2003 Toyota Highlander complaints

CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC. WHEN OTHER CARS STOPPED, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. INSTEAD OF STOPPING, THE CAR CONTINUED FORWARD, HITTING ANOTHER CAR. IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY TO HAVE THE BRAKES EVALUATED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE REPAIRMAN SAW THOSE KIND OF ACCIDENTS ALL THE TIME WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. " YOU CANNOT HIT THEM HARD OR THEY WILL FAIL". *TR

VSC SKID CONTROL/ECU FAILURE IN 2003 HIGHLANDER. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS: MY CAR LIGHTLY SKIDDED ON ICE OR WATER AND THE CHECK ENGINE/VSC AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. EVERY TIME THE CAR SKIDS, THE LIGHTS COME ON AND THE SKID CONTROL APPEARS TO BE DISABLED. *TR

I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A SHOPPING CENTER NEAR MY HOME, THEN BACKED UP A FEW FEET IN ORDER TO STRAIGHTEN MY CAR. WHEN I PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE, THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD ENTIRELY ON ITS OWN, STRIKING THE CONCRETE BARRIER A FEW FEET IN FRONT OF MY CAR. I DID NOT ACCELERATE, THERE WERE NO FLOOR MATS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND THE FORCE THREW ME AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. A WITNESS RAN OVER TO SEE I WAS INJURED, BUT I WAS JUST BADLY FRIGHTENED. THE FRONT FENDER WAS DENTED, BUT ACTUALLY POPPED BACK OUT AS I WAS STANDING BESIDE MY CAR WITH THE WITNESS. I HAD PREVIOUSLY COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ENGINE ALTERNATELY SLOWING AND SURGING AS I DROVE, USUALLY ONLY AT SPEEDS UP TO 40MPH, TO MY LOCAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WHEN I CALLED MY SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY GAVE ME A TOLL FREE NUMBER WHERE I SPOKE TO A TOYOTA CASE MANAGER WHO ASSIGNED ME A CASE NUMBER AND TREATED ME VERY COLDLY AND WITH SUSPICION, ASKING PERSONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT MY HEALTH, INSURANCE COMPANY AND DRIVING RECORD. I SAID I WAS JUST CONCERNED THAT MY CAR HAD BEHAVED LIKE ONE I HAD JUST HEARD ABOUT ON THE LOCAL NEWS, AND I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO AND PREVENT OTHERS FROM EXPERIENCING WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO ME OR WORSE THE CASE MGR. SAID THEY WOULD CALL ME BACK. THEY NEVER CALLED BACK. THE FOLLOWING MONTH I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THEY SAID THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS. *TR

VEHICLE SUDDENLY LEAKS ENGINE COOLANT TO THE OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY WARNING OF OVERHEATING. LEAK IS COMING FROM A DEFECTIVE HEAD BOLT AND CANNOT BE FIXED. ENTIRE ENGINE BLOCK NEEDS REPLACEMENT. A VERY COMMON ISSUE AMONG 4 CYLINDER 2001-2006 TOYOTA ENGINES IN THE CAMRY,HIGHLANDER AND RAV 4 LEAKING HARMFUL COOLANT TO THE OUTSIDE OF VEHICLES THAT IS DEADLY TO HUMANS AND ANIMALS IF CONSUMED. NOT TO MENTION OVERHEATING OF ENGINE THAT CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND VACUUM THAT SUPPLIES POWER TO STEERING AND BRAKES. *TR

2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER-LIMITED (V6): POWER STEERING PUMP FLUID LINES CORRODING AND LEAKING FLUID; THEREBY CAUSING FAILURE OF PWR-ASSISTED STEERING AT ANY SPEED. IN JAN-FEB 2010, MY HIGHLANDER EXHIBITED SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED STEERING EASE AT INTERMITTENT PERIODS. HIGHEST SAFETY RISK OCCURRENCES WERE AT (1) HWY SPEEDS, AND (2) CITY TRAFFIC SPEEDS WHEN ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE HANDLING WAS REQUIRED. A DEALER IN FREDERICK, MD DIAGNOSED THE PROB AS THOROUGHLY CORRODED PWR STEERING PUMP LINES. THEY REPLACED THE LINES AT MY COST. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 56K MILES ON IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT A WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING . THERE WERE FRONT END DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. THERE WERE REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,300.

HEADLIGHT LENSES HAVE BECOME PROGRESSIVELY TRANSLUCENT BLOCKING SIGNIFICANT LIGHT ENERGY FROM VEHICLE TO OPERATE VEHICLE IN A TOTALLY SAFE MANNER. (INCIDENT DATE AND ODOMETER READING NOT APPLICABLE IN THIS CASE.) SOME INTERNET WEB SITES SUGGEST DRILLING HOLES IN THE HEADLAMP FIXTURE TO FIX PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD STAND BEHIND GETTING THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT EXCLUSIVE TO TOYOTAS AS I HAVE OBSERVED OTHER BRANDS OF VEHICLES WITH THE SAME SAFETY PROBLEM AND MAY BE RELATED SPECIFICALLY TO A HEADLIGHT FIXTURE MANUFACTURER SHARED BY OTHER VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE WHICH DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT THEN PUT THE GEAR NEUTRAL WHICH SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN AND SHE WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP, HOWEVER THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT NO ACTION WAS TAKEN. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,752. UPDATED 04/09/10. *LJ UPDATED EVOQ 06/08/10.*JB UPDATED 06/15/10.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UP AN INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT WITH AN AGGRESSIVE FORCE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE TRAVELED INTO THE HIGHWAY MEDIAN. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGES TO THE BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT BUMPER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

FOR THE LAST YEAR, THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR ON MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED HAS BEEN LOOSE AND DOES NOT STAY UP - IT IS ESPECIALLY LOOSE DURING WARMER WEATHER. THE VISOR WILL FALL DOWN IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S FACE, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR ROUGH ROADS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND A SAFETY HAZARD WHICH COULD LEASE TO A SERIOUS INCIDENT. I HAVE MENTIONED THIS TWICE WHILE BRINGING MY VEHICLE FOR MAINTENANCE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED AND I WOULD HAVE TO BUY A NEW VISOR. LAST WEEK I SPOKE WITH THE PARTS DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THIS IS COMMON AND A NEW VISOR COST MORE THAN $700 BECAUSE IT HAS THE HOMELINK. IT WAS SUGGESTED I GET A VISOR WITHOUT HOMELINK FOR AROUND $70. WHILE THIS IS AFFORDABLE, I WOULD THEN LOSE THE HOMELINK FEATURE, WHICH WAS PART OF MY DECISION-MAKING TO BUY THE HIGHLANDER. MY GUESS IS THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR IS HAVING THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE ADDITIONAL WEIGHT CAUSED BY THE HOMELINK. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE VISOR, AND BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD REPLACE OR REPAIR AT THEIR COST. *TR

2003 V6 AWD TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FRONT TO REAR DRIVE SHAFT FAILURE (PROPELLER SHAFT). *TR

FAULTY ELECTRONIC COMPUTER MODULE ON 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THROWS MULTIPLE ERROR CODES TO INDICATE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH EMISSION COMPONENTS. ERROR CODES CALL OUT OXYGEN SENSORS, (THERE IS FOUR SENSORS ON 2003 (4) CYLINDER HIGHLANDERS). FIX ONE SENSOR AND ANOTHER POPS UP BAD ACCORDING TO THE ERROR CODES. ANOTHER $400 REPAIR BILL ! TOYOTA WILL REPLACE THE MODULE ON CARS WITH WARRANTY, NO PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THEY DENY THERE IS ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE MODULE WHEN NO WARRANTY IS INVOLVED. CODES AT TIMES ALSO SHOW A FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER ($1000 REPAIR BILL ). IF YOU VISIT THE TOYOTA NATION WEB SITE YOU WILL SEE MANY REPORTS OF THE COMPONENT AT ISSUE. THIS IS ON THE SAME VEHICLES AS THE ONE I OWN. SOME PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED TOYOTA CHARGES UNSUSPECTING CUSTOMERS $1600 TO REPAIR THESE FOUR SENSORS. ( NOT MY WORDS, TAKEN OFF THE TOYOTA NATION FORUMS). PLEASE DEMAND TOYOTA REPLACE THE MODULES ON THESE VEHICLES. THANK YOU ! *TR

THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED AT ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN IT SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE LEFT AND CRASHING INTO A LARGE BOULDER. THE POLICE REPORT SUGGESTED IT WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE. I ASKED TOYOTA TO DO A FORENSIC EXAMINATION OF THE VEHICLE TO AVOID A SIMILAR OCCURRENCE ON OTHER VEHICLES AS A SIMILAR INCIDENT AT HIGHWAY SPEED MIGHT HAVE HAD VERY SERIOUS RESULTS. TOYOTA ADVISED THAT THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND "DETERMINED THAT ALL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS THE RESULT OF IMPACT AND NOT THE RESULT OF ANY MANUFACTURING DEFECT." *TR

MY 2003 HIGHLANDER HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE DRIVER SIDE SUNVISOR. DURING MOVEMENT OF THE CAR IT'S CONSTANTLY FALLING DOWN INTO MY LINE OF VISION DURING DRIVING. IT STARTED FALLING DOWN ONLY OCASSIONALLY OVER SPEED BUMPS AND NOW IT JUST FALLS DOWN ALMOST EVER FEW MINUTES WHILE DRIVING. I TRIED TO GET THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO REPACE THE VISOR UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED BY IT. AFTER READING MANY POSTINGS ON THE WEB IT SEEMS THAT MANY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. MY VISOR HAS BUILT IN ELECTRICAL PARTS ON IT THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO CONTROL A GARAGE DOOR, HOUSE LIGHTS, ETC. IN WHICH TOYOTA SAY IS A "HOME CENTER CONTROL" - I HAVE NOT PUT ANYTHING ON THE VISOR TO MAKE IT ANY HEAVIER THAN HOW THE FACTORY PRODUCED IT. THE VISOR IS TOO HEAVY AND IT CAN NOT BE SUPPORTED BY THE METAL PART THAT CONNECTS IT TO THE ROOF OF THE CAR. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP GAVE NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN TO REPLACE THE VISOR AT MY COST BUT I HAVE READ OTHER PEOPLES POSTS SAYING THAT THE ISSUE WILL ONLY HAPPEN AGAIN. THEY INFORMED ME THE PART ALONE IS $800 WITHOUT INSTALLATION. I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE VELCRO WOULD WORK SO I TRIED TO VELCRO THE VISOR TO THE ROOF OF MY CAR BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE VELCOR IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD THE VISOR TO THE ROOF AND DURING THE SUMMER THE GLUE MELTS AND DOESN'T ALLOW THE VELCRO TO STICK TO THE ROOF THUS I CAN NOT KEEP THE VISOR UP. THIS ISSUE STARTED ABOUT 2007 AND PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE AND NOW THE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP MORE

MY COMPLAINT CENTERS AROUND THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR ON THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THIS PROBLEM HAS BECOME MORE APPARENT WITHIN THE LAST YEAR ON THE 2003 MODEL THAT MY WIFE AND I OWN. *TW

I ROUTINELY HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH MY BRAKES ON MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. JUST RECENTLY I DISCOVERED THAT THE PROBLEM IS CUASED BY MY "BIG FEET" - I AM A SIZE 14. IF MY FOOT IS STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN THE TOP OF MY SHOE OR BOOT RESTS AGAINST THE METAL BRACKET AND I LOSE ALL THE LEVERAGE ON THE BRAKE. IN ESSENCE - I HAVE TO STAND ON THE BRAKE TO MAKE THE CAR STOP. I NOW TRY TO REMEMBER TO KEEP MY FOOT TILTED TO THE SIDE SO THAT I ONLY PUSH ON THE RUBBER PAD OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD ALTER HOW I APPLY THE BRAKES TO GET THEM TO WORK. THE BRAKE PEDAL DESIGN NEEDS TO BE CHANGED. AT LEAST TWICE I HAVE HAD NEAR ACCIDENTS WHEN I HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY AND MY REFLEX WAS TO BRAKE NORAMLLY - NOT TILT MY FOOT TO THE SIDE. I ENTERED THE LAST DATE THIS OCCURED. *TR

)N THE MORNING OF 12-05-09, AS I'M PULLING INTO MY GARAGE, THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD WITH AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN SPEED. BEFORE I COULD BRAKE, THE CAR SLAMMED INTO A STEEL SHELVING UNIT ON THE BACK WALL WHICH RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE WALL ( BOTH INTERIOR & EXTERIOR) AND WHAT APPEARED TO BE MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE AUTO. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY TOYOTA SERVICE ON THAT SAME DAY BECAUSE I/WE FELT THAT THIS COULD CONSTITUTE AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. TOTAL COSTS FROM THIS INCIDENT WERE AS FOLLOWS: COVERED BY INSURANCE- $3607.81 (PLUS 703.31 PD. DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER?) AND $916.27 ( 500.00 INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE AND AN ADDITIONAL MECHANICAL CHARGE FOR A FUEL/AIR SENSOR THAT FAILED ON 12-26-09). I HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED "SUDDEN ACCELERATION" WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE NOTIFIED BOTH MY LOCAL DEALER, SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS AND TOYOTA CUSTOMER RELATIONS REGARDING THE PROBLEM STATING THAT THERE MAY BE OTHER VEHICLES BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THEIR CURRENT RECALL THAT SHOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED AS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. *TR UPDATED 05/03.10 TOYOTA DENIED THE CONSUMER CLAIM, STATING THE VEHICLE EXAMINATION REVEALED NO APPARENT REASON FOR THE ACCELERATION. HOWEVER, THE DEALER THAT PERFORMED THE INSPECTION STATED THE THROTTLE WAS BECAME STUCK DUE TO GUMMY DEPOSITS CASED BY ETHANOL IN THE GASOLINE. UPDATED 08/210/10*JB

ON MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2008 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:45 A.M. CDT, I DROVE MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON TO THE EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT AT UNIGROUP, INC. AS I ALWAYS DID, I PULLED UP PAST MY ASSIGNED PARKING SPOT, STOPPED, AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE TO BACK INTO MY SPACE. WHEN I MOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE TO THE ACCELERATOR AND TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BACK INTO SPACE 304, THE SUV SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A TREMENDOUS SPEED, HIT AND BOUNCED OFF THE FORD EXPLORER PARKED IN SPACE 305 AND THEN HIT THE SUBARU LEGACY WAGON PARKED IN SPACE 317 IMMEDIATELY BEHIND SPACE 304. ONE WITNESS WHO WAS IN THE PARKING LOT AT THE TIME LATER TOLD ME THAT WHILE HE DID NOT SEE THE CRASH, HE HEARD A HUGE ROAR OF A MOTOR AND THE CRASHING NOISE OF THE IMPACT. THE OWNER OF THE SUBARU ALSO DID NOT SEE THE INITIAL ACCELERATION OF THE SUV, BUT HEARD THE TIRES SCREECHING AND TURNED IN TIME TO SEE MY SUV HIT HIS SUBARU. BOTH OF THE TWO WITNESSES HELPED ME LOAD THE BACK BUMPER OF MY HIGHLANDER INTO THE CARGO AREA. PRIOR TO GOING INTO THE OFFICE, I CHECKED THE FLOOR MAT UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT COULD NOT SEE ANY INDICATION THAT IT IN ANY WAY HAD MOVED. I AM CONVINCED THAT THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED MY HIGHLANDER WAS THE FACT THAT IT HIT THE TWO VEHICLES IN SPACES 305 AND 317. LATER THAT DAY (4.28.2008), I CALLED TOYOTA TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. I WAS TOLD BY A REPRESENTATIVE BY THE NAME OF BARBARA THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS OR RECALLS ON THE HIGHLANDER, ONLY THE CAMRY (THIS ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA.) MY REPO

2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, I HAVE A RANDOMLY OCCURRING PROBLEM WITH THE GAS PEDAL STICKING WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. MY YEAR MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL BUT I WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT THERE ARE OTHER POSSIBLE PROBLEMS OUT THERE. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THERE IS NOTHING THAT I CAN DO AND IT IS RANDOMLY OCCURRING. *TR

2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER UNCONTROLLED SURGE IN ACCELERATION. CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS LIMITED TO NO USE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FLOOR MAT PLAYED ABSOLUTELY NO ROLE IN THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION INCIDENT. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS, BUT COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE CAUSE. *JB

1. ENGINE OVERTEMP 2. ENGINE CONTINUALLY RUNS HOT. CANNOT USE VEHICLE 3. REPLACED HEAD GASKET, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. HE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED TO RESUME OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE REAR HEAD BOLTS AND A BLOWN HEAD GASKET WERE STRIPPED. ALSO THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED. THE TOTAL COST OF THE SERVICE REPAIR WAS $1,972. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,047. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/06/10. *LJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. HE DOWN-SHIFTED , THEN SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, AND THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES. HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DURING THE FAILURE, THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT UNDER THE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS OPEN, WHICH COULD AFFECT THE SPEED. HOWEVER THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR LOCATE ANY DIAGNOSTIC ERROR CODES.. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,467.

THROTTLE STUCK OPEN AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ON MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON RT 4 IN CALVERT COUNTY, MD. IT WAS NECESSARY TO WEAVE IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC UNTIL I COULD SAFELY GET OFF ROAD. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST GARAGE. MECHANIC BLAMED THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY AND CLEANED. DROVE VEHICLE HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. THROTTLE AGAIN STUCK OPEN NEXT TIME I STARTED VEHICLE AND BEGAN TO DRIVE AWAY FROM HOUSE. I HAD THE TOWED VEHICLE TO BAYSIDE TOYOTA, PRINCE FREDERICK, MD WITH THROTTLE STILL STUCK OPEN FOR THEM TO SEE WHAT WAS OCCURRING. SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WHICH WAS BAD. REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $1,668.74. SERVICE MANAGER, WHO SUGGESTED MY FLOOR MAT MAY HAVE PUSHED DOWN THROTTLE BEFORE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED, SAID I WAS LUCKY TO GET THE CAR TO THE GARAGE SINCE THE WORN THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY MADE DRIVING DANGEROUS. I SENT A LETTER TO TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA, INC, TORRANCE, CA ON 07/10/2009, AND EXPLAINED THE INCIDENT, THE POSSIBLE DANGEROUS RESULTS, AND THE HIGH COST OF REPAIR. TOYOTA RESPONDED WITH AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT DATED 07/25/2009, AND SAID I COULD CALL THEIR OFFICE IF INTERESTED IN DISCUSSING INCIDENT. I CALLED AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVE SAID THEY HAD NO RECORD OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS, AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO MANY YEARS AND MILES FOR A WARRANTY CONSIDERATION OF A CREDIT ON THE NEW THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS CONVERSATION RESULTED IN A RECORD BEING MADE SINCE I RECEIVED A DUPLICATE OF THE 07/25/

THIS PERTAINS TO MY WIFE'S 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUV, 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2009, WHILE DRIVING SHE NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE GAGE ON THE DASHBOARD WAS HIGH. SHE DROVE THE CAR HOME AND CHECKED THE COOLANT LEVEL. IT WAS EXTREMELY LOW. SHE REFILLED THE COOLANT AND DIDN'T DRIVE THE SUV UNTIL SHE WENT TO HER APPOINTMENT ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 WITH THE HAWAII TOYOTA DEALER SERVCO'S MOTOR IMPORTS SERVICE & PARTS CENTER AT 609 SOUTH STREET, HONOLULU, HAWAII 96813. THEY TOLD HER THE ENGINE HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. WE UNDERSTAND THIS IS BECAUSE THE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS ARE STRIPPED ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE COOLANT LEAK IN THE FIRST PLACE. SERVCO TOLD US THAT THE SURE REPAIR (A WHOLE NEW ENGINE) WOULD EXCEED $20,000, AND THE LESS SURE REPAIR (TRYING TO FIX THE OLD ENGINE) WOULD COST $13,000. WE PICKED UP THE CAR THE NEXT DAY AND TOOK IT TO PRIAM'S AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE & REPAIR AT 2002 PAUOA ROAD. THEY DID A QUICK TEST AND SAID THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS INDEED BLOWN, AND REFERRED US TO ROD'S AUTO SERVICE AT 972 KAWAIAHAO STREET BECAUSE PRIAM'S WAS NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THAT MAGNITUDE OF REPAIR. ROD'S HAS ADVISED US THAT THE BEST SOLUTION IS REPLACING THE ENTIRE ENGINE WITH A REBUILT ENGINE FOR $5,000, BUT THIS HAS BECOME A COMMON PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS AND LOCATING A REBUILT ENGINE ON THE MAINLAND WILL TAKE TIME. IN DOING SOME INTERNET RESEARCH, I'VE LEARNED THAT CAMRYS OF THE SAME VINTAGE HAVE ALSO DEVELOPED SIMILAR PROBLE

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2003 SUN VISOR SAFETY ISSUE. THE SUN VISOR OF MY VEHICLE HAS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAD IT REPLACED FOR A NEW ONE, AND THE PROBLEM CAME BACK AGAIN. THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE WITH HOMELINKED/LIGHTED ON IT. IT DOES NOT STAY UP AND IT BLOCKS MY VIEW WHEN I AM DRIVING. I NOTICED ON THE INTERNET THAT MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUES WITH THIS SUN VISOR. THE TOYOTA REFUSED TO REPLACE IT. *TR ANDY NGUYEN

2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN. SAFETY CONCERNS AS IT BLOCKS VIEW WHILE DRIVING. RIDICULOUS COST TO REPLACE WITH NEW NOT ASSURED IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN SOON. *TR

ENGINE OVERHEATED. SERVICE DEPT DIAGNOSED BAD HEAD GASKET. DISCOVERED STRIPPED THREADS IN THE BLOCK FOR TWO REAR HEAD BOLTS. SERVICE DEPT ATTEMPTED REPAIR WITH RETHREADED HELICOIL BUT WOULD NOT HOLD. ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS REQUIRED. *TR

ON THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FROM AT LEAST 2002 THROUGH CURRENT MODELS THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FAILS TO STAY IN THE FORWARD DETENT POSITION. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE VISOR FALLS TO THE VERTICAL POSITION, BLOCKING THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS CAUSES CONFUSION AND DISTRACTION WHICH POTENTIALLY COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITH DAMAGE AND INJURY OR DEATH RESULTING. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO TOYOTA BY ME AND ACCORDING TO GOOGLE SEARCHES BY NUMEROUS PERSONS. TOYOTA DENIES ANY PROBLEM EXISTS. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 AWD V6 LIMITED HIGHLANDER (HL) WITH 115,000 MILES. ABOUT 200 MILES AGO, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING DURING THE THIRD TO FOURTH GEAR SHIFT. HL GOES INTO NEUTRAL, THE REVS GO WAY UP, THEN IT SHIFTS WITH A CLUNK. I CAN MINIMIZE THE CLUNK FROM A STOP BY ACCELERATING TO 25 MPH, TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS, LETTING THE REVS DROP DOWN TO 1200 RPM (AT WHICH POINT THE TRANS WILL SHIFT TO FOURTH GEAR), AND THEN STEPPING ON THE GAS. THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS IN FIRST, SECOND, THIRD OR FOURTH GEAR. THE CAR RUNS FINE IN FOURTH GEAR. IT IS ONLY A PROBLEM WITH THE THIRD GEAR TO FOURTH GEAR SHIFT. TRIED NOT USING OVERDRIVE, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. THIS IS MY FIRST PROBLEM WITH THE HL. I ALWAYS GET MY HL SERVICED AT TOYOTA DEALER AT 5000 MILES INTERVALS. DEALER SAYS THE TRANS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IN CALIFORNIA, THE PRICE IS OVER $4500 FOR THE "NEW" TRANS. DEALER WILL GIVE ME A 10% DISCOUNT ON PARTS AND LABOR. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THERE WAS A WAY TO REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER MODULE ON MY 2003 HIGHLANDER. HE CHECKED AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO RE-PROGRAM THE MODULE AND THERE WERE NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS PROBLEM. I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A "REBUILT TRANS" FROM TOYOTA. THE TRANSMISSION CASE IS A USED CASE, BUT ALL OF THE INTERNAL PARTS ARE NEW. I SENT AN E-MAIL TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO THANK THE SERVICE MANAGER FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. I ALSO ASKED THEM TO FORWARD THE NOTE ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLE

I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH A @AZFE MOTOR IN IT. THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE MOTORS STRIPPING OUT THE HEADBOLTSIN THE BACK OF THE MOTOR. I AM NOW IN A PREDICAMENT AS I HAVE TO GET A BLOCK WHEN I KNOW IT WILL MESS UP AGAIN AND TOYOTA HAS AS OF YET TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE NOISE CHANGED. TOOK THE SUV TO THE DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT, DEALER STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS OK AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO ME. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE LESS THAN 10 MILES RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER AND THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY ENGINE TEMP IN MY 4 CYL, 4WD 2003 HIGHLANDER SUDDENLY SPIKED HIGH. I HAD TO PULL OF THE ROAD. TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER SAID BOLTS ON SHORT BLOCK OF ENGINE WERE STRIPPED AND ALLOWED COOLANT TO LEAK OUT AND ENGINE OVERHEATED. I WAS AT 68,000 MILES, SO OVER THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID I HAD A BAD WATER PUMP...I PAID TO HAVE THAT FIXED, BUT THE CAR STILL OVERHEATED. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY THEN SAID IT WAS THE ENGINE ITSELF..THE SHORT BLOCK, SOMETHING ABOUT THE SCREWS WERE STRIPPED, THAT I HAD GOTTEN A BAD ENGINE WITH STRIPPED SCREWS. DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE ON SOME 4CYL 2003 HIGHLANDER BUT COULDN'T HELP ME AS IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY!!! THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME BACK LATER AND SAID THAT TOYOTA WOULD HELP OUT...I ENDED UP PAYING A TOTAL OF ALMOST $1000 FOR THE REPLACEMENT SHORT BLOCK, WITH TOYOTA PAYING THE REST OF THE COST FOR THE SHORT BLOCK REPLACEMENT. THIS WAS ON TOP OF THE COST I PAID JUST A FEW DAYS PRIOR FOR A WATER PUMP THAT TURNED OUT TO NOT BE THE ISSUE. VERY FRUSTRATING...I HAVE ALL MY RECEIPTS FOR MAINTENANCE AND FOR THESE REPAIRS. *TR I AM FILLING OUT THIS COMPLAINT OVER A YEAR AFTER THE INCIDENT, BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN THE SAME THING IN THE COMPLAINTS AND WANTED TO ADD MINE. I DO HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTATION FOR MY REPAIRS FOR THIS AND AM MORE THAN WILLING TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, THANK YOU.

THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR OF MY 2003 HIGHLANDER DOES NOT STAY IN ITS PROPER PLACE. IN INTERNET FORUMS THIS SEEMS TO BE A PREVAILING SAFETY ISSUE. SOME SAY THE VISOR FLAPS DOWN WHEN THE HIGHLANDER HITS A BUMP. THIS CAN BE A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. IT HAS STARTLED SOME DRIVERS AND IS DISCONCERTING TO OTHERS. A NEW VISOR WOULD COST OVER $625 TO REPLACE, WHICH SOME HAVE DONE ONLY TO FIND THAT IN 3 TO 4 MONTHS, THE SAME THING OCCURS. TOYOTA DOES NOT WARRANT THE VISOR. *TR

THE SUV WAS OUT OF COOLANT & WATER AND MY HUSBAND TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO CHECK THIS PROBLEM AND FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE (THE CAR ONLY HAS RECEIVED SERVICE AT THE DEALER, EXCEPT FOR TIRES). THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS THAT THE SHOCK BLOCK HAS IT THREADS SEPARATED FROM THE SCREWS (OR BOLTS). THE ENGINE HAS TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE SHOCK BLOCK. THE REPAIR HAS COST $4701.31, BECAUSE IT WAS ALSO RECOMMENDED TO CHANGE THE OIL PUMP. PREVIOUS TO THIS REPAIR, THE SUV WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL TO REPROGRAM ITS COMPUTER BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON (THIS HAPPENED TWICE). WE HAVE A FULL RECORD IN THE DEALER OF ALL MAINTENANCE CHECKS AND REPAIRS THE SUV HAD. *TR

GENTLEMEN: I AM WRITING YOU THIS E-MAIL BECAUSE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR THAT IS NOT ONLY IRRITATING, BUT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TO ALL WHO OWN A FULL TIME FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. MY HIGHLANDER IS A 2003, AND ALTHOUGH WE WERE PROMISED FULL TIME FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE WHEN WE BOUGHT IT, WE FOUND OUT LATER TO OUR HORROR THAT IT IS NOT. WHEN DRIVING DOWN A PAVED HIGHWAY, ALL FOUR WHEELS ARE DRIVING. THIS IS A TIME WHEN FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE IS NOT NEEDED. HOWEVER, A FEW MONTHS AGO, WE DROVE OFF THE PAVEMENT INTO SAND ON A PICNIC TRIP, BUT DID NOT WORRY BECAUSE THE 'FULL TIME' FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE WOULD PULL US OUT. IT DID NOT! ONE OF THE FRONT WHEELS BEGAN TO SPIN IN THE SAND AND THE OTHER THREE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED DRIVING. WE WERE STUCK! THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS IS NOT ANTI-SLIP, BUT THE STANDARD DIFFERENTIAL THAT WILL STOP ALL WHEELS FROM DRIVING WHEN ONE LOOSES TRACTION. THIS IS HARDLY FULL-TIME FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE NO MATTER HOW YOU DEFINE IT. WE WERE SOLD A CAR WE PAID FOR BUT DID NOT GET, AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. WHO KNOWS HOW MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN BILKED BY TOYOTA WITH THIS CAR, AND WILL GET THEM INTO TROUBLE THINKING THEY HAD A CAR THAT WOULD PULL THEM OUT. I WOULD LIKE TO START A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT TO GET OUR MONEY BACK OR GET A FREE CAR THAT IS INDEED THE FULL TIME FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WE PAID FOR AND DESERVE. *TR

ENGINE HEAD BOLTS ON 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER BECAME LOOSE; THREADS HAD WORN OFF ON 2 OR 3 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE TOP OF THE ENGINE TO THE MAIN ENGINE BLOCK. VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL-MAINTAINED; 87,000 MILES. REPAIR REQUIRES NEW ENGINE BLOCK AT COST OF $6,400. APPEARS TO BE MANUFACTURING DEFECT - ENGINE BOLTS SHOULD NOT COME LOOSE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE IN REPAIR. VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. *TR

I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES IN MY 2003 HIGHLANDER IN FEB AND AUG 2008 COMPLAINING OF SQUEALING AND OCCASIONAL GRINDING. I RETURNED IN OCT, NOV AND DEC ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY HEAR NO NOISE. I E-MAILED THE SERVICE MGR IN JAN 2009 AND THEY PICKED UP SERVICED & DELIVERED THE CAR TO ME. WITHIN 24 HOURS I HAD GRINDING AGAIN. I WAS WONDERING IF THESE ARE THE SAME BRAKES THEY USED ON THE 2004 LEXUS. MY HUSBAND WAS UNABLE TO STOP LAST WEEK AND DID TAP THE BUMPER OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF US, FORTUNATELY THEIR BUMPER WAS NOT A TOYOTA SO IT DID NOT SCRATCH LIKE OURS DOES. *TR

TEMP (HOT/COLD) DIAL ELECTRICAL SHORT. TEMP SETTING CONTINUOUSLY FAILS TO HOLD SET TEMP & BLOWS OPPOSITE OF SETTING. FEAR OF ELECTRICAL FIRE PLUS UNABLE TO DEFROST WINDSHIELD FOR GOOD VISIBILITY. FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR SOME HELP ON THIS ITEM AS AFTER INVESTIGATING I FOUND THAT ONE DEALERSHIP REPLACED 1,100 LAST YEAR AND HAS REPLACE SEVERAL ALREADY THIS YEAR. I WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM EXCEPT THE FAILED SWITCH CAN NOT BE REPLACE THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT PART COST $669.00 PLUS LABOR TO INSTALL. BEING A SINGLE MOM I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY AND TRULY FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO DEFROST PROPERLY. *TR

MANUAL HEATER CONTROL DIAL LOST FUNCTION TO CONTROL TEMPERATURE. HEATER ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR. RECOMMENDATION WAS TO REPLACE HEATER CONTROL PANEL AT COST OF APPROXIMATELY $600 FOR THE PART ALONE. LABOR ADDITION CHARGE. *TR

VEHICLE WHICH WAS OUT OF WARRANTY WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND WAS OBSERVED DURING EARLY MORNING HOURS TO BE LEAKING FUEL FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPORTED THAT THE ROLL-OVER BALL (SAFETY FEATURE IN A ROLL-OVER CRASH) HAD ACTIVATED AND HAD FLOATED TO THE TOP OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK FORCING FUEL INTO THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. THE FUEL TANK HAD BEEN FILLED SEVERAL DAYS PREVIOUSLY. DEALER ESTIMATED REPAIRS TO BE $1500 FOR A NEW TANK, CANISTER, AND OTHER PARTS. FORTUNATELY, THE DISTRICT REP FOR TOYOTA INTERVENED AND PAID FOR ALL PARTS AND HALF OF LABOR AT WARRANTY RATES. VEHICLE OWNER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ONLY $248.50. *TR

2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V-6 WITH 66450 MILES. DRIVING HOME GOING 40 TO 45 MPH, CAR TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SKIP, ENGINE WOULD SURGE THEN BUCK AND ENGINE WOULD HESITATE. DROVE ON TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. *TR

REPLACEMENT OF A CHARCOAL CANISTER ON A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART; HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF REPORTS OF HAVING TO REPLACE THIS VERY EXPENSIVE PART. ALSO IF THE PART IS A SAFETY HAZARD (MAY CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE) IT SHOULD NOT BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OWNER. THE PART IS AN EMISSION CONTROL DEVICE THAT IS SURELY REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT. THIS ACTION IS TAKEN BECAUSE I NOTICED, WHILE RESEARCHING CHARCOAL CANISTERS THAT TOYOTAS COME UP FREQUENTLY AS HAVING TO HAVE THIS TYPE REPAIR. AT THIS WRITING I AM UNABLE TO CONFIRM THE PART IS DEFECTIVE AS IT IS THE ORIGINAL PART THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE WHEN I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW. THIS IS NOT A PRE-OWNED VEHICLE. *TR

THIS IS REGARDING MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. IN JANUARY 2007, THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW CAME OFF ITS TRACK AND CEASED TO WORK. THE ADJUSTED THE REGULATOR AND PUT IT BACK ON TRACK AND CHARGED ME $210. IN JUNE 2008 THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR WINDOW. THIS IS VERY COINCIDENTAL THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN TO BOTH WINDOWS. *TR

REAR LEFT STRUT SPINDLE ATTACHMENT BOLT (BOLT ADJUST WHEEL TILT) BROKE IN HALF AT CAM. *TR

I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER PURCHASED NOVEMBER, 2002 WITH CURRENT MILEAGE 49,570. I JUST NOTICED THAT THE STRAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS SHREDDING TO FINE THREADS PREMATURELY AND QUICKLY DETERIORATING DUE TO UNKNOWN REASON. SOON, NOTHING WILL BE LEFT OF MY SEATBELT BUT FINE THREADS (VERY UNSAFE). I HAVE SPOKEN TO TWO SERVICE ADVISORS AT MICHAEL'S TOYOTA OF BELLEVUE, WA AND TOYOTA OF KIRKLAND, WA AND REQUESTED FOR A WARRANTY REPAIR. I WAS AWARE THAT OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS HAVE LONGER WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM. UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISORS THAT TOYOTA DOES NOT HAVE EXTENDED SAFETY RESTRAINT COVERAGE SO IT WOULD COST ME $205-230 FOR PARTS PLUS 1-2 HOURS OF LABOR TO GET THE SEATBELT REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE'S 36,000/3 YR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *TR

HEAT STOPPED WORKING, BLOWING COLD AIR. THE PROBLEM IS THE RIBBON WIRE FROM THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB TO THE ELECTRONIC BOARD BEHIND THE SWITCH BREAKS, THIS IS CAUSED FROM THE KNOB STEM LOOSENING, EVENTUALLY BREAKING THE WIRE. DEALER WILL REPLACE THE UNIT FOR $900 FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM ON TUNDRASOLUTIONS AND FOUND INSTRUCTIONS TO REMOVE THE UNIT AND SOLDER THE WIRES, WORKS LIKE NEW NOW. SEEMS LIKE THIS PROBLEM MAY ALSO BE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE DASHBOARD FIRES LISTED ON THIS SITE. *TR

TEMPERATURE KNOB IS LOOSE CAUSING HEAT TO ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

MY CAR ENGINE IS FILLED WITH SLUDGE AND THE MANUFACTURER (TOYOTA MOTOR CORP.) WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. *TR

HEATER CONTROL UNIT MALFUNCTION. HEAT TO COLD SWITCH STOPS WORKING, DEALER STATES THAT THE WHOLE HEATER CONTROL UNIT HAS TO BE REPLACE. AFTER EXTENSIVE SEARCHING, I HAVE FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM IS WHEN A NUT BECOMES LOSE HOLDING THE CONTROL KNOB, IT SHAKES AND THE WIRES BREAK OF MAKE THE UNIT STOP WORKING. *TR