2008 Toyota Highlander Complaint Log

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON APPROXIMATELY IN APRIL 2013. THE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. I BROUGHT IT TO ELK GROVE TOYOTA. THE INSPECTED THE LIGHT FOR $120. THIS WAS FOR INSPECTION ONLY. THEY SAID THE CAR NEEDS A AIRBAG SPIRAL CABLE. THEY ESTIMATED $460 TOTAL TO REPLACE THIS WIRE. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE LIGHT CAME ON AT 65000-67000 MILES. WILL TOYOTA RECALL THIS PART OR REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS. THERE IS ANOTHER 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AIRBAG RECALL BUT IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY CAR. I LOOKED UP MY VIN. FOR THIS RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

I HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT ON THIS CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT ON THE 2008 AND 2013 MODELS THERE WAS AN ISSUE. TOYOTA WOULD NOT WORK WITH ME ON THIS EXPENSE. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR PART OF THE CAR AND I COULD HAVE BEEN IN DANGER IF NOT FIXED. THEM KNOWING THIS IS AN ISSUE AND NOT DOING A RECALL IS WRONG! I FELT THEY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THIS AND NOT AT MY EXPENSE. I HAVE HAD ABOUT 3 DIFFERENT RECALLS ON THE CAR AND THIS JUST ADDED TO MY WORRIES. I AM NOT SURE WHAT CONSTITUTES A RECALL BUT FELT THIS WAS ONE ON TOYOTA. THANK YOU *TR

MY WIFE STARTED THE CAR IN THE MORNING TO DROP THE KID TO SCHOOL WHICH IN WITHIN 2 MILES OF OUR HOME. IT WAS COLD DAY OF WINTER. SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE FRONT PART OF HOOD WHEN SHE DROVE ABOUT 1/2 A MILE AND WAS WORRIED WITH THE KIDS WHAT IS THAT NOISE. ANY HOW AFTER THAT THE CAR HAD START MAKING SQUISHING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOOD. WE TOOK TO TOYOTA AND THEY SAID WATER PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE ALSO READ SOME OTHER PEOPLE REVIEWS ONLINE REGARDING THE WATER PUMP OF TOYOTA VEHICLES. MY WIFE CALLED THE TOYOTA MOTOR CO FOR WARRANTY AND THEY SAID, EVEN THAT IS NOT A PART OF POWER TRAIN AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SO WE ARE ENDING UP PAYING EXTRA APPROX $650.00 TO TOYOTA FOR THE REPLACEMENT. *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TO WORK AND TURNED ON THE HEATED SEAT. IT HAS BURNED HER LEG AT THE HAMSTRING UNDER THIGH AREA PRETTY BAD. *TR

OIL LEAK FROM BACKSIDE OF ENGINE. TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-0321-08 BUT DID NOT PERFORM A RECALL. THEREFORE, YOU MAY EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM AND YOU MAY FIND THE ISSUE AFTER YOUR WARRANTY EXPIRED. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR - ESTIMATED TO BE MORE THAN $2K. TOYOTA CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE QUALITY PROBLEMS AND SHOULD HONOR THEIR PRODUCTS WITHIN OR OUTSIDE THEIR WARRANTY WHEN IT IS CLEARLY RELATED TO POOR QUALITY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND POWER OFF AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 3/13/13 *CN

BRIDGESTONE DEULER H/L 400 TIRES HAD POOR TREAD LIFE AND WERE VERY POOR IN ANY AMOUNT OF SNOW. RAIN ALSO RESULTED IN HYDRO PLANNING.

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 HIGHLANDER ON NOVEMBER 11, 2012 AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE FOLLOWING DAY I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TOYOTA WEBSITE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG SYSTEM. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK DONE ON NOVEMBER 14. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS STILL ON AFTER THE RECALL WORK. I LEFT THEM THE VEHICLE SO THEY COULD DO FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS. THEY SAID THE SQUIB CIRCUIT ON THE SPIRAL CABLE FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM ON THE STEERING COLUMN HAD A SHORT IN IT. TOYOTA PART NUMBER 84306-22010. IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IF A REPAIR WAS NOT DONE THERE WAS A GOOD CHANCE THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD LIGHT UP INTERMITTENTLY IF I DIDN'T REPAIR IT AND THAT THEY WERE PRETTY SURE THE AIRBAG WOULDN'T GO OFF ON ITS OWN. MY CHOICE WAS FIX IT OR PARK IT. I HAD THEM DO THE REPAIR, $276.63 FOR THE SPIRAL CABLE AND $150.00 FOR THE LABOR, $443.22 TOTAL WITH SALES TAX. I HAVE OVER 122,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN PERFORMING THE MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TWO OTHER VEHICLES (NOT TOYOTA) AND NEITHER HAS EVER HAD AN AIRBAG SYSTEM PROBLEM AND EACH ONE HAS OVER 100,000 MILES. THE WIRING FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM SHOULD NEVER GO BAD. PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

MY STEERING LOCKS WHEN I WAS DRIVING. I REPORTED THIS ISSUE BEFORE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY FIGURE OUT THAT THE COMPUTER HAS A PROBLEM AFTER THE BIG ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHITE PARTICLES WERE EMITTED THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM WHILE THE CLIMATE CONTROL WAS ACTIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC OR THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP, SHE NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ALLOW A SAFE DISTANCE BETWEEN HER AND THE VEHICLE AS IT QUICKLY BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,100.

THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN. IT DOES NOT STAY UP AND IMPAIRS DRIVER VISION. *TR

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.

THE SPIRAL CABLE WENT BAD CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON MAKING THE AIRBAGS INOPERABLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING A DEER, THE BRAKES SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER AND A PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE SCENE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 11/01/12*LJ UPDATED 11/02/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT LENS WERE FOGGED AND THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY AND BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL FOR THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO FILED A REPORT AND DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

AS I APPROACHED A STOP SIGN, MY CHECK ENGINE AND VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS LESS THAN A MILE FROM MY DESTINATION AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PARK MY VEHICLE WITH NO ISSUES. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, I CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO ALERT THEM TO THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP REPRESENTATIVE ASKED IF THE VSC LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND I TOLD HIM NO; TO WHICH HE REPLIED IT WOULD BE OKAY TO DRIVE. LATER ON THAT EVENING, I DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND UPON TAKING OFF AT THE LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SEEMED SLUGGISH AT FIRST AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND SURGED FORWARD. WHEN I PULLED INTO THE DEALERSHIP, I EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED AND AM NOW AWAITING TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CARPET ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD HAD BECOME WET. THE CONTACT FURTHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THAN WATER WAS LEAKING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE AIR CONDITIONER LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD FOLLOW UP WITH THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,184.

I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON A DIVIDED ONE WAY STREET. A 2006 MINIVAN WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DIVIDED STREET. HE MADE A LEFT HAND TURN, RAN THROUGH THE YIELD SIGN AND BROADSIDED ME ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I SAW HE WAS NOT GOING TO STOP AND TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, NOT IN TIME. TOOK OUT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HIGHLANDER FROM THE FRONT WHEEL TO THE REAR PANEL. HIS FRONT AIRBAG DID DEPLOY. MY SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I KNOW MY HEAD BOUNCED AGAINST THE SIDE WINDOW TWICE. I ASKED THE BODY SHOP TO LOOK AT THE AIRBAG AND THEY SAID THAT IT APPEARED OK AND APPARENTLY THE STRIKE DID NOT WARRANT AIRBAG INFLATION. THE HIGHLANDER IS 4 WHEEL DRIVE, 20" WHEELS. BOTH LEFT DOORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND DAMAGE WAS LOW ON DOORS. WHEELS ALSO REPLACED. I THINK THE SIDE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *TR

VSC, TRACKING AND ABS LIGHTS COME ON WHEN DRIVING. SOMETIMES ON AS SOON AS I REVERSE IN THE MORNING. USED TO GO OFF IF I TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. SOMETIMES DOESN'T COME ON UNTIL I AM ALMOST HOME FROM WORK (30 MILES) SOMETIMES THE BRAKES FEEL OFF AND NOT GRIPPING. HAD BRAKES INSPECTED AND EVERYTHING FINE. *TT

POPING CLUNKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. HAD MECHANIC CHECKED IT AND NOTIFIED TOYOTA VIA EMAIL TO NO AVAIL . THEN THIS YEAR HAD THE CAR STICKER INSPECTION DONE WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE CLICKING SOUNDS. NOW I START TO GET WORRY IS THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE HAS AN IMPACT ON MY LIFE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. CHECKED THE INTERNET AND FOUND SIMILAR ISSUE WITH OWNER'S COMPLAINT ABOUT INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. HOPEFULLY TOYOTA WILL DO A RECALL TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM AND SAFEGUARD THE PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP -- WHEN EITHER PULLED BACK OR PUSHED FORWARD -- AND FALLS IN THE DRIVER'S LINE OF VISION. THIS LEADS TO A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE IT MEANS THE DRIVER LOSES HIS FIELD OF VISION FOR A FEW SECONDS AT VERY UNPREDICTABLE TIMES. *TR

UPON STARTING MY CAR, THE VSC OFF, CHECK ENGINE, AND ABS LIGHTS REMAINED LIT. ACCELERATION WAS SLOW AND ROUGH, AND THE GENERAL ENGINE FEEL WAS WRONG. I STOPPED CAR AND RESTARTED WITH NO EFFECT. WHILE DRIVING, THE LIGHTS EXTINGUISHED FOR A MOMENT, AND AT THAT POINT PERFORMANCE TEMPORARILY IMPROVED - THIS CAUSED A SURGE IN ACCELERATION. BUT THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON A MOMENT LATER AND PERFORMANCE, ONCE AGAIN, FAILED. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT IN TRAFFIC WHEN THE SURGE OCCURRED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE AND AS A RESULT IT HAD TO BE CUT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED HE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE EMITTING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE SEAT BELT AND THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000. UPDATED 12/12/12 *CN

BRAKE MALFUNCTION SPEED SENSOR. *TR

THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IN THE STEERING COLUMN IS MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN EVER I TURN IT TO THE RIGHT. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. NOW THEY HAVE A TSB FOR IT FOR REPAIRING THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. WHILE I'M SPENDING $500, FOR THE REPAIR, THEY SHOULD RECALL THIS PART BECAUSE TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT IT SINCE 2 YEARS AGO. WHILE DRIVING IT AND MAKING A TURN , IT WILL JUST MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE AND FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE.

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. *TR

VALVE SPRINGS. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. I MANAGED TO STEER ACROSS 4 LANES OF FAST TRAFFIC TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS PISTON FAILURE. THE CAR WAS TOWED 140 MILES TO MOTORCARS TOYOTA FOR REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED: "A VALVE SPRING ON THE #2 CYLINDER BROKE IN FRONT HEAD AND DROPPED INTO THE # 2 CYLINDER, DESTROYING THE PISTON AND SEVERELY DAMAGING THE SHORT BLOCK ASSEMBLY. BLOCK HAD A HOLE IN IT AND #2 PISTON WAS BROKEN IN HALF". REPAIR INCLUDED: REPLACING SHORT BLOCK ASSEMBLY, FRONT HEAD, EXHAUST CAM, VALVE, SPRING. I HAD TO PAY APROX. $6000 FOR A PROBLEM TOYOTA PUBLICLY ADMITTED SOME 2008 V8 MODELS HAD. FAULTY VALVE SPRINGS WAS ACTUALLY A RECALL BUT ONLY FOR LEXUS MODELS. NOT FAIR! *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V245000 (AIR BAGS) AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AND TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER, THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND TO KEEP TRYING BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES WHERE AND BATTERY WAS REPLACED ON EACH RECURRENCE. MOST RECENTLY, A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A TROUBLE CODE. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ROAD MILEAGE TO COULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DURING THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL TO TREAT MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE LOT WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 63,000.

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION AND REQUESTS AN INVESTIGATION AND REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD AS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, HER SON WAS SECURED IN HIS CAR SEAT, PLAYING QUIETLY WITH THE ATTACHED SEAT BELT. AT THE POINT, THE SEAT BELT WRAPPED AROUND HIS NECK. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND ATTEMPTED TO FREE HER SON FROM CHOKING, SHE WAS UNABLE TO DO SO, ALTHOUGH LOOSENING THE BELT SUFFICIENTLY ALLOWED HIM TO BREATH. FIRST RESPONDERS HAD DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE BELT, FINALLY THEY HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT TO PERMIT HER SON TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE SEAT.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO REPOSITION THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WITH THE JACK HOLDING THE VEHICLE UP. THE JACK SLIPPED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE PASSENGER SIDE FENDER AND THE BOTTOM MOLDING WERE DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED ON JUNE 2, 2011

CAPS KEEP FALLING OFF OF THE LUG NUTS, WHICH EXPOSES THE STUDS OF THE WHEEL HUB. CORROSION FORMS AND CAUSES THE LUG NUT TO BE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. ADDITIONALLY, EXPOSURE OF THE STUD CAN WEAKEN THE JOINT. I REPLACED TWO LUG NUTS YESTERDAY, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO FIVE IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS. *TR

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAD A NEW SET OF TIRES PUT ON IT 6 MONTHS AGO AND 9,000 MILES LATER THE REAR TIRES WERE BALD TO THE CORDS TO A POINT IT WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CAR APPEARS TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ALIGNMENT OR STABILIZATION AS THE CAR, EVEN WITH NEW TIRES AND AN INSPECTION BY THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNDRIVABLE IN SNOW OR HEAVY RAIN EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. THE REAR END IS VERY UNSTABLE IN THIS CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN ABNORMALLY MOVING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WOULD COVER FIFTY PERCENT OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.

I HAVE A SUNSHINE KIDS RADIAN 80SL. MODEL US18500. SERIAL 090900106 03565. MY LATCH STRAP DOES NOT REMAIN TIGHT. I CAN LOOSEN IT WITH ONE FINGER, WHICH MEANS MY DAUGHTER CLIMBING IN AND OUT CAN BUMP IT AND LOOSEN IT. IT ALSO HAS LOOSENED OVER TIME ON IT'S ON. WHEN I FIRST INSTALL IT, IT IS A COMPLETELY ROCK SOLID INSTALL, BUT IF YOU PULL BACK AND FORTH ON THE SEAT A FEW TIMES YOU CAN FEEL IT LOOSENING. I DO NOT FEEL LIKE MY DAUGHTER IS SAFE IN THIS SEAT IN A CRASH. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2008, MAKE=TOYOTA, MODEL=HIGHLANDER). *TR

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER: THERE IS A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. IT HAS BEEN FIXED BUT IT OCCURS AGAIN AND THEN HAVE TO GET IT FIX AGAIN. DUE TO FAULTY A WIRING HARNESS THAT COULD FAIL AND PREVENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, IT IS DANGEROUS FOR ME, MY KIDS, OR ANYONE THAT OWNS OR DRIVES A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER HAD BURST AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE REPAIRS AND THE MANUFACTURER PAID FIFTY PERCENT OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ UPDATED 05/11/11

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON FRIDAY 3/4/11. I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING 35MPH. MY HIGHLANDER HAS SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE BUT NOT ONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I SUFFERED A KNEE INJURY, A NECK INJURY, A SHOULDER INJURY, AND A CONCUSSION. I AM VERY UPSET AND CONCERNED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AS THEY SHOULD HAVE ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. I AM HESITANT TO HAVE ANY REPAIRS MADE TO MY VEHICLE UNTIL WE FIND OUT THE CAUSE OF THE DEFECT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW TO PROCEED... *TR

EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE: I FIRST NOTICED THAT MY LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WAS ON WHEN I STARTED OUT THIS MORNING. I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION TO CHECK THE TIRES AND NOTICED A LARGE SCREW STUCK IN MY FRONT LEFT TIRE. MY TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE REGISTERED LESS THAN 5PSI. I FILLED THE TIRE TO AT LEAST 25PSI AND HEADED BACK HOME, FIGURING I COULD PUT THE SPARE ON IN MY GARAGE AND TAKE THE FLAT TO BE REPAIRED. I WAS GLAD TO GET BACK AS THE BIGGEST SNOWSTORM OF THE SEASON WAS AN HOUR AWAY. THE FAILURE: I WAS ABLE TO GET THE JACK AND OTHER EQUIPMENT OUT OF THE BACK AND SUCCESSFULLY LOWERED THE SPARE TIRE ONTO THE GROUND. MY PROBLEM IS THAT I CANNOT REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE FROM THE CARRIER CABLE. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF SALT SPRAYED ON THE ROADS RECENTLY AND ALL THE PARTS WERE WHITE. I SPRAYED WITH WD40, BUT NO LUCK. THE MANUAL IS NO HELP AS IT ONLY SHOWS A PICTURE OF THE SPARE AND A ROTATING ARROW. I CAME INSIDE TO LOOK ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A SOLUTION.. NONE. I THEN SAW A RECALL LISTED FOR THE 2008-2010 SIENNA (ID# 8250). BECAUSE OF A SAFETY ISSUE WITH SPARE TIRE CARRIER CABLE, IT COULD POSSIBLY BECOME CORRODED AND CAUSE THE SPARE TO FALL OFF FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL SAYS TO SEE AN AMENDED RECALL FOR JULY 19, 2010. I CAN'T FIND IT. OWNERS WERE TO RECEIVE A LETTER "WHEN A PERMANENT REMEDY WAS AVAILABLE." REPAIRS WERE EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER 2010. I'M THANKFUL I WASN'T OUT TRYING TO UNSUCCESSFULLY REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE IN A SNOWSTORM, BUT A USELESS OWNERS MANUAL, A DEFECTIVE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT, AND ESPECIALLY A RECALL FOR THE SAME PIECE OF EQUIPMENT ON ANOTHER MODEL WITH NO AMENDED REPAIR INFORMATION IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME. WHY WEREN'T HIGHLANDER OWNERS LIKE ME NOTIFIED AS WELL? HAVE SIENNA VEHICLES BEEN REPAIRED? NOW I HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH A FLAT FRONT TIRE TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO GET THE SPARE TIRE TAKEN OFF THE VEHICLE SO I CAN TAKE THE FLAT OFF AND GET IT REPAIRED. I CONSIDER THIS ANOTHER BALL DROPPED BY TOYOTA. *TR

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER STATES SQUEAKY NOISE WHEN VEHICLE TIRES GO OVER ANY BUMPS AS WELL AS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED IN THE MORNING WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. ALSO, THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING. *JB

DEALER CLAIMED " THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. ACCESS AND TRACED ALL RELATED WIRING TO INSIDE THE FUSE/RELAY PANEL. FOUND SOMETHING HAD CHEWED AND SHORTED OUT THE WIRING" THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY PROOF. I NOTIFIED TOYOTA MOTORS AND GOT NO HELP FROM THEM. *TR

THE SENSOR LIGHTS FOR ABS AND VSC HAVE GONE ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. SOMETIMES THE BRAKES ENGAGED THE SKID CONTROL, BRAKING CAPABILITY IS LOST AND OTHER TIMES THE SPEED NEEDLE DOES NOT GAGE PROPERLY. THE SYSTEM WAS INSPECTED BY TOYOTA, WHO INDICATED IT WAS DUE TO DAMAGE TO THE SENSOR FROM A ROPE. TOYOTA SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED THE SENSOR AND THEY STAYED OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS, BUT CONTINUE TO COME BACK. MY VEHICLE STILL HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES, AND TOYOTA IS AGAIN TELLING ME THEY HAVE TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM. *TR

THIS REPORT CONCERNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW AS A DEALER LEFTOVER. THE VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 20,000 MILES AND THE TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A20 TIRES ARE SHREDDING AND HAVE PIECES OF THE TREAD MISSING. THIS IS ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THE TIRES ARE P245/55R19 WITH A DOT NUMBER CXHH-DK80508. I HAVE NOT YET CONTACTED TOYO, HOWEVER FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS NOTED, IT DOES NOT SEEM THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL WILLINGLY ACCEPT THE DEFECT OF PREMATURE WEAR OF THIS TIRE. THE TIRE SIZE IS UNIQUE, WHICH CAUSES THE REPLACEMENT COST TO BE MUCH HIGHER THAN MORE STANDARD SIZES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE STOPPED A STOP SIGN AND THE RPMS BEGIN TO INCREASE EXCESSIVELY. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL OFF SHE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. A MECHANIC CAME AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FRONT AXLE HAD BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 12000. UPDATED 01/24/11 *BF THE DEALER STATED THE DRIVER SIDE AXLE BROKE IN HALF AND HALF OF THE AXLE BECAME STUCK IN THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO THE CAMSHAFT POSITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/16/11

LEASED THE CAR NEW. ON THE ODOMETER IT HAD OVER 60 MILES REGISTERED. FROM THE FIRST DAY, THE VALVES WERE SOUNDING LOUDLY. THE VALVES ARE STILL SOUNDING LOUDLY, AT 15, 000 MILES. I INFORMED THE SERVICE DEPT, BUT REALLY NOTHING WAS DONE. WHEN WARMING UP THE CAR, WHEN I FIRST HAD IT, THE CAR WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH. THE SERVICE DEPT. CORRECTED THIS. AT 15,000 MILES A FUEL INJECTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. SERVICE CONSULTANT STATES HE WILL CHECK THIS IN ONE YEAR. I WANTED TO KNOW HOW COME THE FUEL INJECTOR HAD TO BE REPLACE AND WAS THIS NORMAL IN OTHER CAR. NEW FUEL INJECTOR WAS INSERTED. OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

TIRE FALLING APART AND FLAKING INCLUDING PREMATURE WEARING ON FACTORY OEM TOYO OPEN COUNTRY 245-55X19 A20 TIRES WHICH WERE ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER PURCHASE BRAND NEW ON JUL 2008. APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 20,195. ALL TIRES ARE SHOWING THE SAME ABNORMAL WEAR AS VERIFIED BY TOYOTA DEALER. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ONLINE COMPLAINTS OF SIMILAR OWNERS WITH PICTURES OF THE UNUSUAL WEARING. MINE ARE WORSE THAN ARE DESCRIBED AS CONCURRED BY TOYOTA SERVICE ADVISORS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER EQUIPPED WITH TOYO OPEN COUNTRY AT TIRES, SIZE P245/55R19. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE CHIPPING AWAY ON THE SHOULDER OF THE INSIDE. WHILE DRIVIGN 35 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE TIRES WERE INSPECTED AND THE CHIPPING WAS DISCOVERED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THEIR TIRE DEALER. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WITH THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. THE TIRES HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000.