2007 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 123 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 22nd highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2007 reports, 11 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 7 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerJun 2, 2016
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Campaign 16V396000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerNov 19, 2014
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Campaign 14V743000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 10V036000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Campaign 10V035000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
123 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 20, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK WITH SLIGHT HESITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR ONE WEEK TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT ON THE MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V499000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: MASTER CYLINDER). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 06/16/11*LJ UPDATED 06/27/11
Visibility, Tires, Mar 16, 2011
2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE GOVERNMENT HAVING A STIPULATED DEFINITION AND SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS BEFORE ANY AUTOMOBILE CAN BE CLASSIFIED AS A CERTIFIED PRE- OWNED VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE SPLIT OPEN DOWN THE TREAD, DUE TO THE TIRE BEING DRY ROTTED. WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER BLADE FLEW OFF THE VEHICLE. *JB
Power train, Jan 28, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH UPHILL WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME UNRESPONSIVE TO THE CONTACTS ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AT A LOWER SPEED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOT A FAILURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING UPHILL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 4, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED HE WOULD NEED TO BLEED THE BRAKES AND CHANGE THE OIL. THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, WHO STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST, AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT HER EXPENSE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
Structure, Sep 9, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HOOD DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE. SHE WASN'T ABLE TO SEE THE DISTANCE OF OBJECTS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO A TELEPHONE POLE, A PARKED VEHICLE, AND A FENCE. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE FRONT HOOD DESIGN BECAUSE OF VEHICLES THEY RECEIVED WITH FRONT END DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
Service brakes, Electric, May 21, 2010
I PURCHASED A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, HYBRID IN SEP OF 2009. I HAVE NOTICED AN INTERRUPTION IN ENGAGING THE BRAKES EVERY TIME I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. TOYOTA SAYS THIS IT A NORMAL DELAY BETWEEN THE MECHANICAL AND ABS ENGAGING. I AM A LONG TIME DRIVER AND THIS IS VERY UNSETTLING. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, May 7, 2010, crash
SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKES ON A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CAR REAR ENDED A TRUCK. DRIVER BROKE RIGHT BRAKING ANKLE. NO SKID MARKS. DRIVER'S HEAD HIT STEERING WHEEL EVEN THOUGH AIR BAG DEPLOYED. BELIEVE AIR BAG ONLY PARTIALLY DEPLOYED. *TR
Visibility, Apr 15, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TRAVELING OVER SLIGHT ROAD BUMPS, THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR WOULD FALL DOWN, OBSTRUCTING HIS LINE OF VISION. THE DEALER ADVISED REPAIRS TO THE VISOR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD ONLY BE REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 24, 2010
WHEN NEW I HAD NO DIFFICULTY WITH THE BRAKES ON MY VEHICLE. THEY PERFORMED WELL, AND I NEVER FELT ANXIETY THAT MY BRAKES "WOULDN'T BE THERE" WHEN NEEDED. BUT OVER THE PAST YEAR THIS HAS CHANGED. AT FIRST I NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOFT, AND WAS LOWER TO THE FLOOR. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO WESTBURY (NY) TOYOTA. THEY MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS WHICH APPEARED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. THEN, ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN BEGAN TO FEEL SOFT. IN ADDITION, IT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SINK ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHILE DEPRESSED. THIS WOULD HAPPEN MAIN;Y WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE (STOP SIGN OR LIGHT), BUT OCCASIONALLY ALSO HAPPENED WHILE USING MODERATE BREAKING TO CONTROL VEHICLE SPEED WHILE DRIVING DOWN AN INCLINE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TO MARIETTA (GA) TOYOTA. THEY MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS, WHICH SEEMED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, A FEW WEEKS LATER THE BRAKES BEGAN AGAIN TO EXHIBIT THE SAME SYMPTOMS. THIS BECAME EXTREMELY ALARMING WHEN, WHILE DRIVING DOWN AN INCLINE, I WAS UNABLE TO FULLY STOP BEFORE MY VEHICLE TRAVELED INTO THE NEAR LANE OF CROSS TRAFFIC. I AGAIN BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MARIETTA TOYOTA. THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG, AND TOLD ME THE MASTER CYLINDER IS DESIGNED TO RELEASE PRESSURE WHILE THE PEDAL IS HELD. I OPENED A TICKET WITH TOYOTA (#1003232005), BUT I AM CONCERNED THEY MAY SAY THE BRAKES ARE WORKING CORRECTLY, EVEN THOUGH THEY CLEARLY SEEM UNSAFE TO ME.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Mar 8, 2010, crash
ON MAY 9, 2007 WE PURCHASED A NEW 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. ABOUT A MONTH LATER IT UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND RAN THROUGH THE END OF OUR CARPORT WHILE BEING DRIVEN IN TO PARK. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF IT. THE AUTO SUSTAINED ABOUT $650 IN DAMAGES AND THE CARPORT RECEIVED SIMILAR MONETARY DAMAGES. ABOUT A MONTH LATER WE HAD A SIMILAR INCIDENT WHILE PARKING IN A PARKING LOT. AT FIRST WE ATTRIBUTED THE INCIDENTS TO MY WIFE'S FOOT SOMEWAY SLIPPING OFF THE BRAKES AND ON TO THE ACCELERATOR. NOW, AFTER THE RECENT NATIONAL PUBLICITY, WE ARE NOT SO SURE. PERHAPS THE ACCELERATOR MECHANISIM OR SOFTWARE IN THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE IN THIS MODEL TOYOTA ALSO. IN THE MEAN TIME, I NOW WONDER IF THIS MODEL VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. I WILL BRING THIS ISSUE UP TO OUR TOYOTA DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I HOPE THIS INFORMATION WILL BE USEFUL IN HELPING THE GOVERNMENT AND TOYOTA TO SOLVE THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 1, 2010, crash
PARKING MY 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN MY PARKING SPACE AT WORK. I GO TO PARK AND MY GAS PEDAL IS STUCK AND ACCELERATED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES RESULTING IN $3000 TO MY VEHICLE AND UNKNOWN AMOUNT TO THE OTHER TWO VEHICLES. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IT HAS ONLY OCCURRED ONCE SO FAR. *TR
Power train, Feb 26, 2010
MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2007 (7 SEATS) STALLS SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. I THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL BUT IT IS BECOMING VERY DANGEROUS SINCE IT STALLS FOR A SEC OR 2 EVERYTIME YOU SLOW AND TRY TO ACCELERATE AFTERWARD. IT STALL MAINLY AT YIELD SIGN, WHEN SLOWLY TRYING TO CRUISE INTERSECTIONS AND WHEN YOU TRY TO PASS ON HIGHWAYS. I READ MANY STORY ON THE INTERNET WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 23, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE WAS PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN WHICH AN INCREASE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE IN NORMAL OPERATION. THIS WAS A ONE TIME FAILURE OCCURRENCE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
Vehicle speed control, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Feb 17, 2010, crash
I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT HAD MAT ENTRAPMENT--I HAD AFTER MARKET MATS AS NONE WERE GIVEN TO ME WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE--I REPORTED THIS TO TOYOTA CORPORATION AND HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED AT DEALERSHIP AND REP SAID THERE WAS NO DEFECT IN MY ACCELERATOR--THE VEHICLE HAD ACCELERATED AND I HIT A PICNIC TABLE AND 2 BIRD FEEDER AND A FENCE IN MY YARD BEFORE I GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT MY ACCELERATOR AS THE 2007 IS NOT ON RECALL BUT I FEEL IT SHOULD BE--THEY DID NOT EXPLAIN THAT TO ME JUST TOLD ME THAT MY FLOOR MAT CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN--I REALIZE THAT BUT I WOULD LIKE AN ANSWER TO MY QUESTION--I BLEW A MICHELIN TIRE AND HAVE DAMAGE TO MY BUMPER--TOTAL COST--ABOUT $600 ACCORDING TO TOYOTA GARAGE--NO ANSWER FROM THEM EXCEPT TO SAY THIS WAS MY FAULT. *TR
Structure, Feb 15, 2010
I PARKED THE CAR AT MY WORK AND LOCKED MY TOYOTA 2007 HIGHLANDER. EVERY TIME THERE IS A RAIN , I SEE THE WATER LEAKING INTO INTERIORS. THIS HAPPENED FEW TIMES. *TR
Power train, Feb 15, 2010
I CANNOT BELIEVE TOYOTA IS FINALLY BEING HELD TO TASK. IN 2007 I SENT YOU A COMPLAINT ABOUT TRANSMISSION HESITATION PROBLEMS IN THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. IT WAS SO SEVERE, MY WIFE REFUSED TO DRIVE IT, FEARING A COLLISION ON HIGHWAY ENTRY AS THE CAR HELD BACK AND THEN LURCHED FORWARD. DESPITE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET UNDER TRANSMISSION HESITATION FOR TOYOTA, TOYOTA REFUSED TO ADMIT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND STILL DOES! WITH OTHER PROBLEMS NOW COMING TO LIGHT, I HOPE YOU WILL RE-LOOK AT THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED BECAUSE OF IT, SINCE THAT SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY THING THAT GENERATES THESE INVESTIGATIONS AS ARE NOW GOING ON. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH WILL SHOW YOU HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS AND THEY ARE ALL EXACTLY THE SAME- NOT LIKELY IF THE PROBLEM ISN'T REAL. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 9, 2010
2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 6-CYL LIMITED RUNNING UNDER CRUISE CONTROL WILL SLOWLY BEGIN TO ACCELERATE WHEN "RESUME" IS PRESSED IN ORDER TO GET BACK UP TO THE CRUISING SPEED. HOWEVER AS THE SPEED NEARS (WITHIN 4-5 MPH) THE CRUISING SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS RESULTING IN A HAZARDOUS QUICK ACCELERATION THAT REQUIRES BRAKING OR QUICKLY TURNING OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. THIS OCCURS REGULARLY DURING HIGH SPEED HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE PROBLEM CAN ONLY BE AVOIDED BY MANUALLY RETURNING THE VEHICLE TO CRUISING SPEED BEFORE PRESSING RESUME. THE DEALER STATES THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Feb 5, 2010
MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED [2007] HAS A PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION. IT IS NOT IN THE CURRENT RECALL. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM 6/5/08. WHEN I AM IN CRUISE CONTROL, THEN BRAKE, THEN PRESS THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM TO RETURN TO CRUISE CONTROL, THE CAR SOMETIMES SURGES AHEAD AT SPEEDS MUCH FASTER THAN THE SET CRUISE CONTROL SPEED. I DO NOT TOUCH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT ALL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. HAS HAPPENED 10 - 15 TIMES. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 19,500 MILES. THE TOYOTA DEALER WENT ON A TEST DRIVE WITH ME IN JUNE 2008 BUT THE SURGING DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE TEST DRIVE. I MENTIONED IT TO THE DEALER AGAIN BUT SINCE IT WAS NOT HAPPENING AT THE TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE, I WAS NOT WRITTEN UP. HAS ONLY HAPPENED WHEN I USE CRUISE CONTROL TO RESUME SPEED. ALL INSTANCES HAVE BEEN IN HIGHWAY DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT SEEMS ELECTRONIC TO ME. |OCCURRENCE IS ERRATIC. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Feb 5, 2010
THIS IS IN FOLLOW-UP TO MY COMPLAINT #10306258 FILED EARLIER THIS MORNING (FEB 5, 2010). I FOUND MY PREVIOUS SERVICE ORDER OF JULY 23, 2008, FROM MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, ON WHICH I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE DELAYED ACCELERATION WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL. THEIR RESPONSE, AS DOCUMENTED ON MY REPAIR ORDER WAS 'SCANNED FOR ERROR CODES. NONE PRESENT. CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS TRANSMISSION.' ON MY PREVIOUS REPORT TO YOU REGARDING THIS, I CLASSIFIED THIS AS 'FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE' AND AS 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,' IT LOOKS LIKE TOYOTA CLASSIFIED THIS AS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. REGARDLESS, THE FACTS ARE AS I STATED THEM AND I STILL VIEW THIS TO BE A DANGEROUS CONDITION. FOR THE RECORD, MY VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON JULY 23, 2008 AT WEST ASHLEY TOYOTA, 2100 SAVANNAH HWY, CHARLESTON, SC 29414. THEIR PHONE NUMBER IS 843-556-9110. MY CUSTOMER NBR IS 82921. MY CONCERN WAS ADDRESSED ON THEIR INVOICE # TOCS178222. I HAD MY VEHICLE IN FOR A CHECKUP AT THE ABOVE DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING, AFTER MY POSTING ON YOUR WEB SITE. I AGAIN INQUIRED ABOUT MY PREVIOUSLY REPORTED ACCELERATION PROBLEM. THE MAINTENANCE REPRESENTATIVE, HEATHER, INFORMED ME THAT SHE KNOWS OF NO PROBLEM REGARDING THIS. WHEN I ASKED IF I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO IS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM AND QUESTIONED THE FACT THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS TO TOYOTA, HEATHER TOLD ME THAT SHE PERSONALLY HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF OTHERS REPORTING THIS. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Feb 5, 2010
ACCELERATION & DE-ACCELERATION PROBLEM: WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN FORWARD MOTION, ON A HIGHWAY, AND I PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR TO RAPIDLY SPEED UP, THERE IS AN APPROXIMATELY ONE SECOND TIME DELAY IN THE VEHICLES RESPONSE TO MY REQUEST TO ACCELERATE. FREQUENTLY, THIS DELAY HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ON THE OCCASIONS THAT I WANT TO SPEED UP TO PASS A VEHICLE, OR TO CHANGE LANES OR TO AVOID A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SITUATION, THIS DELAY IS VERY STARTLING. BECAUSE OF THE VEHICLES RESPONSE DELAY, I THEN SOMETIMES SUDDENLY TAKE MY FOOT OF THE ACCELERATOR TO CANCEL MY ACCELERATE REQUEST. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE, AFTER ITS INITIAL ACCELERATION DELAY, WILL THEN ACCELERATE FOR JUST A MOMENT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NOW JUST TAKEN MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. IN MY ALMOST 50 YEARS OF DRIVING MANY VEHICLES, ACCELERATORS ALWAYS RESPONDED INSTANTLY. THAT'S BECAUSE THERE WAS A LINKAGE CABLE THAT MECHANICALLY CONNECTED THE GAS PEDAL TO THE CARBURETOR. NOW, IN THIS TOYOTA, IT IS COMPUTER CONTROLLED. WHEN I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS DELAY TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, THEY TESTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED ME THAT EVERYTHING IS OPERATING NORMALLY. HOWEVER, THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE ACCELERATION IS NOW COMPUTER CONTROLLED AND THE COMPUTER IS OPERATING AS INTENDED. I INSISTED THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND THAT THE COMPUTER SHOULD NOT QUESTION MY DECISION TO ACCELERATE WHEN ==> I <== WANT TO ACCELERATE. I WAS ADVISED THAT THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS AND THAT THIS IS HOW IT IS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW FROM A TOYOTA DEALER. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALWAYS EXISTED. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 3, 2010, crash
TL-WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE MEDIAN AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN ANOTHER PARKING SPACE. THE FAILURE MILES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILES ARE 45,000 MILES. AA
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 31, 2010
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF OUR 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WE HAVE HAD BRAKE DECELERATION ISSUES. THE BRAKES SEEM TO OCCASIONALLY SKIP, THEN LURCH FORWARD AS SOON AS THE BRAKING SYSTEM INITIATES. WHILE I HAVE NOT GOTTEN INTO ANY ACCIDENT, I HAVE BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO BRAKING EARLY IN PREPARATION FOR STOPPING. IT HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS (BETWEEN 5-45MPH) ALTHOUGH THAT IS WHEN I'M MOST LIKELY TO COME TO A FULL STOP. NOT SURE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AT FULL HIGHWAY SPEED. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED TO THEM, THOUGH THEY WOULD TAKE A LOOK. AFTER READING POSTS OF IDENTICAL BRAKING ISSUES, AND WITH THE ACCELERATION ISSUES IN CONSIDERATION I FEEL IT BEST TO FILE A COMPLAINT FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Dec 16, 2009, crash
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.
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Nov 4, 2009
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
Vehicle speed control, Nov 4, 2009
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.