2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

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

• 12/28/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR FAILED TO PROPERLY OPEN AND CLOSE. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE OR THE DOOR WOULD REMAIN OPEN. THE VEHILCE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (FURIEL TOYOTA PONCE, INDUSTRIAL SAN RAFAEL, 00731, CALLE NAVARRA, PONCE, PUERTO RICO, 1-787-284-2020) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED ON NOVEMBER 1, 2017. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,400. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

• 12/17/2015· STEERING

  WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AS IF POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN. "EPS FAILURE, STEERING WHEEL HARDER TO TURN" WARNING APPEARED ON THE DASH CLUSTER. WE PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, THEN TURNED IT BACK ON -- THE WARNING DISAPPEARED AND STEERING WAS NORMAL AGAIN. OUR HIGHLANDER WAS MANUFACTURED IN 3/15. MY VIN WAS NOT IN THE RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000. TOYOTA REPLACED THE STEERING COMPUTER UNDER WARRANTY, AT NO CHARGE. I'M WRITING TO SUGGEST THE EXTENT OF CONDITION NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL VEHICLES.

• 12/15/2022· POWER TRAINCrash

  The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without any warning at high speed. The contact desperately depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle would not stop, causing the vehicle to drive into traffic and striking several vehicles causing front damage to the vehicle. The contact was unsure if anyone was injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 98,000.

• 12/15/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE AND SEVERAL HOURS LATER I HAPPENED TO NEED SOMETHING OUT THERE. WHEN I ENTERED I HEARD AN ELECTRIC MOTOR RUNNING EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAD BEEN TURNED OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS. CRAWLING UNDER THE CAR I FOUND THAT THE SOUND WAS COMMING FROM A MOTOR NEAR THE REAR AXLE. I REPORTED IT TO MY TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT IT WAS A MOTOR THAT MAY RUN HOURS AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF TO PURGE THE CARBON CANISTER. THEY ADVISED THAT THEY FOUND THAT INFORMATION IN THEIR SERVICE MANUAL, BUT NOT THE OWNERS MANUAL. ONE TIME OUR LAWN MOWER DECIDED TO LEAK DURING THE NIGHT RESULTING IN HEAVY GASOLINE FUMES IN THE GARAGE. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF SOMETHING LIKE THAT SHOULD HAPPEN AGAIN I DO NOT THINK ANY ELECTRIC MOTOR ON THE CAR SHOULD BE ABLE TO UNILATERALLY DECIDE WHEN TO RUN AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. *TR

• 12/12/2024· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

  Driving to take my son to work. Check engine light came on said check and system. Hard shifting put in manual drive and made it to destination.

• 12/12/2024· STEERING

  Driving the car was hard to steer. Check engine light came on and check speed sensor. Went to a mechanic and disconnected the battery, the sensor reset and back driving ok for about two weeks. This went on for a few weeks. Been a month now and it hasn't come on but it was dangerous due to driving and turning issues.

• 12/12/2024· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Trunk keeps malfunctioning. During lift would not open all the way or at all and sometimes once open will not close.

• 12/08/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE PRE COLLISION SYSTEM APPLIED BRAKES ON TWO OCCASIONS WHEN THERE WAS NO POSSIBILITY OF A COLLISION. I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH APPROACHING A CONCRETE PAVED LOW BRIDGE/OVERPASS; THE EVENTS OCCURRED AT THE SAME SPOT AT TWO DIFFERENT TIMES. THE EVENTS WERE FRIGHTENING SINCE THE DASH FLASHED RED AND THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED VERY HARD FOR NO APPARENT REASON.

• 12/02/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  TAKATA RECALL-THIS PAST SUNDAY MY CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY FOR A FEW DAYS AND WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE MY CAR AND THERE WAS A STRANGE NOISE UNDER THE HOOD, I BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY AND WHEN THE CAR SHIFTED FROM FIRST TO SECOND IT JURKED AND WAS NOT SMOOTH SO I PARKED THE CAR. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND THERE WERE MOUSE DROPPING ON THE ENGINE. I CALLED TOYOTA ON MONDAY MORNING AND THEY SAID TO HAVE IT TOWED SO I DID MONDAY NIGHT. TODAY WEDNESDAY THEY CALLED AND SAID THERE WERE A LOT OF WIRE DAMAGE AND SOMETHING ELSE BUT THEY STILL NOT ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID AT THIS POINT IT WAS GOING TO BE $500 MAYBE MORE. AND NOT UNDER MANUFACTURERS DEFECT WARRANTY. WHICH I THINK IF THEY ARE GOING TO PUT SOMETHING IN THE WIRE CASING THAT RODENTS LOVE THEN THEY SHOULD CORRECT ANY PROBLEMS AS A RESULTS OF THE PRODUCT USED AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. MY CAR IS A $45,000 CAR AND I HAVE ONLY HAD IT A FEW MONTHS. THIS IS BULL.

• 12/01/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. A POLICE OFFICER HELPED THE CONTACT COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER IT WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DARCARS TOYOTA FREDERICK (5293 BUCKEYSTOWN PIKE, FREDERICK, MD 21704, (301) 696-6300), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

• 11/30/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  MY SON DROPPED ME OFF AT THE AIRPORT. I FORGOT TO LEAVE HIM THE KEYLESS DEVICE THAT KEEPS THE VEHICLE RUNNING. HE CALLED AND LET ME KNOW HE MADE IT HOME (30 MILES APPROX.TO HIS HOME) AND I DIDN'T LEAVE HIM THE KEYLESS DEVICE. SHOULD THIS BE A SAFETY RECALL? AND HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN?

• 11/26/2020· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, WITH MORE THEN 1/2 FULL ON FUEL. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN UNTIL FUEL ASSEMBLY REPLACED.

• 11/24/2024· STRUCTURE

  Unknown-tailgate failure keeps beeping will not automatically go up or down not sure why?

• 11/23/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM WORKED ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. HAD TO CRAWL THROUGH PASSENGER SIDE TO UNLOCK DOOR MANUALLY BY PULLING ON THE DOOR HANDLE. REPLACED DOOR LOCK MECHANISM AT DEALERSHIP. NOW THE LEFT REAR DOOR IS STARTING TO MALFUNCTION. SOMETIMES PASSENGER IS UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE OF CAR AND THE DOOR HAS TO BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE.

• 11/20/2018· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

  WHEN DRIVING MY HIGHLANDER THE FOLLOWING ERROR MESSAGES APPEARED, ERROR KEEPING THE START BUTTON PRESSED WILL CAUSE AN EMERGENCY STOP. I DISMISSED THIS. THEN IT POPPED UP A MESSAGE THAT CAR CANNOT DRIVE WHILE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR ARE PRESSED SIMULTANEOUSLY. I LOST ABILITY TO ACCELERATE SO TRIED TO PULL OF BUSY ROAD, PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL RESTORED ACCELERATION. THEN WHEN I STOPPED IN TRAFFIC OR AT LIGHTS THE CAR SHUT ITSELF DOWN AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED. THESE ERROR MESSAGES KEPT COMING ON WHILE I DROVE TO THE DEALER. I SWITCHED OFF THE CAR AT THE SHOP AND IT WOULDNT REPEAT THE PROBLEM, NO CODES HAVE BEEN RECORDED BY THE VEHICLES COMPUTER BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. TOYOTA AND THE DEALERSHIP WANT TO WAIT UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. SINCE IT HAPPENED BEFORE, ALSO WHILE IT WAS DRIVING I AM UNCOMFORTABLE AS IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. I DON'T WANT IT TO HAPPEN ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I BELIEVE THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE OF THE CAR IS SHORTING OUT AND CAUSING THE CAR TO GO INTO FAILSAFE MODE AND SHUT DOWN CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

• 11/19/2018· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  REAR BRAKE LIGHTS (LEFT & RIGHT) SHOW HEAVY CONDENSATION THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN LIGHTS WEARING OUT EARLY OR CLOUD VISION OF MOTORISTS DRIVING BEHIND ME. THERE IS PROBABLY A POTENTIAL SEAL ISSUE OR LEAKAGE IN THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY THAT LEADS TO THIS. SHOWED IT TO DEALER AND GOT A QUOTE OF ~$900 TO REPAIR/REPLACE. ALSO, THE LIFTGATE SEAL MIGHT BE BROKEN OR LEAKING AS NOTICE DAMPNESS OR SMALL WATER ACCUMULATION IN TRUNK AFTER RAIN.

• 11/15/2016· STEERING

  THIS VEHICLE HAS SEVERE TORQUE STEER WHEN ACCELERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE VEHICLE PULLS HARD LEFT AND YOU HAVE TO FIGHT THE WHEEL TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS , ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALERSHIP WERE WAVED ASIDE - ONE TECH TOLD ME "ALL OUR FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CARS DO IT"

• 11/13/2018· AIR BAGSCrash

  ANOTHER DRIVER PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME ON A CITY STREET ON 03/23/17 AND I HIT THE SIDE OF HIS CAR WITH THE FRONT OF MY SUV. I WAS GOING ABOUT 35-40 MPH THE FORCE FROM HIS CAR THEN KNOCKED ME HEAD ON INTO A LIGHT POLE. I WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AT THE INITIAL HIT. MY SUV WAS TOTALED AND THE FRONT FRAME WAS BENT FROM THE IMPACT INTO THE POLE. THE AIR BAG NEVER CAME OUT AT ALL. THE RESCUE MEN ALL REMARKED ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE ACCIDENT WAS SO FORCEFUL. I HAD A CONCUSSION & HAD TO RETIRE FROM MY JOB & CONTINUE TO HAVE MEMORY ISSUES. I CALLED TOYOTA ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THE ACCIDENT WHEN I FELT A LITTLE BETTER SO THEY COULD LOOK INTO IT. BY THE TIME THEY GOT WITH THE PLACE WHERE THE CAR HAD BEEN TOWED, THE SUV HAD BEEN SOLD FOR SCRAP ( I GUESS) SO THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT GET THE DATA BOX.

• 11/10/2016· SEATS

  CAR GOING IN FOR THE SECOND TIME TO REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL SEAT ADJUSTMENT PANEL AND THE OTHER COMPONENTS NEEDED TO KEEP IT HELD IN PLACE. THE PLASTIC CLIPS ON THE PARTS JUST DO NOT APPEAR TO BE SUFFICIENT TO KEEP THE PANEL IN PLACE. CAR HAS JUST UNDER 33K MILES. THE PANEL IS RARELY USED AND IT APPEARS THAT JUST THE ENTRY AND EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE APPEARS TO BE CAUSING ENOUGH MOVEMENT FOR THE PARTS TO WEAR OUT.

• 11/06/2016· SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  WE WERE DRIVING DURING HEAVY RAINS AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. TRAFFIC WAS SLOWED AHEAD. THE SYSTEM SIGNALS AN ALARM THAT TRAFFIC AHEAD IS SLOWING, A VERY NICE FEATURE. HOWEVER, WHILE THE ALARM WAS GOING OFF, I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH ZERO RESPONSE, LIKELY DUE TO THE ABS NOT WANTING ME TO SLIDE ON THE WET ROADS. HOWEVER AS I GOT CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE SLOWED TRAFFIC AHEAD, I NEEDED TO PRESS THE BRAKE HARDER AND HARDER. THE BRAKES SIMPLY STOPPED DECELERATING THE HIGHLANDER AND WE SMASHED INTO THE BACK OF A SMALLER VEHICLE. WHILE I APPRECIATE ABS AND THE DESIRE TO PREVENT SLIDING, I MUST BE ABLE TO STOP MY VEHICLE. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS OCCURRING, YET I DO NOT SEE A RESOLUTION.

• 11/05/2024· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS

  I have a 2015 Toyota Highlander XLE. Last winter I began noticing a burning smell which I believed to be electrical inside the vehicle. I was able to determine it was the driver seat heater and the burning smell continued even with the toggle switch turned off. I stopped at a local Toyota dealership, Koch Toyota, who refused to show me which plug under the seat to unplug to disconnect power. They tried to insist that I drop the car off and let them check it. Due to past negative experiences with that Toyota dealership I refused. I was able to speak to my own mechanic who instructed me to remove the fuse for the driver's seat heater which I did and the smell stopped however the seat heater is not functioning now. Upon recent research online it appears this is a common problem especially in 2015 Toyota Highlanders. I found a couple other owners of the xle models on a website called Toyota Nation who experienced similar problems where their vehicles actually caught fire and melted the center consoles after the burning smell was misdiagnosed. I believe this is a huge safety concern and have recently filed a report with Toyota Corporate in hopes to get the issue rectified. There were no warning messages or lights that came on to advise that there was an issue.

• 11/01/2016· SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  HAD A PROBLEM WITH A 13 MO. OLD HIGHLANDER(STILL UNDER WARRANTY). WAS BACKING INTO MY GARAGE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY BROKE(RUBBER PIECE FELL OFF). IT CAUSED MY FOOT TO SLIP OFF THE BRAKE AND CONSEQUENTLY BACKED INTO A REFRIGERATOR WE HAD IN THE GARAGE. IT RUINED THE REFRIGERATOR AND DAMAGED THE BACK OF THE HIGHLANDER($1000+) WORTH OF DAMAGE. FILED A CLAIM WITH TOYOTA(CORPORATE) AND COOPERATED FULLY WITH THEIR INVESTIGATION. AFTER 4 MOS. OF GETTING NOTHING BUT A RUN AROUND FROM TOYOTA FINALLY GOT THEIR ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THE VEHICLE WAS FINE(WHY THEN DID THE BRAKE PEDAL FALL APART?) AND THAT THEY DIDN'T CARE AT ALL ABOUT MY PROBLEM. THEY ALSO DIDN'T ANSWER WHY THE BRAKE PEDAL FELL APART IF 'ALL WAS FINE' AS THEY ASSERTED. KIND OF LIKE WHAT TOYOTA DID 6 OR 7 YEARS AGO WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PROBLEM FIRST SHOWED UP. BACK THEN THEIR FIRST REACTION WAS TO BLAME TH VICTIMS(OWNERS) FOR CAUSING THE PROBLEM!! I SUGGEST TO OTHERS TO NOT BUY A TOYOTA. AS MY PROBLEM SHOWS, IF AN UNUSUAL PROBLEM HAPPENS THEY WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLE OR DESIGN!!

• 10/30/2015· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO DRIVER ERROR AND WAS DOCUMENTED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ON THE VEHICLES BLACK BOX. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 10/30/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, THE POWER CUT OUT AND A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASH STATING THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR WERE BEING DEPRESSED SIMULTANEOUSLY -- BUT THEY WERE NOT. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN A ROW. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWARD TO THE TOYOTA DEALER WHERE PURCHASED. THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG AND ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM TO "DRIVER ERROR." THE DEALER'S MECHANIC PRODUCED A REPORT INDICATING THAT SIMILAR MALFUNCTIONS HAD OCCURRED IN THE PRIOR TWO MONTHS WITH NO NOTICE TO THE DRIVER. TOYOTA COULD PROVIDE NO EXPLANATION FOR THIS. TOYOTA CLAIMS THAT NOTHING IS WRONG AND REFUSES TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE VEHICLE.

• 10/29/2018· STRUCTURE

  2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES WITH CONCERNS TO SAFETY ISSUE WITH VEHICLE; INTERIOR HEADLINER BURNS AND MELTS WITHOUT WARNING. *AS *JS

• 10/27/2023· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE

  We have a 2019 Toyota Highlander. VIN: [XXX] . There are two issues with this vehicle... 1) Our bumper fell down after an uneventful car wash. We didn't hit anything. Reported it to the car wash place (Ollie's Car Wash in Walker, LA) after we noticed it fell. We had to tie-strap it back up because the clips no longer worked right. This happened August 12, 2023. We have pictures of the damage. 2) A second issue is totally separate from the first. This one has to do with the back lifting door. It often gets stuck to where we have to manually force it closed. We have to reset the button often. Sometimes it gets stuck open and sometimes it won't open at all. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• 10/24/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  MANY TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS ARE EFFECTED BY A CONSISTENT BUZZING NOISE IN THE CABIN. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED TO A FAULTY AIR SERVO MOTOR. AT FIRST GLANCE, YOU MIGHT SAY THIS BUZZING NOISE ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE, HOWEVER I BEG TO DISAGREE AS MANY HAVE ATTESTED THAT IT IS A DISTRACTION TO THEIR DRIVING. SOME HAVE GONE SO FAR AS TO SELL THEIR VEHICLES BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. WHAT IS THE BURDEN OF PROOF FOR THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE? A DISTRACTED DRIVER HAVING AN ACCIDENT AND ATTRIBUTING IT? TOYOTA HAS NOT ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN TO DATE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. HTTP://WWW.TOYOTANATION.COM/FORUM/333-3RD-GENERATION-2014/1077937-WEIRD-VIBRATING-BUZZING-NOISE-15.HTML

• 10/23/2023· STEERING

  The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering became firm. The steering wheel independently moved to the left and to the right. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

• 10/23/2017· SEAT BELTS

  THE SEAT BELT COILED AROUND MY 8 YEAR OLD SON'S NECK AND THE SEAT BELT LOCK WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. WE TRIED GENTLY ROCKING THE SEAT BELTS BUT IT THERE WAS NO GIVE IN IT. MOVING IT HARDER WOULD HAVE CHOKED MY SON. WE HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT TO RELEASE MY SON. THIS HAPPENED AFTER A 10 MIN RIDE COMING BACK FROM THE SCHOOL. HE WAS SEATED IN THE REAR RIGHT SIDE SEAT. HE WANTED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR WHEN WE REACHED HOME. SINCE HE IS EIGHT YEARS NOW, HE ENGAGES AND DISENGAGES THE SEAT BELT HIMSELF. PLEASE LOOK AT THE PICTURE.

• 10/23/2016· TIRES

  DRIVING DOWN ROAD. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE INNER SIDE WALL OF THE MICHELIN PREMIER LTX TIRE BLEW OUT IN TWO PLACES. THEY WERE BOTH RECTANGULAR BLOWOUTS COMING FROM THE CENTER OF THE TIRE. *TR

• 10/20/2022· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  Rear tail lamps on lift gate both sides have failed seals that allow moisture to condense inside the lens. This occurs to the point the water collects inside the lens and obstructs the emission of light when the brake pedal is depressed. Several reports of this happening can be found with a simple online search for the issue. The Manufacturer (Toyota) has to be aware of the defect in manufacturing process or design by the shear number of occurrences, yet they deny any responsibility in repair or replacement costs. The issue was first noticed at 4 years of age and around 45,000 miles. This need to be reviewed and addressed as a matter of maintaining basic safety.

• 10/20/2017· ENGINE

  I UNKNOWINGLY FAILED TO TURN OFF MY CAR LAST NIGHT. IT HAS A KEYLESS IGNITION (FOB) AND SETS OFF AN ALARM WHEN LEFT ON. UNFORTUNATELY, LAST NIGHT MY HUSBAND ARRIVED HOME AT THE SAME TIME AND BETWEEN 2 GARAGE DOORS CLOSING AND EXCITED, BARKING DOGS I DIDN'T HEAR THE ALARM. WE WENT TO BED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. MY HUSBAND WOKE UP VERY EARLY AND HEARD OUR CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR GOING OFF IN THE GARAGE. WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR HE DISCOVERED IT WAS VERY HOT AND THE DETECTOR WAS REGISTERING HIGH LEVELS OF CM. HE OPENED THE GARAGE DOORS AND WINDOWS IN THE HOUSE. I HAVE SINCE RESEARCHED THIS. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE DIED UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. I FEEL LUCKY. THE CAR IS A HYBRID SO IT WAS ALTERNATING ALL NIGHT BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE BATTERY. WE ALSO HAD A CM DETECTOR IN THE GARAGE WHICH IS NOT LEGALLY REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURERS NEED TO HAVE AN AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF FOR THE KEYLESS SYSTEMS OR MANY MORE INNOCENT PEOPLE WILL DIE. PLEASE FIX THIS NOW.

• 10/18/2016· STEERING

  WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING, SAY AT A STOP SIGN, ONE LOOSES CONTROL OF STEERING. THE CAR IS ALSO DIFFICULT TO STEER WHEN GOING INTO PASSING GEAR. I FEAR THAT LOSING CONTROL IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENS REPEATEDLY, EVEN THOUGH I DRIVE CONSERVATIVELY AND HAS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN DECEMBER 2014.

• 10/17/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DOOR ACTUATORS ON BOTH REAR PASSENGER DOORS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. DOOR LOCKS DO NOT RESPOND TO POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH NOR THE KEY FOBS.

• 10/17/2018· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAILGATE FAILED TO OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TRUCK FARM OF EASLEY (4296 CALHOUN MEMORIAL HWY, EASLEY, SC 29640, (864) 220-1811), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A TOYOTA DEALER. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1810172395. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,933.

• 10/15/2017· SERVICE BRAKES

  ON 10/30/16 I TOOK MY 2015 HIGHLANDER TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER FOR WARPED ROTORS. THEY AGREED THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND SINCE IT WAS AT 35,000 MILES THEY REPLACED ALL 4 ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY PLUS 2 NEW BRAKE PADS WHICH I HAD TO PAY FOR. I NOTICED THE SAME ISSUE IN LATE MAY OF 2017 AND CALLED TO ASK ABOUT THIS. THEY SAID "WE DON'T WARRANTY WARRANTY WORK" AND SUGGESTED I CALLED TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS. ON JUNE 21, 2017 I CALLED TOYOTA AND FILED A COMPLAINT. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR TO A DIFFERENT LOCAL DEALER, CLOSER TO MY HOME, AND THEY WOULD INSPECT THE ROTORS FOR A CHARGE. ON JULY 11, 2017 I DID THIS AND THE SERVICE REP TOLD ME SHE NOTICED THAT THE ROTORS WERE "BLUE" AND SHE NOTED THAT THEY SHOULD BE CHANGED. THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS WITH THIS INFO BUT THEY REFUSED TO COVER THIS, STATING THAT THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. LATER THAT DAY I HEARD FROM THE TOYOTA HQ REP WHO REPEATED THAT TOYOTA COULD NOT COVER THIS. ON 8/7/2017 I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH VERMONT ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. AS OF 10/10/17 THIS COMPLAINT IS STILL NOT RESOLVED AS THEY WON'T COVER THE REPAIR. THE CAR IS NOW AT 63,000. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. NOTE: ACCORDING TO TOYOTA NATION WEBSITE MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THESE SAME ISSUES. BELOW IS THE RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER ON AUGUST 24, 2017. I DISCUSSED THIS SITUATION WITH OUR ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER. SHE DID CONTACT TOYOTA TO ASK THEM TO COVER THIS REPAIR AND THEY DECLINED. THEIR REASONING FOR THIS IS THAT THE CONDITION OF THE BRAKE ROTORS, I.E. THEY ARE BLUE, INDICATES A HEAT EVENT. THIS USUALLY RESULTS FROM HEAVY BRAKING, BRAKING WHILE GOING DOWNHILL OFTEN OR SOMETIMES IF THE BRAKES GOT HOT AND THEN WENT THROUGH COOL WATER. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THIS WITH TOYOTA FURTHER, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO REACH OUT TO THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER AT 800-331-4331 OR VIA EMAIL USING THIS FORM. . .

• 10/12/2020· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  REAR BRAKE LIGHT SEALS FAILING ALLOWING WATER INTO LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT HOUSINGS. WHEN I ASKED DEALER ABOUT REPLACEMENT THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE NOT COVERED UNDER SAFETY WARRANTY.

• 10/11/2020· POWER TRAIN

  IN THE FREEWAY RUNNING 65 MPH , CAR START JUGGLING AND VIBRATION , SO I SLOW DOWN TO 60 MPH AND PROCEED GOING HOME , HAPPENED LAST NIGHT 9 PM

• 10/08/2016· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TWO OR THREE TIMES NOW, WHILE PAUSED IN TRAFFIC, I LOOK AT THE RADIO INSTRUMENT PANEL AND IT HAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND REBOOTS, IT THEN CAUSES ALL PREVIOUSLY PROGRAMMED INFORMATION IN THE SYSTEM TO BE CHANGED. IN ADDITION AT THE SAME TIME, THE STEERING FEELS LIKE IT "PAUSES". I CHECKED MY VIN IT IS NOT IN THE RECALL BUT I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE DEALER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ONCE THE ELECTRICAL RADIO/ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM REBOOTED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, I ONLY NOTICED IT BECAUSE THE RADIO SHUT OFF. I DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING AT THAT TIME WITH THE STEERING AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE, BUT NOW AFTER THREE TIMES, I AM BRINGING TO THE DEALER

• 10/06/2015· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AND SET AT 55 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE SET SPEED WHEN GOING DOWNHILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE FUNCTION WAS NORMAL WHEN TRAVERSING A HILL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,999. UPDATED 01/27/16*LJ UPDATED 02/04

• 10/05/2021· STRUCTURE

  Blizzard pearl paint is peeling off the roof leading to rust and damaged structural integrity. Toyota has a recall for all blizzard pearl paint vehicles EXCEPT the highlander. They inspected it and said its wasn't in the recall even though the paint has a known problem and they would not fix the problem as it would be a legal admission of guilt that the recall is incomplete.

• 10/05/2015· AIR BAGSCrash

  MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. I HIT MY CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 AT 10:00 AM ON HIGHWAY 95, THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 65. A MAN HYDROPLANED IN FRONT OF ME, I HAD TO BE GOING AT LEAST 40......UPDATED 10/19/15 *BF.. ...UPDATED 12/29/15 *BF *JS *JS

• 10/03/2018· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. ON AUGUST 31, 2018, WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SURGED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (LAKESIDE TOYOTA, 3701 N CAUSEWAY BLVD, METAIRIE, LA 70002, (877) 512-8274) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. ADDITIONALLY, ON AUGUST 31, 2018, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING, JUMPED THE PARKING BUMPER, AND CRASHED INTO THE QUARTER PANEL OF A TRANSPORT VAN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-331-4331, EXT 73822 AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1809053132. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE EVENT DATA RECORDER WOULD BE RETRIEVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. *DT *JB

• 10/01/2020· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE AS NEEDED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF BRAINTREE LOCATED AT 210 UNION ST, BRAINTREE, MA 02184, AND DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 09/30/2018· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  SOON AFTER WARRANTY RAN OUT THE LIFT GATE TO THE TRUNK HATCH BEGAN LEAKING LUBRICATION AND INTERMITTANLY WOULD NOT OPEN ALL THE WAY, CLOSE ALL THE WAY, OR OPEN OR CLOSE AT ALL. MANY TIMES, I WOULD NEED TO MANUALLY PUSH THE HATCH DOWN TO CLOSE, WHICH REQUIRED EXTREME FORCE. THE SAME FORCE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO OPEN THE HATCH AT TIMES. ESENTIALLY, THE LIFT GATE IS UNRELIABLE TO LIFT OR CLOSE MOST OF THE TIME.THE COST ESTIMATE FROM THE DEALER EXCEEDED $1,800 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH STRUTS.

• 09/28/2024· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,LANE DEPARTURE

  BSM works when it want to and sometimes not at all

• 09/26/2024· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,ENGINE

  The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The check engine warning light and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after 45 minutes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and charged a fee for diagnostic testing. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18E107000 (Electrical System, Visibility); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 193,000.

• 09/25/2020· ENGINE

  VEHICLE IS BURNING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL.

• 09/24/2018· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  LIGHT ON CRUISE CONTROL LEVER ON STEERING COLUMN FLICKERS OFF AND ON IF VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND STEERING COLUMN IS IN USE. ALTERNATOR IN CAR ALREADY REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT 73,000. DEALERSHIP WAS ADVISED OF ISSUE AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE LEVER.

• 09/23/2015· SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES

  POPPING SOUND COMING FROM RIGHT FRONT SIDE WHEN BREAKING TO A STOP AT ALL SPEEDS. THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED AT AROUND 2500 MILES AND THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT AROUND 2900 MILES. DEALER INSPECTED IT AND COULDN'T FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEN AS INSTRUCTED BY TOYOTA REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY BUT THAT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME AND I WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO SAFETY CONCERNS AND THAT TOYOTA WAS SENDING ONE OF THEIR TECHS TO TROUBLESHOOT, BUT THAT MAY TAKE A COUPLE OF WEEKS. IN THE MEAN TIME THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE.