2008 Toyota Highlander complaints

THE STEERING WHEEL HAD BEEN ADJUSTED TO A SETTING FOR A SHORTER DRIVER, AND WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF RE-SETTING IT FOR A TALLER DRIVER, THE STEERING WHEEL AND ITS HOUSING CAME COMPLETELY OFF OF THE SHAFT THAT REACHES INTO THE ENGINE. TO SAFELY GET OFF THE ROAD, AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO STICK IT BACK ON, AND IT WAS UNABLE TO STAY IN THE CORRECT POSITION. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, TO TRY TO REATTACH IT, THE DRIVER AGAIN ATTEMPTED TO SEAT THE HOUSING ON THE SHAFT. THIS MANEUVER WAS COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY, BUT UPON ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE AGAIN, THE "SLIPPERY WHEN WET" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WHATEVER ENGINE MECHANISM THAT ALERTS BEGAN TO ENGAGE, AFFECTING THE BRAKES, ACCELERATOR, AND STEERING. THIS ALL HAPPENED AS WE WERE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, AND THEN ATTEMPTING TO MANEUVER INTO THE ROADWAY.

THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY LOCKED IN THE UP POSITION AND THEREFORE PARTIALLY BLOCKS THE DRIVERS VISION WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.

THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION ALERT LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON IN MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED. I TOOK IT TO TOYOTA SERVICE AND THEY SAID IT WAS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY ON THAT PARTICULARLY DAY. THE ALERT LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN 2 DAYS LATER SO I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE OFFICES. TOYOTA SAID THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON SOME OF THE SAME 2008 HIGHLANDERS, BUT TOYOTA CLAIMS THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THE VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SENSOR WIRING IS IDENTICAL IN MY CAR TO WHAT IS DESCRIBED FOR THOSE CARS THAT WERE RECALLED. THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT IN OUR CAR COMES ON MORE THAN 50% OF THE TIME. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING NOW FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THE PROBLEM IS APPARENT WHENEVER THE ENGINE IS ON, WHETHER THE CAR IS MOVING OR STAIONARY.

FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS OR LONGER, THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THIS CAR HAS BEEN OPERATING ERRATICALLY, WHEN IT WANTS TO IT SEEMS. THE PROBLEM ALWAYS SEEMED TO BE THAT I COULDN'T TURN THE SYSTEM ON. NOW, HOWEVER, WHEN I AM SOMETIMES ABLE TO TURN IT ON, AND SET THE SPEED, THE PROBLEM BECOMES THAT THE STALK ON THE LOWER RIGHT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOSE IT'S CONNECTION AND THE MOVEMENTS OF THE STALK BECOME INACTIVE. THIS IS VERY SURPRISING IF YOU'RE PLANNING TO SLOW DOWN, SPEED UP OR MORE IMPORTANTLY HIT THE CANCEL BUTTON. THE ONLY THING TO DO IS HIT THE BRAKES. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY IN ITS UPRIGHT FLAT POSITION. IT FALLS PARTWAY DOWN TO THE POINT OF BEING AIMED DIRECTLY AT THE FOREHEAD. THIS NOT ONLY IMPEDES VISIBILITY BUT ALSO IS DANGEROUS IF YOU INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH WOULD THROW YOU FORWARD. IT ALSO WILL NOT STAY DOWN AND PUSHED ALL THE WAY FORWARD IN ORDER TO AVOID THE HAZARD OF HAVING IT ANGLED AT YOUR FOREHEAD. HAVING THE VEHICLE IN MOTION ON STATIONARY HAS NOT EFFECT OF THIS PROBLEM.

I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT HAS NEVER BEEN IN A CRASH. ON THURSDAY, FEB.11,2016 AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE AIRBAG WARNINGS LIGHT CAME ON. THE INFO SCREEN SAID TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY AND THERE WERE 2 WARNING SIGNALS ON THE DASH AS WELL. MY CAR HAS 88,000 MILES ON IT. I CALLED OUR LOCAL DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR BRAND NEW. ATKINSON TOYOTA IN BRYAN, TEXAS. I SPOKE TO CHRIS IN SERVICE AND HE SAID HOW QUICK CAN I GET IT THERE. NATURALLY MY HUSBAND WAS OUT OF TOWN SO I SAID IT WOULD BE MONDAY, FEB15,2016 BEFORE I COULD GET IT IN. I HAVE SINCE DONE RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS, INJURIES AND BEWILDERMENT AS TO WHY THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN I SPOKE TO GAVE ME NO INFORMATION AS TO THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING IN OTHER HIGHLANDERS,SAID HE WOULD NEED MY CAR FOR AN ENTIRE DAY AND THAT I COULD RENT A CAR ONSITE AT MY ON EXPENSE. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA IS BEING EXTREMELY NEGLIGENT AND PUTTING PASSENGERS LIVES AT STAKE. I PLAN TO CALL THE DEALER TOMORROW. PLEASE REPORT THIS PROBLEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED BECAUSE THEIR AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WOULD CALL THIS GROSS NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF TOYOTA AS IT IS CLEARLY EVIDENT THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU.

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAS SURGED FORWARD WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKE. TONIGHT, AND ON AT LEAST TWO OTHER OCCASIONS, IT HAS OCCURRED WHILE EXITING THE LOCAL WENDY'S RESTAURANT. THE EXIT SLOPES DOWNWARD FOR TEN FEET OR SO BEFORE REACHING THE MULTI-LANE ONE WAY ROAD. TONIGHT, AS I WAS COMING DOWN THE EXIT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN SURGED FORWARD AND OUT INTO THE ROAD. I ALMOST RAN INTO THE SIDES OF SEVERAL CARS THAT WERE PASSING BY, BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED RIGHT BEFORE IT GOT FAR ENOUGH OUT IN THE ROAD TO HIT THEM. I DON'T KNOW HOW CLOSE MY FRONT END WAS TO HITTING THEM, BUT IT WAS VERY CLOSE. THAT'S WHY I'M FILING THIS COMPLAINT. I'VE CHECKED THE MAT AND IT'S NOT THE MAT. I BELIEVE IT IS SOMETHING IN THE ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL, BUT AS YOU KNOW, TESTS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED ON TOYOTA VEHICLES BEFORE FOR THIS ISSUE, AND NOTHING WAS FOUND THAT I'M AWARE OF. BUT I'M TELLING YOU NOW, AND I HAVE A DEGREE IN ASTRONOMY (I'M TECHNICALLY MINDED), THERE IS SOMETHING MORE THAN MATS AND DRIVER ERROR GOING ON WITH UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION AND TOYOTA VEHICLES. I DID A SEARCH TONIGHT ONLINE, AND I FOUND A NUMBER OF REPORTS FROM OTHER OWNERS OF 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS, NOT TO MENTION A MYRIAD OF OTHER REPORTS FROM OWNERS OF OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES. MY VEHICLE HAS ALSO SURGED FORWARD WHILE TURNING INTO PARKING SPACES AT GROCERY STORES, ONCE AGAIN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. SO FAR, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICL

THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IN THE STEERING COLUMN IS MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN EVER I TURN IT TO THE RIGHT. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. NOW THEY HAVE A TSB FOR IT FOR REPAIRING THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. WHILE I'M SPENDING $500, FOR THE REPAIR, THEY SHOULD RECALL THIS PART BECAUSE TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT IT SINCE 2 YEARS AGO. WHILE DRIVING IT AND MAKING A TURN , IT WILL JUST MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE AND FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE.

THE PRIMARY ISSUE OF CONCERN IS REGARDING THE VEHICLES VALVE SPRINGS. AS A RESULT OF THE VALVE SPRING WHICH WAS IN PLACE, THE VEHICLE IN WHICH I DROVE, STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY, BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET IT CHECKED. IN ORDER TO RECTIFY THIS IT COST OVER $2,000.00 IN REPAIRS. THIS ISSUE IS OF GRAVE CONCERN, AS A FAULTY VALVE SPRING, IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN ON A HIGHWAY, COULD RESULT IN THE DEATH OF A DRIVER, PASSENGERS, AND OTHER VEHICLES. THIS ISSUE IS SIMILAR TO THE 2010 VALVE SPRING ISSUE WHICH AFFECTED LEXUS VEHICLES. IN THAT 2010 ISSUE, TOYOTA ADMITTED FAULT AND RECALLED ISSUES FOR 2006 TO 2008 LEXUS MODELS. GIVEN THAT THE ISSUE HAPPENED TO OTHER BRANDS OWNED BY TOYOTA THE DOT SHOULD SEE WHETHER THE ISSUE IS MORE WIDESPREAD, AND WHETHER MY VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THIS ISSUE AS WELL. *JS

IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS STEERING COLUMN MAKES CLUNK NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, ALSO ON HIGHWAY STEERING COLUMN RATTLES. IT STARTED 6-15-2014 UNTIL PRESENT DAY 12-28-2015.

ENGINE OIL COOLING (RUBBER) HOSE BURST WHILE DRIVING AND DUMPED ALL OF MY OIL ... TOYOTA HAS SINCE REPAIRED THIS PART WITH A SERIES OF METAL PIPES, WHICH SUGGESTS TO ME THAT THEY REALIZE THAT THIS IS A DEFECT BUT IT IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED AS A RECALL

PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ON ALL THE TIME EVEN WHEN NOBODY SITTING THERE.

I RECENTLY NOTICED A RATTLING SOUND OUT OF THE ENGINE AREA THAT OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. IT TYPICALLY OCCURS AFTER THE VEHICLE SITS FOR A COUPLE HOURS AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE. THE SOUND HAPPENS FOR LESS THAN 2 SECONDS. THE TOYOTA DEALER IN OUR AREA DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS A FAILURE OF THE INTAKE CAM GEAR PER TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 0094-09. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT IF THE ISSUE IS LEFT UNADDRESSED, IT COULD LEAD TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE UPDATED CAM GEAR MADE BY TOYOTA DOES NOT FIT THE EXISTING CAMSHAFT. THIS MEANS THAT ALL 4 CAM GEARS AND TWO CAMSHAFTS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED WHICH DRAMATICALLY INCREASES THE LABOR AND PARTS COSTS. I WAS GIVEN THE FOLLOWING QUOTE FOR THE REPAIR: PART'S $3748.00 LABOR $2137.00 TAX $348.00 TOTAL $6233.00 I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER TOYOTA TO CONFIRM THE DIAGNOSIS AND THEY CONFIRMED THE ISSUE AND QUOTED ME AT A SIMILAR PRICE TO DO THE REPAIR. MESSAGE BOARDS ALL ACROSS THE INTERNET DESCRIBE A SIMILAR PHENOMENON. AFTER DISCUSSING THE MATTER WITH TOYOTA CORPORATE, THEY AGREED TO COVER 50% OF THE PARTS COST, BUT I BELIEVE THIS TO BE UNFAIR BECAUSE THEIR UPDATED PART INTRINSICALLY AND DRAMATICALLY INCREASES THE LABOR AND PARTS COSTS. EVEN THOUGH ONLY ONE CAM GEAR FAILED, THE REPLACEMENT OF ALL 4 CAM GEARS IS NOW NECESSARY.

BRIDGESTONE DEULER H/L 400 TIRES HAD POOR TREAD LIFE AND WERE VERY POOR IN ANY AMOUNT OF SNOW. RAIN ALSO RESULTED IN HYDRO PLANNING.

VIBRATION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITION TUBE FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE AIR CONDITION TUBE WAS EXPOSED TO THE MOTOR VENTILATOR CAUSING THE TUBE TO OVERHEAT AND EXPLODE, SPILLING THE COOLANT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING OIL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND FOUND A LEAK IN THE MOTOR OIL COOLING HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE MECHANIC FOUND AN ISSUE WITH THE CAM SHAFT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

FACTORY ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY.. HOOD LATCH SENSOR PROBLEM?

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER INVOLVED IN A REAR/SIDE CRASH SITTING STILL; HIT BY OTHER VEHICLE AT 60 MPH; 3 OCCUPANTS INSIDE VEHICLE ALL INJURED; NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN VEHICLE AT TIME OF CRASH; IF AIRBAGS ONLY ARE TO DEPLOY ON A FRONTAL IMPACT CRASH WHAT GOOD R THEY IN OTHER CRASHES TO HELP THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. AFTER THE CONTACT PLACED THE 7 MONTH OLD CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT WITH THE SMART KEY INSIDE THE VEHICLE, ALL THE DOORS ERRONEOUSLY LOCKED. THE CHILD BECAME TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOW HAD TO BE BROKEN IN ORDER TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SMART KEY SAFETY FEATURE DID NOT PREVENT THE DOORS FROM BECOMING LOCKED WHILE THE SMART KEY WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

I WAS DRIVING THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WHEN I GOT STRUCK ON MY FRONT LEFT SIDE . I WAS HIT PRETTY HARD MY HEAD WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE WINDSHIELD . AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED I WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL ALONG WITH 2 OTHER PEOPLE . AND ON THE SCREEN IT SAID CHECK SYSTEM AIR BAG FAILURE .

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS WARNING LIGHT FLASHED RANDOMLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V168000 (AIR BAGS) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V245000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH AND PARKING THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AT HOME, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED THROUGH THE INTERIOR WALL OF THE GARAGE, ONLY COMING TO A STOP AFTER DAMAGING THE OUTER BRICK FACADE OF THE BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED AND NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 10/07/15*LJ UPDATED 12/11/2017*CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER DRIVER RAN A LIGHT AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHOULDER INJURIES, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V168000 (AIR BAGS), BUT HAD NOT YET MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. ..UPDATED 08/26/15 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE STOPPING THE VEHICLE AFTER PRESSING THE KEYLESS PUSH START SYSTEM, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL DOWN A HILL WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND BECAME STUCK. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES TO RELEASE THE PEDAL. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SUN VISOR FALLS IN FRONT OF DRIVER. IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT THE DRIVER COULD BE INJURED BY THE VISOR.

ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE, THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH A CHEAP PART ON THE TOYOTA V6 ENGINES. THERE WAS EVEN A RECALL FOR THE PART, HOWEVER, I"M TOLD MY CAR WASN'T ON THE RECAL LIST. HTTPS://SITES.GOOGLE.COM/SITE/TOYOTAV6OILLINESCANDAL/ THE ISSUE AT HAND IS THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR ALL MAINTENANCE, SO ITS NOT A NEGLECT ISSUE. THE REAR BANK VVT-I OIL LINE USED IN PRIOR TO 2008 (MINE HAS THIS ISSUE AS WELL) IS METAL WITH A RUBBER HOST CONNECTING THE TWO. THE HOSE RUPTURES, DUMPS ALL OF THE OIL, WHICH SQUIRTS ONTO THE PASSENGER WHEEL, IN THE BRAKES, ETC. IT CAN NOT ONLY CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE BAY (WHICH IT DID NOT IN THIS CASE), BUT IT COULD ALSO LEAD TO AN INABILITY TO STEER OR BRAKE (NEITHER WERE THE CASE HERE). LASTLY, 6 QUARTS OF OIL DRAINED OUT IN LESS THAN 60 SECONDS, AND THE ENGINE COULD HAVE SEIZED. THIS IS A SERIOUR ISSUE FOR A $35.00 PART.

WHEN YOU START UP CAR THERE IS A ENGINE GRINDING NOISE FOR A FEW SECONDS. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET, JUST GOOGLE 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER START UP ENGINE NOISE AND YOU WILL GET A BETTER LOOK AT WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE. THIS COULD LEAD TO SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE . IT IS A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILING WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN PUT THROUGH A STRESS TEST AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT KEPT AND DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT THE FUEL PUMP AND THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITHIN THE SYSTEM ONCE THE VEHICLE WARMED UP THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

I HAVE THE SUN VISOR ON MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT HAS FALLEN DOWN AND IT DOESN'T STAY UP AT ALL ANYMORE. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH THREE CHILDREN AND FIND THIS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE IT OBSTRUCTS MY VISION ALSO WHEN I LOOK TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT I CONSTANTLY HIT MY FOREHEAD ON THE VISOR THAT IS CONSTANTLY ON THE WAY. IT IS A HAZARD TO ME AND MY 3 CHILDREN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V168000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

I PURCHASED A QUALIFIED PRE-OWNED 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SPORT FROM RICE TOYOTA IN GREENSBORO, NC IN FEBRUARY OF 2013. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE PROPERLY SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND RETAINED ALL SERVICE RECORDS. ON OR ABOUT MARCH 31, 2015, WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON I-40 (65 MPH INTERSTATE HIGHWAY), THE ENGINE IN MY HIGHLANDER SUDDENLY STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I COASTED INTO A REST AREA (LUCKILY) AND WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION IN GREENSBORO. A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY ENGINE VALVE SPRING. EVERY MECHANIC I HAVE SPOKEN WITH HAVE INDICATED THAT A VALVE SPRING SHOULD NOT BREAK ON A 2008 TOYOTA WITH AROUND 100K MILES. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT TOYOTA HAS RECALLED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CERTAIN LEXUS MODELS, INCLUDING MODELS FROM 2008 WITH THE SAME 3.5 LITER V6 ENGINE AS IS IN MY HIGHLANDER, FOR FAULTY VALVE SPRINGS THAT RESULT IN SUDDEN ENGINE STALLING. RICE TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE, AS HAS TOYOTA CORPORATION. FURTHER, TOYOTA CORPORATION HAS REFUSED TO PROVIDE ME WITH ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VALVE SPRING IN MY VEHICLE AND/OR ANY INDICATION IF THE SAME VALVE SPRING WAS IN THE RECALLED LEXUS MODES. I HAVE SEEN CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS FILED AGAINST TOYOTA FOR CONCEALING ISSUES WITH VALVE SPRINGS. THIS DEFECT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AS THE VEHICLE STALLS SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. I NEED ASSISTANCE TO MOTIVATE TOYOTA CORPORATION

A FEW MONTHS AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE NEW, MY HUSBAND NOTICED A MILDEW SMELL IN MY VEHICLE THAT WOULD COME AND GO. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST FROM LIVING IN A HUMID PLACE. WHEN THE SMELL BECAME CONSTANT, MY HUSBAND LIFTED UP THE FLOOR MAT IN THE BACK SEAT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE CARPET WAS SOAKING WET. WE THEN CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO TAKE THE HIGHLANDER IN TO BE LOOKED AT AND TO SEE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE WATER LEAK. WE TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON JUNE 18, 2014 AND WE WERE LATER INFORMED THAT FOUR RUBBER STOPPERS (WHICH WERE AT THE TIME LOSE INSIDE THE BUMPERS, BUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INSERTED INTO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE) THAT WERE MEANT TO KEEP WATER OUT OF THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR HAD FALLEN OUT AND THE TECH WOULD NEED TO RE-INSERT THE STOPPERS, AND FOR GOOD MEASURE, GLUE THEM INTO PLACE IN ORDER TO STOP WATER FROM ENTERING THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A POLICE REPORT AND A FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE CONTACT TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

TOOK MY CAR TO STATE INSPECTION AND FAILED BECAUSE ONLY LEFT SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. I REPLACED THE BULBS AND CHECKED THE FUSE. FUSE IS FINE AND HAD NEW BULBS AND THE LIGHT STILL DO NOT WORK. RESEARCHED ONLINE AND IT SEEMS LIKE MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. FROM WHAT I READ FROM PEOPLE ONLINE, NO ONE COULD FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE AND SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM. SOME PEOPLE ALREADY TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND "RESOLVED THE ISSUE" BY SPENDING $400 BUT ENDED UP WITH THE SAME ISSUE A YEAR LATER. SEEMS TO BE GOING IN THE DIRECTION OF ELECTRICAL DESIGN DEFECT. I NEED TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED TO PASS THE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, A POPPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NOISE OCCURS WHILE TURNING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE "CLUNKING" AND VIBRATIONS ARE FELT WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE PART FROM TOYOTA WAS REMANUFACTURED IN 2011 TO REPLACE THE CURRENT PART GIVEN IT WAS A DEFAULT PART NOT LASTING LONG. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE GIVEN IT IS THE MECHANISM THAT CONNECTS THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE FRONT SHAFT ASSEMBLY. SHOULD THAT HAVE ISSUE, BREAK ETC. WHILE DRIVING OR TURNING IT CAN BE ACCIDENTAL OR FATAL. THE DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THAT WHILE IT MAY NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUE, ITS NOT FULLY DETERMINED THAT IT IS NOT. FOR THE PART TO BE RE-MANUFACTURED DIFFERENTLY, THERE MUST HAVE BEEN KNOWLEDGE OF A FAULTY PART. THIS NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED BY TOYOTA. PART IS INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. *TR

TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE AND A CLICK IN THE STEERING WHEEL MAINLY AT SLOW SPEED & IF JUST BEARING MOVING - VERY LOW SPEED. NUMEROUS REPORTS HAVE BEEN TURNED INTO TOYOTA - YET THEY WILL NOT DO A RECALL - APPEARS THAT THE STEERING SHAFT IS THE PROBLEM. HAVE BEEN TOLD HUNDREDS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED IN PHOENIX ALONE. CAN YOU REQUEST FROM TOYOTA HOW MANY OF THESE SHAFTS THE DEALERS HAVE PURCHASED? TOYOTA WILL NOT TELL ME WHEN I REQUESTED THIS INFORMATION. OUR VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 25K MILES ON IT & IT IS 7 YEARS OLD SO IT ISN'T AN ABUSED VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO ON OTHER TOYOTA MODELS / YEARS I'VE BEEN TOLD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE DRIVESHAFT DETACHED FROM THE MOUNT DUE TO A FAILED SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAVE PRACTICED PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WHILE ROLLING AND RESTARTING THE CAR. *MW THE CONSUMER OFFERED HIS SUGGESTION ON HOW TO HANDLE THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. *JB

ON DECEMBER 10TH, 2014, AROUND 8:15AM, OUR 2008 HIGHLANDER SPORT AWD SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT FULL THROTTLE WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, ENTERED THE CROSS SECTION AND CRASHED WITH INCOMING SUV ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CAR KEPT GOING AT HIGH SPEED AFTER RUNNING A CURB AND FLATTENED ALL 4 TIRES ON STRAIGHT LINES AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED IN A NEIGHBOR'S YARD, MADE DEEP TRENCH INTO THE LAWN. THE OTHER PARTIES WERE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL EXAM AND THEIR SUV WAS BADLY DAMAGED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WE HAVE PHOTOS FROM VARIOUS ANGLES SHOWING THAT THIS CAR WAS NOT STOPPABLE BY A HUMAN AT THE MOMENT. WE WERE TOLD OUR CAR WILL BE A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. OUR EVIDENCE INDICATED THE CAR'S DEFECTS WAS THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION WHICH HAS BEEN THE CASE FOR MANY OTHER TOYOTA CAR OWNERS FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS. WE NEED TO HOLD TOYOTA RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS AND OTHER ACCIDENTS AND TO BE INVESTIGATED THOROUGHLY BY THE NHTSA. OUR LOSS SHOULD BE PROPERLY COMPENSATED BY TOYOTA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. CASE:TOYOTA HIGHLANDER UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION ACCIDENT ON 12/10/2014 CASE NUMBER:[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V168000 (AIR BAG). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME TO RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

ENGINE OIL LEAKED ALMOST EMPTY. WHEN I PICKED UP KID FROM SCHOOL PARKING ON THE DRIVEWAY ON THAT RAINY DAY, SAW A LEAK LINE ON THE WET GROUND. NEXT SATURDAY I FILLED A QT OIL TO THE LEVEL AND DROVE TO REPAIR SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN SAID ALMOST ALL 5.5 QT OIL WAS LEAKED OUT. TURNED OUT IT WAS TIMING CHAIN COVERS SILICON SEALER BROKEN. I AM THE PERSON ALWAYS CHECK AROUND MY CAR BEFORE GOING OUT, IF NOT CHECKING, THINGS COULD BE VERY BAD. *TR

AFTER PARKING THE CAR AT THE AIRPORT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND UPON RETURN STARTED THE CAR AND STARTED HEARING GRINDING NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE AND WOULD NOT BE AUDIBLE AT THE HIGHWAY OR FREEWAY DRIVING SPEEDS (> 40 MILES). TOOK TO THE DEALER TO GET 2 OUTSTANDING RECALLS (SPIRAL CABLE AND SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR BRAKE PEDAL OVERRIDE) AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WATER PUMP IS FAILING. COST COULD BE AROUND $800 AND WAS NOT HAPPY TO HEAR AS THE QUALITY OF THESE PARTS CONSISTENTLY BEEN DETERIORATING AND HAD TO REPLACE ON EARLIER TOYOTA'S THAT I OWNED. *TR

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATE DURING DRIVING. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. THE OIL COOLER HOSE FAILED LEAKING OIL AND SMOKING FROM BURNING ON EXHAUST THEN OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER SAYS RECALL WAS DONE ALREADY HOWEVER IT APPARENTLY DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING CAUSE IT WAS ALREADY DONE ONCE. NOT SURE IF ANY ENGINE DAMAGE WAS DONE NEED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A SHOP. *TR

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECEIVING AN AIRBAG NOTIFICATION. *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB