2021 Toyota Highlander Tires & Wheels Problems

I am reporting a serious safety defect involving the rear brake system of my 2021 Toyota Highlander, purchased from Penn Toyota (Glen Cove, NY). The dealership represented the vehicle as “Toyota Certified” and indicated that it passed all safety inspections. On November 15, 2025, I discovered that the rear brake rotors and pads were in extremely unsafe condition, showing severe corrosion, deep pitting, uneven pad wear, and structural deterioration. This damage clearly developed over a long period of time and indicates that the vehicle could not have passed a legitimate safety inspection at the time of sale. The rear brakes had to be replaced immediately to prevent potential brake failure. After replacing the rear rotors and pads, the vehicle passed the New York State Inspection on the same day, proving that the previous brake condition was unsafe and improperly inspected. This raises concerns of: Brake safety failure Improper or falsified dealership inspection Risk of reduced stopping power Potential loss of vehicle control I am submitting photos, the repair invoice, and the inspection result that confirmed the brakes were unsafe prior to repair.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander equipped with Bridgestone Tires, Tire Line: Alenza Sport, Tire Size: 255/50/R20, DOT Number: 276100C2R. The contact stated the vehicle was inspected by the dealer, where it was discovered that all four tires were prematurely worn quickly and showed defects. The tires were replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V452000 (Tires). The dealer informed the contact that the issue was related to the previous recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage was 80,000. The tire failure mileage was 7,000.

P 235 / 55 R 20 This tire has developed a sidewall bulge. It has always been properly inflated. I currently have the tire but the manufacturer has requested that I send it to them.

P 235 / 55 R 20 The sidewall blew out on the highway. I did not hit any road hazards and the tires were properly inflated. I have the tire now but Continental has requested I ship it to them.

Tire Size 235/65R18 Tires are under 40,000 miles and especially passenger right tread is gone. Tire’s already need to be replaced. The tire won’t hold air. No puncture anywhere, went to dealership and they couldn’t believe that the tires are so worn down already with such low mileage. I tried contacting Bridgstone they dismissed any concerns. I've been trying to get some help. These tires seem defective.

In just two years, the four original tires were severely worn and had a mileage of 35Kmiles, which greatly affected safe driving.

235/55R20 Michelin CrossClimate 2 UTQG ratings missing on outside of tires, for 2 out of the 4 tires. Note: the previous CrossClimate has had a recall for the same issue.

Bridgestone Alenza Sport OEM 235/65R18 tire. I was driving about 40 MPH. I noticed increased vibration. Suddenly the left rear tire failed. The driver behind me said that the tire "exploded." She had never seen anything like it before. The outer part of the tire had completely separated from the part attached to the metal wheel. There was some damage to the wheel well.

TL *THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE TIRES, TIRE LINE: ALENZA, TIRE SIZE: 235/65/R18, DOT NUMBER: 1W2LAMLAI4520. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED, WITHOUT WARNING. THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM DID NOT INDICATE A PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER THE TIRE EXPLODED. THE OUTSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE HAD SEPARATED. KOONS ANNAPOLIS TOYOTA (1107 WEST ST, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE AND GET BACK TO THE CONTACT. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH FOUR NEW TIRES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 612. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. (NEW HIGHLANDER WAS FOUND AT KOONS ANNAPOLIS TOYOTA AND PURCHASED FROM KOONS WESTMINSTER TOYOTA.) CONTACT HAS NOT HEARD FROM TOYOTA DEALER FOLLOWING MULTIPLE REQUESTS. CONTACT REPLACED ALL BRIDGESTONE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE AT OWN EXPENSE SINCE THEY DID NOT TRUST THE REMAINING THREE BRIDGESTONE TIRES, NOR A REPLACEMENT BRIDGESTONE TIRE THEY MAY (?) HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET FROM THE TOYOTA DEALER. CONTACT WANTS TO WARN THE APPROPRIATE PEOPLE THAT HIS NEW BRIDGESTONE TIRE ON A NEW TOYOTA HIGHLANDER EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON.