Owners have filed 158 complaints
about the 2001 Toyota Highlander with NHTSA between 2001 and 2020.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 18 of 25 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 28
Against the median year of the Toyota Highlander. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
27.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 58
34% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2001 compares with every other Toyota Highlander
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
22.2%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
88.8%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
1213.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1617.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
1314.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
1617.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
1819.8%
150,000+ miles
66.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2001peak 10May 2020
Recalls on the 2001 Toyota Highlander
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
04V181000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE A CHILD PROTECTION LOCK (CPL) SYSTEM ON BOTH OF THE REAR SIDE DOORS. WHEN AN OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE CLOSES THE DOOR VERY HARD WITH THE CPL LEVER SET TO THE LOCK POSITION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE LEVER MAY CONTACT THE BODY PANEL, CAUSING THE CPL LEVER TO MOVE INTO THE UNLOCK POSITION.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE DOOR TO BE OPENED WITH THE INSIDE WHILE THE OPERATOR BELIEVES THAT THE CPL WAS ACTIVATED. IF THE DOOR WERE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AN OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT AND BE INJURED.
ON SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THERE IS A BREATHER HOSE THAT ATTACHES TO THE NOZZLE OF THE ON-BOARD REFUELING VAPOR RECOVERY (ORVR) VALVE, WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE TOPSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE BREATHER HOSE IS ATTACHED WITH A CLAMP, WHOSE "TABS" FACE IN THE UPWARD DIRECTION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED UNDER THE NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TEST (I.E., 35 MPH FRONTAL BARRIER CRASH), THE CLAMP "TABS" CONTACTED THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BODY DUE TO MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK, CAUSING THE NOZZLE TO BREAK.
Risk: IN THE WORST CASE, NOZZLE BREAKAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE VEHICLE ROLLS-OVER AFTER A HIGH SPEED FRONTAL CRASH.
01V228000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTIITY VEHICLES. THE RESERVOIR FILLER CAP OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY INDUCE A VACUUM, INTRODUCING SOME AIR INTO THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR. THIS COULD CAUSE ABNORMAL BRAKE NOISE AND INCREASED PEDAL STROKE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
Risk: THE INCREASED PEDAL STROKE WILL LENGTHEN THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 200412726,987 units in Canada
Other
On certain vehicles, if the rear side doors are closed very hard with the Child Protection Lock (CPL) lever in the lock position, there is a possibility that the lock lever may contact the body panel due to insufficient clearance, causing the CPL lever to move into the unlock position. This condition could allow the doors to be opened with the inside door handles while the operator believes that the child protection lock was activated. Correction: Dealer will shorten the CPL levers.
Recall 200214213,423 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, there is a breather hose that attaches to the nozzle of the on-board refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) valve, which is located on the topside of the fuel tank. The breather hose is attached with a clamp, whose "tabs" face in the upward direction. When the vehicle was crashed under the new car assessment program (NCAP) test (i.e., 35 mph frontal barrier crash), the clamp "tabs" contacted the underside of the body due to movement of the fuel tank, causing the nozzle to break. In the worst case, nozzle breakage could result in fuel leakage if the vehicle rolls-over after a high speed frontal crash. Correction: Dealers will rotate the specified clamp.
Recall 20011884,153 units in Canada
Brakes
Certain sport utiity vehicles. The reservoir filler cap of the brake master cylinder may induce a vacuum, introducing some air into the brake master cylinder reservoir. This could cause abnormal brake noise and increased pedal stroke when the brakes are applied. The increased pedal stroke will lengthen the stopping distance of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Correction: Dealers will bleed the air from the brake lines and replace the reservoir filler cap.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 105,000 milesRedmond, ORCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON 11/17/2015 I HIT A PARKING ISLAND IN AN UNLIT PARKING LOT. WHEN I TRIED TO STOP, MY BRAKES FAILED. THIS CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT HIT 2 PARKED CARS AND A TREE. I HAVE LOST WAGES AND LIVE IN PAIN EVERY DAY DUE TO INJURIES FROM THIS ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10990497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesRedmond, ORCrash1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
ON 11/17/2015 I HIT A PARKING ISLAND IN AN UNLIT PARKING LOT. WHEN I TRIED TO STOP, MY BRAKES FAILED. THIS CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT HIT 2 PARKED CARS AND A TREE. I HAVE LOST WAGES AND LIVE IN PAIN EVERY DAY DUE TO INJURIES FROM THIS ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10990497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesRedmond, ORCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
ON 11/17/2015 I HIT A PARKING ISLAND IN AN UNLIT PARKING LOT. WHEN I TRIED TO STOP, MY BRAKES FAILED. THIS CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT HIT 2 PARKED CARS AND A TREE. I HAVE LOST WAGES AND LIVE IN PAIN EVERY DAY DUE TO INJURIES FROM THIS ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10990497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 141,980 milesEL Sobrante, CACrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. THE POLICE WAS CONTACTED, BUT A REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND NECK PAINS THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,980. MA 10/15/2015
NHTSA complaint #10746229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pompano Beach, FLCrash
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WIRING PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT. KEPT REPLACING BULB, THEN REPLACING SOCKET, NOW GOING TO PUT A WHOLE KIT. TOYOTA NEGLECTED TO TELL ME THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE, EVEN AFTER SEVERAL TICKETS AND WASTED MONEY ON DIFFERENT THINGS TELLING ME IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10651774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pompano Beach, FLCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WIRING PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT. KEPT REPLACING BULB, THEN REPLACING SOCKET, NOW GOING TO PUT A WHOLE KIT. TOYOTA NEGLECTED TO TELL ME THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE, EVEN AFTER SEVERAL TICKETS AND WASTED MONEY ON DIFFERENT THINGS TELLING ME IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10651774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 102,742 milesHonolulu, HI
TIRES
MY FRONT TIRES, (FROM A SET OF FOUR), HAVE PARTS OF THE TREAD SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE BODY. THE RUBBER UNDER THE MISSING PIECES OF TREAD HAS A TEXTURE LIKE POPCORN. THE INNER SURFACE OF THE RUBBER IS SHINY AND SMOOTH. *DT IT IS NOT FROM GOUGING, FORCE, OR ABUSE TO THE TIRES. IT IS AS IF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS USED TWO DIFFERENT BATCHES OF RUBBER THAT WAS NOT INCORPORATED TOGETHER CORRECTLY, AND IS NOW SEPARATING FROM ITSELF. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY! IF A TIRE FAILURE OCCURS FROM THIS DEFECT AT SPEED, IT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, ROLLOVER, HEAD-ON, SERIOUS INJURY/DEATH. PLEASE REVIEW HIS MATTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR PICTURES OF THE DEFECT, SINCE THE WEBSITE HAS NO WAY TO UPLOAD THE PICS.*DT*JB
NHTSA complaint #11324339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesCentennial, CO
STRUCTURE:BODY
SUNROOF GLASS BLEW OFF OF THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY YESTERDAY. I SEE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS ON THE INTERNET. WAS THERE EVER A TSB OR RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE FROM TOYOTA? DANGEROUS AND SCARY, HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #11078803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Orleans, LA
STEERING
I AM SOLE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE SINCE BOUGHT IT NEW AND WELL MAINTAIN IT. DASHBOARD AND STEERING WHEEL ARE PEELING AND GOOEY. TOYOTA SERVICE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT AND ASKED ME TO CALL TOYOTA. I CALLED AND FILED A COMPLAINT NO. 1709121290 WITH TOYOTA. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD RECALLS ON OTHER MODELS BUT NOT THIS ONE SO IT SEEMS THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE FOR THEM. THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #11022842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Orleans, LA
STRUCTURE:BODY
I AM SOLE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE SINCE BOUGHT IT NEW AND WELL MAINTAIN IT. DASHBOARD AND STEERING WHEEL ARE PEELING AND GOOEY. TOYOTA SERVICE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT AND ASKED ME TO CALL TOYOTA. I CALLED AND FILED A COMPLAINT NO. 1709121290 WITH TOYOTA. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD RECALLS ON OTHER MODELS BUT NOT THIS ONE SO IT SEEMS THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE FOR THEM. THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #11022842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesRedmond, ORCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON 11/17/2015 I HIT A PARKING ISLAND IN AN UNLIT PARKING LOT. WHEN I TRIED TO STOP, MY BRAKES FAILED. THIS CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT HIT 2 PARKED CARS AND A TREE. I HAVE LOST WAGES AND LIVE IN PAIN EVERY DAY DUE TO INJURIES FROM THIS ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10990497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesRedmond, ORCrash1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
ON 11/17/2015 I HIT A PARKING ISLAND IN AN UNLIT PARKING LOT. WHEN I TRIED TO STOP, MY BRAKES FAILED. THIS CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT HIT 2 PARKED CARS AND A TREE. I HAVE LOST WAGES AND LIVE IN PAIN EVERY DAY DUE TO INJURIES FROM THIS ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10990497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesRedmond, ORCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
ON 11/17/2015 I HIT A PARKING ISLAND IN AN UNLIT PARKING LOT. WHEN I TRIED TO STOP, MY BRAKES FAILED. THIS CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT HIT 2 PARKED CARS AND A TREE. I HAVE LOST WAGES AND LIVE IN PAIN EVERY DAY DUE TO INJURIES FROM THIS ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10990497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,000 milesNorco, CA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
DRIVER SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. IT DROOPS APPROXIMATELY 60 DEGREES WHEN LOWER TO BLOCK SUN.
NHTSA complaint #10871176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 141,980 milesEL Sobrante, CACrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. THE POLICE WAS CONTACTED, BUT A REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND NECK PAINS THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,980. MA 10/15/2015
NHTSA complaint #10746229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 168,000 milesSAN Juan, PR
STRUCTURE:BODY
FAULTY STOP LIGHTS, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE STOP LIGHTS. THE PROBLEM REMAINS UNSOLVED AND KEEPS COMING BACK ON BOTH TAIL LIGHTS. WHAT'S WRONG TOYOTA?
NHTSA complaint #10715260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,000 milesHamilton, NJ
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
NHTSA complaint #10679276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesColumbus, OH
ENGINE
TOYOTA HAD A PROBLEM WITH THERE 4 CYLINDER ENGINES IN CAMRY AND HIGHLANDER WITH ENGINE MOUNTAIN THREADS PULLING AWAY FOR A THREE OR FOUR YEAR PERIOD. MY CAR STARTED LEAKING OIL ABOUT 90,000 MILES WHEN I TOOK IN TO A DEALER HE TOLD ME ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND TOYOTA DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL. I WAS TOLD ONLY FIX IS A NEW ENGINE. THEY ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ALSO AGAIN NO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10678863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pompano Beach, FLCrash
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WIRING PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT. KEPT REPLACING BULB, THEN REPLACING SOCKET, NOW GOING TO PUT A WHOLE KIT. TOYOTA NEGLECTED TO TELL ME THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE, EVEN AFTER SEVERAL TICKETS AND WASTED MONEY ON DIFFERENT THINGS TELLING ME IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10651774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pompano Beach, FLCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WIRING PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT. KEPT REPLACING BULB, THEN REPLACING SOCKET, NOW GOING TO PUT A WHOLE KIT. TOYOTA NEGLECTED TO TELL ME THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE, EVEN AFTER SEVERAL TICKETS AND WASTED MONEY ON DIFFERENT THINGS TELLING ME IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10651774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pompano Beach, FLCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
WIRING PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT. KEPT REPLACING BULB, THEN REPLACING SOCKET, NOW GOING TO PUT A WHOLE KIT. TOYOTA NEGLECTED TO TELL ME THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE, EVEN AFTER SEVERAL TICKETS AND WASTED MONEY ON DIFFERENT THINGS TELLING ME IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10651774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 milesWilmington, DECrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED THE LINE AND I SWERVED TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION. HOWEVER POINT OF IMPACT WAS DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND SIDE TO REAR. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10650109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesOrlando, FL
VISIBILITY
SUNVISOR DROPS DOWN ABOUT 30 DEGREES FROM THE UP POSITION OR JUST DON'T STAY ALL THE WAY DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10595289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesBuffalo Grove, IL
AIR BAGS
ANYTIME CAR IS KEPT OUTSIDE IN TEMPERATURE BELOW FREEZING, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND STAYS ON AFTER CAR IS STARTED. IT CONTINUES TO STAY ON UNTIL TEMPERATURE WARMS UP AND CAR IS SUBSEQUENTLY RESTARTED. THERE ARE REPORTS OF A TSB ON THIS KNOWN PROBLEM STATING THE AIRBAG IS NON-OPERABLE WHILE LIGHT FLASHES, BUT TOYOTA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL OR IS WILLING TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. NOTE: THIS IS A SAFETY DRIVE ABILITY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE TREATED AS A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10555156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,071 milesMaples, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE APPLIED FORCEFULLY IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V228000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALER'S RECORDS INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY REPAIR PERFORMED. THE RECALL WAS NOT HONORED AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,071.
NHTSA complaint #10551974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesLAS Vegas, NV
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I HAVE A 2001 HIGHLANDER. THE LEFT VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN FROM THE WEIGHT OF THE VISOR. I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH WHEN THE VISOR FELL IN FRONT OF MY EYES,CAUSING ME TO SWERVE . THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE VISOR.
NHTSA complaint #10549588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesMelbourne, FLCrash1 injured
POWER TRAIN
ON WED, 4 SEP 2013 AT APPROXIMATELY 12:00, I PARKED MY CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO PICK UP MAIL. AFTER PICKING UP THE MAIL, I RETURNED TO THE CAR AND LEANED OVER THE CAR TO RETRIEVE MY PURSE FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN MY SUV STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. MY CAR WHICH WAS ON AN INCLINE IN MY DRIVEWAY KEPT ROLLING BACKWARDS. I FELL ON MY BACK ON THE CONCRETE DRIVEWAY AND THE FRONT TIRE OF MY CAR ROLLED OVER MY LEFT THIGH. THE CAR ROLLED BACK AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. MY NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE STREET CALLED 911.
NHTSA complaint #10545602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesCerritos, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DRIVER'S SIDE SUNSHADE DOES NOT STAY UP WHEN PLACED IN THE UP POSITION. PRIOR TO THIS, IT WOULD STAY UP FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME AND SUDDENLY FALL DOWN, HITTING THE DRIVER'S HEAD AND BLOCKING THE VIEW.
NHTSA complaint #10544798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 232,698 milesMorgan Hill, CA
ENGINE
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF OUR 2001TOYOTA 3.0 HIGHLANDER. I ALSO OWN A 2008 TOYOTA TUNDRA PICKUP AND A 2008 LEXUS ES 350. OUR HIGHLANDER HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL VEHICLE. I HAVE PERFORMED ALL THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE ON OUR VEHICLES SINCE THEIR PURCHASE, OIL CHANGES, FLUIDS LEVELS, SERPENTINE AND POWER STEERING BELTS REPLACEMENTS, TIRE ROTATION, AIR AND FUEL FILTERS REPLACEMENT, WIPERS, STRUTS, AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. THE ONLY SERVICE THAT WAS PERFORMED BY TECHNICIANS WAS COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION OIL SERVICE. ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012 WHILE MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, I NOTICED THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATED. WHEN I GOT HOME, I USE MY OBD CODE READER AND OBTAINED THE FAULT CODE OF P1349. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT MY VEHICLE APPEARED TO BE RUNNING NORMALLY. AFTER READING THE POSSIBLE CAUSES, I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SERVICE CENTER AND HAD AN OIL CHANGE PERFORMED. I DID THIS BECAUSE I HAD A COUPON FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND FILTER FOR $14.99. I RESET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THEN DROVE THE VEHICLE WORK. ON THE WAY HOME, I NOTICED THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND MY LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT HAD ACTIVATED. AS I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE IT OFF THE FREEWAY, I NOTICED THAT THE MOTOR START MESSING. BY THE TIME I GOT TO THE OFF RAMP, THE ENGINE WAS EMITTING LOUD BANGING SOUNDS AND WAS STRUGGLING. BY THE TIME IS ABLE TO SAFELY PARK THE VEHICLE, THE MOTOR HAD CEASED. AS AN ORIGINAL OWNER, I DO NOT RECALL EVER RECEIVING A NOTICE REGARDING OIL JELLY. I AM REQUESTING THAT MY MOTOR FAILURE BE COVERED THE OIL GEL SETTLEMENT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10489588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesMacomb, MI
VISIBILITY/WIPER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4X4 LIMITED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT OPENED BOTH REAR WINDOWS BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE THE WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE POWER WINDOW REGULATORS FOR BOTH REAR WINDOWS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,839.
NHTSA complaint #10484655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,000 milesGlen Allen, VA
POWER TRAIN
AS MY WIFE WAS SLOWING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO EXPERIENCE AN ACCELERATION ON ITS OWN. SHE FELT AS IF THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK SO SHE IMMEDIATELY PRESSED BRAKE WITH HER LEFT FOOT AND ACCELERATOR WITH THE RIGHT FOOT IN AN EFFORT TO 'RELEASE' THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS WAS A REFLEX MOVE ON HER PART BECAUSE IT HAPPENED SO FAST. THE VEHICLE HOPPED OVER THE PARKING LOT CURB, LANDED ON THE GRASS AND CAME TO A STOP. I WAS STANDING 50 FEET FROM THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE ONLY THING I NOTICED WAS A BRAKING SOUND AND WHEN I TURNED AROUND THE CAR HAD HOPPED AND WAS ON THE GRASS. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO COULDN'T FIND THE CAUSE OR REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THERE'S NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. A MONTH HAS GONE BY SINCE THE INCIDENT AND THERE HASN'T BEEN ANYTHING UNUSUAL WITH THE CAR SINCE.
NHTSA complaint #10466716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.