2002 Toyota Highlander Complaint Log

PLEASE INCLUDE AND CONSIDER THIS COMPLAINT IN YOUR UPCOMING MEETING.RE: DESIGN DEFECT  HEATED AIR FROM VENTING SYSTEM TOYOTA HIGHLANDER I AM AN OWNER OF THE 2002 MODEL. THE AIR FROM THE AIR VENTING SYSTEM IS ALWAYS HEATED. RECENTLY, THE LOCAL DEALER CONFIRMED MY FINDINGS. THE AIR EXITING FROM THE VENTING SYSTEM IS UNNECESSARILY HEATED FOR AN ADDED 6 TO 9 DEGREES. THE CABIN IS 6- 9 DEGREES HOTTER THAN THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT. THEIR EXPLANATION IS THAT THE AIR VENT DUCT PULLS AIR THROUGH NEXT TO THE ENGINE. AND IN THE PROCESS HEATED THE VENTED AIR.I WAS TOLD TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.HOWEVER, I AM PUZZLED BY THIS DESIGN DEFICIENCY. DUE TO THIS DESIGN DEFECT, I AM WASTING AC AND FUEL EFFICIENCY. PLEASE HELP ME LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. F. FUNG SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. *AK

THE HEATING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER REPLACED SOME WIRES. UPON LEAVING THE DEALER, THE DRIVER TURNED ON THE REAR DEFROSTER AND THE WIRING HARNESS BURNED UP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK WITHOUT WARNING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED,BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING AREA, AND WHEN CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKES VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. WHILE TRYING TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND AVOID PEDESTRIANS VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A CEMENT POLE IN THE PARKING LOT. CONSUMER SUFFERED SEVERE HEAD AND KNEE INJURIES. THE POLICE ISSUED A REPORT ON THE COLLISION.*AK

DRIVER SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN ANY TILTED POSITION AFTER IT HAS BEEN PULLED DOWN FROM ITS RESTING "OUR OF THE WAY" POSITION IN THE ROOF BRACKET. BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF THE VISOR TO STAY IN POSITION IT IS NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WHILE USING THE VISOR AS IT OBSTRUCTS THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD. THIS CONDITION ADDITIONALLY MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE WHILE DRIVING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SUN AS THERE IS NO MEANS BY WHICH TO BLOCK THE INCOMING GLARE FROM THE DRIVER'S EYES WHILE THE VISOR IS IN ITS "OUT OF THE WAY" POSITION IN THE ROOF BRACET. THE DEALER HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE REPLACEMENT COST OF THE VISOR IS $580.00. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DESIGN DEFECT OF A SMALL INEXPENSIVE PART CONTAINED WITHIN A VERY EXPENSIVE VISOR.*AK

THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR CONSTANTLY FOLDS DOWN BLOCKING MY VISION WHEN I AM DRIVING. VISOR IN LOOSE. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. AVOIDED A FEW ACCIDENTS ALREADY. *TR

1. REGULAR DRIVING CAUSES THE ISSUE WHICH SEEMS TO BE DUE TO POOR PRODUCT DESIGN. 2. THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION EVER, AND CONTINUOUSLY BLOCKS MY CLEAR VIEW OF THE ROAD. 3. THE TOYOTA DEALER WAS INFORMED AND THEY DID NOTHING TO FIX THEIR INFERIOR PRODUCT. I HAVE TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT SUN VISOR. *TR

BLACK SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE, AND VEHICLE CONSUMED EXCESSIVE OIL. DEALERSHIP WANTED TO REPLACE THE VALVE SEAL AND PISTON O-RING S, BUT THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. *AK VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS AND CONSUMER WAS ASKED TO USE A RENTAL CAR SINCE VEHICLE'S PARTS FOR REPAIR WHERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME. CONSUMER RECEIVED A CALL FROM DEALER THAT VEHICLE WAS READY TOP BE PICKED UP. WHEN CONSUMER PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT VEHICLE IS ONCE AGAIN SMOKING AND EXPERIENCED HESITATION. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND REPLACED THE TIMING BELT WHICH CAUSED THE HESITATION. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WITH THE SMOKE COMING OUT AND OCCASIONAL HESITATION STILL EXIST. *LA

DRIVER MADE A LEFT TURN WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL AND ROLLED INTO A PARKING SPOT WITHIN A PARKING LOT, ESTIMATED SPEED TO BE 2 MPH. THE ENGINE SURGED AND THE CAR RAN OVER 3 SMALL TREES, WENT UP AN INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 3 FT. HIGHER THAN THE PARKING LOT, THEN PROCEEDED APPROXIMATELY 8 FEET INTO THE ADJACENT PROPERTY THEN STRUCK THE BRICK CHIMNEY OF A HOUSE AND BOUNCED BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT. THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED DURING THIS OCCURRENCE BUT DID NOT STOP THE CAR. *LA

AFTER ONLY HAVING MY NEW 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FOR APPROX. 8 MONTHS, THE ACCELERATOR IN THE CAR STUCK AND I ENDED UP RUNNING INTO A CAR. I COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA AND HAD THE DEALER LOOK AT THE CAR NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THEY KEPT TELLING ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. WELL 8 YEARS LATER AND THEY STILL HAVEN'T RECALLED MY CAR, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE OTHER YEARS. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL UNDERNEATH . *AK

THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT WAS COMING ON WHEN BRAKING. I HAD RECENTLY HAD THE OIL CHANGED. THE ENGINE WAS ALSO EMITTING A WHITE SMOKE WHEN STARTING THE CAR. OIL WAS SHOWING ABOUT 1/2 QUART LOW ON INITIAL INSPECTION. IT TOOK TWO TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOR THEM TO FINALLY DISCOVER INTERNAL OIL GELLING. NO INFORMATION WAS GIVEN BY THE DEALER ABOUT PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AND ENGINE GELLING.

ENGAGED FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATION HAPPENED, DAMAGING MANY OTHER CARS. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

SHORTLY AFTER THE SECOND OIL CHANGE, 10000 MILES THE EXHAUST SYSTEM STARTED MAKING NOISE. IT STARTED AS A LOUD SOUND FROM THE MUFFLER AND NOW HAS BECOME A RATTLING SOUND AND LOUD EXHAUST NOISE. THE BANGING/RATTLING SOUND IS WORST DURING LEFT HAND TURNS. DEALER STATED WE DAMAGED THE EXHAUST PIPE AND THE BRACKETS NEEDED REPAIR $175. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO SHOW ME ANY PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. I NOTICED THE NEW HIGHLANDERS HAVE A DIFFERENT AND SMALLER MUFFLER WHICH DOES NOT BANG INTO ADJACENT PARTS. I WONDER IF I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM.*AK

DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR SWINGS DOWN FROM REST POSITION TO BLOCK VIEW. WE USE VISOR NORMALLY UNTIL IT SUDDENLY GAVE UP AND DID NOT STAY IN ANY POSITION OTHER THAN HANGING STRAIGHT DOWN. WE DO NOT HANG ANYTHING ON THE VISOR TO CAUSE A LOAD. IT JUST SIMPLY "HANG LOOSE" NOW. WHEN I (MALE 5' 11") AM DRIVING, THE VISOR WOULD RANDOMLY AND OFTEN FLIP DOWN RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY EYES BLOCKING MY VIEW. THIS WOULD BE AN EQUIVALENCE TO SOME ONE STICKING THEIR HANDS IN YOUR FACE WHILE YOU DRIVE. THIS DEFINITELY DISTRACTS ME AND CAUSES ME TO TAKE MY EYES OFF THE ROAD. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AT ANY SPEED. SINCE WE DRIVE LONG DISTANCE WITH THIS CAR, OUR WARRANTY WAS OVER QUICK AND WAS NOT COVERED. I AM CURRENTLY HOLDING IT UP WITH VELCRO JUST SO IT WOULD STAY OUT OF THE WAY. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE HOMELINK SYSTEM ON IT, I WOULD HAVE REMOVED IT ALREADY. THE VISOR IS USELESS TO ME SINCE I CAN NOT TILT IT TO BLOCK THE SUN. IT CAN ONLY HANG AND THAT IT TOO LOW FOR ME TO DRIVE SAFELY. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY LITTLE KIDS IN THIS CAR AND HAVE BOUGHT MINI VAN TO DO SO. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NHTSA AND TOYOTA SHOULD LOOK INTO CORRECTING. I KNOW THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE, BUT THEY DO NOT KNOW TO VOICE THEIR CONCERNS HERE. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS DEFECT AND HAVE IT CORRECTED BEFORE SOME ONE GET HURT OR KILLED. THANK YOU. *JB

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. SMOKE WAS COMING INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE THOUGH THE DASHBOARD. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE DASH BOARD PANEL. *JB

ON EXTREMELY SUNNY DAYS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. *JB PH *JB

WHEN YOU OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW(S) THERE IS SEVERE, LOUD AND PAINFUL-TO-THE-EAR TURBULENCE INSIDE THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED. IT CAN BE SOMEWHAT, BUT NOT TOTALLY, ALLEVIATED BY OPENING OTHER VEHICLE WINDOWS. IF YOU PERSIST WITH THE REAR WINDOWS DOWN AT SPEED, IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE PHYSICALLY DAMAGING YOUR EARS.

VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS ON CAUSING VEHICLE TO START UP STEEP HILL WHERE THE FRONT END SLID TO THE RIGHT WHERE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO GO UP A DRIVE/CARPORT STRIKING A PORCH AND ROCK WALL

A MAJOR WATER LEAK WAS FOUND IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO THE FRONT COWL PANEL NOT BEING INSTALLED CORRECTLY. IN ADDITION THERE IS NOW A MOLD/MILDEW SMELL THAT THE DEALER CAN NOT GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THEY HAVE RUN THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE OZONE SYSTEM SEVERAL TIMES BUT IT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.

I BOUGHT A NEW TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN 2002. I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE EXACT YEAR, BUT I'M GUESSING IN 2004-5, I ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SUDDEN RACING ACCELERATOR PROBLEM AROUND 4 TIMES. EACH TIME I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WHILE THE ENGINE RACED. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, AND IT WORKED PROPERLY AFTER RESTARTING. IT HASN'T HAPPENED IN THE LAST MAYBE 5 YEARS. I REPORTED THIS TO THE TOYOTA DEALER, AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A FLOOR MAT PROBLEM. I DIDN'T BELIEVE IT, BECAUSE I EXPERIENCED THIS, AND THE FLOOR MAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. AS I SAID, IT HASN'T HAPPENED SINCE, SO I DIDN'T FOLLOW UP ON IT. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, AND NO ONE HURT, BUT I SEE THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT INCLUDED THE 2002 HIGHLANDER AS A PROBLEM CAR, BUT I KNOW THAT IT IS. I DON'T WANT ANYONE BEING HURT BY THIS YEAR AND MODEL CAR EITHER. I STILL DRIVE THIS CAR. THANKS FOR ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

CONSUMER TRIED TO DISENGAGE THE VEHICLE CRUISE CONTROL, AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL, VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AT A HIGH SPEED WHEN CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, CONSUMER HAD TO TURN THE KEYS IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION, AND ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO COAST TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALERSHIP HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. PH THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE VEHICLE WAS FINE AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO PROBLEMS SINCE.*JB

THE CONSUMER WAS STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT HIM FROM BEHIND AND THE DRIVER SIDE POWER SEAT COLLAPSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM., TS

EXC. VIBRATION IN FRT. AXLE ASSY. VIBRATION CAN ONLY BE FELT OR HEARD IN VEHICLE CAB AT THE FOLLOWING SPEEDS 38-43, 53-55,61-65 AND ABOVE. SOMETIMES AT THE LOWER SPEEDS. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN COMMONWEALTH OF P. R. AND SHIPPED TO THE U. S. DURING THE OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GET ANY OF THE DEALERS IN P. R. OR U. S. TO REPAIR IT. COMPLAINED IN P.R. AND STATED TIRES BALANCED. ALWAYS TIRES PROBLEMS. VIBRATION IN THE STEERING AND CAB AREA. THE NOISE, DRIVE YOU NUTS ,HEARING AND FEELING IT IN STEERING .WHEN RELOCATING TO ILL.,TOOK TO CLOSES DEALER, PEORIA TOYOTA. SEVERAL MONTHS WAIT FOR THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM. PEORIA TOYOTA WORK ON THE VEHICLE AND STATED TIRES BAD. TIRES REPLACE AND STILL PROBLEMS. REPLACED THE TIRES . SO, I REPLACED TIRES AND FOUND SAME VIBRATION AS BEFORE AND CURT BAUNGART STATED THE WAS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE STILL VIBRATED IN THE FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLE AND IS GETTING WORST WITH MILES ADDED. TOYOTA HAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND REFUSES TO HONOR THEIR WARRANTY. I FILED TWO ARBITRATION HEARING ON THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE FILED THE COMPLAINT WITH LISA MADIGAN'S OFFICE OF THE ATTY. GEN. THEY TOLD ME AND I QUOTE FROM THEIR LETTER" BECAUSE THIS FILE APPEARS TO FALL WITHIN YOUR JURISDICTION, WE ARE REFERRING IT TO YOUR AGENCY FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION. BY COPY OF THIS LETTER, WE ARE INFORMING THE COMPLAINANT OF THIS REFERRAL" END OF QUOTE. LETTER DATED AUGUST 22, 2006. LISA MADIGAN HAS ALL OF THE CORRESPONDENCES(ALL RECORD AND LETTERS FROM ARBITRATION,TOYOTA AND ETC.), THAT I HAVE SENT TO THEM. IT'S BEEN A LONG JOURNEY AND I HOPE AND PRAY SOMEONE WILL LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. SAFETY IS BEING OVER LOOKED BECAUSE OF THE STATEMENT FROM DEALER AND TOYOTA (VEH. WITHIN SPECIFICATION OF TOYOTA. IS IT RIGHT TO TRADE A VEHICLE OFF, WHICH HAS A PROBLEM? INCIDENT OF FAILURE IS THE DATE OF PURCHASE. *JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS A LOUD NOISE THAT COMES INTO THE VEHICLE ONCE THE CONSUMER OPENS ANY OF THE REAR WINDOWS WITH OUT OPENING THE FRONT WINDOWS. THE NOISE IS SO LOUD THAT IT HURTS THE CONSUMER'S EARS. CONTACTED DEALER. MR

TOW RECEIVER HITCH DISCONNECTED FROM VEHICLE WHILE TOWING SMALL BOAT TRAILER. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED BUT ACCIDENT COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURIES IF TRAILER OVERTURNED ON INTERSTATE. ACCIDENT CAUSED BY A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE PIN ASSEMBLY THAT HOLDS HITCH TO VEHICLE. THE PIN RETAINER CAN BECOME DISLODGED AS VEHICLE VIBRATION CAUSES IT TO RIDE UP OVER BRACKETS THAT HOLD HITCH TO VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS A TOW VEHICLE BUT IT CLEARLY CAN NOT BE USED AS SUCH DUE TO THIS MANUFACTURER DESIGN DEFECT. SINCE MOST TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS ARE SOLD IN THE NEW ENGLAND AREA WITH THE FACTORY TOW PACKAGE. THIS DEFECT COULD LEAD TO OTHER SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. DT

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN, THERE IS A VIBRATION AND TREMBLING NOISE, THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NLM

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 30MPH AND SLAMMED ON BRAKES TO AVOID A COLLISION. ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE, AND VEHCILE SKIDDED AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD ABOUT 5 CAR LENGTHS BETWEEN HIS VEHICLE AND OTHER VEHICLE.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE THROTTLE WILL STICK. DEALER NOTIFIED. *MR

COMPLETE TIRE NUMBER IS DOT M65LB3DTL3901, AND IS BEING SAFE KEPT BY GOODYEAR DISTRIBUTOR. VEHICLE WAS -THANK GOD- PARKED FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR AND WHEN I RETURNED TO IT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE CAR DID NOT EVEN HIT A POTHOLE ALL DAY LONG AND OUT OF THE BLUE I HAD AFLAT. AFTER FILLING IT WITH FIX A FLAT I DROVE FOR SOME TWO MILES TO REPAIR IT. AT FIRST THE MECHANIC FOUND NOTHING SUSPICIOUS OTHER THAN THE SMALLEST OF NAILS BUT AFTER REMOVIG IT AND PATCHING THE HOLE HE ATTEMPTED TO FILL IT BACK WHEN HE REALIZED THE TIRE WAS LOSING AIR VERY FAST. THE OUTSIDE WALL OF THE TIRE WAS CRACKED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO THE GOODYEAR DISTRIBUTOR YESTERDAY AND NOT ONLY DID THEY INSIST THERE IS NO GUARANTEE ON THE TIRE SINCE IT IS NOT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BUT THAT THE PROBLEM POSES A SAFETY RISK. I MOST CERTAINLY DO NOT AGREE AND HOPE YOU DO TO. THE DISTRIBUTOR AGREED TO HOLD THE TIRE UNTIL THE PROPER AUTHORITIES HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT, IF THEY SO DESIRED. THERE IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY, MY WIFE AND I ARE VERY CONCERNED FOR OUR GRADSON'S SAFETY,. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT IT BEFORE LIFES ARE LOST. THANK YOU. *AK

SEVEN YEAR OLD WAS ON DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SEAT WEARING SEATBELT. CHILD LAID DOWN FOR A NAP. WHEN THE CHILD GOT UP SEATBELT WAS WRAPPED AROUND HIS NECK, CHOKING HIM. CONSUMER TRIED TO UNBUCKLE BELT, BUT BELT KEPT GETTING TIGHTER. CONSUMER HAD TO CUT SEATBELT.*AK

I HAVE A 2002 TOOYOTA HIGHLANDER, AFTER A HEAVY RAINSTORM IN JULY OF 2004, I NOTICED THAT THE HEADLAMP ON MY FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HAD MOISTURE AND WAS FOGGY ON THE INSIDE OF IT. IT WENT AWAY IN ABOUT A WEEK OR SO. AFTER GOING TO A CARWASH I NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE AREA WAS WIDER. I NOTIFIED LEE'S TOYOTA IN QUEENS NY. I WAS TOLD BY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. JASON THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND THE HEAT FROM THE LAMP WILL EVENTUALLY MAKE THE MOISTURE EVAPORATE BECAUSE IT WAS MADE THAT WAY. AFTER SEVERAL EPISODES AND THE AREA OF MOISTURE SPREADING EACH TIME IT RAINS SNOWS OR I GO TO A CAR WASH. I NOW HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE VISION ON MY DRIVERS SIDE ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. THE AREA IS BEING OBSTRUCTED BECAUSE OF THE FOG IN THE HEADLAMP. I ALMOST HAD 2 ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT.I NOTIFIED LEE'S TOYOTA ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD DO NOTHING UNLESS I PAY FOR IT. I AM DISABLED, MUST WEAR CORRECTIVE LENSES WHILE DRIVING AND NOW I HAVE A PROBLEM THAT HINDERS MY VISION. I READ THE CAR MANUAL AND THERE ARE NO ARTICLE ABOUT THIS. MY NIECE HAS THE SAME SUV AND SHE DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM, I CONTACTED TOYOTA MOTOR CORP. AND WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED THEM BEFORE AND I TOLD THEM I DID NOTIFY THEM WHEN I BECAME AWEAR OF THE PROBLEM. TOYOTA MOTORS TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED BUT I MUST FIX IT AND PAY FOR IT FIRST AND THEY WILL REIMBURSE ME. I FEEL THAT IT IS A DEFECT AND THAT TOYOTA SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEMAND PAY FOR IT BEFORE I HAVE A ACCIDENT OR SOMETHING. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION. I AM ON A FIXED INCOME AND CAN'T AFFORD IT AT THIS TIME.

WHEN DRIVING HIGHLANDER AT SPEED OF 25 PHR OR MORE WITH REAR WINDOWS DOWN AND FRONT WINDOWS UP, AIR ENTERING CABIN SPACE CAUSES HIGH VIBRATIONS THAT MAKE HEARING IMPARED. AND EAR DRUMS UNCOMFORTABLE FOR ALL PASSENGERS. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED , I WAS DRIVING WITH MY INFANT SON. I WAS NOT EXPECTING TO EXPERINCE WHAT CAME NEXT ONCE I PARTIALLY LOWERED THE REAR WINDOWS. I WAS WORRIED, I MIGHT HAVE DAMAGED MY INFANTS SONS EAR DRUMS.*AK

MAY 17, 2002, I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT WITH MY 3 MONTH OLD 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I WAS TRAVELING IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE ON HIGHWAY 80 WEST BOUND BETWEEN DAVIS, CA AND SAN FRANCISCO CA AT 8:30 AM. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT FROM EYE WITNESSES, MY VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAY WITHOUT ANY BRAKE LIGHTS, WENT THROUGH A CYCLONE FENCE, CONTINUED .10 MILES AND DOWN INTO A RAVINE. BRAKE LIGHTS NEVER CAME ON AND THE CAR NEVER SLOWED. I WAS LIFE FLIGHTED TO THE JOHN MUIR MEDICAL CENTER TRAUMA UNIT. I ARRESTED IN THE HELICOPTER. I SUFFERED A SIGNIFICANT TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, MULTIPLE FRACTURES, INCLUDING A SHATTERED JAW AND A PARALYZED VOCAL CHORD. NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN THE INCIDENT. *TR

WHEN BOTH REAR SIDE WINDOWS ARE ROLLED DOWN, SOUND IS DEAFENING. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO.*AK CONSUMER WAS TOLD IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND THAT IT COULD NOT BE CORRECTED. TO CONTROL THE NOISE CONSUMER HAS TO OPEN THE MOON ROOF OR THE FRONT WINDOWS. *JG

THIS IS A 4-DOOR MODEL. WHEN FRONT WINDOWS ARE CLOSED AND REAR DOOR WINDOWS ARE LOWERED IT SOUNDS LIKE AN AIRPLANE FLEW OVER THE BACK SEAT; NOISE CREATED IS HORRENDOUS. YOU CANNOT CONTINUE DRIVING WITH THE NOISE. ROLLING DOWN "A" FRONT WINDOW ELIMINATES THE PROBLEM. I CAN'T IMAGINE THE CONSEQUENCES OF SOMEONE HAVING A DOG IN THE BACK SEAT AND ROLLING DOWN A REAR WINDOW SO THEY DON'T MESS UP THE GLASS.*AK

I PURCHASED AN ADDITIONAL SECURITY DEVICE. IF SOMEONE BREAKS A WINDOW, AN ALARM IS SUPPOSED TO GO OFF. YOU CAN TEST TO SEE IF IT WORKS BY HITTING YOUR CAR KEY AGAINST A CLOSED WINDOW & THE ALARM SHOULD GO OFF. IT HAS NEVER WORKED. AT TIME OF PURCHASE THE DEALERSHIP REMOVED THE CENTER FLOOR GLOVE COMPARTMENT ASSEMBLY. THE MICROPHONE HAD FALLEN OFF THE SIDE & WAS LAYING ON THE FLOOR. THEY GLUED IT BACK TO THE SIDES & IT STILL DIDN'T GO OFF WHEN HITTING A KEY AGAINST THE WINDOW WHEN ALL THE WINDOWS WERE CLOSED. THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO WORK & BREAKING MY WINDSHIELD WAS NOT AN OPTION - OBVIOUSLY. THE DEALERSHIP HAD NO IDEA ON HOW TO FIX IT.

WE CANNOT READ THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OF OUR 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN THE BRIGHT ARIZONA SUN WHEN WEARING SUNGLASSES (A SAFETY AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENT IN ARIZONA  THAT IS TO WEAR SUN GLASSES IN THE VERY BRIGHT LATE SPRING TO EARLY FALL SUN). WE HAVE DRIVEN AT LEAST 100 DIFFERENT CARS AND TRUCKS (MANY OF THEM RENTAL VEHICLES) OVER THE YEARS AND NEVER EXPERIENCED NOR EXPECTED THIS PROBLEM WHEN WE PURCHASED OUR 2002 HIGHLANDER. DURING THE BRIGHT SUNNY DAYS IN CENTRAL ARIZONA (IT IS SUNNY HERE OVER 300 DAYS A YEAR), IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ ANY INSTRUMENTS (SPEEDOMETER, TEMP GAGE, FUEL GAGE, ODOMETER, AND TACHOMETER) WHEN THE SUN IS COMING IN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE DRIVER IS WEARING SUNGLASSES. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE REPEATEDLY CONTACTED THE DEALER, THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND TOYOTA ON THIS EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD SINCE ACQUIRING THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2002. IN CONSIDERATION FOR TOYOTA AND ITS REPUTATION, I AVOIDED CONTACTING CU AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION TO ALLOW TIME FOR TOYOTA TO RESPOND TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE. MY PATIENCE ENDED WITH THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER SEASON OF VERY BRIGHT SUNSHINE IN ARIZONA. THE DEALER AND TOYOTA FACTORY REPRESENTATIVES TOLD ME AS RECENTLY AS MAY 14, 2003 THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT TOYOTA CAN DO, SINCE THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS OR PERHAPS ANY OTHER THAN MINE (PERHAPS MANY PEOPLE DON'T LOOK AT THEIR DASH INSTRUMENTS WHEN THEY DRIVE). HOWEVER, THE SERVICE MANAGER AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT OTHER ARIZONA HIGHLANDER OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED, BUT THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT HE CAN DO ABOUT THE REPORTED PROBLEM. HE AGREES WITH MY ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBLEM. HOW CAN HE NOT AGREE WHEN IT IS SO EVIDENT BY SETTING IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRIGHT ARIZONA SUN COMING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WHILE WEARING SUNGLASSES?*JB

NO SUMMARY. DT

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN REAR WINDOWS ARE DOWN, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES VERY BAD TURBULENCE THAT IS "DEAFENING". THIS OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. TS

WHILE DRIVING A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, THAT WE LEASED ON 01/08/2002, WE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM: WHEN THE WINDOWS ON THE REAR DOORS ARE LOWERED, THE VEHICLE MAKES A VERY LOUD TURBULANCE NOISE AND VIBRATION OCCURS, THAT MAKES THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. ON 01/12/2002, ACCOMPANIED BY MY BROTHER-IN-LAW, WE VISITED TOYOTA OF CERRITOS, WHERE I HAD LEASED THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, AND ADVISED THEM OF THIS PROBLEM. THE SALES MANAGER DALE POGODA, SAID " THEY HAVE RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS IN REGARDS TO ALL OF THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS AND IT IS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, AND THAT ALL THAT THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT IS GETTING THE VEHICLES OFF THERE LOT". I HAVE CONTACTED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER AT TOYOTA OF CERRITOS, CROWN TOYOTA'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT, TOYOTA REGIONAL OFFICE CASE NO. 200201160431, AND FOLLOWED THE ARBITRATION PROCESS. THEY ADVISED US THAT THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION OF THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DUE TO THE SHAPE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY SUV'S LIKE THE DODGE DURANGO, FORD EXPEDITION AND CHEVY TAHOE'S. AND NONE OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM, I FEEL THAT I HAVE A TRUE ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE AN VEHICLE ACCIDENT OCCURS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *AK

EXTREME AIR PRESSURE WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 35 MPH, AND EITHER REAR WINDOWS ARE OPEN. IT FEELS AS THOUGH RIDING IN AN AIRPLANE. IT MAKES EARS FEEL FUNNY.*AK

ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE SUNLIGHT WOULD SHINE THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, REFLECTING OFF THE SHINY WOOD LIKE PANEL OVER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT BLINDING THE DRIVER, THIS OCCURED FOR OVER AN HOUR ON BOTH OCCASIONS, CONSUMER TRIED AND HELD NEWSPAPERS AND ROAD MAPS AGAINST THE WINDOW TO BLOCK THE SUN RAYS, BUT THE TRIM IN THE CAR WAS TOO LONG AND RECAPTURED THE SUNLIGHT AS THE HIGHWAY CURVED, MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS DESIGN FLAW. *TT

2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVERS SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IF YOU HIT THE EVEN A SMALL BUMP THE VISOR FALLS DOWN WHICH IN TURN CREATES A VIEWING PROBLEM. ONE DAY THERE WILL BE AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY THIS PROBLEM. *TR

2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TIRES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ONE OF THE TIRES HE HAD PUT ON THE VEHICLE WERE PUNCTURED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD THE GOODYEAR ROAD HAZARD PROTECTION PLAN. THE CONSUMER STATED LATER IN THE DAY, WHEN HE CONTACTED GOODYEAR, TO CHECK THE STATUS, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. THE CONSUMER STATED HE ONLY HAD 110,000 MILES AND ONLY 9,000 NEW MILES ON THEM. THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM BEFORE WHICH WAS WHY HE HAD TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES AFTER 20,000 AND ANOTHER TIME PRIOR TO THAT. (GOODYEAR FORTERA TRIPLETRED)*JB

WHILE IN MOTION AND GOING OVER 45 MPH, WITH THE BACK WINDOWS DOWN AND ALL OTHER WINDOWS UP, THERE IS SEVERE TURBULANCE THAT OCCURS WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE TURBULENCE CREATES PAIN TO THE EARS WHICH COULD DISTRACT THE DRIVER CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *JG

WHEN ONE PERSON EXITS THE VEHICLE AND LOCKS THEIR DOOR THE SECOND PERSON IS STUCK. ALL ELECTRIC LOCKS ARE INSTANTLY DISABLED. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT IS TO USE THE MANUAL LOCK BUTTON WHICH WILL SET OFF THE ALARM 30 SECONDS AFTER. THE PASSENGER INSIDE HAS TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR, AND SET OFF THE ALARM. THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT, IS TO TURN THE IGNITION ON BEFORE EXITING, BUT ISN'T POSSIBLE FOR MOST PASSENGERS. TS SCC

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME STUCK AND CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. THE DRIVER HAD TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND MOVE THE ARMS BUT THEY STILL DIDN'T WORK. THE DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED FOR REPAIR. *NLM PH

WHILE TRYING TO STOP A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD, AND VEHICLE DID NOT STOP RIGHT AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK