2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2014· HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HYBRID SYSTEM SHUT DOWN AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

• 12/30/2022· ENGINE

  The VTT - I oil line leaks oil may burst

• 12/30/2009· TIRES

  I PURCHASED 4 SUMITOMO TIRES FROM NTB ON WEDNESDAY, 12-15-09. ON FRIDAY, 12-17, JUST 2 DAYS LATER, I PACKED UP FOR A TRIP TO BOSTON FROM DC WITH MY WIFE AND 2 TODDLER CHILDREN FOR A SCHEDULED EVENT THAT I WAS SLATED TO SPEAK AT. BY THE TIME WE REACHED THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE, WE PULLED OVER FOR GAS. THE GAS ATTENDANT NOTICED OUR LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. THE AUTOSHOP ATTENDANT THERE INFLATED THE TIRE AND ROLLED IT AROUND IN WATER BUT COULD NOT FIND A LEAK. THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE A LITTLE LONGER AND SEE IF I STILL HAVE A PROBLEM. I PULLED OVER LATER AND SAW NO PROBLEMS, BUT I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT. BY THE TIME I ARRIVED TO BOSTON (3 HOURS BEHIND SCHEDULE BECAUSE OF THE TIRES), 3 OF THE TIRES WERE FLAT. THE NEXT DAY, I BROUGHT IT TO THE NTB LOCATION IN DEDHAM, MA. THEY TOLD ME THAT ALL FOUR VALVE STEMS WERE ACTUALLY RECALLED BECAUSE THEY HAVE A TENDENCY TO CRACK AND LEAK AIR. UPON MY ARRIVAL BACK TO DC, I WENT TO THE NTB IN ALEXANDRIA AND ASKED THEM TO EXPLAIN WHY THEY SOLD ME THESE RECALLED PARTS. THE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT HE HAS BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS FOR 20 YEARS AND NEVER HEARD OF VALVE STEMS BEING RECALLED. I TOLD HIM THAT I DID A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH AND FOUND LINKS GOING BACK TO 2007 ABOUT THESE PIECES BEING RECALLED AND ASKED WHY HE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THEM. HE TOLD ME I AM THE FIRST PERSON TO EVER MAKE THIS COMPLAINT. I TOLD HIM I COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THE # OF PEOPLE WHO COMPLAINED BEFORE ME AND THAT HAD MY FAMILY AND I LEFT A DAY LATER, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS AND COULD HAVE CRASHED. HE SAID THE TIRES SEEM TO BE WORKING FINE NOW SO WHAT'S THE PROBLEM. I TOLD HIM THE PROBLEM IS THAT HE IS SELLING PIECES THAT COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I ASKED HIM WHY THE NTB IN DEDHAM KNEW ABOUT THE RECALL AND HE DIDN'T AND HE SAID HE CAN'T SPEAK FOR THEM. HE DID NOT EVEN PULL UP MY RECORD TO SEE WHAT THE DEDHAM BRANCH SAID. HE THEN OFFERED ME A FREE OIL CHANGE BUT IF HE THOUGHT THEY DID NOTHING WRONG, WHY MAKE THE OFFER? TO SHUT ME UP? *TR

• 12/29/2018· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES

  THE BRAKE ACTUATOR FOR THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS AND IS A KNOWN POTENTIAL PROBLEM BY THE TOYOTA COMPANY AS A RESULT OF MANY TOYOTA OWNERS REPLACING THEIR VEHICLE ACTUATORS DUE TO FAILURE BUT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ACTIVATED AND AVAILABLE FOR MY VEHICLE AS OF THIS CURRENT DATE. I FORTUNATELY DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT BUT STOP USE OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY BY A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THIS WAS A VERY COSTLY EXPENSE I INCURRED BOTH IN THE ACTUATOR PART AND THE LABOR TO REPLACE IT. THE ACTUATOR AFFECTED THE BRAKE SYSTEM OF MY VEHICLE AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.

• 12/22/2020· STEERING

  ALL MOTOR MOUNTS ARE ROTTED. WHILE DRIVING WHEN TAKE FOOT OFF THE GAS, THE CAR SWAYS AND PULLS. IT HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS.

• 12/19/2016· TIRES,WHEELS

  I BOUGHT FOUR GOODYEAR ASSURANCE TRIPLE TREAD TIRES ON JAN. 29, 2013. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MAINTAINING AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT THE TIRES AND THEY WOULD DO MAINTENANCE SUCH AS REMOUNTING OR REPLACING VALVE STEMS. I STILL WOULD HAVE AIR PRESSURE ISSUES. ON DEC. 9, 2016 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED A THUMPING NOISE. IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AND MADE THE VEHICLE SWAY. I PULLED TO THE EMERGENCY BERM AND SAW THAT I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I TOOK THE TIRE BACK TO CONRAD'S TIRE EXPRESS & TOTAL CARE WHICH WHERE I BOUGHT THE TIRES FROM. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN PUT AIR IN THE TIRE AND SAID THAT THERE WERE BROKEN BELTS IN THE SIDE WALL. HE LAID THE BLAME TO A ROAD HAZARD PROBLEM AND LAID THE BLAME OF LOSING AIR TO DEFECTIVE TOYOTA RIMS, EVEN THOUGH WITH THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE I NEVER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM OF LOSING AIR FROM THE TIRES. MY OPINION IS THAT THE TIRES MUST BE DEFECTIVE SINCE THEY CAN NOT MAINTAIN AIR PRESSURE. THIS IS A REAL CONCERN SINCE THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMEONE BEING INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE OF A TIRE BLOW OUT. *TR

• 12/18/2011· POWER TRAINFire

  TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THE HIGHLANDER HYBRID INVERTER, ELECTRONIC UNIT, ELECTRICAL WIRING, CIRCUIT BOARDS AND OTHER COMPONENTS HAVE OR MAY HAVE MALFUNCTIONED (BURNED OUT/OVERHEATED). I WAS PREPARING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE OR "POP" FROM UNDER MY CAR. I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND IMMEDIATELY ASKED MY DAUGHTER TO GET MY GRAND DAUGHTER OUT OF THE BACK SEAT AND WAIT UNTIL I COULD DETERMINE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I ATTEMPTED TO RE-START IT BUT IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR, YET THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING. THE ELECTRIC MOTOR WOULD NOT ENGAGE. SEVERAL ERROR CODES FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY BEFORE I TURNED IT OFF. A FRIEND AND I PUSHED THE CAR BACK INTO THE PARKING SPACE WHERE I ATTEMPTED TO RE-START IT UNSUCCESSFULLY. WHEN THE AAA TOW TRUCK ARRIVED, THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR WITH SIMILAR RESULTS. HE IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE CAR AND REFUSED TO TRY TO START IT AGAIN. AFTER TOWING THE CAR TO POWAY TOYOTA, IT WAS DETERMINED, VIA ERROR CODES, THAT THE INVERTER HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND MUST BE REPLACED. INVERTER SERVICE DONE JAN 02,2010. CAR HAS REMAINED AT POWAY TOYOTA FOR 6 WEEKS. THE INVERTER PART COSTS $4,000.00 AND THE LABOR CHARGES TOTAL AN $6,000-$8,000, I'M TOLD. IT IS NOT DETERMINED IF THE EU NEEDS REPLACEMENT OR WHAT OTHER PARTS MAY ALSO BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. TOTAL REPAIRS ESTIMATED BETWEEN 10,000 - 15,000 IF THE HYBRID BATTERY SYSTEM IS ALSO DAMAGED. TOYOTA CORP. HAS OFFERED TO "PARTICIPATE" IN 50% REPLACEMENT COST OF THE PART. 1 YR WARRANTY ON PARTS ONLY. THE DEALERSHIP HAS OFFERED TO BUY MY CAR FOR 6,000.00 AND WILL EITHER REPAIR / SELL IT OR SELL IT AT AUCTION. IT IS A 2007, PURCHASED IN JAN 2008 - 125,000 MILES, IN EXCELLENT CONDITION OTHERWISE. WAS BLACK BOOK VALUED AT $12,000 BEFORE THE INVERTER MALFUNCTION. SEEKING TO BE ADDED TO RECALL-DEALER STATED MY CAR'S VIN IS 2 WEEKS OUT FROM THE 2006 RECALL. *TR

• 12/16/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHEN ENTERING A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD WITHOUT INTENTION. CONSEQUENTLY SHE CRASHED INTO A SIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INSTALLED A SECONDARY HOOK TO SECURE THE FLOOR-MAT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50398. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50998.

• 12/15/2020· SERVICE BRAKES

  ABOUT A MONTH AGO, MY WIFE CALLED ME FROM FAR AWAY TELLING ME THAT SHE SUDDENLY HAD BRAKE-RELATED WARMING LIGHTS. I QUICKLY READ UP ON THE ABS SYSTEM FAILURES IN THIS CAR, AND SINCE SHE DID NOT YET HAVE SYMPTOMS, I TOLD HER TO DRIVE BACK CAREFULLY. I THEN REVIEWED MY FILES ON THE CAR AND SAW THAT THEY HAD SENT ME AN EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTICE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND SUGGESTED THAT WE BRING THE CAR IN IF WE HAVE THESE WARNING LIGHTS. BUT WE NEVER HAD THE WARNING LIGHTS PREVIOUSLY, SO I MISSED THE BOAT ON THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. WE DID, HOWEVER, ALMOST FROM THE TIME THE CAR WAS JUST A FEW YEARS OLD, HAVE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON STARTUP OR SHUTDOWN. ACCORDING TO VARIOUS HIGHLANDER FORUMS, THIS IS A CLASSIC SYMPTOM OF ABS ACTUATOR FAILURE AND IF TOYOTA HAD JUST MENTIONED THIS IN THE THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTICE, I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR IN IMMEDIATELY. I HAD THE SAME SOUND FROM MY 2007 PRIUS; I MENTIONED THE NOISE TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE PEOPLE AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE COOLANT THERMOS BOTTLE AND WAS OF NO CONCERN. TO FIX MY HIGHLANDER, TOYOTA WANTED AROUND THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS; I TOLD THEM THAT WAS NOT REASONABLE SINCE REPLACING IT IS SIMPLE: 2 BOLTS, 1 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR, 6 BRAKE LINES, AND A BRAKE BLEED. THEY WANTED ABOUT $2000 JUST FOR THE PART. THE TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME I COULD STILL DRIVE THE CAR SINCE IT IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN: IF IT FAILS THE ABS SYSTEM WILL STOP WORKING BUT NOT THE BRAKES. BASED ON THE EXPERIENCES OF OTHER HH OWNERS THAT I AM READING ABOUT AT THE NHTSA WEB SITE, HOWEVER, I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE. ALSO, THE BRAKES ARE NOW GRABBING STRANGELY AND PULSATING WHEN THEY DON'T NEED TO BE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE 1.) THE PART SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR, 2. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN, AND 3. TOYOTA DID NOT GIVE ACCURATE INFORMATION IN THEIR NOTICE TO ALLOW ME TO SPOT THE PROBLEM IN TIME.

• 12/15/2017· AIR BAGS

  MY AIRBAG ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS JUST STOPPED WORKING. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY JUST SAY ITS A 10 YEAR OLD CAR AND AIRBAGS STOP WORKING. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. ALSO MY HORN IS AFFECTED BY IT TOO, BECAUSE THAT HAS STOPPED ALSO. THESE THINGS HAVE STOPPED OVER A YEAR AGO. BEING THAT MY VEHICLE IS A BATTERY POWERED CAR, PEOPLE DO NOT HEAR THE ENGINE MUCH AND THE PROBABILITY OF A ACCIDENT IS HIGHER.

• 12/15/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  HYBRID INVERTER FAILURE. *NM

• 12/14/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  SLOW INTERMITTENT DRAIN ON TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2007 AUXILIARY BATTERY. SINCE APRIL 2007, THE BATTERY HAS DIED 5 TIMES. DEALER REPLACED WITH NEW BATTERY, NEW DVD PLAYER BUT STILL CANNOT IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE BATTERY DRAW. *TR

• 12/13/2006· POWER TRAIN

  2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER - UNCONTROLLED TRANSMISSION SURGES CAUSE VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. TRANSMISSION ALWAYS SHIFTING DOWN TO 5TH GEAR AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS, PUSHING CAR FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN NOT DESIRED. TAKING FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL, CAR MAINTAINS SPEED (LIKE ON CRUISE CONTROL). CAR WILL DRIVE AND MAINTAIN SPEEDS WITHOUT GAS PEDAL INPUT. DRIVER MUST FIGHT TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. SLOWING DOWN, COMING TO A STOP SIGN, CAR STILL ALWAYS WANTS TO SHIFT DOWN INTO 5TH GEAR, PUSHING CAR FORWARD FASTER JUST BEFORE FULL STOP, RISKING REAR END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. FIGHTING WITH CAR TO SLOW DOWN. TOYOTA DEALER SAYS CAR IS WORKING AS DESIGNED. *JB

• 12/12/2014· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES

  AFTER GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY (NOT IN MY TOWN) LIGHTS CAME ON MY DASHBOARD FOR THE ABS BRAKING AND VSC SYSTEM. THERE WERE ALSO ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS LIKE (!) IN A CIRCLE. THE MANUAL SAID FOR ALL OF THESE CONTACT DEALER IMMEDIATELY, WHICH I DID. I WAS TOLD THE ABS ACCUMULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WAS APPROXIMATELY A $3,000 JOB. I HAD THE REPAIR COMPLETED AND PAID $2,700.00. (THE DEALER DISCOUNTED THE JOB). I AM AWARE THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THAT SAME PART IN THE CAMRY HYBRID. FURTHER THE INTERNET IS REPLETE WITH INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING IN 2006 AND 2007 HIGHLANDER HYBRID MODELS. TOYOTA HAS NO CREDIT, EXTENDED WARRANTY, OR OTHER BENEFIT TO HIGHLANDER HYBRID OWNERS. I CALLED TOYOTA AND HAVE A CASE NUMBER WITH THEM (#1412081681). I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR EXTENSION OF WARRANTY ON THIS KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART. IS THERE ANY INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE? *TR

• 12/11/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I OWN 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 4WD CAR WOULD NOT START 56,300. MLS VSC LITE ON -PUT IN PARK (WAS IN PARK) 12V BATTERY DEAD WHEN RESEARCHING HAVE FOUND KNOWN PROBLEM,MY CAR HAS LEXUS ENGINE, KNOWN PROBLEMS, MOST PEOPLE TOLD BATTERY DEAD..REAL PROBLEM BAD INVERTER,SOME HAVE ALMOST DIED HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING SOME MAY HAVE TOYOTA LOOKING OTHER WAY, TELL PEOPLE BAD BATTERY ..HM LAST TOYOTA BATTERY I HAD IN DIF CAR LASTED 7 YRS,PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW I WILL BE IN AFIGHT WITH LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER , PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT I AM A NURSE AND PEOPLE COULD DIE WITH THIS DEFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

• 12/10/2020· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  THE STRAPS SUPPORTING THE FUEL TANK BROKE. BOTH STRAPS BROKE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE, RENDERING IT UNDRIVABLE AS THE TANK WAS ON THE GROUND. WIFE HEARD A CLUNK WHEN AT A STOP, STARTED TO MOVE, HEARD SCRAPING. STOPPED, CHECKED, FOUND RIGHT SIDE OF FUEL TANK ON GROUND.

• 12/08/2016· ENGINE

  ON MY WAY HOME, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THEN STARTS BLINKING. GOT HOME AND FIND OUT THE OILS ALL GONE AND DEAD CAR. MY MECHANIC SAYS THE OIL LINE HAS A RECALL AND THAT IT BROKE LETTING ALL OIL OUT.

• 12/08/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY

  RHEOSTAT ON VEHICLE HVAC CONTROL PANEL N LONGER CONTROLS TEMPERATURE SETTING... VEHICLE WILL USUALLY START AT SETTING - RESPOND TO DESIRED HEAT OR A/C - CUT-OUT TO A NEUTRAL (CABIN OR OUTSIDE DEPENDING ON VENT SETTING) TEMPERATURE. HITTING A ROAD SURFACE BUMP OR SHARPLY TURNING ON A CURVE WILL RE-ACTUATE THE RHEOSTAT SETTING UNTIL THE NEXT ERRATIC INTERRUPTION BEGINS. *TR

• 12/04/2018· SERVICE BRAKES

  IN 2015 I WAS TOLD BY THE TOYOTA DEALER THAT MY ABS PUMP AND ACCUMULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THAT WAS DONE AND I IMMEDIATELY STARTING HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. TWO THINGS: (1) PER THE SERVICE REP, THIS REPLACEMENT NEEDED TO BE DONE DUE TO A PUMPING SOUND BEING EMITTED FROM THE ABS PUMP AFTER THE SUV WAS TURNED OFF. THE EXACT SAME NOISE STARTED UP WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF THE REPLACEMENT. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND POINTED THE NOISE OUT AND WAS TOLD THAT THAT NOISE WAS "NORMAL" (SIC) (2) IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE NEW ABS SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED, A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE BRAKES APPEARED: AS I PULLED TO A STOP THE CAR WOULD SPEED UP OR SUDDENLY MOVE FORWARD AS IF I HAD STOPPED BRAKING. I WOULD HAVE TO READJUST MY BRAKING INSTANTLY TO KEEP FROM HAVING AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS BEEN SCARY FOR YEARS. FOR YEARS BECAUSE EACH TIME I HAD THE CAR SERVICED AND BROUGHT THIS UP TO TOYOTA AND TEST DRIVES WERE PERFORMED, I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT THEY DIDN'T EXPERIENCE IT OR DIDN'T SEE IT OR SOME SUCH. TWICE THEY DID OTHER BRAKE WORK WHICH DID NOTHING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. LASTLY, I WAS RECENTLY DRIVING ON HIGHWAY US 19 AND ALL THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNINGS CAME ON AND A LOUD SCREECH STARTED AND CONTINUED -- ABSOLUTELY EAR SPLITTING. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT WAY DOWN AND WITH EFFORT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CFAR TO SLOW DOWN. THE POWER ASSIST HAD DISAPPEARED ALONG WITH THE ABS. THE MESSAGE IN THE READOUT STATES SOMETHING LIKE "VCS PROBLEM" OR ERROR -- I DON'T REMEMBER SITTING HERE WRITING THIS, BUT IT IS A VCS PROBLEM. I CALLED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THAT 6 MONTHS AFTER MY ABS SYSTEM WAS OVERHAULED, A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED STATING THAT THE OLDER (MINE) ABS PUMPS HAVE CRACKS OR A CRACK IN THEM. I BELIEVE ANY AUTO WITH AN ABS SYSTEM WITH A CRACK IN THE PUMP BODY SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THOSE ABS SYSTEMS REPLACED AT THE COST OF THE TOYOTA.

• 12/01/2016· WHEELS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIMS ON THE VEHICLE WERE VERY RUSTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DETAILS OF THE DIAGNOSIS COULD NOT BE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,210. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A STATUS UPDATE. UPDATED 10/04/2017*JS

• 12/01/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  VEHICLE BECAME UNSTABLE AND WOBBLING, ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT WITH LOSS OF CONTROL, WHILE IN MOTION AND DISPLAYED WARNING MESSAGES FOR BRAKE AND VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL WITH CODE P0A7A AND POSSIBLE OTHER CODES. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TYSON'S TOYOTA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A DEFECTIVE HYBRID INVERTER AND REQUIRES $8000+ IN REPAIRS. WE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND 2 DAYS LATER THEY CONCLUDED THAT THIS IS NOT A DEFECT AND NO ASSISTANCE WILL BR PROVIDED FOR THE REPAIRS. THIS ISSUE IS SIMILAR/IDENTICAL TO ANOTHER TOYOTA RECALL NUMBER 11V342000. *TR

• 12/01/2011· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID, V6, 4X4 --- ON NOVEMBER 23RD, 2011, AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00AM, I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY ON I-5 SOUTH IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY OF CALIFORNIA. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, BUT NOT ENGAGED BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC WAS TOO HEAVY. MY SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 65 MILES-PER-HOUR, GOING UPHILL. UNEXPECTEDLY, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO KEEP THE CAR AT THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC AND EXAMINED MY CABIN FOR CLUES OF THE PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION LEVER WAS STILL IN "D". I TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL, BUT THAT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. I MOMENTARILY RELEASED THE BRAKE AND USED MY RIGHT FOOT TO ENSURE THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS NOT STUCK. IT WAS NOT. DURING THAT TIME THE ENGINE POWER METER JUMPED UP TO FULL POWER AROUND 200 KW. I RE-APPLIED THE BRAKES TO DECELERATE AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO A STOP ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. AS SOON AS THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED, I SHIFTED TO "P" AND TURNED THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION. SOME SMOKE APPEARED FOR ABOUT TWO SECONDS, WHICH I PRESUMED WAS FROM THE BRAKES. I THEN EXAMINED THE FLOOR MAT, BUT IT WAS NOT OUT OF POSITION. I WAITED ABOUT 30 SECONDS AND TURNED THE KEY BACK TO THE ON POSITION AND THE "READY" SIGNAL ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM WAS GONE. I DROVE ABOUT 15 MILES TO THE NEXT EXIT AND STOPPED FOR GAS. I CHECKED THE OIL, COOLANT, AND BRAKE FLUID LEVELS, WHICH WERE ALL GOOD. THE PROBLEM DID NOT RE-OCCUR DURING THE ADDITIONAL 250 MILES THAT I DROVE DURING THAT DAY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. I CALLED "CROWN TOYOTA", WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND SPOKE TO A REPRESENTATIVE THERE. HE TOLD ME THAT HE DID NOT KNOW OF ANY OTHER ACCELERATION PROBLEMS OTHER THAN THOSE THAT WERE FLOOR MAT RELATED. *TR

• 11/27/2012· STRUCTURE,WHEELS

  2007 HIGHLANDER WHEELS ARE RUSTING SO BAD THAT 2 OF 4 TIRES ARE LOSING AIR PRESSURE. THIS 2007 WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM TOYOTA. WE HAD PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED A 2002 HIGHLANDER WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. I SEARCH ONLINE AND SEE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD SAME ISSUE WITH TOYOTA WHEELS. WHEELS SHOULD NOT RUST THIS BAD IN THIS SHORT A PERIOD OF TIME AND MILEAGE. LUCKILY WE HAD NO SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I MONITOR OUR VEHICLES CLOSELY. LOW TIRE PRESSURE COULD DEFINITELY CAUSE A SAFETY CONCERN FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT MONITOR THEIR CARS AS CLOSELY AS I DO. I FEEL TOYOTA HAS A QUALITY AND A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE WHEELS. *TR

• 11/27/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHEN TRAVELING DOWN HILL FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME THE BATTERIES CHARGE AND THEN START TO EMIT NOXIOUS FUMES INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. (OZONE I THINK.) ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WE HAVE HAD TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN OR STOP AND EXIT THE VEHICLE TO ALLOW THE FUMES TO CLEAR. THE LOCAL DEALER SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT OUR COMPLAINTS. *TR

• 11/26/2013· ENGINE

  ON THE APPROXIMATE DATE WRITTEN ABOVE, I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF RECALL FROM TOYOTA RELATED TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PART NOTED ABOVE [IPM]. THE NOTICE INSTRUCTED ME TO CONTACT MY TOYOTA DEALER AND INDICATED THAT THE IPM "WOULD BE REPLACE." THE NOTICE WENT ON TO SAY "...IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE FUSE OF THE POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT COULD BLOW, CAUSING THE HYBRID SYSTEM TO SHUT DOWN AND RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE STOPPING WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THIS CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH." BEING SOMEWHAT RISK ADVERSE, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WHICH OCCURRED EARLIER TODAY. AT THAT APPOINTMENT, I WAS TOLD "THE PART WOULD BE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE IF IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED." CLEARLY, THIS INFORMATION WAS DIFFERENT THAN THAT PROVIDED BY THE NOTICE. WORSE, HOWEVER, IS THE FACT THAT THE DEALER, HAVING DETERMINED THAT THE PART DID INDEED NEED TO BE REPLACED, THEN INFORMED ME THAT THE PART WOULD NEED TO BE ORDERED AND SINCE THEY WERE ON BACKORDER THERE WAS NO WAY THEY COULD TELL ME WHEN THE PROMISED REPAIR MIGHT ACTUALLY OCCUR. AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE, THIS HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IS BEING ALLOWED TO CONTINUE UNTIL TOYOTA GETS ITS ACT TOGETHER. SOMEHOW, THAT DOESN'T SEEM QUITE RIGHT AND I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW. *TR

• 11/24/2008· AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, STRUCK A CURB, CROSSED THE MEDIAN, AND CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER AND DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WERE DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHIN 30 DAYS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. UPDATED 12/15/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER THE POILCE WERE NOT CALLED. UPDATED 12/15/08. *JB

• 11/21/2014· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMCrash

  WHILE ENTERING INTO A DRIVEWAY AT A VERY SLOW SPEED, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN FURTHER. BUT INSTEAD OF BRAKING, THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD. I FELT I WAS NOT IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I CONTINUED TO HIT THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO GO FORWARD. IT SLAMMED INTO THE CAR THAT WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE. IT ALSO SHOVED THE CAR INTO THEIR GARAGE, SPLIT THE FRAME IN HALF AND RIPPED OFF BRICK FROM THEIR HOME. THE SURFACE WAS SLIPPERY WITH WET LEAVES AND THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCLINE GOING UP THE DRIVEWAY, BUT I JUST HAD BRAND NEW TOP OF THE LINE WINTER TIRES PUT ON AND I WAS PROBABLY ONLY GOING 5 MPH. IT DID NOT MAKE ANY SENSE. FROM READING THE FORUMS ON LINE, I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT WITH THE HYBRID AND TOYOTA IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY NEED TO DO A RECALL. LIVES ARE AT STAKE. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. *TR

• 11/19/2014· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR DROPPED FROM THE UP OR STORED POSITION TO THE DOWN POSITION WHILE MAKING A TURN, PARTIALLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. THE VISOR NOW WILL NOT STAY IN THE STORED POSITION.THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR IS BEGINNING TO SHOW SIGNS OF THE SAME FAILURE. *TR

• 11/17/2015· SERVICE BRAKES

  2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID LIMITED WAS EXPERIENCING CONCERNING BRAKES BEGINNING TO LURCH FORWARD, BRAKE PEDAL STIFFNESS, AND ASSOCIATED NOISE. IN SHORT, THE ISSUE IS A CRITICAL LOSS OF ASSISTED BRAKING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN TEXAS AND WAS INSTRUCTED THAT THE ABS ACTUATOR HAD FAILED. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THIS FAILURE IS FAIRLY COMMON IN TOYOTA HYBIRDS FROM 07 (BOTH HIGHLANDER AND CAMRY). THE HIGHLANDER ABS ACTUATOR COMPONENT IS IDENTICAL TO THE ABS ACTUATOR IN THE 2007 CAMRY HYBRID THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF A NHTSA INVESTIGATION WHICH CULMINATED IN 2014 WITH TOYOTA ISSUING AN ENHANCED WARRANTY PROGRAM COVERING THE 2007 CAMRY HYBRID (NHTSA INVESTIGATION PE 14-001, CONDUCTED BY KAREEM HABIB). WAS INFORMED THAT OTHER OWNERS OF 2007 HIGHLANDER HYBRIDS HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS. A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THAT THESE ISSUES ARE QUITE UBIQUITOUS IN THE 07 HYBRID MODELS. THIS PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. I SUBSEQUENTLY RELOCATED FOR WORK TO THE WASHINGTON, DC AREA AND CALLED TOYOTA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD OFFER A FIX OR COVER THE REPAIR. WAS INSTRUCTED TO BRING THE CAR INTO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THAT THE ISSUE IS A FAULTY ABS ACTUATOR (DESIGN DEFECT) AND THE COST OF REPAIR/REPLACEMENT WOULD BE $3506.02. DEALERSHIP SENT TOYOTA CORPORATE THE INFORMATION AND REQUESTED THAT THEY REPAIR BE COVERED. TOYOTA CORPORATE DENIED COVERAGE OF THE REPAIR. WAS ALSO INSTRUCTED BY TOYOTA CORPORATE THAT DESPITE THE FACT THEY HAD REQUESTED THAT I TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP, I OWED $129.95 FOR THE MECHANICAL INSPECTION. THE FAILURE OF ASSISTED BRAKING PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. THIS ISSUE WAS RECOGNIZED BY NHTSA IN IT'S AFOREMENTIONED INVESTIGATION OF IDENTICAL FAILURES IN THE 2007 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT NHTSA INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE 07 HIGHLANDER HYBRID ABS ACTUATOR.

• 11/12/2015· SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC POINTED OUT THAT THE ABS ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

• 11/08/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINEFire

  CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND WAS STATIONARY. WARMING CAR UP TO GET RID OF FROST ON WINDSHIELD. THE CAR STARTED ON FIRE - TOTAL LOST. 3 TO 4 FEET FLAMES COMING OUT OF ENGINE.

• 11/05/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  ON OCTOBER 13, 2009, MY 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WAS PARKED AT A SMALL BUSINESS PARKING LOT, ABOUT 40 FT. AWAY FROM ANOTHER PARKED CAR. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND DRY. DURING THE PROCESS OF PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE,(NECESSARY FOR IGNITION) MY CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AT A VERY HIGH SPEED, AND SMASHED INTO THE PARKED CAR BEHIND ME. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OF THIS CAR. IT DAMAGED THE BACK OF THE OTHER CAR SO COMPLETELY THAT IS WAS UNDRIVABLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED. MY CAR HAD SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER TRUNK/HATCH BACK AND EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE ESTIMATED DAMAGE IS $3500-$4500. THIS IS NOT A FLOOR MAT RELATED PROBLEM. THE HIGHLANDER HAS HOOKS THAT SECURE THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR MATS SO THEY DO NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH THE GAS PEDAL. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR. MY CAR HAD JUST HAD ITS 30K SERVICE A WEEK PRIOR TO MY ACCIDENT AND IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED. I AM A VERY SAFE AND CAREFUL DRIVER WITH AN OUTSTANDING DRIVER RECORD AND I KNOW THIS WAS NOT MY FAULT. THIS CAR SPED OUT OF CONTROL BY ITSELF. NO ONE COULD POSSIBLY REVERSE THEIR CAR IN A SMALL PARKING LOT THAT QUICKLY. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY HAD A CORPORATE INVESTIGATOR INSPECT MY CAR FOR POTENTIAL CAUSES. THEY INDICATED THAT NO UNUSUAL ERRORS WERE REPORTED ON THE VEHICLES COMPUTER. I FEEL TOYOTA OWES ME AND POSSIBLY HUNDREDS OF OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM AN EXPLANATION AND CORRECTIVE ACTION. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND REAL PROBLEM. *TR

• 11/04/2019· SERVICE BRAKES

  I HAD A WHEEL BEARING REPLACED IN MY 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND AS SOON AS IT WAS FIXED ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE CAR, INCLUDING THE VSC LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND SEVERAL OTHERS. IT WAS NOT SHOWING ANY CODES WHEN CHECKED SO THEY TURNED THEM OFF. OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT A YEAR THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND OFF BUT WITH NO AFFECT TO MY BRAKING SYSTEM. I HAD BROUGHT THE CAR INTO TOYOTA (TALLAHASSEE, FL) FOR A RECALL ON THE HYBRID SYSTEM THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS READING A CODE FOR THE RECALL AND THAT WAS WHY THE LIGHTS WERE ON AND ONCE THEY FIXED THE RECALL THEY WERE OFF UNTIL THE NEXT DAY FOLLOWING PICKING THE CAR UP AND THEY ALL CAME BACK ON AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WHICH WOULD COST $3000+ TO FIX. THE BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AT ALL AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL! I HAVE HEARD SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME TOYOTA HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE.

• 11/04/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE WOULD OCCASIONALLY REV MAKING BRAKING MORE FORCEFUL. HE SPECULATED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSTIC TESTING EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE TO DETECT THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 42,000. UPDATED 02/1710 *BF UPDATED 02/19/10 UPDATED 03/02/10 THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS ENGINE IDLE, NOT ACCELERATING OR BRAKING. UPDATED 03/22/10.*JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED WAS NOT DUE TO A STUCK ACCELERATOR, BECAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ALSO RUNS THE HYBRID MOTOR. THE HYBRID MOTOR IS NOT ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE LIKE THE GAS ENGINE. IF THE GAS PEDAL WAS THE PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE WOULD STILL RUN AWAY IN ELECTRIC MOTOR. THEREFORE, IT IS DEFINITELY AN ENGINE PROBLEM, NOT AN ELECTRIC MOTOR OR ELECTRIC GENERATOR. AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT CONTROLS THE ENGINE AND THE HYBRID ELECTRIC MOTOR. UPDATED 04/09/10.*JB THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION AGAIN. UPDATED 05/03/10

• 11/04/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES AT 5 MPH THE PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD OVER A STONE LEDGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP , BUT THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, THEREFORE THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 18000.

• 11/02/2013· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  THE VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE HANGS DOWN CREATING A DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING. *TR

• 11/01/2014· SUSPENSION,ENGINE

  WATER PUMP BROKE, SUSPENSION LEAKING, BEARINGS BROKEN, ENGINE HEAD BOLTS ARE STRIPPED. *TR

• 10/30/2012· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHEN STARTING AFTER STOP AT THE END OF A FREEWAY EXIT RAMP A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN LOST ALL POWER AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM AND CHECK VSC SYSTEM ERROR LIGHTS WERE DISPLAYED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND DIAGNOSED WITH FAILURE OF THE INVERTER. MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE 2011 RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE COST OF REPAIR WAS QUOTED AS $8000 AND AFTER SPEAKING WITH TOYOTA CORPORATE THEY OFFERED A $1500 CUSTOMER APPRECIATION REBATE. BASED ON ONLINE RESEARCH THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. ANOTHER LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER SAID THEY HAVE REPAIRED 4 OF THESE IN THE PAST WEEK. TOYOTA CAN NOT ASSURE US THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THIS INVERTER HAS BEEN SOLVED OR IF THE NEW ONE WILL BE MORE RELIABLE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. THE CAR HAD ALWAYS PERFORMED WELL AND GAVE NO WARNING BEFORE THIS COMPLETE FAILURE. IF MY CAR HAD FAILED 60 SECONDS EARLIER I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON I-81 GOING 70 MPH SURROUNDED BY TRACTOR TRAILERS AND WOULD PROBABLY BE DEAD. HAVE NOT DECIDED WHETHER OR NOT TO PROCEED WITH THE REPAIR. *TR

• 10/28/2007· TIRES

  NOTIFIED BY FELLOW TRAVELER THAT TIRE WAS LOW. CHECKED DASH FOR WARNING LIGHT - NO WARNING. TOOK AUTO TO TIRE DEALERSHIP. MADE ME REPLACE TIRE - TOLD IT WAS UNSAFE. SAID SENSORS WERE REQUIRED IN AUTO AS OF 2006. HAD SENSOR IN PREVIOUS HIGHLANDER. CALLED TOYOTA. TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT HYBRID HAD SENSOR. TOOK AUTO TO DEALERSHIP. HAD CHECKED. NO SENSOR!! WAS TOLD BY THEM THAT IT WAS NOT REQUIRED. *TR

• 10/25/2013· AIR BAGSCrash

  I WAS IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION PROCEEDING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHEN A TOYOTA CAMRY TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME AND AT THE LAST MINUTE TRIED TO CORRECT BACK TO AVOID ME; BUT WAS UNABLE TO AND HIT ME WITH THE PASSENGER'S FRONT CORNER OF THEIR VEHICLE DIRECTLY INTO THE FRONT BUMPER OF MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID, MORE TOWARDS THE DRIVERS SIDE. BOTH CARS WERE TOTALED AND ALL OF THE CAMRY'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT NONE OF MINE DEPLOYED. BOTH MYSELF AND MY PASSENGER WERE BADLY INJURED AND ARE STILL IN TREATMENT 5 MONTHS LATER (AT THE TIME OF MAKING THIS REPORT). I JUST RECEIVED NEW INFORMATION REGARDING MY INJURIES AND SOME MIGHT BE PERMANENT INCLUDING A CLOSED HEAD INJURY AND SPINAL INJURIES. BASED ON SPEAKING WITH MANY PEOPLE ABOUT THIS ACCIDENT THEY ARE ALL SHOCKED MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BASED ON THE TYPE AND SEVERITY OF THE ACCIDENT AND ALL OF MY DOCTORS HAVE QUESTIONED WHY THEY DID NOT DEPLOY AND WERE ALSO SURPRISED. I STILL HAVE OWNERSHIP OF THE CAR AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS PLACED A HOLD ON IT UNTIL AN INSPECTION CAN BE COMPLETED TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION. PLEASE ADVISE ON HOW TO GET THIS INSPECTION DONE AND HOW TO ENSURE THE AIRBAGS WERE WORKING PROPERLY AND FOR SOME REASON THEY WERE JUST NOT SUPPOSE TO DEPLOY. *TR

• 10/22/2015· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  ON MY 2007 TOYOTA HIGH LANDER THE HORN HAS STOPPED WORKING I HAVE NO HORN , WHEN I PRESS THE HORN BUTTON IT DOES NOT SOUND THE HORN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHECK THE HORN AND THE DEALER SAID IT WAS WORKING AFTER I LEFT THE DEALER IT DID NOT WORK , I ASKEDTHE SERVICE ADVISER AND HE SAID ITS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, , THE HORN STILL DOES NOT WORK I STILL HAVE NO WORKING HORN, SOMETHING IS GROUNDING OUT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I STILL HAVE NO WORKING HORN AND THE DEALER CANT FIND THE PROBLEM.

• 10/22/2014· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  FAULTY 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUN VISOR. MY DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR HAS FALLEN DOWN, AND WONT TIGHTEN. THE SUN VISOR IS TOO HEAVY FOR THE ROD IT IS SUSPENDED FROM. CURRENTLY, THE VISOR HAS FALLEN IN FRONT OF MY LINE OF VISION WHICH OBSTRUCTS MY VIEW WHILE DRIVING. MY WIFE AS WELL AS MY YOUNG TEEN DAUGHTER HAS ALSO COMPLAINED AND ALSO STATES SOMEDAY IT MAY MAKE THEM CRASH DUE TO NO VISIBILITY WHEN IT HAPPENS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN POSTED CONCERNING TOYOTAS DEFECTIVE SUN VISORS ON 2007 HIGHLANDERS. HOW MANY MORE COMMENTS ARE NEEDED BEFORE TOYOTA WILL ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL ON THESE SUN VISORS? I HOPE IT WILL BE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, AND BEFORE THERE IS A TRAGIC ACCIDENT. *TR

• 10/21/2019· SERVICE BRAKES

  THE BRAKE ACTUATORS MAKE WEIRD SOUND ONLY WHEN YOU HIT THE BRAKES. THE CAR MAY BE IN A TURNED ON OR OFF POSITION. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PRESS THE BRAKES AND THERE IS A WEIRD SUCKING AND CHIRPING SOUND COMING FROM THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. TALKED TO DEALER AND THEY DID A BRAKE FLUID FLUSH BUT THAT DID NOT HELP. TOYOTA REIMBURSED THE SERVICE CHARGES BUT I THINK THEY DID THAT TO SHUT ME UP. THE BRAKE ACTUATORS CAN FAIL ANYTIME AND I AM WORRIED THAT TOYOTA HAS KNOWN THIS PROBLEM FOR A WHILE NOW AND IS NOT FIXING THEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND THE FAULTY BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BY TOYOTA.

• 10/20/2014· SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  MY CAR HAD BEEN MAKING A CHIRPING NOISE WHEN I BRAKE SO I TOOK IT TO A BRAKE PLACE AND THEY PUT ON NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS, ABOUT A WEEK LATE ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH CAME ON SAYING EVERYTHING WAS WRONG, I CALLED THE BRAKE PLACE THEY SAID IT WAS JUST A LOOSE CONNECTION. ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A STOP AT A LIGHT APPROXIMATELY A HALF A FOOTBALL FIELD AWAY AND MY BRAKES JUST STOPPED WORKING AND I SLID INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME.. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE BRAKE PLACE THEY SAID IT WAS THE HYBRID SYSTEM, FROM WHICH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY FIXED THE RECALL BUT THEN SAID MY PROBLEM IS THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC ACTUATOR, A 2500.00 PART! FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IT IS THE SENSOR THAT TELLS YOUR BRAKES TO OPERATE WHEN YOU PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL!!! THEN I STARTED RESEARCHING AND IT LOOKS LIKE OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE HYBRID HIGHLANDER IN 2006 AND 2007 MAKES!!! I PUT MY CAR IN MY GARAGE FOR THE LAST 2 MONTHS BECAUSE I SIMPLY DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THIS AND NOW THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY DEAD! WHEN I DROVE IT HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THEY FIXED THE RECALL AND TOLD ME THE NEWS ABOUT THE ACTUATOR, IT FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON ICE AND REALLY HAD NO CONTROL OF THE BRAKES AT ALL... I WOULD THINK WITH THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN ABOUT THIS, THAT THIS WOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE, I MEAN WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND YOUR BRAKES ACTUALLY WORK, YOUR CAR SHOULD STOP!! THIS COULD REALLY END UP HURTING SOMEONE! *TR

• 10/19/2015· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES

  THE VSC SYSTEM WARNING APPEARS AND IT SMELL LIKE THE BRAKE IS IMGAGE OF ATTACHED LIKE A BURNING METAL SMELL.

• 10/15/2022· SERVICE BRAKES

  Driving at about 50 mph on two lane road, the VSC and ABS lights come on with a little chime warning, along with some other warnings. Check VSC is also in the small screen instead of the odometer. Toyota knows about ABS actuator issues on this vehicle, but Toyota did not extend the warranty beyond 150k miles and 10 years. This could be a safety issue with the ABS, VSC and brakes. Toyota published a "Warranty Enhancement Program - ZG1" on April 19, 2016, but only to dealers. After the initial warranty period, I've used independent repair shops, so I didn't get any notice. I did get other recall notices from Toyota on this vehicle and had them repaired by the dealer. Toyota should be more accountable for brake issues that could be safety related.

• 10/11/2008· TIRES

  WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH THE REAR TIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FELL APART. THE TIRE SEPARATED AT THE SIDE WALL. MY WIFE MANAGED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALER WAS NO HELP. WE FEEL THAT THESE TIRES ARE UNSAFE AND WANT TO REPLACE THEM. TIRES-TOYO P225 70R16 101S M+S 97H1407 THESE TIRES HAD ONLY 19800 MILES ON THEM. *TR

• 10/10/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 55 MPH THE CAR, WITHOUT WARNING, DIED. NO POWER, LIGHTS, BRAKES, STEERING, NOTHING WORKED. AT SIDE OF ROAD TRIED TO RESTART. ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, WOULD NOT RESTART, EVERYTHING THEN WENT DEAD. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. IT WAS CLAIMED TO BE A COIL PACK, HOWEVER UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND OUT IT WAS ACTUALLY THE POWER INVERTER THAT CONVERTS 12VDC TO AC TO POWER THE ELECTRIC MOTORS ON THE CAR. WHEN THE INVERTER SHORTED OUT, IT KILLED THE ENTIRE ELECTRIC BATTERY SYSTEM, THE HYBRID BATTERIES AND THE GAS ENGINE BATTERY CAUSING ALL SYSTEMS TO SHUT DOWN. THE CAR IS A DEATH TRAP. TOYOTA KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHEN THEY SOLD ME THE CAR AND DID NOT TELL ME. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS OF HIGHLANDER HYBRID OWNERS, MOSTLY 2006, 2007 AND SOME 2008. IF THE CAR IS OVER 7 YEAR/100,000 WARRANTY TOYOTA WILL NOT FIX IT. IT COST OWNERS $10,000 TO $15,000 TO FIX. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT WILL, MAY HAVE, KILLED THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS. THE PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURS OVER 40MPH, WHICH IS USUALLY HIGHWAY DRIVING. THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED TO MY WIFE. ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH IN THE CENTER LANE. CAR DIES WITHOUT WARNING. SHE WAS FORTUNATE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. NO BRAKES AND NO STEERING. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL THESE CARS; THEY HAVE A DESIGN FLAW THAT WILL KILL SOMEONE IF IT HASN'T ALREADY. *TR

• 10/07/2009· STRUCTURE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. MICE ENTERED THE VEHICLE ENGINE AND CHEWED THE WIRE RELAY. AS A CONSEQUENCE, WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE IT WAS IN LIMP MODE; WHICH CAUSED SUDDEN VEHICLE DECELERATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE 29,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS AVAILABLE.

• 10/06/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  I TRY TO START THE CAR AND IT DID NOT START. ALL LIGHT WAS ON INCLUDING VSC/HYBRID SYSTEM CAR WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER. THEY BLEED THE BRAKE AND ERASED THE CODE. DRIVE THE CAR FOR THE NEXT 2 DAYS. CAR FAILED TO START AGAIN ALL LIGHT ON VSC/HYBRID CAR WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER. DIAGNOSIS IS FAILED INVERTER ASK $8357.82 FOR REPAIR BECAUSE THE RECALL IS NOT LAUNCHED AND I CALL TOYOTA MOTORS CANADA TELL ME THEY WILL NOT REPAIR RECALL FOR USA VEHICLE . TOYOTA MOTORS USA WILL NOT AUTHORIZE FOR REPAIR IN CANADA OF SAFETY DEFECT (TOYOTA SAFETY RECALL 13V-396) ALSO REFUSING TO REPAIR IN THE USA IF I BRING THE CAR TO TOYOTA CAR DEALER IN NEW YORK STATE BECAUSE RECALL NOT LAUNCHED. THE CAR HAVE BEEN TOWED TO MY HOUSE. *TR