2008 Toyota Highlander complaints

SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF NEW HIGHLANDER 2008 MODEL. I HAD REPORTED FOR THE FIRST TIME I FEB 19, 2009 WHEN I TOOK THE CAR FOR SERVICE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH ACCELERATION, AS IT RUNS AT A HIGHER SPEED. THEY CHECKED & I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG BY THE DEALER.MY WIFE WHO NEVER HAD ANY ACCIDENTS GOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON DEC. 21,2009 WHEN AS SHE WAS PARKING THE CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY & HIT THE BUILDING IN FRONT. THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT THE PEOPLE THAT WERE WORKING IN THAT BUILDING CAME OUT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. INSPITE OF WEARING SEAT BELTS, HER CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL SHE WAS IN SEVERE PAIN. AFTER EMERGENCY VISIT, SHE DID NOT HAVE ANY FRACTURES, BUT BRUISES OF RIBS. SHE WAS SO SCARED SHE WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE FOR WEEKS. IT TOOK MORE THAN 8K FOR REPAIRS.THE CAR STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS &WE ARE AT A LOSS WHAT TO DO. SHE IS DRIVING WITH CAUTION LOCALLY UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. WHEN WE CONTACTED 2 DEALERS, WE ARE TOLD THE CAR IS MANUFACTURED IN JAPAN & IT IS NOT ON RECALL LIST. WE TRY TO CONTACT NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. NEED HELP IN RETURNING THIS CAR TO TOYOTA , AS IT IS A SERIOUS HAZARD . *TR

ON DECEMBER 7, 2009, I HAD JUST ARRIVED AT MY PARKING APRON IN FRONT OF MY GARAGE AND WAS PUTTING THE CAR IN "PARK" AND HAD DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO DO SO. THE ACCELERATOR IMMEDIATELY JAMMED ON "FULL" AND THE CAR WENT THROUGH A WOODEN TWO-CAR GARAGE DOOR TAKING ALL OF THE EQUIPMENT WITH IT AND PROCEEDED EIGHTEEN (18) FEET INTO THE GARAGE AND WAS STOPPED ONLY BY THE STAIRS TO THE CONDO AND THE HOUSE FOUNDATION. THERE WAS $9,000 DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND $4,000 DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE AND STAIRS. TOYOTA HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND CLAIM IT IS NOT ONE OF THE RECALLED AUTOS AND THIS EVENT MUST HAVE BEEN MY FAULT. THIS IS VERY DISTRESSING AS I AM A SENIOR VOLUNTEER DRIVING SENIORS TO THEIR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS AND AN "AT FAULT" ACCIDENT WOULD PREVENT MY CONTINUING THIS PROJECT. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT SOME DEFECT, PROBABLY ELECTRONIC CONTROLS, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DO WHAT IT DID AND I AM VERY AFRAID TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT. EVEN IF, TOYOTA'S CLAIM IS CORRECT THAT MY FOOT WEDGED BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL CAUSING ACCELERATION, WOULD THIS NOT ALSO BE A DESIGN DEFECT? PLEASE PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE. *TR

GAS PEDAL IS TOO TIGHT. I WOULD LIKE SOME ONE TO CHECK THE CAR. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THERE WILL BE A BIG PROBLEM FOUND WITH THIS MODEL ALSO. PEDAL IS ABNORMALLY TIGHT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS BACKING OUT OF THE RESIDENCE DRIVEWAY ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. THE DRIVER STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN THE REVERSE POSITION AND WITHIN THREE SECONDS THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TOP OF THE DRIVER. THE AMBULANCE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE LEFT LEG AND CHEST AREA. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 4/5/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED SHE STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE NOT REALIZING IT WAS IN GEAR. IT STAYED STATIONARY FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE RUNNING HER OVER. UPDATED 05/11/10.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. ON DECEMBER 7, 2009 THE CONTACT DROVE INTO HIS PARKING GARAGE AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IMMEDIATELY JAMMED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE GARAGE, APPROXIMATELY 18 FEET. THE VEHICLE STOPPED AT THE STAIRS. THERE WAS $9,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND $4,000 FOR THE GARAGE. TOYOTA HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL YET IT WAS THE CONTACTS FAULT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRONIC FAILURE. TOYOTA ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS FOOT WENT BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE GARAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) MY FATHER [XXX] WAS KILLED WHILE DRIVING A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. HE HIT ANOTHER CAR SUSTAINING SEVERE INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. HE LEFT MY HOUSE IN GEORGETOWN, TX. DRIVING TO ROCKPORT TX WHEN IT IS REPORTED THAT HE LEFT HIS LANE, NO INDICATION THAT HE TRIED TO SLOW DOWN. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN GOLIAD COUNTY, ABOUT AN HOUR FROM HIS HOUSE. THE AUTOPSY COULD FIND NO MEDICAL OR PHYSICAL CAUSE FOR THIS ACCIDENT. THE ACCIDENT IS ON FILE WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND USAA INSURANCE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. ON FEBRUARY 10, 2008 WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN SHE PUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. SHE LOST CONTROL AND SWERVED THE INTO THE LEFT LANE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLES REAR BUMPER CAUSING THAT VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THEM. SHE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER RIBS. THE OTHER TWO DRIVERS ALSO SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS IN THE PROCESS OF INVESTIGATING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 13,000. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. UPDATED 03/30/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE MAY HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE STEERING PROBLEMS AS WELL. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING TOO FAST FOR THE ROAD CONDITIONS. UPDATED 06/28/10*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND CHANGING LANES, THE THROTTLE CAUSED THE WHEELS TO LOSE TRACTION CONTROL. AFTER A WHILE, THE THROTTLE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BUT NO ERRORS WERE FOUND AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33000. UPDATED 03/24/10 *BF UPDATED 06/28/10*JB

IN JANUARY 2010, I WAS PARKED IN MY DAUGHTER'S DAYCARE DRIVEWAY. THE DRIVEWAY HAS A NORMAL SLOPE. I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON WHILE IN THE DRIVEWAY AND EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKES THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CAR BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARD. I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THANKFULLY NO CHILDREN WERE AROUND ME. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN MOMENTS LATER WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH HAS A MINIMAL SLOPE. AGAIN THE BRAKES LOST PRESSURE AND DID NOT WORK. IN BOTH INSTANCES I NOTICED THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THE VSC LIGHT TURNED ON 4X IN THE SAME DAY. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE VSC LIGHT AND BRAKES FAIL ON A ROUTINE BASIS...AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. I MAKE SURE THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PARKING BRAKE ARE ENGAGED AND THAT THE VSC LIGHT DOES NOT TURN ON BEFORE SHIFTING TO DRIVE. THIS CARE IS UNSAFE CONSIDERING THE VSC ENGAGES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR

WE HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM (ABS/VSC). FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE ABS/VSC WILL MALFUNCTION AND BRAKES OPERATE INCORRECTLY. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT COMES AN GOES. WE HAVE ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THE SNOW IN OHIO. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR INTO THE DEALER 4X WITHOUT RESOLUTION SINCE NOBODY KNOWS WHAT IS WRONG. IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE IT STARTED JAN 2010. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. THE VEHICLE ALSO BECAME HARD TO CONTROL AT HIGHER SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 TO 70 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 10 TIMES. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY AND IT WAS NOT MALFUNCTIONING. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,050.

ALL THE SENSOR LIGHTS, INCLUDING ABS, EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND TRAC, FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAVE GONE ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. SOMETIMES THE BRAKES ENGAGED THE SKID CONTROL AND ONE TIME I HEARD THE BACK LEFT BRAKE MAKE A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKES WERE INSPECTED TWICE, ONCE BY TOYOTA MECHANIC AND ANOTHER TIME BY A LOCAL SEARS MECHANIC. THE TOYOTA MECHANIC RE-CALIBRATED THE SENSORS AND THEY STAYED OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS, BUT THEY ARE ALL BACK ON NOW. THE TOYOTA MECHANIC STATED THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS THIRD ONE HE SAW THAT WEEK FOR BRAKE SENSOR PROBLEMS. ALSO, BOTH MECHANICS SAID I HAD PLENTY OF BRAKES LEFT. THIS STARTED WHEN THERE WAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON MY CAR BUT, WITH OVER 36,000 WARRANTY MILES. I THINK THE SENSORS SHOULD LAST LONGER AND IT'S SCARY DRIVING WITH THE SENSOR LIGHTS INDICATING A PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2008 FROM AUG 2008. THIS CAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH BRAKING. FIRST WINTER IT WAS UNSAFE TO PARK CAR ON SHOPPING PARKING, BECAUSE OF CLOSE PROXIMITY TO OTHER CARS. HIGHLANDER WAS NOT STOPPING, IT CONTINUED MOVING WITH MY LEG ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAR WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN. I DROVE MANY DIFFERENT SUVS FROM RENTAL COMPANIES, LIKE CHEVY TRAIL BLAZER, GMC ACADIA, JEEP TWO DIFFERENT MODELS, BUT NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY TOLD ME THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING. I'M USED TO THIS CAR NOW, BUT BRAKING STILL NOT GOOD. IT REQUIRES DEEP PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL AND CAR IS STOPPING LONGER. *TR

OUR 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS HAD THE SAME INTERMITTENT BRAKING PROBLEM SINCE WE PURCHASED IT IN 2008. WHEN WE BRAKE FOR THE FIRST SECOND OR SO OF DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE BRAKES WILL EITHER NOT RESPOND OR THERE WILL BE A SLIGHT SURGE IN ACCELERATION. AFTER FURTHER DEPRESSION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES WILL ENGAGE, BUT THE INITIAL ENGAGEMENT IS NOT SMOOTH. IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE THAT HAS BRAKED THEIR VEHICLE TOO RAPIDLY. THIS ISSUE COMES AND GOES. WHEN WE TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAY THEY CANNOT RECREATE THE ISSUE AND SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR

THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION WE HAVE HAD WITH OUR TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WHEN ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE WILL PERIODICALLY OVER-REV BEFORE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO THE APPROPRIATE GEAR. THIS RESULTS IN A MOMENTARY LACK OF ACCELERATION. AGAIN THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. WHEN TAKEN TO THE TOYOTA DEALER, THEY SAY THEY CANNOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN SEE THAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 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 SLOW DOWN (NOT A COMPLETE STOP) USUALLY TO WAIT FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR. OCCURRED WITH EVERY DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE (4). MOST NOTABLE (SCARY) WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS TURNING AND TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN GEAR, RPM INCREASE, CAR REVES UP, BUT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. MY DAUGHTER SCREAMED. TAKEN TO DEALER AT LEAST TWICE. AND CONTINUE TO CALL AND COMPLAIN. DEALER STATES THEY HAD EXPERTS LOOK AT CAR, REBOOTED COMPUTER (BECAUSE CAR RESPONDS TO DRIVER THAT DRIVES THE MOST!). SAID NOTHING IS WRONG OR CAN BE DONE. DEALER HAS ADMITTED THAT ENGAGING IS SLOW, NOTICEABLE. FAILURE TO ENGAGE OCCURS DAILY. CONSEQUENCE - IN DANGER OF NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE CAR OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NOTHING WAS DONE TO REPAIR. COMPUTER RE-SET. (THIS IS WHAT I WAS TOLD) VEHICLE ALSO HAS EXPERIENCED TROUBLE WHILE DRIVING UP HILL. RPM WENT TO 4000 + AND WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. ON FREEWAY AND SLOWING DOWN. HAD 6 HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS IN CAR. ALSO HAS "DROPPED" INTO GEAR HEAVILY. *TR

AT THE END OF OCTOBER, 09, I WAS DRIVING WITH BOTH OF MY BOYS IN THE CAR. I GOT INTO THE LEFT TURN LANE ON BAY AREA BLVD, HOUSTON,TX. I HAD ONE CAR IN FROM OF ME. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND MY ENGINE RACED AND I STARTED TO GO FORWARD. I LOOKED DOWN QUICKLY TO SEE IF THE FLOOR MAT WAS STUCK AND IT WAS NOT. I PRESSED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. I PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. MY 11 YEAR OLD WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND HE EXPERIENCED THE ENTIRE SITUATION. I WAS VERY SCARED THAT I WOULD HIT THE CAR IN FRONT WHICH IS WHY I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. I DID NOT THINK ANYONE WOULD BELIEVE ME SO I DID NOT TELL ANYONE ABOUT IT. LAST WEEKEND I WAS WAITING AT THE RED LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO TURN LEFT AND MY CAR ENGINE STARTED TO RACE AGAIN, I WAS READY TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK BUT THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN SO I WAS ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD. I CONTACTED STAR TOYOTA IN LEAGUE CITY AND SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. I WAS INFORMED AGAIN ( ONCE BY THE SALES MANAGER) THAT MY CAR VIN HAD A J IN FRONT OF IT SO IT WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN AT MY EXPENSE TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND WAS REFERRED TO THE 800 331 4331. I CALLED THAT NUMBER AND RECEIVED A RECORDING THAT DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF CALLS THAT THEY WERE NOT ACCEPTING CALLS AND WAS REFERRED TO THE TOYOTA PRESS ROOM ON LINE. I WENT TO THAT SITE AND DID NOT FIND ANY WAY TO CONTACT TOYOTA. I HAVE A DANGEROUS CAR AND I CANNOT GET HELP WITH IT FROM THE DEALER. I D

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN OCTOBER 2007. SHE STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN RPMS WITHOUT WARNING. SHE ASSUMED THE FLOOR MAT WAS BLOCKING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; HOWEVER UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. THE VEHICLE THEN PROCEEDED TO ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 15 MPH. THE CONTACT USED BOTH FEET TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ABRUPTLY SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO IDLE UNTIL SHE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER PROVIDED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,400 AND THE CURRENT WAS 39,538. UPDATED 3/24/10 *CN UPDATED 08/18/10*JB

I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR'S ALIGNMENT. MY MECHANIC SAID IT IS A DEFECT THAT CANNOT BE FIXED AND IS A SAFETY DANGER. WHEN MY CAR HAD 3,000 MY MECHANIC SAID THE TIRES WERE SHREDDING. WHEN HE CHECKED MY ALIGNMENT HE SAID IT WAS OFF BUT WHENHE TRIED TO CORRECT IT HE SAID IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO FIX AND IT IS A DEFECT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD FIX IT. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR THEY SAID IT WAS REALIGNED BUT COULD NOT GET IT TO THE RECOMMENDED ALIGNMENT BUT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK AGAIN TO HAVE IT REALIGNED AND THE SAME RESULT THAT IT COULD NOT BE REALIGNED TO COMPANY SPECS BUT TOYOTA TOLD ME THE MISALIGNMENT IS NOT A SAFETY DANGER. MY MECHANIC SAID IT IS A DANGER SO I BROUGHT IT BACK TO TOYOTA TO COMPLAIN. TOYOTA SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO SO I SHOULD JUST LIVE WITH IT. I AM FURIOUS AND AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY CAR. WILL YOU PLEASE HELP ME. I AM AWARE OF OTHER OWNERS WITH ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS WITH THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE MODELS. THANK YOU. *TR

LEFT AND RIGHT REAR BRAKES STAY ENGAGED WHEN APPLIED AND WILL NOT DISENGAGE FOR UP TO 2 MINUTES AFTER RELEASED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE MECHANISM (APPARENTLY THE CALIPERS) WAS CORRODED. *TR

DRIVING MY NEW 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LEASED DEC. 2008. ON 4-5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON I ACCELERATED AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO FULL RACE. PEDAL WAS NOT STUCK. COULD NOT TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL CAUSED UNCONTROLLED MAXIMUM RPMS. TURNING THE KEY OFF AND BACK ON NUMEROUS TIMES DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. EVENTUALLY AFTER ABOUT 20-30 SECONDS THE PROBLEM RESOLVED, ENGINE SLOWED WITH NO SIGN THERE HAD EVER BEEN A PROBLEM. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN SINCE SPRING 2009 BUT THAT SPRING THE 4-5 EPISODES HAPPENED WITHIN A FEW WEEKS.

I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE INFORMATION SCREEN INDICATED THERE HAD BEEN A BRAKE MALFUNCTION AND THAT I SHOULD PULL OVER AND CALL THE DEALER. I NOTICED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT WAS LIT SO I THOUGHT I HAD SOMEHOW BEEN DRIVING WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. IN KIND OF A PANIC I THEN PUSHED DOWN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ABOUT HALF WAY IN AN EFFORT TO TURN IT OFF. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN PRECIPITIOUSLY AND WE ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. IT TURNS OUT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY CORROSION IN ONE OF THE WHEEL SENSORS THAT DETECTS SLIPPAGE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NEVER ENGAGED. TOYOTA SHOULD NOT ILLUMINATE THAT LIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENS TO PREVENT DRIVERS FROM THINKING THEIR EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ENGAGED WHEN INFACT IT IS NOT. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL THE 2008 HIGHLANDER TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NO CORROSION SINCE THE MESSAGE ON THE INFORMATIONAL DISPLAY IS SO DISTRACTING TO THE DRIVER.

BRAKE FAILURE ON 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER: I TURNED CAR ON & SHIFTED INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE. THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. CAR ROLLED BACKWARD & WOULD NOT STOP. I APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE AND CAR STOPPED. WHEN E-BRAKE WAS ON I TESTED TO SEE IF THERE WAS PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL - THERE WAS NONE. AT THIS POINT I PUT CAR INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF ENGINE, WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND RESTARTED ENGINE. STILL NO BRAKE PRESSURE AND SHIFTER WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK POSITION. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN AND RELEASED EMERGENCY BRAKE. AT THIS POINT THE CAR SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND THERE WAS PRESSURE IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. I DROVE VEHICLE SAFELY TO NEAREST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP (WHERE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED). COMPUTER CHECK INDICATED NO PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. MANUAL/VISUAL CHECK REVEALED A GAP LEAKING BRAKE FLUID BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER , BOTH OF WHICH WERE SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. *TW

MY WIFE'S 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SPORT WITH 19" RIMS CAME WITH BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/L 400 TIRES. THIS TIRE HAPPENS TO BE THE ONLY TIRE MADE TO FIT THIS RIM OTHER THAN A TOYOTA OPEN COUNTRY WHICH APPARENTLY WAS STANDARD ON THE HYBRID MODEL. WE FOUND THIS TIRE TO BE UNFIT AND UNSAFE FOR A 4,500 LB VEHICLE OF THIS SCALE. THESE TIRES HYDROPLAN IN RAIN FROM THE MOMENT THEY WERE NEW, AND THEY HANDLED TERRIBLY IN ANY AMOUNT OF SNOW, CAUSING THE REAR OF OUR 4WD VEHICLE TO SLIDE SIDEWAYS WHEN STARTING FROM SIMPLE STOPS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WE HELD OUR BREATH AS WE SLID TOWARD VEHICLES AND PROPERTY WHILE THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM TRIED IN VAIN TO OVERCOME THE TIRE'S VERY POOR HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS. IF YOU GO TO TIRERACK.COM YOU WILL SEE THAT THIS TIRE IS RATED EXTREMELY POORLY BY MANY MANY OWNERS OF HIGHLANDERS AND OTHER CARS THAT THEY CAME STANDARD ON. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THIS, THEY BALKED AT ME, AND COPPED AN ATTITUDE WHEN THEY ASKED IF I SERIOUSLY THOUGHT TOYOTA WAS GOING TO REPLACE MY TIRES FOR ME. THESE TIRES ARE UNSAFE FOR ANY VEHICLE WHICH WILL TRAVEL IN SNOW OR RAIN. THE FINAL INSULT OF THESE TIRES IS THAT THEY WERE MORE THAN THREE-QUARTERS WORN OUT BY 15,000 MILES. WE MILKED THESE TIRES UNTIL ALMOST 30,000 MILES SINCE I REFUSED TO BUY THE SAME TIRE AGAIN, HOPING SOME OTHER MANUFACTURER WOULD COME ALONG WITH A SIMILAR SIZED TIRE - 245/55-19. THAT NEVER HAPPENED, SO I WENT WITH A 255 WIDTH TIRE AND BROUGHT A WELL RATED HANKOOK. I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER. I AM JUST

TOYO A20 OPEN COUNTRY TIRES IN 245/55R19 SIZE WEAR PREMATURELY WITH POTENTIAL LOSS OF TRACTION AND CONTROL. DRIVERS UNAWARE OF THE FACT THESE TIRES WEAR OUT IN LESS THAN 20,000 MILES MAY FAIL TO CHECK THEM FOR WEAR SOON ENOUGH. THESE TIRES ARE THE OEM TIRES USED ON THE 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SPORT MODEL AND PROBABLY SOME OTHER TOYOTA MODELS AND MODEL YEARS AS WELL. THE 2008 VEHICLE OWNERS WILL BE THE FIRST TO REPORT PROBLEMS. THIS BLOG ON CONSUMER REPORTS DETAILS THE PROBLEMS. HTTP://BLOGS.CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG/CARS/2009/04/TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER-HOW-TO-CHOOSE-THE-BEST-REPLACEMENT-TIRE-.HTML TOYOTA DEALERS ARE OFFERING NO COMPENSATION OR REPLACEMENT ASSISTANCE AND THIS SIZE TIRE IS UNIQUE SO THAT ONLY TWO FIRMS OFFER REPLACEMENTS - TOYO AND BRIDGESTONE. THE BRIDGESTONE OEM TIRES IN THIS SIZE MAY HAVE THE SAME WEAR AND TRACTION PROBLEMS. *CN

TOYOTA 2008 HIGHLANDER-BRAKING SYSTEM HESITATES LIKE THE PRIUS IS DESCRIBED. IT FREEZES UP AND DOESN'T REACT AS QUICKLY AS IT IS PUSHED. THIS IS ONGOING. *TR

I AM LEASING TWO TOYOTA VEHICLES ... A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND A 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY. DURING DECEMBER 2009 I EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TRANSMISSION AND SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE BRAKING. DETAILS INCLUDE A TRANSMISSION NOISE RATTLE WHILE DRIVING ON A CALIFORNIA FREEWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH. THIS TRANSMISSION NOISE CONTINUED FOR 3-4 MINUTES, SOUNDING LOUDER AS IF A PART WAS LOOSE INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION. I SHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION ON THE 2008 HIGHLANDER BETWEEN GEARS AND THE NOISE EVENTUALLY STOPPED. THE SECOND COMPLAINT ON THE 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER OCCURRED ON DECEMBER 5, 2009, WHILE I WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE. AS I APPROACHED THE PARKING PLACE, WITH MY FOOT COVERING THE BRAKE PEDAL, I EXPERIENCED UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WHILE BRAKING. THE 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUDDENLY LURCHED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD HAVE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE THROUGH A PLATE GLASS WINDOW AT THE BANK IF I DIDN'T APPLY FULL FORCE OF THE BRAKE! I WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKE FIRMLY ENOUGH TO OVERCOME THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME. CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA TOYOTA OF CARLSBAD WAS NOTIFIED ON DECEMBER 9, 2009 IN WRITING REGARDING THESE TWO ISSUES. I HAD PERSONALLY DELIVERED A TWO PAGE DOCUMENT DETAILING BOTH OF THESE COMPLAINTS TO THE TOYOTA OF CARLSBAD SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE FROM MY COMPLAINT BY TOYOTA OF CARLSBAD OR THE TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT'S SISTER OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT'S SISTER WAS DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ACROSS THE INTERSTATE, HIT AN EMBANKMENT AND WAS STRUCK BY SEMI TRUCK. THE VEHICLE BURNED AND THE DRIVER WAS KILLED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BUT THERE WAS NO INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE FOR THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ANY REPRESENTATIVES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 33,000. UPDATED 03/10/10 *BF UPDATED 07/07/10.*JB UPDATE 9/19/2011*CW

2008 LOW MILEAGE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER STICKING ACCELERATOR PEDAL. MY ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK AT FULL THROTTLE. I'M SURE IT WAS NOT THE MATS; I DID NOT HAVE ANY. THE MILEAGE WAS VERY LOW AT THE TIME, UNLIKE WHAT THE RECALL IS ADDRESSING. IT HAS NOT HAPPENED SINCE. *TR

CRASH AND INJURY ON DATED 12/21/2008 WHERE I THOUGHT MY 2008 HIGHLANDER WHICH I BOUGHT A MONTH AGO SKID ON A DRY ROAD IN BROAD DAY LIGHT. SPEED WAS BELOW 20 MPH 1000 FT AWAY FROM MY HOME INSIDE THE NEIGHBERHOOD OF READING, PA 19606. WE WERE GOING TO SEE A MOVIE ON A WEEKEND. ON LYNN AVE MY CAR SKID AND HIT A PARKED TRAILER BEHIND. I COULD NOT GET TIME TO PRESS THE BRAKE AT ALL. ALL I THOUGHT IS SNOW/ BLACK ICE. MYSELF AND ATTENDING POLICE OFFICER DID NOT FIND ANY ICE ON THE ROAD. SO, AS USUAL HUMAN ERROR WAS BLAMED. BUT MY 14 YR SON NOTICED THE SKID BEFORE INCIDENT. MY WIFE AND SON BOTH WERE INJURED IN THE CRASH. IN OVER ONE YEAR I COULD NOT GET SATISFIED WITH THE POLICE REPORT WHICH SAID MY SPEEDING WAS TO BLAME. WE ALL KNEW I WAS NOT SPEEDING NEAR MY HOME. THE CONTROL OF MY CAR WENT AWAY FROM MY HAND. THE CAR SPED UP AND BEFORE ANY REALIZATION IT HIT THE BACK OF THE TRAILER. IF YOU SEE THE CAR AND THE WAY IT HIT, ONLY REASON YOU WILL BELIEVE THAT THE DRIVER MUST HAVE BEEN DRUNK. BUT I WAS NOT. NOW I KNOW WHAT REALLY HAPPENED THAT DAY. IT IS THE REASON WHY THE RECALL HAPPENED. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SEAT DOES NOT RISE UP ENOUGH TO SEE OVER THE OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR. ALSO, THE OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR IS LARGE AND CONTINUOUS TO THE DOORPOST PRODUCING A VISUAL BLOCK FROM WINDSHIELD SIDE OF THE DOORPOST TO THE FAR END OF THE OUTSIDE MIRROR - ABOUT 16 INCHES. PROJECT THIS VISUAL BLOCK-OUT ACROSS TO A SIDE-STREET INTERSECTION AND IT BLOCKS THE VIEW OF THE ENTIRE SIDE-STREET INTERSECTION AND THEN SOME WHEN TRAVELING ON A FOUR LANE STREET WITH A MERIDIAN IN THE MIDDLE. THIS IS GROSS HAZARD FOR ME AND A VEHICLE IN THE INTERSECTION AND FOR PEDESTRIANS. I HAD ONE COLLISION WHEN LEAVING A CHURCH PARKING LOT ONTO A TWO LANE RURAL ROAD - TRAVELING ABOUT 10 MPH AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN HIS LANE. OCCURRED IN SPRING OF 2008, ABOUT 5 PM - CLEAR SUNNY DAY. I DID NOT SEE HIS CAR - AND THE COLLISION REPAIR COST FOR HIS VEHICLE WAS $2,500 AND FOR MY REPAIR COST WAS $4,000 +-. ALSO, I HAVE HIT THE LOW CONCRETE DIVIDER WITH MY LEFT FRONT TIRE - LOCATED UNDER THE FREEWAY OVERPASS WHEN TURNING - THIS TURN I HAVE DONE 5 DAYS A WEEK FOR 5 YEARS ON THE WAY TO WORK WITH NO PROBLEM UNTIL DRIVING THIS 2008 HIGHLANDER. ALSO, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR COLLISIONS WITH UNSEEN VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. AT NIGHT WITH VEHICLE BEHIND ME THE LIGHT GLARE IN THE OUTSIDE MIRROR IS SUCH THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OVER OR AROUND TO SEE A SIDE-STREET INTERSECTION. SIMILAR PROBLEMS EXIST FOR THE RIGHT OUTSIDE MIRROR. TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM THE MIRROR NEEDS TO BE LOWERED. ALSO, A GAP BETWEEN

ON AUGUST 13, 2009 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED, 4WD SUV WHEN SHE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A WOODEN TELEPHONE POLE, TOTALING THE CAR. ACCORDING TO HER, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND SHE COULDN'T STOP THE VEHICLE. *TR

I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED. AFTER DRIVING 25K MILES, I NOTICED A VIBRATION IN MY STEERING. I THEN NOTICED MY TIRES TREAD ON ALL 4 TIRES WORN DOWN TO ALMOST 2/32" OF TREAD DEPTH REMAINING. I HAVE ORIGINAL TIRES: OPEN COUNTRY A20 P 245/55R19 103S. I CALLED TOYO TIRE CONSUMER RELATIONS DEPT. AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO MILEAGE WARRANTY ON THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THEY OFFER 30% DISCOUNT ON NEW SET OF TIRES INSTALLED AT TIRE DEALER CENTER. NEW TIRES, AFTER DISCOUNT WILL COST ABOUT $900, BUT THEY ON THE BACK ORDER AND BECOME AVAILABLE ONLY BY THE END OF DECEMBER 2009. I FORCED TO KEEP DRIVING MY CAR WITH BAD TIRES.THEY DON'T OFFER ANY REPLACEMENT TIRES FOR THIS ODD SIZE, MANUFACTURED ONLY FOR THIS CAR. THESE TIRES CREATE A HAZARD TO ME, MY FAMILY AND PUBLIC SAFETY, ESPECIALLY DRIVING IN THE NORTH-EAST AREAS. I HAVE NEVER HAD A NEW VEHICLE THAT NEED NEW TIRES WHEN IT IS BARELY TWO YEARS OLD. I TRY TO REPLACE THIS TIRES BEFORE I HAVE AN INCIDENT. I HAVE NOTICED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE TIRES ON VARIOUS WEB SITES. ALL TOYOTA HIGHLANDER OWNERS VERY DISAPPOINTED AND LOST. MANY TRY TO CHANGE TIRE SIZE TO MORE COMMON USED, WHICH WILL VOID POWER-TRAIN WARRANTY AND COULD CREATE MORE OF SAFETY PROBLEMS. I HOPE YOU FIND THIS SITUATION VERY DISTURBING AND POTENTIALLY SAFETY HAZARDOUS AND WILL LEAD TO YOUR INVESTIGATION AND CORRECTION. *TR

WE HAVE LEASED A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FOR 22 MONTHS. THE TOYO A 20 TIRES ARE SO WORN WITH NORMAL DRIVING THEY WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS APPEAR ONLINE REGARDING THIS MATTER. NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS MATTER. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT WITH TIRE OR CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING GARAGE, THE ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT SHIFTED UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND CAUSED IT TO STICK WHICH CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION CENTER AND REPAIRED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $4,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,957. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

KNOWN DEFECTS OF TOYO TIRES ON 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. TIRES SHRED TREAD IN LITTLE PIECES. TOYOTA DEALER HAS A SHEET DESCRIBING THE DETAILS. TOYO KNEW THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. THEY WAITED UNTIL THE OWNER NOTICED AND COMPLAINED. THE TIRES WEAR OUT VERY QUICKLY. THE TIRES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND REPLACED. INSTEAD TOYO APPLIED THEIR WARRANTY. WITH 80% CREDIT, MY COSTS WERE$252.25 SINCE THE TIRES WERE KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE, THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO ME. *TR

NO PREVIOUS BRAKING PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED. FIRST HEARD AN AIRY SOUND WHEN BRAKING THEN SOFT BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN ALMOST COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. DEALER FOUND A VACUUM LEAK IN BRAKE BOOSTER. REPAIR WAS REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER. *TR

TIRE FLAKING AND PREMATURELY WEARING. *TR

BRAKE PEDAL SPONGY AT LOW ENGINE OPERATING SPEEDS. *TR

WHEN THE FRONT OF THE CAR IS ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE AND IT IS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE IT WILL ROLL FORWARD THE SAME AS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WILL DO WHEN THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE HAS TO BE APPLIED WITH ONE FOOT WHILE THE OTHER FOOT IS PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE COULD CAUSE INJURY AND OR PROPERTY DAMAGE IF PARKED CLOSE TO PERSON OR PROPERTY. THE SLOPE ANGLE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A STEEP INCLINE FOR THIS TO OCCUR. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS AS A PROBLEM AND IT WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE FOR THE CAR TO ROLL FORWARD. *TR

TOYO TIRES (P245/55R19) WERE INSTALLED ON MY 08 HIGHLANDER AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. AT FIRST OIL CHANGE, WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WERE NOT WEARING PROPERLY & HAD ALIGNMENT CHECKED. NO PROBLEMS WITH ALIGNMENT--CALLED TOYOTA--THEY ADVISED TO ROTATE EVERY 5K WITH OIL CHANGE..DID THE SAME AND I NOW HAVE 20K MILES WITH 2 REAR TIRES THAT RUBBER IS "PEELING" SO BAD THAT THEY HAVE TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. FRONT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITHIN FEW MONTHS AS WELL. TOYOTA IS BLAMING TOYO & NO REPLY FROM TOYO....OBVIOUSLY THIS MANUFACTURER MAKES POOR QUALITY PRODUCTS WITH JUST THE COMPLAINT RECORDS THAT YOU HAVE ON FILE. ANYONE DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH THESE TIRES IS OBVIOUSLY TAKING THEIR LIFE IN THEIR HANDS!! *TR

I BOUGHT A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN DECEMBER 2007. I DID NOT TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT. AFTER A FEW WEEKS, I TRIED TO BACK UP AT NIGHT. THE LIGHTS ARE COMPLETELY INADEQUATE AND THEY ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE EVERY FEW FEET AND CHECK TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NOTHING/NO ONE IN MY PATH WHEN BACKING UP AT NIGHT. I ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK/REPAIR THE LIGHTS. THEY SAID THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT BUT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX IT. IT IS NOT SAFE TO BACK UP THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT BECAUSE THE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE ENOUGH TO SEE IF SOMEONE IS IN YOUR PATH. I HAVE ASKED THE MANUFACTURER FOR HELP FIXING THE PROBLEM BUT THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *TR

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL FORWARD WHEN THE VEHICLE AND TRANSMISSION ARE POSITIONED IN REVERSE, IF THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE. *TR

MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER CONSUMES A LITTLE OVER HALF QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 1,000 MILES DRIVEN AND I TOOK IT TO LONGO TOYOTA FOR MORE THAN THREE TIMES AND THE MECHANIC THERE TOLD ME THAT IT'S NORMAL. THIS IS THE FIRST BRAND NEW CAR THAT I EVER HAD WHEREIN I HAVE TO ADD OIL IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES (3,000 MILES). HAD THEY TOLD ME BEFORE I BOUGHT THIS CAR, MAYBE I WILL NOT HAVE BOUGHT IT AND WON'T END UP HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER - ACCELERATED TO PASS A CAR IN THE NEXT LANE SO I COULD PASS AND THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I PULLED INTO THE SHOULDER AND THOUGH THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND STILL THE CAR WANTED TO GO BUT IT SLOWED A BIT SO I THREW IT INTO PARK AND THE JERKED BUT FINALLY CAME TO A STOP AND I SHUT OFF THE CAR. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AND I AM AFRAID THAT IT MAY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. CURRENTLY THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY HAVEN'T HEARD OF THIS BEFORE. YET WHEN I GOOGLED THE ISSUE TOYOTA HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE WITH THE HIGHLANDER AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLES INCLUDING THE CAMRY. *TR

ON MARCH 2, 2009 I RENTED A SUV FROM HERTZ AT THE SALT LAKE CITY AIRPORT. UPON PICKING UP THE CAR I COMMENTED TO THE PERSON CHECKING ME OUT THAT THE TIRE TREAD DEPTH LOOKED VERY LOW FOR AN SUV THAT WOULD BE USED IN THE SNOW. SHE SAID SHE WOULD MAKE NOTE OF IT. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION 230 MILES AWAY I USED A PENNY TO CHECK THE DEPTH. I CALLED HERTZ TO ASK FOR ASSISTANCE TO GET THE TIRES REPLACED. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SAID THERE WAS A GOODYEAR DEALER IN THE CITY I WAS IN BUT WOULD HAVE TO GET APPROVAL. THE MANAGER AT THE HERTZ IN SLC SAID HE WOULD NOT APPROVE NEW TIRES. I STOPPED AT A TOYOTA DEALER WHO CHECKED THE TIRE TREAD DEPTH, THE DEPTH RANGED FROM 2/32 TO 3/32, THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE TIRES WERE UNSAFE. SHOULD THE NHSTB INVESTIGATE CAR RENTAL COMPANIES WHO MAY BE PLACING THE SAFETY OF CUSTOMERS AT RISK TO SAVE MONEY? *TR

THE BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/L400 (NOT H/L 683 OR 684 II AS LISTED IN THE CHOICES FOR THIS TIRE ON THIS WEB SITE!!!!!) TIRES ON OUR 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ARE TERRIBLY UNSAFE IN ALL CONDITIONS OTHER THAN DRY ROADS. THEY HYDROPLANE IN THE RAIN, THE REAR END SLIDES IN ALL TYPES OF SNOWY CONDITIONS, CAUSING THE STABILITY CONTROL TO KICK IN AND COMPENSATE, AND THEY REQUIRE FREQUENT TOPPING OFF OF THE AIR PRESSURE, MORE SO THAN ANY TIRE ON ANY VEHICLE I'VE EVER OWNED. THIS TIRE IS GETTING TERRIBLE REVIEWS ON TIRERACK.COM FROM CURRENT OWNERS OF MAZDA CX-9S AND HIGHLANDERS, AND THERE ISN'T ANOTHER TIRE ON THE MARKET IN THE SIZE I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE IT. IT'S AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. OUR CAR IS A V6 POWERED 4X4 SUV WE BOUGHT BRAND NEW 10 MONTHS AGO. IT HAS NEVER DRIVEN WELL IN SNOW, AND DESPITE THE FULL-TIME 4-WHEEL DRIVE, THE VEHICLE BEHAVES LIKE A REAR-DRIVE TRUCK WITH SUMMER TIRES. THE CAR SEVERELY FISHTAILS AND SLIDES SIDEWAYS, WITH THE STABILITY CONTROL FULLY CUTTING POWER AND APPLYING CERTAIN BRAKES IN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT COURSE. THIS HAPPENS AT EVERY TURN AND INTERSECTION. IT'S NOT ONLY EMBARRASSING, IT'S ALSO WREAKING HAVOC ON MY FUEL ECONOMY AS I DO SO MUCH SLIPPING IN THESE TIRES, AND I FEAR I WILL BE GOING OFF THE ROAD OR SLIDING INTO SOMEONE'S PROPERTY OR VEHICLE SOME DAY WITHOUT WARNING. *TR

USING A HIGHLANDER'S POWER-ADAPTER TO POWER MY IPHONE, A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF NOISE IS ADDED TO THE MUSIC OUTPUT. TOYOTA DEALER HAS CORRECTED MY PROBLEM BY INSTALLING SOME FILTERS IN LINE BEFORE THE POWER ADAPTER SOCKET. *TR

IN FEBURARY 2008, I PURCHASED A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, WHEN SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED. ON THE FIRST OCCASION (APRIL 2008), THE INCIDENT ENDED IN AN ACCIDENT AS THE VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO A WALL. THE SECOND INCIDENCE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS LATER AND NEARLY CAUSED ANOTHER ACCIDENT. AGAIN, AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY A PARKING PYLON BEFORE HITTING A WALL. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIM THAT THEY CAN NOT FIND ANY ISSUES WITH VEHICLE. BASED ON MY RESEARCH, THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE AN ISOLATED PROBLEM AS OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES ARE NOTED AS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I FEEL THAT THIS VEHICLE IS THREAT NOT ONLY TO THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY, BUT TO OTHERS ON THE ROAD. UPDATED 08/08/08. *JB

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL FORWARD WHEN THE VEHICLE AND TRANSMISSION ARE POSITIONED IN REVERSE, IF THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE. HE ALSO STATES THAT THE HILL HOLDER FEATURE DOESN'T WORK ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE. *KB