2009 Toyota Highlander Complaint Log

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 19" RIMS WITH TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A20 TIRES ARE VERY UNSAFE. THIS TIRE/WHEEL COMBINATION WAS STANDARD ON 2008/09 LIMITED AND SPORT HIGHLANDERS. MY 2009 HIGHLANDER WOULD SLIP ALL OVER THE PLACE IN WINTER DRIVING. BY FAR THE WORST WINTER VEHICLE I EVER OWNED AND I'VE OWNED PLENTY THAT WERE NOT ALL-WHEEL DRIVE. LUCKILY THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM IS GOOD AND SAVED ME FROM SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. TOYOTA USED VERY LARGE 19" RIMS AND PERFORMANCE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. THE TIRES WERE WORN OUT AFTER 18 MONTHS AND 21,000 MILES. WHY TOYOTA THOUGHT BIG WHEELS AND PERFORMANCE TIRES WERE IMPORTANT TO AN SUV PURCHASER IS BEYOND ME. TOYOTA ALSO REFUSES TO STAND BEHIND THEIR SAFETY DEFECT (NOT TO MENTION THE TIRES ONLY LASTED 21,000 MILES). I PURCHASED 17" RIMS ON MY OWN AND TOYO PROVIDED CREDIT FOR 2 OF THE 4 NEW OPEN COUNTRY HT TIRES AND THE SUV IS NOW MUCH SAFER - IT NO LONGER FEELS LIKE I AM RIDING ON ROLLER SKATES! *TR

When starting it would make grinding noise,sounds like metallic noise until the engine oil starts circulating.Dealer said that its normal due to cold starts but this can happen even when the engine is up to temperature.Toyota refuse to remedy the issue.

THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM KOOL TOYOTA, GRAND RAPIDS, MI BACK 19 NOV 2009. THEN IT WAS GIVEN BACK TO DEALER IN MARCH 2010. MOTION SICKNESS / MIND NUMBNESS, THOUGHT IMPAIRMENTS, SPEECH IMPAIRMENTS, ETC.. CAR WAS CHECKED BY LOCAL DEALER AS WELL SHOWING NO SIGNS OF ANY ISSUES. LOST I THINK AROUND $10,000 DOLLARS TO RETURN THE CAR BACK TO DEALER. DRIVER AND PASSENGERS THROUGH THE CAR WERE AFFECTED. THE CAR WAS SET IN THE GARAGE UNUSED MOST OF THE TIME BETWEEN PURCHASE AND RETURN TO DEALER. WENT THROUGH TOYOTA DEALER DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS. I STILL HAVE RECORDS. DID NOT HAVE TIME AND/OR UNDERSTANDING WHO ELSE TO CONTACT BACK IN 2010.

SUNSHINE KIDS RADIAN XTSL LATCH LOOSENS ITSELF. TWO TIMES I'VE GONE TO PUT MY 2 YEAR OLD INTO HER SEAT AND THE LATCH HAS HAD AT LEAST 2 INCHES OF SLACK!! PLEASE FIX THIS!! (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2009, MAKE=TOYOTA, MODEL=HIGHLANDER). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V023000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL. UPON RECEIVING THE VEHICLE HE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 22 MPH AND WHEN HE REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR WHENEVER HE RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 14,100.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE FAILED TO OPEN OR CLOSE AUTOMATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HATCH PANEL WAS DEFORMED CAUSING THE POWER DOOR MOTOR TO WORK HARDER THAN DESIGNED. AS A RESULT THE POWER HATCH MOTOR, HATCH DOOR, LID HINGES, LID HINGE STAYS, AND REAR BUMPER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

TURNING RIGHT FROM CITY HIGHWAY TO CITY STREET AT ABOUT 15 MPH AND RR TIRE HAD SIDEWALL BLOWOUT. HAD TO REPLACE TIRE WITH SAME BRAND AS ONLY BRIDGESTONE AND TOYO MAKE A TIRE THIS SIZE FOR 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. 245/55R19. *TR

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the power window master switch inoperable. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V689000 (Visibility). There were no warnings lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to dealer. The dealer stated that the power window master switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 127,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED FOUR TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THE REPAIRS WERE MADE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE UNIT WOULD WORK FOR A SHORT TIME BEFORE FAILING AGAIN. IN ADDITION, THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,624.. UPDATED 11/22/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE CD PLAYER, DOOR AND HATCH LOCKS FAILED. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE RECEIVED A 2010 REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. UPDATED 11/23/10

COMPLAINANT HAD TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL BRIDGESTONE TIRES (245/55R19) ON A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LTD AFTER 20,679 MILES. TREAD WEAR WAS BELOW 3/32'S. TOYOTA WOULD NOT WARRANT OR PARTICIPATE IN THE REPLACEMENT COSTS. BRIDGESTONE OFFERED TO SPLIT THE COST OF REPLACING THE FOUR TIRES WITH THEIR DUELER H/L (P245/55R19) WHICH I ACCEPTED ON APRIL 20, 2010. MY COST WAS $491.32. THE REPLACEMENT TIRES AFTER 9 MONTHS AND 17,011 MILES HAVE 5/32'S WEAR. HOWEVER, WITH THAT TIRE WEAR, THE HIGHLANDER IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WHEN THERE IS FROST/SNOW/RAIN/ICE ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE LOOSES TRACTION AND IS UNCONTROLLABLE AS IT SLIDES THROUGH INTERSECTIONS. AGAIN, THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO WARRANT OR PARTICIPATE IN THE TIRE REPLACEMENT COSTS. BRIDGESTONE HAS OFFERED TO SPLIT THE COST TO REPLACE THE TIRES. THIS WOULD AMOUNT TO AN ADDITIONAL $500 (EST.) TO REPLACE TIRES THAT DO NOT WEAR PROPERLY. HOW CAN PAYMENTS OF APPROXIMATELY $1,000 FOR EIGHT TIRES THAT PROVIDE PREMATURE AND UNSAFE TIRE WEAR BE JUSTIFIED? THE VEHICLE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION, IS A HAZARD ON THE ROAD AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. TIRE WEAR IS PREMATURE. THE HIGHLANDER SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR A FREE FOUR WHEEL TIRE REPLACEMENT AND ALIGNMENT. UPDATED IVOQ 01/26/12 *TR

RECENT TROUBLE WITH ELECTRICAL REAR DOOR HATCH CLOSING PROPERLY. MY ONGOING PROBLEM IS AT LEAST 4+ YEARS THAT NOBODY HEARS ME. IT'S ELECTRICAL, AUTO LOCK DOORS, AC OR HEAT SHUTS OFF AND ON AD IT WANTS, TOTALLY WENT TO HI HEAT WHEN I WAS DRIVING, BUTTONS DO WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO NO MATTER WHAT IS TURNED OFF OR ON.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL AT 2 MPH, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO SHUDDER AND THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED SHIFT TO P FUNCTION. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, ANOTHER WARNING LIGHT INDICATED, BRAKE DEFAULT CONTACT THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND AFTER IT WAS RESTARTED; THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THAT TYPE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,107.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS SITTING IDLE AND THE CONTACT WOULD ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE, THE TWO FRONT WHEELS WOULD BEGIN TO SPIN OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2,500.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH DURING A SNOW STORM THE WHEELS LOCKED. THE BRAKES ALSO LOCKED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE 200 FEET. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,250. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,430. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ

AS PUBLISHED BY MEDIA, MY 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL BY TOYOTA DUE TO RECENT ACCIDENTS MAKING THE CAR ACCELERATE DUE TO (APPARENTLY) STUCK-UP GAS PEDAL). I CALLED UP COBB COUNTY TOYOTA IN KENNESSAW GA TO CONFIRM IF I NEED TO BRING MY CAR BACK TO THEIR SERVICE CENTER. THEY SAID "YES" AND THE ONLY THING THAT THEY WOULD BE CHECKING IS MY CAR'S FLOORMATTING, WHICH WOULD TAKE THEM ONLY A COUPLE OF MINUTES. MY CONCERN IS THAT WHAT IF IT IS NOT ONLY THE FLOORMATTING THAT MAKES THE GAS PEDAL STUCK UP AND TRIGGER UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION OF MY CAR. EVEN IF I HAVE MY CHECKED BY THEM JUST FOR THAT DECLARED DEFECT, I AM STILL IN DANGER OF DRIVING AN UNSAFE CAR. I DO HOPE FULL-BLOWN INVESTIGATION BE MADE BY YOUR AGENCY AS TO WHAT IS THE REAL AND ROOT CAUSE OF THE ENGINE PROBLEM. MANY CONSUMERS WERE ALREADY ATTESTING THROUGH MEDIA THAT IT WAS NOT THE FLOORMATTING IMPEDIMENT THAT CAUSES THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. PLEASE HELP US BE SAFE USING THIS CAR OR MAKE A DRASTIC ACTION TO OBLIGE TOYOTA TO EXAMINE THOROUGHLY THE CAUSE AND MAKE PERMANENT SOLUTIONS TO IT TO KEEP US AT PEACE USING THE CAR. WE HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY A TOYOTA CAR OWNERS SINCE 1980'S AND THIS IS THE FIRST SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED. I WITH YOUR AGENCY'S HELP, WE PRAY THAT WE ARE IN SAFE HANDS WITH OUR CARS. IF THERE WOULD BE NO SAFETY ASSURANCE, I AM TAKING A RISK EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR. *TW

CONDENSATION OCCURS INSIDE THE TAIL LIGHTS ASSEMBLY WHEN CAR WASHING DURING COLD WEATHER. CONDENSATION IS ALSO DEVELOPED INSIDE THE TAIL LIGHTS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GETS LOW. *CW

2009 TOYOTA HIGHLAND HAD BEEN DRIVED FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, PARKED, LOCKED AT 7:25 AM ON JAN 22, 2010. APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES LATER A 6TH FT HIGH FLAMES WERE DISCOVERED BY THE OWNER COMING FROM THE ENGINE. SOMEONE HAD ALREADY REPORTED THE FIRE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED BY 7:50 AM.*CW

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN SNOWY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE BECAME STUCK IN THE SNOW. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO REVERSE BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 11,000. UPDATED 11/03/10 *BF UPDATED 11/04/10

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON AT LEAST FOUR OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN THE DRIVER WOULD DEPRESS THE PEDAL GENTLY AFTER A STOP. THE VEHICLE ALSO ACCELERATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND WHAT THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE WAS. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE REPRESENTATIVE INSTRUCTED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED, AFTER A BRIEF DELAY, THE ACCELERATOR ENGAGED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUOUSLY FLICKERED AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO TOUCH THE VEHICLE AND CONTACTED AN INVESTIGATOR TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE INVESTIGATOR WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,500. *TR

ACCELERATOR STUCK ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR ON 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WHILE VACATIONING IN TENNESSEE ON I40. HAD TO WEAVE THRU TRAFFIC TO SHOULDER WHILE TRAVELING TOWARDS 100 MPH, MASHING FULL FORCE TO THE FLOOR ALL THE TIME DURING INCIDENT. VERY FRIGHTENING. CAR IS PRESENTLY RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP, BUT NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN & THEY CAN'T FIND "ANYTHING WRONG." I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE NOW. THIS WAS A LIFE THREATENING EVENT, BUT I DON'T FEEL TOYOTA IS TREATING AS SUCH. I AM TRYING TO FIND SOME HELP AS TO WHAT TO DO. IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED ONCE, BUT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES TO BOTH MY HUSBAND AND I AND FOR OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. *TR THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 04/05/10*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND REMOVING HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT APPLIED NORMAL PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND STOPPED. THE FAILURE IS CONSISTENT AND OCCURS DAILY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR IDENTIFY A FAILURE WHERE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL LOST PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3300.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH MCNEIL WEATHER TECH FLOOR MATS WITH PART NUMBER 44115-1-2-3. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE TO PASS A VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FLOOR MAT BECAME STUCK BEHIND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUALLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE FLOOR MAT WHICH ALLOWED THE PEDAL TO RELEASE. THE FLOOR MAT HAS NOT BEEN CONFIRMED AS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE BY A DEALER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 22 MPH AND ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS FORCED TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE AT 5 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND AS A RESULT, SHE CRASHED INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 783 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS LOOSE AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THE BRAKES WOULD GO TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD NO LONGER MOVE BACKWARD, AND WAS POSITIONED ENTIRELY TOO CLOSE TO HE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS LITTLE ROOM FOR MOVEMENT WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOUR SEPARATE DEALERS AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,500. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE REALIZED A POLICE OFFICER WAS BEHIND SHE ATTEMPTED TO STOP, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND THE BRAKES COLLAPSED VERY LOW TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE LUG NUTS BROKE ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, AND THE ENGINE HAD A SLIGHT TICKING SOUND AND THE ROTORS WERE RUSTING. UPDATED EVOQ 12/23/10 THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT WRAPPED TIGHTLY AROUND HER THROAT. THE FRONT WHEEL WAS LOOSE, THERE WAS A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL, THE CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL NO LONGER STAYS IN PLACE AND THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. UPDATED 07/07/11. *JB

PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATES AIR BAG NOT FUNCTIONAL. OCCURS AT RANDOM TIMES, WILL STAY THAT WAY FOR DAYS OR WEEKS, THEN REVERT TO NORMAL. SOMETIMES AT SAME TIME FAN GOES TO HIGH, AIR CONDITIONING GOES ON, OR FLOOR/AIR DIAL SWITCHES TO ALL DEFROST, OR EMERGENCY LIGHTS SWITCH ON. DEALERSHIP SAID THE PROBLEM WAS MALFUNCTIONING WEIGHT LEVER IN SEAT, COULDN'T EXPLAIN THE REST OF IT, AND THEY NEVER DID ANYTHING TO TRY TO FIX IT. HOWEVER, IT SEEMS TO BE ELECTRONIC ISSUE AS IT SOMETIMES WORKS. *TR

MY 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH KEYLESS START ALLOWS THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF WHEN NOT IN PARK AND THE VEHICLE STARTS MOVING. IT ALSO WILL TURN OFF IN REVERSE, OR NEUTRAL AND WILL TURN BACK ON IN NEUTRAL AND WILL ALSO TURN OFF IN DRIVE. THIS DOES NOT FEEL SAFE AND SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY INVESTIGATED. THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE TO BE IN PARK TO TURN OFF AND START LIKE ALL OTHER CARS WITH KEYS TO START THE VEHICLE. LOCAL DEALER INVESTIGATED BUT SAID ALL KEYLESS START VEHICLES OPERATE THIS WAY AND DIDN'T INDICATE THERE WAS A FIX TO THE SITUATION. *TR

WE BOUGHT A NEW 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN JULY,2009. IMMEDIATELY, IT DEMONSTRATED A HUGE VIBRATION IN REVERSE, AND NOW IN DRIVE. WHEN I STOP AT A LIGHT, IT FEELS LIKE IT WILL BOLT WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. WE WENT THROUGH ARBITRATION, BUT THEY CLAIMED, SINCE WE COULDN'T PROVE IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD, WE HAD NO CASE. I THINK THESE VEHICLES SHOULD ALSO BE INVESTIGATED. I HAVE READ SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET FROM OTHER HIGHLANDER OWNERS. I AM REALLY FEARFUL TO DRIVE MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE. FOR TOYOTA TO TELL ME THAT, YES THERE IS A SEVERE VIBRATION, BUT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE IS ABSOLUTELY PREPOSTEROUS. TOYOTA SAYS THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT, SO THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. OUR OWN MECHANIC SAYS THAT HE BELIEVES IT WILL JOIN THE OTHER RECALLS AT SOME POINT. BUT I REALLY HOPE YOU WILL LOOK INTO IT SOON. THANK YOU. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, IN FEBRUARY 2009. ON JUNE 1, 2009, I WAS NORTHEAST OF ROCKVILLE, INDIANA ON HIGHWAY 47 IN THIS TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I APPROACHED A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF ROADWAY AND PASSED THE VEHICLE. AS I WAS PASSING I FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS GOING FASTER THAN I WAS ACCELERATING. WHEN I PULLED BACK INTO THE RIGHT LANE THE CAR WAS GOING EVEN FASTER AND I REALIZED THAT THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. LUCKILY, I WAS STILL ON A LONG STRAIGHT SECTION OF THE ROAD AND HAD SOME TIME. I FIRST TRIED TO BRAKE BUT THE CAR KEPT GOING EVEN FASTER. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND STARTED BRAKING AND LUCKILY FOUND A PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I WAS COMPLETELY SHOCKED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RACING UNCONTROLLABLY. I LOOKED DOWN AT THE ACCELERATOR AND NOTHING WAS PUSHING OR TOUCHING IT. I THEN TURNED OFF THE CAR, PUT THE CAR IN 'PARK', GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND LOOKED AROUND THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN TO MAKE SURE THAT NOTHING WAS PUSHING ON IT, THEN WAITED FOR ABOUT A MINUTE AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THE CAR STARTED WITH THE ENGINE RACING. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED THE CAR TWO MORE TIMES AND EACH TIME THE ENGINE RACED UNCONTROLLABLY. I TURNED OFF THE CAR, LEFT A MESSAGE FOR MY HUSBAND ON HIS CELL PHONE AND WAITED FOR FIVE MINUTES WITH THE CAR TURNED OFF AS I WAITED FOR MY HUSBAND TO CALL BACK. HE NEVER DID CALL SO I DECIDED TO START THE CAR ONE MORE TIME. WHEN I DID, THE CAR STARTED NORMALLY AND THE ENGINE DID NOT RACE. I TRIED TO CALM DOWN EMOTIONALLY AND DROVE HOME NOT KNOWING WHEN OR IF THE ACCELERATOR WOULD BE A PROBLEM. I TOOK THE HIGHLANDER IN FOR SERVICE TO JORDAN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, MISHAWAKA, INDIANA ON 6/3/2009 AND THEY INSISTED THAT THE FLOOR MATS WERE THE PROBLEM. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS BECAUSE I HAD CHECKED EVERYTHING AROUND THE ACCELERATOR WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RACING AND THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR. THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRONIC. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, IN FEBRUARY 2009. ON JUNE 1, 2009, I WAS NORTHEAST OF ROCKVILLE, INDIANA ON HIGHWAY 47 IN THIS TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I APPROACHED A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF ROADWAY AND PASSED THE VEHICLE. AS I WAS PASSING I FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS GOING FASTER THAN I WAS ACCELERATING. WHEN I PULLED BACK INTO THE RIGHT LANE THE CAR WAS GOING EVEN FASTER AND I REALIZED THAT THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. LUCKILY, I WAS STILL ON A LONG STRAIGHT SECTION OF THE ROAD AND HAD SOME TIME. I FIRST TRIED TO BRAKE BUT THE CAR KEPT GOING EVEN FASTER. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND STARTED BRAKING AND LUCKILY FOUND A PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I WAS COMPLETELY SHOCKED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RACING UNCONTROLLABLY. I LOOKED DOWN AT THE ACCELERATOR AND NOTHING WAS PUSHING OR TOUCHING IT. I THEN TURNED OFF THE CAR, PUT THE CAR IN 'PARK', GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND LOOKED AROUND THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN TO MAKE SURE THAT NOTHING WAS PUSHING ON IT, THEN WAITED FOR ABOUT A MINUTE AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THE CAR STARTED WITH THE ENGINE RACING. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED THE CAR TWO MORE TIMES AND EACH TIME THE ENGINE RACED UNCONTROLLABLY. I TURNED OFF THE CAR, LEFT A MESSAGE FOR MY HUSBAND ON HIS PHONE AND WAITED FOR FIVE MINUTES HOPING MY HUSBAND WOULD CALL BACK. HE DID NOT CALL SO I DECIDED TO START THE CAR ONE MORE TIME. WHEN I DID, THE CAR STARTED NORMALLY AND THE ENGINE DID NOT RACE. I TRIED TO CALM DOWN EMOTIONALLY AND DROVE HOME NOT KNOWING WHEN OR IF THE ACCELERATOR WOULD BE A PROBLEM. I TOOK THE HIGHLANDER IN FOR SERVICE TO JORDAN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, MISHAWAKA, INDIANA ON 6/3/2009 AND THEY INSISTED THAT THE FLOOR MATS WERE THE PROBLEM. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS BECAUSE I HAD CHECKED EVERYTHING AROUND THE ACCELERATOR WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RACING AND THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR. THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRONIC. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE.*CW

BRAND NEW 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DEFECTIVE FRONT O2 SENSOR MADE OUT OF CERAMIC BUILT INTO ALL CARS IN JAPAN THEN SHIPPED TO U.S. FIRST SIGN OF SENSOR DAMAGE THE CARS TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT GOES ON. SOON AFTER THE FRONT O2 CERAMIC SENSOR HEATS UP. THEN THE CAR WILL NOT START. WHEN YOU TRY TO START IT UP AT THIS POINT ENGINE HAS CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE GENERAL MANAGER OF DEALERSHIP STATED THAT TOYOTA KNOWS OF THIS DEFECTIVE PART BUT WILL NOT RECALL. WE BELIEVE OWNERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED. THE PART WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, WE DID NOT FEEL CAR WAS SAFE AFTER SEEING ENGINE ON FIRE. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REFUND MONEY. OUR ONLY OPTION ALLOWED WAS TO TRADE IN CAR FOR ANOTHER AT OUR COST. THIS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN 3 DAYS OF TAKING DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE AND HAVING ONLY DRIVEN IT 40 MILES.*TR

I INSTALLED WINTER TIRES AND WHEELS WITH OEM TPMS AND WAS NOT ABLE TO RESET THE CAR TO RECOGNIZE THESE NEW SENSORS. I'M TOLD THAT I HAVE TO HAVE THE DEALER RESET THE SYSTEM TWICE A YEAR WHEN I CHANGE WHEELS AND TIRES OR LET THE SYSTEM READ FAILURE UNTIL I SWAP BACK THE ORIGINAL WHEELS AND TIRES. THE CAR IS A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I THINK THE TPMS IS A GREAT SYSTEM BUT THE MANUFACTURES NEED TO UPDATE THE CARS SOFTWARE TO ALLOW THE DRIVER TO UPDATE THE SYSTEM. THE DEALER CHARGES 125.00 EACH TIME FOR THIS SERVICE. THE LAW MANDATING TPMS DIDN'T INTEND TO MAKE THIS A CASH COW FOR THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WAS INVOLVED IN THE FLOOR MAT RECALL. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THE FLOOR MATS WERE NOT TOYOTA FLOOR MATS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND STATED THE BATTERY WAS WEAK. *JB