2006 Toyota Highlander Complaint Log

1. I WAS TRAVELING EAST ON BOLSA AVE. GOING STRAIGHT, AND THE OTHER DRIVER WAS COMING OUT OF THE ABC MARKET DRIVEWAY. SHE MADE A RIGHT TURN. 2. MY CAR MADE A LOUD SOUND AND THEN DROVE INTO THE OTHER DRIVER'S CAR. 3. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, BUT THE CAR WENT FORWARD LIKE IT WAS A RACING CAR. THEN THE CAR WENT IN REVERSE AND LANDED FROM THE STREET ONTO THE SIDEWALK. 4. MY CAR IS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 5. I BELIEVED THE PEDAL GOT STUCK AND THE CAR ACCELERATED TOWARDS THE OTHER CAR. 6. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS GOING 100 MILES AN HOUR. *TR

VEHICLE TOYOTA, 2006 HIGHLANDER LIMITED LETTER SENT TO TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA INC WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION. "AFTER COMING TO A STOP WHEN I DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO RESUME A FORWARD MOTION THERE IS SOMETIMES A ONE OR TWO SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE ENGINE RESPONDS. AND THAT RESUMPTION OF ENGINE SPEED IS NOT A NORMAL RATE BUT AT A HIGHER RATE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO "JUMP A LITTLE FORWARD" BEFORE RESUMING A NORMAL INCREASE IN ACCELERATOR SPEED. IN A GENERAL SENSE I WOULD DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM AS A "DELAYED ACCELERATOR RESPONSE" THAT HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY. *TR

WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKE, THERE IS A 1-2 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE BRAKE WORKS. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. NO CRASHES, NO INJURIES, NO REPAIR. CONSEQUENCE: I GET FRIGHTENED THE CAR WILL NOT STOP. I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR YEARS. *TR

WE OWN AN 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND WE HAVE HAD TIMES WHERE THE BREAKS APPEAR TO CUT OUT FOR A SECOND WHEN SLOWING THE CAR TO TURN A CORNER. THE CAR WILL SURGE AHEAD WHILE THE BREAK IS BEING USED DURING THE TURN WHICH CAN BE DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE NOT EXPECTING IT. WE HAVE LEARNT TO EXPECT IT AND TAKE EXTRA CAUTION NOW WHEN MAKING TURNS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR AND IT HAPPENS A FEW TIMES EACH WEEK. *CN

WE HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID THAT HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT'S BRAKING SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD THE HIGHLANDER CAUSE ME GREAT WORRY ON FIVE OCCASIONS. THE OCCASIONS ARE ALL THE SAME. WHEN I AM COMING TO A STOP, AND HAVE STOPPED THE CAR, THE HIGHLANDER WILL ACCELERATE FORWARD. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO USE MY BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR SO FAR. THE INCIDENCES HAVE BEEN NERVE WRACKING TO SAY THE LEAST. I HAVE CALLED MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, AND THE MANAGER SAID HE HAS NEVER HEARD OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY MAKE AND YEAR. I KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM. I USE MY HIGHLANDER TO DRIVE MY TWO YOUNG SONS TO ALL OF THEIR ACTIVITIES. PLEASE HELP ME IN REPORTING THIS MAJOR PROBLEM. *TR

THIS IS AN ON-GOING OCCURRANCE. I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID THAT IS HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS. WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL MY VEHICLE WILL LUNGE FORWARD FOR A BRIEF MOMENT AND THEN ENGAGE THE BRAKES. IF I WOULD BE CLOSE ENOUGH TO ANOTHER VEHICLE I WOULD END UP REAR-ENDING THE VECHILE IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

BASICS ARE THE WHEEL ON MY 2006 INNOVA SPLIT INHALF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 25KPH. INNOVA WAS MAINTANED BY TOYOTA SO IMPROPER WHEEL INSTALLATION WOULD ALSO BE THEIR PROBLEM. THIS WHEEL WAS RECALLED IN VIETNAM AROUND DEC. 2009, A MECHANIC AT TOYOTA OF PHILIPPINES HAS TOLD ME TOYOTA KNEW OF THE BAD PHILIPPINE WHEELS BUT THEY COULD NOT TRACK THEM AND SAME WHEELS MAY BE IN THE USA! FOR A LONGER STORY AS TO WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND WHAT TOYOTA HAS NOT DONE CAN BE FOUND ON MY OLD SITE. WWW.FILIPINAVISA.COM/INNOVA I AM A RETIRED FAA WG-4749 SO AM WELL VERSED ON METAL FATIGUE AND MUCH MORE. I AM ALSO A 100% SERVICE CONNECTED VET. THERE ARE NO PROPER TESTING LABS IN THE PHILIPPINES. PLEASE GO TO THE ABOVE LINK TO REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT IS ONGOING. YOUR FORM DOES NOT LIST THE PROPER MODEL SO I HAD TO SELECT WHAT YOU HAVE. *TR

2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. PROBLEM EXISTS WHEN BRAKING. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DELAY WHEN BRAKING AT SPEED. SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN YOU ARE GOING OVER BUMPY SURFACES. *TR

BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL LONGER TOWARDS THE FLOOR BEFORE IT WILL STOP. IT FEELS LIKE IT WILL NOT STOP. BATTERY DRAINS OUT AFTER SITTING IN A GARAGE. *TR

WE HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. I SHOULD START OFF BY STATING THAT WE LOVE THIS VEHICLE. WE HAVE, HOWEVER, NOTICED A "GLITCH" THAT MIGHT BE RELATED TO THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE PRIUS HAS AND THOUGHT WE SHOULD REPORT IT. OCCASIONALLY, WHEN WE STEP ON THE BRAKE, AND AFTER THE CAR IS SLOWING DOWN, THE ENGINE WILL SURGE FORWARD AS IF IT WANTS TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. PUMPING THE BRAKES WORKS AND THE CAR STOPS. I DON'T THINK THIS IS A PEDAL PROBLEM BUT A COMPUTER PROBLEM. SINCE WE NEVER TAILGATE AND WE ALWAYS ALLOW FOR DISTANCE TO STOP, THIS HAS NEVER POSED A PROBLEM FOR US BUT IT IS AN ISSUE WORTH NOTING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 10 MPH DOWNHILL OR ON A RAMP, THE VEHICLE RESPONDED AS IF THE BRAKES HAD FAILED AND LUNGED FORWARD. WITHIN MINUTES, THE BRAKES BEGAN FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,118 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNDER 30,000.

TODAY MY REAR WINDOW ON DRIVER'S SIDE MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO THE CONNECTING TAB OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN, I AM THE SOLE DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE, SO EXPLAIN TO ME HOW A 3 YEAR OLD AUTO THAT IS NOT ABUSED,THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAVE A BILL FOR $160.89 TO COGGIN TOYOTA AT THE AVENUES, JACKSONVILLE,FL. I AM RECENTLY WIDOWED, ON A FIXED INCOME AND IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING WITH ONE OF MY CHILDREN. LOVE THE CAR, DRIVES LIKE A DREAM, NO PREVIOUS MAJOR PROBLEMS. I WOULD APPRECIATE CONSIDERING SOME COMPENSATION REGARDING THIS BILL THAT COMES AT A VERY EMOTIONAL TIME OF MY LIFE. PLEASE CONSIDER MY REQUEST. *TR

ON BUMPY ROADS OR DITCHES, MY 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID VEHICLE DOES NOT BRAKE OR THE BRAKE SLIPS. IT FEELS LIKE IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WITH BRAKING BECOMING INEFFECTIVE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH HE LOST POWER STEERING. AS A CONSEQUENCE, IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE RACK AND PINION, AND ELECTRICAL MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 61,000.

I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, MADE A RIGHT TURN TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE. I SLOWED DOWN BUT IT SEEMED THE CAR ACCELERATED. IN A MATTER OF SECONDS, THE CAR WENT THROUGH A ROW OF BUSHES AND SLAMMED INTO A TREE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

JUST EIGHT MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING FOUR NEW TIRES FROM JUST TIRES, I FELT THE CAR SLIDING IN THE RAIN AND DECIDED TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO BE CHECKED. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE COMPLETELY BALD AND TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON. I LIVE IN LOS ANGELES, I DO NOT DRIVE ON ROAD-WEARING TERRAIN BUT RESIDENTIAL STREETS AND FREEWAYS, SO THERE IS NO OBVIOUS REASON AS TO WHY THE TIRES WERE WORN OUT JUST EIGHT MONTHS LATER. I THEN CONTACTED JUST TIRES DIRECTLY WITH MY COMPLAINT AND BROUGHT THEM THE WORN TIRES. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THE CAUSE WAS DUE TO THE WHEELS NOT BEING ALIGNED. HOWEVER, ON EXAMINING THE ORIGINAL WORK ORDER FROM JUST TIRES, IT SHOWS THAT THE CAR WAS 'CHECKED FOR ALIGNMENT'. IF THE WORK WASN'T CARRIED OUT, I SHOULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR JUST TIRES SHODDY WORKMANSHIP AND IF THE WORK WAS CARRIED OUT THEN THE FAULT WAS WITH THE ORIGINAL TIRES AND, AGAIN, I SHOULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. TO SOLVE THE ISSUE, I WOULD LIKE A FULL REFUND FOR THE TIRES INCLUDING ALL 'EXTRAS' NAMELY $986 (THE COST OF REPLACING THE TIRES AND LABOR). I ORIGINALLY PAID JUST TIRES $612.12 AND THEY HAVE NOW OFFERED ME PALTRY SUM OF $292. *TR

2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID - I WAS STOPPED IN A RIGHT TURN ONLY LANE. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME BEGAN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON A RED LIGHT. AS HE MOVED FORWARD, I SLIGHTLY RELEASED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES AND MY VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WHICH HAD STOPPED SUDDENLY. THIS "LUNGING" IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THIS TOYOTA VEHICLE. WE HAD THOUGHT IT WAS JUST AN IDIOSYNCRASY OF THE HYBRID VEHICLE. HOWEVER, MY BROTHER HAS A NEWER MODEL HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND HE DOES NOT EXPERIENCE THIS LUNGING. WHAT I MEAN BY LUNGING IS THAT THE VEHICLE, AT TIMES, WILL LUNGE FORWARD AS YOU RELEASE THE BRAKE AT HIGHER SPEED THAN AN IDLE. IN THE SIMPLE ACCIDENT MENTIONED ABOVE, MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED OVER $3000 IN DAMAGE, WHICH IS QUITE AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT FOR THIS TYPE OF ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT, ALTHOUGH HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. HE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME BRAKE FAILURE WHEN ON FLAT PAVEMENT. ANOTHER DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE ALSO NOTICED THE BRAKE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HIM WITH THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BURNED THROUGH THE LENS AND BOTH THE LENS AND BULBS WERE BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE HIGH BEAMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TODAY, ANOTHER LEXUS /TOYOTA HAS AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM WHICH FINALLY CAUSED 4 DEATHS. MANY OF US HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. YOU HAVE 3 AT LEAST ALREADY LISTED IN YOUR COMPLAINTS. 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS (3) JUST TOOK OFF AND DRIVERS COULDN'T STOP THEM (I AM ONE) UNTIL THE CAR HIT SOMETHING. LEXUS TOO, MADE BY TOYOTA. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS. I WROTE TOYOTA TO EXPLAIN THAT I DID NOT PUT MY FOOT ON ACCELERATOR. I GOT A GENERIC LETTER BACK, WITHOUT HELP OR EXPLANATION. WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS , SOMEONE NEEDS TO ADDRESS THESE UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATIONS.. MY CAR FLEW THROUGH THE AIR WITH ME SCREAMING , TRYING TO STOP IT. I HIT HEADON INTO A CEMENT SIDE OF AN IRRIGATION DITCH. PASSENGER IS STILL IN REHAB SINCE MARCH OF THIS YEAR. IS IT JUST THE MATS, AS THE SAN DIEGO PRESS IS SUGGESTING WITH THE DEATH OF THE CHP AND HIS 3 FAMILY MEMBERS? I THINK NOT. SOMETHING IN ONE OF THE SYSTEMS, CODES, CRUISE CONTROL, COMPUTER OR ??? PLEASE CHECK THESE OUT. TOYOTA HAS KEPT QUIET LONG ENOUGH. FARMERS INSURANCE IS CODING MY ACCIDENT AS MY FAULT, YET I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND DID NOT CAUSE THIS ONE. *TR

FROM A PARKED POSITION, I STARTED ENGINE ON 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CAR MOVED FORWARD FOR A FEW SECONDS AT SLOW SPEED, THEN VERY RAPIDLY ACCELERATED SO THAT I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. SERIOUS INJURIES OCCURRED. CAR FLEW THROUGH AIR AND ONLOOKERS HEARD ENGINE REV UP.WE LANDED IN A WATER CANAL. *TR

MY 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID PERIODICALLY LUNGES FORWARD UPON BRAKING AND WHEN STOPPED. *TR

I TURNED ON THE CAR AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP OR WAS NOT POWERSTEERING ANY LONGER AND FOR A 55 YEAR OLD WOMAN DRIVING THIS CAR IS IMPOSSIBLE. *TR

I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. IT HAS THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE "I"SYSTEM. ANY TIME THE VEHICLE SENSES SLIPPING IN THE TIRES IT CUTS POWER TO ALL WHEELS. I HAVE BEEN STUCK IN VERY MANAGEABLE CONDITIONS. NOT ONLY DO YOU NOT GET 4 WHEEL DRIVE TO HELP OUT OF ADVERSE CONDITIONS, YOU GET NO DRIVE TO ANY WHEELS AND ARE LEFT STUCK. I SPOKE WITH TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THAT THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED TO DO THIS TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE HYBRID SYSTEM. THERE IS NO INFORMATION IN ANY OF THE LITERATURE PROVIDED WHEN PURCHASING A VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE SOLD TO ANYONE WHO DRIVES IN SNOW OR ON ANY THING OTHER THAN AN IMPROVED ROAD. TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE BUT WILL NOT CORRECT IT, NOR INFORM BUYERS ABOUT IT'S DESIGN. THIS WILL UNDOUBTEDLY STRAND DRIVERS IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS THEY DEEM MANAGEABLE. *TR

I WAS HIT AT APPROX 40-50 MPH FORCING MY CAR INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME IN TRAFFIC BOTH OF US AD A DEAD STOP ON RTE 1 SOUTH SAUGUS MA. I HAVE A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED AND LOOKS LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE CONSIDERING THE IMPACT THAT I MADE TO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AFTER I WAS HIT. I HAVE NECK, SHOULDER AND BACK INJURIES. *TR

DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE OF MY VEHICLE, I WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIRE TREAD WAS SEPARATING AND THAT ALL OF THEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MILEAGE ON THE TIRES WAS LESS THAN 16,000 MILES. THE TIRE MODEL IS TOYO TRANSPATH A11. *TR

FRIDAY EARLY MAY 2008, I CARRIED MY HIGHLANDER FOR IT'S 30K SERVICE AT 28K, DUE TO HESITATION, LURCHING, BACKFIRING AT TIMES AND POOR GAS MILEAGE. AT THE SERVICE, I WAS TOLD THEY CLEAN THE ACCELERATOR SENOR. THE VEHICLE RAN FINE GETTING 28 MILES PER GALLON, BUT NOTICE A CHANGE IN THE VEHICLE GROUNDING. I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE NOISE THOUGH THE RADIO SOMETIMES IN THE MORNING. THE ENGINE NOISE WAS ADDED FEATURE. I NOTICED THE ENGINE SHIFTING WAS SMOOTH UNTIL THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY. IT WAS RAIN TRAFFIC MEDIUM DRIVING 65 MPH. THE HIGHLANDER CONSUMED A QUARTER OF A TANK WITHIN 20 MILES. MY HIGHLANDER IS KEPT IN GARAGE NIGHTLY AND MOST OF THE DAY. I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO MY NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER ON 16MAY08 31K. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP RESET MY VEHICLE?S COMPUTER BY CONNECTING THE BATTERY AND RECONNECTION. I WAS TOLD 2 WEEKS BEFORE HAND AT THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS A POSSIBLY OF VEHICLE ?S COMPUTER SOFTWARE NEEDING UPGRADING WHEN THEY CLEANED THE ACCELERATOR SENOR. TODAY, THE VEHICLE DOESN'T HAVE THE SMOOTH ACCELERATING POWER. FOR THIS VEHICLE, RIDING IN TRAFFIC CAUSES SERIOUS PROBLEMS DUE LACK OF POWER LURCHING, POOR GAS MILEAGE OR THE POSSIBLE OF LOSING CONTROL. NO COMPUTER TEST WAS COMPLETED. I CHANGE GAS STATION TYPES AND VARIOUS GAS TREATMENTS, IT ?S NOT THE GAS. I HAVE DRIVING AND WORKING ON CARS SINCE 1978 FROM ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND BRAKES. I EVEN NOTICED WHEN THE HIGHLANDER IS FULL WITH GAS. THE VEHICLE SOMETIME COUGH OR DELAY. IS THERE A LEMON LAW THIS? *TR

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING ON THREE SEPARATE EPISODES IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS. BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED BY DEALER. BRAKES AGAIN SERVICED BY DEALER, BUT I AM NOT AWARE OF WHAT WAS DONE. BY LUCK ONLY, THE FAILURES OCCURRED IN LOCATIONS WHERE TRAFFIC COULD SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING US, OR WE HAD ROOM TO GO OFF OF THE ROAD AND HIT A SNOW BANK OR COAST TO A STOP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO APPLY THE BRAKES AT LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKES BECOME UNRESPONSIVE, AND THE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER, BUT STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4WD. THE TRANSMISSION IS A 5 SPEED AND IT CONTINUOUSLY DOWNSHIFTS EVEN ON THROTTLE WHEN UPHILL AND ON FLAT ROAD HIGHWAYS THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUOUSLY GEAR HUNTING. WHEN I NEED IT TO MOVE WITH FULL THROTTLE IT SEEMS EVEN TO SHIFT INTO HIGH GEAR AND ALWAYS GET A FEELING I MAY GET REAR ENDED. IF THE THROTTLE IS PUSHED FURTHER THE VEHICLE BUCKS INTO HIGH GEAR MAKING IT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND UNPREDICTABLE AS TO THE RESPONSE TO HIGHER THROTTLE. *TR

WE OWN A 2006 HIGHLANDER WHICH WE PURCHASED NEW. IT HAS 18,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN GOING DOWN OUR DRIVEWAY (185 FEET AT 35 DEGREE SLOPE) WHEN THE BRAKES ARE ACTIVATED TO STOP BEFORE ENTERING A CROSS STREET, ON OCCASION THERE IS LITTLE TO NO BRAKING. IT BECOMES NECESSARY TO QUICKLY PUMP THE BRAKE TO ACCOMPLISH BRAKING. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. DISCUSSIONS WITH THE TOYOTA DEALER RESULTED IN NO RESOLUTION. THE EXPLANATION WAS THAT THE VEHICLE'S COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM OR ABS WAS SENSING THE SLOPE AS A DECELERATION AND WAS REACTING ACCORDINGLY. THEY SAID THERE WERE NO REPORTED PROBLEMS (RECALLS) PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE AND WE SHOULD JUST CONTINUE TO BE READY TO PUMP THE BRAKE OR PUMP THEM BEFORE WE START DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. *TR

LAST SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2007, I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID AT HORMIGUEROS, PR (ZIP CODE 00660), WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE'S STEERING GOT REALLY STIFF. IT ALL HAPPENED AT A CRUISING SPEED OF 40-45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE'S TURNING WHEEL GOT HARD AND IT GOT REALLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I SURELY GOT THE SCARE OF MY LIFE. I EXPERIENCED SOME DIFFICULTIES WHILE TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND PARK IT IN A SAFE PLACE. THE VEHICLE'S CONTROL PANEL INDICATED THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE: VERIFY THE HYBRID SYSTEM. WE TOOK IT THE SAME DAY TO THE NEAREST DEALER (THE ONE THAT I ALSO BOUGHT THE VEHICLE) TOYOTA DEL OESTE, LOCATED AT HORMIGUEROS, PR (00660). MY VEHICLE HAS RECEIVED EVERY SERVICE RECOMENDED BY TOYOTA SINCE I BOUGHT IT. IN OCTOBER 19, 2007 TOYOTA DEL OESTE GAVE ME A QUOTE (NUMBER PQ2105) FOR $5,957.45 FOR THE REPAIRING COSTS OF MY VEHICLE. THE QUOTE SPECIFIED A TRANSAXLE ASSY FOR $4867.71, PLUS $700 FOR 14 LABOR HOURS AND A LOCAL TAX OF $389.74. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT ONCE THE TRANSAXLE WAS REPLACED IT WILL HAVE ONE YEAR ONLY WARRANTY. THEY ALSO INDICATED THAT THE TRANSAXLE ASSY WAS NOT PART OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM SO THE WARRANTY CAN NOT COVER THE REPAIR COSTS (MY VEHICLE HAD APROX. 66,000 MILES. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA, WARRANTY FOR HYBRID COMPONENTS IS 8 YEARS / 80,000 MILES). MY CONCERNS: 1) HOW I, AS A CONSUMER, MAKE SURE THAT TOYOTA IS NOT MAKING ME PAY FOR A DEFECT THAT MY VEHICLE MAY HAVE FROM THE FACTORY? 2) HOW I AM GOING TO BE SURE THAT IF THEY REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE ASSY I WILL NOT BE EXPOSED AGAIN TO AN UNSAFE SITUATION RELATED WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM (REMEMBER THAT A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF ROADS ACROSS THE ISLAND OF PUERTO RICO ARE BUILT OVER MOUNTAINS). 3) HOW DO I REALLY MAKE SURE THAT THE DEALER IS TRULY MAKING ME PAY FOR A COMPONENT THAT IS NOT PART OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM AND CAN NOT BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY (REMEMBER THAT, ALTHOUGH OTHER MANUFACTURERS MAYBE AVAILABLE, HYBRID TECHNOLOGY IN PUERTO RICO IS DOMINATED BY TOYOTA. *TR

THE PASSENGER WINDOWS CONTINUALLY STICK IN THE DOWN POSITION. I HAVE TAKEN MY HIGHLANDER TO TOYOTA SEVERAL TIMES AND PAID HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. ALSO, THE FOB QUIT WORKING ON THE DRIVER DOOR. I THINK THERE MIGHT BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE IN THE DOORS.

2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER: I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. AT SLOWER SPEEDS, THE BRAKES SEEM TO 'RELEASE' AND THEN ENGAGE, ALMOST LIKE A LITTLE SKIP OR COAST BEFORE ENGAGING. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES, THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THIS, BUT BOTH MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES SINCE WE BOUGHT THIS CAR. WE THOUGHT IT WAS A HYBRID 'FEATURE', BUT LOOKING ONLINE, OTHERS HAVE NOTICED THIS TOO. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BUMPER OF HER VEHICLE WAS NOT STURDY. SHE WAS INVOLVED IN TWO COLLISIONS WHERE THE BUMPER DID NOT PROTECT AGAINST ANY DAMAGE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE A SAFEGUARD. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 05/05/11*LJ UPDATED 05/13/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE VEHICLE'S CORRECT TIRE INFORMATION IS GOODYEAR INTEGRITY 101 S TIRES, SIZE 225/65 R-17. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO A SERVICE STATION. APPROXIMATELY 10-15 SECONDS BEFORE THE TIRE FAILED, HE HEARD A RUMBLING SOUND. THE TOW SERVICE ARRIVED AND PLACED THE SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL WELL WAS FOUND TO BE DAMAGED. THE FUEL SYSTEM AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 12,043. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF

I ACCELERATED TO AVOID A COLLISION AT LOW SPEED IN AN INTERSECTION. THE CAR HESITATED ABOUT 2 SECONDS AFTER I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, THEN LURCHED FORWARD, SPINNING THE DRIVE WHEELS. THE LENGTH OF DELAY OR HESITATION IN RESPONSE TO ACCELERATOR INPUT IS FREQUENTLY THERE, BUT IS SOMEWHAT UNPREDICTABLE, MAKING STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC PERFORMANCE DANGEROUS. POOR PERFORMANCE OF THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION IS PROBABLY RELATED TO THIS DEFECT. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AT 1500 MILES. THE DEALER DID A THOROUGH CHECK OF THE EQUIPMENT AND FOUND NO DEFECTIVE PARTS. DEALER STATES THAT THERE ARE NO SERVICE BULLETINS FOR THIS PROBLEM, IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM AND PROMISED TO FIX IT SINCE DECEMBER 2004. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. HAD THE PAVEMENT BEEN WET, I COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, IN THE INCIDENT DESCRIBED, THE OTHER DRIVER WAS ABLE TO AVOID A COLLISION. NEXT TIME, I MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR INTO AN UNDERGROUND PARKING LOT. I PUT ON THE BRAKES AND THEY WOULD NOT ENGAGE. I TRIED AGAIN. I EVENTUALLY SLAMMED INTO THE WALL AT THE END OF THE PARKING LOT. MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND I WAS HURT, TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED AND FOUND TO HAVE NO BRAKE PROBLEMS, SO I WAS DEEMED AT FAULT FOR THE ACCIDENT. THIS WAS BEFORE WE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE FLOOR MAT AND ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS WITH TOYOTAS. MY INCIDENT WAS OBVIOUSLY ONE OF A RUNAWAY CAR. IT WAS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. *TR

CAR JERKS AS MOVING INTO THE WRONG GEAR. ALSO STUMBLES AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND THEN JERKS INTO A GEAR LURCHING FORWARD. THE CAR ALSO SURGES AT TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. TOLD REPEATEDLY AT DEALER THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*CW

2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID SOMETIMES SURGES FORWARD ON BRAKING. SEEMS UNPREDICTABLE AS TO WHEN IT MIGHT HAPPEN. BOTH MY WIFE & MYSELF HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I WONDER IF IT IS RELATED TO THE OTHER SUDDEN ACCELERATION RECALL OF OTHER MODEL YEARS. I SEE THE 2007 TO 2010 CAMRY IS PART OF THE RECALL. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE HIGHLANDER SHARES A LOT OF PARTS WITH THAT MODEL. *TR

2006 HYBRID HIGHLANDER REPORTED AND WENT TO MEDIATION WITH NOTHING DONE. CAR HAS LOTS OF ISSUES, IT JUMPS FORWARD WHEN STOPPING ABOUT 3 FEET ON OCCASION, IT WILL GO DEAD FOR NO REASON, THE GPS FAILS AND PUTS YOU IN PA WHEN IN VA, AND ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL NIGHTMARE, HAD WRITTEN TESTIMONIALS BUT THEY IGNORED IT SAYING ALL TESTS WERE FINE AND IT STARTED WHEN THE CAR WAS ONLY ABOUT 3-5 MONTHS OLD. I WENT ON HTN MEDS BECAUSE OF THIS AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR AND HAD TO BUY ANOTHER FOR MY KIDS TO DRIVE AS IT IS NOT SAFE. THERE ARE WEBSITE WITH LOTS OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES BEING TOLD ALL ALONG THAT NOONE ELSE REPORTED IT BUT THEY ALL DID...PLEASE HELP!! *TR

CRUISE CONTROL. IF CRUISE IS SET AT 70 MPG AND YOU RELEASE IT BY THE BRAKE THEN TRY TO RESUME THE CRUISE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS GONE TO 65 IT WILL ACCELERATE TO 72 OR 74 THEN DROP TO 70. I WILL NOT LET THIS HAPPEN NOW BY LETTING THE SPEED GET TO WHATEVER I HAD BEFORE, THEN RESUME TO THE ORIGINAL SPEED. I CAN DUPLICATE THIS ANY TIME. THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS THE WAY IT NOW WORKED. MY 1998 AVALON DOES NOT DO THIS WHEN CRUISE IS TURNED ON. *TR

I BOUGHT THIS CAR 6 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM. THERE IS A UNPREDICTABLE 2-3 SECOND HESITATION ON ACCELERATION WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC STREAM FROM A PARKING LOT OR ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN I AM DRIVING RELATIVELY SLOW AND WANT TO ACCELERATE. WHEN I HAVE TO SCOOT IT STUMBLES BEFORE PICKING UP SPEED SO I AM NOT SCOOTING AS WELL AS I SHOULD BE TO KEEP FROM INTERFERING WITH OTHER ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT ACTS AS IF THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF FOR AN INSTANT CAUSING ME TO LURCH FORWARD MOMENTARILY AS THE CAR DECELERATES BEFORE THE ENGINE CATCHES AND LUNGES FORWARD IN ACCELERATION. THIS HESITATION THROWS OFF MY BALANCE AND TIMING CAUSING A SENSATION OF STALLING IN TRAFFIC AND BECOMING A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AND IS A PROBLEM. TODAY I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AS THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE SERVICE INVOICE STATES: "CUSTOMER STATES THERE IS A HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION AS IF THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF AND THEN IT LUNGES ?????????" THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AS THIS IS AN INHERENT TOYOTA DESIGN FEATURE BECAUSE IT HAS ELECTRONIC THROTTLE AND THEY COULD HAVE SAVED ME A TRIP TO SEE THEM IF I HAD CALLED AND TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE INVOICE STATES: "TEST DROVE VEHICLE, PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TEST. NO DEFECT OF PARTS OR CRAFTSMANSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE." THEY SAID I HAVE JUST A FEW THOUSAND MILES ON THE CAR AND THE COMPUTER IS LEARNING MY DRIVING HABITS AND MAY SETTLE DOWN AFTER A WHILE. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS OVER THE YEARS AND THINK I AM AWARE OF WHEN A CAR TENDS TO HESITATE ON ACCELERATION. I ASKED THEM WHAT THEY WILL TELL ME WHEN I COME BACK IN A FEW WEEKS AND TELL THEM I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY WILL TELL ME THE SAME THING. IF WHAT THEY SAY IS TRUE THEN ALL TOYOTAS SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY RECALLED AS A SAFETY HAZARD. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?

REFERENCE: NHTSA ODI NUMBER 10185505 DATED MARCH 14, 2007. THIS IS MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT ABOUT TOYOTA ACCELERATION PROBLEMS THAT HAS BEEN POSTED ON THIS SITE FOR 3 YEARS AND I'VE NEVER HAD ANY RESPONSE OF ANY KIND. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX IT AND SAID THAT IS JUST THE WAY TOYOTAS ACT. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND UNDER FLORIDA LAW A LEMON IS A CAR THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR 3 TIMES AND NOT FIXED ... GUESS I GOT A LEMON. NOW I NEVER HEARD FROM YOU SO I GUESS YOU REALLY DON'T EITHER. *TR

DRIVER'S SUNVISOR CONSTANTLY FALLS WAY FROM GLASS AND POINTS ALMOST STRAIGHT DOWN, BLOCKING MOST VISION OF THE ROAD. HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES SINCE NEW (12/2006) UNDER WARRANTY, AND NOW THE 4TH VISOR IS FAILING. THEY ONLY SEEM TO LAST ABOUT 3-9 MONTHS BEFORE ROD SLEEVE TENSION BUSHING WEARS OUT. I DO NOT HANG OR CLIP ANYTHING TO THE VISOR. "DATE OF INCIDENT" IS NOT MEANINGFUL; BLOCKED VISION HAPPENS EVERY DAY UNTIL I GET A NEW SUNVISOR. THIS IS ON A LIGHTED VISOR; IT IS NOT THE VISOR WITH THE TOYOTA HOMELINK FEATURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECURRING FAILURE IN WHICH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A SLIGHT HESITATION WHEN ENGAGING THE BRAKES BEFORE THEY WOULD RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS IN WHICH THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE ROTORS WERE REPAIRED ONCE BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,623.

I PURCHASED A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SPORT 4 MONTHS AGO. I BOUGHT THE V6 ENGINE. I BECAME CONCERNED ABOUT A HESITATION PROBLEM WHERE THE CAR HOLDS BACK WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP AND THEN LURCHES. THIS IS DANGEROUS AT STOP LIGHTS AND ENTERING FREEWAYS. THE TOYOTA DEALER SAYS THE CAR DOES THIS ON PURPOSE BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHY. THIS SOUNDS LIKE AN EXCISE FOR A FLAW IN THE DESIGN. I CHECKED WWW.CARSURVEY.COM, WHICH LISTS CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA IS IGNORING!! PLEASE DO SOMETHING AND CHECK THE ABOVE SITE TO SEE MORE COMPLAINTS. THANK YOU GARY MACKMAN. *NM

ERRATIC SHIFTING OF TRANSMISSION,HESITATION,SEARCHING FOR GEARS .TRANSMISSION DOES NOT IDLE DOWN WHEN COMING TO A STOP, CAUSING HARD BRAKING WHEN IT SHOULD NOT BE NECESSARY.TOYOTA REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 9,500 MILES, IT IS HAVING SOME ISSUES JUST NOT AS SEVERE AS THE OLD TRANSMISSION. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY FOB ONLY WORKED INTERMITTENTLY TO OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A SECOND SERVICE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE KEY FOB WAS RECEIVING INTERFERENCE FROM THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. UPDATED 12/15/06. *JB

I NOTICED HESITATION IN GEAR SHIFTING AND SOME LUNGING WHEN MY FOOT WAS OFF THE BRAKE AFTER I PURCHASED A NEW 2006 HIGHLANDER IN JULY 2006 AND MADE A MENTAL NOTE TO HAVE IT CHECKED AT THE FIRST FOLLOW-UP SERVICE. IN OCTOBER 2006, I WAS PULLING OUT OF A POST OFFICE PARKING LOT WHILE AWARE OF 2 CARS AT A SAFE DISTANCE AWAY. WHEN IN THE INTERSECTION, 1 OF THE 2 CARS WAS TRAVELING MUCH FASTER THAN ANTICIPATED. WHEN I ACCELERATED QUICKLY, THE CAR JUST SEEMED TO CHOKE, AND THE CAR COLLIDED INTO MY REAR SIDE (DRIVER'S SIDE). I AND THE OTHER DRIVER HAD ONLY MINOR INJURIES, BUT THE COLLISION WAS VERY FRIGHTENING AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. I ALSO FELT THAT SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR THAN I HAD THOUGHT. AFTER I GOT MY CAR BACK FROM THE BODY REPAIR SHOP (7 WEEKS LATER), I TOOK IT INTO TO THE DEALER AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD ALL OF THE HIGHLANDERS HAVE THAT HESITATION IF THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED HARD. I WAS TOLD TO PRESS DOWN ONLY GRADUALLY. SINCE THEN, I CONTINUE TO NOTICE THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. IT MAKES ME FEEL VERY UNSAFE AND AM NOT SURE HOW TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OTHER THAN TO SELL THE CAR. I AM WORRIED HOWEVER THAT OTHERS MAY BE AT RISK BECAUSE OF THIS FEATURE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *NM