2013 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 212 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 26 involved a crash. 12 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
SeatsMar 27, 2014
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2013 Highlander vehicles manufactured March 13, 2013, through August 6, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the second row left hand seat may not lock in place when positioned in the forward front or second adjusting position. As such, the vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."
If the seat does not lock into the seat track, there may be an increased risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will modify the second row left hand seat so that it will lock into the seat track, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 14V148000 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
Representative owner complaints
212 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, May 22, 2016
CAR HESITATES UPON ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AS IF IT WAS COASTING. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME BUT IT HAS OCCURRED FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. THE HESITATION CAN BE FROM 2-4 SECONDS. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN TURNING FROM A STOP. PLAYING WITH THE GAS PEDAL DOESN'T SEEM TO HELP BUT ,CURIOUSLY, SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN BACK TO DRIVE SEEM TO STOP THE HESITATION. I HAVEN'T EXPLORED THIS RIGOROUSLY; JUST TRIED IT A COUPLE OF TIMES. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE DENIED IT IS A PROBLEM: OBVIOUSLY THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT.
Vehicle speed control, May 10, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10.....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF *CN
Engine, May 2, 2016
THE CAR HAS BURNED 1 QT OF OIL EVERY 1500 MILLES OR SO SINCE DAY1... TOYOTA WILL DO NOTHING TO REPAIR THE INTERNAL ENGINE PROBLEM AS THEY SAY IT IS ACCEPTABLE PER THEM TO BURN 1 QT EVERY 1200??
Power train, Apr 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING 40 MPH OR HIGHER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER A MANUFACTURER WARRANTY FOR THE TRANSMISSION IN NOVEMBER OF 2015. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION UTILIZED WAS REBUILT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION UTILIZED FOR THE REPAIR MET THE MANUFACTURER STANDARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 2, 2016, crash
LETTER FROM CONSTITUENT REGARDING THE ISSUE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN TOYOTA AND LEXUS VEHICLES. *SMD 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE WAS ABOUT TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE TO REPOSITION THE VEHICLE, IT SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD WITH THE ENGINE RACING . IT WAS IF THE ACCELERATOR WAS FLOORED. WITHIN A COUPLE OF SECONDS THE VEHICLE JUMPED OVER THE CEMENT PARKING BLOCK AND INTO A POLE. THE VEHICLE HAD SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE BETWEEN $13,000 AND $15,000. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE CARPET FLOOR MAT WAS FOUND TO BE UNATTACHED. *JB
Steering, Feb 15, 2016
TOYOTA 2013 HIGHLANDER WITH 31237 MILES HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT DUE TO THUD-THUD NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT. I BOUGHT CAR NEW FROM DEALERSHIP. CAR STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT WAS TOLD IT WILL PROBABLY HAPPEN AGAIN. PARTS AND LABOR ESTIMATED TO BE $500+ EACH TIME IN THE FUTURE. ACCORDING TO INFORMATION ON INTERNET THIS IS NOT A RANDOM ISSUE WITH HIGHLANDERS AND HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW THAT IS BEING IGNORED WITH THE OWNER BEING REQUIRED TO FOOT THE BILL. NEVER HAD A STEERING SHAFT ISSUE IN THE CARS I HAVE PREVIOUSLY OWNED SOME FOR OVER 100,000 MILES, U.S. MADE OR NON-U.S. MADE MODELS. THE NEW PART IS GUARANTEED FOR ONE YEAR...THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR A KNOWN REOCCURRING ISSUE OF WHICH TOYOTA IS AWARE . I CALLED TOYOTA NATIONAL CUSTOMER RELATIONS IN TORRANCE, CA AND SPOKE WITH REPRESENTATIVE WHO WAS VERY POLITE BUT OFFERED NO RECOURSE FOR THIS ISSUE. VERY DISAPPOINTED.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 17, 2015
PERIODICALLY HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING - DOESN'T MOVE, DOESN'T ACCELERATE - NOTHING - ALMOST LIKE CAR NOT RUNNING. DOES IT FROM STOPPED POSITION OR WHILE MOVING. HAPPENED TWICE YESTERDAY, AFTER BEING STOPPED AT RED LIGHT AND WHEN TURNING ACROSS LANE OF TRAFFIC (CITY STREET). HAS DONE IT WHEN PASSING ON INTERSTATE - NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. IT'S SCARY AND BY THE TIME IT KICKS IN, TRAFFIC IS FAST APPROACHING. WORRY THAT ONE DAY IT WILL NOT ENGAGE AND I WILL GET HIT. DOESN'T MATTER IF HOT OR COLD, WET OR DRY, DRIVING SHORT TIME OR LONG TIME. DEFINITELY AN ACCIDENT (AND DEATH) WAITING TO HAPPEN. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAVE NOT HEARD COMPLAINT BEFORE AND CAN'T FIX IT UNLESS CODE APPEARS. FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE SINCE OWNER'S WIFE DROVE IT. SENT COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA WITH COPIES OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOUND POSTED ONLINE. WONDER IF IT IS RELATED TO TRANSMISSION BECAUSE I CAN SOMETIMES FEEL BRIEF CHANGES IN RPM (OUTSIDE OF HESITATION ISSUE). PLEASE HELP!
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 14, 2015
THE COMPLAINT HAS TO DO WITH COMPUTER SYSTEMS ON THIS VEHICLE. SOME OF THE COMPLAINT IS CONVENIENCE, BUT WORRISOME BECAUSE OTHER SYSTEMS SEEM TO BE INVOLVED AS WELL. THE COMPUTER SCREEN HAS ALWAYS BEEN SLOW/HESITENT, WITH VARIOUS "GLITCHES". VEHICLE HAS GPS MAPPING SCREEN WHICH OCCASSIONALLY "DISCONNECTS" AND RESETS TO BLANK SCREEN. THE BLUETOOTH AND OTHER SYSTEMS HAVE ALSO "DISCONNECTED" AND COULDN'T BE RESET UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND TURNED OFF. THE HEADLIGHTS SOMETIMES DO NOT SHUT OFF, DAY/NIGHT DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. HAVE HAD OCCASSIONAL PROBLEMS WITH DOOR LOCKS NOT WORKING AS THEY SHOULD. NEVER KNOW WHEN AND WHICH SYSTEMS WILL BE AFFECTED. I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT INTERMITENT NON-ACCELERATION ISSUES, WHICH MAYBE RELATED.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 14, 2015
FROM STOP (AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, MERGING, ETC), PRESS ON GAS PEDAL FOR ACCELERATION AND VEHICLE DOES NOT GO, HESITATES, THEN DOES ACCELERATE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, INTERMITTENTLY, AND HAS BEEN REPORTED TO TITUS WILL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. SINCE THEY HAVE NOT DUPLICATED IT, PROBLEM CONTINUES INTERMITTENTLY. NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS WILL OCCUR. IT IS VERY DISCONCERTING AND DANGEROUS. THIS VEHICLE HAS A LOT OF "COMPUTER" GLITCHES WITH GPS MAPPING, BLUETOOTH, AUTO LIGHTS, ETC. MAYBE RELATED?
Vehicle speed control, Dec 10, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 33,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Service brakes, Dec 7, 2015
WHILE DRIVING UPHILL, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND BRAKES (AND THE GAS) WOULDN'T WORK. MY CAR SLID BACKWARDS DOWN THE HILL INTO A STREET WITH AN ONCOMING CAR. BRAKE FUNCTION DID NOT RETURN THE ENTIRE SLIDE DOWN THE HILL (APPROX. 65 FEET), AND THE SCREEN ON THE DASHBOARD SAID "BRAKE MALFUNCTION, CONTACT DEALER IMMEDIATELY" IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP OVER A WEEK AGO WITH NO RESOLUTION TO DATE FROM TOYOTA.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED AND THE RPMS INCREASED RAPIDLY TO 5,000 FOR A BRIEF MOMENT AND THEN RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING UP AN INCLINE AND ALSO WITHOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR A BREAK WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND, EACH TIME, THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL UP TO THREE TIMES IN ORDER TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ONE OF THE COMPUTER MODULES THAT REGULATED ACCELERATION WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHICH OF THE MODULES WAS FAULTY; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ISSUED A CASE NUMBER TO TAKE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
Suspension, Air bags, Structure, Sep 27, 2015, crash
VEHICLE WAS PROCEEDING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION UNDER A GREEN LIGHT. A VEHICLE TRAVELING THE CROSS ROAD PROCEEDED THROUGH THEIR RED LIGHT AND IMPACTED MY VEHICLE AT FULL SPEED. THE RESULT WAS A "T-BONE" ACCIDENT INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE FORCE OF THE COLLISION WAS SUCH THAT MY VEHICLE WAS TURNED 90 DEGREES. THE DRIVER'S HEAD IMPACTED THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW SHATTERING THAT WINDOW. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AIR BAGS IN THE OTHER VEHICLE DID DEPLOY. HAD THE AIR BAG OPERATED PROPERLY IT WOULD HAVE PROTECTED THE DRIVER'S HEAD FROM IMPACTING AND SHATTERING THE WINDOW. SINCE THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN OBVIOUS SITUATION, I AM NOW CONCERNED THAT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS IN THAT VEHICLE WILL DEPLOY UPON IMPACT AND I AM DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE.
Equipment adaptive/mobility, Sep 7, 2015
STARTING THIS SUMMER OUR 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WAS HAVING A TERRIBLE ODOR COMING FROM THE AC. WENT TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CLEAN OUT THE AC/ EVAPORATOR BOX WITH AMMONIA AND THEN PUT A MINT SPRAY TO REDUCE AMMONIA SMELL. PAID $65 FOR THIS SERVICE. ON WAY HOME I SMELL NOTHING BUT A STALE ODOR. THE NEXT DAY THE MOLDY SMELL WAS BACK. DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO START CAR. THE SECOND I OPENED DOOR IT HIT ME. I WENT ON GOOGLE AND SAW A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WERE HAVING SAME PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA CARS. NOT JUST A HIGHLANDER!! THE AVALON,CAMRY AND OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE MOLD IN THE EVAPORATOR BOX AND VENTS. HAVE HAD MANY VEHICLES AND NEVER A PROBLEM LIKE THIS ONE. BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND FOR TOYOTA NOT TO ADMIT TO A BAD DESIGN IS DISAPPOINTING.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC COMPUTER THAT MANAGED THE STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,500.....UPDATED 10-27-15 *BF *CN
Power train, Aug 31, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. MA 10/25/15
Vehicle speed control, Aug 26, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE AT A STOP, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 1/12/16 *CN
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 26, 2015
UPON ACCELERATION THE VEHICLE HESITATES FOR 3-5 SECONDS, IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY NOTHING WRONG. VERY DANGEROUS PULLING INTO A HIGHWAY.
Electrical system, Aug 23, 2015
ABOUT A WEEK AGO MY RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCK STARTED TO FAIL. THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THIS IS THE DOOR MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER USES. I TOOK IT TOO A DEALER AND WAS CHARGED $638 TOTAL TO REPLACE THE ACTUATOR. THE SERVICE TECH ACTUALLY MISQUOTED ME, I WOULD NEVER PAY THIS MUCH TO FIX THIS PART. UPON READING NOW I SEE THAT MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR IS STILL UNDER 3 YEARS OLD. THE ACTUATORS SHOULD NOT FAIL. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM IN ANY OTHER CAR. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE IF THE CAR IS IN AN ACCIDENT. THESE CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED. I WILL BE CONTACTING TOYOTA TOO.
Engine, Aug 10, 2015
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN FROM A SIDE ROAD ONTO A MAIN ROAD, I NEEDED TO ACCELERATE TO BLEND INTO THE FASTER MOVING TRAFFIC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE ENGINE ACTED LIKE THE GAS PEDAL HAD NOT BEEN PRESSED BUT MAINTAINED THE PREVIOUS SLOW ENGINE SPEED DESPITE THE GAS PEDAL BEING FINALLY PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. WHILE MAINTAINING THE FULL GAS PEDAL POSITION THE ENGINE FINALLY REVVED UP AND THE SUV LURCHED FORWARD. I HAVE NOT BEEN PLACED YET INTO A HAZARDOUS SITUATION, BUT THAT IS BECOMING A REALITY. THIS HESITATION HAS RECURRED MORE THAN TWENTY TIMES SINCE THEN. NO, I HAVE NOT TAKEN THIS TO TOYOTA SINCE THEY APPEAR TO HAVE NO CONCERN FOR THE MANY FINE FOLKS REPORTING SIMILAR ENGINE STALLING.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 28, 2015
I PURCHASED THE 2013 HIGHLANDER NEW FROM A DEALER IN VIENNA, VA IN JULY 2013. THE AUTO STARTED A STRING OF ENGINE HESITANCY TO ACCELERATE PROBLEMS AT AROUND 5,000 MILES WHICH WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER AT THE 5,000 MILE CHECK-UP AND AGAIN AT THE 7,500 MILE CHECKUP. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND GAVE THE ENGINE A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH. WE MOVED TO MN IN MAY 2014 AND THE HESITANCY OF THE CAR TO MOVE (ACCELERATE) FROM A STOPPED POSITION FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER ENGAGING THE GAS PETAL CONTINUES AND IS INCREASING IN FREQUENCY. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN IN TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS WITH THE SAME ANSWER THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN IN TWO NEAR ACCIDENTS WHILE PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC ON TO A HIGH SPEED DIVIDED HIGHWAY AND CONSIDER THIS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY, (THREE TIMES THIS PAST WEEK), BUT A PATTERN HAS DEVELOPED - MOST INCIDENTS OCCUR WHILE IDLING AT INTERSECTIONS FOR SOME TIME WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR, TRAFFIC LIGHTS, ETC, AND THEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ONTO THE ROADWAY. THE CAR HAS EXHIBITED THIS BEHAVIOR ONLY A COUPLE TIMES WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN FROM A IDLING START. THE SENSATION IS THAT THE ENGINE STALLED AND NO MATTER WHAT IS DONE WITH THE GAS PETAL NOTHING HAPPENS FOR ANYWHERE UP TO 4-5 SECONDS. WITH TRAFFIC MOVING AT 60 MILES AN HOUR AND ONE IS ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, A FIVE SECOND DELAY BRINGS THE ON-COMING TRAFFIC ALMOST 450 FEET CLOSER TO ONE BEFORE THE CAR STARTS TO MOVE REQUIRING MORE DISTANCE IN TRAFFIC GAPS TO OVERCOME A POTENTIAL STALL IN THE ROADWAY. I HAVE COME ACROSS ANOTHER LOCAL OWNER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOTE AT LEAST 15 OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB OF ALMOST THE EXACT CIRCUMSTANCES. WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR TOYOTA TO RECOGNIZE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE? UPDATED 12/12/2017*CN
Equipment, Jul 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE CARPET WAS SOAKED WITH WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING DRAIN WAS CLOGGED AND NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V442000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2015
WATER IS LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE, SOAKING CARPET AND THE FLOOR, EVERYTIME IT RAINS. LOTS OF WATER REMAINS IN THE FLOOR EVERYTIME IT HAPPENS, MOSTLY IN THE MIDDLE ROW, SMELLING BAD AFTER A WHILE. DEALER SAID THEY CAN'T FIND IT. !..UPDATED 08/13/15 *BF UPDATED 11/27/2015*JS
Electrical system, Jun 17, 2015
BLACK SHREDDED MATERIAL BLEW OUT OF THE AIR VENTS UPON STARTING THE CAR. IF I HAD NOT HAD THE A/C ON AND, RATHER, CHOSE TO TURN IT ON WHILE DRIVING, I MIGHT HAVE BEEN BLINDED BY THE LARGE AMOUNT OF SHREDDED MATERIAL THAT FLEW INTO MY FACE AND EYES. - THAT IS A LIABILITY AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED. HAD I BEEN DRIVING, I CAN SEE THAT I WOULD HAVE HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME BEING ABLE CONTROL SOMETHING I COULD NOT SEE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT I MAY HAVE A RODENT ISSUE - I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON LINE AND HAVE LEARNED THAT TOYOTA, AMONG OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS, IS CONSTRUCTING VEHICLE PARTS OUT OF BIODEGRADABLE PRODUCTS, INCLUDING SOY, CANE HUSKS, ETC., MAKING MY CAR A TASTY TREAT FOR NASTY ANIMALS. FURTHERMORE, THERE IS NOTHING THAT PREVENTS SOMETHING FROM CRAWLING FROM THE OUTSIDE INTO THE CABIN THROUGH THE ENGINE AND I BELIEVE THAT TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I AM LOOKING FOR TOYOTA TO COVER THE COST OF FIXING THIS ISSUE.