2008 Toyota Highlander complaints

AS WAS PULLING OUT PARKING SPACE, CAR STOPPED MOVING EVEN THOUGH ENGINE RUNNING. HAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, DIAGNOSED WITH FAILURE OF HYBRID INVERTER. *TR

DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR DEFECTIVE - IT DOES NOT STAY IN UP POSITION, DROPS DOWN SUDDENLY & BLOCKING THE VISIBILITY OF THE ROAD; DEALER SAID IT IS A COMMON ISSUE BUT NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINS FOR A RECALL. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT PRONE ISSUE THAT WILL CUT OFF THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY SUDDENLY. *TR

AIR BAGS THE SPIRAL CABLE WENT BAD CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON MAKING THE AIRBAGS INOPERABLE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND COST WAS $560 TO REPAIR WITH PARTS AND LABOR. VIEW DETAILS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND IT SHOWED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. HE THEN ADDED OIL AND FOUND A STEADY STREAM LEAK FROM A RUBBER HOSE. THE CONTACT PURCHASED AN AFTER MARKET METAL HOSE AND REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE HOSE. HE THEN DRAINED THE OIL AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL, WHICH HE ASSUMED CAME FROM THE BEARINGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

ENGINE BEGAN REVVING UPON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP LIGHT. ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING LOW OIL PRESSURE. PULLED INTO AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHO FOUND DIPSTICK WAS DRY. POURED OIL INTO ENGINE ONLY TO SEE IT LEAKING OUT FROM BELOW PASSENGER SIDE. CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. DEALER REPLACED OIL COOLER HOSE 15767-31010 WHICH HAD FAILED WITH 15767-31020 (ALL METAL ASSEMBLY). REPLACED OIL AND RESTARTED ENGINE. ENGINE IS MAKING TAPPING SOUND AND DEALER RECOMMENDS FULL REPLACEMENT. DEPENDING ON OPTION, COST IS BETWEEN $7500 FOR A USED TOYOTA ENGINE TO $8300 FOR JARCO ENGINE (WHICH I BELIEVE IS REBUILT). THIS OCCURRED IN SOUTH CAROLINA WHILE WE WERE VACATIONING FROM MARYLAND. THANKFULLY, WE WERE NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED. WILL HAVE TO LEAVE VEHICLE HERE FOR REPAIR AND FLY BACK TO DRIVE IT HOME LATER. BTW, THE SINGLE PIPE OIL HOSE WAS REPLACED IN MAY 2010 UNDER THE SSC 90K RECALL AT 33K MILES. THAT IS NOT THE PART THAT FAILED. THIS IS THE DUAL MANIFOLD RUBBER HOSE THAT TOYOTA HAS NOW REPLACED WITH AN ALL METALLIC ASSEMBLY. AS FAR AS I KNOW, THIS PART WAS NEVER RECALLED, BUT THERE IS A TSB 02011-11 AVAILABLE. *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON APPROXIMATELY IN APRIL 2013. THE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. I BROUGHT IT TO ELK GROVE TOYOTA. THE INSPECTED THE LIGHT FOR $120. THIS WAS FOR INSPECTION ONLY. THEY SAID THE CAR NEEDS A AIRBAG SPIRAL CABLE. THEY ESTIMATED $460 TOTAL TO REPLACE THIS WIRE. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE LIGHT CAME ON AT 65000-67000 MILES. WILL TOYOTA RECALL THIS PART OR REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS. THERE IS ANOTHER 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AIRBAG RECALL BUT IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY CAR. I LOOKED UP MY VIN. FOR THIS RECALL. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND CONTINUED TO STAY ON OVER SEVERAL DAYS. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THE SPIRAL CABLE WAS DETERMINED TO BE MALFUNCTIONING. COST OF REPAIR WAS ABOUT $500. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. AFTER TAKING IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER, IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY MALFUNCTION. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF RECALL FOR 2008 TACOMAS, CAMRYS AND VENZAS, BUT NOT THE HIGHLANDER. IT IS A $450 EXPENSE. IT SEEMS TO ME IF TOYOTA HAS RECALLED THE PART ON OTHER MODELS IN THE SAME YEAR, IT SHOULD CONSIDER RECALLING IT FOR THE HIGHLANDER. LOOKING AT THE RECENT COMPLAINTS FILED ON THIS WEBSITE, I SEE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE TO EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE. *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT INTO A DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THE SPIRAL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (AT A COST OF $419 PARTS AND LABOR) AND THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALLS. UPON RESEARCH, I LEARNED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR TACOMAS, CAMRYS, AND VENZAS FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SPIRAL CABLE. FURTHER, I FOUND NUMEROUS CLAIMS OF THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE 2008 HIGHLANDER. I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER, AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO RETAIN ANY DOCUMENTATION FOR REIMBURSEMENT UNDER ANY FUTURE RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE. OBVIOUSLY I NEED TO HAVE THE SPIRAL CABLE REPLACED, BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY THE TOYOTA DEALER THAT THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS INOPERABLE. MY HOPE IS THAT THERE WILL BE A RECALL FOR THE HIGHLANDER, AND THAT IT IS ALREADY BEING CONSIDERED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO BOTH STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SPIRAL CABLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WATER PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT THEY OFFERED THE CONTACT NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. ...UPDATED 07-10-13 *BF

I JUST BECAME AWARD OF THIS: "T-SB-0201-11 FROM TOYOTA THAT STATES "SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2GR-FE/FXE TOWING PACKAGE ENGINES MAY EXHIBIT AN OIL SEEP FROM THE ENGINE OIL COOLER PIPES." *TR THIS TSB AFFECTS MY MODEL YEAR AND I BELIEVE IT ALSO AFFECTS TOYOTA AND LEXUS VEHICLES GOING BACK TO AT LEAST 2008-PRESENT. TO ME THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS SHOULD BE HANDLED AS A RECALL INSTEAD OF A TSB DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE ISSUE IF/WHEN THE PIPE BREAKS. THE RUPTURE OF THE OIL LINE WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SEIZE THUS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITH RESULTING INJURY AND POSSIBLE DEATH. AND THERE IS THE HAZARD TO OTHER MOTORISTS WITH OIL ON THE ROADWAY. COMPARED TO THE RECALL FOR FLOOR MATS AND ACCELERATOR ISSUES, THIS ISSUE, WHICH CAN DRAIN THE OIL FROM YOUR ENGINE VERY QUICKLY, DESTROY THE ENGINE, AND VERY POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SHOULD BE OF MAJOR CONCERN TO ALL. THE TOYOTA ADVICE TO CHECK FOR SLOW OIL DRIPS AROUND THE RUBBER HOSE IS UNREALISTIC FOR THE OWNER DUE TO THE LOCATION. AND THE SCHEDULE ROUTINE SERVICE INTERVAL IS MUCH TOO LONG TO WAIT FOR SUCH AN SIGNIFICANT INSPECTION. NHTSA NEEDS TO COMPEL TOYOTA TO REPLACE ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE RUBBER ENGINE OIL COOLER PIPES WITH THE NEWER METAL ONES THAT THE TSB ADDRESSES. THIS DIRECTIVE SHOULD APPLY TO ALL TOYOTAS INCLUDING ALREADY MADE REPLACEMENTS FOR WHICH THE OWNERS HAVE PAID FOR.

THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN. IT DOES NOT STAY UP AND IMPAIRS DRIVER VISION. *TR

MY WIFE STARTED THE CAR IN THE MORNING TO DROP THE KID TO SCHOOL WHICH IN WITHIN 2 MILES OF OUR HOME. IT WAS COLD DAY OF WINTER. SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE FRONT PART OF HOOD WHEN SHE DROVE ABOUT 1/2 A MILE AND WAS WORRIED WITH THE KIDS WHAT IS THAT NOISE. ANY HOW AFTER THAT THE CAR HAD START MAKING SQUISHING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOOD. WE TOOK TO TOYOTA AND THEY SAID WATER PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE ALSO READ SOME OTHER PEOPLE REVIEWS ONLINE REGARDING THE WATER PUMP OF TOYOTA VEHICLES. MY WIFE CALLED THE TOYOTA MOTOR CO FOR WARRANTY AND THEY SAID, EVEN THAT IS NOT A PART OF POWER TRAIN AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SO WE ARE ENDING UP PAYING EXTRA APPROX $650.00 TO TOYOTA FOR THE REPLACEMENT. *TR

I HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT ON THIS CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT ON THE 2008 AND 2013 MODELS THERE WAS AN ISSUE. TOYOTA WOULD NOT WORK WITH ME ON THIS EXPENSE. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR PART OF THE CAR AND I COULD HAVE BEEN IN DANGER IF NOT FIXED. THEM KNOWING THIS IS AN ISSUE AND NOT DOING A RECALL IS WRONG! I FELT THEY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THIS AND NOT AT MY EXPENSE. I HAVE HAD ABOUT 3 DIFFERENT RECALLS ON THE CAR AND THIS JUST ADDED TO MY WORRIES. I AM NOT SURE WHAT CONSTITUTES A RECALL BUT FELT THIS WAS ONE ON TOYOTA. THANK YOU *TR

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION AND REQUESTS AN INVESTIGATION AND REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD AS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, HER SON WAS SECURED IN HIS CAR SEAT, PLAYING QUIETLY WITH THE ATTACHED SEAT BELT. AT THE POINT, THE SEAT BELT WRAPPED AROUND HIS NECK. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND ATTEMPTED TO FREE HER SON FROM CHOKING, SHE WAS UNABLE TO DO SO, ALTHOUGH LOOSENING THE BELT SUFFICIENTLY ALLOWED HIM TO BREATH. FIRST RESPONDERS HAD DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE BELT, FINALLY THEY HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT TO PERMIT HER SON TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE SEAT.

THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE OF MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER POPPED LOUDLY WHEN I BACKED UP. IT SOUNDED AND FELT LIKE THE BRAKE LOCKED UP. THIS PROBLEM SEEMED TO HAVE ALREADY EXISTED SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THE BRAND-NEW VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2008, AND IT GOT WORSE AND WORSE. THEREFORE, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE THEY SAID, "THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKE. IT IS NORMAL AND IS JUST THAT THE BREAK IS SHIFTING." HOWEVER, I ASKED THEM WHY THE POPPING SOUND "ONLY" CAME FROM THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE. THEY AVOIDED MY QUESTION AND DID NOT ANSWER. AS MY CONCERNS OVER THE BRAKE GREW MORE AND MORE, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALER AGAIN, BUT THEY SAID, "MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I HAVE TO PAY $45 TO HAVE IT RE-CHECKED." I TOLD THEM THAT WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME, IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE PROBLEM NEVER WENT AWAY; INSTEAD, IT BECAME EVEN WORSE. HOWEVER, THEY STILL INSISTED THAT I HAD TO PAY IN ORDER TO HAVE IT INSPECTED AGAIN. I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP. AT THE TIME OF THIS WRITING, THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE STILL MAKES A LOUD, ANNOYING POPPING SOUND WHEN I BACK UP MY VEHICLE, WHICH MAKES ME WORRY THAT THE BRAKE COULD MALFUNCTION ANYTIME WHEN I AM ON THE ROAD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND POWER OFF AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 3/13/13 *CN

OIL LEAK FROM BACKSIDE OF ENGINE. TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-0321-08 BUT DID NOT PERFORM A RECALL. THEREFORE, YOU MAY EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM AND YOU MAY FIND THE ISSUE AFTER YOUR WARRANTY EXPIRED. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR - ESTIMATED TO BE MORE THAN $2K. TOYOTA CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE QUALITY PROBLEMS AND SHOULD HONOR THEIR PRODUCTS WITHIN OR OUTSIDE THEIR WARRANTY WHEN IT IS CLEARLY RELATED TO POOR QUALITY. *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TO WORK AND TURNED ON THE HEATED SEAT. IT HAS BURNED HER LEG AT THE HAMSTRING UNDER THIGH AREA PRETTY BAD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHITE PARTICLES WERE EMITTED THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM WHILE THE CLIMATE CONTROL WAS ACTIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC OR THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000.

MY STEERING LOCKS WHEN I WAS DRIVING. I REPORTED THIS ISSUE BEFORE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY FIGURE OUT THAT THE COMPUTER HAS A PROBLEM AFTER THE BIG ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE AND AS A RESULT IT HAD TO BE CUT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED HE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE EMITTING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE SEAT BELT AND THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000. UPDATED 12/12/12 *CN

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 HIGHLANDER ON NOVEMBER 11, 2012 AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE FOLLOWING DAY I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TOYOTA WEBSITE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG SYSTEM. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK DONE ON NOVEMBER 14. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS STILL ON AFTER THE RECALL WORK. I LEFT THEM THE VEHICLE SO THEY COULD DO FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS. THEY SAID THE SQUIB CIRCUIT ON THE SPIRAL CABLE FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM ON THE STEERING COLUMN HAD A SHORT IN IT. TOYOTA PART NUMBER 84306-22010. IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IF A REPAIR WAS NOT DONE THERE WAS A GOOD CHANCE THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD LIGHT UP INTERMITTENTLY IF I DIDN'T REPAIR IT AND THAT THEY WERE PRETTY SURE THE AIRBAG WOULDN'T GO OFF ON ITS OWN. MY CHOICE WAS FIX IT OR PARK IT. I HAD THEM DO THE REPAIR, $276.63 FOR THE SPIRAL CABLE AND $150.00 FOR THE LABOR, $443.22 TOTAL WITH SALES TAX. I HAVE OVER 122,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN PERFORMING THE MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TWO OTHER VEHICLES (NOT TOYOTA) AND NEITHER HAS EVER HAD AN AIRBAG SYSTEM PROBLEM AND EACH ONE HAS OVER 100,000 MILES. THE WIRING FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM SHOULD NEVER GO BAD. PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP, SHE NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ALLOW A SAFE DISTANCE BETWEEN HER AND THE VEHICLE AS IT QUICKLY BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,100.

THE SPIRAL CABLE WENT BAD CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON MAKING THE AIRBAGS INOPERABLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASED ACCELERATION. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE RESPONSE WHICH RESULTED TO THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE BODY AND INJURED THE LEFT LEG. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PLANNED TO LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION REGARDING THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND A REPAIR WAS MADE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE NATURE OF THE REPAIR. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES WHO THEN ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNSURE OF WHAT WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CARPET ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD HAD BECOME WET. THE CONTACT FURTHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THAN WATER WAS LEAKING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE AIR CONDITIONER LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD FOLLOW UP WITH THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,184.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT LENS WERE FOGGED AND THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY AND BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL FOR THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO FILED A REPORT AND DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING A DEER, THE BRAKES SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER AND A PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE SCENE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 11/01/12*LJ UPDATED 11/02/12

AS I APPROACHED A STOP SIGN, MY CHECK ENGINE AND VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS LESS THAN A MILE FROM MY DESTINATION AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PARK MY VEHICLE WITH NO ISSUES. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, I CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO ALERT THEM TO THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP REPRESENTATIVE ASKED IF THE VSC LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND I TOLD HIM NO; TO WHICH HE REPLIED IT WOULD BE OKAY TO DRIVE. LATER ON THAT EVENING, I DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND UPON TAKING OFF AT THE LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SEEMED SLUGGISH AT FIRST AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND SURGED FORWARD. WHEN I PULLED INTO THE DEALERSHIP, I EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED AND AM NOW AWAITING TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *TR

VSC, TRACKING AND ABS LIGHTS COME ON WHEN DRIVING. SOMETIMES ON AS SOON AS I REVERSE IN THE MORNING. USED TO GO OFF IF I TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. SOMETIMES DOESN'T COME ON UNTIL I AM ALMOST HOME FROM WORK (30 MILES) SOMETIMES THE BRAKES FEEL OFF AND NOT GRIPPING. HAD BRAKES INSPECTED AND EVERYTHING FINE. *TT

THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP -- WHEN EITHER PULLED BACK OR PUSHED FORWARD -- AND FALLS IN THE DRIVER'S LINE OF VISION. THIS LEADS TO A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE IT MEANS THE DRIVER LOSES HIS FIELD OF VISION FOR A FEW SECONDS AT VERY UNPREDICTABLE TIMES. *TR

UPON STARTING MY CAR, THE VSC OFF, CHECK ENGINE, AND ABS LIGHTS REMAINED LIT. ACCELERATION WAS SLOW AND ROUGH, AND THE GENERAL ENGINE FEEL WAS WRONG. I STOPPED CAR AND RESTARTED WITH NO EFFECT. WHILE DRIVING, THE LIGHTS EXTINGUISHED FOR A MOMENT, AND AT THAT POINT PERFORMANCE TEMPORARILY IMPROVED - THIS CAUSED A SURGE IN ACCELERATION. BUT THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON A MOMENT LATER AND PERFORMANCE, ONCE AGAIN, FAILED. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT IN TRAFFIC WHEN THE SURGE OCCURRED. *TR

VALVE SPRINGS. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. I MANAGED TO STEER ACROSS 4 LANES OF FAST TRAFFIC TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS PISTON FAILURE. THE CAR WAS TOWED 140 MILES TO MOTORCARS TOYOTA FOR REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED: "A VALVE SPRING ON THE #2 CYLINDER BROKE IN FRONT HEAD AND DROPPED INTO THE # 2 CYLINDER, DESTROYING THE PISTON AND SEVERELY DAMAGING THE SHORT BLOCK ASSEMBLY. BLOCK HAD A HOLE IN IT AND #2 PISTON WAS BROKEN IN HALF". REPAIR INCLUDED: REPLACING SHORT BLOCK ASSEMBLY, FRONT HEAD, EXHAUST CAM, VALVE, SPRING. I HAD TO PAY APROX. $6000 FOR A PROBLEM TOYOTA PUBLICLY ADMITTED SOME 2008 V8 MODELS HAD. FAULTY VALVE SPRINGS WAS ACTUALLY A RECALL BUT ONLY FOR LEXUS MODELS. NOT FAIR! *KB

BRAKE MALFUNCTION SPEED SENSOR. *TR

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITENTLY BUT FREQUENTLY. DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS TWICE BUT FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. TOYOTA USA SENT A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE (INTERIM NOTICE) APPOXIMATELY 10 MONTHS AGO WHICH SEEMED TO DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM BUT SAID TOYOTA WAS WORKING ON THE REMEDY AND A SECOND OWNER NOTIFICATION WOULD BE SENT WHEN THE REMEDY IS AVAILABLE. THE NOTICE ALSO SAID THAT WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON THE AIR BAGS COULD DEPLOY INADVERTENTLY AND THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER. THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, HE SAYS THAT HE CANNOT DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM UNTIL TOYOTA ISSUES THE FINAL RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA USA WHO STATE THAT THEY CANNOT GIVE ANY DATE FOR WHEN THEY WILL HAVE A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP.

I WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF A SUBWAY RESTAURANT IN A STRIP MALL AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30 P.M. AFTER EATING, MY FAMILY AND I LEFT THE RESTAURANT AND GOT INTO OUR TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND BACKED OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT JUST A FEW FEET. (IT IS A VERY NARROW PARKING LOT AND FACES A VERY BUSY STREET.) I BUMPED INTO A CONCRETE POLE THAT WAS BEHIND ME, THAT I COULD NOT SEE BECAUSE OF THE DARKNESS. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, SO THAT I COULD PULL BACK UP INTO MY ORIGINAL PARKING SPOT AND RENEGOTIATE HOW I WAS GOING TO BACK OUT. AS SOON AS I APPLIED A LITTLE PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR SUDDENLY SEEMED TO JUMP FORWARD. BEFORE I COULD EVEN PROCESS WHAT WHAT HAPPENING, THE CAR ACCELERATED VERY, VERY QUICKLY AND I SLAMMED INTO THE BRICK WALL OF THE SUBWAY. THERE WAS NOT EVEN TIME FOR ME TO THINK ABOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE, IT HAPPENED SO FAST. I FELT LIKE I HAD LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THANKFULLY, NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING AND SOME TO MY CAR. I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR 25 YEARS AND HAVE NO HISTORY OF TICKETS OR ACCIDENTS. I DO NOT DRINK AND WAS NOT DRINKING ON THE NIGHT THIS HAPPENED. I WAS NOT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ANY KIND OF MEDICATION OR ILICIT SUBSTANCES. *TR

BRIEF ENGINE KNOCK/RATTLE NOISE COLD STARTUP. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING A COLD SOAK STARTUP. *TR

DEALER CLAIMED " THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. ACCESS AND TRACED ALL RELATED WIRING TO INSIDE THE FUSE/RELAY PANEL. FOUND SOMETHING HAD CHEWED AND SHORTED OUT THE WIRING" THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY PROOF. I NOTIFIED TOYOTA MOTORS AND GOT NO HELP FROM THEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V245000 (AIR BAGS) AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AND TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER, THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND TO KEEP TRYING BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR HATCH WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE HINGES AND THE MOTOR ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,917.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DURING THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL TO TREAT MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE LOT WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 63,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO REPOSITION THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WITH THE JACK HOLDING THE VEHICLE UP. THE JACK SLIPPED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE PASSENGER SIDE FENDER AND THE BOTTOM MOLDING WERE DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED ON JUNE 2, 2011

CAPS KEEP FALLING OFF OF THE LUG NUTS, WHICH EXPOSES THE STUDS OF THE WHEEL HUB. CORROSION FORMS AND CAUSES THE LUG NUT TO BE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. ADDITIONALLY, EXPOSURE OF THE STUD CAN WEAKEN THE JOINT. I REPLACED TWO LUG NUTS YESTERDAY, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO FIVE IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN ABNORMALLY MOVING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WOULD COVER FIFTY PERCENT OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAD A NEW SET OF TIRES PUT ON IT 6 MONTHS AGO AND 9,000 MILES LATER THE REAR TIRES WERE BALD TO THE CORDS TO A POINT IT WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CAR APPEARS TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ALIGNMENT OR STABILIZATION AS THE CAR, EVEN WITH NEW TIRES AND AN INSPECTION BY THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNDRIVABLE IN SNOW OR HEAVY RAIN EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. THE REAR END IS VERY UNSTABLE IN THIS CAR. *TR

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER: THERE IS A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. IT HAS BEEN FIXED BUT IT OCCURS AGAIN AND THEN HAVE TO GET IT FIX AGAIN. DUE TO FAULTY A WIRING HARNESS THAT COULD FAIL AND PREVENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, IT IS DANGEROUS FOR ME, MY KIDS, OR ANYONE THAT OWNS OR DRIVES A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. *TR