2001 Toyota Highlander complaints

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY COMPLAINT. IT IS AN ATTEMPT TO GET TOYOTA MOTOR TO ADMIT A DEFECT IN MANY OF THEIR ENGINES. OIL AND COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE OF MY 2001 HIGHLANDER. I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA SERVICE THAT THEY FOUND 3 STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS WHICH CAUSE THE LEAK AND IT ENDED UP COSTING ME $3,500 TO REPAIR THE HEAD AND BLOCK. NO GUARANTEE THAT THE BOLTS WOULD NOT SKIP OUT AGAIN. I HAVE READ A GROWING NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM TOYOTA OWNERS WHO HAVE FACED THE SAME PROBLEM AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO HELP OR ADMIT THAT THIS MAYBE A ENGINE FLAW. *TR

BEGAN TO FILL THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH GAS, AND NOTICED GASOLINE POURING OUT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THE RUBBER HOSE WHICH CONNECTS THE FILLER NOZZLE TO THE GAS TANK HAD SPLIT. THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THIS RUBBER HOSE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, SINCE IF A NON-MOVING PART CAN SPLIT LIKE THIS, WHAT COULD HAPPEN IN AN ACCIDENT, WHERE STRESS COULD BE APPLIED THAT WOULD MORE EASILY CAUSE FAILURE AND A GAS LEAK. *TR

THE CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH I WAS INVOLVED IN HAD SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES THAT FOLLOWED, FOR EXAMPLE, FINANCE COMPANY REPOSSESSED MY VEHICLE ALTHOUGH MY PAYMENTS WERE CURRENT. RECENTLY, WHILE RESEARCHING VEHICLE RECALLS, I FOUND THAT MY 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAD A HYDRAULIC BRAKE RECALL. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED INJURIES AS WELL AS TOTALING OUT TWO VEHICLES. I WAS DRIVING ON FWY WHEN I HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY DUE TO CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC. MY HIGHLANDER'S BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP. *TR

SHIRENE DUHANEY JUNE 13, 2008 ATTN: RECALLS/COMPLAINTS & INVESTIGATIONS DEAR SIR/MADAM: I AM WRITING BECAUSE I NEED ASSISTANCE WITH A DANGEROUS MATTER. MY VEHICLE IS A 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I HAVE CONTACTED & VISITED THE DEALER. I HAVE HAD AN ATTORNEY WRITE TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA, INC. AND NO RESOLVE. I HAVE PICTURES IF YOU'D LIKE TO SEE THEM. FOR DETAILS PLEASE SEE BELOW: I WANT THEM TO BE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO PLAZA AUTO MALL ON 3/22/07. I SPOKE WITH ADVISOR LONNIE. THE REASON I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO HAVE THEIR TECHNICIANS CHECK OUT MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT A LUMP IN MY STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION I WAS HAVING A RECALL TAKEN CARE OF. ACCORDING TO THE ADVISOR LONNIE 'HE SAID IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM AND IT WAS OK. HOWEVER, THE PRINT OUT THAT HE WANTED ME TO SIGN SAID 'LUMP IN STEERING WHEEL 'TECH FOUND AIR BAG DISTORTED 'NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CUSTOMER DECLINED REPAIR.' THAT WAS NOT TRUE I WAS NEVER TOLD IT NEEDED REPAIR. I REFUSED TO SIGN THAT AND NOTED THAT ON THEIR COPY . THAT WAS UNSETTLING TO ME I RETURNED SHORTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 4/5/07 AND DEALT WITH YET ANOTHER ADVISOR. HE RE-EXAMINED MY VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS OK. HE GAVE ME A NEW FORM THAT SAID THAT THE CAR WAS OK. (ATTACHED ARE 2 COPIES OF TOYOTA PRINT OUTS BOTH OF WHICH SHOW A DISCREPANCY IN THE INFORMATION.) HOWEVER, IT IS STILL NOT SITTING WELL WITH ME. TOYOTA AS A CORPORATION NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF THIS. THIS MAY BE A DEFECT IN THEIR VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURC

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2001, USING THE CELL PHONE CHARGER IN THE POWER OUTLET THE DASHBOARD CLOCK RESET A COUPLE TIMES, THE THIRD TIME ALL POWER TO THE CLOCK AND THE A/C DASHBOARD CONTROLS WAS RENDERED INOPERATIVE, DIAGNOSIS REVEALED THAT THE A/C AMPLIFIER WAS AFFECTED AND THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WAS AFFECTED BOTH RENDERED INOPERATIVE, REPLACED THE A/C AMPLIFIER BUT THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE - ALL NEW PARTS. WAITING FOR THE ECM. *TR

2.4 (4CYL) ENGINE MAKING NOISE, SOUNDS LIKE ROD KNOCKING. TOYOTA DEALER SAID SAME THING. ENGINE BLEW UP AT 45 MPH. OIL WAS ALWAYS CHANGED AT APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES. USED ON HIGHWAYS AND CITY STREETS. CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE. OUT OF WARRANTY. NEVER HEARD OF A TOYOTA ENGINE BLOWING A ROD. THIS HIGHLANDER WAS IN EX. COND. TO SOLD AS JUNK NEVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA AGAIN !!!!!! *TR

WHEN SHIFTED TO REVERSE GEAR FROM PARKED CONDITION CAR ACCELERATED AND CAUSED CRASH TO THE REAR OF THE CAR TO WALL. *CN

SUN VISOR ON MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FALLS DOWN ALL THE TIME. PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX IT SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. HAVE A SITE TO PROVE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE - SUN VISOR DRIVER SIDE FALLS DOWN WHEN DRIVING - CAUSES A SECURITY ISSUE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ROLL UP THE TWO REAR WINDOWS. SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND WAS UNABLE TO ROLL UP THE WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 53,000 ,AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *AK

WE BOUGHT OUR HIGHLANDER JUST OVER A YEAR AGO AND WE HAVE TO CONSTANTLY PUT OIL INTO VEHICLE. IT ONLY HAS 80,000 ON IT, AND WE HAVE TO PUT ABOUT A LITER OF OIL INTO IT EVERY OTHER WEEK. THE MANUFACTURER OF OUR AREA CHECKED IT TWICE, AND DETERMINED THAT WE NEED ANOTHER ENGINE, BUT THE COST WAS AROUND $7000 IN CANADIAN THAT ENGINE WOULD COME FROM JAPAN, AND IT WOULD BE A USED ONE, AND WOULD ONLY WARRANTY THAT FOR 1 YEAR. THEN WHAT AM COMPLETELY DISGUSTED!! WE PLAN ON GETTING RID OF THIS THING AS FAST AS POSSIBLE AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA AGAIN..DO YOURSELVES A FAVOR AND TELL PEOPLE ABOUT THIS SO NO ONE GOES THIS .*AK

TL* - THE CONTACTWAS DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO REPAIR IT BASED ON NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V181000. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT SHE DIDN'T HAVE AN APPOINTMENT, AND THATWAS THE REASON WHY SHE COULDN'T RECEIVE SERVICE ON 12-27-06. *AK

THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT STAY UP WHEN PLACED IN THE POSITION TO BLOCK THE SUN COMING INTO THE WINDSHIELD. IT DROPS DOWN INTO THE STRAIGHT DOWN POSITION WHICH BLOCKS MOST OF THE VIEW THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. WE CAN'T USE THE VISOR TO BLOCK THE SUN, SO WE HAVE TO DRIVE WITH IT SHINING INTO OUR EYES. IT ISN'T SAFE. *JB

WIFE COMPLAINED OF INTERMITTENT GAS SMELL IN 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER,V-6/AWD, FOR 2-3 WEEKS. I CHECKED IT MORE THAN ONCE FOR LEAKING UNDER HOOD AND UNDER FRONT OF ENGINE; COULD NOT FIND SOURCE. ON 10/27/06 I STARTED CAR FOR 2-3 MINUTES TO POSITION IN FRONT OF GARAGE TO INSTALL FRONT BRAKE PADS. SHUT OFF AND STARTED TO JACK WHEN I NOTICED GAS DRIPS ON CEMENT, COMING FROM ABOVE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL AND DRIPPING DOWN & OFF STILL FAIRLY COOL EXHAUST PIPE REAR BANK OF V-6 . STARTED ENGINE AGAIN, CHECKED FOR LEAKS; NOTHING DETECTED. TOLD MY WIFE IT WAS INTERMITTENT, I FINALLY SAW LEAK EVIDENCE & FOR HER TO TAKE TO DEALER TO FIND THE LEAK; IT WAS ENOUGH TO BE DANGEROUS. SHE DIDN'T GET IN ON MONDAY 10/30/06 & WAS GOING TO DROP OFF ON WAY HOME 10/31/06 WHEN SMELL GOT VERY BAD AND IT DIDN'T RUN WELL. SHE BARELY GOT IT TO DEALER AND SERVICE WRITER TOLD HER TO TURN IT OFF IMMEDIATELY WHEN HE SMELLED SO MUCH GASOLINE LEAKAGE. DEALER FOUND FUEL "DAMPENER" LEAKING & REPLACED AT 52,980 MILES. I ASKED FOR POSSESSION OF FAILED PART; DAMPER- P/N 233270-62011. IT FITS IN MY CLOSED HAND, COST $97 & THEY SAID IT WOULD TAKE A LOT OF WORK TO REPLACE. CHARGE WAS $426.00 BUT WAS LOWERED TO $310 WHEN WIFE REMINDED THEM THAT THEY BETTER HAVE SAVED THE REMOVED PART AS I WANTED THE FAILED PART TO EXAMINE. WITH FAILED PART, I CHECKED WHERE IT WAS LOCATED AND THAT I COULD HAVE REPLACED IT MYSELF, WITHOUT REMOVING ANYTHING TO GET AT DAMPER, WITHIN 10 MINUTES. CHECKED FOR PRICE & AVAILABILITY OF PART WITH ANOTHE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ON A STREET WITH AN INFANT SEAT RESTRAINED WITH THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT IN THE REAR, THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT COMPLETELY FLIPPED OVER WITH THE INFANT INSIDE. ALTHOUGH THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING, NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED. THE INFANT SEAT WAS A GRACO, SNUG RIDE, MODEL # 8643DDH2, DATE OF MANUFACTURE 12-03-2005. UPDATED 11/9/2006 - *NM

I OWN A 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, 85000 MILES. 3 WEEKS AGO THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. I HAD A TRANSMISSION SHOP REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION AND WHEN TAKING IT APART, THEY FOUND 4 PLANETARY GEARS THAT HAD SUSTAINED RANDOM BREAKING AND CHIPPING. THIS APPEARS TO BE A QUALITY ISSUE. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO TOYOTA AT CORPORATE AND DEALERSHIP LEVELS AND REQUESTED I BE INFORMED OF ANY SECRET WARRANTIES THAT EXIST TO COVER THIS EXPENSE. I HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED A RESPONSE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD WHERE IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SLUDGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER ONCE BEFORE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THE ENGINE WAS CLEANED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WON'T STAY UP. DROPS DOWN, BLOCKING VIEW WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. OTHER THAN REGULAR USE, NO OTHER ROOT CAUSE IDENTIFIED FOR FAILURE. *JB REPLACEMENT VISOR IS AVAILABLE FOR $600

OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED (CAUSED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO GO ON), WITHIN 24 HOURS OF HAVING IT REPLACED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN AND A SECOND OXYGEN SENSOR HAD FAILED,WHICH ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. *NM

ON SEPTEMBER 3RD 2005 AT 11:30 PM WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH ON INTERSTATE 5 -15 MILES SOUTH OF SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA I EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE (SIDEWALL BLOWOUT SEPARATION OF SIDEWALL FROM TREAD) ON ONE OF MY REAR BRIDGESTONE P22570S16 BSDLRAPT30 DUELER AT TIRES. THIS TIRE HAD LESS THAN 13,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS INFLATED TO 32 PSI. THE RODE-WAY SURFACE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4TH 2005 I WENT TO SEARS WHERE I PURCHASED THE SET OF FOUR TIRES TO HAVE THE DAMAGED ONE REPLACED. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE REMAINING THREE TIRES FOR SIDEWALL DAMAGE AND IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE INSTALLATION TECHNICIAN I DECIDED THAT BECAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT AND A STATEMENT BY THE TECH THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS TIRE, I REPLACED ALL FOUR WITH ANOTHER BRAND. SEARS OFFERED TO GIVE ME FULL CREDIT FOR TWO FOR THE FOUR TIRES TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF ANOTHER BRAND OF TIRE. *JB

INCREASED PEDAL STROKE LENGTHEN THE STOPPING DISTANCE. SAW IN YOUR WEBSITE A RECALL FOR IT. TOOK IT TO DEALER THEY DON'T HAVE IT IN THE SYSTEM SO THEY WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY LOOKED UP THE VIN# YOUR WEBSITE WON'T SPECIFY VIN#, ONLY SPECIFY'S YEAR.

PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED AT ABOUT 42,000 MILES. IT BURNED OIL (1 QUART PER 1,000 MILES) FROM THE FIRST DAY I HAD IT. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN MONITORING THE OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND AGREED IT HAS A PROBLEM BUT IT WILL COST ME $2,600 FOR THEM TO TEAR DOWN THE ENGINE TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG. THEY REPORT THERE IS "SLUDGE" IN THE ENGINE AND I SHOULD HAVE CHANGED THE OIL MORE OFTEN. THEY WON'T DETERMINE A PROBLEM OR DO ANYTHING ELSE FOR FREE EVEN THOUGH THEY SAY I DO HAVE A PROBLEM AND THEY KNOW THE WARRANTY IS UP IN ABOUT 2,500 MORE MILES WHICH SHOULD COVER THE ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN. PLEASE HELP. *JB

THE CONSUMER STRUCK AN UNIDENTIFIED ROAD DEBRIS. THE FUEL TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM *SC

2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, V6 ENGINE, AUTO TRANSMISSION. THERE IS A DEFINITE HESITATION/LAG/DELAY IN SHIFTING AND ACCELERATION. THIS CONDITION HAPPENS ALMOST ALL OF THE TIME AND CREATES A REAL SAFETY CONCERN. MODERATE ACCELERATION WILL PRODUCE THIS CONDITION. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS CONDITION BUT IS DOING NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. *JB

FRONT MUD GUARDS TORN AT MOUNTING BOLTS. NOTHING WAS DONE TO DAMAGE THE ITEMS. DEALER STATES THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 28000 MILES. NOTE: DEALER WENT AHEAD AND REPLACED MUDGUARD AT THEIR EXPENSE.*AK

GASKET BEHIND REAR HATCH LOGO/KEYHOLE GARNISH IS PROTRUDING. DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER CHATTERS ACROSS REAR WINDOW. IMPOSSIBLE TO CLEAN WINDOW. DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. (ENTIRE ARM ASSEMBLY). *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN THE SPEED, AT THE SAME CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THE NEED TO INSTALL A NEW ENGINE. HOWEVER, WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK

AFTER PULLING OFF THE ROAD ONTO A SIDE STREET CONSUMER HEARD A STRANGE NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON MERGING BACK ONTO THE ROAD STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, FOLLOWED BY A LOUD POPPING NOISE AFTER DRIVING FOR LESS THAN A BLOCK. CONSUMER THEN PULLED INTO PARKING LOT. THE SMOKE BECAME WORSE. THE CONSUMER POPPED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. WHEN THEY ARRIVED THE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE BODY SHOP. THE SERVICE MAN AND THE FIREMAN INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED.*AK

FREQUENTLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES NOT TO STOP IMMEDIATELY IN A PANIC OR EMERGENCY SITUATION. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS INSPECTED THE BRAKE SYSTEM, AND DETERMINED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE CONSTANTLY REPLENISHED WITH BRAKE FLUID. ALSO, THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD TO BE BLED BECAUSE AIR GOT IN IT. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED FOR A PASSENGER VEHICLE AND NOT AN SUV. *AK REPAIRS WERE ALSO PERFORMED ON VEHICLE DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR ON PADS AND ROTORS, AND ON VEHICLE'S FRONT DOOR WEATHER STRIPPING DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR. *LA RECALL#01V228000. THE BRAKE PROBLEM HAD BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASE. *SC

WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH AND MOVING INTO A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND SURGED AHEAD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR A COLLISION. *AK

DRIVER WAS HIT ON LEFT FRONT SIDE OF VEHICLE BY ONCOMING CAR IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLY.*AK

CHECK ENGINE AND ABS BRAKE LIGHT COME ON AT THE SAME TIME; AFTER A WHILE UPON RESTARTING THE ABS BRAKE GOES OFF AND THE CHECK ENGINE STAYS ON FOR A FEW HOURS THEN GOES OFF UPON RESTARTING.*AK

SUN ROOF LEAKING EVEN WITH SUNROOF COMPLETELY CLOSED. SEEMS TO BE NO DRAIN LINES FROM DRAIN HOLES IN SUNROOF COMPARTMENT. WATER DRAINS INTO CAR WELL ON PASSENGER WELL IN FRONT OF CAR. ALSO HAVE HAD WIND NOISE COMING FROM LEFT AREA OF CAR- THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE ROOF RACK. DEALERSHIP CHECK OUT & COULD NOT FIND NOISE. THEY ALSO REMOVED LEFT PANEL OF CAR AROUND WINDSHIELD AND WHEEL WELL TO LOOK FOR NOISE. *AK

WHILE IN A CAR WASH DRIVER RELEASED PRESSURE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT BOUNCED BACK AND SURGED FORWARD AGAIN, HITTING A WALL. ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF BY THE DRIVER. MANUFACTURER WAS SUPPOSED TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM, BUT NEVER INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF THE FINDINGS. *AK

THE FRONT MUDFLAPS ARE BROKEN ON BOTH SIDES. I DID NOTHIT ANYTHING TO CAUSE THEM TO FAIL. AS I DRIVE AROUND, I NOTICE THAT ALMOST ALL HL'S HAVE BROKEN FRONT MUDFLAPS.*AK THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO COST, EVEN IF OUT OF WARRANTY.

ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING RIGHT AT 25,000. CAR GAVE NO SIGN OF FAILURE OR ANYTIME OF PROBLEM. OIL CHANGES WAS PERFORMED EVERY 5000/MI AND CAR WAS RUNNING FINE UNTIL THE LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH AND WE TOOK CAR TO CONCORD TOYOTA TO CHECK ON THE ENGINE LIHT PROBLEM. CONCORD TOYOTA SAID THE ENGINE WAS BURNED IN AND OUT DUE TO LACK OF OIL AND BLAMED THA CUSTOMER FOR POOR MAINTENANCE TO THE CAR AND REFUSE TO FIX THE CAR UNDER THE WARRANTY. IT'S BEEN 3MONTHS THAT CONCORD TOYOTA STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE CAR WITH THE ENGINE OPENED APART AND STILL REFUSED TO COVER UNDER THE WARRANTY.

MY HIGHLANDER HAD SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS CLEANED OUT. I WAS TOLD THAT IF I CHANGE MY OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES INSTEAD OF 7,500.00 THAT WOULD NOT HAPPEN. THE TOYOTA MANUEL STATES EVERY 7,500. REMEMBER MY CAR ONLY HAS 18,202 MILES ON IT. IT'S NOT EVEN 2 YR OLD YET. THE SERVICE ADVISOR ASSURED ME THAT IF I CHANGE MY OIL EVERY 3,000 AND NOT EVERY 7,500 LIKE THE MANUAL SAYS THAT IF THIS HAPPEN AGAIN THEY WOULD COVER THE PROBLEM.

OIL SLUDGE ISSUE. THE TOYOTA WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 1.5 WEEKS. THE FINAL BILL DID NOT INCLUDE ANY TOTALS, BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED PARTS ALONE WERE CLOSE TO $1600. WE WERE VERY DISTURBED WITH TOYOTA'S POSITION THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE AND THAT THEY WOULD ONLY REPAIR THIS ISSUE ONCE WITHIN THE FIRST EIGHT YEARS. THEY INDICATED THAT WE FOLLOWED THE WRONG MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE OF NORMAL RATHER THAN SEVERE CONDITIONS FOR FLORIDA. CONSIDERING THE OWNERS MANUAL DOES NOT SPECIFY THIS, AND THAT I OWN A LEXUS THAT HAS NO SIGNS OF PROBLEM AFTER FOLLOWING THE SAME SCHEDULE, WE WERE DISAPPOINTED WITH THEIR RESPONSE. SINCE THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP COULD GIVE US NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN IN THE NEAR FUTURE, EVEN IF THEY CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 5000 MILES AS HE DIRECTED, WE TURNED AROUND AND TRADED THE VEHICLE IN ON A HONDA THE SAME DAY. I DID CONTACT SW TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY ACCUSED US OF THE SAME FAULTY MAINTENANCE AS THE SERVICE MANAGER. IT WAS OBVIOUS AFTER SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS THAT TOYOTA NO LONGER STANDS FOR QUALITY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE. AS I INDICATED TO THEM IN A RECENT EMAIL AND A LETTER THAT I AM CURRENTLY DRAFTING, THEY HAVE LOST A TOYOTA OWNER FOREVER. NOW THAT WE HAVE DIVESTED OURSELVES OF THE HIGHLANDER, I PLAN TO SELL THE LEXUS AS WELL. I KNOW YOU DIDN'T NEED TO HEAR ALL THIS, BUT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. TOYOTA HONORED ITS CSP (ONCE IN EIGHT YEARS), BUT I UNSURE HOW MUCH THE REPAIR COST WERE.

ENGINE OIL SLUDGE. THE ESTIMATED COST OF OUR ENGINE PROBLEM WAS $7,200 (CANADIAN) AND IT STARTED AT 38,000 KM (24,000 MILES). THE MATTER WAS RESOLVED WHEN WE DUG UP AN OLD OIL CHANGE SLIP THAT MY WIFE AND I HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT ALTOGETHER. BEFORE THE DISCOVERY WE WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A RECEIPT FOR EACH YEAR THAT WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR SO TOYOTA INSISTED THAT IT WAS CUSTOMER NEGLIGENCE THAT RESULTED IN THE OIL SLUDGE. TOP ENGINE BLOCK WAS REPLACED AND WE GOT OFF SCOTT FREE. WHEN AN OIL LEAK WAS DETECTED AFTER A WEEK OF GETTING THE CAR BACK FROM THE SHOP, WE BROUGHT IT BACK IN AND THEY FIXED IT AGAIN - NO CHARGE. I FEEL THAT THIS WAS A BIT LIKE DAVID KNOCKING OUT GOLIATH.

I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER VEHICLE. AT TIMES, WHEN SPEEDS EXCEED 65 MPH THE REARVIEW SIDE MIRRORS CREATE A WHISTLING SOUND. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE AND TOLD ME HE COULD NOT TEST THE VEHICLE AT THAT SPEED, BUT SEVERAL HIGHWAYS AROUND MEMPHIS, TN PERMIT SPEEDS OF 65 AND 70 MPH. *NLM

OIL SLEDGING PROBLEM IN MY 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I AM CONCERNED THAT TOYOTA'S CSP POLICY WILL NOT GO FAR ENOUGH TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE BOTH BLAME FAULTY MAINTENANCE FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT THE OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 7500 MILES AS INDICATED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. TOYOTA'S CSP WILL ONLY REPAIR THE ISSUE ONCE IN 8 YEARS, AND NEITHER WILL ADDRESS WHAT WILL HAPPEN SHOULD THIS ARISE AGAIN. THE DEALER MAINTAINED THIS WAS OUR FAULT UNTIL WE PRESENTED RECEIPTS TO SHOW THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN MAINTAINED APPROPRIATELY. IT WAS AT THIS TIME THAT THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE THE MECHANICS THAT CHANGED OUR OIL NEVER ACTUALLY CHANGED IT. BASED ON THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND FORUMS I MONITORED ONLINE, I FEEL THIS IS TOYOTA'S ATTEMPT TO AVOID TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR A LARGER PROBLEM. I ALSO OWN A LEXUS GS300, AND THE OIL WAS CHANGED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE HIGHLANDER AND I DO NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH IT. *LA

MY 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IS BURNING APPROXIMATELY 1.5 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES. TOYOTA USA SAYS THAT THE ALLOWABLE LIMIT IS 1 QUART EVERY 1,000 MILES AND WILL NOT LOOK AT MY VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *LA

WHEN DRIVING MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN, A PIERCING HIGH PITCH SOUND ELEVATES AND HURTS YOUR EAR THAT YOU CANNOT HEAR ANYTHING (PRACTICALLY DEAF). I'VE INFORMED TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER (CHAD) ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN JANUARY 2003, THEY CLAIMED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. ONE OF THE MECHANICS AT TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER, STATED THAT HE HAD COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER CONSUMERS AND APPARENTLY THIS PROBLEM IS WITH ALL THEIR SUV. I'VE ALSO ASKED SEVERAL OF OUR FRIENDS (HIGHLANDER OWNERS) TO TEST DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES WITH THEIR WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN AND THEY'VE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. WE BASICALLY PURCHASED A VEHICLE THAT YOU CANNOT BE ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOW WHEN DRIVING.*AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HEAVY VIBRATION AND CAUSED A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK AT 55 MPH WHEN BRAKING, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO THE CONTROL THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER AT 75-80 MPH, WHEN BRAKING (NO EMERGENCY), THE STEERING SHOOK VIOLENTLY. *SCC *JB

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING 2-3 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE WENT INTO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, RUNNING INTO GARAGE DOOR. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

REAR PASSENGER'S WINDOW IS INOPERATIVE. *AK

VEHICLE TIRE PUNCTURED. MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED 5 TIRE FAILURES ON 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. *JB

I BOUGHT MY 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN AUGUST 2001..........AT 15 MONTHS/50,000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION STARTED LEAKING AND WHEN IT STARTED SLIPPING TOYOTA RAPIDLY REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION. A LEAK WAS DETERMINED WITHIN WEEKS OF THE REPLACEMENT AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER SEAL (TCS) HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPON REPLACING THE TCS THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS FOUND TO BE DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. HAS THE HIGHLANDER REQUIRED TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENTS?*JB

FAILURE OF DEULER TIRES. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FIVE TIRE FAILURES AT DIFFERENT MILEAGES ( 4500, 12816, 15480, 20000, 29160). *TT *NLM