NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Toyota Highlander. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
DOOR LOCKS ON PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR, DRIVER FRONT AND REAR, HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED OR REPAIRED AT LEAST TWICE DUE TO MALFUNCTIONS. AS OF DECEMBER 2015, THE LOCKS ARE FAILING AGAIN FOR A THIRD TIME, CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. LOCKS DON'T WORK. THEY WILL EITHER STAY LOCKED, FAILING TO OPEN, OR NOW, THEY WILL NOT LOCK AT ALL. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED PROPERLY. KEEPS RECURRING.
ACCELERATOR MOVED TO FULL SPEED AS BACKING UP BEGAN. AUTO PLOWED 110 FEET FULL SPEED THROUGH PLANTS AND TREES, COMING TO A STOP BY SOME TREES. CAR WAS PARKED ON PRIVATE DRIVEWAY. DRIVER SLIGHTLY INJURED. REAR END CAR DAMAGE IS $6,000+.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A ROAD WITHOUT WARNING ONE OF THE IGNITION COILS FAILED CAUSING THE ENGINE AND THE CAR TO IMMEDIATELY STOP IN TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE ON A RURAL ROAD AND GOING LESS THAN 30 MPH, BUT ON A FREEWAY AT SPEED WE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE HIGHLANDER HYBRID UNLIKE MOST CARS WILL NOT RUN AT ALL WITH AN IGNITION COIL FAILURE. THUS, THERE IS A RISK OF A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THE TOYOTA DEALER WAS UNABLE TO OFFER ANY EXPLANATION OTHER THAN THEE THINGS HAPPEN. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 80,000 MILES, HAD BEEN MAINTAINED BY TOYOTA DEALERS ON A REGULAR BASIS AND IS FIVE YEARS OLD. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 58 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED AN IGNITION COIL FAILURE.
HYDRAULICS AND/OR ELECTRIC ON REAR LIFT GATE FAULTY. THE AUTOMATIC LIFT FUNCTION DOES NOT PROPERLY ALIGN THE BACK LIFT DOOR UPON CLOSURE. THE HATCH MUST BE CLOSED MANUALLY.
VEHICLE MAKES A POPPING NOISE WHEN YOU MAKE A TURN. NOISE CAN BE HEARD WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AT ANY SPEED.
OPEN-DOOR WARNING KEEPS POPPING IN THE DASH WHEN DRIVING, AS WELL AS THE LIGHT INSIDE INSIDE THE CAR (CONSISTENT WITH AN OPEN DOOR). THE PROBLEM STARTED AT FIRST AS THE CAR WOULD BE TURNING AT VERY LOW SPEED. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE NEXT 2 WEEKS AND NOW HAPPENS ALMOST ANYTIME THERE IS A BUMP IN THE ROAD, OR WHEN CORNERING, AS WELL AS WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES, EVEN GENTLY. I CHANGED ALL THE DOOR SENSORS BUT IT DID NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE.
DOOR SENSORS SHOW DOOR OPEN, DOOR CHIMES, AND INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH WHEN IN MOTION DRIVING OVER LIGHT BUMP ON ALL ROADS, HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS. AND/OR WHEN DRIVING FROM THE STREET INTO DRIVEWAY AT 1MPH AT ALL TIMES AS UP OVER SLIGHT CURB. HAPPENS WHEN I SHIFT THE GEARS INTO MOTION. STARTED IN SEPT. 2015 TO CURRENT DATE.
THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR ON THE DASH IS LIT UP 100% OF THE TIME EVEN THOUGH IT APPEARS THAT ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED. THIS PROBLEM STARTED APPROX. 2 YEARS AGO. IN ADDITION IF THE CAR SITS FOR MORE THAN 1 DAY, IT DRAINS THE BATTERY AND THE CAR HAS TO BE JUMPED. WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN OR START FROM A STOPPED POSITION, THE WARNING SOUND DINGS. AND THE KEY FOB CANNOT BE USED TO LOCK THE CAR. MY MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT IT IS THE REAR HATCH SENSOR THAT IS FAULTY. MAYBE THE SENSOR IS FAULTY OR MAYBE I THINK THE HATCH IS CLOSED AND LATCHED AND IT REALLY ISN'T OR IT IS BUT AT ANY MOMENT, THE LATCH COULD RELEASE AND THE HATCH FLY OPEN. AFTER DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM, I DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR HIGHLANDER....I HAVE ATTACHED A FILE THAT CONTAINS SCREEN SHOTS OF OTHERS WITH THIS ISSUE. I STOPPED CUTTING AND PASTING AFTER 17 PAGES. THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT COMPROMISES THE QUALITY OF THE BATTERY AND THERE REALLY COULD BE A DOOR AJAR WHEN YOU THINK THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH IS JUST FROM THE FAULTY HATCH SENSOR. (HEAVEN FORBID A CHILD SHOULD FALL OUT OF THE BACK SEAT WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD). I WOULD LIKE TO SEE TOYOTA TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL.
Front driver and front passenger arm rests cave in due to clip support design or construction.
BACK DOOR "OPEN" LIGHTS FLASH NON STOP IN WARM WEATHER. IT'S SO ANNOYING. WHY IS THEIR NO RECALL ON THIS? I BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITHOUT KNOWING THIS ANNOYING ISSUE
WHEN STATIONARY OR DRIVING, DASHBOARD DOOR-OPEN LIGHT STAYS ON. ALL DOME LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN DRIVING UNLESS TURNED COMPLETELY OFF ON DASHBOARD BUT THEY WILL STILL FLICKER AND WARNING SOUND WILL GO ON AND OFF WHEN DRIVING, TURNING A CORNER, OR GOING OVER A BUMP ON ANY ROAD. WHEN LOCKING THE CAR WITH THE DOOR-REMOTE, THE WARNING SOUND GOES ON AND STAYS ON UNTIL CAR IS UNLOCKED. CAR MUST BE LOCKED BY HAND TO STOP WARNING SOUND. CAR WAS SENT TO TOYOTA REPAIR CENTER FOR ELECTRICAL REPAIRS, BUT THIS WARNING LIGHT ISSUE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE IS A BUMP IN THE REAR HATCH FROM BACKING UP IN A GARAGE. SERVICE DEPT. SAID REAR DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE REAR HATCH WOULD NOT CLOSE CORRECTLY. HOWEVER, REAR HATCH HAS ALWAYS CLOSED AND STILL CLOSED. TOYOTA COULD NOT GUARANTEE A NEW HATCH OR REPAIRED BODY WORK WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. WARNING LIGHTS PROBLEM STARTED MONTHS BEFORE REAR DOOR ISSUE. TOYOTA OFFERED TO TURN WARNING SOUND OFF, BUT I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I ROUTINELY CHECKED IF ANY DOOR IS OPEN.
INFORMATION CENTER IS FLASHING OVERHEADLIGHTS, AUDIBLE WARNING BELL, VISUAL WARNING LIGHTS FLASH ON DRIVERS DISPLAY, UNABLE TO LOCK VEHICLE. THIS IS ALLL DUE TO THE TAILGATE REGISTERING AS OPEN WHEN IN FACT IT IS CLOSED. IF YOU UNPLUG THE SENSOR, IT WILL NOT ALLOW ACCESS INTO OR OUT OF THE REAR DOOR. IT HAS NOW STARTED TO NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO BE LOCKED - SAYING THERE IS A DOOR OPEN (REAR). IF YOU GO AROUND AND INDEPENDENTLY SLAM DOORS ONE AT A TIME AND THEN TRY TO LOCK WITH THE REMOTE AFTER EACH, IT WILL EVENTUALLY ALLOW U TO LOCK AFTER SLAMMING PASS FT. DOOR. THE IS A NOTABLE PROBLEM FOR THIS SERIES AND IS BECOMING QUITE PREVALENT . DEALER SAYS DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING IT. INDEPENDANT MECHANIC SAY IT IS DOOR ACTUATOR - WHICH IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS FAILED TO CLOSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V689000 (VISIBILITY) AFTER THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE UNKNOWN AREAS WERE LUBRICATED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT OR REPLACE THE PWM CIRCUIT BOARD; HOWEVER, THE REMEDY DID NOT PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR FAILS TO STAY UP AND DROPS TO BLOCK DRIVER'S VIEW. *TR
I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT A TACO BELL WHEN I NOTICED A CAR COMING SO I DECIDED TO STOP AND PULL BACK INTO MY PARKING SPACE TO LET IT PASS. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE AND I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AGAIN, BUT MY CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I TURNED MY CAR TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR AND ANY OTHER CARS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN BEHIND ME. MY CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND JUMPED A CURB, CROSSED OVER A SIDEWALK AND ONTO A LAWN AREA BEHIND TACO BELL. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AGAIN TRYING TO GET MY CAR TO STOP. I TURNED MY WHEELS TO KEEP FROM GOING INTO THE DRIVE UP LANE AND FINALLY GOT MY CAR TO STOP. *TR
DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WON'T STAY IN UP POSITION. HANGS DOWN IN VISION LINE OF DRIVER TALLER THAN 5'. THE REPAIR WILL COST CLOSE TO $200!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND TSB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,800.
I HAVE A BACK DOOR ON ALL THE TIMES BECAUSE THE BACK DOOR NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY ,I TRY TO FIX , BUT DID NOT HELP .FINALLY I HAD TO REMOVE THE ELECTRICAL SW .AND I COULD NOT OPEN THE BACK DOOR ,BUT I DO HAVE PROBLEM WHEN I HAVE A FLAT TIRE
DOOR SENSOR BROKEN. GOES ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY WHILE IN MOTION ON STREET AND HIGHWAY SPECIALLY WHEN MAKING TURNS REGARDLESS OF SPEED. HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY ON HOT DAYS. IT HAS BEEN A LONG TERM PROBLEM AND WOULD COST TOO MUCH MONEY TO FIX. THIS SHOULD BE MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSIBILITY. I'VE FOUND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE INCLUDING VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE DEMONSTRATING THE PARTICULAR 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ISSUE. *TR
VISOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE DROPPED DOWN AND WILL NOT STAY UP. IT IS AN ABSOLUTE HAZARD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO RECEIVE A RECALL REPAIR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V743000 (SEATS), BUT THE REMEDY DID NOT PROVIDE A PERMANENT REPAIR. THE DEALER WOULD ONLY DISCONNECT THE HEATERS WITH COPPER STRAND HEATING ELEMENTS. THE CONTACT HAD EXTENSIVE BACK PAINS AND USED THE FEATURE DAILY TO PREVENT THE BACK PAINS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT WITHOUT THE OPTION OF THE SEAT HEATER, SHE WOULD EXPERIENCE BACK PAINS WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FROM MY RESEARCH AND MY DISCUSSION WITH THE DEALER. MY 2010 HIGHLANDER WITH 40K MILES HAS A POWER REAR DOOR. THE HINGES HOLDING THE DOOR ARE SPACED TOO FAR WHICH CAUSES STRESS ON THE MECHANICAL ARM AND BOLT THAT ATTACH TO THE DOOR. MY WIFE WAS IN THE VEHICLE AND PRESSED THE BUTTON TO CLOSE THE REAR POWER DOOR WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD "POP". THE BOLT ATTACHING THE "ARM" TO THE DOOR STRIPPED AND CAME OUT OF THE DOOR. THE DEALER SAID MY FULL COVERAGE "BUMPER TO BUMPER" WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THIS AND GAVE ME THE PHONE NUMBER TO TOYOTA. I SPOKE WITH TOYOTA AND THEY INVESTIGATED THE ISSUE WITH THE DEALER. TOYOTA CAME BACK AND OFFERED TO SPLIT THE COST 50%. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE IN MY OPINION AS IT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE AS WELL AS A SAFETY CONCERN. IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN BEHIND THE VEHICLE AND PRESSED THE POWER DOOR BUTTON, SHE COULD HAVE BEEN STRUCK IN THE FACE WITH THE METAL BAR WHEN IT PULLED ITSELF OUT OF THE DOOR. TOYOTA SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO WENT THE EXTRA STEP AND PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH THEM. THIS SHOULD BE BEYOND THE STANDARD 3 YEAR 36K WARRANTY AND ABOVE THAT, SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE DUE TO THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE. *TR
DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR SPRING SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE AND THE SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN (DOES NOT STAY IN UP POSITION) BLOCKING THE VISIBILITY OF THE ROAD. *TR
DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR TENSION COMPLETELY BROKE UNDER NORMAL USE. VISOR HANGS STRAIGHT DOWN AND WON'T RETURN TO THE UP POSITION, OR ANY OTHER POSITION. BLOCKS MUCH OF THE FIELD OF VIEW FOR ANY DRIVER (LIKE ME) TALLER THAN 5'5". *TR
TWICE IN SEPTEMBER 2014, AS I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, I PRESSED THE BRAKES AND SLOWED TO NEARLY A STOP. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED VERY HIGH, AND IF I HAD NOT ALREADY HAD A FOOT ON THE BRAKES, I WOULD HAVE GONE INTO AN INTERSECTION. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING SO HIGH THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO KEEP IT FROM MOVING. I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND WHILE THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEUTRAL, TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO NORMAL IDLE. THIS SAME SEQUENCE HAPPENED BOTH TIMES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE THIS MONTH, BUT THESE ARE THE FIRST OCCURRENCES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALER, AND THE SERVICE PERSON SAID THAT IF THE VEHICLE ISN'T DEMONSTRATING THAT BEHAVIOR WHEN I BRING IT IN, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FIND WHAT CAUSED IT. THEY INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE DATA RECORDER WOULD NOT RECORD SUCH AN EVENT. THEY SAID THEY WOULD ADD A NOTE ABOUT THIS TO THE RECORD THEY HAVE ON THIS VEHICLE (THEY HAVE DONE ALL THE SERVICE SINCE I PURCHASED IT FROM THEM). I HAVE ALREADY DECIDED THAT SHOULD IT HAPPEN AGAIN, I WILL TRADE THE VEHICLE. I DON'T LIKE HAVING TO KEEP MY HAND ON THE GEARSHIFT, READY TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. I SAW A REPORT IN USATODAY THAT SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN TOYOTAS IS BEING INVESTIGATED AGAIN. I WANTED TO ADD MY EXPERIENCE TO THE MIX. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO STATED THIS WAS NORMAL FOR VEHICLE WITH ABS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
THE FRONT SIDE WINDOW GLASS IS INOPERATIVE DUE TO BROKEN WINDOW MOUNTING TAB. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE POWER TO THE WINDOW MOTOR SO IT CAN'T BE USED. AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE IF OPERATED WHILE DRIVING, THE WINDOW COMES OFF TRACK AND GETS COCKEYED.
ON JULY 16, 2014 I TURNED MY CAR ON, READY TO RETURN HOME TO NEW JERSEY FROM BROOKLYN, AT THIS POINT THE BRAKE LIGHT SIGNAL, ABS, AND WARNING ICON ALL TURNED ON. THE CAMERA DISPLAYED A TEXT STATING BRAKE MALFUNCTION AND GIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO PARK THE CAR IMMEDIATELY. I CALLED THE TOYOTA 800 NUMBER AND FOLLOWED THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS, L HAD THE CAR TOW TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER, BAY RIDGE TOYOTA OF BROOKLYN. I PICKED UP THE CAR ON THE 18 TH, I WAS TOLD THEY RAN ALL TESTS AN THEY FOUND EVERYTHING PROPERLY INSTALLED. THEY SCAN TEST CLEAN ALL DTC PERFORMED INITIALIZATION AND CALIBRATION OF THE LINEAR SOLENOID VALVE. THEY ROAD TESTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED REPAIR, NO LIGHTS ON, AT A COST OF $227 PLUS TAX. TODAY THE 28 OF OCTOBER AS I TURNED MY CAR ON I FACE THE SAME PROBLEM ALL THE BRAKE LIGHTS, ABS, WARNING, AND DISPLAY TEXT INDICATING MALFUNCTION, TO STOP THE CAR. I AGAIN CALLED FOR TOW WENT TO TOYOTA OF HILLSIDE IN NJ, EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. WAS ASK WHY I HAD THE CAR TOW AFTER TELLING THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT THE BRAKES. HOW CAN ANYONE DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT IS WARNING YOU NOT TO DO SO. I ALSO SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER STATING THAT I DON'T THINK I SHOULD PAY FOR THIS SERVICE AGAIN SINCE ITS BEEN ONLY 1500 MILES OR A LITTLE OVER 90 DAYS SINCE THE SAME PROBLEM. AM SURE THERE'S MORE TO THIS. THANK YOU *TR
THE TAILGATE HATCH WAS UNABLE TO OPEN BY ELECTRONIC PUSH BOTTOM OR MANUALLY. SEEING THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THE CAUSE WAS A FAULTY ENGINEERING DESIGN TO THE TAILGATE BYTOYOTA. THE HINGE MECHANICS TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH DUE TO THE WEIGHT OF THE DOOR AND USE CAUSE ALIGMENT ISSUES AND THEREFORE, THE GATE OR WINDOW CANNOT OPEN PROPERLY. TO FIX PROPERLY A NEW DOOR AND HINGE SYSTEM WERE PUT ON WITH NO GUARANTEES THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX BY THE OWNER. LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM MANY CONSUMERS WITH THIS HIGHLANDER HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. TOYOTA HAS REENGINEERED ITS NEWER MODELS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IN AN EMERGENCY TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF THE 3RD ROW SEAT WITH THE DOOR STUCK IS A SAFETY ISSUE. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS WELL AS REIMBURSE THE OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH THESE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. *TR
ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN SOUTHBOUND LANE OF I-95 AT THE DILLON, SC EXIT ON 6/14/14. NORTHBOUND TRAILER LOST A TIRE/RIM DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE AND IT CROSSED THE MEDIUM AND IMPACTED OUR VEHICLE BLOWING THREE (3) AIRBAGS. THIS MODEL AND YEAR DID NOT INITIALLY HAVE TAKATA AIRBAGS INSTALLED DURING PRODUCTION. IT IS UNKNOWN, TO DATE, WHETHER THE REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS INSTALLED BY GRIFFIN TOYOTA AT ROCKINGHAM, NC WHERE MANUFACTURED BY TAKATA AND POSE A DANGER TO OCCUPANTS IF ACTIVATED. THE TAKATA AIRBAG PROBLEM DID NOT GET PUBLIC ATTENTION UNTIL THE OCTOBER & NOVEMBER, 2014, TIMEFRAME. I CONTACTED GRIFFIN TOYOTA STATING MY CONCERN IN JANUARY, 2015 AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THE REPLACEMENT WERE MANUFACTURED BY TAKATA AND COULD BE DEFECTIVE. I HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND REPORTED SAME (GIVEN CASE NUMBER [XXX]) AND THEM REFERRED ME TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP (CHARLES BARKER TOYOTA IN VIRGINIA BEACH, VA). THIS DEALERSHIP CONTINUES TO "STRUGGLE" TO GET THE INFORMATION FROM THE TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS IN CA TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE AIRBAGS SHOULD BE REPLACED (THAT IS, IF TAKATA REPLACEMENTS WERE INSTALLED AFTER THE WRECK) TO ENSURE THE OCCUPANTS SAFETY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE TO DETERMINE WHAT POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS (MANUFACTURED BY TAKATA) WERE INSTALLED IN THE JUNE-JULY 2014 TIMEFRAME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WHEN I DEPRESS THE BRAKE TO MAKE A CONSISTENT SMOOTH STOP IF THE VEHICLE HITS BUMPS THE CAR SEEMS TO LOOSE ITS BRAKING POWER AND ALMOST FEELS LIKE IT SLIPS OUT FROM UNDER ME AS IT LURCHES AHEAD. THIS PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT IN THAT IT HAPPENS IN THE SAME SPOTS UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IT COULD BE HAZARDOUS IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS. *JS
FROM A STOP WITH A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION ON ANY SERVICE IN ANY WEATHER, AN AUDIBLE NOISE AND JOLTING VIBRATION TELEGRAPHS THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. FEELS LIKE A LOOSE PART THAT MAY SEPARATE IN THE STEERING ASSEMBLY AND RENDER THE VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLE. FIRST RAISED WITH MOMENTUM/ FOWLER TOYOTA OF TULSA 6/14/14 WITH REFUSAL TO REPAIR AS A WARRANTY CLAIM @ 41430 MILES (DEALER WOULD NOT NOTE IN SERVICE CHECK-IN BUT PROMISED TO INSPECT). RAISED AGAIN WITH JIM NORTON TOYOTA THAT WOULD NOT INSPECT WITHOUT THE PAYMENT OF A $100 INSPECTION FEE @ 60459 MILES. NOT SURE OF SAFETY IMPLICATIONS BUT CONCERNED THAT FAILURE OF THE STEERING SHAFT COULD OCCUR. NO REPAIR MADE TO DATE SINCE WARRANTY AND/OR SAFETY ISSUES COULD NOT BE RESOLVED. NOTED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN OTHER NHTSA COMPLAINTS FOR 2010 HIGHLANDERS.
ALMOST HAD A CAR ACCIDENT WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR DROPPED DURING A TURN ON A 5-WAY INTERSECTION. THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR DOES NOT RETAIN ITS CLOSED POSITION. IT KEEPS FALLING DOWN WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL BUMPS. THE SUN VISOR HINDERS VISIBILITY AND SCOPE / RANGE OF THE DRIVER?S VIEW. PROPER VISIBILITY WAS COMPROMISED BY THIS DEFECTIVE VISOR AND THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN FOR VEHICLE OPERATORS. THIS GRAVELY PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE DRIVER, PASSENGERS, AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD TO INCLUDE BYSTANDERS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AND CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND PRESENTS IMMEDIATE DANGER AND RECALL ACTION. PLEASE DON'T LET THIS BECOME FATALITY STATISTICS DUE TO A SMALL RECALL AND CORRECTION! *TR
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM RESULTED IN THEM SAYING THAT IT IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE VISOR COULD FALL ENOUGH TO BLOCK THE DRIVER'S VISION. ALSO, IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THE DRIVER'S FOREHEAD WOULD BE PROPELLED INTO THE EDGE OF A SUN VISOR THAT IS PARTIALLY DOWN CAUSING A POSSIBLE SERIOUS HEAD INJURY. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. *TR
WE HAVE A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND THE DOME LIGHTS TURN ON & THE DOOR AJAR ALARM SOUNDS WHILE TURNING LEFT & SOMETIMES WHILE TURNING RIGHT. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHEN ROLLING UP OR DOWN THE PASSENGERS SIDE WINDOW. TOOK IT TO DEALER & THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIR IT. *TR
THE DRIVERS SUN VISOR HAS 2 STOP POINTS. ONE IS SUPPOSED TO BE FULLY UPRIGHT IN THE RECESS OF THE HEAD LINER. THE STOP POINT HAS MOVED SO THAT THE UPPER MOST POINT THE VISOR WILL GO IS ABOUT 10% BELOW LEVEL AND RIGHT IN THE LINE OF SIGHT OF THE DRIVER. THIS CAUSES AN UNSAFE CONDITION IN THAT THE DRIVER CAN NOT SEE THE ROAD OR STOP LIGHTS. I HAVE RUN A RED LIGHT BECAUSE I CAN NOT SEE IT. I HAVE LOOKED ON ALL THE WEBSITES AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR TOYOTA. NOT ONLY ON THE HIGHLANDER BUT ON SEVERAL OTHER MODELS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR WHAT EVER IS CAUSING THAT STOP POINT TO "DROOP". THE VISOR CAN NOT BE TAKEN APART AND TOYOTA WANTS $200 TO REPLACE THE THING. IT IS A RIP OFF AS THEY KNOW THE PART IS DEFECTIVE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE SUDDENDLY ACCELERATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
SAFETY HAZARD - BEGINNING IN MID 2014, MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK STARTED TO GIVE ME PROBLEMS NOT LOCKING WITH THE REMOTE. I CHANGED THE BATTERY SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL. SOON, THE OTHER DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING ONE BY ONE. EVENTUALLY, NONE OF THE LOCKS WORKED WITH THE REMOTE OR BY PRESSING THE POWER LOCK BUTTONS ON THE DOORS. WHEN THIS PROBLEM INITIALLY STARTED, I NOTICED MY RADIO STATION INFORMATION WOULD ALSO DISAPPEAR OR BE ILLEGIBLE. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, IT WAS OVER $1,000 TO HAVE THE ACTUATORS REPAIRED, SINCE THEY HAD "GONE BAD". AFTER RESEARCHING A BIT, I NOTICED SEVERAL MAKES, MODELS AND YEARS OF TOYOTA VEHICLES ARE ALSO HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD $50,000 MILES AT MOST WHEN ALL THIS STARTED, AND I MAINTAIN THE SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE. I THINK TOYOTA IS WELL AWARE OF THE FAULTY PARTS THEY HAVE INSTALLED BUT DON'T WANT TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS DUE TO THE COST. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IF SOMEONE THINKS THEY HAVE LOCKED THEIR VEHICLE AND COULD BE A VICTIM OF A SERIOUS CRIME OR OTHER SAFETY HAZARD.
THE DRIVER'S VISOR BROKE. I PUT IT DOWN TO BLOCK THE BRIGHT SUN HERE IN THE DESERT AND HEARD A LOUD SNAP. THE VISOR NO LONGER HAS THE ABILITY TO STAY UP OR ALL THE WAY FORWARD. RESULTING PROBLEM: 1. IN THE UP POSITION IT WILL NOT FULLY RETRACT INTO THE ROOF VISOR POCKET AND HANGS DOWN ABOUT 2.5 INCHES FROM THE CAR ROOF. CONCERNED THE SMALL EDGE WOULD SMACK ME RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FOREHEAD IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND FELL FORWARD. IF YOU WERE TALL YOU COULD POTENTIALLY BE IMPACTED DIRECTLY IN THE EYES IF YOU FELL FORWARD FROM A READ END COLLISION. 2. IN THE DOWN POSITION, WHICH THE VISOR IS MOST FREQUENTLY HERE IN THE DESERT REGION, IT NO LONGER CAN BE PUSHED FORWARD TO THE WINDSHIELD, SO IT HANGS DOWN LOW, AND PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTS YOUR ABILITY TO READ SIGNS ABOVE YOUR LINE OF VISION OVER THE HOOD. DEALER DID NOT THINK IT WAS COVERED UNDER MY 100,000 MILE / 5 YEAR WARRANTY AND TOLD ME TO CALL TOYOTA CARE, DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST ME $150 TO $160 TO FIX. I CALLED TOYOTA CARE THEY SAID IT IS COVERED BECAUSE I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. SOMETHING LIKE THIS SHOULDN'T FAIL IN THE FIRST THREE YEARS, ESPECIALLY WHEN MOST OF THE TIME IT IS SITTING FORWARD AGAINST THE WINDOW AND NOT MOVING. *TR
WHEN STEERING EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT DURING FORWARD OR REVERSE MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE, THERE'S A LOUD CLUNK NOISE. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON M HWY INTO SEDALIA MO ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, 4/5/14, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP LIKE A GUNSHOT, AND I LOOKED UP & SAW THAT MY MOONROOF SHATTERED INTO A MILLION PIECES, BUT IT STAYED TOGETHER LIKE SAFETY GLASS IS SUPPOSED TO. TINY SHARDS STARTED TO FILTER DOWN BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP & CLOSE THE SUN VISOR TO PREVENT OTHER GLASS FROM FALLING DOWN. THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME THAT COULD HAVE KICKED UP A ROCK, NO EXPLANATION FOR THE MOONROOF TO SUDDENLY SHATTER. WE JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR IN FEBRUARY, & BOUGHT A CERTIFIED TOYOTA PLATINUM WARRANTY AT THAT TIME. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP CALLED FOR WARRANTY APPROVAL & THEY WERE TOLD TOYOTA DOES NOT COVER GLASS AND WE WOULD HAVE TO FILE WITH OUR INSURANCE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THANKFULLY I ONLY HAVE $50 DEDUCTIBLE, BUT THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED, UNLESS IT WAS A DEFECT THAT TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. *TR
THE INVERTER FAILED AND THE CAR STALLED ON A BUSY FREEWAY (I-5) DURING A DARK, RAINY EVENING. THE CAR COULD NOT MAKE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE SIDE OF THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED PARTIALLY BLOCKING A LANE. IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND THE DRIVER, MY WIFE, WAS LUCKY NOT TO BE INJURED. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH, A DEER HIT MY CAR. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, DAMAGED FRONT END, MINOR DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER, MAJOR DAMAGE TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED WHY DID THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOY OUR MAJOR CONCERN CONCERN THAT WILL THE AIRBAG WORK AFTER REPAIRS?? *TR
RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM STREET TOYOTA CONCERNING A RECALL FOR MY 2010 HIGHLANDER. THEY SAID THAT THEY NEEDED 5 MINUTES TO DO A RECALL ON THE COMPUTER. I CHECKED THE RECALLS AND DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. I THINK THAT THEY ARE UP TO SOMETHING. I REFUSED THE APPOINTMENT. THANKS *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PULLING THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR DOWN TO BLOCK THE SUN, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REPOSITION THE VISOR WHICH CAUSED A VISIBILITY HAZARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VISOR BRACKET WAS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT COVERT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AND MIDDLE SECTIONS. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE, A CONCUSSION, MULTIPLE FACIAL ABRASIONS AND CONTUSIONS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REFERENCE TO THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND RECALL PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *SMD AFTER THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK. FOUR DAY LATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN ON AFTER AN EXTREMELY COLD DAY. THE CONSUMER CALLED FOR A JUMP, THINKING IT WAS THE BATTERY. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN CAME OUT AND IT WAS DISCOVERED, THE BATTERY WAS NOT THE ISSUE, BUT MAYBE SOME OTHER TYPE OF ELECTRICAL ISSUE, AS THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AS IF IT WERE TRYING TO TURN OVER, BUT WOULDN'T. ALSO, THE CAR ALARM WAS GOING OFF INTERMITTENTLY FOR HOURS FOR NO REASON. THE CONSUMER CALLED ANOTHER DEALER, ABOUT GETTING THE VEHICLE FIXED, BUT WAS INFORMED THE PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. *JB
DRIVER DOOR LOCK QUICK WORKING. COULD ONLY UNLOCK WITH KEY OR BY CRAWLING OVER PASSENGER SEAT. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS ACTUATOR. THEY FIXED FOR ALMOST $600. LESS THAN MONTH LATER PASSENGER DOOR LOCK DID SAME THING. CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED. LET IT STAY THAT WAY UNTIL MAY 2015. LOCAL MECHANIC FIXED FOR LITTLE OVER $300. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER, DRIVER DOOR LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK AT TIMES WHEN IT WILL NOT, THE KEY NOW WON'T WORK. HAVE TO CRAWL ACROSS PASSENGER SEAT TO UNLOCK I HAVE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET ABOUT THIS ISSUE. ACTUATORS NEED RECALLING BB
MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID HAS EXTREMELY POOR BRAKING IN SNOW / ICY CONDITIONS. EVEN AT EXTREMELY LOW SPEEDS (10 TO 15 MPH), THE CAR SKIDS FOR TENS OF FEET BEFORE COMING TO A HALT. THREE TIMES SO FAR, IT CAUSED DANGEROUS SITUATIONS BECAUSE THE CAR KEPT GOING DESPITE FULL ENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKES. ONCE, I NARROWLY MISSED BEING HIT BY A 53' TRUCK BECAUSE MY CAR ROLLED INTO A MAJOR STREET, JUST BARELY GETTING BY BEFORE THE TRUCK CAME THROUGH. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO TALK WITH THE DEALER - THE RESPONSE IS THAT HYBRID CARS BRAKE DIFFERENTLY. I HAVE DRIVEN CARS FOR OVER 30 YEARS, AND I KNOW THERE IS A DEFECT IN HOW THE CAR'S HYBRID SYSTEM IS ENGAGING THE BRAKING FUNCTIONALITY. ITS A SHAME THAT A CAR THAT COST 50K ON THE ROAD HAS SUCH A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT THE MANUFACTURER AND ITS DEALERS REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026