWING THE WEAR SPOT, IF YOU DOWNLOAD IT AND ZOOM IN, SHOWS THE EXPOSED COPPER AND CRACK IN IT. THE OTHER PHOTO SHOWS THE LOOP IN THE FLAT ELECTRICAL TAPE WHERE THE WEAR SPOT HAPPENED AS WELL AS THE DIRTY WAXY BUILDUP ON THE TAPE. THIS SAME WEAR COULD CREEP DOWN TO THE AIRBAG MODULE WIRES IN THIS FLAT TAPE AND MAKE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM SHUT DOWN, CAUSING MORE UNSAFE CONDITIONS FOR MY WIFE AND I. MY VIN SHOULD BE ADDED

DRIVING AT A SLOWER SPEED AND DURING A TURN - MY POWER STEERING SHUT OFF- THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR APPEARED ON MY DASH BUT THEN DISAPPEARED. AS A RESULT I LOST ACCESS TO POWER STEERING. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND HAS HAPPENED AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. I CHECKED THE RECALL NOTIFICATIONS AND IDENTIFIED I HAD 3 SEPARATE RECALLS RELATED TO THIS VEHICLE HOW THE POWER STEERING CONCERN WAS NOT ONE OF THEM. I SOON DISCOVERED THIS ARTICLE WHICH EXPLAINS WHAT HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE EXACTLY HTTP://WWW.TECHTIMES.COM/ARTICLES/39149/20150312/TOYOTA-RECALLS-112-500-VEHICLES-DUE-TO-POWER-STEERING-AND-SOFTWARE-ISSUES.HTM .

CAR AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED MY YOUNG CHILD IN THE CAR. I USED THE FOB TO UNLOCK THE CAR. THEN I OPENED THE BACK DOOR TO PUT MY CHILD IN HIS CARSEAT AND PLACED MY KEYS ON THE DRIVER SEAT TO HAVE ACCESS TO BOTH MY HANDS FOR THE TASKS. ONCE MY CHILD WAS STRAPPED IN I SHUT THE BACK RIGHT DOOR TO GO GET IN THE DRIVER FRONT DOOR. AS SOON AS I SHUT THE BACK DOOR I HEARD A BEEP AND ALL THE DOORS LOCKED DOWN, LOCKING MY CHILD INSIDE WITH THE KEYS. AS IT WAS A HOT DAY IN MY TOWN, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE POLICE, WHO HAD TO COME AND JAMMED THE THE DOOR SO I COULD GET OUT MY SON. WE HAVE SINCE CHANGED THE KEYS IN THE FOB AND ON 9/25/2016 WHILE SEATED IN THE CAR IT AGAIN LOCKED ITSELF BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCUMULATOR AND ACTIVATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY OR RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 10/06/16*LJ *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN LTX M/S TIRES, SIZE: P245/65/R17 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE THREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR BUMPER AND REAR WHEEL WELL LINER WERE PARTLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE OTHER THREE TIRES HAD CRACKED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRES HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13T012000 (TIRES), BUT THE TIRE SIZE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,800.

THE STEERING WHEEL HAD BEEN ADJUSTED TO A SETTING FOR A SHORTER DRIVER, AND WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF RE-SETTING IT FOR A TALLER DRIVER, THE STEERING WHEEL AND ITS HOUSING CAME COMPLETELY OFF OF THE SHAFT THAT REACHES INTO THE ENGINE. TO SAFELY GET OFF THE ROAD, AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO STICK IT BACK ON, AND IT WAS UNABLE TO STAY IN THE CORRECT POSITION. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, TO TRY TO REATTACH IT, THE DRIVER AGAIN ATTEMPTED TO SEAT THE HOUSING ON THE SHAFT. THIS MANEUVER WAS COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY, BUT UPON ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE AGAIN, THE "SLIPPERY WHEN WET" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WHATEVER ENGINE MECHANISM THAT ALERTS BEGAN TO ENGAGE, AFFECTING THE BRAKES, ACCELERATOR, AND STEERING. THIS ALL HAPPENED AS WE WERE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, AND THEN ATTEMPTING TO MANEUVER INTO THE ROADWAY.

THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY LOCKED IN THE UP POSITION AND THEREFORE PARTIALLY BLOCKS THE DRIVERS VISION WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.

THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION ALERT LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON IN MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED. I TOOK IT TO TOYOTA SERVICE AND THEY SAID IT WAS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY ON THAT PARTICULARLY DAY. THE ALERT LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN 2 DAYS LATER SO I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE OFFICES. TOYOTA SAID THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON SOME OF THE SAME 2008 HIGHLANDERS, BUT TOYOTA CLAIMS THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THE VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SENSOR WIRING IS IDENTICAL IN MY CAR TO WHAT IS DESCRIBED FOR THOSE CARS THAT WERE RECALLED. THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT IN OUR CAR COMES ON MORE THAN 50% OF THE TIME. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING NOW FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THE PROBLEM IS APPARENT WHENEVER THE ENGINE IS ON, WHETHER THE CAR IS MOVING OR STAIONARY.

FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS OR LONGER, THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THIS CAR HAS BEEN OPERATING ERRATICALLY, WHEN IT WANTS TO IT SEEMS. THE PROBLEM ALWAYS SEEMED TO BE THAT I COULDN'T TURN THE SYSTEM ON. NOW, HOWEVER, WHEN I AM SOMETIMES ABLE TO TURN IT ON, AND SET THE SPEED, THE PROBLEM BECOMES THAT THE STALK ON THE LOWER RIGHT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOSE IT'S CONNECTION AND THE MOVEMENTS OF THE STALK BECOME INACTIVE. THIS IS VERY SURPRISING IF YOU'RE PLANNING TO SLOW DOWN, SPEED UP OR MORE IMPORTANTLY HIT THE CANCEL BUTTON. THE ONLY THING TO DO IS HIT THE BRAKES. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY IN ITS UPRIGHT FLAT POSITION. IT FALLS PARTWAY DOWN TO THE POINT OF BEING AIMED DIRECTLY AT THE FOREHEAD. THIS NOT ONLY IMPEDES VISIBILITY BUT ALSO IS DANGEROUS IF YOU INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH WOULD THROW YOU FORWARD. IT ALSO WILL NOT STAY DOWN AND PUSHED ALL THE WAY FORWARD IN ORDER TO AVOID THE HAZARD OF HAVING IT ANGLED AT YOUR FOREHEAD. HAVING THE VEHICLE IN MOTION ON STATIONARY HAS NOT EFFECT OF THIS PROBLEM.

I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT HAS NEVER BEEN IN A CRASH. ON THURSDAY, FEB.11,2016 AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE AIRBAG WARNINGS LIGHT CAME ON. THE INFO SCREEN SAID TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY AND THERE WERE 2 WARNING SIGNALS ON THE DASH AS WELL. MY CAR HAS 88,000 MILES ON IT. I CALLED OUR LOCAL DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR BRAND NEW. ATKINSON TOYOTA IN BRYAN, TEXAS. I SPOKE TO CHRIS IN SERVICE AND HE SAID HOW QUICK CAN I GET IT THERE. NATURALLY MY HUSBAND WAS OUT OF TOWN SO I SAID IT WOULD BE MONDAY, FEB15,2016 BEFORE I COULD GET IT IN. I HAVE SINCE DONE RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS, INJURIES AND BEWILDERMENT AS TO WHY THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN I SPOKE TO GAVE ME NO INFORMATION AS TO THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING IN OTHER HIGHLANDERS,SAID HE WOULD NEED MY CAR FOR AN ENTIRE DAY AND THAT I COULD RENT A CAR ONSITE AT MY ON EXPENSE. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA IS BEING EXTREMELY NEGLIGENT AND PUTTING PASSENGERS LIVES AT STAKE. I PLAN TO CALL THE DEALER TOMORROW. PLEASE REPORT THIS PROBLEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED BECAUSE THEIR AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WOULD CALL THIS GROSS NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF TOYOTA AS IT IS CLEARLY EVIDENT THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU.

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAS SURGED FORWARD WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKE. TONIGHT, AND ON AT LEAST TWO OTHER OCCASIONS, IT HAS OCCURRED WHILE EXITING THE LOCAL WENDY'S RESTAURANT. THE EXIT SLOPES DOWNWARD FOR TEN FEET OR SO BEFORE REACHING THE MULTI-LANE ONE WAY ROAD. TONIGHT, AS I WAS COMING DOWN THE EXIT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN SURGED FORWARD AND OUT INTO THE ROAD. I ALMOST RAN INTO THE SIDES OF SEVERAL CARS THAT WERE PASSING BY, BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED RIGHT BEFORE IT GOT FAR ENOUGH OUT IN THE ROAD TO HIT THEM. I DON'T KNOW HOW CLOSE MY FRONT END WAS TO HITTING THEM, BUT IT WAS VERY CLOSE. THAT'S WHY I'M FILING THIS COMPLAINT. I'VE CHECKED THE MAT AND IT'S NOT THE MAT. I BELIEVE IT IS SOMETHING IN THE ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL, BUT AS YOU KNOW, TESTS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED ON TOYOTA VEHICLES BEFORE FOR THIS ISSUE, AND NOTHING WAS FOUND THAT I'M AWARE OF. BUT I'M TELLING YOU NOW, AND I HAVE A DEGREE IN ASTRONOMY (I'M TECHNICALLY MINDED), THERE IS SOMETHING MORE THAN MATS AND DRIVER ERROR GOING ON WITH UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION AND TOYOTA VEHICLES. I DID A SEARCH TONIGHT ONLINE, AND I FOUND A NUMBER OF REPORTS FROM OTHER OWNERS OF 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS, NOT TO MENTION A MYRIAD OF OTHER REPORTS FROM OWNERS OF OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES. MY VEHICLE HAS ALSO SURGED FORWARD WHILE TURNING INTO PARKING SPACES AT GROCERY STORES, ONCE AGAIN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. SO FAR, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT RAN OVER THE PARKING BLOCK OR HIT ANOTHER CAR, BUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, AND AS YOU KNOW TOYOTA IS NO HELP WITH THIS ISSUE. MY VEHICLE IS PAID FOR, AND I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER ONE RIGHT NOW OR I WOULD TRADE IT IN. BUT EVEN THEN, I WOULD FEEL UNEASY NOT KNOWING WHAT HAPPENED TO THE NEXT OWNER. PLEASE DO SOMETHING NOW BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE HURT OR KILLED.

THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IN THE STEERING COLUMN IS MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN EVER I TURN IT TO THE RIGHT. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. NOW THEY HAVE A TSB FOR IT FOR REPAIRING THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. WHILE I'M SPENDING $500, FOR THE REPAIR, THEY SHOULD RECALL THIS PART BECAUSE TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT IT SINCE 2 YEARS AGO. WHILE DRIVING IT AND MAKING A TURN , IT WILL JUST MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE AND FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE.

THE PRIMARY ISSUE OF CONCERN IS REGARDING THE VEHICLES VALVE SPRINGS. AS A RESULT OF THE VALVE SPRING WHICH WAS IN PLACE, THE VEHICLE IN WHICH I DROVE, STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY, BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET IT CHECKED. IN ORDER TO RECTIFY THIS IT COST OVER $2,000.00 IN REPAIRS. THIS ISSUE IS OF GRAVE CONCERN, AS A FAULTY VALVE SPRING, IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN ON A HIGHWAY, COULD RESULT IN THE DEATH OF A DRIVER, PASSENGERS, AND OTHER VEHICLES. THIS ISSUE IS SIMILAR TO THE 2010 VALVE SPRING ISSUE WHICH AFFECTED LEXUS VEHICLES. IN THAT 2010 ISSUE, TOYOTA ADMITTED FAULT AND RECALLED ISSUES FOR 2006 TO 2008 LEXUS MODELS. GIVEN THAT THE ISSUE HAPPENED TO OTHER BRANDS OWNED BY TOYOTA THE DOT SHOULD SEE WHETHER THE ISSUE IS MORE WIDESPREAD, AND WHETHER MY VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THIS ISSUE AS WELL. *JS

IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS STEERING COLUMN MAKES CLUNK NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, ALSO ON HIGHWAY STEERING COLUMN RATTLES. IT STARTED 6-15-2014 UNTIL PRESENT DAY 12-28-2015.

ENGINE OIL COOLING (RUBBER) HOSE BURST WHILE DRIVING AND DUMPED ALL OF MY OIL ... TOYOTA HAS SINCE REPAIRED THIS PART WITH A SERIES OF METAL PIPES, WHICH SUGGESTS TO ME THAT THEY REALIZE THAT THIS IS A DEFECT BUT IT IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED AS A RECALL

PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ON ALL THE TIME EVEN WHEN NOBODY SITTING THERE.

I RECENTLY NOTICED A RATTLING SOUND OUT OF THE ENGINE AREA THAT OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. IT TYPICALLY OCCURS AFTER THE VEHICLE SITS FOR A COUPLE HOURS AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE. THE SOUND HAPPENS FOR LESS THAN 2 SECONDS. THE TOYOTA DEALER IN OUR AREA DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS A FAILURE OF THE INTAKE CAM GEAR PER TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 0094-09. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT IF THE ISSUE IS LEFT UNADDRESSED, IT COULD LEAD TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE UPDATED CAM GEAR MADE BY TOYOTA DOES NOT FIT THE EXISTING CAMSHAFT. THIS MEANS THAT ALL 4 CAM GEARS AND TWO CAMSHAFTS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED WHICH DRAMATICALLY INCREASES THE LABOR AND PARTS COSTS. I WAS GIVEN THE FOLLOWING QUOTE FOR THE REPAIR: PART'S $3748.00 LABOR $2137.00 TAX $348.00 TOTAL $6233.00 I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER TOYOTA TO CONFIRM THE DIAGNOSIS AND THEY CONFIRMED THE ISSUE AND QUOTED ME AT A SIMILAR PRICE TO DO THE REPAIR. MESSAGE BOARDS ALL ACROSS THE INTERNET DESCRIBE A SIMILAR PHENOMENON. AFTER DISCUSSING THE MATTER WITH TOYOTA CORPORATE, THEY AGREED TO COVER 50% OF THE PARTS COST, BUT I BELIEVE THIS TO BE UNFAIR BECAUSE THEIR UPDATED PART INTRINSICALLY AND DRAMATICALLY INCREASES THE LABOR AND PARTS COSTS. EVEN THOUGH ONLY ONE CAM GEAR FAILED, THE REPLACEMENT OF ALL 4 CAM GEARS IS NOW NECESSARY.

BRIDGESTONE DEULER H/L 400 TIRES HAD POOR TREAD LIFE AND WERE VERY POOR IN ANY AMOUNT OF SNOW. RAIN ALSO RESULTED IN HYDRO PLANNING.

VIBRATION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITION TUBE FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE AIR CONDITION TUBE WAS EXPOSED TO THE MOTOR VENTILATOR CAUSING THE TUBE TO OVERHEAT AND EXPLODE, SPILLING THE COOLANT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING OIL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND FOUND A LEAK IN THE MOTOR OIL COOLING HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE MECHANIC FOUND AN ISSUE WITH THE CAM SHAFT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

FACTORY ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY.. HOOD LATCH SENSOR PROBLEM?

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER INVOLVED IN A REAR/SIDE CRASH SITTING STILL; HIT BY OTHER VEHICLE AT 60 MPH; 3 OCCUPANTS INSIDE VEHICLE ALL INJURED; NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN VEHICLE AT TIME OF CRASH; IF AIRBAGS ONLY ARE TO DEPLOY ON A FRONTAL IMPACT CRASH WHAT GOOD R THEY IN OTHER CRASHES TO HELP THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. AFTER THE CONTACT PLACED THE 7 MONTH OLD CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT WITH THE SMART KEY INSIDE THE VEHICLE, ALL THE DOORS ERRONEOUSLY LOCKED. THE CHILD BECAME TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOW HAD TO BE BROKEN IN ORDER TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SMART KEY SAFETY FEATURE DID NOT PREVENT THE DOORS FROM BECOMING LOCKED WHILE THE SMART KEY WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

I WAS DRIVING THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WHEN I GOT STRUCK ON MY FRONT LEFT SIDE . I WAS HIT PRETTY HARD MY HEAD WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE WINDSHIELD . AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED I WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL ALONG WITH 2 OTHER PEOPLE . AND ON THE SCREEN IT SAID CHECK SYSTEM AIR BAG FAILURE .

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS WARNING LIGHT FLASHED RANDOMLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V168000 (AIR BAGS) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V245000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH AND PARKING THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AT HOME, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED THROUGH THE INTERIOR WALL OF THE GARAGE, ONLY COMING TO A STOP AFTER DAMAGING THE OUTER BRICK FACADE OF THE BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED AND NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 10/07/15*LJ UPDATED 12/11/2017*CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER DRIVER RAN A LIGHT AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHOULDER INJURIES, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V168000 (AIR BAGS), BUT HAD NOT YET MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. ..UPDATED 08/26/15 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE STOPPING THE VEHICLE AFTER PRESSING THE KEYLESS PUSH START SYSTEM, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL DOWN A HILL WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND BECAME STUCK. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES TO RELEASE THE PEDAL. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SUN VISOR FALLS IN FRONT OF DRIVER. IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT THE DRIVER COULD BE INJURED BY THE VISOR.

ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE, THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH A CHEAP PART ON THE TOYOTA V6 ENGINES. THERE WAS EVEN A RECALL FOR THE PART, HOWEVER, I"M TOLD MY CAR WASN'T ON THE RECAL LIST. HTTPS://SITES.GOOGLE.COM/SITE/TOYOTAV6OILLINESCANDAL/ THE ISSUE AT HAND IS THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR ALL MAINTENANCE, SO ITS NOT A NEGLECT ISSUE. THE REAR BANK VVT-I OIL LINE USED IN PRIOR TO 2008 (MINE HAS THIS ISSUE AS WELL) IS METAL WITH A RUBBER HOST CONNECTING THE TWO. THE HOSE RUPTURES, DUMPS ALL OF THE OIL, WHICH SQUIRTS ONTO THE PASSENGER WHEEL, IN THE BRAKES, ETC. IT CAN NOT ONLY CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE BAY (WHICH IT DID NOT IN THIS CASE), BUT IT COULD ALSO LEAD TO AN INABILITY TO STEER OR BRAKE (NEITHER WERE THE CASE HERE). LASTLY, 6 QUARTS OF OIL DRAINED OUT IN LESS THAN 60 SECONDS, AND THE ENGINE COULD HAVE SEIZED. THIS IS A SERIOUR ISSUE FOR A $35.00 PART.

WHEN YOU START UP CAR THERE IS A ENGINE GRINDING NOISE FOR A FEW SECONDS. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET, JUST GOOGLE 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER START UP ENGINE NOISE AND YOU WILL GET A BETTER LOOK AT WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE. THIS COULD LEAD TO SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE . IT IS A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILING WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN PUT THROUGH A STRESS TEST AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT KEPT AND DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT THE FUEL PUMP AND THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITHIN THE SYSTEM ONCE THE VEHICLE WARMED UP THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

I HAVE THE SUN VISOR ON MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT HAS FALLEN DOWN AND IT DOESN'T STAY UP AT ALL ANYMORE. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH THREE CHILDREN AND FIND THIS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE IT OBSTRUCTS MY VISION ALSO WHEN I LOOK TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT I CONSTANTLY HIT MY FOREHEAD ON THE VISOR THAT IS CONSTANTLY ON THE WAY. IT IS A HAZARD TO ME AND MY 3 CHILDREN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V168000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

I PURCHASED A QUALIFIED PRE-OWNED 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SPORT FROM RICE TOYOTA IN GREENSBORO, NC IN FEBRUARY OF 2013. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE PROPERLY SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND RETAINED ALL SERVICE RECORDS. ON OR ABOUT MARCH 31, 2015, WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON I-40 (65 MPH INTERSTATE HIGHWAY), THE ENGINE IN MY HIGHLANDER SUDDENLY STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I COASTED INTO A REST AREA (LUCKILY) AND WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION IN GREENSBORO. A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY ENGINE VALVE SPRING. EVERY MECHANIC I HAVE SPOKEN WITH HAVE INDICATED THAT A VALVE SPRING SHOULD NOT BREAK ON A 2008 TOYOTA WITH AROUND 100K MILES. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT TOYOTA HAS RECALLED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CERTAIN LEXUS MODELS, INCLUDING MODELS FROM 2008 WITH THE SAME 3.5 LITER V6 ENGINE AS IS IN MY HIGHLANDER, FOR FAULTY VALVE SPRINGS THAT RESULT IN SUDDEN ENGINE STALLING. RICE TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE, AS HAS TOYOTA CORPORATION. FURTHER, TOYOTA CORPORATION HAS REFUSED TO PROVIDE ME WITH ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VALVE SPRING IN MY VEHICLE AND/OR ANY INDICATION IF THE SAME VALVE SPRING WAS IN THE RECALLED LEXUS MODES. I HAVE SEEN CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS FILED AGAINST TOYOTA FOR CONCEALING ISSUES WITH VALVE SPRINGS. THIS DEFECT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AS THE VEHICLE STALLS SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. I NEED ASSISTANCE TO MOTIVATE TOYOTA CORPORATION AND RICE TOYOTA TO CORRECT A CLEAR DESIGN AND/OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAUSED A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ENGINE STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. *TR

A FEW MONTHS AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE NEW, MY HUSBAND NOTICED A MILDEW SMELL IN MY VEHICLE THAT WOULD COME AND GO. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST FROM LIVING IN A HUMID PLACE. WHEN THE SMELL BECAME CONSTANT, MY HUSBAND LIFTED UP THE FLOOR MAT IN THE BACK SEAT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE CARPET WAS SOAKING WET. WE THEN CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO TAKE THE HIGHLANDER IN TO BE LOOKED AT AND TO SEE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE WATER LEAK. WE TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON JUNE 18, 2014 AND WE WERE LATER INFORMED THAT FOUR RUBBER STOPPERS (WHICH WERE AT THE TIME LOSE INSIDE THE BUMPERS, BUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INSERTED INTO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE) THAT WERE MEANT TO KEEP WATER OUT OF THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR HAD FALLEN OUT AND THE TECH WOULD NEED TO RE-INSERT THE STOPPERS, AND FOR GOOD MEASURE, GLUE THEM INTO PLACE IN ORDER TO STOP WATER FROM ENTERING THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A POLICE REPORT AND A FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE CONTACT TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

TOOK MY CAR TO STATE INSPECTION AND FAILED BECAUSE ONLY LEFT SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. I REPLACED THE BULBS AND CHECKED THE FUSE. FUSE IS FINE AND HAD NEW BULBS AND THE LIGHT STILL DO NOT WORK. RESEARCHED ONLINE AND IT SEEMS LIKE MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. FROM WHAT I READ FROM PEOPLE ONLINE, NO ONE COULD FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE AND SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM. SOME PEOPLE ALREADY TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND "RESOLVED THE ISSUE" BY SPENDING $400 BUT ENDED UP WITH THE SAME ISSUE A YEAR LATER. SEEMS TO BE GOING IN THE DIRECTION OF ELECTRICAL DESIGN DEFECT. I NEED TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED TO PASS THE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, A POPPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NOISE OCCURS WHILE TURNING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE "CLUNKING" AND VIBRATIONS ARE FELT WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE PART FROM TOYOTA WAS REMANUFACTURED IN 2011 TO REPLACE THE CURRENT PART GIVEN IT WAS A DEFAULT PART NOT LASTING LONG. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE GIVEN IT IS THE MECHANISM THAT CONNECTS THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE FRONT SHAFT ASSEMBLY. SHOULD THAT HAVE ISSUE, BREAK ETC. WHILE DRIVING OR TURNING IT CAN BE ACCIDENTAL OR FATAL. THE DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THAT WHILE IT MAY NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUE, ITS NOT FULLY DETERMINED THAT IT IS NOT. FOR THE PART TO BE RE-MANUFACTURED DIFFERENTLY, THERE MUST HAVE BEEN KNOWLEDGE OF A FAULTY PART. THIS NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED BY TOYOTA. PART IS INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. *TR

TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE AND A CLICK IN THE STEERING WHEEL MAINLY AT SLOW SPEED & IF JUST BEARING MOVING - VERY LOW SPEED. NUMEROUS REPORTS HAVE BEEN TURNED INTO TOYOTA - YET THEY WILL NOT DO A RECALL - APPEARS THAT THE STEERING SHAFT IS THE PROBLEM. HAVE BEEN TOLD HUNDREDS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED IN PHOENIX ALONE. CAN YOU REQUEST FROM TOYOTA HOW MANY OF THESE SHAFTS THE DEALERS HAVE PURCHASED? TOYOTA WILL NOT TELL ME WHEN I REQUESTED THIS INFORMATION. OUR VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 25K MILES ON IT & IT IS 7 YEARS OLD SO IT ISN'T AN ABUSED VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO ON OTHER TOYOTA MODELS / YEARS I'VE BEEN TOLD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE DRIVESHAFT DETACHED FROM THE MOUNT DUE TO A FAILED SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAVE PRACTICED PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WHILE ROLLING AND RESTARTING THE CAR. *MW THE CONSUMER OFFERED HIS SUGGESTION ON HOW TO HANDLE THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. *JB

ON DECEMBER 10TH, 2014, AROUND 8:15AM, OUR 2008 HIGHLANDER SPORT AWD SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT FULL THROTTLE WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, ENTERED THE CROSS SECTION AND CRASHED WITH INCOMING SUV ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CAR KEPT GOING AT HIGH SPEED AFTER RUNNING A CURB AND FLATTENED ALL 4 TIRES ON STRAIGHT LINES AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED IN A NEIGHBOR'S YARD, MADE DEEP TRENCH INTO THE LAWN. THE OTHER PARTIES WERE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL EXAM AND THEIR SUV WAS BADLY DAMAGED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WE HAVE PHOTOS FROM VARIOUS ANGLES SHOWING THAT THIS CAR WAS NOT STOPPABLE BY A HUMAN AT THE MOMENT. WE WERE TOLD OUR CAR WILL BE A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. OUR EVIDENCE INDICATED THE CAR'S DEFECTS WAS THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION WHICH HAS BEEN THE CASE FOR MANY OTHER TOYOTA CAR OWNERS FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS. WE NEED TO HOLD TOYOTA RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS AND OTHER ACCIDENTS AND TO BE INVESTIGATED THOROUGHLY BY THE NHTSA. OUR LOSS SHOULD BE PROPERLY COMPENSATED BY TOYOTA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. CASE:TOYOTA HIGHLANDER UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION ACCIDENT ON 12/10/2014 CASE NUMBER:[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V168000 (AIR BAG). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME TO RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

ENGINE OIL LEAKED ALMOST EMPTY. WHEN I PICKED UP KID FROM SCHOOL PARKING ON THE DRIVEWAY ON THAT RAINY DAY, SAW A LEAK LINE ON THE WET GROUND. NEXT SATURDAY I FILLED A QT OIL TO THE LEVEL AND DROVE TO REPAIR SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN SAID ALMOST ALL 5.5 QT OIL WAS LEAKED OUT. TURNED OUT IT WAS TIMING CHAIN COVERS SILICON SEALER BROKEN. I AM THE PERSON ALWAYS CHECK AROUND MY CAR BEFORE GOING OUT, IF NOT CHECKING, THINGS COULD BE VERY BAD. *TR

AFTER PARKING THE CAR AT THE AIRPORT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND UPON RETURN STARTED THE CAR AND STARTED HEARING GRINDING NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE AND WOULD NOT BE AUDIBLE AT THE HIGHWAY OR FREEWAY DRIVING SPEEDS (> 40 MILES). TOOK TO THE DEALER TO GET 2 OUTSTANDING RECALLS (SPIRAL CABLE AND SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR BRAKE PEDAL OVERRIDE) AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WATER PUMP IS FAILING. COST COULD BE AROUND $800 AND WAS NOT HAPPY TO HEAR AS THE QUALITY OF THESE PARTS CONSISTENTLY BEEN DETERIORATING AND HAD TO REPLACE ON EARLIER TOYOTA'S THAT I OWNED. *TR

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATE DURING DRIVING. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. THE OIL COOLER HOSE FAILED LEAKING OIL AND SMOKING FROM BURNING ON EXHAUST THEN OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER SAYS RECALL WAS DONE ALREADY HOWEVER IT APPARENTLY DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING CAUSE IT WAS ALREADY DONE ONCE. NOT SURE IF ANY ENGINE DAMAGE WAS DONE NEED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A SHOP. *TR

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECEIVING AN AIRBAG NOTIFICATION. *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB

THE SPIRAL CABLE IN THE STEERING WHEEL HAS CAUSED THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON, WHICH MEANS THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT OPERATE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. ALSO THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT OPERATE. THESE ITEMS ARE ALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE SPIRAL CABLE. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THEY KNOW OF THE SPIRAL CABLE PROBLEM BUT DO NOT HAVE A FIX FOR IT NOW. *TR

THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. AS YOU KNOW AND ANNOUNCED BY TOYOTA THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS CABLE. HOWEVER TOYOTA IS, I FEEL DRAGGING THERE FEET DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. CAN YOU CONTACT TOYOTA AND FIND OUT WHAT IS BEING DONE. ALL I GET IS THE STANDARD ANSWER----WORKING ON IT. NO FIX YET. *TR

THE OIL COOLER HOSE ON MY 2008 HIGHLANDER SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING MOST OF MY CAR'S OIL TO SPILL OUT ON TO THE DRIVEWAY. APPARENTLY, THIS PARTICULAR RUBBER HOSE HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF RECALLS AND EQUIPMENT UPGRADES TO A METAL PIPE IN OTHER TOYOTA MODELS, BUT NOT THE HIGHLANDER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA IS NEGLECTING TO ACKNOWLEDGE IN ITS HIGHLANDERS. I CALLED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THE PROBLEM, AND ASK WHAT TOYOTA IS DOING TO FIX IT, AND THEY DENIED THERE WAS ANY KIND OF PROBLEM WITH THE OIL COOLER HOSES. A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH IMPLIES OTHERWISE. *TR

ATTEMPTING TO PARK CAR IN A SHOPPING CENTER. SUDDENLY ENGINE ACCELERATED UNINTENTIONALLY. HIT CURB & TREE. DAMAGE TO CAR APPROXIMATELY $6000 TO REPAIR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH, THE SRS WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V168000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 9/18/14*CN

THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND UPON INSPECTION FOUND THAT ALL OF THE LUG NUTS ON BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE VERY LOOSE. THE CAR WAS SERVICED BY GREENTREE TOYOTA GREENTREE SCION. COMMERCE DRIVE, BROOKFIELD CT THE DAY BEFORE AND A TIRE ROTATION SERVICE WAS REQUESTED. THE LUG NUTS WERE LOOSENED BUT NEVER TIGHTENED BACK UP. *TR

MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SPORT OIL COOLER LINE JUST GAVE OUT. DURING MY RESEARCH I FOUND THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN THE PAST. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER TWO WEEK. ACCORDING TO THE TOYOTA DEALER, THE RUBBER HOSE IS BEING REPLACED BY METAL. TOYOTA DOES NOT HAVE AN ETA FOR THE PART. THE DEALERSHIP IS NUMBER 90 ON THE LIST.. THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE A CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER TURNING ON THE AIR CONDITIONER, IT EMITTED HOT AIR THROUGH THE VENTS AND WOULD CONTINUE TO DO SO ONCE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER A REMEDY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT A COMPUTER CHIP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 63,000.

WHILE DRIVING MY CARE ON THE HIGHWAY THE "LOW ENGINE PRESSURE" LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND WENT TO THE GAS STATION. ALL THE OIL IN MY CAR LEAKED OUT. WE PUT 4 QUARTS OF OIL IN MY CAR AND WHEN YOU TURN ON THE CAR ALL THE OIL LEAKED OUT. I CALL FOR A FLAT BED TOW TRUCK AND DROP MY CAR OFF TO THE DEALER. TOYOTA HAS A RECALL 2GR-FEV6 LSC 90K, WHICH HAS THIS ISSUE. THE TOYOTA DEALER IS SAYING MY VEHICLE VIN # IS NOT EFFECTED BY THIS. HOW COULD THIS BEEN WHEN THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPEN TO MY CAR AND THEY ARE REPLACING THE PARTS THAT ARE PART OF THIS RECALL. THEY ARE CHARGING ME $900.00 TO FIX THE CAR. I NEED HELP. MY TOYOTA LIFE TIME WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THIS!!!!!.....THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I BELIEVE TOYOTA IS COVERING IT UP SO THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE ALL THE VEHICLES FIXED DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION. *TR

I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON A DIVIDED ONE WAY STREET. A 2006 MINIVAN WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DIVIDED STREET. HE MADE A LEFT HAND TURN, RAN THROUGH THE YIELD SIGN AND BROADSIDED ME ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I SAW HE WAS NOT GOING TO STOP AND TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, NOT IN TIME. TOOK OUT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HIGHLANDER FROM THE FRONT WHEEL TO THE REAR PANEL. HIS FRONT AIRBAG DID DEPLOY. MY SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I KNOW MY HEAD BOUNCED AGAINST THE SIDE WINDOW TWICE. I ASKED THE BODY SHOP TO LOOK AT THE AIRBAG AND THEY SAID THAT IT APPEARED OK AND APPARENTLY THE STRIKE DID NOT WARRANT AIRBAG INFLATION. THE HIGHLANDER IS 4 WHEEL DRIVE, 20" WHEELS. BOTH LEFT DOORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND DAMAGE WAS LOW ON DOORS. WHEELS ALSO REPLACED. I THINK THE SIDE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *TR

WE WERE STARTING OFF TO GO ON VACATION WHEN WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD AND INFORMATION PANEL WITH HYBRID SYSTEM WARNINGS AND BRAKE WARNINGS THEN THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND STEERING WAS LOST. WE WERE ABLE TO GET OFF TO THE SIDE ENOUGH TO PREVENT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT HOWEVER WE WERE ON A BUSY STREET. HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A FAILED COIL. THEY REPLACED ALL 3 COILS SAYING THAT IT WOULD BE PRUDENT AS THE ENGINE WAS ALREADY APART (I AGREE). THEY ALSO SAID THAT THIS IS A RELATIVELY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH SOME OF THE HIGHLANDER HYBRIDS. I HAVE THE PART AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE TOP OF THE COIL BECAME OVER HEATED AND BLEW OUT THE TOP PLASTIC COMPOUND. I CONSIDER MYSELF VERY LUCKY THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE ON A HIGHWAY ON A RAINY DAY WHERE THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPPING WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS CERTAINLY A FLAW THAT TOYOTA SHOULD ADDRESS FOR SAFETY REASONS AND IT MAKES ME HESITANT TO WANT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER TOYOTA PRODUCT AGAIN. *TR

I NORMALLY RIDE A VANPOOL, BUT DUE TO FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS TODAY I DECIDED TO DRIVE MY CAR INTO THE OFFICE. MY HUSBAND CALLED ME AT WORK TO TELL ME HE NOTICED A BIG OIL SPOT ON THE GARAGE AFTER I LEFT FOR WORK. HE TOLD ME TO PULL OVER AND NOT DRIVE MY HIGHLANDER IF IT STARTED CLACKING OR SMOKING ON MY WAY HOME. MY HUSBAND JUST CHANGED THE OIL IN MY CAR A FEW DAYS PRIOR. BEFORE I COULD MAKE IT HOME THE CAR WAS SMOKING, KNOCKING, AND SHIFTING VERY LOUDLY. MY HUSBAND SAID I WAS LUCKY THIS DIDN'T LOCK UP THE ENGINE. HE DISCOVERED OIL SPLATTERS ALL OVER THE TIRE AND NEAR THE ENGINE. WE HAD NO ISSUES AT ALL PRIOR TO TODAY. WE ARE GOING TO TRY REPLACING THE OIL LINE AS DENOTED IN OTHER PEOPLES COMMENTS. THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH THIS ISSUE MIRROR MY EXPERIENCE. I'M DISAPPOINTED TO HEAR TOYOTA ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS AND NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS I'M HAULING KIDS TO/FROM DAYCARE DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC NOT TO MENTION LOCKING UP THE ENGINE. THIS CAME OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V168000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED SINCE THE PARTS NEEDED WERE CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE.

TOYOTA'S T-SB-0201-1 SHOULD TRIGGER A RECALL!! MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER '08 HIGHLANDER, WITH 2 CO-WORKER PASSENGERS, TO A FUNERAL. ON 95N IN DANVERS, MA, A MOTOR BIKER PULLED ALONGSIDE & FLAGGED MY WIFE TO PULL OVER ASAP AS THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND UNDER THE CAR. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR & WAITING FOR THE SMOKE TO DISSIPATE,HE CHECKED & FOUND THERE WAS NO LONGER ANY OIL IN THE ENGINE, THE OIL HAD EMPTIED FROM THE ENGINE THE LAST FEW MILES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. I ARRIVED LATER THAT MORNING TO INVESTIGATE, TO DISCOVER THAT THE OIL WAS BELOW THE DIPSTICK. THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE & ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, SPARE TIRE, WHEEL WELLS, RIGHT WHEELS & TIRES & REAR LIFTGATE WERE COATED IN ENGINE OIL. THE SMOKE APPARENTLY WAS FROM OIL SPLASHING ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM, & VAPORIZING DUE TO THE HIGH TEMP, CREATING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY DETERMINED THAT AN OIL COOLER LINE EXTERNAL TO THE ENGINE - PART OF A TOWING OPTION PACKAGE THE CAR HAS - HAD RUPTURED! THE ENGINE'S OIL HAD BEEN PUMPED OUT BY THE OIL PUMP. WE HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT TOYOTA HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN - T-SB-0201-11 - IN DECEMBER 2011 WHICH ADDRESSED "OIL SEEPAGE" FROM THIS EXACT OIL LINE. NOW WE ARE $480 POORER, & WE COULD HAVE EXPERIENCED A $10 K ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SEIZING, & POSSIBLE INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE DUE TO THIS. THIS TSB WAS NEVER PERFORMED ON OUR CAR AS WE HAD NEVER SEEN SPOTTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY FROM THIS LEAK. THE NEW PART INSTALLED WAS REDESIGNED AS SOLID METAL TUBING TO FIX THE ORIGINAL RUBBER HOSE WITH CLAMPS. INSTEAD OF RECALLING ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES TO REPLACE THIS POTENTIAL LIFE TAKER, TOYOTA SIMPLY SWEPT IT UNDER THE RUG AND ONLY REPLACED THEM WHEN SOMEONE SAW A LEAK AND ONLY WHEN THEY STILL WERE BELOW THEIR 36,000 MILEAGE WARRANTY. CRAZY! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED TO WORK. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON NONE OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WOULD WORK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY OVER A PERIOD OF SIX YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC; HOWEVER, THE DIAGNOSES WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. UPDATED 8/12/14*CN UPDATED 8/28/2017*CN

THE OIL LINE HAS DEGRADED, CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE OIL AND POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. *TR

FOLLOWING A OIL CHANGE AT LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL (2 FOOT X 2 FOOT PLUS) FOUND UNDER CAR. I SUSPECTED OIL FILTER OR STRIPPED OIL PAN PLUG. *JS VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THEY STATED IT WAS COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE AWD TRANSFER BOX AND THAT IS WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR - $5,000.00+ NOTE - DURING A PREVIOUS OIL CHANGE AT APPROXIMATELY 63,000 MILES TOYOTA DEALER STATED THERE WAS A POSSIBLE SMALL LEAK ON THE AWD TRANSFER BOX AND THAT THEY WOULD MONITOR THIS DURING FUTURE OIL CHANGES. I WAS NEVER INFORMED, OF ANY ADDITIONAL LEAKAGE DURING ANY OIL CHANGES AT THE SAME TOYOTA DEALER. (CAR DID NOT LEAK ANY OIL PRIOR TO FAILURE OF THE AWD TRANSFER BOX)

I BELIEVE THERE IS A MANUFACTURING FLAW IN THE 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SEAT BELTS. WHEN I INITIALLY PURCHASED MY HIGHLANDER (NEW), THERE WAS A CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN THE REAR PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT, WHICH USED THE LATCH SYSTEM FOR INSTALLATION (DID NOT REQUIRE USE OF SEAT BELT). WHEN I FIRST WENT TO INSTALL A BOOSTER SEAT IN THAT POSITION, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE THE SEAT BELT TO BE USED, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK (COULD NOT EXTEND BELT, WOULD NOT RETRACT, ETC.). THE BELT HAD NEVER BEEN USED AND DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE FILED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH TOYOTA, BUT THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT OF MY SEAT BELT, BECAUSE I WAS OUTSIDE OF MY WARRANTY TIME (# OF MILES). FIRST, THE BELT HAD NEVER BEEN USED (BECAUSE A CHILD SAFETY SEAT HAD ALWAYS BEEN IN THAT POSITION SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE). SECOND, THE # OF MILES DRIVEN HAS NO DIRECT CORRELATION TO HOW OFTEN A REAR SEAT BELT IS USED. IT MAY HAVE A DIRECT CORRELATION TO HOW OFTEN THE DRIVER'S BELT IS USED, BUT NONE OF THE OTHER POSITIONS. NOW, THE OTHER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT IS STARTING TO HAVE PROBLEMS...OFTENTIMES IT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY/GETS LOCKED WHEN IT SHOULDN'T, ETC. THE FRONT BELTS ALSO LOCK-UP VERY EASILY AND ARE HARD TO GET UNLOCKED ONCE LOCKED. I BELIEVE THERE TO BE A FLAW IN THE MANUFACTURING/COMPONENTS OF THESE BELTS AND FEEL TOYOTA SHOULD COVER REPLACING THEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!! *TR

WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY 17 SOUTH TOWARDS SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA ON A RAINING WEDNESDAY MORNING, I SUDDENLY FELT MY VEHICLE LOOSING CONTROL IN A SLIPPERY DOWNHILL HIGHWAY AND I HIT THE CENTER DIVIDER WITH THE LEFT FRONT OF VEHICLE AND CAR SPUN MULTIPLE TIMES AND HITTING THE LEFT REAR BUMPER TO THE WALL FACING THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE ARE 4 OF US IN THE VEHICLE ALL WEARING SEAT BELTS AND SUFFERED INJURIES. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE TOTAL LOST. I WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN FREMONT TO INVESTIGATE THE REASONS WHY THE AIR BAG AND ABS DID NOT ACTIVATE. I AM ABOUT TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP ONCE THEY OPEN IN FEW MINUTES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE SRS WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO NOTICED THAT THE SRS AIR BAG SPIRAL CABLE WAS FAULTY. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DEFECT COULD SUSPEND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

VEHICLE AIRBAG LIGHT ON WITH AN INDICATION OF B1801. I WAS TOLD THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. TOYOTA HAS RECALLED OTHER MODELS FOR SIMILAR REASONS. CAR FORUMS RESEARCH HAS UNCOVERED MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH SAME ISSUE. AIRBAGS ARE A TRUE SAFETY CONCERN AND TOYOTA, NOT THE CUSTOMER SHOULD FIX ISSUE. *TR

DRIVING IN PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 5MPH WHEN SMELLED BURNING OIL. PARKED CAR AND NOTICED SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. TURNED OFF CAR AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED OIL OVER ENGINE. SEARCHED ONLINE AND SAW ISSUE WITH OIL-COOLER LINE "TOYOTA: ON SOME VEHICLES, THE ENGINE OIL COOLER PIPES MAY EXHIBIT AN OIL SEEPAGE. INFORMATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED REGARDING THIS ISSUE". THIS DID TURN OUT TO BE THE ISSUE. FORTUNATELY THIS EVEN OCCURRED WHEN WE WERE IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH KIDS IN THE BACK. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE AND/OR ENGINE DAMAGE. THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS SERVICE NOTICE BUT NO OFFICIAL RECALL HAD OCCURRED. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE TO BOTH THE CARS AND PASSENGERS AND I HOPE THAT A RECALL WOULD OCCUR. *TR

HIGH PRESSURE OIL COOLER LINE FAILURE OF RUBBER HOSE SECTION DUMPED 5 QTS OF ENGINE OIL SOAKING UNDERCARRIAGE AND SPRAYING ONTO NEARBY HOT EXHAUST PIPE AND RIGHT REAR TIRE. NO INDICATION OF LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE ON VEHICLE MONITORING SYSTEM. NOTICED A FAINT SMELL OF BURNT OIL WHEN VEHICLE WAS PARKED. RETURNED LATER TO START VEHICLE AND HEARD AUDIBLE ENGINE NOISE AND TURNED OF ENGINE TO INVESTIGATE UNDER HOOD, A NOTICEABLE PUDDLE OF OIL HAD ACCUMULATED UNDER CAR. VEHICLE TOWED FOR DIAGNOSES AND REPAIR. *TR

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT LIT, TOOK TO DEALER AND FOUND OUT SPIRAL CABLE WAS THE ISSUE AND NEED REPLACED. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE WHICH I BELIEVE SHOULD BE RECALLED BY TOYOTA AS THEY ALREADY DID ON OTHER MODELS. AS A LOYAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER ALONG WITH THE REST, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UPON TOYOTA TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND DO THE RIGHT THING--RECALL THIS AIR BAG ISSUE. THANK YOU!! *TR

SPIRAL CABLE FAILED AT ABOUT 78 000 MILES ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER BASE MODEL CAUSING AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. I TOOK IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT AND I WAS TOLD OF FAILURE OF AIRBAG SYSTEM CREATING INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE LIGHT RANDOMLY CAME ON AND WAS NOT CAUSED BY AN ACCIDENT. I AM SUSPICIOUS THAT THE FAILURE IS A MANUFACTURING AND/OR DESIGN DEFECT WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN SEEN IN OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SIMILAR SPIRAL CABLE FAILURE. I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA SERVICE THAT IT WOULD BE OVER $500 TO REPLACE THE CABLE SINCE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER DOING A BIT OF RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO IS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I AM HOPEFUL THAT A RECALL CAN BE DONE SO THAT MY AIRBAG CAN DEPLOY IF NEEDED. THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD HAVE POSSIBLY DONE TO CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE SPIRAL CABLE WHICH IS HOUSED INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN; THEREFORE I BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING. *TR

AIRBAG SENSOR IS ALWAYS LIT NOW. TOOK HIGHLANDER INTO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING FOR OTHER TOYOTA RECALLS AND HAD THEM CHECK SENSOR. I WAS TOLD MY 2008 HIGHLANDER NEEDED A NEW SPIRAL CABLE AND COST WAS 557.00 TO INSTALL. I JUST FOUND MORE COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS AND WONDER WHY IT IS NOT A RECALL CONSIDERING OTHER TOYOTAS SUCH AS CAMRYS, TACOMAS & VENZAS HAD SAME PROBLEM BUT WAS A RECALL. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE 2008 HIGHLANDERS INVOLVED IN A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. APPARENTLY, I WON'T HAVE ANY AIRBAGS WORKING UNTIL THIS IS FIXED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SHE BEGAN TO HER A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHICH STATED THAT THE ENGINE COOLER HOSE HAD A HOLE AND CAUSE THE ENGINE OIL TO LEAK OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER LEAVING THE KEY FOB IN THE IGNITION, SHE WALKED AROUND THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AFTER SECURING A CHILD IN THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT WHEN THE DOORS LOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE KEY FOB HAD A LOW BATTERY AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,700. UPDATED 3/25/14*CN *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE SENSOR, VSC SENSOR AND THE TRAC OFF SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT ADDITIONAL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HUB OF THE WHEEL BEARING WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR WHEEL HARNESSES WERE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,154.

SPIRAL CABLE FAILED AT ABOUT 72, 000 MILES ON MY 2008 TOY HIGHLANDER BASE MODEL CAUSING AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE STEADY AND WAS TOLD OF FAILURE OF AIRBAG SYSTEM CREATING INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. CAUSE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING AND/OR DESIGN DEFECT AS ALSO SEEN IN OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SIMILAR SPIRAL CABLE FAILURE. SENSOR APPEARS TO RESET WHEN NO PERSON IS SEATED ON DRIVER SIDE AND IGNITION IS TURNED ON. AS SOON AS DRIVER SEAT SENSOR IS ACTIVATED THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT IS ON. PROBLEM WITH DRIVER SEAT SENSORS OR MAIN MODULE PERHAPS? EITHER WAY IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT NOT FOUND ON OLDER TOYOTAS (?) *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK DOOR HAS STOPPED LOCKING/UNLOCKING WITH THE KEY FOB AS WELL AS THE ELECTRICAL LOCK. THE BEEP DOESN'T OCCUR WHEN I USE THE FOB TO LOCK THE DOORS BECAUSE THE DOOR ISN'T LOCKING, BUT DOES BEEP WHEN UNLOCKING THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE BACK DOOR STILL REMAINS LOCKED. I DID HAVE THE RECALL ON THE WINDOW LOCK SWITCH COMPLETED, SO NOT SURE IF THAT IS FACTORING IN WITH THE PROBLEM OR NOT.. *TR

MY WINDSHIELD WIPER DEFROSTER STARTED TO CRACKLE AND SMOKE. I TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON AND IT STARTED TO DO IT AGAIN. *TR

OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WENT ON ALMOST IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER FOUND NO OIL ON DIPSTICK HAD RAPID OIL LEAK, DEALER REPLACED OIL COOLER HOSE WITH OIL COOLER PIPE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MILES PER HOUR, THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON, BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN GOING ALL THE WAY DOWN WHILE BRAKING, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN MAKING NOISE. I STOPPED THE CAR, OPEN THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT ALL MY BRAKE FLUID WAS GONE. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WAS NEARBY I DROVE THE CAR SLOWLY TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY CHECKED THE BRAKE SYSTEM ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT ALL THE BRAKE FLUID WAS IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER. MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED DUE TO BAD SEALS BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER. NOW THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER NEED TO BE REPLACED. I PURCHASED THE HIGHLANDER BRAND NEW IN 2008. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WITH APPROXIMATELY 78,420 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 5,000 MILES EVER SINCE I PURCHASED IT. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN TO A VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY MATTER, AND MY BRAKES HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BRAKE FLUID AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP ON OCTOBER 02, 2013. *TR

IN EARLY NOVEMBER I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA INSTRUCTING ME TO ARRANGE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE. THE LETTER INDICATED THAT THIS REPLACEMENT IS URGENT AND THAT I WOULD BE IN VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA REGULATIONS IF I DID NOT DO THIS REPAIR. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER, TOYOTA OF SANTA CRUZ, THE NEXT DAY TO SCHEDULE THE APPOINTMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT TOYOTA RATIONS THE PARTS FOR THESE REPAIRS AND THAT I WOULD BE PUT AN A WAITING LIST AND TO EXPECT A CALL IN 2-3 WEEKS. A MONTH LATER I CALLED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT I WAS STILL ON A WAITING LIST AND IT WOULD BE 2-3 WEEKS AT THE EARLIEST BEFORE I COULD SCHEDULE THE REPAIR. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA (OR THE DEALERSHIP) IS NOT FULFILLING ITS OBLIGATION TO ITS CUSTOMERS BY FAILING TO SUPPLY PARTS FOR THIS REPAIR IN A TIMELY MANNER. *TR

SPIRAL CABLE FAILED AT ABOUT 107,406 MILES ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, CAUSING AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE STEADY AND WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WOULDN'T BE FUNCTIONING. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY MANUFACTURER OR THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS. THE CAR HASN'T BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. THE COST OF REPLACEMENT (PART AND LABORS) IS $544. TOYOTA NEEDS TO REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS FOR SUCH A COST AS IT IS OF NO DRIVER'S FAULT AND OBVIOUSLY A COMMON ISSUE. THERE IS ANOTHER 2008 RECALL ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BUT DIDN'T APPLY TO MY CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EMIT A BURNING OIL SMELL. THE CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED SO THE CONTACT ADDED OIL TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BURNING OIL SMELL STILL LINGERED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AGAIN. IN ADDITION, A HOSE FROM THE ENGINE FAILED AND SPILLED MOTOR OIL ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE OIL COOLER LINE HAD EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

SPIRAL CABLE FAILED AT ABOUT 72, 400 MILES ON MY 2008 TOY HIGHLANDER BASE MODEL CAUSING AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE STEADY AND FAILURE OF AIRBAG SYSTEM CREATING INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN A CRASH. AS NO DRIVER ACTIONS, ETC. CAUSED THE FAILURE IT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING AND/OR DESIGN DEFECT AS ALSO SEEN IN OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SIMILAR SPIRAL CABLE FAILURE. *TR

DRIVER DOOR LOCK MECHANISM HAS STOPPED WORKING WITH THE REMOTE, THAT IS A NUISANCE, NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT, RECENTLY I HAD DIFFICULTY MANUALLY UNLOCKING THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND FOR 1 - 2 MINUTES WAS NOT ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I WAS TRYING TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR (THE POWER LOCK MECHANISM QUIT WORKING) BUT THE DOOR LOCK WAS JAMMED SUCH THAT I COULD NOT GET THE DOOR UNLOCKED. I TRIED PUSHING THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK BUTTON TO TRY TO UNJAM THE MECHANISM AND EVENTUALLY THAT WORKED AND I WAS ABLE TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT. A BRIEF SEARCH ONLINE SHOWED THAT THIS IS A VERY PREVALENT ISSUE WITH TOYOTA VEHICLES. TOYOTA SHOULD BE FORCED TO REMEDY THE SITUATION AND A RECALL SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED TO MAKE TOYOTA FIX THE FLAWED VEHICLES THEY HAVE SOLD. I WILL GO SEE A DEALER IN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO TO GIVE THEM THE CHANCE TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX IT FREE OF CHARGE BUT I IMAGINE THAT WILL ONLY GET ME AN INCREASED BLOOD PRESSURE. *TR

THE VVT-I OIL COOLER HOSE BURST RESULTING IN A MAJOR ENGINE OIL SPILL IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS REFUSE TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND BECAUSE THEY CLAIM THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PART ON THE HIGHLANDER. THIS SAME VVT-I OIL COOLER HOSE HAS BEEN RECALLED ON 1.6 MILLION US RAV4'S, CAMRY'S AND OTHER TOYOTA MODELS. NOT ONLY COULD A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE OIL CAUSE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE, THIS ISSUE CAN ALSO BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY CONCERN. IF ENGINE OIL WERE TO HAVE MADE CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE PARTS OR HOT EXHAUST PIPING, THEN A FIRE MAY HAVE OCCURRED WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS VEHICULAR DAMAGE AND LOSS OF LIFE. *TR

WHILE SITTING IN A LINE OF TRAFFIC ON OUR WAY HOME FROM A 2 MILE TRIP TO THE STORE, WE NOTICED A HOT OIL SMELL. I SAID TO MY WIFE THAT SOMEONE NEEDS TO GET THEIR CAR IN FOR SERVICE WORK, NOT KNOWING THAT WE WERE THIS SOMEONE! THIS SMELL HAD NOT BEEN PRESENT AT HOME, ON OUR TRIP TO THE STORE OR WHEN PARKED THERE. WHEN I PULLED INTO MY GARAGE, STEAM/SMOKE APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE DIPSTICK SHOWED VERY LOW OIL. THERE HAD BEEN NO SIGNS OF AN OIL LEAK IN THE GARAGE BEFORE, BUT, AFTER ARRIVING HOME I SAW A BIG OIL LEAK. I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP (1/2 MILE FROM HOME) WHO TOLD ME TO BRING IT UP TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. BY THE TIME THAT I GOT THERE MY CAR WAS MAKING A SOUND MAKING IT OBVIOUS SOMETHING VERY WRONG. I PULLED DIRECTLY INTO THE SERVICE BAY. THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE DIPSTICK WHICH SHOWED ABSOLUTELY NO OIL IN MY ENGINE. HE PUT IT ON THE HOIST, ADDED OIL, AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE OIL POURED OUT AS FAST AS HE HAD PUT IT IN. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE SAW THAT THE LOWER OIL COOLER LINES HAD RUPTURED. MY ENGINE HAD BEEN CLOSE TO SEIZING. REPLACING THESE PARTS WAS VERY EXPENSIVE, $437, BUT REPLACING MY ENGINE WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE. MORE IMPORTANTLY WAS THAT THE DANGER OF A FIRE FROM THE OIL THAT WAS POURING OUT ON THE HOT ENGINE WAS NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE MECHANIC POINTED AT A LEXUS AND STATED, "THIS IS VERY INTERESTING. THAT LEXUS SUV IS IN HERE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, THE OIL COOLER LINES RUPTURED." HE SAID THAT HE WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED TO SEE THIS BE A RECALL ISSUE, AS THE NEW LINES ARE DESIGNED DIFFERENTLY WITHOUT RUBBER FITTINGS, AND WILL NOT RUPTURE. THIS WOULD INDICATE TO ME THAT TOYOTA HAS NOTICED A DESIGN FLAW IN THE OIL COOLER LINES THAT WERE IN MY HIGHLANDER. I FEEL THIS OIL COOLER LINES PROBLEM IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RESEARCHED AS A POSSIBLE TOYOTA RECALL. *TR

IN JUNE OF 2013 I WENT TO MCCARTHY TOYOTA IN SEDALIA, MO FOR AN UNRELATED RECALL. SOME WORK WAS DONE, BUT I WAS TOLD TO RETURN IN A WEEK OR SO BECAUSE AN ADDITIONAL PART HAD TO BE ORDERED. DURING THIS WEEK, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARED. I HAD NEVER OBSERVED THIS WARNING LIGHT BEFORE. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE DEALER TO COMPLETE THE ORIGINAL RECALL WORK, I INQUIRED ABOUT THE WARNING LIGHT. THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT MY MODEL TOYOTA SOMETIMES HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SPIRAL CABLE AND I WAS ONE OF THE UNLUCKY OWNERS! HE INFORMED ME THAT I NO LONGER HAD FUNCTIONING AIRBAGS, BUT HE HAD THE NECESSARY PARTS TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION AND COULD DO IT IMMEDIATELY. THE COST WAS APPROXIMATELY $500 AND WAS NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTEE OR RECALL. I DECIDED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE MY CHANCES IN A VEHICLE THAT NOW HAD NON-FUNCTIONING AIRBAGS, SINCE $500 WAS JUST TOO MUCH MONEY TO PAY. A FRIEND RECENTLY INFORMED ME THAT I SHOULD FILE THIS COMPLAINT. *TR

AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT JUST CAME ON AT 110,000 MILES, NO ACCIDENT, IN THE GARAGE..TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY ARE ASKING TO REPLACE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY IN DRIVER AIRBAG AT A COST OF $663 AND EXPLAINED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I CALLED TOYOTA AND DISCUSSED THE ISSUE...I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT TACOMA'S HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS WELL, INTERESTING THOUGH, THAT MY 08 HIGHLANDER HAD SAME PROBLEM. TOYOTA CONFIRMED MY UNDERSTANDINGS AS WELL. I SEARCHED INTERNET AND SEVERAL OTHER HIGHLANDERS (ALMOST IDENTICAL VINS) HAVE FACED THE SAME ISSUE. I THINK HIGHLANDERS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED FOR THE SIMILAR ISSUES WHICH TACOMA'S FACED.. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE GIVEN SOME ATTENTION. HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/TOYOTA/HIGHLANDER/AIR-BAG-LIGHT-ON-PROBLEMS.PHP THE ABOVE WEBSITE LISTS OTHER HIGHLANDER'S WHICH FACED THE SAME ISSUE. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE GOOD WORK YOU GUYS ARE DOING TO MAKE THE ROADS/HIGHWAYS SAFER PLACE FOR EVERYONE.. THANK YOU. *JS

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA DEALER IN NOVEMBER 2011 AFTER RECEIVING NOTICE TO HAVE DEFECTIVE OIL COOLER HOSE CHECKED. IN SEPTEMBER 2013 REPLACEMENT OIL COOLER HOSE FAILED WHILE ON HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT SEVENTY MILES PER HOUR. OIL WAS OBSERVED COVERING BOTTOM OF VEHICLE AND FILM OF OIL ON BACK OF VEHICLE. THE OIL GAUGE INDICATED NO OIL IN ENGINE. I BELIEVE THIS RESULTED IN A SAFETY HAZARD FROM BOTH INHALING FUMES AND POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER AND OIL COOLER HOSE REPLACED FOR SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

I OWN A 2008 HIGHLANDER SPORT THAT HAS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE DOOR LOCKS. THE REMOTE KEY FOB NO LONGER WORKS, AND NOW EVEN THE BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND IT APPEARS THAT MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE OWNED HIGHLANDERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. MY CAR WAS RECALLED RECENTLY FOR THE POWER WINDOWS, AND NOW THE DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER WORK. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT WITH THE HOPE THAT ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAIN TO FORCE TOYOTA TO FIX THIS ISSUE. *TR

AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT DEPLOYED, AND REMAINED LIT FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AT PULLMAN, WA DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY SPIRAL CABLE; THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $491.69. I WONDER WHY THERE WAS A RECALL DONE ON ~450,000 TACOMAS, BUT NOT ON THE HIGHLANDER. IT SOUNDS LIKE A SIMILAR PROBLEM: POOR ENGINEERING LEADS TO FRICTION, CAUSING A SHORT IN THE CABLE. WARNING LIGHT GOES ON, AND THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY DURING A WRECK. I COULD THINK OF 1001 BETTER WAYS TO SPEND $500!!! *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES WHERE AND BATTERY WAS REPLACED ON EACH RECURRENCE. MOST RECENTLY, A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A TROUBLE CODE. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ROAD MILEAGE TO COULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT JUST CAME ON AT 73,000 MILES, NO ACCIDENT. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY IN DRIVER AIRBAG AT A COST OF $500 AND EXPLAINED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME THIS ONLY AFFECTED TACOMA'S, INTERESTING THOUGH, THAT MY 08 HIGHLANDER HAD SAME PROBLEM. *TR

LOW OIL NOTICE CAME ON. DRIVE 1/4 MILE TO OIL CHANGE FACILITY. WAS TOLD ALMOST NO OIL ON DIPSTICK. OIL REFILLED AND DROVE APPRO 5 MILES TO DEALERSHIP- STAR TOYOTA , LEAGUE CITY, TX. HAVE RESEARCHED AND NOTED TSB ISSUED ON 3/11/2011- NHTSA REFERENCE # 10033553 WITH THIS EXACT REPAIR PROBLEM INCLUSIVE OF MY VEHICLES EXACT FAILURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY STAR TOYOTA DEALERSHIP OF THIS DEFECT WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. VEHICLE WITHIN 5-6 MONTHS OF BASIC WARRANTY; 5 YEAR OF 60,000 MILES. *TR

AS WAS PULLING OUT PARKING SPACE, CAR STOPPED MOVING EVEN THOUGH ENGINE RUNNING. HAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, DIAGNOSED WITH FAILURE OF HYBRID INVERTER. *TR

DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR DEFECTIVE - IT DOES NOT STAY IN UP POSITION, DROPS DOWN SUDDENLY & BLOCKING THE VISIBILITY OF THE ROAD; DEALER SAID IT IS A COMMON ISSUE BUT NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINS FOR A RECALL. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT PRONE ISSUE THAT WILL CUT OFF THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY SUDDENLY. *TR

AIR BAGS THE SPIRAL CABLE WENT BAD CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON MAKING THE AIRBAGS INOPERABLE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND COST WAS $560 TO REPAIR WITH PARTS AND LABOR. VIEW DETAILS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND IT SHOWED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. HE THEN ADDED OIL AND FOUND A STEADY STREAM LEAK FROM A RUBBER HOSE. THE CONTACT PURCHASED AN AFTER MARKET METAL HOSE AND REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE HOSE. HE THEN DRAINED THE OIL AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL, WHICH HE ASSUMED CAME FROM THE BEARINGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

ENGINE BEGAN REVVING UPON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP LIGHT. ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING LOW OIL PRESSURE. PULLED INTO AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHO FOUND DIPSTICK WAS DRY. POURED OIL INTO ENGINE ONLY TO SEE IT LEAKING OUT FROM BELOW PASSENGER SIDE. CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. DEALER REPLACED OIL COOLER HOSE 15767-31010 WHICH HAD FAILED WITH 15767-31020 (ALL METAL ASSEMBLY). REPLACED OIL AND RESTARTED ENGINE. ENGINE IS MAKING TAPPING SOUND AND DEALER RECOMMENDS FULL REPLACEMENT. DEPENDING ON OPTION, COST IS BETWEEN $7500 FOR A USED TOYOTA ENGINE TO $8300 FOR JARCO ENGINE (WHICH I BELIEVE IS REBUILT). THIS OCCURRED IN SOUTH CAROLINA WHILE WE WERE VACATIONING FROM MARYLAND. THANKFULLY, WE WERE NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED. WILL HAVE TO LEAVE VEHICLE HERE FOR REPAIR AND FLY BACK TO DRIVE IT HOME LATER. BTW, THE SINGLE PIPE OIL HOSE WAS REPLACED IN MAY 2010 UNDER THE SSC 90K RECALL AT 33K MILES. THAT IS NOT THE PART THAT FAILED. THIS IS THE DUAL MANIFOLD RUBBER HOSE THAT TOYOTA HAS NOW REPLACED WITH AN ALL METALLIC ASSEMBLY. AS FAR AS I KNOW, THIS PART WAS NEVER RECALLED, BUT THERE IS A TSB 02011-11 AVAILABLE. *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON APPROXIMATELY IN APRIL 2013. THE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. I BROUGHT IT TO ELK GROVE TOYOTA. THE INSPECTED THE LIGHT FOR $120. THIS WAS FOR INSPECTION ONLY. THEY SAID THE CAR NEEDS A AIRBAG SPIRAL CABLE. THEY ESTIMATED $460 TOTAL TO REPLACE THIS WIRE. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE LIGHT CAME ON AT 65000-67000 MILES. WILL TOYOTA RECALL THIS PART OR REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS. THERE IS ANOTHER 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AIRBAG RECALL BUT IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY CAR. I LOOKED UP MY VIN. FOR THIS RECALL. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND CONTINUED TO STAY ON OVER SEVERAL DAYS. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THE SPIRAL CABLE WAS DETERMINED TO BE MALFUNCTIONING. COST OF REPAIR WAS ABOUT $500. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. AFTER TAKING IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER, IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY MALFUNCTION. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF RECALL FOR 2008 TACOMAS, CAMRYS AND VENZAS, BUT NOT THE HIGHLANDER. IT IS A $450 EXPENSE. IT SEEMS TO ME IF TOYOTA HAS RECALLED THE PART ON OTHER MODELS IN THE SAME YEAR, IT SHOULD CONSIDER RECALLING IT FOR THE HIGHLANDER. LOOKING AT THE RECENT COMPLAINTS FILED ON THIS WEBSITE, I SEE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE TO EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE. *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT INTO A DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THE SPIRAL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (AT A COST OF $419 PARTS AND LABOR) AND THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALLS. UPON RESEARCH, I LEARNED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR TACOMAS, CAMRYS, AND VENZAS FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SPIRAL CABLE. FURTHER, I FOUND NUMEROUS CLAIMS OF THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE 2008 HIGHLANDER. I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER, AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO RETAIN ANY DOCUMENTATION FOR REIMBURSEMENT UNDER ANY FUTURE RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE. OBVIOUSLY I NEED TO HAVE THE SPIRAL CABLE REPLACED, BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY THE TOYOTA DEALER THAT THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS INOPERABLE. MY HOPE IS THAT THERE WILL BE A RECALL FOR THE HIGHLANDER, AND THAT IT IS ALREADY BEING CONSIDERED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO BOTH STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SPIRAL CABLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WATER PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT THEY OFFERED THE CONTACT NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. ...UPDATED 07-10-13 *BF

I JUST BECAME AWARD OF THIS: "T-SB-0201-11 FROM TOYOTA THAT STATES "SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2GR-FE/FXE TOWING PACKAGE ENGINES MAY EXHIBIT AN OIL SEEP FROM THE ENGINE OIL COOLER PIPES." *TR THIS TSB AFFECTS MY MODEL YEAR AND I BELIEVE IT ALSO AFFECTS TOYOTA AND LEXUS VEHICLES GOING BACK TO AT LEAST 2008-PRESENT. TO ME THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS SHOULD BE HANDLED AS A RECALL INSTEAD OF A TSB DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE ISSUE IF/WHEN THE PIPE BREAKS. THE RUPTURE OF THE OIL LINE WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SEIZE THUS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITH RESULTING INJURY AND POSSIBLE DEATH. AND THERE IS THE HAZARD TO OTHER MOTORISTS WITH OIL ON THE ROADWAY. COMPARED TO THE RECALL FOR FLOOR MATS AND ACCELERATOR ISSUES, THIS ISSUE, WHICH CAN DRAIN THE OIL FROM YOUR ENGINE VERY QUICKLY, DESTROY THE ENGINE, AND VERY POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SHOULD BE OF MAJOR CONCERN TO ALL. THE TOYOTA ADVICE TO CHECK FOR SLOW OIL DRIPS AROUND THE RUBBER HOSE IS UNREALISTIC FOR THE OWNER DUE TO THE LOCATION. AND THE SCHEDULE ROUTINE SERVICE INTERVAL IS MUCH TOO LONG TO WAIT FOR SUCH AN SIGNIFICANT INSPECTION. NHTSA NEEDS TO COMPEL TOYOTA TO REPLACE ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE RUBBER ENGINE OIL COOLER PIPES WITH THE NEWER METAL ONES THAT THE TSB ADDRESSES. THIS DIRECTIVE SHOULD APPLY TO ALL TOYOTAS INCLUDING ALREADY MADE REPLACEMENTS FOR WHICH THE OWNERS HAVE PAID FOR.

THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN. IT DOES NOT STAY UP AND IMPAIRS DRIVER VISION. *TR

MY WIFE STARTED THE CAR IN THE MORNING TO DROP THE KID TO SCHOOL WHICH IN WITHIN 2 MILES OF OUR HOME. IT WAS COLD DAY OF WINTER. SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE FRONT PART OF HOOD WHEN SHE DROVE ABOUT 1/2 A MILE AND WAS WORRIED WITH THE KIDS WHAT IS THAT NOISE. ANY HOW AFTER THAT THE CAR HAD START MAKING SQUISHING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOOD. WE TOOK TO TOYOTA AND THEY SAID WATER PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE ALSO READ SOME OTHER PEOPLE REVIEWS ONLINE REGARDING THE WATER PUMP OF TOYOTA VEHICLES. MY WIFE CALLED THE TOYOTA MOTOR CO FOR WARRANTY AND THEY SAID, EVEN THAT IS NOT A PART OF POWER TRAIN AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SO WE ARE ENDING UP PAYING EXTRA APPROX $650.00 TO TOYOTA FOR THE REPLACEMENT. *TR

I HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT ON THIS CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT ON THE 2008 AND 2013 MODELS THERE WAS AN ISSUE. TOYOTA WOULD NOT WORK WITH ME ON THIS EXPENSE. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR PART OF THE CAR AND I COULD HAVE BEEN IN DANGER IF NOT FIXED. THEM KNOWING THIS IS AN ISSUE AND NOT DOING A RECALL IS WRONG! I FELT THEY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THIS AND NOT AT MY EXPENSE. I HAVE HAD ABOUT 3 DIFFERENT RECALLS ON THE CAR AND THIS JUST ADDED TO MY WORRIES. I AM NOT SURE WHAT CONSTITUTES A RECALL BUT FELT THIS WAS ONE ON TOYOTA. THANK YOU *TR

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION AND REQUESTS AN INVESTIGATION AND REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD AS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, HER SON WAS SECURED IN HIS CAR SEAT, PLAYING QUIETLY WITH THE ATTACHED SEAT BELT. AT THE POINT, THE SEAT BELT WRAPPED AROUND HIS NECK. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND ATTEMPTED TO FREE HER SON FROM CHOKING, SHE WAS UNABLE TO DO SO, ALTHOUGH LOOSENING THE BELT SUFFICIENTLY ALLOWED HIM TO BREATH. FIRST RESPONDERS HAD DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE BELT, FINALLY THEY HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT TO PERMIT HER SON TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE SEAT.

THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE OF MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER POPPED LOUDLY WHEN I BACKED UP. IT SOUNDED AND FELT LIKE THE BRAKE LOCKED UP. THIS PROBLEM SEEMED TO HAVE ALREADY EXISTED SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THE BRAND-NEW VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2008, AND IT GOT WORSE AND WORSE. THEREFORE, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE THEY SAID, "THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKE. IT IS NORMAL AND IS JUST THAT THE BREAK IS SHIFTING." HOWEVER, I ASKED THEM WHY THE POPPING SOUND "ONLY" CAME FROM THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE. THEY AVOIDED MY QUESTION AND DID NOT ANSWER. AS MY CONCERNS OVER THE BRAKE GREW MORE AND MORE, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALER AGAIN, BUT THEY SAID, "MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I HAVE TO PAY $45 TO HAVE IT RE-CHECKED." I TOLD THEM THAT WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME, IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE PROBLEM NEVER WENT AWAY; INSTEAD, IT BECAME EVEN WORSE. HOWEVER, THEY STILL INSISTED THAT I HAD TO PAY IN ORDER TO HAVE IT INSPECTED AGAIN. I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP. AT THE TIME OF THIS WRITING, THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE STILL MAKES A LOUD, ANNOYING POPPING SOUND WHEN I BACK UP MY VEHICLE, WHICH MAKES ME WORRY THAT THE BRAKE COULD MALFUNCTION ANYTIME WHEN I AM ON THE ROAD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND POWER OFF AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 3/13/13 *CN

OIL LEAK FROM BACKSIDE OF ENGINE. TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-0321-08 BUT DID NOT PERFORM A RECALL. THEREFORE, YOU MAY EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM AND YOU MAY FIND THE ISSUE AFTER YOUR WARRANTY EXPIRED. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR - ESTIMATED TO BE MORE THAN $2K. TOYOTA CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE QUALITY PROBLEMS AND SHOULD HONOR THEIR PRODUCTS WITHIN OR OUTSIDE THEIR WARRANTY WHEN IT IS CLEARLY RELATED TO POOR QUALITY. *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TO WORK AND TURNED ON THE HEATED SEAT. IT HAS BURNED HER LEG AT THE HAMSTRING UNDER THIGH AREA PRETTY BAD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHITE PARTICLES WERE EMITTED THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM WHILE THE CLIMATE CONTROL WAS ACTIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC OR THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000.

MY STEERING LOCKS WHEN I WAS DRIVING. I REPORTED THIS ISSUE BEFORE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY FIGURE OUT THAT THE COMPUTER HAS A PROBLEM AFTER THE BIG ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE AND AS A RESULT IT HAD TO BE CUT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED HE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE EMITTING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE SEAT BELT AND THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000. UPDATED 12/12/12 *CN

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 HIGHLANDER ON NOVEMBER 11, 2012 AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE FOLLOWING DAY I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TOYOTA WEBSITE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG SYSTEM. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK DONE ON NOVEMBER 14. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS STILL ON AFTER THE RECALL WORK. I LEFT THEM THE VEHICLE SO THEY COULD DO FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS. THEY SAID THE SQUIB CIRCUIT ON THE SPIRAL CABLE FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM ON THE STEERING COLUMN HAD A SHORT IN IT. TOYOTA PART NUMBER 84306-22010. IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IF A REPAIR WAS NOT DONE THERE WAS A GOOD CHANCE THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD LIGHT UP INTERMITTENTLY IF I DIDN'T REPAIR IT AND THAT THEY WERE PRETTY SURE THE AIRBAG WOULDN'T GO OFF ON ITS OWN. MY CHOICE WAS FIX IT OR PARK IT. I HAD THEM DO THE REPAIR, $276.63 FOR THE SPIRAL CABLE AND $150.00 FOR THE LABOR, $443.22 TOTAL WITH SALES TAX. I HAVE OVER 122,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN PERFORMING THE MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TWO OTHER VEHICLES (NOT TOYOTA) AND NEITHER HAS EVER HAD AN AIRBAG SYSTEM PROBLEM AND EACH ONE HAS OVER 100,000 MILES. THE WIRING FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM SHOULD NEVER GO BAD. PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP, SHE NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ALLOW A SAFE DISTANCE BETWEEN HER AND THE VEHICLE AS IT QUICKLY BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,100.

THE SPIRAL CABLE WENT BAD CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON MAKING THE AIRBAGS INOPERABLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASED ACCELERATION. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE RESPONSE WHICH RESULTED TO THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE BODY AND INJURED THE LEFT LEG. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PLANNED TO LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION REGARDING THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND A REPAIR WAS MADE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE NATURE OF THE REPAIR. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES WHO THEN ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNSURE OF WHAT WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CARPET ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD HAD BECOME WET. THE CONTACT FURTHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THAN WATER WAS LEAKING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE AIR CONDITIONER LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD FOLLOW UP WITH THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,184.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT LENS WERE FOGGED AND THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY AND BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL FOR THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO FILED A REPORT AND DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING A DEER, THE BRAKES SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER AND A PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE SCENE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 11/01/12*LJ UPDATED 11/02/12

AS I APPROACHED A STOP SIGN, MY CHECK ENGINE AND VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS LESS THAN A MILE FROM MY DESTINATION AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PARK MY VEHICLE WITH NO ISSUES. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, I CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO ALERT THEM TO THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP REPRESENTATIVE ASKED IF THE VSC LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND I TOLD HIM NO; TO WHICH HE REPLIED IT WOULD BE OKAY TO DRIVE. LATER ON THAT EVENING, I DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND UPON TAKING OFF AT THE LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SEEMED SLUGGISH AT FIRST AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND SURGED FORWARD. WHEN I PULLED INTO THE DEALERSHIP, I EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED AND AM NOW AWAITING TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *TR

VSC, TRACKING AND ABS LIGHTS COME ON WHEN DRIVING. SOMETIMES ON AS SOON AS I REVERSE IN THE MORNING. USED TO GO OFF IF I TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. SOMETIMES DOESN'T COME ON UNTIL I AM ALMOST HOME FROM WORK (30 MILES) SOMETIMES THE BRAKES FEEL OFF AND NOT GRIPPING. HAD BRAKES INSPECTED AND EVERYTHING FINE. *TT

THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP -- WHEN EITHER PULLED BACK OR PUSHED FORWARD -- AND FALLS IN THE DRIVER'S LINE OF VISION. THIS LEADS TO A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE IT MEANS THE DRIVER LOSES HIS FIELD OF VISION FOR A FEW SECONDS AT VERY UNPREDICTABLE TIMES. *TR

UPON STARTING MY CAR, THE VSC OFF, CHECK ENGINE, AND ABS LIGHTS REMAINED LIT. ACCELERATION WAS SLOW AND ROUGH, AND THE GENERAL ENGINE FEEL WAS WRONG. I STOPPED CAR AND RESTARTED WITH NO EFFECT. WHILE DRIVING, THE LIGHTS EXTINGUISHED FOR A MOMENT, AND AT THAT POINT PERFORMANCE TEMPORARILY IMPROVED - THIS CAUSED A SURGE IN ACCELERATION. BUT THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON A MOMENT LATER AND PERFORMANCE, ONCE AGAIN, FAILED. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT IN TRAFFIC WHEN THE SURGE OCCURRED. *TR

VALVE SPRINGS. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. I MANAGED TO STEER ACROSS 4 LANES OF FAST TRAFFIC TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS PISTON FAILURE. THE CAR WAS TOWED 140 MILES TO MOTORCARS TOYOTA FOR REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED: "A VALVE SPRING ON THE #2 CYLINDER BROKE IN FRONT HEAD AND DROPPED INTO THE # 2 CYLINDER, DESTROYING THE PISTON AND SEVERELY DAMAGING THE SHORT BLOCK ASSEMBLY. BLOCK HAD A HOLE IN IT AND #2 PISTON WAS BROKEN IN HALF". REPAIR INCLUDED: REPLACING SHORT BLOCK ASSEMBLY, FRONT HEAD, EXHAUST CAM, VALVE, SPRING. I HAD TO PAY APROX. $6000 FOR A PROBLEM TOYOTA PUBLICLY ADMITTED SOME 2008 V8 MODELS HAD. FAULTY VALVE SPRINGS WAS ACTUALLY A RECALL BUT ONLY FOR LEXUS MODELS. NOT FAIR! *KB

BRAKE MALFUNCTION SPEED SENSOR. *TR

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITENTLY BUT FREQUENTLY. DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS TWICE BUT FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. TOYOTA USA SENT A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE (INTERIM NOTICE) APPOXIMATELY 10 MONTHS AGO WHICH SEEMED TO DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM BUT SAID TOYOTA WAS WORKING ON THE REMEDY AND A SECOND OWNER NOTIFICATION WOULD BE SENT WHEN THE REMEDY IS AVAILABLE. THE NOTICE ALSO SAID THAT WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON THE AIR BAGS COULD DEPLOY INADVERTENTLY AND THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER. THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, HE SAYS THAT HE CANNOT DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM UNTIL TOYOTA ISSUES THE FINAL RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA USA WHO STATE THAT THEY CANNOT GIVE ANY DATE FOR WHEN THEY WILL HAVE A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP.

I WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF A SUBWAY RESTAURANT IN A STRIP MALL AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30 P.M. AFTER EATING, MY FAMILY AND I LEFT THE RESTAURANT AND GOT INTO OUR TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND BACKED OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT JUST A FEW FEET. (IT IS A VERY NARROW PARKING LOT AND FACES A VERY BUSY STREET.) I BUMPED INTO A CONCRETE POLE THAT WAS BEHIND ME, THAT I COULD NOT SEE BECAUSE OF THE DARKNESS. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, SO THAT I COULD PULL BACK UP INTO MY ORIGINAL PARKING SPOT AND RENEGOTIATE HOW I WAS GOING TO BACK OUT. AS SOON AS I APPLIED A LITTLE PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR SUDDENLY SEEMED TO JUMP FORWARD. BEFORE I COULD EVEN PROCESS WHAT WHAT HAPPENING, THE CAR ACCELERATED VERY, VERY QUICKLY AND I SLAMMED INTO THE BRICK WALL OF THE SUBWAY. THERE WAS NOT EVEN TIME FOR ME TO THINK ABOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE, IT HAPPENED SO FAST. I FELT LIKE I HAD LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THANKFULLY, NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING AND SOME TO MY CAR. I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR 25 YEARS AND HAVE NO HISTORY OF TICKETS OR ACCIDENTS. I DO NOT DRINK AND WAS NOT DRINKING ON THE NIGHT THIS HAPPENED. I WAS NOT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ANY KIND OF MEDICATION OR ILICIT SUBSTANCES. *TR

BRIEF ENGINE KNOCK/RATTLE NOISE COLD STARTUP. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING A COLD SOAK STARTUP. *TR

DEALER CLAIMED " THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. ACCESS AND TRACED ALL RELATED WIRING TO INSIDE THE FUSE/RELAY PANEL. FOUND SOMETHING HAD CHEWED AND SHORTED OUT THE WIRING" THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY PROOF. I NOTIFIED TOYOTA MOTORS AND GOT NO HELP FROM THEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V245000 (AIR BAGS) AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AND TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER, THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND TO KEEP TRYING BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR HATCH WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE HINGES AND THE MOTOR ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,917.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DURING THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL TO TREAT MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE LOT WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 63,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO REPOSITION THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WITH THE JACK HOLDING THE VEHICLE UP. THE JACK SLIPPED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE PASSENGER SIDE FENDER AND THE BOTTOM MOLDING WERE DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED ON JUNE 2, 2011

CAPS KEEP FALLING OFF OF THE LUG NUTS, WHICH EXPOSES THE STUDS OF THE WHEEL HUB. CORROSION FORMS AND CAUSES THE LUG NUT TO BE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. ADDITIONALLY, EXPOSURE OF THE STUD CAN WEAKEN THE JOINT. I REPLACED TWO LUG NUTS YESTERDAY, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO FIVE IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN ABNORMALLY MOVING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WOULD COVER FIFTY PERCENT OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAD A NEW SET OF TIRES PUT ON IT 6 MONTHS AGO AND 9,000 MILES LATER THE REAR TIRES WERE BALD TO THE CORDS TO A POINT IT WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CAR APPEARS TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ALIGNMENT OR STABILIZATION AS THE CAR, EVEN WITH NEW TIRES AND AN INSPECTION BY THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNDRIVABLE IN SNOW OR HEAVY RAIN EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. THE REAR END IS VERY UNSTABLE IN THIS CAR. *TR

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER: THERE IS A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. IT HAS BEEN FIXED BUT IT OCCURS AGAIN AND THEN HAVE TO GET IT FIX AGAIN. DUE TO FAULTY A WIRING HARNESS THAT COULD FAIL AND PREVENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, IT IS DANGEROUS FOR ME, MY KIDS, OR ANYONE THAT OWNS OR DRIVES A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. *TR

I HAVE A SUNSHINE KIDS RADIAN 80SL. MODEL US18500. SERIAL 090900106 03565. MY LATCH STRAP DOES NOT REMAIN TIGHT. I CAN LOOSEN IT WITH ONE FINGER, WHICH MEANS MY DAUGHTER CLIMBING IN AND OUT CAN BUMP IT AND LOOSEN IT. IT ALSO HAS LOOSENED OVER TIME ON IT'S ON. WHEN I FIRST INSTALL IT, IT IS A COMPLETELY ROCK SOLID INSTALL, BUT IF YOU PULL BACK AND FORTH ON THE SEAT A FEW TIMES YOU CAN FEEL IT LOOSENING. I DO NOT FEEL LIKE MY DAUGHTER IS SAFE IN THIS SEAT IN A CRASH. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2008, MAKE=TOYOTA, MODEL=HIGHLANDER). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE TAILGATE LOCKING MECHANISM AND WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT, THE TAILGATE INDEPENDENTLY UNLOCKED CAUSING ITEMS TO FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL TAILGATE LOCKING MECHANISMS FAILED AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK THE TAILGATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE HINGES ON THE TAILGATE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED ALL OF THE HINGES AND LATCHES BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOT A REPAIR THAT WOULD PERMANENTLY CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE HINGES AT THEIR EXPENSE FOR UP TO SEVEN YEARS OR 70,000 MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER HAD BURST AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE REPAIRS AND THE MANUFACTURER PAID FIFTY PERCENT OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ UPDATED 05/11/11

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON FRIDAY 3/4/11. I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING 35MPH. MY HIGHLANDER HAS SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE BUT NOT ONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I SUFFERED A KNEE INJURY, A NECK INJURY, A SHOULDER INJURY, AND A CONCUSSION. I AM VERY UPSET AND CONCERNED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AS THEY SHOULD HAVE ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. I AM HESITANT TO HAVE ANY REPAIRS MADE TO MY VEHICLE UNTIL WE FIND OUT THE CAUSE OF THE DEFECT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW TO PROCEED... *TR

EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE: I FIRST NOTICED THAT MY LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WAS ON WHEN I STARTED OUT THIS MORNING. I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION TO CHECK THE TIRES AND NOTICED A LARGE SCREW STUCK IN MY FRONT LEFT TIRE. MY TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE REGISTERED LESS THAN 5PSI. I FILLED THE TIRE TO AT LEAST 25PSI AND HEADED BACK HOME, FIGURING I COULD PUT THE SPARE ON IN MY GARAGE AND TAKE THE FLAT TO BE REPAIRED. I WAS GLAD TO GET BACK AS THE BIGGEST SNOWSTORM OF THE SEASON WAS AN HOUR AWAY. THE FAILURE: I WAS ABLE TO GET THE JACK AND OTHER EQUIPMENT OUT OF THE BACK AND SUCCESSFULLY LOWERED THE SPARE TIRE ONTO THE GROUND. MY PROBLEM IS THAT I CANNOT REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE FROM THE CARRIER CABLE. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF SALT SPRAYED ON THE ROADS RECENTLY AND ALL THE PARTS WERE WHITE. I SPRAYED WITH WD40, BUT NO LUCK. THE MANUAL IS NO HELP AS IT ONLY SHOWS A PICTURE OF THE SPARE AND A ROTATING ARROW. I CAME INSIDE TO LOOK ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A SOLUTION.. NONE. I THEN SAW A RECALL LISTED FOR THE 2008-2010 SIENNA (ID# 8250). BECAUSE OF A SAFETY ISSUE WITH SPARE TIRE CARRIER CABLE, IT COULD POSSIBLY BECOME CORRODED AND CAUSE THE SPARE TO FALL OFF FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL SAYS TO SEE AN AMENDED RECALL FOR JULY 19, 2010. I CAN'T FIND IT. OWNERS WERE TO RECEIVE A LETTER "WHEN A PERMANENT REMEDY WAS AVAILABLE." REPAIRS WERE EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER 2010. I'M THANKFUL I WASN'T OUT TRYING TO UNSUCCESSFULLY REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE IN A SNOWSTORM, BUT A USELESS OWNERS MANUAL, A DEFECTIVE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT, AND ESPECIALLY A RECALL FOR THE SAME PIECE OF EQUIPMENT ON ANOTHER MODEL WITH NO AMENDED REPAIR INFORMATION IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME. WHY WEREN'T HIGHLANDER OWNERS LIKE ME NOTIFIED AS WELL? HAVE SIENNA VEHICLES BEEN REPAIRED? NOW I HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH A FLAT FRONT TIRE TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO GET THE SPARE TIRE TAKEN OFF THE VEHICLE SO I CAN TAKE THE FLAT OFF AND GET IT REPAIRED. I CONSIDER THIS ANOTHER BALL DROPPED BY TOYOTA. *TR

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER STATES SQUEAKY NOISE WHEN VEHICLE TIRES GO OVER ANY BUMPS AS WELL AS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED IN THE MORNING WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. ALSO, THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING. *JB

ON 6/9/2010 ASKED DEALER TO CK. VEHICLE B/C AIR VENTS WERE THROWING OUT WHITE SUBSTANCE. DEALER SAID THE CABIN FILTER WAS CONTAMINATED AND REPLACED AT 27,180 MILES. ON 12/9/2010 31,109 MILES RETURNED TO DEALER WITH SAME COMPLAINT WHITE SUBSTANCE THROUGH VENTS. SAME RESPONSE, CABIN FILTER. I SAID HOW COULD FILTER BE THE PROBLEM AFTER JUST 3929 MILES, 6 MO SERVICE. DEALER CHECKED WITH TOYOTA NO RECORD OF ISSUES HERE. WE ALSO OWN A 2007 LEXUS AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. ON 1/14/2011 LEXUS SERVICE REPLACED THE EVAPORATER CORE WITH UPDATED PART AS PER TSB 0032-28. LEXUS SAID TOYOTA DEALER SHOULD DO THE SAME. TOYOTA DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE. MY CONCERN, WARRANTY EXPIRES IN MARCH 2011 AND STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM. CANNOT CONTINUE TO REPLACE COSTLY CABIN FILTER. WHAT SHOULD I DO TO GET THE REPAIR COMPLETED? *TR

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON 08/17/2010 WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT HAS 23000 MILES ON IT. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED ME TOTAL DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER DUE TO FAILURE IN THE BREAK/ACCELERATION SYSTEM ON THE CAR. THE CAR DID NOT STOP BUT ACCELERATED EVEN THOUGH WHEN I WAS PRESSING THE BREAK WHICH CAUSED ME TO HIT A TRUCK THAT WAS PASSING IN FRONT OF ME. I EXPLAINED TO THE EMERGENCY CREW THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS BECAUSE OF FAILURE OF THE BREAK/AND ACCELERATION SYSTEM ON THE TOYOTA CAR AND I EXPLAINED THE SAME THING TO THE POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS PRESENTED ON THE SCENE. I LIKE TO MENTION HERE THAT THE TOYOTA DEALER SENT ME A NOTE OF DEFECTION ABOUT MY CAR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER SHOP AND SPENT 2 HOURS THERE TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE CAR NOW IS AT THE STATE FARM INSURANCE AND I CAN EMAIL/SEND YOU THE CAR PICTURES AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

THE SENSOR LIGHTS FOR ABS AND VSC HAVE GONE ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. SOMETIMES THE BRAKES ENGAGED THE SKID CONTROL, BRAKING CAPABILITY IS LOST AND OTHER TIMES THE SPEED NEEDLE DOES NOT GAGE PROPERLY. THE SYSTEM WAS INSPECTED BY TOYOTA, WHO INDICATED IT WAS DUE TO DAMAGE TO THE SENSOR FROM A ROPE. TOYOTA SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED THE SENSOR AND THEY STAYED OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS, BUT CONTINUE TO COME BACK. MY VEHICLE STILL HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES, AND TOYOTA IS AGAIN TELLING ME THEY HAVE TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM. *TR

THIS REPORT CONCERNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW AS A DEALER LEFTOVER. THE VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 20,000 MILES AND THE TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A20 TIRES ARE SHREDDING AND HAVE PIECES OF THE TREAD MISSING. THIS IS ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THE TIRES ARE P245/55R19 WITH A DOT NUMBER CXHH-DK80508. I HAVE NOT YET CONTACTED TOYO, HOWEVER FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS NOTED, IT DOES NOT SEEM THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL WILLINGLY ACCEPT THE DEFECT OF PREMATURE WEAR OF THIS TIRE. THE TIRE SIZE IS UNIQUE, WHICH CAUSES THE REPLACEMENT COST TO BE MUCH HIGHER THAN MORE STANDARD SIZES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE STOPPED A STOP SIGN AND THE RPMS BEGIN TO INCREASE EXCESSIVELY. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL OFF SHE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. A MECHANIC CAME AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FRONT AXLE HAD BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 12000. UPDATED 01/24/11 *BF THE DEALER STATED THE DRIVER SIDE AXLE BROKE IN HALF AND HALF OF THE AXLE BECAME STUCK IN THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO THE CAMSHAFT POSITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/16/11

LEASED THE CAR NEW. ON THE ODOMETER IT HAD OVER 60 MILES REGISTERED. FROM THE FIRST DAY, THE VALVES WERE SOUNDING LOUDLY. THE VALVES ARE STILL SOUNDING LOUDLY, AT 15, 000 MILES. I INFORMED THE SERVICE DEPT, BUT REALLY NOTHING WAS DONE. WHEN WARMING UP THE CAR, WHEN I FIRST HAD IT, THE CAR WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH. THE SERVICE DEPT. CORRECTED THIS. AT 15,000 MILES A FUEL INJECTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. SERVICE CONSULTANT STATES HE WILL CHECK THIS IN ONE YEAR. I WANTED TO KNOW HOW COME THE FUEL INJECTOR HAD TO BE REPLACE AND WAS THIS NORMAL IN OTHER CAR. NEW FUEL INJECTOR WAS INSERTED. OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

TIRE FALLING APART AND FLAKING INCLUDING PREMATURE WEARING ON FACTORY OEM TOYO OPEN COUNTRY 245-55X19 A20 TIRES WHICH WERE ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER PURCHASE BRAND NEW ON JUL 2008. APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 20,195. ALL TIRES ARE SHOWING THE SAME ABNORMAL WEAR AS VERIFIED BY TOYOTA DEALER. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ONLINE COMPLAINTS OF SIMILAR OWNERS WITH PICTURES OF THE UNUSUAL WEARING. MINE ARE WORSE THAN ARE DESCRIBED AS CONCURRED BY TOYOTA SERVICE ADVISORS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER EQUIPPED WITH TOYO OPEN COUNTRY AT TIRES, SIZE P245/55R19. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE CHIPPING AWAY ON THE SHOULDER OF THE INSIDE. WHILE DRIVIGN 35 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE TIRES WERE INSPECTED AND THE CHIPPING WAS DISCOVERED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THEIR TIRE DEALER. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WITH THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. THE TIRES HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000.

GREETINGS. I AM WRITING TO YOU REGARDING MY 2008 HIGHLANDER SPORT, SERIAL NUMBER [XXX]. SPECIFICALLY, I AM WRITING ABOUT THE OEM TIRES, TOYO OPEN COUNTRY, DOT CXHH, DK82508. AS OF TODAY, I HAVE 23, 897 MILES ON THE VEHICLE; AND THE TIRES ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT TO A POINT BELOW THE WEAR BARS, WHICH INDICATES THAT THEY MUST BE REPLACED NOW. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN OCTOBER 2008, I PURCHASED THE TOYOTA MAINTENANCE PROGRAM, SO THE TIRES ARE ROTATED AND BALANCED (IF NECESSARY) EVERY 5,000 MILES WHEN I ALSO CHANGE THE OIL. I AM A 46 YEAR OLD FATHER OF THREE SMALL CHILDREN, WITH NO MOVING VIOLATIONS, TICKETS OR ACCIDENTS. I TELL YOU THIS ABOUT MY LIFE TO INDICATE THE TYPE OF CONSERVATIVE DRIVER THAT I AM. I HAVE CONDUCTED EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ONLINE AND HAVE IDENTIFIED THE LOWEST PRICE FOR A SET OF FOUR TIRES AT $759.88, WHICH WILL ACTUALLY MORE EXPENSIVE DURING THE BUY DUE TO THE TPMS SYSTEM, THE NECESSITY FOR AN ALIGNMENT WHEN REPLACING FOUR TIRES, AND TAX. I REALIZE THAT TIRE REPLACEMENT IS JUST ONE PART OF THE OVERALL MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT FOR A VEHICLE. HOWEVER, TIRES ON A $33,000 VEHICLE SHOULD PROVIDE FAR MORE MILEAGE THAN 24,000 MILES. IN FACT, IF YOU HAVE THE TIME-I INVITE YOU TO GO THE BLOG TITLED TOYOTA NATION, WHERE ALL OF THE WRITERS CONSISTENTLY MAKE DISPARAGING REMARKS ABOUT TOYOTA?S CHEAP TIRE SELECTION. SO MUCH IN FACT, WRITERS DISCUSS VARIOUS METHODS FOR OVERCOMING THE BURDEN OF FINDING A SUITABLE, WELL-PRICED REPLACEMENT WHEN THERE ARE ONLY THREE COMPANIES WHO MAKE THE 245/55-R19. THOSE COMPANIES ARE TOYO, BRIDGESTONE AND HANKOOK. MOST WRITERS CONVERT TO A LARGER TIRE OR A SMALLER TIRE WITH NEW WHEELS, WHICH OF COURSE AFFECTS NOT ONLY THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER READINGS, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY PERFORMANCE AND POSSIBLY SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

VEHICLE, TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2008, WOULD NOT START USING THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION PUSHBUTTON. ON 7/22/2010 VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO THE DEALER AND THE IGNITION/POWER SWITCH WAS REPLACED, CODE FOUND B2275. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AND DEALER REPLACED NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH PER T-SB-0348-09. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AND WAS TOWED TO DEALER ON 8/16/2010. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FURTHER FROM THEM AS OF 8/23/2010. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE VEHICLE NOT STARTING, THE LAST TIME AT 9:00 PM ON SUNDAY, 8/15/2010. *TR

I RECEIVED A VSC ERROR CODE, ON A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, NOT THE HYBRID MODEL, BUT A LIMITED TOP OF THE LINE MODEL. THE VEHICLE STARTS TO ACCELERATE BY ITSELF & THEN WHEN YOU SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO TRY TO STOP IT, IT FAILS TO STOP. IN ORDER TO AVOID SLAMMING INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME & TO THE RIGHT OF ME, I CHOSE TO TURN LEFT HARD & RUN INTO THE CONCRETE DIVIDER. THIS WAS THE 2ND OCCASION THAT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAS HAPPENED TO ME. THE 1ST TIME WAS ON DECEMBER 15, 2010 & I ALSO CHOSE TO TURN LEFT HARD & STRIKE THE DIVIDER INSTEAD OF REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF OR SIDE SWIPING THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT OF ME. ON THE 1ST OCCASION, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED & BECAUSE OF THAT I ENDED UP STRIKING MY HEAD ON THE EITHER THE DRIVERS SIDE GLASS OR SOME HARD OBJECT AND LOSING MY SHORT TERM MEMORY. THE VEHICLE & THEN CROSSED 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC, FINALLY OFF OF AN EXIT RAMP & CAME TO REST AFTER STRIKING A FENCE POLE. THE 2ND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ON AUGUST 16, 2010. I ALSO CHOSE TO STRIKE THE CONCRETE DIVIDER AS OPPOSED TO STRIKING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME OR TO THE RIGHT OF ME. THEN SOMEHOW I ALSO CROSSED 3 LANES OF HIGHWAY & FINALLY COMING TO REST AFTER STRIKING A LIGHT POLE. THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DID DEPLOY THIS TIME SO I DID NOT LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS NOR DID I LOSE MY SHORT TERM MEMORY. IT WAS AT THAT POINT THAT I NOTICED THAT A 2ND ERROR CODE ALSO CAME UP STATING BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

WENT TO LOCAL DEALER TO GET OIL CHANGE, 15 MINUTES LATER OIL LEAK ALL OUT FROM BOTTOM. DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS A HOSE MALFUNCTION, BUT NO RECALL, CAR IS ONLY TWO YRS OLD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER EQUIPPED WITH TOYO OPEN COUNTRY TIRES, SIZE P245/55/R19. THE CONTACT STATED ALL 4 TIRES ON THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE SPARE, EXHIBITED TREAD SEPARATION. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE MANUFACTURERS WERE CONTACTED AND NEITHER WOULD PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,000.

DURING A RECENT ROAD TRIP VISITING FAMILY, MY SON WAS RIDING IN THE THIRD ROW SEAT IN OUR TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. SHORTLY BEFORE ARRIVING AT HIS GRANDPARENTS, HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAD BECOME TWISTED IN HIS SEATBELT. AS WE WERE WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF OUR DESTINATION, I TOLD HIM THAT I WOULD HANDLE THE SITUATION WHEN WE ARRIVED. A FEW MINUTES LATER HE SAID THAT THE BELT WAS GETTING TIGHTER AND I ASKED HIM IF I NEEDED TO STOP AND HE SAID THAT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA. BEFORE I COULD GET STOPPED (LESS THAT A BLOCK), HE INDICATED THAT HE WAS HAVING TROUBLE BREATHING. WHEN I LOOKED BACK, I WAS STARTLED TO FIND THAT THE SEAT BELT HAD BECOME WRAPPED AROUND HIS NECK AND HAD RATCHETED BACK IN, PINNING HIS NECK BACK AGAINST THE SIDE OF THE CAR. EVEN AFTER STOPPING, I WAS UNABLE TO PULLED THE SEAT BELT OUT TO GET IT OUT FROM AROUND MY SON'S NECK -- HE WAS STRANGLING IN FRONT OF MY EYES. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN A CITY WITH RESIDENTS CLOSE BY, ONE OF WHICH HEARD ME SCREAMING AND RUNNING DOOR TO DOOR, WHO BROUGHT OUT A KITCHEN KNIFE TO CUT THE BELT AND RELEASE MY SON. I REALIZE THAT THESE RATCHET-TYPE SEAT BELTS ARE DESIGNED AS A SAFETY FEATURE IN THE THIRD ROW SEAT OF MANY MAKES AND MODELS, HOWEVER, FEEL THAT THIS DESIGN ALSO PRESENTS A STRANGULATION CONCERN. IN CASES SUCH AS MINE, THERE WAS NO WAY TO GET THE SEAT BELT RELEASED AND IF THIS HAD OCCUR WHILE ON RURAL ROADS OR THE INTERSTATE, THE AVAILABILITY OF A KNIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE DIFFICULT TO COME BY. I FEEL THAT EITHER AN EMERGENCY RELEASE BUTTON SHOULD BE DESIGNED FOR THE RATCHET SEAT BELTS OR CONSUMERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR STRANGULATION AND ADVISED TO CARRY SCISSORS FOR THIS POSSIBILITY. I HAVE VOICED MY CONCERNS TO TOYOTA AND THEY ARE REPLACING THE SEAT BELT FREE OF CHARGE, HOWEVER, I FEEL THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT INDIVIDUALS BE AWARE OF THIS POSSIBILITY AND BE PREPARED. *TR

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE SALES PERSON SAID THIS WAS NORMAL WHEN SOMEONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND SUPPOSEDLY THIS WAS CHECKED. ON 5/23/10, THE VEHICLE WAS ON, BUT "PARKED" AND BOTH SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, IT WAS INSPECTED BY A TOYOTA ENGINEER AND BOTH THE DEALER AND ENGINEER HAVE REFUSED TO DISCLOSE THE CAUSE FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF BOTH AIRBAGS WHICH CAUSED INJURIES AND DAMAGES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE GEAR, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE BACKWARDS UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,880. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

HAVE THE BRIDGESTONE TIRES STOCK THAT COME WITH THE 2008 HIGHLANDER. THEY DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT 28000 MILES. WHILE LOOKING UP THE TIRE ON THE MANUFACTURERS SITE, THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE A MILEAGE RATING. WE COMPLAINED TO THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE SITE AND NEVER RECEIVED SO MUCH AS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT. COMPLAINED TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THAT TOYOTA SACRIFICES THE MILEAGE OF THEIR TIRE SO THAT WE GET A BETTER RIDING TIRE. IN OTHER WORDS, TOUGH. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE CAM SHAFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE IN THE DEALERS POSSESION FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,250.

THE 245-55X19 TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A20 TIRES TOYOTA SPECS ON HIGHLANDER LIMITED MODELS ARE UTTERLY TREACHEROUS ON ICE OR SNOW. EDMUNDS.COM DOCUMENTS A HUGE NUMBER OF WINTER TRACTION COMPLAINTS UNDER USED CARS> TOYOTA> 2008> HIGHLANDER LIMITED> CUSTOMER COMMENTS. IN MY OWN CASE, STARTING UNDER 15 MMPH I SLID UNDER 8 LANES OF INTERSTATE VIADUCT, ANTI-LOCK BRAKES PULSING ALL THE WHILE, BEFORE MY CAR STOPPED. THE TOYOS ARE 1 OF ONLY 2 TIRES FROM ANY MFR IN THE SIZE NOTED, THE OTHER BEING A BRIDGESTONE WITH EQUALLY HORRIFIC ICE/SNOW TRACTION RATINGS AT TIRERACK AND DISCOUNT TIRE. TOYOTA REFUSES ANY ASSISTANCE, SAYING THE TIRES ARE TIRE MANUFACTURER WARRANTED. THE PROBLEM? I WOULD BE GETTING EXACTLY THE SAME TIRE AGAIN, AND THE A20 TIRE IS THE PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH. I REPLACED THE TOYO'S WITH ANOTHER MAKE AND SIZE AT 15,900 MILES (FOR $900) AND THEY TRANSFORMED MY HIGHLANDER COMPLETELY WINTER TRACTION-WISE. THIS TOYO TIRE NEEDS TO BE BANNED ENTIRELY, YET TOYOTA CONTINUES TO SPEC THEM ON NEW VEHICLES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKES UNTIL HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD FURTHER ASSESS THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED ALSO THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

POOR TIRES ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SPORT EDITION. EXCESSIVE WEAR AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 22K MILES. THEY ARE THE BRIDGESTONE 245/55/R19. *TR

STOCK TIRES ON 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED ARE UNSAFE. *TR

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH DECISION ON HER TOYOTA *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL AND THE COVER HAD TO BE RESEALED. THE RIGHT FRONT MAIN OIL SEAL WAS REPLACED AS WELL. *JB

ON MAY 22, 2010 MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUDDEN ACCELERATED. I WAS AT A FULL STOP (RED LIGHT) ON 14TH STREET AT THE INTERSECTION OF CASTRO HEADING WEST UPHILL. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE WHEN MY TRUCK SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE TRUCK JERKED FORWARD EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I REPORTED IT TO SAN FRANCISCO TOYOTA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WHEN I BROUGHT IN MY TRUCK FOR THE RECALL SERVICE ON MAY 29, 2010. THEY COMPLETED THE RECALL AS REQUIRED, BUT HE DISMISSED MY COMMENT ABOUT THE ABOVE INCIDENT. I BELIEVE THE REAL ISSUE IS THE ELECTRONIC OR SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING OF VEHICLE CONTROLS AND WISH TO HAVE THIS DOCUMENTED IF A MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM OCCURS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL A SECOND TIME, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HIM. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE EVERY TIME THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE SAME VEHICLE THREE TIMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. BOTH OF THE DRIVERS OF THE VEHICLE WERE ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING NORMALLY AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,100.

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER PURCHASED USED TOYOTA CERTIFIED 9-3-09 FAILS TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. MOST OCCURRENCES AT LOW SPEED AFTER SLOWING TO 5MPH VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND TO GAS PEDAL - OR WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO GEAR AND MOVE FORWARD. THIS OCCURS OR IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PUSHED AFTER HAVING SLOWED DOWN OR IN THE MIDST OF A TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT. WIFE HAS ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING INTO GEAR WHEN CAR IS FIRST STARTED UP ACTS LIKE YOU DIDN'T SHIFT IT INTO GEAR. WE HAVE ALSO NOTED TRANSMISSION DOESN'T ALWAYS SEEM TO DISENGAGE WHEN SLOWING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS 55 MPH. FEELS LIKE IT IS DRAGGING CAR TO STOP. THERE IS A NOTICEABLE WHINE BETWEEN 55 - 62 MPH. TALKED TO DEALER MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT WAS NORMAL EVERYTHING IS CONTROLLED BY COMPUTERS. WE ARE GOING TO TAKE IT BACK IN THIS WEEK AND COMPLAIN ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. WE HAVE ALSO HAD A ISSUE WITH THE TOYO TIRES. AT 28,345 THEY WERE DOWN TO 5/32 TO 4/32. THEY HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS IN SNOW AND HEAVY RAIN WITH LOSS OF TRACTION. WHEN ESC KICKS ON IN THE SNOW ON A TURN DO TO SLIDING AT SLOW SPEED IT MAKES MATTERS WORSE BE BETTER OFF WITH IT TURNED OFF. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARRANT. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A CURB SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE CONTACT STATED ALSO SHE HAD PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V023000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL) BUT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE FOR RECALL REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 33830.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF THE LUG NUTS ON THE TIRE HAD RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LUG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE HAS BEEN NO REPLACEMENT OF THE LUG NUT AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 23,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,806.

TOYOTA SAFETY RECALL NOTICE. I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA ABOUT FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. WHILE THE PEDAL MAY GET STUCK ON THE FLOOR MAT, IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT THIS WILL CAUSE A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ACCELERATION. COMMON SENSE TELLS YOU THAT IF THE PEDAL GETS STUCK, THE VEHICLE WILL REMAIN AT THE SPEED IN WHICH THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. THIS ALSO IS TRUE FOR THE ALLEGED STICKY ACCELERATOR PROBLEM. IT IS DISAPPOINTING THAT THE NTMVSA HAS NOT RECOGNIZED THIS PROBLEM AND IS ALLOWING TOYOTA TO CONTINUE DOWN THIS ROAD. *TR

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER (2008) WITH TOYO A20 TIRES. EXTREMELY HIGH WEAR WITH LOW MILEAGE; CAR HYDROPLANES WITH MINIMAL WET ROAD SURFACE, POWER WHEELS LOSE TRACTION, EVEN WITH SLOW START. THE TOYO TIRE TREADS ARE ALMOST WORN OFF AT 23000 MILES; WHEN IN NORMAL DRIVING, ONE SHOULD EXPECT 45000 MILES. THIS IS A VERY POOR QUALITY OEM TIRE, AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UP AN INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL IN ACTIVATION THE SPEED RATE INCREASED TO 85 MPH OR HIGHER. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP; HOWEVER, THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED THREE WEEKS AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF AS SHE MADE A LEFT TURN. SHE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES BUT IT CONTINUED TO STALL AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT WAS FINALLY ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. THE POLICE WERE AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE FOR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,850. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,866.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 5 MPH IN SNOWY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE TRACTION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE SUSPENSION TRACTION CONTROL. THE TRACTION CONTROL HAD TO BE SHUT OFF BEFORE HE WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION AXLE. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER GAS PEDAL CONTINUED ACCELERATION AFTER BRAKING AND CRASHED INTO MY GARAGE. *TR

MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS HAD ONE INCIDENT WHERE THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO BERNARDI TOYOTA IN FRAMINGHAM, MA ON 3/2/2010 AND THEY ADVISED THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND THEY ALSO CONDUCTED DIAGNOSTICS ON THE VEHICLE AND REPORTED THAT ALL SYSTEMS ARE NORMAL. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT ALL OF THE CONFUSING INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THIS PROBLEM OFFERED BY TOYOTA AND THE FACT IT HAPPENED ONCE TO MY VEHICLE, I AM WORRIED IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN.

I ASK BECAUSE TODAY HAD A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE WITH TOYOTA. THEY TOLD ME MY SHREDDING, BALD TIRES ARE SAFE AND NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM. CALLED TOYO WHO MAKES THE TIRES AND THEY OFFERED ME 50 PERCENT DISCOUNT ON NEW TIRES AND TIRE PLACE SAID CAR WOULDN'T PASS INSPECTION.. .ALL THIS WHEN AN HOUR EARLIER TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAID EVERYTHING IS SAFE AND SENT ME OFF WITH A SAFETY INSPECTION REPORT SAYING ALL IS WELL... FROM WHAT I SEE ONLINE, IT SEEMS LIKE HUNDREDS OF CUSTOMERS DEALING WITH SAME 2008 VEHICLES WITH ONLY 10-18K MILES ON TIRES THAT ARE SHREDDING AND BALD. PERSONALLY I THINK THIS COULD BE ANOTHER TOYOTA EXAMPLE OF TURNING THE OTHER WAY. FROM READING CONSUMERS STORIES AND COMMENTS ONLINE I AM AFRAID THIS COULD RESULT IN MORE INJURIES THAN THE WHOLE BRAKE SITUATION. APPRECIATE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO DRAW SOME ATTENTION TO THIS. THE DEALERSHIP I WENT TO WAS: TOYOTA OF BRAINTREE 781 848 9300 CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER BOB HADGES SERVICE MANAGER BOB SULLIVAN

WE HAVE A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER (2008) WHICH IS HAVING SAFETY ISSUES. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT KEEPS GOING OFF. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE SEAT BUT THE BELL KEEPS GOING OFF. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IT DOES IT OFTEN ENOUGH THAT IT COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. MY SECOND COMPLAINT IS THE WINDOW. THE WINDSHIELD KEEPS CHIPPING WHEN ANYTHING HITS IT. THERE ARE SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I HAD TO REPLACE THIS WINDOW. THERE COULD BE NO OTHER CARS AROUND BUT IF SOMETHING HITS IT WILL SPIDER. MY THIRD ISSUE IS THERE IS A NOISE THAT HAPPENS WHEN WE START THE CAR. ITS IN THE ENGINE AND WE CANT FIND IT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO TOYOTA BUT OF COURSE THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT EXPENSIVE ISSUES WITH THIS UNSAFE CAR. I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THESE ISSUES? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL FROM SPEEDS OF 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE BRAKE PEDAL FELL ONTO THE FLOOR BOARD AND DID NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE STATUE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME TO A STOP AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT REPORT ANY INJURIES. THE POLICE ARRIVED TO THE SCENE BUT A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 5,000.

NOTED RECENTLY ON MYCARSTATS.COM SIX COMPLAINTS REGISTERED WITH NHTSA REGARDING 2008 HIGHLANDER BRAKE PROBLEMS AND FIVE COMPLAINTS REGISTERED WITH NHTSA REGARDING 2008 HIGHLAND ELECTRIC PROBLEMS THAT INVOLVE BRAKES AND ELECTRONIC CONTROLS. I AM SUBMITTING THE FOLLOWING EXPERIENCES WITH MY 2008 HIGHLANDER BECAUSE THEY MIRROR MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS. THE BRAKES ON MY HIGHLANDER HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE FROM THE FIRST WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKES. THE DEALERSHIP DID ADJUST THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WHICH THEY INDICATED WAS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT BUT HAVE STATED THAT THE BRAKES ARE WORKING NORMALLY. MY SPECIFIC COMPLAINT IS BRAKE RESPONSE. THERE IS ROUGHLY AN INCH OF PEDAL TRAVEL BEFORE THE BRAKES BEGIN TO RESPOND. IF ONE MUST MAKE A HARD EMERGENCY STOP THE VSC CONTROL WILL ENGAGE. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN A CAR RAN THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THE BRAKES HARD - THE VSC LIGHT CAME ON - AND THE CAR SLOWLY STOPPED. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT BUT IT WAS EXTREMELY CLOSE. I HAVE FOUND THAT IF I ROUTINELY PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL THE VSC LIGHT COMES ON THAT THE PEDAL TRAVEL IS REDUCED. I TOOK THE HIGHLANDER TO AAA AUTO DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY CONFIRMED THE PEDAL/VSC. AAA WAS UNABLE TO READ THE HIGHLANDER COMPUTER BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PROPRIETARY TOYOTA COMPUTER INTERFACE. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER HAS STATED THAT THE DEPRESSED PEDAL AND VSC LIGHT RESPONSE IS NORMAL. I ALSO NOTED COMPLAINTS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN PUTTING THE CAR INTO GEAR. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A SURGE TO THE DEGREE MENTIONED IN THE COMPLAINTS REFERENCED ABOVE, HOWEVER, WHILE PUTTING THE CAR INTO DRIVE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE I HAVE HAD THE CAR SURGE FORWARD. I NOW ALWAYS HAVE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON WHILE PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. THE DATE LISTED BELOW IS THAT OF MY FIRST COMPLAINT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. *TR

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER . UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION. PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE AND APPLIED BRAKE BUT VEHICLE SPEED UP. VEHICLE WENT UP AND OVER THE CURB AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE MUFFLER HIT THE CURB AND STOPPED THE CAR FROM GOING FURTHER. WHILE CAR WAS STILL TRYING TO GO FORWARD, MANAGED TO GET THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE CAR. CAR WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER. CASE NUMBER FROM TOYOTA IS [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT (MY CAR REAR-ENDED ANOTHER CAR), AND THE BODY REPAIR SHOP INDICATES THAT THERE IS "SIGNIFICANT LEFT FRAMERAIL DAMAGE." HOWEVER, MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE ACCIDENT, WHICH WAS VERY SURPRISING TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE BODY SHOP. *TR

WHILE I WAS DRIVING OUR 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER (WITH 21506 MILES) TO THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR A TIRE INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE SURGED TO APPROX 80 MPH WITHOUT ACCELERATOR PEDAL ENGAGEMENT. WHEN I APPLIED BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT SLOWED THE VEHICLE TO APPROX 60 MPH, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE OUT OF CONTROL. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE. I PUT THE VEHICLE BACK INTO DRIVE AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. I EVENTUALLY GLIDED TO A SLOW, DIFFICULT STOP. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA. AFTER A 5 MINUTE REST IN PARK, I STARTED THE CAR AND THE ENGINE RACED. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. AFTER ANOTHER 5 MINUTE DELAY, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND IT APPEARED NORMAL. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD OCCURRED. THE DEALER COULD NOT RECREATE THE EVENT AND DID NOT SEE ANY READOUTS INDICATING WHAT HAD OCCURRED. THEY EXPLAINED IT AS A ECT TRANSMISSION THAT IS COMMON WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. GIVEN RECENT EVENTS, MY FEAR IT THAT THE EXPLANATION GIVEN TO ME IS NOT ACCURATE. I CALLED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST 2 MONTHS TO DETERMINE WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE FOR RECALL AND REPAIR. THEY CONTINUE TO TELL ME TO WAIT FOR A FLOOR MAT RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA, AND PRIOR TO RECEIVING THAT NOTICE, THEY CANNOT ASSIST. I CALLED THE NATIONAL TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER 1-800-331-4331 TO FILE AN INCIDENT REPORT. I EXPLAINED THE SITUATION ABOVE, THEY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER . THEY INDICATED THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS MADE IN JAPAN AND SHOULD NOT BE PART OF THE PEDAL RECALL. THEY ALSO INDICATED THAT WE SHOULD BE PART OF THE FLOOR MAT RECALL WHICH WILL INCLUDE A COMPUTER CHIP ADJUSTMENT THAT WILL INSTALL A BRAKE OVERRIDE TO ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL OVERRIDE THE ACCELERATOR. GIVE THE RECENT EVENTS OVER THE PAST 2 DAYS, IT APPEARS THAT MAY NOT BE WORKING PROPERLY ON OTHER VEHICLES. SINCE AUGUST 2009, THIS SITUATION HAS NOT OCCURRED AGAIN. MY FEAR IS THAT IT WILL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A20 TIRES, SIZE 245/55/R19, DOT# CXHHDK84607. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS HAVING HER VEHICLE INSPECTED SHE NOTICED THAT ALL 4 TIRES WERE EXPERIENCING ADNORMAL TREAD WEAR. THE TIRES WERE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE EXPERIENCING NORMAL WEAR. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30000. UPDATED 4/28/10 *CN UPDATED 06/11/10.*JB

RECENTLY I WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR REAR-END ACCIDENT. THE IMPACT SPEED WAS APPROX 10-15 MPH AND LIGHT TO MODERATE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO MY VEHICLE, WHICH IS A 2008 HIGHLANDER. PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT I NOTICED MY ANTI-SKID BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED AT A POINT I WOULD CONSIDER TO BE PREMATURE. THIS PREMATURE ACTIVATION LIMITS THE BRAKING POWER OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IS NEEDED. THIS PROBLEM WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF SOUTH COUNTY TOYOTA IN COSTA MESA, CA AND THEY STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING TO SPECIFICATION. I AM STILL CONCERNED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT EVALUATED BY A TOYOTA MOTORS REP WHILE I AM PRESENT. I DO BELIEVE THIS PREMATURE ACTIVATION OF THE ANTI-SKID SYSTEM WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN MY RECENT ACCIDENT AND IT MAY HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF THE FULL BRAKING POWER WAS AVAILABLE. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE STREETS WERE DRY AND IT HAD NOT RAINED IN SEVERAL WEEKS. THE VEHICLE SUFFERED MODERATE FRONT END DAMAGE WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED. TOYOTA WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ACCIDENT AND THEY HAVE FAILED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE OR ADMIT THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. AS OF RIGHT NOW I CAN DUPLICATE THE BRAKE FADE/ ISSUE 100% OF THE TIME. *TR

SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF NEW HIGHLANDER 2008 MODEL. I HAD REPORTED FOR THE FIRST TIME I FEB 19, 2009 WHEN I TOOK THE CAR FOR SERVICE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH ACCELERATION, AS IT RUNS AT A HIGHER SPEED. THEY CHECKED & I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG BY THE DEALER.MY WIFE WHO NEVER HAD ANY ACCIDENTS GOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON DEC. 21,2009 WHEN AS SHE WAS PARKING THE CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY & HIT THE BUILDING IN FRONT. THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT THE PEOPLE THAT WERE WORKING IN THAT BUILDING CAME OUT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. INSPITE OF WEARING SEAT BELTS, HER CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL SHE WAS IN SEVERE PAIN. AFTER EMERGENCY VISIT, SHE DID NOT HAVE ANY FRACTURES, BUT BRUISES OF RIBS. SHE WAS SO SCARED SHE WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE FOR WEEKS. IT TOOK MORE THAN 8K FOR REPAIRS.THE CAR STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS &WE ARE AT A LOSS WHAT TO DO. SHE IS DRIVING WITH CAUTION LOCALLY UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. WHEN WE CONTACTED 2 DEALERS, WE ARE TOLD THE CAR IS MANUFACTURED IN JAPAN & IT IS NOT ON RECALL LIST. WE TRY TO CONTACT NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. NEED HELP IN RETURNING THIS CAR TO TOYOTA , AS IT IS A SERIOUS HAZARD . *TR

ON DECEMBER 7, 2009, I HAD JUST ARRIVED AT MY PARKING APRON IN FRONT OF MY GARAGE AND WAS PUTTING THE CAR IN "PARK" AND HAD DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO DO SO. THE ACCELERATOR IMMEDIATELY JAMMED ON "FULL" AND THE CAR WENT THROUGH A WOODEN TWO-CAR GARAGE DOOR TAKING ALL OF THE EQUIPMENT WITH IT AND PROCEEDED EIGHTEEN (18) FEET INTO THE GARAGE AND WAS STOPPED ONLY BY THE STAIRS TO THE CONDO AND THE HOUSE FOUNDATION. THERE WAS $9,000 DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND $4,000 DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE AND STAIRS. TOYOTA HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND CLAIM IT IS NOT ONE OF THE RECALLED AUTOS AND THIS EVENT MUST HAVE BEEN MY FAULT. THIS IS VERY DISTRESSING AS I AM A SENIOR VOLUNTEER DRIVING SENIORS TO THEIR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS AND AN "AT FAULT" ACCIDENT WOULD PREVENT MY CONTINUING THIS PROJECT. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT SOME DEFECT, PROBABLY ELECTRONIC CONTROLS, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DO WHAT IT DID AND I AM VERY AFRAID TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT. EVEN IF, TOYOTA'S CLAIM IS CORRECT THAT MY FOOT WEDGED BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL CAUSING ACCELERATION, WOULD THIS NOT ALSO BE A DESIGN DEFECT? PLEASE PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE. *TR

GAS PEDAL IS TOO TIGHT. I WOULD LIKE SOME ONE TO CHECK THE CAR. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THERE WILL BE A BIG PROBLEM FOUND WITH THIS MODEL ALSO. PEDAL IS ABNORMALLY TIGHT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS BACKING OUT OF THE RESIDENCE DRIVEWAY ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. THE DRIVER STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN THE REVERSE POSITION AND WITHIN THREE SECONDS THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TOP OF THE DRIVER. THE AMBULANCE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE LEFT LEG AND CHEST AREA. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 4/5/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED SHE STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE NOT REALIZING IT WAS IN GEAR. IT STAYED STATIONARY FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE RUNNING HER OVER. UPDATED 05/11/10.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. ON DECEMBER 7, 2009 THE CONTACT DROVE INTO HIS PARKING GARAGE AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IMMEDIATELY JAMMED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE GARAGE, APPROXIMATELY 18 FEET. THE VEHICLE STOPPED AT THE STAIRS. THERE WAS $9,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND $4,000 FOR THE GARAGE. TOYOTA HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL YET IT WAS THE CONTACTS FAULT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRONIC FAILURE. TOYOTA ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS FOOT WENT BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE GARAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) MY FATHER [XXX] WAS KILLED WHILE DRIVING A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. HE HIT ANOTHER CAR SUSTAINING SEVERE INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. HE LEFT MY HOUSE IN GEORGETOWN, TX. DRIVING TO ROCKPORT TX WHEN IT IS REPORTED THAT HE LEFT HIS LANE, NO INDICATION THAT HE TRIED TO SLOW DOWN. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN GOLIAD COUNTY, ABOUT AN HOUR FROM HIS HOUSE. THE AUTOPSY COULD FIND NO MEDICAL OR PHYSICAL CAUSE FOR THIS ACCIDENT. THE ACCIDENT IS ON FILE WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND USAA INSURANCE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. ON FEBRUARY 10, 2008 WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN SHE PUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. SHE LOST CONTROL AND SWERVED THE INTO THE LEFT LANE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLES REAR BUMPER CAUSING THAT VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THEM. SHE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER RIBS. THE OTHER TWO DRIVERS ALSO SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS IN THE PROCESS OF INVESTIGATING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 13,000. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. UPDATED 03/30/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE MAY HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE STEERING PROBLEMS AS WELL. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING TOO FAST FOR THE ROAD CONDITIONS. UPDATED 06/28/10*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND CHANGING LANES, THE THROTTLE CAUSED THE WHEELS TO LOSE TRACTION CONTROL. AFTER A WHILE, THE THROTTLE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BUT NO ERRORS WERE FOUND AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33000. UPDATED 03/24/10 *BF UPDATED 06/28/10*JB

IN JANUARY 2010, I WAS PARKED IN MY DAUGHTER'S DAYCARE DRIVEWAY. THE DRIVEWAY HAS A NORMAL SLOPE. I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON WHILE IN THE DRIVEWAY AND EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKES THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CAR BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARD. I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THANKFULLY NO CHILDREN WERE AROUND ME. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN MOMENTS LATER WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH HAS A MINIMAL SLOPE. AGAIN THE BRAKES LOST PRESSURE AND DID NOT WORK. IN BOTH INSTANCES I NOTICED THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THE VSC LIGHT TURNED ON 4X IN THE SAME DAY. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE VSC LIGHT AND BRAKES FAIL ON A ROUTINE BASIS...AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. I MAKE SURE THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PARKING BRAKE ARE ENGAGED AND THAT THE VSC LIGHT DOES NOT TURN ON BEFORE SHIFTING TO DRIVE. THIS CARE IS UNSAFE CONSIDERING THE VSC ENGAGES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR

WE HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM (ABS/VSC). FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE ABS/VSC WILL MALFUNCTION AND BRAKES OPERATE INCORRECTLY. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT COMES AN GOES. WE HAVE ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THE SNOW IN OHIO. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR INTO THE DEALER 4X WITHOUT RESOLUTION SINCE NOBODY KNOWS WHAT IS WRONG. IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE IT STARTED JAN 2010. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. THE VEHICLE ALSO BECAME HARD TO CONTROL AT HIGHER SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 TO 70 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 10 TIMES. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY AND IT WAS NOT MALFUNCTIONING. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,050.

ALL THE SENSOR LIGHTS, INCLUDING ABS, EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND TRAC, FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAVE GONE ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. SOMETIMES THE BRAKES ENGAGED THE SKID CONTROL AND ONE TIME I HEARD THE BACK LEFT BRAKE MAKE A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKES WERE INSPECTED TWICE, ONCE BY TOYOTA MECHANIC AND ANOTHER TIME BY A LOCAL SEARS MECHANIC. THE TOYOTA MECHANIC RE-CALIBRATED THE SENSORS AND THEY STAYED OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS, BUT THEY ARE ALL BACK ON NOW. THE TOYOTA MECHANIC STATED THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS THIRD ONE HE SAW THAT WEEK FOR BRAKE SENSOR PROBLEMS. ALSO, BOTH MECHANICS SAID I HAD PLENTY OF BRAKES LEFT. THIS STARTED WHEN THERE WAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON MY CAR BUT, WITH OVER 36,000 WARRANTY MILES. I THINK THE SENSORS SHOULD LAST LONGER AND IT'S SCARY DRIVING WITH THE SENSOR LIGHTS INDICATING A PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2008 FROM AUG 2008. THIS CAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH BRAKING. FIRST WINTER IT WAS UNSAFE TO PARK CAR ON SHOPPING PARKING, BECAUSE OF CLOSE PROXIMITY TO OTHER CARS. HIGHLANDER WAS NOT STOPPING, IT CONTINUED MOVING WITH MY LEG ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAR WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN. I DROVE MANY DIFFERENT SUVS FROM RENTAL COMPANIES, LIKE CHEVY TRAIL BLAZER, GMC ACADIA, JEEP TWO DIFFERENT MODELS, BUT NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY TOLD ME THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING. I'M USED TO THIS CAR NOW, BUT BRAKING STILL NOT GOOD. IT REQUIRES DEEP PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL AND CAR IS STOPPING LONGER. *TR

OUR 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS HAD THE SAME INTERMITTENT BRAKING PROBLEM SINCE WE PURCHASED IT IN 2008. WHEN WE BRAKE FOR THE FIRST SECOND OR SO OF DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE BRAKES WILL EITHER NOT RESPOND OR THERE WILL BE A SLIGHT SURGE IN ACCELERATION. AFTER FURTHER DEPRESSION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES WILL ENGAGE, BUT THE INITIAL ENGAGEMENT IS NOT SMOOTH. IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE THAT HAS BRAKED THEIR VEHICLE TOO RAPIDLY. THIS ISSUE COMES AND GOES. WHEN WE TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAY THEY CANNOT RECREATE THE ISSUE AND SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR

THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION WE HAVE HAD WITH OUR TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WHEN ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE WILL PERIODICALLY OVER-REV BEFORE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO THE APPROPRIATE GEAR. THIS RESULTS IN A MOMENTARY LACK OF ACCELERATION. AGAIN THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. WHEN TAKEN TO THE TOYOTA DEALER, THEY SAY THEY CANNOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN SEE THAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FAILS TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. MOST OCCURRENCES AT LOW SPEED AFTER SLOWING TO 5MPH VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND TO GAS PEDAL - OR WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO GEAR AND MOVE FORWARD. THIS OCCURS OR IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PUSHED AFTER HAVING SLOWED DOWN OR IN THE MIDST OF A SLOW DOWN (NOT A COMPLETE STOP) USUALLY TO WAIT FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR. OCCURRED WITH EVERY DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE (4). MOST NOTABLE (SCARY) WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS TURNING AND TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN GEAR, RPM INCREASE, CAR REVES UP, BUT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. MY DAUGHTER SCREAMED. TAKEN TO DEALER AT LEAST TWICE. AND CONTINUE TO CALL AND COMPLAIN. DEALER STATES THEY HAD EXPERTS LOOK AT CAR, REBOOTED COMPUTER (BECAUSE CAR RESPONDS TO DRIVER THAT DRIVES THE MOST!). SAID NOTHING IS WRONG OR CAN BE DONE. DEALER HAS ADMITTED THAT ENGAGING IS SLOW, NOTICEABLE. FAILURE TO ENGAGE OCCURS DAILY. CONSEQUENCE - IN DANGER OF NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE CAR OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NOTHING WAS DONE TO REPAIR. COMPUTER RE-SET. (THIS IS WHAT I WAS TOLD) VEHICLE ALSO HAS EXPERIENCED TROUBLE WHILE DRIVING UP HILL. RPM WENT TO 4000 + AND WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. ON FREEWAY AND SLOWING DOWN. HAD 6 HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS IN CAR. ALSO HAS "DROPPED" INTO GEAR HEAVILY. *TR

AT THE END OF OCTOBER, 09, I WAS DRIVING WITH BOTH OF MY BOYS IN THE CAR. I GOT INTO THE LEFT TURN LANE ON BAY AREA BLVD, HOUSTON,TX. I HAD ONE CAR IN FROM OF ME. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND MY ENGINE RACED AND I STARTED TO GO FORWARD. I LOOKED DOWN QUICKLY TO SEE IF THE FLOOR MAT WAS STUCK AND IT WAS NOT. I PRESSED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. I PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. MY 11 YEAR OLD WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND HE EXPERIENCED THE ENTIRE SITUATION. I WAS VERY SCARED THAT I WOULD HIT THE CAR IN FRONT WHICH IS WHY I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. I DID NOT THINK ANYONE WOULD BELIEVE ME SO I DID NOT TELL ANYONE ABOUT IT. LAST WEEKEND I WAS WAITING AT THE RED LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO TURN LEFT AND MY CAR ENGINE STARTED TO RACE AGAIN, I WAS READY TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK BUT THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN SO I WAS ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD. I CONTACTED STAR TOYOTA IN LEAGUE CITY AND SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. I WAS INFORMED AGAIN ( ONCE BY THE SALES MANAGER) THAT MY CAR VIN HAD A J IN FRONT OF IT SO IT WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN AT MY EXPENSE TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND WAS REFERRED TO THE 800 331 4331. I CALLED THAT NUMBER AND RECEIVED A RECORDING THAT DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF CALLS THAT THEY WERE NOT ACCEPTING CALLS AND WAS REFERRED TO THE TOYOTA PRESS ROOM ON LINE. I WENT TO THAT SITE AND DID NOT FIND ANY WAY TO CONTACT TOYOTA. I HAVE A DANGEROUS CAR AND I CANNOT GET HELP WITH IT FROM THE DEALER. I DON'T CARE IF THE VIN HAS A J IN FRONT OF IT OR IF IT WAS MADE IN JAPAN. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE OCT 2007. MY HUSBAND COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES THAT WHILE HE WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE INTERSTATE THAT IT SEEMED TO ACCELERATE FASTER ON ITS OWN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN OCTOBER 2007. SHE STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN RPMS WITHOUT WARNING. SHE ASSUMED THE FLOOR MAT WAS BLOCKING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; HOWEVER UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. THE VEHICLE THEN PROCEEDED TO ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 15 MPH. THE CONTACT USED BOTH FEET TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ABRUPTLY SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO IDLE UNTIL SHE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER PROVIDED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,400 AND THE CURRENT WAS 39,538. UPDATED 3/24/10 *CN UPDATED 08/18/10*JB

I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR'S ALIGNMENT. MY MECHANIC SAID IT IS A DEFECT THAT CANNOT BE FIXED AND IS A SAFETY DANGER. WHEN MY CAR HAD 3,000 MY MECHANIC SAID THE TIRES WERE SHREDDING. WHEN HE CHECKED MY ALIGNMENT HE SAID IT WAS OFF BUT WHENHE TRIED TO CORRECT IT HE SAID IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO FIX AND IT IS A DEFECT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD FIX IT. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR THEY SAID IT WAS REALIGNED BUT COULD NOT GET IT TO THE RECOMMENDED ALIGNMENT BUT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK AGAIN TO HAVE IT REALIGNED AND THE SAME RESULT THAT IT COULD NOT BE REALIGNED TO COMPANY SPECS BUT TOYOTA TOLD ME THE MISALIGNMENT IS NOT A SAFETY DANGER. MY MECHANIC SAID IT IS A DANGER SO I BROUGHT IT BACK TO TOYOTA TO COMPLAIN. TOYOTA SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO SO I SHOULD JUST LIVE WITH IT. I AM FURIOUS AND AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY CAR. WILL YOU PLEASE HELP ME. I AM AWARE OF OTHER OWNERS WITH ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS WITH THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE MODELS. THANK YOU. *TR

LEFT AND RIGHT REAR BRAKES STAY ENGAGED WHEN APPLIED AND WILL NOT DISENGAGE FOR UP TO 2 MINUTES AFTER RELEASED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE MECHANISM (APPARENTLY THE CALIPERS) WAS CORRODED. *TR

DRIVING MY NEW 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LEASED DEC. 2008. ON 4-5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON I ACCELERATED AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO FULL RACE. PEDAL WAS NOT STUCK. COULD NOT TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL CAUSED UNCONTROLLED MAXIMUM RPMS. TURNING THE KEY OFF AND BACK ON NUMEROUS TIMES DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. EVENTUALLY AFTER ABOUT 20-30 SECONDS THE PROBLEM RESOLVED, ENGINE SLOWED WITH NO SIGN THERE HAD EVER BEEN A PROBLEM. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN SINCE SPRING 2009 BUT THAT SPRING THE 4-5 EPISODES HAPPENED WITHIN A FEW WEEKS.

I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE INFORMATION SCREEN INDICATED THERE HAD BEEN A BRAKE MALFUNCTION AND THAT I SHOULD PULL OVER AND CALL THE DEALER. I NOTICED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT WAS LIT SO I THOUGHT I HAD SOMEHOW BEEN DRIVING WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. IN KIND OF A PANIC I THEN PUSHED DOWN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ABOUT HALF WAY IN AN EFFORT TO TURN IT OFF. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN PRECIPITIOUSLY AND WE ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. IT TURNS OUT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY CORROSION IN ONE OF THE WHEEL SENSORS THAT DETECTS SLIPPAGE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NEVER ENGAGED. TOYOTA SHOULD NOT ILLUMINATE THAT LIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENS TO PREVENT DRIVERS FROM THINKING THEIR EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ENGAGED WHEN INFACT IT IS NOT. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL THE 2008 HIGHLANDER TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NO CORROSION SINCE THE MESSAGE ON THE INFORMATIONAL DISPLAY IS SO DISTRACTING TO THE DRIVER.

BRAKE FAILURE ON 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER: I TURNED CAR ON & SHIFTED INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE. THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. CAR ROLLED BACKWARD & WOULD NOT STOP. I APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE AND CAR STOPPED. WHEN E-BRAKE WAS ON I TESTED TO SEE IF THERE WAS PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL - THERE WAS NONE. AT THIS POINT I PUT CAR INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF ENGINE, WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND RESTARTED ENGINE. STILL NO BRAKE PRESSURE AND SHIFTER WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK POSITION. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN AND RELEASED EMERGENCY BRAKE. AT THIS POINT THE CAR SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND THERE WAS PRESSURE IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. I DROVE VEHICLE SAFELY TO NEAREST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP (WHERE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED). COMPUTER CHECK INDICATED NO PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. MANUAL/VISUAL CHECK REVEALED A GAP LEAKING BRAKE FLUID BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER , BOTH OF WHICH WERE SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. *TW

MY WIFE'S 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SPORT WITH 19" RIMS CAME WITH BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/L 400 TIRES. THIS TIRE HAPPENS TO BE THE ONLY TIRE MADE TO FIT THIS RIM OTHER THAN A TOYOTA OPEN COUNTRY WHICH APPARENTLY WAS STANDARD ON THE HYBRID MODEL. WE FOUND THIS TIRE TO BE UNFIT AND UNSAFE FOR A 4,500 LB VEHICLE OF THIS SCALE. THESE TIRES HYDROPLAN IN RAIN FROM THE MOMENT THEY WERE NEW, AND THEY HANDLED TERRIBLY IN ANY AMOUNT OF SNOW, CAUSING THE REAR OF OUR 4WD VEHICLE TO SLIDE SIDEWAYS WHEN STARTING FROM SIMPLE STOPS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WE HELD OUR BREATH AS WE SLID TOWARD VEHICLES AND PROPERTY WHILE THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM TRIED IN VAIN TO OVERCOME THE TIRE'S VERY POOR HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS. IF YOU GO TO TIRERACK.COM YOU WILL SEE THAT THIS TIRE IS RATED EXTREMELY POORLY BY MANY MANY OWNERS OF HIGHLANDERS AND OTHER CARS THAT THEY CAME STANDARD ON. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THIS, THEY BALKED AT ME, AND COPPED AN ATTITUDE WHEN THEY ASKED IF I SERIOUSLY THOUGHT TOYOTA WAS GOING TO REPLACE MY TIRES FOR ME. THESE TIRES ARE UNSAFE FOR ANY VEHICLE WHICH WILL TRAVEL IN SNOW OR RAIN. THE FINAL INSULT OF THESE TIRES IS THAT THEY WERE MORE THAN THREE-QUARTERS WORN OUT BY 15,000 MILES. WE MILKED THESE TIRES UNTIL ALMOST 30,000 MILES SINCE I REFUSED TO BUY THE SAME TIRE AGAIN, HOPING SOME OTHER MANUFACTURER WOULD COME ALONG WITH A SIMILAR SIZED TIRE - 245/55-19. THAT NEVER HAPPENED, SO I WENT WITH A 255 WIDTH TIRE AND BROUGHT A WELL RATED HANKOOK. I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER. I AM JUST INCENSED THAT TOYOTA COLLUDED WITH BRIDGESTONE TO INSTALL SUCH TERRIBLY CHEAP AND UNSAFE TIRES ON THOUSANDS OF HIGHLANDERS, STRANDING ALL THOSE OWNERS TO SUFFER THE SAME INSTABILITY ISSUES AS WE DID, WHILE THEY DID NOT WORK WITH ANY OTHER TIRE VENDORS TO SUPPLY THIS DISTINCTIVE TIRE DESIGN. I AM NOT SURE WHO I HOLD IN MORE CONTEMPT - BRIDGESTONE OR TOYOTA. I DO NOT DOUBT THAT YOU COULD RESEARCH VEHICLE CRASHES INVOLVING HIGHLANDERS AND FIND MANY CAUSED BY POOR TRACTION. *TW

TOYO A20 OPEN COUNTRY TIRES IN 245/55R19 SIZE WEAR PREMATURELY WITH POTENTIAL LOSS OF TRACTION AND CONTROL. DRIVERS UNAWARE OF THE FACT THESE TIRES WEAR OUT IN LESS THAN 20,000 MILES MAY FAIL TO CHECK THEM FOR WEAR SOON ENOUGH. THESE TIRES ARE THE OEM TIRES USED ON THE 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SPORT MODEL AND PROBABLY SOME OTHER TOYOTA MODELS AND MODEL YEARS AS WELL. THE 2008 VEHICLE OWNERS WILL BE THE FIRST TO REPORT PROBLEMS. THIS BLOG ON CONSUMER REPORTS DETAILS THE PROBLEMS. HTTP://BLOGS.CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG/CARS/2009/04/TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER-HOW-TO-CHOOSE-THE-BEST-REPLACEMENT-TIRE-.HTML TOYOTA DEALERS ARE OFFERING NO COMPENSATION OR REPLACEMENT ASSISTANCE AND THIS SIZE TIRE IS UNIQUE SO THAT ONLY TWO FIRMS OFFER REPLACEMENTS - TOYO AND BRIDGESTONE. THE BRIDGESTONE OEM TIRES IN THIS SIZE MAY HAVE THE SAME WEAR AND TRACTION PROBLEMS. *CN

TOYOTA 2008 HIGHLANDER-BRAKING SYSTEM HESITATES LIKE THE PRIUS IS DESCRIBED. IT FREEZES UP AND DOESN'T REACT AS QUICKLY AS IT IS PUSHED. THIS IS ONGOING. *TR

I AM LEASING TWO TOYOTA VEHICLES ... A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND A 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY. DURING DECEMBER 2009 I EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TRANSMISSION AND SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE BRAKING. DETAILS INCLUDE A TRANSMISSION NOISE RATTLE WHILE DRIVING ON A CALIFORNIA FREEWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH. THIS TRANSMISSION NOISE CONTINUED FOR 3-4 MINUTES, SOUNDING LOUDER AS IF A PART WAS LOOSE INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION. I SHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION ON THE 2008 HIGHLANDER BETWEEN GEARS AND THE NOISE EVENTUALLY STOPPED. THE SECOND COMPLAINT ON THE 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER OCCURRED ON DECEMBER 5, 2009, WHILE I WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE. AS I APPROACHED THE PARKING PLACE, WITH MY FOOT COVERING THE BRAKE PEDAL, I EXPERIENCED UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WHILE BRAKING. THE 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUDDENLY LURCHED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD HAVE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE THROUGH A PLATE GLASS WINDOW AT THE BANK IF I DIDN'T APPLY FULL FORCE OF THE BRAKE! I WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKE FIRMLY ENOUGH TO OVERCOME THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME. CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA TOYOTA OF CARLSBAD WAS NOTIFIED ON DECEMBER 9, 2009 IN WRITING REGARDING THESE TWO ISSUES. I HAD PERSONALLY DELIVERED A TWO PAGE DOCUMENT DETAILING BOTH OF THESE COMPLAINTS TO THE TOYOTA OF CARLSBAD SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE FROM MY COMPLAINT BY TOYOTA OF CARLSBAD OR THE TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT'S SISTER OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT'S SISTER WAS DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ACROSS THE INTERSTATE, HIT AN EMBANKMENT AND WAS STRUCK BY SEMI TRUCK. THE VEHICLE BURNED AND THE DRIVER WAS KILLED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BUT THERE WAS NO INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE FOR THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ANY REPRESENTATIVES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 33,000. UPDATED 03/10/10 *BF UPDATED 07/07/10.*JB UPDATE 9/19/2011*CW

2008 LOW MILEAGE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER STICKING ACCELERATOR PEDAL. MY ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK AT FULL THROTTLE. I'M SURE IT WAS NOT THE MATS; I DID NOT HAVE ANY. THE MILEAGE WAS VERY LOW AT THE TIME, UNLIKE WHAT THE RECALL IS ADDRESSING. IT HAS NOT HAPPENED SINCE. *TR

CRASH AND INJURY ON DATED 12/21/2008 WHERE I THOUGHT MY 2008 HIGHLANDER WHICH I BOUGHT A MONTH AGO SKID ON A DRY ROAD IN BROAD DAY LIGHT. SPEED WAS BELOW 20 MPH 1000 FT AWAY FROM MY HOME INSIDE THE NEIGHBERHOOD OF READING, PA 19606. WE WERE GOING TO SEE A MOVIE ON A WEEKEND. ON LYNN AVE MY CAR SKID AND HIT A PARKED TRAILER BEHIND. I COULD NOT GET TIME TO PRESS THE BRAKE AT ALL. ALL I THOUGHT IS SNOW/ BLACK ICE. MYSELF AND ATTENDING POLICE OFFICER DID NOT FIND ANY ICE ON THE ROAD. SO, AS USUAL HUMAN ERROR WAS BLAMED. BUT MY 14 YR SON NOTICED THE SKID BEFORE INCIDENT. MY WIFE AND SON BOTH WERE INJURED IN THE CRASH. IN OVER ONE YEAR I COULD NOT GET SATISFIED WITH THE POLICE REPORT WHICH SAID MY SPEEDING WAS TO BLAME. WE ALL KNEW I WAS NOT SPEEDING NEAR MY HOME. THE CONTROL OF MY CAR WENT AWAY FROM MY HAND. THE CAR SPED UP AND BEFORE ANY REALIZATION IT HIT THE BACK OF THE TRAILER. IF YOU SEE THE CAR AND THE WAY IT HIT, ONLY REASON YOU WILL BELIEVE THAT THE DRIVER MUST HAVE BEEN DRUNK. BUT I WAS NOT. NOW I KNOW WHAT REALLY HAPPENED THAT DAY. IT IS THE REASON WHY THE RECALL HAPPENED. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SEAT DOES NOT RISE UP ENOUGH TO SEE OVER THE OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR. ALSO, THE OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR IS LARGE AND CONTINUOUS TO THE DOORPOST PRODUCING A VISUAL BLOCK FROM WINDSHIELD SIDE OF THE DOORPOST TO THE FAR END OF THE OUTSIDE MIRROR - ABOUT 16 INCHES. PROJECT THIS VISUAL BLOCK-OUT ACROSS TO A SIDE-STREET INTERSECTION AND IT BLOCKS THE VIEW OF THE ENTIRE SIDE-STREET INTERSECTION AND THEN SOME WHEN TRAVELING ON A FOUR LANE STREET WITH A MERIDIAN IN THE MIDDLE. THIS IS GROSS HAZARD FOR ME AND A VEHICLE IN THE INTERSECTION AND FOR PEDESTRIANS. I HAD ONE COLLISION WHEN LEAVING A CHURCH PARKING LOT ONTO A TWO LANE RURAL ROAD - TRAVELING ABOUT 10 MPH AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN HIS LANE. OCCURRED IN SPRING OF 2008, ABOUT 5 PM - CLEAR SUNNY DAY. I DID NOT SEE HIS CAR - AND THE COLLISION REPAIR COST FOR HIS VEHICLE WAS $2,500 AND FOR MY REPAIR COST WAS $4,000 +-. ALSO, I HAVE HIT THE LOW CONCRETE DIVIDER WITH MY LEFT FRONT TIRE - LOCATED UNDER THE FREEWAY OVERPASS WHEN TURNING - THIS TURN I HAVE DONE 5 DAYS A WEEK FOR 5 YEARS ON THE WAY TO WORK WITH NO PROBLEM UNTIL DRIVING THIS 2008 HIGHLANDER. ALSO, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR COLLISIONS WITH UNSEEN VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. AT NIGHT WITH VEHICLE BEHIND ME THE LIGHT GLARE IN THE OUTSIDE MIRROR IS SUCH THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OVER OR AROUND TO SEE A SIDE-STREET INTERSECTION. SIMILAR PROBLEMS EXIST FOR THE RIGHT OUTSIDE MIRROR. TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM THE MIRROR NEEDS TO BE LOWERED. ALSO, A GAP BETWEEN THE EDGE OF THE MIRROR AND THE DOORPOST WOULD BE A MAJOR GREAT HELP. MY HEIGHT IS 5'-5" NOT TOO SHORT - BY PUSHING HARD WITH MY LEFT FOOT ON THE FLOORBOARD STEP I AM ABLE TO SEE OVER THE OUTSIDE MIRROR AND GAIN A REASONABLE VIEW OF THE SIDE-STREET INTERSECTION - BUT THIS MOVEMENT TAKES AWAY FROM MY CONCENTRATION AND AGILITY TO DRIVE ON. *TR

ON AUGUST 13, 2009 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED, 4WD SUV WHEN SHE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A WOODEN TELEPHONE POLE, TOTALING THE CAR. ACCORDING TO HER, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND SHE COULDN'T STOP THE VEHICLE. *TR

I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED. AFTER DRIVING 25K MILES, I NOTICED A VIBRATION IN MY STEERING. I THEN NOTICED MY TIRES TREAD ON ALL 4 TIRES WORN DOWN TO ALMOST 2/32" OF TREAD DEPTH REMAINING. I HAVE ORIGINAL TIRES: OPEN COUNTRY A20 P 245/55R19 103S. I CALLED TOYO TIRE CONSUMER RELATIONS DEPT. AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO MILEAGE WARRANTY ON THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THEY OFFER 30% DISCOUNT ON NEW SET OF TIRES INSTALLED AT TIRE DEALER CENTER. NEW TIRES, AFTER DISCOUNT WILL COST ABOUT $900, BUT THEY ON THE BACK ORDER AND BECOME AVAILABLE ONLY BY THE END OF DECEMBER 2009. I FORCED TO KEEP DRIVING MY CAR WITH BAD TIRES.THEY DON'T OFFER ANY REPLACEMENT TIRES FOR THIS ODD SIZE, MANUFACTURED ONLY FOR THIS CAR. THESE TIRES CREATE A HAZARD TO ME, MY FAMILY AND PUBLIC SAFETY, ESPECIALLY DRIVING IN THE NORTH-EAST AREAS. I HAVE NEVER HAD A NEW VEHICLE THAT NEED NEW TIRES WHEN IT IS BARELY TWO YEARS OLD. I TRY TO REPLACE THIS TIRES BEFORE I HAVE AN INCIDENT. I HAVE NOTICED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE TIRES ON VARIOUS WEB SITES. ALL TOYOTA HIGHLANDER OWNERS VERY DISAPPOINTED AND LOST. MANY TRY TO CHANGE TIRE SIZE TO MORE COMMON USED, WHICH WILL VOID POWER-TRAIN WARRANTY AND COULD CREATE MORE OF SAFETY PROBLEMS. I HOPE YOU FIND THIS SITUATION VERY DISTURBING AND POTENTIALLY SAFETY HAZARDOUS AND WILL LEAD TO YOUR INVESTIGATION AND CORRECTION. *TR

WE HAVE LEASED A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FOR 22 MONTHS. THE TOYO A 20 TIRES ARE SO WORN WITH NORMAL DRIVING THEY WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS APPEAR ONLINE REGARDING THIS MATTER. NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS MATTER. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT WITH TIRE OR CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING GARAGE, THE ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT SHIFTED UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND CAUSED IT TO STICK WHICH CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION CENTER AND REPAIRED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $4,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,957. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

KNOWN DEFECTS OF TOYO TIRES ON 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. TIRES SHRED TREAD IN LITTLE PIECES. TOYOTA DEALER HAS A SHEET DESCRIBING THE DETAILS. TOYO KNEW THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. THEY WAITED UNTIL THE OWNER NOTICED AND COMPLAINED. THE TIRES WEAR OUT VERY QUICKLY. THE TIRES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND REPLACED. INSTEAD TOYO APPLIED THEIR WARRANTY. WITH 80% CREDIT, MY COSTS WERE$252.25 SINCE THE TIRES WERE KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE, THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO ME. *TR

NO PREVIOUS BRAKING PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED. FIRST HEARD AN AIRY SOUND WHEN BRAKING THEN SOFT BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN ALMOST COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. DEALER FOUND A VACUUM LEAK IN BRAKE BOOSTER. REPAIR WAS REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER. *TR

TIRE FLAKING AND PREMATURELY WEARING. *TR

BRAKE PEDAL SPONGY AT LOW ENGINE OPERATING SPEEDS. *TR

WHEN THE FRONT OF THE CAR IS ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE AND IT IS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE IT WILL ROLL FORWARD THE SAME AS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WILL DO WHEN THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE HAS TO BE APPLIED WITH ONE FOOT WHILE THE OTHER FOOT IS PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE COULD CAUSE INJURY AND OR PROPERTY DAMAGE IF PARKED CLOSE TO PERSON OR PROPERTY. THE SLOPE ANGLE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A STEEP INCLINE FOR THIS TO OCCUR. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS AS A PROBLEM AND IT WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE FOR THE CAR TO ROLL FORWARD. *TR

TOYO TIRES (P245/55R19) WERE INSTALLED ON MY 08 HIGHLANDER AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. AT FIRST OIL CHANGE, WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WERE NOT WEARING PROPERLY & HAD ALIGNMENT CHECKED. NO PROBLEMS WITH ALIGNMENT--CALLED TOYOTA--THEY ADVISED TO ROTATE EVERY 5K WITH OIL CHANGE..DID THE SAME AND I NOW HAVE 20K MILES WITH 2 REAR TIRES THAT RUBBER IS "PEELING" SO BAD THAT THEY HAVE TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. FRONT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITHIN FEW MONTHS AS WELL. TOYOTA IS BLAMING TOYO & NO REPLY FROM TOYO....OBVIOUSLY THIS MANUFACTURER MAKES POOR QUALITY PRODUCTS WITH JUST THE COMPLAINT RECORDS THAT YOU HAVE ON FILE. ANYONE DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH THESE TIRES IS OBVIOUSLY TAKING THEIR LIFE IN THEIR HANDS!! *TR

I BOUGHT A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN DECEMBER 2007. I DID NOT TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT. AFTER A FEW WEEKS, I TRIED TO BACK UP AT NIGHT. THE LIGHTS ARE COMPLETELY INADEQUATE AND THEY ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE EVERY FEW FEET AND CHECK TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NOTHING/NO ONE IN MY PATH WHEN BACKING UP AT NIGHT. I ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK/REPAIR THE LIGHTS. THEY SAID THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT BUT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX IT. IT IS NOT SAFE TO BACK UP THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT BECAUSE THE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE ENOUGH TO SEE IF SOMEONE IS IN YOUR PATH. I HAVE ASKED THE MANUFACTURER FOR HELP FIXING THE PROBLEM BUT THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *TR

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL FORWARD WHEN THE VEHICLE AND TRANSMISSION ARE POSITIONED IN REVERSE, IF THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE. *TR

MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER CONSUMES A LITTLE OVER HALF QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 1,000 MILES DRIVEN AND I TOOK IT TO LONGO TOYOTA FOR MORE THAN THREE TIMES AND THE MECHANIC THERE TOLD ME THAT IT'S NORMAL. THIS IS THE FIRST BRAND NEW CAR THAT I EVER HAD WHEREIN I HAVE TO ADD OIL IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES (3,000 MILES). HAD THEY TOLD ME BEFORE I BOUGHT THIS CAR, MAYBE I WILL NOT HAVE BOUGHT IT AND WON'T END UP HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER - ACCELERATED TO PASS A CAR IN THE NEXT LANE SO I COULD PASS AND THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I PULLED INTO THE SHOULDER AND THOUGH THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND STILL THE CAR WANTED TO GO BUT IT SLOWED A BIT SO I THREW IT INTO PARK AND THE JERKED BUT FINALLY CAME TO A STOP AND I SHUT OFF THE CAR. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AND I AM AFRAID THAT IT MAY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. CURRENTLY THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY HAVEN'T HEARD OF THIS BEFORE. YET WHEN I GOOGLED THE ISSUE TOYOTA HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE WITH THE HIGHLANDER AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLES INCLUDING THE CAMRY. *TR

ON MARCH 2, 2009 I RENTED A SUV FROM HERTZ AT THE SALT LAKE CITY AIRPORT. UPON PICKING UP THE CAR I COMMENTED TO THE PERSON CHECKING ME OUT THAT THE TIRE TREAD DEPTH LOOKED VERY LOW FOR AN SUV THAT WOULD BE USED IN THE SNOW. SHE SAID SHE WOULD MAKE NOTE OF IT. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION 230 MILES AWAY I USED A PENNY TO CHECK THE DEPTH. I CALLED HERTZ TO ASK FOR ASSISTANCE TO GET THE TIRES REPLACED. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SAID THERE WAS A GOODYEAR DEALER IN THE CITY I WAS IN BUT WOULD HAVE TO GET APPROVAL. THE MANAGER AT THE HERTZ IN SLC SAID HE WOULD NOT APPROVE NEW TIRES. I STOPPED AT A TOYOTA DEALER WHO CHECKED THE TIRE TREAD DEPTH, THE DEPTH RANGED FROM 2/32 TO 3/32, THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE TIRES WERE UNSAFE. SHOULD THE NHSTB INVESTIGATE CAR RENTAL COMPANIES WHO MAY BE PLACING THE SAFETY OF CUSTOMERS AT RISK TO SAVE MONEY? *TR

THE BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/L400 (NOT H/L 683 OR 684 II AS LISTED IN THE CHOICES FOR THIS TIRE ON THIS WEB SITE!!!!!) TIRES ON OUR 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ARE TERRIBLY UNSAFE IN ALL CONDITIONS OTHER THAN DRY ROADS. THEY HYDROPLANE IN THE RAIN, THE REAR END SLIDES IN ALL TYPES OF SNOWY CONDITIONS, CAUSING THE STABILITY CONTROL TO KICK IN AND COMPENSATE, AND THEY REQUIRE FREQUENT TOPPING OFF OF THE AIR PRESSURE, MORE SO THAN ANY TIRE ON ANY VEHICLE I'VE EVER OWNED. THIS TIRE IS GETTING TERRIBLE REVIEWS ON TIRERACK.COM FROM CURRENT OWNERS OF MAZDA CX-9S AND HIGHLANDERS, AND THERE ISN'T ANOTHER TIRE ON THE MARKET IN THE SIZE I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE IT. IT'S AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. OUR CAR IS A V6 POWERED 4X4 SUV WE BOUGHT BRAND NEW 10 MONTHS AGO. IT HAS NEVER DRIVEN WELL IN SNOW, AND DESPITE THE FULL-TIME 4-WHEEL DRIVE, THE VEHICLE BEHAVES LIKE A REAR-DRIVE TRUCK WITH SUMMER TIRES. THE CAR SEVERELY FISHTAILS AND SLIDES SIDEWAYS, WITH THE STABILITY CONTROL FULLY CUTTING POWER AND APPLYING CERTAIN BRAKES IN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT COURSE. THIS HAPPENS AT EVERY TURN AND INTERSECTION. IT'S NOT ONLY EMBARRASSING, IT'S ALSO WREAKING HAVOC ON MY FUEL ECONOMY AS I DO SO MUCH SLIPPING IN THESE TIRES, AND I FEAR I WILL BE GOING OFF THE ROAD OR SLIDING INTO SOMEONE'S PROPERTY OR VEHICLE SOME DAY WITHOUT WARNING. *TR

USING A HIGHLANDER'S POWER-ADAPTER TO POWER MY IPHONE, A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF NOISE IS ADDED TO THE MUSIC OUTPUT. TOYOTA DEALER HAS CORRECTED MY PROBLEM BY INSTALLING SOME FILTERS IN LINE BEFORE THE POWER ADAPTER SOCKET. *TR

IN FEBURARY 2008, I PURCHASED A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, WHEN SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED. ON THE FIRST OCCASION (APRIL 2008), THE INCIDENT ENDED IN AN ACCIDENT AS THE VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO A WALL. THE SECOND INCIDENCE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS LATER AND NEARLY CAUSED ANOTHER ACCIDENT. AGAIN, AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY A PARKING PYLON BEFORE HITTING A WALL. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIM THAT THEY CAN NOT FIND ANY ISSUES WITH VEHICLE. BASED ON MY RESEARCH, THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE AN ISOLATED PROBLEM AS OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES ARE NOTED AS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I FEEL THAT THIS VEHICLE IS THREAT NOT ONLY TO THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY, BUT TO OTHERS ON THE ROAD. UPDATED 08/08/08. *JB

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL FORWARD WHEN THE VEHICLE AND TRANSMISSION ARE POSITIONED IN REVERSE, IF THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE. HE ALSO STATES THAT THE HILL HOLDER FEATURE DOESN'T WORK ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE. *KB

TL*THE CONTACT LEASES A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 25 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID STRIKING OTHER VEHICLES. HE THEN HEARD A LOUD BANG. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. HE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AXLE FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WILL SEND AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 4,000.

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FUEL TANK DAMAGE. CONSUMER STATES ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT ACCEPT GAS WHEN TRYING TO FILL THE TANK. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE OVR VALVE AND CHARCOAL FILTER WERE DAMAGED. *KB

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THE SUNROOF EXPLODED AND SENT GLASS FRAGMENT EVERYWHERE. FORTUNATELY THE SHADE WAS PULLED CLOSED OTHERWISE GLASS WOULD HAVE BEEN BLOWN INTO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AT 55 MPH. GLASS WAS COMPLETELY DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE HEADLINER AND IT HAD TO BE REMOVED TO ENSURE GLASS WOULD NOT INTERFERE WITH AIR BAG OPERATION OR BECOME A PROJECTILE IF THE AIR BAG ACTUATED. THE SUNROOF IS MADE OF TEMPERED GLASS AND NOT SAFETY GLASS. WHEN IT EXPLODED, THE GLASS WAS NOT HELD CAPTIVE BY THE SAFETY FILM. ONLY A TWO INCH BORDER OF GLASS REMAINED IN THE SUN ROOF FRAME. THIS IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT SAFETY OVERSIGHT. IF THE SUN ROOF SHADE HAD BEEN OPEN, THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT WITH GLASS AND AN ACCIDENT WOULD LIKELY HAVE OCCURRED. *TR

HAD A ROCK CHIP THAT GREW ACROSS WINDSHIELD WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY. HAD WINDSHIELD REPLACED TWO DAYS LATER VERY SMALL ROCK CHIPPED IT. HAD CHIP FIXED NOW 3WKS LATER LINES ARE APPEARING OUT OF THE FIXED CHIP. ALL REPAIRS WERE DONE BY SAFELIGHT AND IS REPORTED TO INSURANCE. *TR

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2008 LIMITED CAN BE PUT IN REVERSE WITH NO VISIBLE OR AUDIBLE WARNING THAT A DOOR IS OPEN. RESULTED IN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE AND CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE. *TR HIGHLANDER HAS LCD SCREEN TO DISPLAY WARNINGS AND OTHER MESSAGES TO THE DRIVER. SAME SCREEN IS USED TO SHOW REAR CAMERA IMAGE IN REVERSE. WHEN CAR IS IN REVERSE, REAR CAMERA IMAGE SUPERSEDES WARNING MESSAGE GIVING THE DRIVER THE IMPRESSION THAT ALL SYSTEMS ARE GO AND IT IS OK TO BACK-UP. TOYOTA NEEDS TO REPROGRAM ONBOARD COMPUTER SO THAT IF ANY DOOR IS OPEN, OR IF ANY OTHER WARNINGS (PERHAPS SEATBELTS) ARE ENGAGED THE REAR CAMERA VIEW DOES NOT SHOW ON THE LCD SCREEN SO THAT THE WARNINGS CAR BE DISPLAYED. GIVEN THE LCD SCREEN AND AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR ONLY TWO MONTHS, IT IS CLEAR THAT DRIVERS WILL LOOK TO THAT SCREEN FOR INFORMATION AND NOT SO MUCH USE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS.