2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid complaints

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND WHEN I BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN I HEARD A CHIME AND A CHECK VCS SYSTEM WARNING CAME WITH ABS , BRAKE AND SLIP INDICATOR ,MASTER WARNING LIGHT AND ELECTRONIC CONTROLLED BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TOO. I HAVE FOUND THAT IN 2013 THERE WAS A SAFERY RECALL DLF(D2F) ON CERTAIN HIGHLANDER HV 2006-2010.

I FOUND SOME INFO IN A FORUM WHERE MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINTS ABOUT LEAKING AROUND THE AXLE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RIGHT AXLE SEAL NEEDS REPLACEMENT WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A MULTI-POINT INSPECTION. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS OVER TIME BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S HAPPENED TO OTHERS WHO HAVE NOTICED IT BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION AND IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT IT HAS EXPIRED AND I WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT THIS ISSUE WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY.

I AM ABOUT TO PURCHASE AN 06 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4X4 HYBRID. I RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT THE 06 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID INVERTER HAS SERIOUS PROBLEMS, AND THAT THE COST TO FULLY REPAIR THIS PROBLEM IS HUGE. I WOULD LIKE TO PROTECT MYSELF FROM POTENTIAL PROBLEMS (LIKE THIS) BY NOT PURCHASING ANY SUCH VEHICLE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW (IF THIS ISSUE IS VALID) WHETHER DEALERSHIPS HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE INFORMED OF ANY SUCH VEHICLE PROBLEMS, BEFORE THEY SELL IT ON THEIR LOT?

WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT THE POWER STEERING FOR BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT GOES OUT. IF THERE IS NO HARD TURN TO THE RIGHT THE STEERING REMAINS FUNCTIONAL. HAPPENED WHILE ON WINDING ROAD NEARLY RAN OFF THE ROAD. RESTART THE CAR AND THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS UNTIL THE NEXT RIGHT TURN. DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM NEEDED TO REPLACE BOTH THE POWER STEERING ECU AND THE POWER STEERING CONVERTER AND GIVE ME A BILL FOR OVER $1000.

BRAKES DISENGAGE MOMENTARILY WHILE BRAKING AT SLOW SPEED. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, AND IS VERY DISCONCERTING. THE OTHER DAY IT HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY AND CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION AT LOW SPEED. THIS MAY HAVE BEEN AN ACTUAL BRAKE FAILURE, BUT AFTERWARD THE BRAKES WORKED AGAIN. WE ARE NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR, AND THE DEALER WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE HE CAN'T 'REPLICATE' THE SITUATION. ONLINE, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE POSTED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH NO REMEDY.

MY 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID HAS BURN MARKS ON THE HEADLIGHT LENS WHERE THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE GOTTEN SO HOT THAT THEY ACTUALLY MELT THE PLASTIC ON THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT LENS. THIS HAS REDUCED MY VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND I WOULD IMAGINE THAT IF IT IS GETTING HOT ENOUGH TO MELT THE HEADLIGHT LENS IT CREATES A FIRE HAZARD AS WELL. WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE, IT DIDN'T CREATE A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE IN DRIVING VISIBILITY BUT AS THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE AND THE SPOT GETS LARGER THERE IS A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE. IF I AM DRIVING IN AN AREA WITHOUT CITY LIGHTING IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE WITH THE LO-BEAMS ON AND DRIVING WITH THE HI-BEAMS ON POSES A DANGER TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OF BLINDING THEM AND CAUSING THEM TO CRASH INTO ME OR RUN OFF THE ROAD. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS SOMETHING THAT THE CONSUMER CANNOT TURN OFF AND IT IS OBVIOUS FROM INTERNET FORUMS THAT THIS ISN'T AN ISSUE THAT IS LIMITED TO MY VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN A WELL-DOCUMENTED PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL YEAR HIGHLANDER. I HAVE OPENED A CASE WITH TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS AND EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS TO THEM PERSONALLY BUT THEY HAVE REFUSED TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. IN MY OPINION, THIS SHOWS NOT ONLY A LACK OF SUPPORT TO THEIR CUSTOMERS WHO PAY HARD-EARNED MONEY FOR THEIR VEHICLES BUT A LACK OF RESPECT FOR THE SAFETY AND LIVES OF NOT ONLY THEIR CUSTOMERS BUT ALL OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO SHARE THE ROADS WITH THESE VEHICLES. I AM TURNING TO THE NHTSA IN THE HOPES OF FINALLY HAVING MY VOICE AND THE VOICE OF THE MAN

THE CHECK VSC WARNING SIGN IS ON. THE DEALER RAN THE DIAGNOSTICS THAT INDICATED THE ABS BRAKE ACTUATOR AND PUMP SHOULD BE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKING AND FATIGUE FAILURE.

CATASTROPHIC FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FAILURE AT 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE I-35. CAR WAS BROUGHT TO A HALT SAFELY FORTUNATELY. THE MAIN TIRE WAS COMPLETELY GONE, WITH JUST THE RUBBER ALONG THE EDGE OF EACH SIDE OF THE RIM REMAINING. $1300 IN DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL HOUSING, BUMPER AND WASHER RESERVOIR. TIRES ACTUALLY KELLY EDGE AS (NOT KELLY EXPLORER AS), WHICH WAS NOT AN OPTION IN THE DROP DOWN LIST PROVIDED.

THE VEHICLE HEATING SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK AT ALL TIMES AT WHICH TIME IT SEEMS TO SWITCH TO AIR CONDITIONING. THE DIGITAL DISPLAY ALSO FADES THE LONGER THE SYSTEM IS SWITCHED ON OR THE LONGER THE DRIVE. THIS CAN CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE DURING COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS.

FRONT HEADLIGHT ON BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE BURNT OUT, IN DOING SO THE OUTSIDE LENS WAS BURNED WITH A QUARTER SIZE WHITE SPOT. PLASTIC LENS WAS MELTED.

BRAKES STOPPED WORKING THEN GRABBING. VERY DANGEROUS! NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THE ACTUATOR.

WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND IN THE FAST LANE GOING APPROXIMATELY 75/80 MPH MY 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID DIED AND FAILED TO DRIVE. THE PANEL ON THE DASH HAD A RED ! EXCLAMATION POINT, AND SAID CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM AND CHECK VSC SYSTEM. I WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE MY VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT BREAKDOWN SHOULDER TO CALL FOR A TOW. TRIED TO START MY VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AND IT WOULD NOT START, BUT THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUED TO LIGHT GIVING EVIDENCE MY NEW 12V BATTERY WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. CALLED TOYOTA MOTOR USA AND ASKED WHAT RECALLS THEY HAVE LISTED FOR MY VEHICLE AND THEY ASKED FOR MY VIN. THEY TOLD ME THE ELECTRICAL INVERTER ASSEMBLY WAS COVERED FOR MY VIN. THEY GAVE ME THE NUMBER OF A TOW COMPANY TO CALL AND TOLD ME IT WAS COVERED BY TOYOTA AND I'D HAVE A RENTAL WAITING FOR ME. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AS DIRECTED, THEY FIXED SEVERAL OTHER RECALL ISSUES BUT NOT THIS ONE, SO WHEN I DROVE OFF THE LOT THE CAR DIED AGAIN. I MANAGED TO START THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT BACK ACROSS THE HIGHWAY INTO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER SPEAKING WITH TOYOTA CORPORATION USA AGAIN, THEY APOLOGIZED AND SAID THEY MISINFORMED ME AND THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THAT RECALL. HOWEVER, THEY PAID FOR MY TOW AND FOR MY RENTAL FOR 5 DAYS (THUS FAR). MY CASE NUMBER GIVEN FROM TOYOTA CORP IS 1607053248. I READ ONLINE THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT REGARDING THIS ISSUE. KARL AND IRINA GAAL VS. TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A., INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION. VIA ATTY MIKE ARIAS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AR ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE STEERING FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 09/06/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING DIDN'T ALWAYS RETURN. SOMETIMES, THE CONSUMER HAD TO SIT FOR SEVERAL HOURS. UPDATED 09/08/16.*JB

IT IS A 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID WITH 105200 MILES AND WELL MAINTAINED.. IT LOOSES POWER ASSIST IN STEERING AT ALL SPEEDS INTERMITTENTLY. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AS I HAVE TO PUT LOT OF MUSCLE IN STEERING AT LOW SPEEDS BUT IT HAD LOST POWER ASSIST EVEN AT 65 MPH AS WELL WHICH MADE ME VERY NERVOUS. I CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS THE POWER STEERING P/S LIGHT COMES ON MOST OF THE TIMES NOW. ONLY ONCE A WHILE IT IS OFF WHICH IS WHEN I DRIVE BUT FEW MILES OF DRIVING GETS THE LIGHT BACK ON WITH NO POWER ASSIST. I HAVE SEEN MANY PEOPLE IN FORUMS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THAT YEARS HYBRIDS. THEREFORE I AM REQUESTING TO HELP ME OUT WITH EITHER A RECALL OR GETTING THIS FIXED AT MY LOCAL ROCHESTER MN DEALERSHIP. ANYTHING YOU COULD DO AT THE EARLIEST WOULD BE APPRECIATED.. CUSTOMER REQUEST TO BE REMOVED FROM COMPLAINT LIST, CELL PHONE , ADDRESS. NOT TO BE CONTACTED. UPDATED 08/12/16*LJ UPDATED 6/18/18*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

WHILE STOPPING OR STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE'S A CLICKING SOUND. I HAVE FOUND THAT IT'S COMING FROM THE ABS BRAKE ACCUMULATOR. THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE INSTANCES WHERE I'M PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT STARTS TO SLOW DOWN, THEN FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES RELEASE, THEN GRAB AGAIN SLOWING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. I'VE ALMOST CRASHED A COUPLE TIMES. I'VE HEARD AND READ OF MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS SYSTEM AND SOME HAVE EVEN HAD ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS. TO ME, IT SEEMS LIKE THIS WOULD BE AN IDEAL CANDIDATE FOR A RECALL, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE REPAIR CAN BE UP TO $4,000 AND MOST PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH THAT THEY CAN JUST PAY OUT AT A GIVEN MOMENT. ALSO, WHEN TURNING THE KEY TO ON, THE ACCUMULATOR HAS STARTED MAKING A LOUD BUZZING NOISE FOR 10-15 SECONDS. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS SYSTEM FOR IMMEDIATE RECALL TO HELP PREVENT ANY MISHAPS.

MY SPEED WAS ABOUT 30 MPH; SPEED LIMIT WAS 40MPH. I WAS DRIVING NORTH-BOUND APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION. UP AHEAD, I SAW THAT TRAFFIC WAS STOPPING AND THE LIGHT WAS RED. I HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO SLOW TO A STOP, AND I STARTED TO EVEN THOUGH I WAS BACK ABOUT 15 CAR LENGTHS FROM THE CARS AHEAD. WHEN I STARTED PUSHING ON THE BRAKE, MY CAR IMMEDIATELY 'DIED' BUT THE CAR KEPT ROLLING FORWARD, EVEN THOUGH I CONFIRMED MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I WAS VERY STARTLED THAT THE CAR KEPT ROLLING WITH BRAKE APPLIED. BEFORE I COULD THINK ABOUT WHAT TO DO NEXT, THE CAR THEN RUMBLED AND SHOOK, AND THE ENGINE MADE A REVVING SOUND. THEN THE CAR JUST SPED UP INCREMENTALLY FASTER AND FASTER EVEN AS I DESPERATELY CONTINUED TO SHOVE HARD ON THE BRAKE. I YELLED "WHAT'S IT DOING?' I QUICKLY WONDERED IF I SHOULD PULL THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION BUT FELT THAT WAS THE WRONG THING TO DO. AS THE CAR WENT FASTER, I WENT INTO ABSOLUTE PANIC. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO MISS HITTING ANYONE. I WAS DESPERATE TO AVOID CARS, BUT I WAS COMPLETELY UNABLE TO STOP MY CAR EVEN AS I CONTINUED PUSHING HARD ON THE BRAKE. THEN I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT THE LIGHT. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS WAS AN UNINTENDED BRAKE ACCELERATION. I AM DEEPLY COMPELLED TO REPORT THIS SO THAT THE CAUSE AND RESOLUTION MAY BE FOUND BEFORE OTHERS ARE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. I SUFFERED A FRACTURED BACK AND WAS IN THE HOSPITAL 4 DAYS; AND DRIVER I RAN INTO WAS HURT AS WELL REQUIRING HOSPITAL ATTENTION. BOTH THE 3RD PARTY COMPANY

DEALER STATED THAT BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING< VSC LIGHT ON< NOISE< $3200.00 TO FIX??? NO RECALL?

MY ABS PUMP/ACTUATOR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD SOUND AND RUNS A LOT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND WAS QUOTED $3200. I HAVE A CHECK VSC MESSAGE, BRAKE LIGHT, AND ABS LIGHT ON NOW AS WELL.

WE PURCHASED A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH THE HOPES OF GETTING A RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE DUE TO ITS HIGH RATINGS AND REPORTED RELIABILITY...SADLY, I WAS MISTAKEN WHEN THE ABS BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND I NEARLY GOT INTO A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY. UPON GETTING THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT, IT WAS ASCERTAINED THAT THE ABS ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY WAS TO BLAME. THE COST!!!!!!!!! $1,900 AND NO RECALL ON A PART THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE!!!!!! I COULD OF BEEN KILLED IN THIS FAULTY CONTRAPTION DUE TO MANUFACTURERS NEGLIGENCE.

ABS ACUATOR IS NOT WORKING!

WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE BRAKES RANDOMLY SURGE INSTEAD OF STOPPING. AFTER A VAN REAR ENDED MY CAR AT A STOPLIGHT, THE TENDENCY TO SURGE INCREASED AND CAUSED TWO REAR END COLLISIONS WITHIN A FEW MONTHS. TOYOTA CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. CODES WERE DOCUMENTED, BUT I FEEL THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEYOND THE MANUFACTURER. IT IS ESPECIALLY PRONE TO THE SURGE WHEN BRAKES ARE HIT SUDDENLY ON CITY OR HIGHWAY STREETS. IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE COMPUTER CANNOT DECIDE WHETHER TO CHARGE THE BATTERY OR BRAKE AND THAT HESITATION IS FRIGHTENING!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

BRAKE ACTUATOR / ACCUMULATOR LOOSING PRESSURE. ACTUATOR MOTOR RUNS ALL THE TIME NOW AND AT TIMES RESULTS IN LOSS OF BRAKING. LOSS OF BRAKING HAS OCCURRED BOTH IN MOTION AS WELL AS AT A STOP. ONE TIME ALSO RIGHT AFTER CAR WAS TURNED ON AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE WITH BRAKES APPLIED THE CAR MOVED IN REVERSE EVEN WITH BRAKES APPLIED. WE CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR DUE TO A SAFETY CONCERN FOR OURSELVES, CHILDREN, AND OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. THIS TEMPORARY LOSS OF BRAKING COULD KILL SOMEONE. REPAIR IS $2500 AT THE DEALER ESSENTIALLY RENDERING THE CAR A FINANCIAL TOTAL LOSS.

DRIVING AND BRAKES FAILED. LUCKILY, WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AVOIDING DANGEROUS ACCIDENT. DEALER STATES THAT THIS IS THE BRAKE ACTUATOR AND REQUESTS $2500 TO FIX. RESEARCH HOWS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR YEARS AND SHOULD HAVE AN ACTION FOR RECALL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES WOULD STOP ABRUPTLY AND IN SOME OCCASIONS WOULD CASE THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYBRID BRAKE ACTUATOR HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

POWER STEERING FAILURE. CAR WAS IN MOTION TURNING WHEN PS LIGHT CAME ON AND NO POWER SINCE THEN

VEHICLE MAKES LOUD NOISE AFTER SHIFTING WHEN YOU RELEASE THE BRAKE. WAS TOLD ABS PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR $3200 FROM TOYOTA DEALER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE HYBRID WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE HIGHER THAN 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AN UNKNOWN DOOR FAILED TO OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED, THE CONTACT SMELLED A FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYBRID BATTERY EXPLODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 04/13/16*LJ

UPON STARTING MY CAR, THE CHECK VSC SYSTEM, BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS CAME ON. I TURNED OF THE THE ENGINE AND THE WARNINGS WENT AWAY. ABOUT THREE WEEKS LATER, AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 70MPH, THE WARNING LIGHTS SUDDENLY APPEARED. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW BATTERY. NEXT DAYS, AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY, AGAIN OUT THE WARNING LIGHTS SUDDENLY APPEARED. TOO IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THREE DAYS LATER THEY TELL ME I NEEDED TO FIX THE BRAKE ACTUATOR AND THE COST WOULD BE OVER 4K. OUT OF NOWHERE, THE BRAKES JUST FAIL. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE THE CAR FIXED.

I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID LIMITED. THE BRAKES STARTED WORKING IMPROPERLY. WE HAD IT CHECKED OUT BY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC SAID THE ABS ACUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY WIFE AND I DONE SOME RESEARCH, THIS COMPONENT IS SUPPOSE TO LAST THE LIFE OF VEHICLE. FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN ONLINE TOYOTA WILL NOT STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND RECALL THIS PART BECAUSE OF COST! THIS IS A VITAL SAFETY PART AND COST SHOULD NOT EVEN BE PART IF THE EQUATION. TO REPLACE THIS PART IT COSTS $2500 TO $3500 THRUOGH THE DEALERSHIP WE WENT TO. WE CAN NOT REPLACE FAMILY MEMBERS IF SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS. SOME ONE PLEASE HELP , THIS WILL END UP COSTING SOME ONE THEIR LIFE! THE VIHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL GOT VERY HARD AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE THE BRAKES AT ALL. WE ALMOST HIT A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US, AT THE LAST MINUTE BRAKES ENGAGED AND NO INCIDENT HAPPENED. WE HAVE PARKED THE CAR EVER SINCE AND WILL NOT DRIVE IT UNTIL TOYOTA RECALLS PART!

STALL STEERING WHEEL

INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 THAT MAY HAD BEEN CAUSED BY BRAKE FAILURE ON SEPTEMBER 30 THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND DEALER DIAGNOSED A BRAKE ACTUATOR MALFUNCTION. ON DECEMBER 16, 2013 AT 68,490 MILES THIS CAR ALSO A COMPLETE AND SUDDEN FAILURE OF THIS SAME PART, NO ACCIDENTS INVOLVED WITH THIS FAILURE. IT WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER. THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED ON HYBRIDS SINCE THE INABILITY TO BRAKE THE CAR CAN LED TO A FATAL ACCIDENT.

I APOLOGIZE FOR THE DELAY IN FILING THIS COMPLAINT. I JUST LEARNED OF THE COMPLAINT PROCESS. WE TOOK DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE ON 12/7/09 FROM BURNSVILLE TOYOTA IN BURNSVILLE, MN. ON 12/10/09 WHILE TRAVELING FROM EAGAN, MN TO OMAHA, NE THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE POWER STEERING REPAIRED IN BELLEVUE, NE ON 12/12. I FELT FORTUNATE TO HAVE REPAIRS MADE AS IT WAS A SATURDAY AND THE VEHICLE IS A HYBRID. THE BELLEVUE DEALERSHIP MADE THE REPAIRS AT NO CHARGE AND INFORMED ME OF THE OPEN RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING. UPON RETURNING HOME I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. THEY APOLOGIZED AND OFFERED A FREE UPDATE ON THE GPS. I ALSO LATER CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE. MY NOTES FROM THAT CONTACT INDICATE A REFERENCE NUMBER OF 1001108638. UPON LEARNING OF THE COMPLAINT PROCESS I ALSO LEARNED THAT IT IS ILLEGAL FOR A NEW CAR DEALERSHIP TO SELL A VEHICLE WITH AN OPEN RECALL. I DO NOT KNOW IF THAT WAS THE CASE IN 2009. I AM PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO SUBMIT THIS COMPLAINT AS I HAVE ALWAYS FELT CONSUMERS SHOULD BE PROTECTED FROM PURCHASING PRODUCTS WITH KNOWN DEFECTS

ON 12/02/13 THE BRAKE LIGHT AND VCS SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON. THE WARNING LIGHT ALSO WENT ON AND A BEEP NOISE INSIDE THE CABIN, BRAKES DOES NOT FUNCTION (BREAKS NOT RESPONDING). I TOOK THE CAR TO AN AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER CODES (C1241 LOW OR HIGH POWER SUPPLY VOLTAGE, C1256 ACCUMULATOR LOW PRESSURE, AND C1391 ABNORMAL LEAK IN ACCUMULATOR) MUST BE REPLACED THE ACTUATOR ASSY, B PART NO. 4405048190. ACTUATOR WAS REPLACED ON 12/28/13 AT $1,495 WITH TAX FOR $ 1,600 AND LABOR COST OF $333.84. UST BE REPLACED. ON 05/25/15 AGAIN THE BRAKE LIGHT AND VCS SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON. THE WARNING LIGHT ALSO WENT ON AND A BEEP NOISE INSIDE THE CABIN, BRAKES DOES NOT FUNCTION (NO BREAK). I TOOK THE CAR TO AN AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND I PAY $64.20. AGAIN THEY MENTIONED THAT FOR A SECOND TIME THE ACTUATOR ASSY, B PART NO. 4405048190 NEEDS A REPLACEMENT. I ASK FOR THE GUARANTEE AND ONLY WAS VALID FOR 1 YEAR. DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES REPORT (ABS/VSC/TRAC), CODES (C1252 BREAK BOOSTER PUMP MOTOR ON TIME ABNORMALLY LONG, C1256, ACCUMULATOR LOW PRESSURE, C1391, ABNORMAL LEAK IN ACCUMULATOR). I THINK THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE CAUSE SINCE IS IN A 6 YEARS PERIOD THE ACTUATOR ASSY WAS REPLACED AND LESS THAN 1.5 YEAR AGAIN THE SAME PART (ACTUATOR ASSY) NEEDS REPLACEMENT, CURRENT PRICE IS $2,000. I CANNOT USE THE CAR THE BRAKES ARE NOT RESPONDING AND I CAN HAVE AN ACCIDENT.

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN NORMAL FREE-FLOWING TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ON THE FREEWAY, SEVERAL LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH INDICATING BRAKE ISSUES INCLUDING VSC, ABS, SKID, PARKING BRAKE LIGHT. CONTINUED TO CAUTIOUSLY DRIVE HOME, BRAKES SEEMED OK. HAD OUR NON-DEALER MECHANIC LOOK AT THE BRAKES ALL WERE FINE AND HAD RECENTLY BEEN REPLACED. HE COULD NOT FIND A BRAKE ISSUE. TOOK TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND ONE CODE CAME UP C1391 "ABNORMAL LEAK IN ACCUMULATOR" AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW BRAKE ACTUATOR AT THE COST OF $3273.00. DIAGNOSTIC COST $138.00. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON DIAGNOSTIC PAPERWORK FROM DEALER SAYS, "CHECK FOR DTC'S FOUND C1391, CHECK FOR FLUID LEAKS, COULD NOT FIND LEAKS, CHECK ACCUMULATOR PRESSURE VOLTAGE (3.5 V), DEPRESSED PEDAL 4-5 TIMES ACCUMULATOR PRESSURE DROPS BELOW 3.0 V, RECOMMEND REPLACE BRAKE/ABS ACTUATOR". OTHER NOTES, SOME PART OF HYBRID SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE CYCLING EVERY FEW MINUTES. OVER THE YEARS, WHEN BRAKING, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHERE THEY "JUMP" OR DON'T GRAB DURING BRAKE PRESSURE AND AFTER READING HAVE FOUND THIS COMPLAINT WITH OTHER OWNERS. I SEE THAT THE CAMRY AND THE LEXUS HAVE BOTH HAD THIS PART RECALLED/REPLACED BY TOYOTA AND WONDERING WHY, WHEN THIS IS LIKELY THE SAME HYBRID SYSTEM AND COMPONENT, THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND OFFER THIS REPLACEMENT PART FOR OWNERS FOR FREE OR AT A DISCOUNT? THE OTHER VEHICLES HAVE HAD ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT OF THIS PART AND TOYOTA SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE ON THE HIGHLANDER HYBRID.

CONSUMER STATED HE WAS REAR ENDED BY A DRUNK DRIVER. *BF THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

THE SRS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IN MY 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WITH 112,000 MILES HAS BEEN TURNING ON AND OFF WHILE TRAVELLING. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSES TO ARRANGE AND PAY FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR SINCE MY VIN IS NOT IN THE RECALL LIST FOR AIRBAG RECALL. IT HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED.

I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID NORTH ON US 41 AND A DODGE CARAVAN MADE A LEFT TURN AT WEST COUNTY LINE ROAD IN FRONT OF MY TRAVEL POSITION. I COULD NOT AVOID HIM AND I HIT HIM IN HIS RIGHT REAR NEAR THE WHEEL WITH THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE CAUSING THE AIR BAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL TO DEPLOY. WHEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED THERE WERE SPARKS AND POSSIBLE FRAGMENTS THAT HIT MY LEFT ARM AND WRIST CAUSING FIRST AND SECOND DEGREE BURNS...UPDATED 09/15/15 *BF UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN

MY WIFE AND I WERE TRAVELLING ON I-95 (SOUTHBOUND) TOWARDS RICHMOND, VA. MY WIFE WAS THE DRIVER. WE WERE STEADILY TRAVELLING AT A SPEED... BETWEEN 65 AND 70 IN THE LEFT LANE (REQUIRED SPEED LIMIT). ALL OF A SUDDEN, WITH NO WARNING, THE PANEL LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING AND THE POWER TO THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF. MY WIFE WAS SCREAMING BECAUSE SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL OR EFFECTIVELY APPLY BRAKES. SHE TRIED AND PULLED CAR OFF THE ROAD BARELY AND WE PUSHED IT OFF TO A SAFE SIDE. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF WE WERE TRAVELLING IN THE MIDDLE LANE. THE CAR WAS LEFT OVERNIGHT AND TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER. THE DEALER CALLED BACK AND GAVE A QUOTE OF $10000 BECAUSE THE HYBRID INVERTER HAVE TO REPLACED. I MENTIONED THE RECALL ON THE INVERTER. THE DEALER SAID THE RECALL DOES NOT COVER MY ISSUE. THERE IS A RECALL ON YOUR WEBSITE -WHAT ACTION OR RECOURSE DO I HAVE. THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR REPLACED THE INVERTER AT 16200 MILES. EVIDENTLY ALL THE 2006 INVERTERS ARE DEFECTIVE. MY QUESTION IS THIS ---WHY YOUR DEPARTMENT IS TOYOTA TO GET AWAY WITH SUCH A SERIOUS DEFECT?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYBRID INVERTER MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

ENGINE MECHANICAL ~|~CHECK AND REPORT...CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND VSC LIGHT ON DASH, ,,CAR LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING, HAD TO PULL OVER AND GET THE VEHICLE TOWED IN TO THE DEALERSHIP... ~|~TECH PULLED CODE P0A05,P0A08,P0A93, ...FOUND INVERTER PUMP NOT WORKING PROPERLY ~|~REPLACED INVERTER WATER PUMP

ENGINE MECHANICAL ~|~CHECK AND REPORT...CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND VSC LIGHT ON DASH, .FOUND INVERTER PUMP NOT WORKING PROPERLY ~|~REPLACED INVERTER WATER PUMP

I WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY BETWEEN 45 -50 MPH. SUDDEN A BUNCH OF LIGHTS AND WARNINGS CAME UP IN THE DASHBOARD. I LOST POWER STEERING AND MOTOR PROPULSION TOO. I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND NOTHING HAPPENED. ALTHOUGH I HAD THE ABILITY TO BRAKE, IT SEEMED THAT THE BRAKING WAS ALSO IMPAIRED. HOWEVER BECAUSE I WAS GOING UP AN INCLINE I DID NOT NEED STRONG BRAKING. I MANAGED TO COAST OVER TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. LUCKILY THERE WERE ONLY A COUPLE OTHER CARS NEAR ME SO IT WASN'T TOO DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER BY THEM AND COAST TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE BREAKDOWN LANE WAS. ONCE I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED I SHUT THE CAR DOWN COMPLETELY AND RESTARTED IN THE NORMAL HYBRID STARTUP MANNER. THE CAR PROPULSION AND STEERING CAME BACK BUT NOW THE MESSAGE WAS ALTERNATING BETWEEN "MAINTENANCE NEEDED" AND "CHECK VSC SYSTEM", AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND SYMBOL WAS ON. I SHUT OFF EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL TO MINIMIZE ELECTRICAL DRAIN. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR ANOTHER 8-10 MILES TO GET HOME BUT I WAS CONSTANTLY LOOKING TO SEE WHERE I COULD PULL OVER IF THE CAR STOPPED AGAIN. I MADE IT HOME. TOMORROW BRING IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. SIGNIFICANTLY, I RECENTLY HAD THE BRAKE ACTUATOR REPLACED AT A COST OF AROUND $2700, SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE THEY WARNED ME THAT I COULD LOSE BRAKING AND OTHER ELECTRONIC FACILITIES UNPREDICTABLY. I THOUGHT THAT EXPENSIVE REPAIR WOULD AVOID THIS. UNFORTUNATELY IT APPEARS THAT WHAT THEY WERE PREDICTING COULD HAPPEN DID HAPPEN, BUT AFTER THE REPAIR! I WAS ON A H

DRIVING FROM AUSTIN TO SAN ANTONIO MOSTLY AT 70MPH. NOTICED BRAKE, ABS, SLIP INDICATOR AND LOW PRESSURE TIRE INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON. STOPPED TO CHECK UNDER HOOD, BRAKING WAS NORMAL. BRAKE FLUID LEVELS WERE NORMAL BUT ABS ACTUATOR SEEM TO BE CYCLING EVEN WHILE MOTIONLESS. TESTED BRAKING AND EXPERIENCED NO PROBLEM. DROVE BACK TO AUSTIN. TOOK CAR TO DEALER THE NEXT DAY, WAS TOLD IT WAS A LEAK IN THE ACTUATOR BODY AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. COST $3580.00. HAVE DEFERRED REPAIRS.

LIGTHS CAME ON FOR ABS AND BRAKE WHILE TRYING TO STOP VEHICLE. TOYOTA DEALER HERE IN FLORIDA WANTS TO REPLACE ACTUATOR BRAKING SYSTEM AT MY COST $ 2,850 INCLUDING LABOR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT LENS AND HIGH BEAM BULB MELTED. AS A RESULT, THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL POWER TRAVELING TO THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,250.

WHILE TRAVELING ON A MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER STARTED MAKING AN EXTREMELY LOUD SQUEALING NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH. ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON AND REMAINED ON. I LOST BRAKING POWER AND PEDAL WENT EXTREMELY HARD. VEHICLE BRAKES LOCKED UP WHILE GOING DOWNHILL AND VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. ALMOST HIT AN ONCOMING VEHICLE COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. BRAKES HAVE BEEN MALFUNCTIONING SINCE, VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY NOT BEING DRIVEN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.