2010 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 238 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2010 reports, 19 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 15 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
Visibility, power window devices and controlsOct 22, 2015
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
Campaign 15V689000 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
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleApr 9, 2014
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, 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.
If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.
Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General Motors sent Pontiac Vibe owners an Interim letter on June 20, 2014 notifying them that parts are currently unavailable. General Motors sent notices to the Pontiac Vibe owners on September 15, 2014, that a remedy is available. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-762-2737.
Campaign 14V168000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsApr 9, 2013
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 13V123000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveJan 16, 2013
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 13V014000 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
Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalJan 27, 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, VENZA AND MATRIX PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A CAMPAIGN OF 3.8 MILLION OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES ANNOUNCED IN 2009 FOR THE SAME ISSUE (SEE 09V-388).
A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
TOYOTA WILL MODIFY OR REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. FLOOR SURFACE MODIFICATIONS ARE ALSO BEING CONSIDERED AND WILL BE INCLUDED FOR ANY MODEL FOR WHICH IT IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE. INITIALLY, DEALERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO RESHAPE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOR THE REPAIR. AS REPLACEMENT PARTS WITH THE SAME SHAPE AS THE MODIFIED PEDAL BECOME AVAILABLE, THEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERS FOR THE REPAIR. CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE PEDAL RESHAPE REMEDY COMPLETED WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE A NEW PEDAL IF THEY DESIRE, AFTER REPLACEMENT PEDALS BECOME AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, TOYOTA WILL REPLACE ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT IN A SUBJECT VEHICLE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MAT, FREE OF CHARGE. FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT BUT DO NOT NEED OR WANT THE NEWLY DESIGNED ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT, TOYOTA WILL RECOVER THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT AND REIMBURSE ITS PRICE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN MARCH 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 10V023000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalJan 21, 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 TUNDRA VEHICLES. DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FRICTION LEVER INTERACTS WITH THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSIDE THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE LEVER MAY BECOME SMOOTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THIS CONDITION, IF CONDENSATION OCCURS ON THE SURFACE, AS MAY OCCUR FROM HEATER OPERATION (WITHOUT A/C) WHEN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS COLD, THE FRICTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS OPERATED MAY INCREASE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMING HARDER TO DEPRESS, SLOWER TO RETURN, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION.
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FOR THE PONTIAC VIBE PLEASE SEE 10V-018. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AND WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 10V017000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
18 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Jun 20, 2022
Front driver and front passenger arm rests cave in due to clip support design or construction.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 19, 2021
WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR. I PUT THE CAR ON PKG AND IT GOT LOCKED TOO. COULD NOT PUT IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. WINDOWS GOT LOCKED TOO. THE ABS SYSTEM LIGHT UP. A MIRACLE THAT FEW MINUTE BEFORE I EXITED A HIGHWAY. A TOW TRUCK TOOK THE CAR AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR THE PAST WEEK AND THEY DO NOT NOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 1, 2019
EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE, BREAK, TURN, COMING TO A STOP AND GOING OVER A BUMP MY DOOR AJAR CHIMES ON THE DASH FOR THE BACK DOOR (HATCH). ALSO, THE DOME LIGHTS COME ON WHEN THE CHIME AND PICTURE POPS UP THAT MY REAR GATE IS AJAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I AM NOT THE ONLY CAR WITH THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED SINCE THIS POTENTIALLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS A CONTINUAL AND ONGOING ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Mar 24, 2019
ALL DOORS AND HATCH DO NOT LOCK WITH THE KEY FOB OR WITH THE POWER LOCKS ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOORS.
Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2019
REAR DOOR ACTUATOR/SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING TO READ "DOOR AJAR" CONSTANTLY WHILE IN MOTION ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO. INITIALLY STARTED ONLY WHEN THE WINDOWS WERE DOWN, AND TAKING TURNS. NOW ITS PROGRESSED TO CONSTANTLY SETTING OFF THE SAFETY FEATURES FOR THE DOOR AJAR WARNING. THIS IS A HUGE DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING! HAVING MY LOCAL DEALER ADDRESS THE ISSUE TOMORROW.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 12, 2017
HYDRAULICS AND/OR ELECTRIC ON REAR LIFT GATE FAULTY. THE AUTOMATIC LIFT FUNCTION DOES NOT PROPERLY ALIGN THE BACK LIFT DOOR UPON CLOSURE. THE HATCH MUST BE CLOSED MANUALLY.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2017
INDICATOR WARNING FOR REAR BACK DOOR OPEN WHEN IT IS SECURE AND LOCKED. INTERIOR LIGHTS GO ON AS WELL AS WARNING BELL. VEHICLE BROUGHT TO TOYOTA SERVICE DEPT. STATE THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE-HOWEVER IT IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT EACH TIME I DRIVE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 27, 2017
SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE 44. SOUND RESEMBLED GUNSHOT. NO EXTREME TEMPERATURES. NO PROJECTILES. OVERREACTION COULD HAVE CAUSED ACCIDENT. CAUSE OF NOISE UNKNOWN UNTIL ABLE TO PULL OVER TO ROADSIDE. IF INTERIOR SHIELD HAD BEEN OPEN, SHARP GLASS PARTICLES WOULD HAVE SHOWERED OVER OCCUPANTS. INTERNET REVIEW DISCLOSES MANY SIMILAR EXPLODING SUNROOFS ON MANY MODELS AND BRANDS.
Other or unspecified, Jan 19, 2017, crash
THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE CONCERNING WEATHERTECH MATS THAT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. I AM ATTACHING A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCIDENT, WEATHERTECH'S RESPONSE, AND RESPONSE BACK TO THEM.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 23, 2016
IN LATE 2012, TOYOTA ISSUED A TSB RELATED TO THE REAR POWER LIFT GATE. INSTRUCTIONS WERE TO REPLACE THE HINGES, MOTOR UNIT, ETC... IF EVIDENCE OF FAILURE. LIMITATIONS WERE 3 YR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. EXPLANATIONS FROM THE DEALER WERE THAT THE HINGES FOR THE BACK HATCH WERE UNDER MANUFACTURED FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE DOOR CAUSING THEM TO TWIST/WARP AND PULL AWAY FROM THE DOOR AND/OR FRAME. THIS ALSO CREATED UNDUE STRESS ON THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY UNIT OFTEN TIMES LEADING TO FAILURE. I HAD SERVICE PERFORMED IN EARLY 2013 AS RECOMMENDED BY THE TSB. I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THE IDENTICAL ISSUES AS STATED ABOVE BUT WORSE. THE DOOR NO LONGER OPERATES BY USING THE POWER LIFT FEATURE ON THE KEY FOB. THE DOOR IS AGAIN WARPED CAUSING THE GRINDING AND CLICKING NOISES WHEN YOU OPEN IT MANUALLY. THE MOTOR HAS FAILED AND I AM AFRAID MY ACTUAL DOOR IS WARPED. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MY DEALER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE WORK WAS COMPLETED AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO FOR ME. THIS IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO BE LESS THAN EFFECTIVE. I DO NOT FEEL THIS IS A CAR MILEAGE ISSUE. IT IS SIMPLY A MANUFACTURING ERROR THAT HAS YET TO BE RESOLVED. TOYOTA FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. AFTER RESEARCHING MY PROBLEM I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN VERY LARGE CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS RELATED TO THIS VERY ISSUE. MANY TIMES THESE DOORS ARE NOT CLOSING AT ALL CREATING A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 25, 2016
DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FAILS TO CLOSE THEREBY BLOCKING SOME FORWARD VISION.
Other or unspecified, Dec 21, 2015
DOOR LOCKS ON PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR, DRIVER FRONT AND REAR, HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED OR REPAIRED AT LEAST TWICE DUE TO MALFUNCTIONS. AS OF DECEMBER 2015, THE LOCKS ARE FAILING AGAIN FOR A THIRD TIME, CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. LOCKS DON'T WORK. THEY WILL EITHER STAY LOCKED, FAILING TO OPEN, OR NOW, THEY WILL NOT LOCK AT ALL. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED PROPERLY. KEEPS RECURRING.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2015
OPEN-DOOR WARNING KEEPS POPPING IN THE DASH WHEN DRIVING, AS WELL AS THE LIGHT INSIDE INSIDE THE CAR (CONSISTENT WITH AN OPEN DOOR). THE PROBLEM STARTED AT FIRST AS THE CAR WOULD BE TURNING AT VERY LOW SPEED. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE NEXT 2 WEEKS AND NOW HAPPENS ALMOST ANYTIME THERE IS A BUMP IN THE ROAD, OR WHEN CORNERING, AS WELL AS WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES, EVEN GENTLY. I CHANGED ALL THE DOOR SENSORS BUT IT DID NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 3, 2014
RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM STREET TOYOTA CONCERNING A RECALL FOR MY 2010 HIGHLANDER. THEY SAID THAT THEY NEEDED 5 MINUTES TO DO A RECALL ON THE COMPUTER. I CHECKED THE RECALLS AND DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. I THINK THAT THEY ARE UP TO SOMETHING. I REFUSED THE APPOINTMENT. THANKS *TR
Other or unspecified, May 16, 2012
MY NAME IS [XXX]. I OWN A 2010 HIGHLANDER, AS OF TODAY 5/16/12 THE MILEAGE 32,800. THE REASON FOR THIS LETTER, THE LEFT PORTION OF MY WINDSHIELD IS COMING LOOSE OR THE LEFT PASSENGER WINDOW IS DYSFUNCTIONAL. THIS IS THE ORIGINAL TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WINDSHIELD AND PASSENGER WINDOW. FIRST, I NOTICED THE SOUND OF GLASS IF IT WAS LOOSE, DRIVING MY DAILY ROUTE ON I95 FREDERICKSBURG VIRGINIA TO QUANTICO BASE VIRGINIA. THIS PORTION OF I95 IS SMOOTHER, THAN MOST STATE ROADS. THE GLASS SOUND IS NOT A CONTINUOUS SOUND, CAUSE TO ROADS DIFFERENT. IN FACT, THE GLASS SOUND OCCURS ONLY WHEN IT AN DRY DAY. I NOTICE THE ROAD NOISE HAS INCREASED. WHEN IT RAINS, I CAN NOT HEARD THE GLASS SOUND, DUE TO RAIN ON THE VEHICLE. I DRIVE THIS HIGHLANDER DAILY TO AND FROM WORK. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WILL TAKE A 3 MINUTE RIDE AND HEAR NOTHING, THAN I AM FORCED TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. MANY YEARS AGO, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE INTERNAL AND LINER HAS TO REPLACED. HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Other or unspecified, May 8, 2011
ON FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2011, WE WERE TRAVERSING I-55 NORTH OF GRENADA, MISSISSIPPI. I WAS USING CRUISE CONTROL TRAVELING AT 73 MPH WHEN, WITHOUT ANY WARNING OF ANYTHING WRONG, WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE LIKE THE WHIRRING OF HELICOPTER BLADES OVERHEAD. I TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL TO LET THE CAR SLOW DOWN BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING; AS MY WIFE SLID OPEN THE SUN ROOF COVER TO LOOK OVERHEAD. AS WE SLOWED DOWN, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE TREAD HIT MY SIDE OF THE CAR AND PASSED US UP GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. I THEN FELT THE DRAG ON THE STEERING AS I PULLED OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND APPLIED THE BRAKES STOPPING THE CAR. PRIOR TO THE HELICOPTER SOUND, I NEVER HAD ANY PULLING OR STEERING PROBLEMS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A TIRE RUNNING ON LOW TIRE PRESSURE. I ALSO NEVER RECEIVED A LOW TIRE ALARM FROM MY TIRE PRESSURE ALARM SYSTEM. AS AN ADDITION, I'LL ADD THAT MY FIVE TIRES ARE INFLATED WITH NITROGEN FOR BETTER TIRE WEAR AND LIFE. I WENT TO ALEXANDER TOYOTA IN FRANKLIN, TN TO PURCHASE A NEW TIRE SO I'D HAVE A SPARE. I PICKED UP THE DAMAGED TIRE OFF THE INTERSTATE SHOULDER AND MY CAR INSURANCE COMPANY KNOW HAS THE ENTIRE FAILED TIRE TO EXAMINE. THE FAILURE WAS A BRIDGESTONE; MODEL "DUELER HL-400"; DOT: OB7C.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2011
HYBIRD SYSTEM OVERRIDES ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM WHEN TIRES SLIP DISABLING THE SYSTEM, IN EFFECT RENDERING IT NONFUNCTIONAL, SO THAT THE GENERATOR IS NOT DAMAGED. COMBUSTION ENGINE WILL NOT TURN ON AND WHEN YOU HIT GAS NOTHING HAPPENS. I HAD TO BE TOWED OUT. SERVICE QUOTED AFTER EXAMINING "DID EXPERIENCE CONCERN TRAC/VCS CUTS POWER TO WHEEL WHEN SLIPPAGE OCCURS. UNFORTUNATLY, THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE THIS. EVERYTHING WORKS AS DESIGNED." MY 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID HAD SIMILAR INCIDENT ALMOST CAUSING ME TO BE RUN OVER AS POWER CUT OFF ON HIGHWAY AND I WAS TOLD THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RESET AND IT WAS FINE. A CAR EQUIPPED WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE SHOULD FUNCTION AS A ALL WHEEL DRIVE NOT BE DESIGNED TO BE NON FUNCTIONAL WHEN IT IS NEEDED. THE FIRST TIME A BARELY SURVIVED GETTING TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THIS TIME I HAD TO BE TOWED ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN TWO HOURS FROM ANYWHERE IN SNOWSHOE WEST VIRGINIA. SERVICE ANTICIPATES NO WAY TO CORRECT.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Dec 13, 2010, crash
DRIVER BACKED OUT OF AN END PARKING SPACE (NOSE IN, CURB IN FRONT AND ON RIGHT). DRIVER FELT WHEEL (RIGHT SIDE) GO OVER CURB (TURNED TOO QUICKLY). DRIVER STOPPED, SHIFTED TO DRIVE (FORWARD) TO GET OFF THE CURB. WHEN DRIVER TOUCHED ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE SHOT FORWARD (SEEMED LIKE 50 MPH). LEFT FRONT OF THE HIGHLANDER CREASED THE TWO SIDE DOORS OF THE MINIVAN PARKED ADJACENT ON THE LEFT. THE LEFT FRONT OF THE HIGHLANDER SUSTAINED GRILLE DAMAGE, LEFT FENDER, HEADLIGHT AND RUNNING LIGHT, DRIVER DOOR AND LEFT MIRROR. FENDER PUSHED BACK PREVENTED DRIVER DOOR FROM BEING OPENED. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE HIGHLANDER WAS PURCHASED 1/4/2010. THE ACCELERATOR RECALL WAS PERFORMED BY THE DEALER IN MARCH 2010.