45 of the 502 complaints about the 2008 Toyota Highlander are about the throttle and cruise control — 9% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 27,500 miles.
45
Complaints
22
Crashes
2
Fires
8
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
My 2008 toyota highlander gas pedal must be lose.because I barley push the gas and it takes on fast.i was driving home on the highway and the truck just died .the battery dies I couldn't turn my wheel I could not press the break
NHTSA complaint #11514719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE
Slowing down, but the car surged forward colliding into a building. The dealership only ran a .5 hour diagnosis and couldn't find anything. Did not proceed w/further diagnosis as did not want to pay out of pocket.
NHTSA complaint #11477729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE THE PULSATE WGEN YOU START TO PRESS ON THEM. THEN WHILE ENGAGING THE BRAKES IT WILL FEEL LIKES ITS GRABBING THEN IT RELEAES AND THE PEDAL FEELS LIKE IT HAS NO PRESSURE IN IT. THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, ALL THE LIGHTS ARE ON FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM, AND NOW IT HAS A LONG HIGH PITCH BEEP WHEN TURNING THE CAR ON OR APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BREAK PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #11374370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN ACCELLERATING INTO TRAFFIC AFTER STOPPING FOR A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT THE CAR MOVES INTO THE TRAFFIC BUT DOES NOT ACCELLERATE BUT COASTS DISPITE FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL. AFTER 2 TO 5 SECONDS THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE. THE TECH AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE COMPUTER THROTTLE CONTROL THAT SETS ACCORDING TO DRIVING HABITS. THIS STALL WHEN ACCELLERATION IS NEEDED HAS ALMOST CAUSED MANY COLLISIONS FROM TRAFFIC COMING UP BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THIS STALL HAPPENS ALSO WHEN TRYING TO PASS A VEHICLE ON ROADS, PULL OUT FROM BEHIND VEHICLE BEING PASSED, DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND NO ACCELERATION FOR 2 TO 5 SECONDS THEN THE ACCELLERATION HAPPENS. THIS COMPUTER FLAW IS SUCH A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT IF I LET ANYONE ELSE DRIVE MY VEHICLE, I HAVE TO WARN THEM ABOUT THE ACCELERATION DELAY AND TO MAKE SURE THERE IS BEYOND NORMAL CLEAR SPACE BEFORE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. I TRY TO DRIVE SMOOTHLY AND AVOID FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL. IN ORDER AVOID A SAFETY ISSUE THIS COMPUTER THROTTLE PROBLEM REQUIRES THE GAS PEDAL TO BE CONSTANTLY FLOORED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN ACCELERATION IS REALLY NEEDED THAT IT WILL HAPPEN. I AM SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER DOING A DRIVING WORK AROUND OF THIS ISSUE. THIS HAS HAPPEND CONSISTANTLY SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2009.
NHTSA complaint #11308931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN ACCELLERATING INTO TRAFFIC AFTER STOPPING FOR A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT THE CAR MOVES INTO THE TRAFFIC BUT DOES NOT ACCELLERATE BUT COASTS DISPITE FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL. AFTER 2 TO 5 SECONDS THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE. THE TECH AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE COMPUTER THROTTLE CONTROL THAT SETS ACCORDING TO DRIVING HABITS. THIS STALL WHEN ACCELLERATION IS NEEDED HAS ALMOST CAUSED MANY COLLISIONS FROM TRAFFIC COMING UP BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THIS STALL HAPPENS ALSO WHEN TRYING TO PASS A VEHICLE ON ROADS, PULL OUT FROM BEHIND VEHICLE BEING PASSED, DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND NO ACCELERATION FOR 2 TO 5 SECONDS THEN THE ACCELLERATION HAPPENS. THIS COMPUTER FLAW IS SUCH A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT IF I LET ANYONE ELSE DRIVE MY VEHICLE, I HAVE TO WARN THEM ABOUT THE ACCELERATION DELAY AND TO MAKE SURE THERE IS BEYOND NORMAL CLEAR SPACE BEFORE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. I TRY TO DRIVE SMOOTHLY AND AVOID FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL. IN ORDER AVOID A SAFETY ISSUE THIS COMPUTER THROTTLE PROBLEM REQUIRES THE GAS PEDAL TO BE CONSTANTLY FLOORED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN ACCELERATION IS REALLY NEEDED THAT IT WILL HAPPEN. I AM SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER DOING A DRIVING WORK AROUND OF THIS ISSUE. THIS HAS HAPPEND CONSISTANTLY SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2009.
NHTSA complaint #11308932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
RE: NHTSA RECALL 14V168000, AKA SC-E0M141007, (10/07/14) 'A NUMBER OF VEHICLES INCLUDING THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2008-2010, WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY CONTAINS ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TO THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MODULE HOUSED IN A SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY, WHICH INCLUDES A FLEXIBLE FLAT CABLE (FFC). DUE TO THE SHAPE AND LOCATION OF THE FFC'S RETAINER, THE FFC COULD BECOME DAMAGED WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. CONSEQUENCE: IF THE FFC IS DAMAGED, CONNECTIVITY TO THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE COULD BE LOST AND THE AIR BAG DEACTIVATED. 2 YRS AGO OUR '08 HIGHLANDER SPORT THE CRUISE CONTROL STARTED ACTING ERRATICALLY, NOT ENGAGING/NOT TURN/OFF USING THE COLUMN MOUNTED STALK. OUR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, & TIME PASSED, & THE CC BECAME UNRELIABLE, ON A FEW OCCASIONS WAS UNSAFE WHEN IT DID NOT 'CANCEL' PULLING BACK ON THE STALK. I'M HANDY SO I PULLED OFF THE STEERING WHEEL AND TOOK APART THE CLOCK SPRING, DISCOVERED THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE WAS COATED IN A WAXY DIRTY LOOKING BUILDUP & THERE WERE ABRASIONS ON THE FLAT WIRE TAPE, EXPOSING THE COPPER BENEATH, WHICH CRACKED. THIS TO ME IS THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED TO THE WIRE TAPE FOR THE VEHICLES IN THE AIRBAG RECALL MENTIONED ABOVE, ONLY THE DAMAGE ON MINE HAPPENED TO THE CC WIRING PORTION AND NOT THE AIRBAG PORTION (OR THE HVAC CONTROLS OR HORN WIRING). I FEEL OUR VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN AND THAT OUR CLOCK SPRING SHOULD BE REPLACED AS WELL. PLEASE REFER TO THE 2 PHOTOS I ATTACHED. THE ONE SHOWING THE WEAR SPOT, IF YOU DOWNLOAD IT AND ZOOM IN, SHOWS THE EXPOSED COPPER AND CRACK IN IT. THE OTHER PHOTO SHOWS THE LOOP IN THE FLAT ELECTRICAL TAPE WHERE THE WEAR SPOT HAPPENED AS WELL AS THE DIRTY WAXY BUILDUP ON THE TAPE. THIS SAME WEAR COULD CREEP DOWN TO THE AIRBAG MODULE WIRES IN THIS FLAT TAPE AND MAKE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM SHUT DOWN, CAUSING MORE UNSAFE CONDITIONS FOR MY WIFE AND I. MY VIN SHOULD BE ADDED
NHTSA complaint #10916295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS OR LONGER, THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THIS CAR HAS BEEN OPERATING ERRATICALLY, WHEN IT WANTS TO IT SEEMS. THE PROBLEM ALWAYS SEEMED TO BE THAT I COULDN'T TURN THE SYSTEM ON. NOW, HOWEVER, WHEN I AM SOMETIMES ABLE TO TURN IT ON, AND SET THE SPEED, THE PROBLEM BECOMES THAT THE STALK ON THE LOWER RIGHT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOSE IT'S CONNECTION AND THE MOVEMENTS OF THE STALK BECOME INACTIVE. THIS IS VERY SURPRISING IF YOU'RE PLANNING TO SLOW DOWN, SPEED UP OR MORE IMPORTANTLY HIT THE CANCEL BUTTON. THE ONLY THING TO DO IS HIT THE BRAKES. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10862117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAS SURGED FORWARD WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKE. TONIGHT, AND ON AT LEAST TWO OTHER OCCASIONS, IT HAS OCCURRED WHILE EXITING THE LOCAL WENDY'S RESTAURANT. THE EXIT SLOPES DOWNWARD FOR TEN FEET OR SO BEFORE REACHING THE MULTI-LANE ONE WAY ROAD. TONIGHT, AS I WAS COMING DOWN THE EXIT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN SURGED FORWARD AND OUT INTO THE ROAD. I ALMOST RAN INTO THE SIDES OF SEVERAL CARS THAT WERE PASSING BY, BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED RIGHT BEFORE IT GOT FAR ENOUGH OUT IN THE ROAD TO HIT THEM. I DON'T KNOW HOW CLOSE MY FRONT END WAS TO HITTING THEM, BUT IT WAS VERY CLOSE. THAT'S WHY I'M FILING THIS COMPLAINT. I'VE CHECKED THE MAT AND IT'S NOT THE MAT. I BELIEVE IT IS SOMETHING IN THE ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL, BUT AS YOU KNOW, TESTS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED ON TOYOTA VEHICLES BEFORE FOR THIS ISSUE, AND NOTHING WAS FOUND THAT I'M AWARE OF. BUT I'M TELLING YOU NOW, AND I HAVE A DEGREE IN ASTRONOMY (I'M TECHNICALLY MINDED), THERE IS SOMETHING MORE THAN MATS AND DRIVER ERROR GOING ON WITH UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION AND TOYOTA VEHICLES. I DID A SEARCH TONIGHT ONLINE, AND I FOUND A NUMBER OF REPORTS FROM OTHER OWNERS OF 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS, NOT TO MENTION A MYRIAD OF OTHER REPORTS FROM OWNERS OF OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES. MY VEHICLE HAS ALSO SURGED FORWARD WHILE TURNING INTO PARKING SPACES AT GROCERY STORES, ONCE AGAIN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. SO FAR, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT RAN OVER THE PARKING BLOCK OR HIT ANOTHER CAR, BUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, AND AS YOU KNOW TOYOTA IS NO HELP WITH THIS ISSUE. MY VEHICLE IS PAID FOR, AND I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER ONE RIGHT NOW OR I WOULD TRADE IT IN. BUT EVEN THEN, I WOULD FEEL UNEASY NOT KNOWING WHAT HAPPENED TO THE NEXT OWNER. PLEASE DO SOMETHING NOW BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE HURT OR KILLED.
NHTSA complaint #10825503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH AND PARKING THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AT HOME, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED THROUGH THE INTERIOR WALL OF THE GARAGE, ONLY COMING TO A STOP AFTER DAMAGING THE OUTER BRICK FACADE OF THE BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED AND NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 10/07/15*LJ UPDATED 12/11/2017
NHTSA complaint #10743918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON DECEMBER 10TH, 2014, AROUND 8:15AM, OUR 2008 HIGHLANDER SPORT AWD SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT FULL THROTTLE WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, ENTERED THE CROSS SECTION AND CRASHED WITH INCOMING SUV ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CAR KEPT GOING AT HIGH SPEED AFTER RUNNING A CURB AND FLATTENED ALL 4 TIRES ON STRAIGHT LINES AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED IN A NEIGHBOR'S YARD, MADE DEEP TRENCH INTO THE LAWN. THE OTHER PARTIES WERE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL EXAM AND THEIR SUV WAS BADLY DAMAGED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WE HAVE PHOTOS FROM VARIOUS ANGLES SHOWING THAT THIS CAR WAS NOT STOPPABLE BY A HUMAN AT THE MOMENT. WE WERE TOLD OUR CAR WILL BE A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. OUR EVIDENCE INDICATED THE CAR'S DEFECTS WAS THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION WHICH HAS BEEN THE CASE FOR MANY OTHER TOYOTA CAR OWNERS FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS. WE NEED TO HOLD TOYOTA RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS AND OTHER ACCIDENTS AND TO BE INVESTIGATED THOROUGHLY BY THE NHTSA. OUR LOSS SHOULD BE PROPERLY COMPENSATED BY TOYOTA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. CASE:TOYOTA HIGHLANDER UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION ACCIDENT ON 12/10/2014 CASE NUMBER:[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10664471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10663950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE SPIRAL CABLE IN THE STEERING WHEEL HAS CAUSED THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON, WHICH MEANS THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT OPERATE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. ALSO THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT OPERATE. THESE ITEMS ARE ALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE SPIRAL CABLE. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THEY KNOW OF THE SPIRAL CABLE PROBLEM BUT DO NOT HAVE A FIX FOR IT NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10639429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ATTEMPTING TO PARK CAR IN A SHOPPING CENTER. SUDDENLY ENGINE ACCELERATED UNINTENTIONALLY. HIT CURB & TREE. DAMAGE TO CAR APPROXIMATELY $6000 TO REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10628611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10475966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10439862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10380388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10343947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10340405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10334122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10331025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10326622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10324837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10324367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER GAS PEDAL CONTINUED ACCELERATION AFTER BRAKING AND CRASHED INTO MY GARAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10323859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10322088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10320466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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 SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN PUTTING THE CAR INTO GEAR. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A SURGE TO THE DEGREE MENTIONED IN THE COMPLAINTS REFERENCED ABOVE, HOWEVER, WHILE PUTTING THE CAR INTO DRIVE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE I HAVE HAD THE CAR SURGE FORWARD. I NOW ALWAYS HAVE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON WHILE PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. THE DATE LISTED BELOW IS THAT OF MY FIRST COMPLAINT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10320164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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).
NHTSA complaint #10319270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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 IN JAPAN AND SHOULD NOT BE PART OF THE PEDAL RECALL. THEY ALSO INDICATED THAT WE SHOULD BE PART OF THE FLOOR MAT RECALL WHICH WILL INCLUDE A COMPUTER CHIP ADJUSTMENT THAT WILL INSTALL A BRAKE OVERRIDE TO ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL OVERRIDE THE ACCELERATOR. GIVE THE RECENT EVENTS OVER THE PAST 2 DAYS, IT APPEARS THAT MAY NOT BE WORKING PROPERLY ON OTHER VEHICLES. SINCE AUGUST 2009, THIS SITUATION HAS NOT OCCURRED AGAIN. MY FEAR IS THAT IT WILL.
NHTSA complaint #10318488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10316864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.