RoadVitals

2005 Scion Xa Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
40
Latest Mar 30, 2022
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
14
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
13

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Scion Xa, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags1428.0%
  • Visibility612.0%
  • Driver assistance510.0%
  • Brakes510.0%
  • Electrical48.0%
  • Steering36.0%
  • Tires & wheels36.0%
  • Fuel system24.0%
  • Engine24.0%
  • Seat belts24.0%
  • Interior & seats12.0%
  • Suspension12.0%
  • Other / unspecified12.0%
  • Transmission12.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The air bag light has been trigger on and won't go off. Nov 1, 2018 If the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners unintentionally deploy, it can increase the risk of a crash. If the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners are deactivated, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

NHTSA ID 11458912 · filed Mar 30, 2022

THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF

NHTSA ID 11196633 · filed Apr 16, 2019
All 14 reports naming airbags

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SCION XA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENTIRE SUN ROOF EXPLODED INCLUDING THE GLASS FRAME. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID 10888607 · filed Jul 26, 2016

THE POWER WINDOWS ARE DEFECTIVE. THEY BREAK DOWN EASILY. CANNOT USE THE WINDOWS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WORK. THE COST TO REPLACE EACH WINDOW MOTOR IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND NOT AFFORDABLE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ID 10525890 · filed Jul 20, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, GOING SLOWLY. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR ACCELERATED. IT JUMPED THE CURB, TOOK OUT A TRASH CAN, PASSED BETWEEN 2 STEEL POLES (MEANT TO PROTECT THE BUILDING), TOOK OUT A TREE, HIT THE BUILDING, FINALLY STOPPING AT ANOTHER TREE. I WAS TRYING TO BRAKE THE WHOLE TIME BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I REMEMBER THE ENTIRE INCIDENT. THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION HAD HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES PREVIOUSLY BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP. AFTER INSPECTING THE CAR AT THE TOW LOT, MY SON AND I COULD SEE THAT THE FRAME WAS BENT SO I GAVE IT TO THE TOW LOT FOR THE COST OF TOW FEES. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT INJURED BEYOND ACHES AND PAINS. I KEPT THINKING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. THEN I DECIDED TO CHECK PAST PERFORMANCE AND FOUND THAT THESE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE A GOOD RECORD. WISH I HAD NEVER BOUGHT THIS CRAPPY CAR.

NHTSA ID 11102812 · filed Jun 20, 2018

GAS PEDAL PROBLEM. MY GAS PEDAL HAS STUCK MULTIPLE TIMES. I DO NOT HAVE THE FREE MOVING FLOOR MATS. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE EARLY 2005. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS SHORTLY THEREAFTER. IT STICKS ONLY WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED (UP TO 65 MPH) ON HIGHWAY. NEVER AT LOWER SPEED IN TOWN. IT HAS PROBABLY STUCK UP TO TEN DIFFERENT TIMES. OCCURS FREQUENTLY WHEN PASSING ANOTHER CAR. NO CRASHES, YET. I HAVE MANAGED TO GET IT UNSTUCK EACH TIME, HOWEVER IT IS EXTREMELY SCARY. NOTHING DONE TO FIX IT. SCION SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10312890 · filed Feb 22, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT INVOLVING HER 2005 TOYOTA SCION XA. SHE APPLIED BRAKES AS SHE WAS COMING TO A STOP LIGHT AND THE BRAKE DID NOT WORK. SHE TRIED AGAIN AND THE CAR KEPT GOING. SHE THEN TRIED TO "PUMP" THE BRAKE TO NO AVAIL. THE RESULT WAS THAT SHE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER TOTALING HER CAR. IN ADDITION TO THE BRAKES NOT WORKING, THE DRIVER SEATBELT DID NOT "LOCK". *TR

NHTSA ID 10336695 · filed Jun 16, 2010

I OWN A 2005 SCION XA MODEL AND WHEN DRIVING ON DIRT ROADS THAT ARE DRY OR WET FROM RAIN THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS WHEN STOPPING. AS APPLYING THE BRAKES COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND SPEED OF 20MPH, THE BRAKE ANTILOCK , I THINK? MAKES A RELEASE NOISE AND THE PEDAL IN THE MAX HOLE POSITION THE CAR KEEPS MOVING AND INTO THE INTERSECTION I AM STOPPING AT. THE BRAKES RETURN TO NORMAL WHILE COMING ON TO THE ASPHALT ROAD I AM CROSSING. I'VE LEARNED TO BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN COMING TO STOP ON DIRT ROAD AND HAVE FOUND I CAN NOT APPROACH THE STOP SIGNS AT SPEEDS OVER 10MPH FOR THE LAST 50 FEET TO STOP POSITION. IT DOES THIS ON DRY DIRT ROADS AND WET DIRT ROADS SOMETIMES ON ASPHALT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10312961 · filed Feb 23, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL CABLE INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN THAT HAD "FAILED". THIS IS THE PART THAT CONTROLS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I ASKED IF THE COMPANY (TOYOTA) WOULD ASSIST WITH THE REPLACEMENT, AND WAS TOLD "NO. SOME JUST FAIL. THAT'S PART OF OWNING A CAR." THE PART IS ON ORDER, AND THE REPAIR IS GOING TO COST $530 - $300 FOR THE PART, $100 LABOR AND $130 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS. ALL THIS FOR A PART THAT "_FAILED_" THIS HAPPENED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND I WAS _NOT_ IN AN ACCIDENT OF ANY SORT, NOR DID I CONTRIBUTE TO ITS FAILURE. THIS PART _FAILED_- WONDERING IF THE PART IS DEFECTIVE AND WHAT ASSISTANCE TOYOTA WILL GIVE ME. *TR

NHTSA ID 10713612 · filed Apr 29, 2015

ON JUNE 15, 2009 I WAS PARKING MY 2005 TOYOTA SCION XA IN MY PARKING SPACE AT WORK. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR ACCELERATED AND THE ENGINE RACED AND TOOK OFF OVER THE BUMPER INTO THE WALL. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR BECAUSE THE BRAKES TOTALLY FAILED. WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKES THEY JUST WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. LUCKILY I WAS NOT HURT BUT MY CAR IS A MESS. WHEN I EXPLAINED THE INCIDENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED AND WOULD CHECK OUT THE CAR AFTER THE BODY WORK IS DONE AND THE CAR BECOMES DRIVABLE AGAIN. THANKFULLY I DIDN'T INVOLVE ANY OTHER VEHICLES AND MY GRANDCHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR WITH ME. AFTER READING OF ANOTHER INCIDENT WITH A TOYOTA TC, THAT INCIDENT FAR WORSE THAN MINE, I FELT I NEEDED TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW THAT THIS IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN THAT NOT AND JUST NOT SOMEONE MISTAKING THE GAS PEDAL FOR THE BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10274122 · filed Jun 17, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL CABLE INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN THAT HAD "FAILED". THIS IS THE PART THAT CONTROLS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I ASKED IF THE COMPANY (TOYOTA) WOULD ASSIST WITH THE REPLACEMENT, AND WAS TOLD "NO. SOME JUST FAIL. THAT'S PART OF OWNING A CAR." THE PART IS ON ORDER, AND THE REPAIR IS GOING TO COST $530 - $300 FOR THE PART, $100 LABOR AND $130 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS. ALL THIS FOR A PART THAT "_FAILED_" THIS HAPPENED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND I WAS _NOT_ IN AN ACCIDENT OF ANY SORT, NOR DID I CONTRIBUTE TO ITS FAILURE. THIS PART _FAILED_- WONDERING IF THE PART IS DEFECTIVE AND WHAT ASSISTANCE TOYOTA WILL GIVE ME. *TR

NHTSA ID 10713612 · filed Apr 29, 2015

WE HAVE CHANGED THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE WHEEL SHAFT BEARINGS 5 TIMES. THE BEARINGS LAST ABOUT 5000 MILES THEN HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10608039 · filed Jul 3, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

IN JUNE WHILE GETTING OFF THE EXIT TO GO HOME I WAS GOING AT 25 MHP ANF THE CAR STARTED TO VIBRATE AND I TOTALLY LOST CONTROL HITTING THE EXIT SIGN. I GOT THE CAR REPAIRED AND 2 MONTHS LATER ON THE INTERSTATE I WAS DOING 55 MPH WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO VIBRATE. STARTED TO SLOW DOWN, WHEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLOW OUT AND CAUSE THE LOST OF CONTROL, SPIN 3 TIMES AND CRASHING INTO THE GUIDE RAIL. THE AIRBAGS NEVER OPEN AND THE FRONT AND LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR WERE DESTROYED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10346112 · filed Jul 29, 2010

PREMATURE TIRE WEAR - FAILED ROAD INSPECTION ALL FOUR RUNFLAT TIRES AT 24,000 MILES COULDN'T BRING UP VEHICLE FOR A TOYOTA SIENNA 2005 ALL WHEEL DRIVE WITH DUNLOP RUNFLAT TIRES. ALL 4 TIRES NOT USABLE AT 24,000 MILES DUNLOP P225/60R17 DSST RUNFLAT TIRES. *JB

NHTSA ID 10138499 · filed Oct 4, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

IN JUNE 2009 I WAS COASTING INTO MY PARKING SPACE AT WORK, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY 2005 TOYOTA SCION XA ACCELERATED, DROVE OVER A PARKING BUMPER, PLOWED INTO A SMALL TREE AND DROVE INTO A BRICK WALL. THE BRAKES FAILED AND WERE TOTALLY USELESS. I HAD MY CAR TOWED, TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR. I REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF ANY PROBLEMS, LIKE MY OWN, WITH THE SCION. THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THAT I MUST HAVE HIT THE GAS PEDAL INSTEAD OF THE BRAKES. THEY ASSURED ME THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM BUT UNLESS IT HAPPENS WHILE THEY WERE WORKING ON IT, THEY COULD DO NOTHING. I WROTE TO TOYOTA MOTOR SALES IN TORRANCE, CA IN SEPTEMBER 2009 DESCRIBING MY CONCERNS AND NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE. SINCE THIS INCIDENT, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE THE ENGINE HAS RACED ON ITS OWN. ALSO, VERY OFTEN WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED IT SEEMS TO FEEL LIKE IT IS "STICKING" AND/OR NOT GETTING THE MESSAGE THAT IT IS TIME TO GET INTO GEAR AND GO FORWARD. *TR

NHTSA ID 10310277 · filed Feb 14, 2010

ON JUNE 15, 2009 I WAS PARKING MY 2005 TOYOTA SCION XA IN MY PARKING SPACE AT WORK. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR ACCELERATED AND THE ENGINE RACED AND TOOK OFF OVER THE BUMPER INTO THE WALL. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR BECAUSE THE BRAKES TOTALLY FAILED. WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKES THEY JUST WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. LUCKILY I WAS NOT HURT BUT MY CAR IS A MESS. WHEN I EXPLAINED THE INCIDENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED AND WOULD CHECK OUT THE CAR AFTER THE BODY WORK IS DONE AND THE CAR BECOMES DRIVABLE AGAIN. THANKFULLY I DIDN'T INVOLVE ANY OTHER VEHICLES AND MY GRANDCHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR WITH ME. AFTER READING OF ANOTHER INCIDENT WITH A TOYOTA TC, THAT INCIDENT FAR WORSE THAN MINE, I FELT I NEEDED TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW THAT THIS IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN THAT NOT AND JUST NOT SOMEONE MISTAKING THE GAS PEDAL FOR THE BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10274122 · filed Jun 17, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SCION XA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THE DRIVER FELT A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HERRIN-GEAR TOYOTA (6100 INTERSTATE 55 NORTH FRONTAGE RD, JACKSON, MS 39211, (601) 391-6346) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID 11244438 · filed Aug 16, 2019

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA SCION XA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TECHNICIAN, WHO STATED THAT THE HOUSING AROUND THE CHARCOAL CANISTER IN THE ENGINE FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS EMISSIONS. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37,200.

NHTSA ID 10273212 · filed Jun 9, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT INVOLVING HER 2005 TOYOTA SCION XA. SHE APPLIED BRAKES AS SHE WAS COMING TO A STOP LIGHT AND THE BRAKE DID NOT WORK. SHE TRIED AGAIN AND THE CAR KEPT GOING. SHE THEN TRIED TO "PUMP" THE BRAKE TO NO AVAIL. THE RESULT WAS THAT SHE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER TOTALING HER CAR. IN ADDITION TO THE BRAKES NOT WORKING, THE DRIVER SEATBELT DID NOT "LOCK". *TR

NHTSA ID 10336695 · filed Jun 16, 2010

DT: CONSUMER STATES: HEAD REST IS TOO BIG AND THE BACK WINDSHIELD IS TOO SMALL. WHEN CHANGING LANES OR LOOKING TO BACK OUT THE LITTLE SPOT IN THE MIDDLE ONE CAN SEE THROUGH. ITS REALLY A PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. *AK

NHTSA ID 10122560 · filed May 31, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WE WERE INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT IN MY TOYOTA PRIUS. THE ACCIDENT ACTUALLY INVOLVED 2 COLLISIONS. THE FIRST COLLISION WAS INTO A SEMI. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE CAR SPUN AROUND AND CAUSED A SECOND COLLISION AS WE HIT THE GUARDRAIL HEAD ON. MY GRANDDAUGHTER (10 YRS OLD) WAS SITTING BEHIND THE DRIVER. EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS BUCKLED UP, SHE WAS THROWN TO THE FLOOR SERIOUSLY INJURING HERSELF. THE LOCKING MECHANISM WHICH IS SUPPOSE TO HOLD THE BACK OF THE REAR SEAT IN ITS UPRIGHT POSITION (WHERE SHE WAS SITTING AS A PASSENGER) BROKE FROM THE IMPACT. CONSEQUENTLY, AS THE BACK OF THE SEAT CAME DOWN ON HER BACK AT SUCH A CRUCIAL TIME DURING THE STRONG IMPACT, THE CHILD WAS THROWN FORWARD, ARMS UP, AND SHE WAS PUSHED DOWN AND OUT OF THE SEAT BELT AND ONTO THE FLOOR. FORTUNATELY, SHE SURVIVED. ALTHOUGH, IT IS NOT CERTAIN AS YET WHETHER SHE WILL REQUIRE SURGERY TO HER ORBITAL BONE AND PLASTIC SURGERY DUE TO A LACERATION ON HER FACE. *JB

NHTSA ID 10139809 · filed Oct 16, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WE HAVE CHANGED THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE WHEEL SHAFT BEARINGS 5 TIMES. THE BEARINGS LAST ABOUT 5000 MILES THEN HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10608039 · filed Jul 3, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ENKEI WHEEL RIM BENT AND TIRE AND WHEEL NEED TO BE REPLACED. CAR NOT IN ACCIDENT AND I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRE VALVE BEFORE AND THE DEALER FIXED IT. I ALSO HAD A DEFECTIVE TIRE REPLACED A FEW MONTHS EARLIER. I THINK THIS WAS DEFECTIVE TOO, BUT NOW I HAVE TO PAY 465. TO FIX. *NM

NHTSA ID 10130879 · filed Aug 1, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

COMPLAINT-2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER: UNSAFE OPERATION THIS VEHICLE HAS A "FLY BY WIRE" COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT IS CAUSING HAZARDOUS UNEXPECTED ENGINE STUMBLING, ENGINE HESITATION AND ERRATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE CANNOT ALWAYS BE EASED INTO TRAFFIC AND ON ONE OCCASION WHEN MERGING INTO INTERSTATE TRAFFIC THE ENGINE RACED AND DOWN SHIFTED SO VIOLENTLY THAT THE PASSENGERS THOUGHT WE HAD BEEN HIT FROM THE REAR. AN INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE USING THE CRUISE CONTROL(AT 70 MPH). THE ENGINE RACED,DOWN SHIFTED AND THE VEHICLE JUMPED FORWARD BEFORE IT COULD BE CONTROLLED. ALSO, WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE, WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, I MOVED INTO THE PASSING LANE: THE ENGINE RACED, DOWNSHIFTED AND REFUSED TO ACCELERATE. I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED HAD THE DRIVER FOLLOWING NOT BEEN ALERT. ENGINE SPEED CAN VARY AND SHIFTING CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME. WHEN ENTERING A GARAGE OR PARKING SPACE THE DRIVER MUST KEEP FIRM PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, SINCE THE VEHICLE MAY DECIDE TO CHANGE ENGINE SPEED AND MOVE FORWARD. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE COMPUTER CAN TAKE CONTROL OF THE TRANSMISSION, THROTTLE AND BRAKING UNDER COMPUTER ANTICIPATED ROLLOVER CONDITIONS. IMAGINE THE DRIVER'S HORROR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT TO FIND THAT HE IS NO LONGER IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE MET WITH THE TOYOTA DEALER REPRESENTATIVES, TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR(THREE TIMES ON RECORD), TAKEN TEST DRIVES WITH THE LOCAL TOYOTA TECH AND THE TOYOTA DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER AND WRITTEN E-MAILS TO THE TOYOTA WEB SITE ALL TO NO AVAIL. I AM TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED TO OPERATE THIS WAY AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE. THEY DID IMPLEMENT ONE TSB, BUT NOTHING CHANGED. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING WITH THE HIGHLANDER AND OTHER TOYOTA MODELS SINCE 2004 AND POSSIBLY BEFORE THAT DATE. I GUESS TOYOTA WILL WAIT FOR A CATASTROPHIC EVENT BEFORE IT TAKES AN INTEREST IN CORRECTING THIS POORLY DESIGNED AND HAZARDOUS SYSTEM. MY WIFE AND I ARE AFRAID WE MAY BE AMONG THE VICTIMS OF THIS HAZARDOUS VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ID 10135069 · filed Sep 1, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .