2013 Toyota Highlander Complaint Log

A persistent smell of fuel occurred while in slow moving traffic and after vehicle was parked after use. Upon close inspection, the fuel injector fuel rail end cap exhibited a slow fuel leak. This component caused a recall for year model highlanders for 2014 production year describing the same type of component failure. The component has faulty end cap weldment that fails, causing the same failure mode being observed in my highlander. This is a fire hazard! Fuel rails should not be failing like this. A replacement fuel rail assembly has been order from Salinas Toyota. The original component can be made available for inspection/testing. I will also take a video of the leak and provide file upon request.

I own a Toyota and have always been a strong supporter of the brand — I truly believe Toyota’s reliability and build quality are unmatched. That’s why I was shocked and disappointed to discover that the paint on the roof of my car, especially near the sunroof, had started peeling. I left for a two-week trip, and when I returned in June 2025, I noticed that the paint had begun to flake and peel severely. The surface felt brittle and dry, and simply touching the area caused more paint to come off. It was clear that the damage had occurred during sun exposure while I was away. I later learned that Toyota had launched a Customer Support Program related to paint issues on white vehicles, but I was completely unaware that it existed or that it had ended in 2024. Had I known, I would have brought the vehicle in sooner. My car only started showing signs of this defect in mid-2025, well after the program had expired. I’m reporting this because I believe the issue is still ongoing and more widespread than Toyota may realize. As a loyal Toyota owner and enthusiast, this experience has been incredibly frustrating and disappointing.

Driver side airbags (curtain and left seat) spontaneously deployed while I was parking the car. I did not hit anything. I was not injured but my safety was put at risk because I likely would have crashed if it had happened while I was driving. I contacted Toyota and they sent an investigator to inspect the car. He found no issues in the data he collected and could not give a reason for the airbags deployment. I received a letter saying they were not going to help in any way. There were no warnings lights or indicators that could have warned me of the airbags deploying prior to the incident.

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving in negative 10-degree weather at 75 MPH, the driver's and passenger’s side curtain air bags deployed without warning or impact. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact discovered that the paint on the top of the vehicle was peeling. The contact did research and was made aware of the Customer Support Program: ZKG however, the VIN was not included. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

Multiple ABS related(ABS, TRACTION, BRAKES) warning lights/messages making driving my Highlander dangerous to me and others. Warning lights appeared 9/30/2024. No symptoms or warning lights appeared prior. Vehicle was then inspected by Toyota of Plano. Code 1391indicating an internal leak in the ABS. Confirmed by service dept of Toyota of Plano, Tx indicating the need for replacement of ABS Module Assembly. This as an acknowledged Toyota problem that was with a Service Bulletin that expired last year. Plano Toyota advised me to ask Toyota Brand Engagement for help but they declined. Toyota Brand Engagement declined to extend the prior Bulletin or assist in any way.. The Toyota case file is under my name and #241008000770. Any assistance from NHTSA would be appreciated.

I purchased the car in 2020 with 73K miles on it. It has sporadically had incidents of unintended acceleration. I happens when I slow for a stop sign, red light, or crosswalk. My foot is on the brake when this occurs, the engine then goes into high gear and no amount of pressure on the brake will stop it. I put the car in park and turn the key off. There are no warning lights. It has happened more frequently in 2024. On [XXX], I tried to come to a stop at a crosswalk in Plymouth MA. The UA occurred, putting the folks in the crosswalk and myself in danger. The next day I contacted the dealer and Toyota. The upshot - they said the car is fine, it must be my mats or shoes or something that is not their fault. I've been driving Toyotas for 40 years, I've never had a mat or shoe problem. There is something faulty with the acceleration/braking system. The last occurrence was [XXX] in Plympton MA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The issue started when the car was over 84,000 miles. The engine burns excessive oil. I have to add oil every 2200 miles. When I press on the gas pedal to rev the car, oil come out of the tail pipe. When I went to the dealer that they are aware of the issue but they did not make any recommendations. Online several owner of this model have changed the engine or replaced pistons. I have never gotten the check light on even when no oil is on the dip stick. I have to check the oil every time I fill up my gas tank as a precaution. My concern is that I could be stranded or the car overheat and cause a fire.

I am known by Toyota experts and my local mechanics as someone who takes excellent care of my vehicle, but unfortunately I am completely blown away when I was driving my car and suddenly it stopped and couldn’t start, after I tolled it to my mechanic, he told me the engine seized and it needs replacement. The cost is about $4000. I don’t have that kind of money and it has been seating in my driveway. I don’t understand how a very well maintained engine will just give out without any warning signs.

Engine is burning/consuming oil excessively; no leaks or any other unusual symptoms found. I was on an interstate highway and all of a sudden engine sound changed and excessive knocking started. No OIL LOW LEVEL or CHECK ENGINE light turned on. Yes the problem is persistent now and was verified by an independent (ASE Certified) service provider. No waning lamps or messages displayed.

All ABS brake lights on indicating a brake malfunction. Toyota has a customer support program to change out parts for free if vehicle is in USA. This should be a recall as it is a major safety concern and affects vehicles that may also be outside of the USA. If vehicle is outside of USA one can not even buy the updated parts (brake actuator and brake booster) to repair the vehicle because Toyota will not sell the parts to a dealer if the vehicle is not at a U.S.A. dealer so I am rendered with an unusable unreliable unfixable Toyota vehicle.

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, there was an abnormal boom and wind detected on top of the vehicle. Upon opening the sunroof, the contact noticed that the sunroof had shattered. The sunroof was bubbling upwards. There were no reported injuries. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while his wife was driving 60 MPH, she heard an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The driver veered to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle but found no issue with the vehicle. She re-entered the vehicle and opened the sunroof and shards of broken glass fell inside the vehicle from the sunroof. The driver stated that no object had struck the sunroof glass to cause the sunroof glass to shatter. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 186,000.

When I turn the steering faster than a certain speed, it will lock up for a moment, either turning right or left. Sometimes a light indicating a steering fault lights up on the dash cluster, sometimes not. When the turning of the wheel stops and locks up I cannot turn any more in that direction. I can turn the other way. This has been a problem for sometime and is becoming now worse. Aside from the locking up, justing turning slowly, there is a bit of a whine or low level grind sound in the sound of the steering column. This is a mechanical noise, not the typical whine of the steering pump.

Michelin Defender LTX M/S Tire 245/55R19 While driving on the freeway at 70 mph, the tire below and tread separated causing significant damage to vehicle. The tread appears to have separated from the tire, which caused the tire to hit the sidewall and rear of vehicle, which tore off the rear bumper and damaged rear quarter panel. It appears that both steel belts and polyester carcass piles failed The tire separation occurred, unprovoked as there was no impact from debris and the vehicle had been in operation/ driving for over 30 minutes. Incident was witnessed by Highway Patrol, who appeared very surprised to see such an event occur. Costco tire, flagged the issue as it appeared out of the ordinary and shipped the tire for review to Michelin.

My car will stall with no warning. I have taken my car multiple times to the dealership and the problem has not been able to be repaired. There have been other years of Toyota recalled for this exact same problem however, mine has not been. This is a serious safety concern!

- The car was purchased in 2015 used and the steering wheel has made a clunking sound when turning a hard sharp left or right since the day of purchase -While on a road trip of approximately 3,000 miles round trip in June 2021 the steering wheel was adjusted to accommodate my husband's height. It became very loose, with it finally dropping into my husband's lap on the last day of our trip-it was difficult to steer the car -We brought the car in to our dealership the following day where they confirmed we needed a new steering column-the car has not been involved in any accidents nor have the air bags employed -Other than the "clunking" sound there has never been any previous warning that the steering wheel would disengage while driving.

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while attempting to close the liftgate, the contact was unable to close the liftgate. The contact had not activated the power assist liftgate motor. The contact used force to close the liftgate. The contact stated that the failure had first been intermittent; however, the failure had become more frequent. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with an on/off switch for the liftgate power assist however, he had turned the assist feature off. The contact had previously had the liftgate motor replaced by a dealer under a manufacturer’s extended warranty program. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the same dealer to have the failure addressed. The dealer diagnosed the failure and determined that the liftgate motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND SWERVED TO AVOID A CAT, IT RESULTED IN CRASHING INTO A METAL TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ADDITIONALLY, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LARRY H. MILLER LEXUS SPOKANE1030 W 3RD AVE, SPOKANE, WA 99201: (509) 293-6074 BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DRIVER STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL WITH HER CHEST AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THERE WAS NO REPORTED FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

THERE ARE SOUNDS WHEN SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING, INCLUDING POPING OR SOMETIMES LIKE A WHIRLING SOUND. THE STEERING IS A BIT STIFF SOMETIMES AND NOT EASY TO TURN THE WHEELS, THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AT ANY SPECIFIC SPEED. I DO NOT HAVE ANY PICTURE OR OTHER DOCUMENT I CAN UPLOAD AS THIS IS NOT PHYSICAL DAMAGE THAT CAN BE PHOTOGRAPHED.

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WHEELS HYDOPLANNED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSS CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A CENTER CONCRETE WALL. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST. THE CONTACT DID GO TO THE HOSPITAL COUPLE OF HOURS LATER TO TREAT INJURIES TO THE RIBS WHICH WERE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT DID NOT STAY OVERNIGHT. NO POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL DRIVEABLE THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC LOT WHERE AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE IS SITTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. NO INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CONTACTED. NO DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.CK *BF THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PHOTOS.

CHECKED OIL LAST WEEK ALSO DEALER SUPPOSEDLY CHANGED OIL COUPLE DAYS AGO YELLOW TRIANGLE LIGHT CAME ON IT WAS JUST BOUGHT SO UNFAMILIAR WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS TRIED TO LOOK UP TOLD ME NOTHING. TODAY I LEFT A FRIENDS HOUSE (3MILES ) SHE CALLED AND SAID I LEFT MASSIVE OIL LEAK LEFT ON HER DRIVEWAY. SURE ENOUGH I LOOKED ON MY DRIVEWAY AND I ALSO HAD HUGE OIL LEAK LUCKY SHE CALLED ME I COULD HAVE BLOWN THE ENGINE OR IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE IF I HAD DRIVEN IT ANY FARTHER OR SHE DIDN'T TELL ME PROCEEDED TO LOOK UP COMMON TOYOTA HIGHLANDER PROBLEMS. AND THERE IT WAS SAYING MASSIVE OIL LEAKS FROM THE LINE EXPLODING ALSO SAID THAT THE REPAIR TOYOTA GIVES TO FIX THE PROBLEM HAS PROBLEMS TOO I'M ASSUMING THIS IS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS I'M LUCKY I WAS NOT OUT ON HIGHWAY HAVING IT TOWED TOMMOROW THE PICTURE IS AT HER HOUSE SHE SENT AFTER I LEFT. MY DRIVEWAY OIL LEAK IS TWICE THAT SIZE

AS I BEGIN DRIVING AND COME TO STOP IT TENDS TO REV UP AND THEN DROPS BACK TO NORMAL. IT FEELS LIKE VEHICLE REVS UP A LITTLE WHILE YOU ARE TRYING TO STOP IT BY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL.IT FEELS LIKE VEHICLE DOES NOT WANT TO STOP AND YOU HAVE THE FEELINGS TO PRESS THE BRAKE EVEN HARDER.

BACK SEAT IS STUCK IN FOLDING POSITION. RAIL IS STUCK

Oil consumption/oil pressure issue. Started suddenly maybe in 2020. My oil pressure light would come on “turn off car immediately”. Took it to dealer, told me I have no oil. Then it kept happening. No notice of low oil, and well within 3 months/3000 miles. Toyota did an oil consumption test at 1500miles, no issue. Then, took my car in shortly after because oil pressure light came on. They told me to get a new engine. Possible see the PVC valve, but once in there likely a new engine is needed. No wear/tear, or obvious age of use. Engine just started consuming oil. I googled it. It seems to be an issue with Highlanders. But I’ve never seen a recall on it. Pretty much living on oil changes every 2 months to keep my engine running. And this whole time, my engine light has never turned on.

POWER SUNROOF DRAINS INTO FLOORBOARDS. FROM MY RESEARCH THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH HIGHLANDERS AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO ADDRESS. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR A WEEK AGO. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAID THE LINES WERE CLOGGED AND BLEW THEM OUT. A WEEK LATER THE FLOORBARDS ARE FULL OF WATER AGAIN.

Steering column cracks, no help from Dealer. Many complaints on internet. Remedy requires expensive new steering column. Defective spindle type bearing defective. The noise is ongoing. It feels like its going to break. Very scary...ongoing doesn't stop. Dealer says wont break just replace if you want to... Toyota Service bulletin #T-SB-0034-13 details steering column replacement fix issued on this. I have it. Dealer denies simple joint grease kit maintenance option.

WAS HIT IN THE REAR END ON THE HIGHWAY, I WAS MOVING PROBABLY 8-10 MPH THROUGH A DEBRIS FIELD FROM AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR DID NOT SLOW AND HIT ME PROBABLY AROUND 35-40 MPH. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT FIRE SINCE IN A REAR END IMPACT THEY SHOULD NOT TRIGGER. I DID NOT IMPACT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY HEAD HIT THE HEADREST IN MY FIRST MOTION THEN IT HIT THE STEERING WHEEL LEAVING ME WITH A CONCUSSION. MY ISSUE SHOULDN'T THE SEAT BELT HAVE LOCKED AND RESTRAINED ME IN THAT SECONDARY IMPACT MOTION?

MY PASSENGER AIRBAG KEEPS TURNING OFF DUE TO A SENSOR. I HAVE HAD IT FIXED, AND A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES LATER, IT WAS BACK ON!

HEAD GASKET CRACKED, LEAKING COOLANT INTO 5TH CYLINDER. THE REASON FOR A PO305 MISFIRE CODE ON READER. AUTO SHOP REMOVED HEAD GASKET AND SAW THAT THE FINISH ON THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS HORRIBLE. THEY CALLED TOYOTA THEMSELVES TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND HAVE THEM REPLACE THAT SIDE OF THE BLOCK. AUTO SHOP DOESN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE REPLACING HEAD GASKET WITHOUT TOYOTA FIXING THE FINISH. IF THE FINISH IS AS IS, HEAD GASKET WILL EVENTUALLY CRACK AGAIN. HIGHLANDER WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND ONLY HAS 73K MILES.

THE POWER HATCH BACK DOES NOT WORK. IT IS SO FREQUENT PROBLEM AND SO MANY COMPLAINTS BUT NO SOLUTION OFFERED BY THE TOYOTA COMPANY. *TR

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND HAS TWICE HAD RATS CHEWING ON THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE CENSOR WIRING. THESE ARE THE ONLY WIRES THEY'VE CHEWED ON SO FAR. I FEEL THE SOY BASED WIRING THAT TOYOTA USES IS TO BLAME SINCE MY NEIGHBORS ARE NOT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VEHICLES THAT ARE PARKED OUTDOORS. A CLAIM WITH USAA HAS BEEN FILED.

'THUNK'/POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, AND LEARNED THAT A NEW ONE WAS DEVELOPED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IN 2013 BUT NO RECALL OR SAFETY NOTICE WAS SENT TO OWNERS.

I HAD A FRONT END ACCIDENT ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I CAUSED REAR END DAMAGE TO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. ON SEPT. 2, I HAD ANOTHER FRONT END COLLISION. I RAN INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER THAT HOLDS LIGHT POSTS IN PARKING LOTS. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED ME CHEST, BACK, AND NECK PAIN. THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED BUT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I AM STILL IN PAIN DUE TO THIS ACCIDENT.THE FRAME WAS BENT IN FROM THIS COLLISION.

MY STEERING MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND, WHICH YOU CAN ACTUALLY FEEL IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN IT OCCURS, WHEN TURNING EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. IT IS INCREASING IN OCCURRENCE AND INTENSITY. IT OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY LUBRICATED SOMETHING, SAYING THERE WAS NO DANGER. SHOULD IT BECOME WORSE BRING IT BACK. IT'S GOING BACK!

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact was concerned that due to the excessive oil consumption, that the vehicle could catch on fire. The contact stated that the low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and was unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

WE RECENTLY HAD OUR HIGHLANDER COMPLETELY TOTALED BY OUR INSURANCE AFTER A FAILURE TO HAVE OUR AIR CONDITIONING DRAIN PROPERLY. THE CLOG CAUSED WATER TO BACK UP INTO THE FRAME OF THE CAR AND FLOOD OUR FLOOR CARPETING. THE DRAINAGE ISSUE ALSO CAUSED THE HEADLINERS TO BECOME WET AND DRIP ONTO THE LEATHER UPHOLSTERY. WE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP ADVANTAGE TOYOTA VALLEY STREAM AND THEY FIRST SUGGESTED CLEARING THE MOON ROOF BUT THAT WASN'T THE ISSUE. WHEN WE BROUGHT IT BACK TO THEM THEY KNEW IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE A/C DRAIN. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH TOYOTA VEHICLES. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IT'S NOT PART OF THEIR STANDARD MAINTENANCE PROCESS. WE COULD HAVE SAVED OURSELVES A HEADACHE BY HAVING THEM "ADD" THIS TO THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE.

SIMILAR TO OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ VIA THIS SITE, WATER HAS COLLECTED BENEATH MY FLOORMATS FROM THE DRAINAGE TUBES RUNNING FROM SUNROOF. THE DEALERSHIP HAS STATED THAT THEY HAVE BEEN CLOGGED WITH DIRT AND THEY HAVE "UNCLOGGED" THEM 3 TIMES IN 10 MONTHS. FOLLOWING THE THIRD VISIT, THEY ARE NOW SAYING THERE'S NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO, THIS IS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM. MY CAR NOW SMELLS OF MOLD TO WHICH I AM ALLERGIC, AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. I WAS FIRST TOLD TO WASH MY CAR AND BLOW THE DRAINAGE HOLES CLEAR IN THE SUNROOF, BUT I HAVE DONE SO REGULARLY AND HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM TWICE IN 6 WEEKS. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT DIRT IS ENTERING THROUGH THE UNDERBELLY OF THE CAR AND THAT NO ONE ELSE SEEMS TO BE HAVING THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE AT LEAST THREE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS HERE AND A HUNDRED OTHERS ONLINE. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT OTHER ISSUES COULD BE CAUSED AS A RESULT OF THIS WATER (RUST, ELECTRICAL ISSUES, DAMAGE TO AIRBAGS, ETC.) OR WHERE THE TUBING BEGINS LEAKING AND WATER REDIRECTS TO THE FLOORBOARD RESERVOIR. I SEEM TO GET A DIFFERENT ANSWER EACH TIME IT IS SERVICED. 3 SEPARATE TOYOTA SERVICEMEN HAVE AGREED THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW BUT RETRACT THAT ANY TIME I ATTEMPT TO MAKE MY CASE THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.

CLUNKING NOISE FROM FRONT END WHEN TURNING WHEELS, APPEARED AT APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES. TOOK TO SHOP FOR REPAIRS, AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS SO LOOSE HE COULD MANIPULATE IT WITH HIS HAND AND WAS CLOSE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE.

RE: INVESTIGATION EA18006. MY CAR HAS BEEN MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN DURING SLOW TURNS TO THE RIGHT SO I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND NUMEROUS DISCUSSIONS AND ARTICLES TALKING ABOUT A 'KNOWN' ISSUE WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. ONE ARTICLE LED ME TO YOUR INVESTIGATION. WHILE AT THE DEALER YESTERDAY, I EXPLAINED THE ISSUE AND ASKED THEM TO INVESTIGATE. THEY SAID FOR $70 THEY CAN LOOK INTO IT. GIVEN I CONSIDER STEERING A CRITICAL SYSTEM, I PROTESTED THE SERVICE CHARGE AND THEIR ONLY RESPONSE WAS THEY COULD DO A 'VISUAL' INSPECTION FOR FREE BUT IT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT DEEPLY TO DIAGNOSE PROPERLY. I HAD THEM PROCEED AND THEY CAME BACK WITH A SUGGESTION THAT THE STEERING COLUMN BE REPLACED. I ASKED IF IT WAS A SAFETY CONCERN AND WAS TOLD 'YES IT WILL BE AT SOME POINT'. OBVIOUSLY, I HAD THEM REPLACE IT BUT FEEL THAT IF THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE HERE, THEY SHOULD BE PROACTIVE AND REPLACE THESE STEERING COLUMNS ON ALL AFFECTED PRODUCTS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. I SENT A CONCERN TO TOYOTA AS WELL BUT WANTED TO ADD THIS TO YOUR ACTIVE INVESTIGATION RECORD.

OUR 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS HAD 3 OF THE 4 DOOR ACTUATORS FAIL IN A 26 MONTH PERIOD. THE FIRST ACTUATOR FAILED IN IN MARCH 2017 (CAR WAS ONLY 3 YEARS, 8 MONTHS OLD), THE SECOND ACTUATOR FAILED IN FEBRUARY 2018 (CAR WAS 4 YEARS, 7 MONTHS OLD) AND THE THIRD ACTUATOR FAILED IN MAY 2019 (CAR WAS ONLY 5 YEARS 10 MONTHS OLD). BECAUSE THE DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED, THE DOOR DID NOT LOCK WHEN PLACING THE CAR IN DRIVE WHICH INCREASED THE CHANCES THE DOOR WOULD OPEN IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH; THEREBY, REDUCING THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE IN A CRASH. SINCE THE ACTUATORS ALSO FAILED TO AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK WHEN THE CAR WAS PLACED IN PARK, THE ACTUATORS WOULD NOT AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS IN THE EVENT OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT; THEREBY, POSSIBLY IMPEDING THE ABILITY TO ENTER/EXIT THE CAR IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. A COMPLAINT WAS LODGED WITH TOYOTA AND A CASE NUMBER WAS ESTABLISHED. HOWEVER, TOYOTA INDICATED THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL RELATED TO DOOR ACTUATORS AT THIS TIME AND THERE IS NOTHING THE COULD DO ABOUT THE PROBLEM.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING, A CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, WHILE MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS OR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE NOISE GREW LOUDER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,493.

BACK DOOR LOCKS AND PASSENGER FRONT DOOR LOCKS QUIT WORKING WITH UNLOCK/LOCK SWITCH AND REMOTE. I HAD THE FRONT LOCKS REPLACED BEFORE WARRANTY WAS UP. THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR DIED RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY WAS UP. HOWEVER THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK IS DEAD AGAIN. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK IS ON THE FRITZ TOO. USING THE REMOTE OR USING REMOTELESS(TOUCHING THE HANDLE ON PASSENGER FRONT SIDE) ENTRY DOESN'T LOCK OR UNLOCK THE 3 DOORS, THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE 3 DOORS DON'T WORK. FROM WHAT I HAD READ TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THESE LOCKS SINCE 2004 BUT CONTINUE TO USE THEM. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS IS PUSHING THE LOCK SWITCH INSIDE THE DOOR OR USING THE KEY THAT COMES WITH REMOTE ENTRY.** THE FRONT DOORS HAPPENED BEFORE TOYOTA WARRANTY WAS UP AND WERE REPLACE. THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY WAS UP. THEN THE BACK DRIVER SIDE HAPPENED APRIL 2018. IF THE DOORS AREN'T LOCK AND YOU PUSH THE LOCK BUTTON, IT DOESN'T BEEP TO SAY IT IS SECURED. YOU HAVE TO GO LOCK ALL THE DOORS MANUAL THEN SET THE REMOTE FOR SECURING THE CAR.

CAR HAS ONLY 53K MILES AND I AM BEING TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE MY INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. DUE TO KNOCKING SOUNDS. I AM WORRIED IF IT WILL RESULT IN THE STEERING WHEEL FALLING OFF OR WORSE

I HAVE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING MY VEHICLE EITHER WAYFOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. WHILE IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE TODAY, I ASKED DEALER TO CHECK THE NOISE. THIS IS A 2013 WITH 60K MILES ON IT; PURCHASED CERTIFIED USED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. SERVICE TECH TELLS ME IT IS RELATED TO THE STEERING COLUMN, WHICH WILL COST OVER $2000 TO REPAIR. HE CAN'T/ WON'T TELL ME THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS ISSUE, SAYING MAYBE IT IS "JUST A NOISE". WHEN I QUESTION THAT THIS SEEMS LIKE AN UNUSUALLY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AT 60K MILES, HE DOES NOT REALLY RESPOND. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS IS AN EXTENSIVE ISSUE IMPACTING MANY 2008-2013 HIGHLANDERS. TOYOTA HAS GONE SO FAR AS TO HAVE PUT OUT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THIS ISSUE. IT ALSO APPEARS THIS ISSUE IS BEING "INVESTIGATED" BY SAFETY BOARD. STEERING IS A CRITICAL SAFETY COMPONENT OF A VEHICLE (OBVIOUSLY). NOT ONLY HAS THIS NOT BEEN MADE AN OFFICIAL RECALL BY TOYOTA, I WAS NOT INFORMED AT TIME OF PURCHASING THIS CERTIFIED VEHICLE OF THIS ISSUE, NOR WAS I TOLD TODAY BY SERVICE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE.

DRIVER SIDE WINDOW KEEPS POPPING OFF TRACK, WILL NOT OPERATE PROPERLY

I GOT HIT BY A DRUNK DRIVER WHILE I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION STATIONARY. I WAS WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND AN ONCOMING CAR GOING 35 MPH CROSSED LANES AND CRASHED INTO ME. IT WAS A BAD ACCIDENT, BOTH CARS INVOLVED TOTALLED.I HAD 4 OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE CAR, AND NO AIRBAGS WENT OFF. I RECEIVED HEAD INJURIES (A LOT OF DIZZINESS), NECK AND BACK INJURIES. *DT*JB

ABS SYSTEM ISSUE. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE ABS MAKES VERY LOUD NOISES LIKE KNOCKING VERY LOUD. LOCAL MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE ROUND DRUM ATTACHED TO THE ABS WAS VERY HOT. VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN TO MECHANIC AND WAS STATIONARY WHEN HE CHECKED IT. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL GOOD. ABS WILL KEEP RUNNING AFTER VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. TRYING TO KEEP CORRECT PRESSURE IN SYSTEM, I WAS TOLD. CHECKED FOR RECALL, BUT NO RECALL ON THIS VIN

THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR HAS FAILED ON 4 OCCASIONS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS CLAIMED THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS FINE, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE RECALIBRATED EACH TIME. NONE OF THE OTHER AIRBAGS ARE AFFECTED.

I STARTED FEELING A CLICKING/CLUNKING FEELING IN THE STEERING COLUMN A MONTH AGO, ESPECIALLY WHEN I MADE TURNS. I WAS ALSO ABLE TO FEEL THAT THE STEERING WHEEL HAS STARTED TO GET LOOSER. ON 2/8/19 TOYOTA RECOMMENDED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BE REPLACED. I HAD THIS PART REPLACED FOR $428. THERE'S 58,254 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THIS IS MY 3RD TOYOTA VEHICLE IN 30 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS IN THE PAST. I UNDERSTAND THE NEW SHAFT MAY HAVE AN IMPROVED DESIGN I HOPE SO IT DOES NOT OCCUR AGAIN. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL TO REPLACE THIS PART. DOES THERE NEED TO BE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR EVEN SOMEONE GETTING KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS FAULTY INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT??