2008 Toyota Highlander Complaint Log

I HAVE THE SUN VISOR ON MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT HAS FALLEN DOWN AND IT DOESN'T STAY UP AT ALL ANYMORE. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH THREE CHILDREN AND FIND THIS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE IT OBSTRUCTS MY VISION ALSO WHEN I LOOK TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT I CONSTANTLY HIT MY FOREHEAD ON THE VISOR THAT IS CONSTANTLY ON THE WAY. IT IS A HAZARD TO ME AND MY 3 CHILDREN. *TR

VEHICLE AIRBAG LIGHT ON WITH AN INDICATION OF B1801. I WAS TOLD THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. TOYOTA HAS RECALLED OTHER MODELS FOR SIMILAR REASONS. CAR FORUMS RESEARCH HAS UNCOVERED MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH SAME ISSUE. AIRBAGS ARE A TRUE SAFETY CONCERN AND TOYOTA, NOT THE CUSTOMER SHOULD FIX ISSUE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY 17 SOUTH TOWARDS SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA ON A RAINING WEDNESDAY MORNING, I SUDDENLY FELT MY VEHICLE LOOSING CONTROL IN A SLIPPERY DOWNHILL HIGHWAY AND I HIT THE CENTER DIVIDER WITH THE LEFT FRONT OF VEHICLE AND CAR SPUN MULTIPLE TIMES AND HITTING THE LEFT REAR BUMPER TO THE WALL FACING THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE ARE 4 OF US IN THE VEHICLE ALL WEARING SEAT BELTS AND SUFFERED INJURIES. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE TOTAL LOST. I WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN FREMONT TO INVESTIGATE THE REASONS WHY THE AIR BAG AND ABS DID NOT ACTIVATE. I AM ABOUT TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP ONCE THEY OPEN IN FEW MINUTES. *TR

FOLLOWING A OIL CHANGE AT LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL (2 FOOT X 2 FOOT PLUS) FOUND UNDER CAR. I SUSPECTED OIL FILTER OR STRIPPED OIL PAN PLUG. *JS VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THEY STATED IT WAS COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE AWD TRANSFER BOX AND THAT IS WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR - $5,000.00+ NOTE - DURING A PREVIOUS OIL CHANGE AT APPROXIMATELY 63,000 MILES TOYOTA DEALER STATED THERE WAS A POSSIBLE SMALL LEAK ON THE AWD TRANSFER BOX AND THAT THEY WOULD MONITOR THIS DURING FUTURE OIL CHANGES. I WAS NEVER INFORMED, OF ANY ADDITIONAL LEAKAGE DURING ANY OIL CHANGES AT THE SAME TOYOTA DEALER. (CAR DID NOT LEAK ANY OIL PRIOR TO FAILURE OF THE AWD TRANSFER BOX)

DRIVING IN PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 5MPH WHEN SMELLED BURNING OIL. PARKED CAR AND NOTICED SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. TURNED OFF CAR AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED OIL OVER ENGINE. SEARCHED ONLINE AND SAW ISSUE WITH OIL-COOLER LINE "TOYOTA: ON SOME VEHICLES, THE ENGINE OIL COOLER PIPES MAY EXHIBIT AN OIL SEEPAGE. INFORMATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED REGARDING THIS ISSUE". THIS DID TURN OUT TO BE THE ISSUE. FORTUNATELY THIS EVEN OCCURRED WHEN WE WERE IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH KIDS IN THE BACK. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE AND/OR ENGINE DAMAGE. THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS SERVICE NOTICE BUT NO OFFICIAL RECALL HAD OCCURRED. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE TO BOTH THE CARS AND PASSENGERS AND I HOPE THAT A RECALL WOULD OCCUR. *TR

THE OIL LINE HAS DEGRADED, CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE OIL AND POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. *TR

ENG LIGHTS AND SERVICE LIGHTS STAYS ON EVEN AFTER SERVICE HARD TO START BATTERY ALWAYS DOWN DEALERSHIP COULD'T FIX PROBLEM!!

HIGH PRESSURE OIL COOLER LINE FAILURE OF RUBBER HOSE SECTION DUMPED 5 QTS OF ENGINE OIL SOAKING UNDERCARRIAGE AND SPRAYING ONTO NEARBY HOT EXHAUST PIPE AND RIGHT REAR TIRE. NO INDICATION OF LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE ON VEHICLE MONITORING SYSTEM. NOTICED A FAINT SMELL OF BURNT OIL WHEN VEHICLE WAS PARKED. RETURNED LATER TO START VEHICLE AND HEARD AUDIBLE ENGINE NOISE AND TURNED OF ENGINE TO INVESTIGATE UNDER HOOD, A NOTICEABLE PUDDLE OF OIL HAD ACCUMULATED UNDER CAR. VEHICLE TOWED FOR DIAGNOSES AND REPAIR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE SRS WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO NOTICED THAT THE SRS AIR BAG SPIRAL CABLE WAS FAULTY. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DEFECT COULD SUSPEND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SHE BEGAN TO HER A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHICH STATED THAT THE ENGINE COOLER HOSE HAD A HOLE AND CAUSE THE ENGINE OIL TO LEAK OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER LEAVING THE KEY FOB IN THE IGNITION, SHE WALKED AROUND THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AFTER SECURING A CHILD IN THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT WHEN THE DOORS LOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE KEY FOB HAD A LOW BATTERY AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,700. UPDATED 3/25/14*CN *TR

AIRBAG SENSOR IS ALWAYS LIT NOW. TOOK HIGHLANDER INTO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING FOR OTHER TOYOTA RECALLS AND HAD THEM CHECK SENSOR. I WAS TOLD MY 2008 HIGHLANDER NEEDED A NEW SPIRAL CABLE AND COST WAS 557.00 TO INSTALL. I JUST FOUND MORE COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS AND WONDER WHY IT IS NOT A RECALL CONSIDERING OTHER TOYOTAS SUCH AS CAMRYS, TACOMAS & VENZAS HAD SAME PROBLEM BUT WAS A RECALL. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE 2008 HIGHLANDERS INVOLVED IN A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. APPARENTLY, I WON'T HAVE ANY AIRBAGS WORKING UNTIL THIS IS FIXED. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK DOOR HAS STOPPED LOCKING/UNLOCKING WITH THE KEY FOB AS WELL AS THE ELECTRICAL LOCK. THE BEEP DOESN'T OCCUR WHEN I USE THE FOB TO LOCK THE DOORS BECAUSE THE DOOR ISN'T LOCKING, BUT DOES BEEP WHEN UNLOCKING THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE BACK DOOR STILL REMAINS LOCKED. I DID HAVE THE RECALL ON THE WINDOW LOCK SWITCH COMPLETED, SO NOT SURE IF THAT IS FACTORING IN WITH THE PROBLEM OR NOT.. *TR

MY WINDSHIELD WIPER DEFROSTER STARTED TO CRACKLE AND SMOKE. I TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON AND IT STARTED TO DO IT AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE SENSOR, VSC SENSOR AND THE TRAC OFF SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT ADDITIONAL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HUB OF THE WHEEL BEARING WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR WHEEL HARNESSES WERE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,154.

THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. AS YOU KNOW AND ANNOUNCED BY TOYOTA THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS CABLE. HOWEVER TOYOTA IS, I FEEL DRAGGING THERE FEET DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. CAN YOU CONTACT TOYOTA AND FIND OUT WHAT IS BEING DONE. ALL I GET IS THE STANDARD ANSWER----WORKING ON IT. NO FIX YET. *TR

PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ON ALL THE TIME EVEN WHEN NOBODY SITTING THERE.

OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WENT ON ALMOST IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER FOUND NO OIL ON DIPSTICK HAD RAPID OIL LEAK, DEALER REPLACED OIL COOLER HOSE WITH OIL COOLER PIPE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MILES PER HOUR, THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON, BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN GOING ALL THE WAY DOWN WHILE BRAKING, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN MAKING NOISE. I STOPPED THE CAR, OPEN THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT ALL MY BRAKE FLUID WAS GONE. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WAS NEARBY I DROVE THE CAR SLOWLY TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY CHECKED THE BRAKE SYSTEM ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT ALL THE BRAKE FLUID WAS IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER. MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED DUE TO BAD SEALS BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER. NOW THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER NEED TO BE REPLACED. I PURCHASED THE HIGHLANDER BRAND NEW IN 2008. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WITH APPROXIMATELY 78,420 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 5,000 MILES EVER SINCE I PURCHASED IT. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN TO A VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY MATTER, AND MY BRAKES HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BRAKE FLUID AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP ON OCTOBER 02, 2013. *TR

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. *TR

SPIRAL CABLE FAILED AT ABOUT 107,406 MILES ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, CAUSING AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE STEADY AND WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WOULDN'T BE FUNCTIONING. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY MANUFACTURER OR THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS. THE CAR HASN'T BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. THE COST OF REPLACEMENT (PART AND LABORS) IS $544. TOYOTA NEEDS TO REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS FOR SUCH A COST AS IT IS OF NO DRIVER'S FAULT AND OBVIOUSLY A COMMON ISSUE. THERE IS ANOTHER 2008 RECALL ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BUT DIDN'T APPLY TO MY CAR. *TR

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT LIT, TOOK TO DEALER AND FOUND OUT SPIRAL CABLE WAS THE ISSUE AND NEED REPLACED. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE WHICH I BELIEVE SHOULD BE RECALLED BY TOYOTA AS THEY ALREADY DID ON OTHER MODELS. AS A LOYAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER ALONG WITH THE REST, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UPON TOYOTA TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND DO THE RIGHT THING--RECALL THIS AIR BAG ISSUE. THANK YOU!! *TR

IN EARLY NOVEMBER I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA INSTRUCTING ME TO ARRANGE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE. THE LETTER INDICATED THAT THIS REPLACEMENT IS URGENT AND THAT I WOULD BE IN VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA REGULATIONS IF I DID NOT DO THIS REPAIR. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER, TOYOTA OF SANTA CRUZ, THE NEXT DAY TO SCHEDULE THE APPOINTMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT TOYOTA RATIONS THE PARTS FOR THESE REPAIRS AND THAT I WOULD BE PUT AN A WAITING LIST AND TO EXPECT A CALL IN 2-3 WEEKS. A MONTH LATER I CALLED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT I WAS STILL ON A WAITING LIST AND IT WOULD BE 2-3 WEEKS AT THE EARLIEST BEFORE I COULD SCHEDULE THE REPAIR. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA (OR THE DEALERSHIP) IS NOT FULFILLING ITS OBLIGATION TO ITS CUSTOMERS BY FAILING TO SUPPLY PARTS FOR THIS REPAIR IN A TIMELY MANNER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EMIT A BURNING OIL SMELL. THE CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED SO THE CONTACT ADDED OIL TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BURNING OIL SMELL STILL LINGERED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AGAIN. IN ADDITION, A HOSE FROM THE ENGINE FAILED AND SPILLED MOTOR OIL ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE OIL COOLER LINE HAD EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

DRIVER DOOR LOCK MECHANISM HAS STOPPED WORKING WITH THE REMOTE, THAT IS A NUISANCE, NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT, RECENTLY I HAD DIFFICULTY MANUALLY UNLOCKING THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND FOR 1 - 2 MINUTES WAS NOT ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I WAS TRYING TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR (THE POWER LOCK MECHANISM QUIT WORKING) BUT THE DOOR LOCK WAS JAMMED SUCH THAT I COULD NOT GET THE DOOR UNLOCKED. I TRIED PUSHING THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK BUTTON TO TRY TO UNJAM THE MECHANISM AND EVENTUALLY THAT WORKED AND I WAS ABLE TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT. A BRIEF SEARCH ONLINE SHOWED THAT THIS IS A VERY PREVALENT ISSUE WITH TOYOTA VEHICLES. TOYOTA SHOULD BE FORCED TO REMEDY THE SITUATION AND A RECALL SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED TO MAKE TOYOTA FIX THE FLAWED VEHICLES THEY HAVE SOLD. I WILL GO SEE A DEALER IN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO TO GIVE THEM THE CHANCE TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX IT FREE OF CHARGE BUT I IMAGINE THAT WILL ONLY GET ME AN INCREASED BLOOD PRESSURE. *TR

SPIRAL CABLE FAILED AT ABOUT 72, 400 MILES ON MY 2008 TOY HIGHLANDER BASE MODEL CAUSING AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE STEADY AND FAILURE OF AIRBAG SYSTEM CREATING INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN A CRASH. AS NO DRIVER ACTIONS, ETC. CAUSED THE FAILURE IT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING AND/OR DESIGN DEFECT AS ALSO SEEN IN OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SIMILAR SPIRAL CABLE FAILURE. *TR

THE VVT-I OIL COOLER HOSE BURST RESULTING IN A MAJOR ENGINE OIL SPILL IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS REFUSE TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND BECAUSE THEY CLAIM THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PART ON THE HIGHLANDER. THIS SAME VVT-I OIL COOLER HOSE HAS BEEN RECALLED ON 1.6 MILLION US RAV4'S, CAMRY'S AND OTHER TOYOTA MODELS. NOT ONLY COULD A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE OIL CAUSE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE, THIS ISSUE CAN ALSO BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY CONCERN. IF ENGINE OIL WERE TO HAVE MADE CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE PARTS OR HOT EXHAUST PIPING, THEN A FIRE MAY HAVE OCCURRED WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS VEHICULAR DAMAGE AND LOSS OF LIFE. *TR

WHILE SITTING IN A LINE OF TRAFFIC ON OUR WAY HOME FROM A 2 MILE TRIP TO THE STORE, WE NOTICED A HOT OIL SMELL. I SAID TO MY WIFE THAT SOMEONE NEEDS TO GET THEIR CAR IN FOR SERVICE WORK, NOT KNOWING THAT WE WERE THIS SOMEONE! THIS SMELL HAD NOT BEEN PRESENT AT HOME, ON OUR TRIP TO THE STORE OR WHEN PARKED THERE. WHEN I PULLED INTO MY GARAGE, STEAM/SMOKE APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE DIPSTICK SHOWED VERY LOW OIL. THERE HAD BEEN NO SIGNS OF AN OIL LEAK IN THE GARAGE BEFORE, BUT, AFTER ARRIVING HOME I SAW A BIG OIL LEAK. I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP (1/2 MILE FROM HOME) WHO TOLD ME TO BRING IT UP TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. BY THE TIME THAT I GOT THERE MY CAR WAS MAKING A SOUND MAKING IT OBVIOUS SOMETHING VERY WRONG. I PULLED DIRECTLY INTO THE SERVICE BAY. THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE DIPSTICK WHICH SHOWED ABSOLUTELY NO OIL IN MY ENGINE. HE PUT IT ON THE HOIST, ADDED OIL, AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE OIL POURED OUT AS FAST AS HE HAD PUT IT IN. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE SAW THAT THE LOWER OIL COOLER LINES HAD RUPTURED. MY ENGINE HAD BEEN CLOSE TO SEIZING. REPLACING THESE PARTS WAS VERY EXPENSIVE, $437, BUT REPLACING MY ENGINE WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE. MORE IMPORTANTLY WAS THAT THE DANGER OF A FIRE FROM THE OIL THAT WAS POURING OUT ON THE HOT ENGINE WAS NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE MECHANIC POINTED AT A LEXUS AND STATED, "THIS IS VERY INTERESTING. THAT LEXUS SUV IS IN HERE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, THE OIL COOLER LINES RUPTURED." HE SAID THAT HE WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED TO SEE THIS BE A RECALL ISSUE, AS THE NEW LINES ARE DESIGNED DIFFERENTLY WITHOUT RUBBER FITTINGS, AND WILL NOT RUPTURE. THIS WOULD INDICATE TO ME THAT TOYOTA HAS NOTICED A DESIGN FLAW IN THE OIL COOLER LINES THAT WERE IN MY HIGHLANDER. I FEEL THIS OIL COOLER LINES PROBLEM IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RESEARCHED AS A POSSIBLE TOYOTA RECALL. *TR

AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT JUST CAME ON AT 110,000 MILES, NO ACCIDENT, IN THE GARAGE..TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY ARE ASKING TO REPLACE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY IN DRIVER AIRBAG AT A COST OF $663 AND EXPLAINED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I CALLED TOYOTA AND DISCUSSED THE ISSUE...I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT TACOMA'S HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS WELL, INTERESTING THOUGH, THAT MY 08 HIGHLANDER HAD SAME PROBLEM. TOYOTA CONFIRMED MY UNDERSTANDINGS AS WELL. I SEARCHED INTERNET AND SEVERAL OTHER HIGHLANDERS (ALMOST IDENTICAL VINS) HAVE FACED THE SAME ISSUE. I THINK HIGHLANDERS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED FOR THE SIMILAR ISSUES WHICH TACOMA'S FACED.. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE GIVEN SOME ATTENTION. HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/TOYOTA/HIGHLANDER/AIR-BAG-LIGHT-ON-PROBLEMS.PHP THE ABOVE WEBSITE LISTS OTHER HIGHLANDER'S WHICH FACED THE SAME ISSUE. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE GOOD WORK YOU GUYS ARE DOING TO MAKE THE ROADS/HIGHWAYS SAFER PLACE FOR EVERYONE.. THANK YOU. *JS

SPIRAL CABLE FAILED AT ABOUT 72, 000 MILES ON MY 2008 TOY HIGHLANDER BASE MODEL CAUSING AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE STEADY AND WAS TOLD OF FAILURE OF AIRBAG SYSTEM CREATING INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. CAUSE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING AND/OR DESIGN DEFECT AS ALSO SEEN IN OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SIMILAR SPIRAL CABLE FAILURE. SENSOR APPEARS TO RESET WHEN NO PERSON IS SEATED ON DRIVER SIDE AND IGNITION IS TURNED ON. AS SOON AS DRIVER SEAT SENSOR IS ACTIVATED THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT IS ON. PROBLEM WITH DRIVER SEAT SENSORS OR MAIN MODULE PERHAPS? EITHER WAY IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT NOT FOUND ON OLDER TOYOTAS (?) *TR

I OWN A 2008 HIGHLANDER SPORT THAT HAS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE DOOR LOCKS. THE REMOTE KEY FOB NO LONGER WORKS, AND NOW EVEN THE BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND IT APPEARS THAT MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE OWNED HIGHLANDERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. MY CAR WAS RECALLED RECENTLY FOR THE POWER WINDOWS, AND NOW THE DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER WORK. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT WITH THE HOPE THAT ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAIN TO FORCE TOYOTA TO FIX THIS ISSUE. *TR

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA DEALER IN NOVEMBER 2011 AFTER RECEIVING NOTICE TO HAVE DEFECTIVE OIL COOLER HOSE CHECKED. IN SEPTEMBER 2013 REPLACEMENT OIL COOLER HOSE FAILED WHILE ON HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT SEVENTY MILES PER HOUR. OIL WAS OBSERVED COVERING BOTTOM OF VEHICLE AND FILM OF OIL ON BACK OF VEHICLE. THE OIL GAUGE INDICATED NO OIL IN ENGINE. I BELIEVE THIS RESULTED IN A SAFETY HAZARD FROM BOTH INHALING FUMES AND POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER AND OIL COOLER HOSE REPLACED FOR SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS. *TR

AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT DEPLOYED, AND REMAINED LIT FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AT PULLMAN, WA DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY SPIRAL CABLE; THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $491.69. I WONDER WHY THERE WAS A RECALL DONE ON ~450,000 TACOMAS, BUT NOT ON THE HIGHLANDER. IT SOUNDS LIKE A SIMILAR PROBLEM: POOR ENGINEERING LEADS TO FRICTION, CAUSING A SHORT IN THE CABLE. WARNING LIGHT GOES ON, AND THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY DURING A WRECK. I COULD THINK OF 1001 BETTER WAYS TO SPEND $500!!! *JB

SPIRAL CABLE FAILED AT ABOUT 78 000 MILES ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER BASE MODEL CAUSING AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. I TOOK IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT AND I WAS TOLD OF FAILURE OF AIRBAG SYSTEM CREATING INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE LIGHT RANDOMLY CAME ON AND WAS NOT CAUSED BY AN ACCIDENT. I AM SUSPICIOUS THAT THE FAILURE IS A MANUFACTURING AND/OR DESIGN DEFECT WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN SEEN IN OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SIMILAR SPIRAL CABLE FAILURE. I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA SERVICE THAT IT WOULD BE OVER $500 TO REPLACE THE CABLE SINCE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER DOING A BIT OF RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO IS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I AM HOPEFUL THAT A RECALL CAN BE DONE SO THAT MY AIRBAG CAN DEPLOY IF NEEDED. THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD HAVE POSSIBLY DONE TO CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE SPIRAL CABLE WHICH IS HOUSED INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN; THEREFORE I BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING. *TR

AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT JUST CAME ON AT 73,000 MILES, NO ACCIDENT. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY IN DRIVER AIRBAG AT A COST OF $500 AND EXPLAINED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME THIS ONLY AFFECTED TACOMA'S, INTERESTING THOUGH, THAT MY 08 HIGHLANDER HAD SAME PROBLEM. *TR

LOW OIL NOTICE CAME ON. DRIVE 1/4 MILE TO OIL CHANGE FACILITY. WAS TOLD ALMOST NO OIL ON DIPSTICK. OIL REFILLED AND DROVE APPRO 5 MILES TO DEALERSHIP- STAR TOYOTA , LEAGUE CITY, TX. HAVE RESEARCHED AND NOTED TSB ISSUED ON 3/11/2011- NHTSA REFERENCE # 10033553 WITH THIS EXACT REPAIR PROBLEM INCLUSIVE OF MY VEHICLES EXACT FAILURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY STAR TOYOTA DEALERSHIP OF THIS DEFECT WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. VEHICLE WITHIN 5-6 MONTHS OF BASIC WARRANTY; 5 YEAR OF 60,000 MILES. *TR

AS WAS PULLING OUT PARKING SPACE, CAR STOPPED MOVING EVEN THOUGH ENGINE RUNNING. HAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, DIAGNOSED WITH FAILURE OF HYBRID INVERTER. *TR

ATTEMPTING TO PARK CAR IN A SHOPPING CENTER. SUDDENLY ENGINE ACCELERATED UNINTENTIONALLY. HIT CURB & TREE. DAMAGE TO CAR APPROXIMATELY $6000 TO REPAIR. *TR

ENGINE BEGAN REVVING UPON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP LIGHT. ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING LOW OIL PRESSURE. PULLED INTO AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHO FOUND DIPSTICK WAS DRY. POURED OIL INTO ENGINE ONLY TO SEE IT LEAKING OUT FROM BELOW PASSENGER SIDE. CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. DEALER REPLACED OIL COOLER HOSE 15767-31010 WHICH HAD FAILED WITH 15767-31020 (ALL METAL ASSEMBLY). REPLACED OIL AND RESTARTED ENGINE. ENGINE IS MAKING TAPPING SOUND AND DEALER RECOMMENDS FULL REPLACEMENT. DEPENDING ON OPTION, COST IS BETWEEN $7500 FOR A USED TOYOTA ENGINE TO $8300 FOR JARCO ENGINE (WHICH I BELIEVE IS REBUILT). THIS OCCURRED IN SOUTH CAROLINA WHILE WE WERE VACATIONING FROM MARYLAND. THANKFULLY, WE WERE NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED. WILL HAVE TO LEAVE VEHICLE HERE FOR REPAIR AND FLY BACK TO DRIVE IT HOME LATER. BTW, THE SINGLE PIPE OIL HOSE WAS REPLACED IN MAY 2010 UNDER THE SSC 90K RECALL AT 33K MILES. THAT IS NOT THE PART THAT FAILED. THIS IS THE DUAL MANIFOLD RUBBER HOSE THAT TOYOTA HAS NOW REPLACED WITH AN ALL METALLIC ASSEMBLY. AS FAR AS I KNOW, THIS PART WAS NEVER RECALLED, BUT THERE IS A TSB 02011-11 AVAILABLE. *TR

AIR BAGS THE SPIRAL CABLE WENT BAD CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON MAKING THE AIRBAGS INOPERABLE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND COST WAS $560 TO REPAIR WITH PARTS AND LABOR. VIEW DETAILS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD SOMETIMES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR WHEN UTILIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEVE LANDERS TOYOTA (10825 COLONEL GLENN RD, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72204) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER WINDOW MASTER SWITCH FAILED AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V689000 (VISIBILITY), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND IT SHOWED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. HE THEN ADDED OIL AND FOUND A STEADY STREAM LEAK FROM A RUBBER HOSE. THE CONTACT PURCHASED AN AFTER MARKET METAL HOSE AND REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE HOSE. HE THEN DRAINED THE OIL AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL, WHICH HE ASSUMED CAME FROM THE BEARINGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

IN JUNE OF 2013 I WENT TO MCCARTHY TOYOTA IN SEDALIA, MO FOR AN UNRELATED RECALL. SOME WORK WAS DONE, BUT I WAS TOLD TO RETURN IN A WEEK OR SO BECAUSE AN ADDITIONAL PART HAD TO BE ORDERED. DURING THIS WEEK, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARED. I HAD NEVER OBSERVED THIS WARNING LIGHT BEFORE. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE DEALER TO COMPLETE THE ORIGINAL RECALL WORK, I INQUIRED ABOUT THE WARNING LIGHT. THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT MY MODEL TOYOTA SOMETIMES HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SPIRAL CABLE AND I WAS ONE OF THE UNLUCKY OWNERS! HE INFORMED ME THAT I NO LONGER HAD FUNCTIONING AIRBAGS, BUT HE HAD THE NECESSARY PARTS TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION AND COULD DO IT IMMEDIATELY. THE COST WAS APPROXIMATELY $500 AND WAS NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTEE OR RECALL. I DECIDED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE MY CHANCES IN A VEHICLE THAT NOW HAD NON-FUNCTIONING AIRBAGS, SINCE $500 WAS JUST TOO MUCH MONEY TO PAY. A FRIEND RECENTLY INFORMED ME THAT I SHOULD FILE THIS COMPLAINT. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND CONTINUED TO STAY ON OVER SEVERAL DAYS. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THE SPIRAL CABLE WAS DETERMINED TO BE MALFUNCTIONING. COST OF REPAIR WAS ABOUT $500. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. AFTER TAKING IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER, IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY MALFUNCTION. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF RECALL FOR 2008 TACOMAS, CAMRYS AND VENZAS, BUT NOT THE HIGHLANDER. IT IS A $450 EXPENSE. IT SEEMS TO ME IF TOYOTA HAS RECALLED THE PART ON OTHER MODELS IN THE SAME YEAR, IT SHOULD CONSIDER RECALLING IT FOR THE HIGHLANDER. LOOKING AT THE RECENT COMPLAINTS FILED ON THIS WEBSITE, I SEE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE TO EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE. *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT INTO A DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THE SPIRAL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (AT A COST OF $419 PARTS AND LABOR) AND THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALLS. UPON RESEARCH, I LEARNED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR TACOMAS, CAMRYS, AND VENZAS FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SPIRAL CABLE. FURTHER, I FOUND NUMEROUS CLAIMS OF THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE 2008 HIGHLANDER. I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER, AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO RETAIN ANY DOCUMENTATION FOR REIMBURSEMENT UNDER ANY FUTURE RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE. OBVIOUSLY I NEED TO HAVE THE SPIRAL CABLE REPLACED, BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY THE TOYOTA DEALER THAT THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS INOPERABLE. MY HOPE IS THAT THERE WILL BE A RECALL FOR THE HIGHLANDER, AND THAT IT IS ALREADY BEING CONSIDERED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO BOTH STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SPIRAL CABLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WATER PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT THEY OFFERED THE CONTACT NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. ...UPDATED 07-10-13 *BF

I JUST BECAME AWARD OF THIS: "T-SB-0201-11 FROM TOYOTA THAT STATES "SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2GR-FE/FXE TOWING PACKAGE ENGINES MAY EXHIBIT AN OIL SEEP FROM THE ENGINE OIL COOLER PIPES." *TR THIS TSB AFFECTS MY MODEL YEAR AND I BELIEVE IT ALSO AFFECTS TOYOTA AND LEXUS VEHICLES GOING BACK TO AT LEAST 2008-PRESENT. TO ME THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS SHOULD BE HANDLED AS A RECALL INSTEAD OF A TSB DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE ISSUE IF/WHEN THE PIPE BREAKS. THE RUPTURE OF THE OIL LINE WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SEIZE THUS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITH RESULTING INJURY AND POSSIBLE DEATH. AND THERE IS THE HAZARD TO OTHER MOTORISTS WITH OIL ON THE ROADWAY. COMPARED TO THE RECALL FOR FLOOR MATS AND ACCELERATOR ISSUES, THIS ISSUE, WHICH CAN DRAIN THE OIL FROM YOUR ENGINE VERY QUICKLY, DESTROY THE ENGINE, AND VERY POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SHOULD BE OF MAJOR CONCERN TO ALL. THE TOYOTA ADVICE TO CHECK FOR SLOW OIL DRIPS AROUND THE RUBBER HOSE IS UNREALISTIC FOR THE OWNER DUE TO THE LOCATION. AND THE SCHEDULE ROUTINE SERVICE INTERVAL IS MUCH TOO LONG TO WAIT FOR SUCH AN SIGNIFICANT INSPECTION. NHTSA NEEDS TO COMPEL TOYOTA TO REPLACE ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE RUBBER ENGINE OIL COOLER PIPES WITH THE NEWER METAL ONES THAT THE TSB ADDRESSES. THIS DIRECTIVE SHOULD APPLY TO ALL TOYOTAS INCLUDING ALREADY MADE REPLACEMENTS FOR WHICH THE OWNERS HAVE PAID FOR.