2008 Toyota Highlander complaints

I HAVE A SUNSHINE KIDS RADIAN 80SL. MODEL US18500. SERIAL 090900106 03565. MY LATCH STRAP DOES NOT REMAIN TIGHT. I CAN LOOSEN IT WITH ONE FINGER, WHICH MEANS MY DAUGHTER CLIMBING IN AND OUT CAN BUMP IT AND LOOSEN IT. IT ALSO HAS LOOSENED OVER TIME ON IT'S ON. WHEN I FIRST INSTALL IT, IT IS A COMPLETELY ROCK SOLID INSTALL, BUT IF YOU PULL BACK AND FORTH ON THE SEAT A FEW TIMES YOU CAN FEEL IT LOOSENING. I DO NOT FEEL LIKE MY DAUGHTER IS SAFE IN THIS SEAT IN A CRASH. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2008, MAKE=TOYOTA, MODEL=HIGHLANDER). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE TAILGATE LOCKING MECHANISM AND WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT, THE TAILGATE INDEPENDENTLY UNLOCKED CAUSING ITEMS TO FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL TAILGATE LOCKING MECHANISMS FAILED AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK THE TAILGATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE HINGES ON THE TAILGATE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED ALL OF THE HINGES AND LATCHES BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOT A REPAIR THAT WOULD PERMANENTLY CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE HINGES AT THEIR EXPENSE FOR UP TO SEVEN YEARS OR 70,000 MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER HAD BURST AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE REPAIRS AND THE MANUFACTURER PAID FIFTY PERCENT OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ UPDATED 05/11/11

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON FRIDAY 3/4/11. I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING 35MPH. MY HIGHLANDER HAS SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE BUT NOT ONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I SUFFERED A KNEE INJURY, A NECK INJURY, A SHOULDER INJURY, AND A CONCUSSION. I AM VERY UPSET AND CONCERNED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AS THEY SHOULD HAVE ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. I AM HESITANT TO HAVE ANY REPAIRS MADE TO MY VEHICLE UNTIL WE FIND OUT THE CAUSE OF THE DEFECT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW TO PROCEED... *TR

EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE: I FIRST NOTICED THAT MY LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WAS ON WHEN I STARTED OUT THIS MORNING. I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION TO CHECK THE TIRES AND NOTICED A LARGE SCREW STUCK IN MY FRONT LEFT TIRE. MY TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE REGISTERED LESS THAN 5PSI. I FILLED THE TIRE TO AT LEAST 25PSI AND HEADED BACK HOME, FIGURING I COULD PUT THE SPARE ON IN MY GARAGE AND TAKE THE FLAT TO BE REPAIRED. I WAS GLAD TO GET BACK AS THE BIGGEST SNOWSTORM OF THE SEASON WAS AN HOUR AWAY. THE FAILURE: I WAS ABLE TO GET THE JACK AND OTHER EQUIPMENT OUT OF THE BACK AND SUCCESSFULLY LOWERED THE SPARE TIRE ONTO THE GROUND. MY PROBLEM IS THAT I CANNOT REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE FROM THE CARRIER CABLE. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF SALT SPRAYED ON THE ROADS RECENTLY AND ALL THE PARTS WERE WHITE. I SPRAYED WITH WD40, BUT NO LUCK. THE MANUAL IS NO HELP AS IT ONLY SHOWS A PICTURE OF THE SPARE AND A ROTATING ARROW. I CAME INSIDE TO LOOK ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A SOLUTION.. NONE. I THEN SAW A RECALL LISTED FOR THE 2008-2010 SIENNA (ID# 8250). BECAUSE OF A SAFETY ISSUE WITH SPARE TIRE CARRIER CABLE, IT COULD POSSIBLY BECOME CORRODED AND CAUSE THE SPARE TO FALL OFF FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL SAYS TO SEE AN AMENDED RECALL FOR JULY 19, 2010. I CAN'T FIND IT. OWNERS WERE TO RECEIVE A LETTER "WHEN A PERMANENT REMEDY WAS AVAILABLE." REPAIRS WERE EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER 2010. I'M THANKFUL I WASN'T OUT TRYING TO UNSUCCESSFULLY REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE IN A SNOWSTORM, BUT A USELESS OWNERS MANUAL,

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER STATES SQUEAKY NOISE WHEN VEHICLE TIRES GO OVER ANY BUMPS AS WELL AS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED IN THE MORNING WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. ALSO, THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING. *JB

ON 6/9/2010 ASKED DEALER TO CK. VEHICLE B/C AIR VENTS WERE THROWING OUT WHITE SUBSTANCE. DEALER SAID THE CABIN FILTER WAS CONTAMINATED AND REPLACED AT 27,180 MILES. ON 12/9/2010 31,109 MILES RETURNED TO DEALER WITH SAME COMPLAINT WHITE SUBSTANCE THROUGH VENTS. SAME RESPONSE, CABIN FILTER. I SAID HOW COULD FILTER BE THE PROBLEM AFTER JUST 3929 MILES, 6 MO SERVICE. DEALER CHECKED WITH TOYOTA NO RECORD OF ISSUES HERE. WE ALSO OWN A 2007 LEXUS AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. ON 1/14/2011 LEXUS SERVICE REPLACED THE EVAPORATER CORE WITH UPDATED PART AS PER TSB 0032-28. LEXUS SAID TOYOTA DEALER SHOULD DO THE SAME. TOYOTA DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE. MY CONCERN, WARRANTY EXPIRES IN MARCH 2011 AND STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM. CANNOT CONTINUE TO REPLACE COSTLY CABIN FILTER. WHAT SHOULD I DO TO GET THE REPAIR COMPLETED? *TR

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON 08/17/2010 WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT HAS 23000 MILES ON IT. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED ME TOTAL DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER DUE TO FAILURE IN THE BREAK/ACCELERATION SYSTEM ON THE CAR. THE CAR DID NOT STOP BUT ACCELERATED EVEN THOUGH WHEN I WAS PRESSING THE BREAK WHICH CAUSED ME TO HIT A TRUCK THAT WAS PASSING IN FRONT OF ME. I EXPLAINED TO THE EMERGENCY CREW THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS BECAUSE OF FAILURE OF THE BREAK/AND ACCELERATION SYSTEM ON THE TOYOTA CAR AND I EXPLAINED THE SAME THING TO THE POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS PRESENTED ON THE SCENE. I LIKE TO MENTION HERE THAT THE TOYOTA DEALER SENT ME A NOTE OF DEFECTION ABOUT MY CAR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER SHOP AND SPENT 2 HOURS THERE TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE CAR NOW IS AT THE STATE FARM INSURANCE AND I CAN EMAIL/SEND YOU THE CAR PICTURES AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

THE SENSOR LIGHTS FOR ABS AND VSC HAVE GONE ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. SOMETIMES THE BRAKES ENGAGED THE SKID CONTROL, BRAKING CAPABILITY IS LOST AND OTHER TIMES THE SPEED NEEDLE DOES NOT GAGE PROPERLY. THE SYSTEM WAS INSPECTED BY TOYOTA, WHO INDICATED IT WAS DUE TO DAMAGE TO THE SENSOR FROM A ROPE. TOYOTA SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED THE SENSOR AND THEY STAYED OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS, BUT CONTINUE TO COME BACK. MY VEHICLE STILL HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES, AND TOYOTA IS AGAIN TELLING ME THEY HAVE TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM. *TR

THIS REPORT CONCERNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW AS A DEALER LEFTOVER. THE VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 20,000 MILES AND THE TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A20 TIRES ARE SHREDDING AND HAVE PIECES OF THE TREAD MISSING. THIS IS ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THE TIRES ARE P245/55R19 WITH A DOT NUMBER CXHH-DK80508. I HAVE NOT YET CONTACTED TOYO, HOWEVER FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS NOTED, IT DOES NOT SEEM THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL WILLINGLY ACCEPT THE DEFECT OF PREMATURE WEAR OF THIS TIRE. THE TIRE SIZE IS UNIQUE, WHICH CAUSES THE REPLACEMENT COST TO BE MUCH HIGHER THAN MORE STANDARD SIZES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE STOPPED A STOP SIGN AND THE RPMS BEGIN TO INCREASE EXCESSIVELY. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL OFF SHE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. A MECHANIC CAME AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FRONT AXLE HAD BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 12000. UPDATED 01/24/11 *BF THE DEALER STATED THE DRIVER SIDE AXLE BROKE IN HALF AND HALF OF THE AXLE BECAME STUCK IN THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO THE CAMSHAFT POSITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/16/11

LEASED THE CAR NEW. ON THE ODOMETER IT HAD OVER 60 MILES REGISTERED. FROM THE FIRST DAY, THE VALVES WERE SOUNDING LOUDLY. THE VALVES ARE STILL SOUNDING LOUDLY, AT 15, 000 MILES. I INFORMED THE SERVICE DEPT, BUT REALLY NOTHING WAS DONE. WHEN WARMING UP THE CAR, WHEN I FIRST HAD IT, THE CAR WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH. THE SERVICE DEPT. CORRECTED THIS. AT 15,000 MILES A FUEL INJECTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. SERVICE CONSULTANT STATES HE WILL CHECK THIS IN ONE YEAR. I WANTED TO KNOW HOW COME THE FUEL INJECTOR HAD TO BE REPLACE AND WAS THIS NORMAL IN OTHER CAR. NEW FUEL INJECTOR WAS INSERTED. OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

TIRE FALLING APART AND FLAKING INCLUDING PREMATURE WEARING ON FACTORY OEM TOYO OPEN COUNTRY 245-55X19 A20 TIRES WHICH WERE ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER PURCHASE BRAND NEW ON JUL 2008. APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 20,195. ALL TIRES ARE SHOWING THE SAME ABNORMAL WEAR AS VERIFIED BY TOYOTA DEALER. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ONLINE COMPLAINTS OF SIMILAR OWNERS WITH PICTURES OF THE UNUSUAL WEARING. MINE ARE WORSE THAN ARE DESCRIBED AS CONCURRED BY TOYOTA SERVICE ADVISORS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER EQUIPPED WITH TOYO OPEN COUNTRY AT TIRES, SIZE P245/55R19. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE CHIPPING AWAY ON THE SHOULDER OF THE INSIDE. WHILE DRIVIGN 35 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE TIRES WERE INSPECTED AND THE CHIPPING WAS DISCOVERED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THEIR TIRE DEALER. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WITH THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. THE TIRES HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000.

GREETINGS. I AM WRITING TO YOU REGARDING MY 2008 HIGHLANDER SPORT, SERIAL NUMBER [XXX]. SPECIFICALLY, I AM WRITING ABOUT THE OEM TIRES, TOYO OPEN COUNTRY, DOT CXHH, DK82508. AS OF TODAY, I HAVE 23, 897 MILES ON THE VEHICLE; AND THE TIRES ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT TO A POINT BELOW THE WEAR BARS, WHICH INDICATES THAT THEY MUST BE REPLACED NOW. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN OCTOBER 2008, I PURCHASED THE TOYOTA MAINTENANCE PROGRAM, SO THE TIRES ARE ROTATED AND BALANCED (IF NECESSARY) EVERY 5,000 MILES WHEN I ALSO CHANGE THE OIL. I AM A 46 YEAR OLD FATHER OF THREE SMALL CHILDREN, WITH NO MOVING VIOLATIONS, TICKETS OR ACCIDENTS. I TELL YOU THIS ABOUT MY LIFE TO INDICATE THE TYPE OF CONSERVATIVE DRIVER THAT I AM. I HAVE CONDUCTED EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ONLINE AND HAVE IDENTIFIED THE LOWEST PRICE FOR A SET OF FOUR TIRES AT $759.88, WHICH WILL ACTUALLY MORE EXPENSIVE DURING THE BUY DUE TO THE TPMS SYSTEM, THE NECESSITY FOR AN ALIGNMENT WHEN REPLACING FOUR TIRES, AND TAX. I REALIZE THAT TIRE REPLACEMENT IS JUST ONE PART OF THE OVERALL MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT FOR A VEHICLE. HOWEVER, TIRES ON A $33,000 VEHICLE SHOULD PROVIDE FAR MORE MILEAGE THAN 24,000 MILES. IN FACT, IF YOU HAVE THE TIME-I INVITE YOU TO GO THE BLOG TITLED TOYOTA NATION, WHERE ALL OF THE WRITERS CONSISTENTLY MAKE DISPARAGING REMARKS ABOUT TOYOTA?S CHEAP TIRE SELECTION. SO MUCH IN FACT, WRITERS DISCUSS VARIOUS METHODS FOR OVERCOMING THE BURDEN OF FINDING A SUITABLE, WELL-PRICED REPLACEMENT WHEN THERE ARE ONLY THREE COMPANIES

VEHICLE, TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2008, WOULD NOT START USING THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION PUSHBUTTON. ON 7/22/2010 VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO THE DEALER AND THE IGNITION/POWER SWITCH WAS REPLACED, CODE FOUND B2275. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AND DEALER REPLACED NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH PER T-SB-0348-09. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AND WAS TOWED TO DEALER ON 8/16/2010. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FURTHER FROM THEM AS OF 8/23/2010. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE VEHICLE NOT STARTING, THE LAST TIME AT 9:00 PM ON SUNDAY, 8/15/2010. *TR

I RECEIVED A VSC ERROR CODE, ON A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, NOT THE HYBRID MODEL, BUT A LIMITED TOP OF THE LINE MODEL. THE VEHICLE STARTS TO ACCELERATE BY ITSELF & THEN WHEN YOU SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO TRY TO STOP IT, IT FAILS TO STOP. IN ORDER TO AVOID SLAMMING INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME & TO THE RIGHT OF ME, I CHOSE TO TURN LEFT HARD & RUN INTO THE CONCRETE DIVIDER. THIS WAS THE 2ND OCCASION THAT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAS HAPPENED TO ME. THE 1ST TIME WAS ON DECEMBER 15, 2010 & I ALSO CHOSE TO TURN LEFT HARD & STRIKE THE DIVIDER INSTEAD OF REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF OR SIDE SWIPING THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT OF ME. ON THE 1ST OCCASION, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED & BECAUSE OF THAT I ENDED UP STRIKING MY HEAD ON THE EITHER THE DRIVERS SIDE GLASS OR SOME HARD OBJECT AND LOSING MY SHORT TERM MEMORY. THE VEHICLE & THEN CROSSED 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC, FINALLY OFF OF AN EXIT RAMP & CAME TO REST AFTER STRIKING A FENCE POLE. THE 2ND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ON AUGUST 16, 2010. I ALSO CHOSE TO STRIKE THE CONCRETE DIVIDER AS OPPOSED TO STRIKING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME OR TO THE RIGHT OF ME. THEN SOMEHOW I ALSO CROSSED 3 LANES OF HIGHWAY & FINALLY COMING TO REST AFTER STRIKING A LIGHT POLE. THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DID DEPLOY THIS TIME SO I DID NOT LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS NOR DID I LOSE MY SHORT TERM MEMORY. IT WAS AT THAT POINT THAT I NOTICED THAT A 2ND ERROR CODE ALSO CAME UP STATING BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

WENT TO LOCAL DEALER TO GET OIL CHANGE, 15 MINUTES LATER OIL LEAK ALL OUT FROM BOTTOM. DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS A HOSE MALFUNCTION, BUT NO RECALL, CAR IS ONLY TWO YRS OLD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER EQUIPPED WITH TOYO OPEN COUNTRY TIRES, SIZE P245/55/R19. THE CONTACT STATED ALL 4 TIRES ON THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE SPARE, EXHIBITED TREAD SEPARATION. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE MANUFACTURERS WERE CONTACTED AND NEITHER WOULD PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,000.

DURING A RECENT ROAD TRIP VISITING FAMILY, MY SON WAS RIDING IN THE THIRD ROW SEAT IN OUR TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. SHORTLY BEFORE ARRIVING AT HIS GRANDPARENTS, HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAD BECOME TWISTED IN HIS SEATBELT. AS WE WERE WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF OUR DESTINATION, I TOLD HIM THAT I WOULD HANDLE THE SITUATION WHEN WE ARRIVED. A FEW MINUTES LATER HE SAID THAT THE BELT WAS GETTING TIGHTER AND I ASKED HIM IF I NEEDED TO STOP AND HE SAID THAT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA. BEFORE I COULD GET STOPPED (LESS THAT A BLOCK), HE INDICATED THAT HE WAS HAVING TROUBLE BREATHING. WHEN I LOOKED BACK, I WAS STARTLED TO FIND THAT THE SEAT BELT HAD BECOME WRAPPED AROUND HIS NECK AND HAD RATCHETED BACK IN, PINNING HIS NECK BACK AGAINST THE SIDE OF THE CAR. EVEN AFTER STOPPING, I WAS UNABLE TO PULLED THE SEAT BELT OUT TO GET IT OUT FROM AROUND MY SON'S NECK -- HE WAS STRANGLING IN FRONT OF MY EYES. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN A CITY WITH RESIDENTS CLOSE BY, ONE OF WHICH HEARD ME SCREAMING AND RUNNING DOOR TO DOOR, WHO BROUGHT OUT A KITCHEN KNIFE TO CUT THE BELT AND RELEASE MY SON. I REALIZE THAT THESE RATCHET-TYPE SEAT BELTS ARE DESIGNED AS A SAFETY FEATURE IN THE THIRD ROW SEAT OF MANY MAKES AND MODELS, HOWEVER, FEEL THAT THIS DESIGN ALSO PRESENTS A STRANGULATION CONCERN. IN CASES SUCH AS MINE, THERE WAS NO WAY TO GET THE SEAT BELT RELEASED AND IF THIS HAD OCCUR WHILE ON RURAL ROADS OR THE INTERSTATE, THE AVAILABILITY OF A KNIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE DIFFICULT TO COME BY. I FEEL THAT EITHER AN EMERGENCY RELEASE BUTTON

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE SALES PERSON SAID THIS WAS NORMAL WHEN SOMEONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND SUPPOSEDLY THIS WAS CHECKED. ON 5/23/10, THE VEHICLE WAS ON, BUT "PARKED" AND BOTH SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, IT WAS INSPECTED BY A TOYOTA ENGINEER AND BOTH THE DEALER AND ENGINEER HAVE REFUSED TO DISCLOSE THE CAUSE FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF BOTH AIRBAGS WHICH CAUSED INJURIES AND DAMAGES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE GEAR, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE BACKWARDS UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,880. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

HAVE THE BRIDGESTONE TIRES STOCK THAT COME WITH THE 2008 HIGHLANDER. THEY DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT 28000 MILES. WHILE LOOKING UP THE TIRE ON THE MANUFACTURERS SITE, THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE A MILEAGE RATING. WE COMPLAINED TO THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE SITE AND NEVER RECEIVED SO MUCH AS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT. COMPLAINED TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THAT TOYOTA SACRIFICES THE MILEAGE OF THEIR TIRE SO THAT WE GET A BETTER RIDING TIRE. IN OTHER WORDS, TOUGH. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE CAM SHAFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE IN THE DEALERS POSSESION FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,250.

THE 245-55X19 TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A20 TIRES TOYOTA SPECS ON HIGHLANDER LIMITED MODELS ARE UTTERLY TREACHEROUS ON ICE OR SNOW. EDMUNDS.COM DOCUMENTS A HUGE NUMBER OF WINTER TRACTION COMPLAINTS UNDER USED CARS> TOYOTA> 2008> HIGHLANDER LIMITED> CUSTOMER COMMENTS. IN MY OWN CASE, STARTING UNDER 15 MMPH I SLID UNDER 8 LANES OF INTERSTATE VIADUCT, ANTI-LOCK BRAKES PULSING ALL THE WHILE, BEFORE MY CAR STOPPED. THE TOYOS ARE 1 OF ONLY 2 TIRES FROM ANY MFR IN THE SIZE NOTED, THE OTHER BEING A BRIDGESTONE WITH EQUALLY HORRIFIC ICE/SNOW TRACTION RATINGS AT TIRERACK AND DISCOUNT TIRE. TOYOTA REFUSES ANY ASSISTANCE, SAYING THE TIRES ARE TIRE MANUFACTURER WARRANTED. THE PROBLEM? I WOULD BE GETTING EXACTLY THE SAME TIRE AGAIN, AND THE A20 TIRE IS THE PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH. I REPLACED THE TOYO'S WITH ANOTHER MAKE AND SIZE AT 15,900 MILES (FOR $900) AND THEY TRANSFORMED MY HIGHLANDER COMPLETELY WINTER TRACTION-WISE. THIS TOYO TIRE NEEDS TO BE BANNED ENTIRELY, YET TOYOTA CONTINUES TO SPEC THEM ON NEW VEHICLES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKES UNTIL HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD FURTHER ASSESS THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED ALSO THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

POOR TIRES ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SPORT EDITION. EXCESSIVE WEAR AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 22K MILES. THEY ARE THE BRIDGESTONE 245/55/R19. *TR

STOCK TIRES ON 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED ARE UNSAFE. *TR

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH DECISION ON HER TOYOTA *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL AND THE COVER HAD TO BE RESEALED. THE RIGHT FRONT MAIN OIL SEAL WAS REPLACED AS WELL. *JB

ON MAY 22, 2010 MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUDDEN ACCELERATED. I WAS AT A FULL STOP (RED LIGHT) ON 14TH STREET AT THE INTERSECTION OF CASTRO HEADING WEST UPHILL. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE WHEN MY TRUCK SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE TRUCK JERKED FORWARD EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I REPORTED IT TO SAN FRANCISCO TOYOTA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WHEN I BROUGHT IN MY TRUCK FOR THE RECALL SERVICE ON MAY 29, 2010. THEY COMPLETED THE RECALL AS REQUIRED, BUT HE DISMISSED MY COMMENT ABOUT THE ABOVE INCIDENT. I BELIEVE THE REAL ISSUE IS THE ELECTRONIC OR SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING OF VEHICLE CONTROLS AND WISH TO HAVE THIS DOCUMENTED IF A MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM OCCURS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL A SECOND TIME, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HIM. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE EVERY TIME THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE SAME VEHICLE THREE TIMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. BOTH OF THE DRIVERS OF THE VEHICLE WERE ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING NORMALLY AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,100.

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER PURCHASED USED TOYOTA CERTIFIED 9-3-09 FAILS TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. MOST OCCURRENCES AT LOW SPEED AFTER SLOWING TO 5MPH VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND TO GAS PEDAL - OR WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO GEAR AND MOVE FORWARD. THIS OCCURS OR IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PUSHED AFTER HAVING SLOWED DOWN OR IN THE MIDST OF A TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT. WIFE HAS ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING INTO GEAR WHEN CAR IS FIRST STARTED UP ACTS LIKE YOU DIDN'T SHIFT IT INTO GEAR. WE HAVE ALSO NOTED TRANSMISSION DOESN'T ALWAYS SEEM TO DISENGAGE WHEN SLOWING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS 55 MPH. FEELS LIKE IT IS DRAGGING CAR TO STOP. THERE IS A NOTICEABLE WHINE BETWEEN 55 - 62 MPH. TALKED TO DEALER MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT WAS NORMAL EVERYTHING IS CONTROLLED BY COMPUTERS. WE ARE GOING TO TAKE IT BACK IN THIS WEEK AND COMPLAIN ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. WE HAVE ALSO HAD A ISSUE WITH THE TOYO TIRES. AT 28,345 THEY WERE DOWN TO 5/32 TO 4/32. THEY HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS IN SNOW AND HEAVY RAIN WITH LOSS OF TRACTION. WHEN ESC KICKS ON IN THE SNOW ON A TURN DO TO SLIDING AT SLOW SPEED IT MAKES MATTERS WORSE BE BETTER OFF WITH IT TURNED OFF. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARRANT. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A CURB SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE CONTACT STATED ALSO SHE HAD PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V023000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL) BUT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE FOR RECALL REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 33830.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF THE LUG NUTS ON THE TIRE HAD RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LUG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE HAS BEEN NO REPLACEMENT OF THE LUG NUT AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 23,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,806.

TOYOTA SAFETY RECALL NOTICE. I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA ABOUT FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. WHILE THE PEDAL MAY GET STUCK ON THE FLOOR MAT, IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT THIS WILL CAUSE A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ACCELERATION. COMMON SENSE TELLS YOU THAT IF THE PEDAL GETS STUCK, THE VEHICLE WILL REMAIN AT THE SPEED IN WHICH THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. THIS ALSO IS TRUE FOR THE ALLEGED STICKY ACCELERATOR PROBLEM. IT IS DISAPPOINTING THAT THE NTMVSA HAS NOT RECOGNIZED THIS PROBLEM AND IS ALLOWING TOYOTA TO CONTINUE DOWN THIS ROAD. *TR

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER (2008) WITH TOYO A20 TIRES. EXTREMELY HIGH WEAR WITH LOW MILEAGE; CAR HYDROPLANES WITH MINIMAL WET ROAD SURFACE, POWER WHEELS LOSE TRACTION, EVEN WITH SLOW START. THE TOYO TIRE TREADS ARE ALMOST WORN OFF AT 23000 MILES; WHEN IN NORMAL DRIVING, ONE SHOULD EXPECT 45000 MILES. THIS IS A VERY POOR QUALITY OEM TIRE, AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UP AN INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL IN ACTIVATION THE SPEED RATE INCREASED TO 85 MPH OR HIGHER. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP; HOWEVER, THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED THREE WEEKS AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF AS SHE MADE A LEFT TURN. SHE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES BUT IT CONTINUED TO STALL AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT WAS FINALLY ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. THE POLICE WERE AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE FOR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,850. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,866.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 5 MPH IN SNOWY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE TRACTION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE SUSPENSION TRACTION CONTROL. THE TRACTION CONTROL HAD TO BE SHUT OFF BEFORE HE WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION AXLE. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER GAS PEDAL CONTINUED ACCELERATION AFTER BRAKING AND CRASHED INTO MY GARAGE. *TR

MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS HAD ONE INCIDENT WHERE THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO BERNARDI TOYOTA IN FRAMINGHAM, MA ON 3/2/2010 AND THEY ADVISED THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND THEY ALSO CONDUCTED DIAGNOSTICS ON THE VEHICLE AND REPORTED THAT ALL SYSTEMS ARE NORMAL. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT ALL OF THE CONFUSING INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THIS PROBLEM OFFERED BY TOYOTA AND THE FACT IT HAPPENED ONCE TO MY VEHICLE, I AM WORRIED IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN.

I ASK BECAUSE TODAY HAD A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE WITH TOYOTA. THEY TOLD ME MY SHREDDING, BALD TIRES ARE SAFE AND NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM. CALLED TOYO WHO MAKES THE TIRES AND THEY OFFERED ME 50 PERCENT DISCOUNT ON NEW TIRES AND TIRE PLACE SAID CAR WOULDN'T PASS INSPECTION.. .ALL THIS WHEN AN HOUR EARLIER TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAID EVERYTHING IS SAFE AND SENT ME OFF WITH A SAFETY INSPECTION REPORT SAYING ALL IS WELL... FROM WHAT I SEE ONLINE, IT SEEMS LIKE HUNDREDS OF CUSTOMERS DEALING WITH SAME 2008 VEHICLES WITH ONLY 10-18K MILES ON TIRES THAT ARE SHREDDING AND BALD. PERSONALLY I THINK THIS COULD BE ANOTHER TOYOTA EXAMPLE OF TURNING THE OTHER WAY. FROM READING CONSUMERS STORIES AND COMMENTS ONLINE I AM AFRAID THIS COULD RESULT IN MORE INJURIES THAN THE WHOLE BRAKE SITUATION. APPRECIATE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO DRAW SOME ATTENTION TO THIS. THE DEALERSHIP I WENT TO WAS: TOYOTA OF BRAINTREE 781 848 9300 CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER BOB HADGES SERVICE MANAGER BOB SULLIVAN

WE HAVE A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER (2008) WHICH IS HAVING SAFETY ISSUES. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT KEEPS GOING OFF. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE SEAT BUT THE BELL KEEPS GOING OFF. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IT DOES IT OFTEN ENOUGH THAT IT COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. MY SECOND COMPLAINT IS THE WINDOW. THE WINDSHIELD KEEPS CHIPPING WHEN ANYTHING HITS IT. THERE ARE SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I HAD TO REPLACE THIS WINDOW. THERE COULD BE NO OTHER CARS AROUND BUT IF SOMETHING HITS IT WILL SPIDER. MY THIRD ISSUE IS THERE IS A NOISE THAT HAPPENS WHEN WE START THE CAR. ITS IN THE ENGINE AND WE CANT FIND IT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO TOYOTA BUT OF COURSE THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT EXPENSIVE ISSUES WITH THIS UNSAFE CAR. I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THESE ISSUES? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL FROM SPEEDS OF 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE BRAKE PEDAL FELL ONTO THE FLOOR BOARD AND DID NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE STATUE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME TO A STOP AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT REPORT ANY INJURIES. THE POLICE ARRIVED TO THE SCENE BUT A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 5,000.

NOTED RECENTLY ON MYCARSTATS.COM SIX COMPLAINTS REGISTERED WITH NHTSA REGARDING 2008 HIGHLANDER BRAKE PROBLEMS AND FIVE COMPLAINTS REGISTERED WITH NHTSA REGARDING 2008 HIGHLAND ELECTRIC PROBLEMS THAT INVOLVE BRAKES AND ELECTRONIC CONTROLS. I AM SUBMITTING THE FOLLOWING EXPERIENCES WITH MY 2008 HIGHLANDER BECAUSE THEY MIRROR MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS. THE BRAKES ON MY HIGHLANDER HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE FROM THE FIRST WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKES. THE DEALERSHIP DID ADJUST THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WHICH THEY INDICATED WAS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT BUT HAVE STATED THAT THE BRAKES ARE WORKING NORMALLY. MY SPECIFIC COMPLAINT IS BRAKE RESPONSE. THERE IS ROUGHLY AN INCH OF PEDAL TRAVEL BEFORE THE BRAKES BEGIN TO RESPOND. IF ONE MUST MAKE A HARD EMERGENCY STOP THE VSC CONTROL WILL ENGAGE. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN A CAR RAN THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THE BRAKES HARD - THE VSC LIGHT CAME ON - AND THE CAR SLOWLY STOPPED. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT BUT IT WAS EXTREMELY CLOSE. I HAVE FOUND THAT IF I ROUTINELY PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL THE VSC LIGHT COMES ON THAT THE PEDAL TRAVEL IS REDUCED. I TOOK THE HIGHLANDER TO AAA AUTO DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY CONFIRMED THE PEDAL/VSC. AAA WAS UNABLE TO READ THE HIGHLANDER COMPUTER BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PROPRIETARY TOYOTA COMPUTER INTERFACE. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER HAS STATED THAT THE DEPRESSED PEDAL AND VSC LIGHT RESPONSE IS NORMAL. I ALSO NOTED COMPLAINTS OF SUD

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER . UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION. PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE AND APPLIED BRAKE BUT VEHICLE SPEED UP. VEHICLE WENT UP AND OVER THE CURB AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE MUFFLER HIT THE CURB AND STOPPED THE CAR FROM GOING FURTHER. WHILE CAR WAS STILL TRYING TO GO FORWARD, MANAGED TO GET THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE CAR. CAR WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER. CASE NUMBER FROM TOYOTA IS [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT (MY CAR REAR-ENDED ANOTHER CAR), AND THE BODY REPAIR SHOP INDICATES THAT THERE IS "SIGNIFICANT LEFT FRAMERAIL DAMAGE." HOWEVER, MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE ACCIDENT, WHICH WAS VERY SURPRISING TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE BODY SHOP. *TR

WHILE I WAS DRIVING OUR 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER (WITH 21506 MILES) TO THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR A TIRE INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE SURGED TO APPROX 80 MPH WITHOUT ACCELERATOR PEDAL ENGAGEMENT. WHEN I APPLIED BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT SLOWED THE VEHICLE TO APPROX 60 MPH, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE OUT OF CONTROL. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE. I PUT THE VEHICLE BACK INTO DRIVE AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. I EVENTUALLY GLIDED TO A SLOW, DIFFICULT STOP. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA. AFTER A 5 MINUTE REST IN PARK, I STARTED THE CAR AND THE ENGINE RACED. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. AFTER ANOTHER 5 MINUTE DELAY, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND IT APPEARED NORMAL. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD OCCURRED. THE DEALER COULD NOT RECREATE THE EVENT AND DID NOT SEE ANY READOUTS INDICATING WHAT HAD OCCURRED. THEY EXPLAINED IT AS A ECT TRANSMISSION THAT IS COMMON WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. GIVEN RECENT EVENTS, MY FEAR IT THAT THE EXPLANATION GIVEN TO ME IS NOT ACCURATE. I CALLED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST 2 MONTHS TO DETERMINE WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE FOR RECALL AND REPAIR. THEY CONTINUE TO TELL ME TO WAIT FOR A FLOOR MAT RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA, AND PRIOR TO RECEIVING THAT NOTICE, THEY CANNOT ASSIST. I CALLED THE NATIONAL TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER 1-800-331-4331 TO FILE AN INCIDENT REPORT. I EXPLAINED THE SITUATION ABOVE, THEY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER . THEY INDICATED THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS MADE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A20 TIRES, SIZE 245/55/R19, DOT# CXHHDK84607. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS HAVING HER VEHICLE INSPECTED SHE NOTICED THAT ALL 4 TIRES WERE EXPERIENCING ADNORMAL TREAD WEAR. THE TIRES WERE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE EXPERIENCING NORMAL WEAR. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30000. UPDATED 4/28/10 *CN UPDATED 06/11/10.*JB

RECENTLY I WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR REAR-END ACCIDENT. THE IMPACT SPEED WAS APPROX 10-15 MPH AND LIGHT TO MODERATE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO MY VEHICLE, WHICH IS A 2008 HIGHLANDER. PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT I NOTICED MY ANTI-SKID BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED AT A POINT I WOULD CONSIDER TO BE PREMATURE. THIS PREMATURE ACTIVATION LIMITS THE BRAKING POWER OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IS NEEDED. THIS PROBLEM WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF SOUTH COUNTY TOYOTA IN COSTA MESA, CA AND THEY STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING TO SPECIFICATION. I AM STILL CONCERNED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT EVALUATED BY A TOYOTA MOTORS REP WHILE I AM PRESENT. I DO BELIEVE THIS PREMATURE ACTIVATION OF THE ANTI-SKID SYSTEM WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN MY RECENT ACCIDENT AND IT MAY HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF THE FULL BRAKING POWER WAS AVAILABLE. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE STREETS WERE DRY AND IT HAD NOT RAINED IN SEVERAL WEEKS. THE VEHICLE SUFFERED MODERATE FRONT END DAMAGE WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED. TOYOTA WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ACCIDENT AND THEY HAVE FAILED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE OR ADMIT THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. AS OF RIGHT NOW I CAN DUPLICATE THE BRAKE FADE/ ISSUE 100% OF THE TIME. *TR