2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Problems

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ON MY 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 3 TIMES SINCE 2014. REPLACING THIS PART IS A $2500 - $3000 REPAIR. THE FIRST TIME, WE PAID OUT OF POCKET. THE SECOND TIME, I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET AND I DECLINED. PARKED THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND THEN RECEIVED NOTICE FROM TOYOTA THAT THE PART WAS BEING OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY UNDER LETTER ZG1. AT THAT POINT, I HAD THE PART REPLACED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. NOW THE PART HAS FAILED AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AS IT CONTROLS THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM AND FAILURE CAN HAVE DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES. I THINK TOYOTA RECOGNIZED THE ISSUE, MADE ADJUSTMENTS, BUT DID NOT MAKE PROPER ADJUSTMENTS AND STILL HAS ISSUES WITH THIS PART. PARTICULARLY - THIS ISSUE MAY BE RELATED TO THE FACT THAT THE HYBRID VEHICLES RELY ON THE BRAKING SYSTEM TO REGENERATE THE BATTERY.

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION DURING CITY DRIVING THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME VERY HARD TO PRESS DOWN AND SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON MY VEHICLE DASHBOARD. AT FIRST, THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT BUT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORST OVER CONTINUED DRIVING. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE AND THE REPAIR WAS ABOUT $2,600.00. I PARKED THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AND TO MANY CLOSE CALLS. LATER I FOUND OUT THAT THIS 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND SEVERAL PROCEEDING MODEL YEARS HAD A VERY EXTENSIVE CONSUMER COMPLAINT NUMBER FOR THIS VERY SAME ABS BRAKE SYSTEM CONCERN. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE SAME LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ABOUT A WARRANTY AT WHICH TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT MY WARRANTY EXPIRED WHICH I NEVER WAS INFORMED. IT SEEMS TO ME PERSONALLY THIS IS HOW THE AIR BAG SAFETY PROBLEM WAS OVER LOOKED ON THESE VEHICLES UNTIL CONSUMERS LOST THEIR LIVES ON FAULTY CONSUMER PRODUCTS THAT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORST OVER TIME. SEVERAL OF THE OTHER IMPORT MANUFACTURE HAVE OFFERED RECALLS ON THE VERY SAME ABS SYSTEM BRAKE CONCERN. TOYOTA HAS YET TO OFFER A RECALL SEVERAL MODEL YEARS INTO THIS SAFETY CONCERN WITH THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM. IF WE AS CONSUMERS CAN'T STOP OUR VEHICLES WHILE DRIVING ON THE CITY STREETS OR HIGHWAYS ACCIDENTS HAPPEN AND PEOPLE DIE. THIS SAFETY CONCERN HAS GONE ON LONG ENOUGH WITH THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OVER THE YEARS FOR THE SAME ABS BRAKE SYSTEM CONCERN. THERE MUST BE A MUCH BETTER JOB AT PROTECTING THE CONSUMER SAFETY FROM CONTINUED SAFETY CONCERNS NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA. ALL THE OTHER IMPORT MANUFACTURES HAVE STEP UP WITH RECALLS, WHATS TAKING TOYOTA MANUFACTURES SO LONG AFTER YEARS OF THE SAME SAFETY CONCERNS. PLEASE HELP US WITH THIS ABS BRAKE SYSTEM CONCERN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START AND THE HYBRID WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THREE PREVIOUS TIMES BY NAGUABO AUTO TOYOTA (CARRETERA 31 KM 3.9, NAGUABO, PR 00718) REGARDING THE HYBRID MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, ALL OF THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON, THERE IS A HIGH BEEPING SOUND, AND THE BRAKES STOPPED FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE BRAKES EITHER NEED TO BE MATCHED WITH EXTREME FORCE OR THE BRAKES WILL SLAM BY BARELY TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL. TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE AND OFFERED A WARRANTY EXTENSION TO OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AFTER THE EXTENSION WAS OFFERED AND HAVEN'T HAD ISSUES UNTIL RECENTLY. I AM CONCERNED FOR NOT ONLY MY SAFETY BUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. I HAVE BEEN A TOYOTA FAN FOR ALL OF MY ADULT LIFE. HOWEVER, AFTER DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE AND BEING QUOTED $2000 TO FIX IT, I WOULD OFFER ADVICE TO ANYBODY OR NOT TO BUY A TOYOTA OR AT LEAST NOT A TOYOTA HYBRID. BUYER AND DRIVER BEWARE!

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check hybrid system and two other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact managed to coast the vehicle to the side of the highway; however, the vehicle failed to restart. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed. The mechanic discovered that there was a leak in the inverter cooling system. Upon investigation, the contact discovered an unknown recall that was related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but informed her that the vehicle was not included in the unknown recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 280,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. FRED HAAS TOYOTA WORLD (20400 INTERSTATE 45 N, SPRING, TX 77373) WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BECAUSE THE TEST WAS NOT FREE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.

WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I-30 EAST UP A HILL GOING APPT 70 MPH WHEN THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND SLOWED DOWN TO 10 MPH. THEN WENT TO ONLY 1 MPH. WE CHECKED THE BATTERY CONNECTION, FUEL CAP, EVERYTHING WE FOUND ONLINE TO CHECK.

CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, HOWEVER IT POTENTIALLY CAUSES UNSAFELY IF NOT FIXED AS REQUESTED. THE REASON I COME TO YOU FOR COMPLAINT, I DO HAVE A SITUATION WITH CARLSON TOYOTA AND/OR TOYOTA MOTOR GROUPS. HERE THE SITUATION WHAT HAPPENS. I DO HAVE 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. I DROVE THIS SUV SINCE 2009. I HAVE A NUMBER OF RECORDS FROM THE SAME DEALER TO MAINTAIN THE SUV SAFE. HOWEVER, COUPLE MONTH AGO ON 04/22/2019, I GOT SOME OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHT INDICATES ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) CHECK LIGHT IS ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE CARLSON TOYOTA DEALER PAY DIAGNOSED FEE $149.00 AND THE RESULTS IS UNPREDICTABLE PRICES. SEE THE LISTS: 1) BREAK ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY----------------------------$2225.00 2) RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING AND HARNESS ----------$1156.00 TOTAL------------------------------------------------------$3,381.00 THE REASON I AM COMPLAINING TODAY NOT BECAUSE OF THE PRICE TO HIGH. HOWEVER, I FOUND TOYOTA PUBLISHED LETTER ON APRIL 19, 2016, TO ALL TOYOTA DEALER PRINCIPALS, GENERAL MANAGERS, SERVICE MANAGERS, AND PARTS MANAGERS. UNDER THE SUBJECT LINE WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM ?ZG1, FOR ALL 2006-2007 MODEL YEAR HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND OTHERS TYPE INCLUDED. ALSO, DOWN THE LAST THREE PARAGRAPH (SEE ATTACHED LETTER) INDICATES UNDER OWNER LETTER MAILING DATE, SAID ?TOYOTA WILL BEGIN TO NOTIFY OWNERS IN LATE APRIL, 2016 AND WILL BE MAILED OVER SEVERAL MONTHS. A SAMPLE OF THE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER HAS BEEN INCLUDED FOR YOUR REFERENCE.? AFTER I FOUND THE PUBLISHED NOTICE, I WENT TO THE CARLSON TOYOTA DEALER ON 06/18/2019. I DESCRIBED THE SITUATION AND I SHOWED THE RECIPES OF WHERE I GET FROM DURING INSPECTION, AND FINALLY THEY TOLD ME THIS WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM IS EXPIRED. I ASK THEM HOW IS EXPIRED, NOBODY TOLD ME ABOUT THIS RECALL OR WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM. I NEED HELP TO RESOLVE THIS SITUATION. SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENTS. *JS

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 72 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the "Check Hybrid System", "Check AWD", and "Check VCS" messages were displayed. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact notified an independent mechanic of the failure, and the mechanic stopped by the residence. The independent mechanic retrieved a DTC that the power inverter for the hybrid system had failed and caused the vehicle to go into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The contact stated that when the dealer searched the VIN on the NHTSA.gov website, the VIN search showed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V396000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the recall did not apply to the VIN. The vehicle remained at the residence unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,455.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check hybrid system and two other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact managed to coast the vehicle to the side of the highway; however, the vehicle failed to restart. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed. The mechanic discovered that there was a leak in the inverter cooling system. Upon investigation, the contact discovered an unknown recall that was related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but informed her that the vehicle was not included in the unknown recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 280,000.

MY 2006 HIGHLANDER DROVE JUST FINE. PARKED IN MY USUAL SPOT AND THE NEXT TIME I START IT MY P/S LIGHT IS ON AND I HAVE NO STEERING. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR IT TO JUST QUIT WORKING ON PEOPLE. I'M CURIOUS AS TO WHY THIS ISSUE HASN'T BEEN ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA YET. THANK GOD I WASN'T DRIVING LIKE OTHERS WERE WHEN IT HAPPENED.

STEERING DOES NOT STEER CORRECTLY SOMETIMES WHEN I DRIVE. DEALER SAYS THAT THEY WANT $2000 TO FIX IT BY REPLACING THE STEERING MECHANISM. I HAVE NOTICED IT SOMETIMES WHEN I AM MOVING.

I FOUND SOME INFO IN A FORUM WHERE MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINTS ABOUT LEAKING AROUND THE AXLE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RIGHT AXLE SEAL NEEDS REPLACEMENT WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A MULTI-POINT INSPECTION. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS OVER TIME BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S HAPPENED TO OTHERS WHO HAVE NOTICED IT BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION AND IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT IT HAS EXPIRED AND I WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT THIS ISSUE WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY.

WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND IN THE FAST LANE GOING APPROXIMATELY 75/80 MPH MY 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID DIED AND FAILED TO DRIVE. THE PANEL ON THE DASH HAD A RED ! EXCLAMATION POINT, AND SAID CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM AND CHECK VSC SYSTEM. I WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE MY VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT BREAKDOWN SHOULDER TO CALL FOR A TOW. TRIED TO START MY VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AND IT WOULD NOT START, BUT THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUED TO LIGHT GIVING EVIDENCE MY NEW 12V BATTERY WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. CALLED TOYOTA MOTOR USA AND ASKED WHAT RECALLS THEY HAVE LISTED FOR MY VEHICLE AND THEY ASKED FOR MY VIN. THEY TOLD ME THE ELECTRICAL INVERTER ASSEMBLY WAS COVERED FOR MY VIN. THEY GAVE ME THE NUMBER OF A TOW COMPANY TO CALL AND TOLD ME IT WAS COVERED BY TOYOTA AND I'D HAVE A RENTAL WAITING FOR ME. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AS DIRECTED, THEY FIXED SEVERAL OTHER RECALL ISSUES BUT NOT THIS ONE, SO WHEN I DROVE OFF THE LOT THE CAR DIED AGAIN. I MANAGED TO START THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT BACK ACROSS THE HIGHWAY INTO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER SPEAKING WITH TOYOTA CORPORATION USA AGAIN, THEY APOLOGIZED AND SAID THEY MISINFORMED ME AND THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THAT RECALL. HOWEVER, THEY PAID FOR MY TOW AND FOR MY RENTAL FOR 5 DAYS (THUS FAR). MY CASE NUMBER GIVEN FROM TOYOTA CORP IS 1607053248. I READ ONLINE THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT REGARDING THIS ISSUE. KARL AND IRINA GAAL VS. TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A., INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION. VIA ATTY MIKE ARIAS. TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE HAS PUT IN A REQUEST FOR ME TO SPEAK WITH A SUPERVISOR AND THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP'S GM IN MY AREA IS ALSO WORKING ON THIS ISSUE AS IT'S STILL PENDING.

MY 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID HAS BURN MARKS ON THE HEADLIGHT LENS WHERE THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE GOTTEN SO HOT THAT THEY ACTUALLY MELT THE PLASTIC ON THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT LENS. THIS HAS REDUCED MY VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND I WOULD IMAGINE THAT IF IT IS GETTING HOT ENOUGH TO MELT THE HEADLIGHT LENS IT CREATES A FIRE HAZARD AS WELL. WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE, IT DIDN'T CREATE A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE IN DRIVING VISIBILITY BUT AS THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE AND THE SPOT GETS LARGER THERE IS A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE. IF I AM DRIVING IN AN AREA WITHOUT CITY LIGHTING IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE WITH THE LO-BEAMS ON AND DRIVING WITH THE HI-BEAMS ON POSES A DANGER TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OF BLINDING THEM AND CAUSING THEM TO CRASH INTO ME OR RUN OFF THE ROAD. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS SOMETHING THAT THE CONSUMER CANNOT TURN OFF AND IT IS OBVIOUS FROM INTERNET FORUMS THAT THIS ISN'T AN ISSUE THAT IS LIMITED TO MY VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN A WELL-DOCUMENTED PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL YEAR HIGHLANDER. I HAVE OPENED A CASE WITH TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS AND EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS TO THEM PERSONALLY BUT THEY HAVE REFUSED TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. IN MY OPINION, THIS SHOWS NOT ONLY A LACK OF SUPPORT TO THEIR CUSTOMERS WHO PAY HARD-EARNED MONEY FOR THEIR VEHICLES BUT A LACK OF RESPECT FOR THE SAFETY AND LIVES OF NOT ONLY THEIR CUSTOMERS BUT ALL OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO SHARE THE ROADS WITH THESE VEHICLES. I AM TURNING TO THE NHTSA IN THE HOPES OF FINALLY HAVING MY VOICE AND THE VOICE OF THE MANY OTHER HIGHLANDER OWNERS IN A SIMILAR SITUATION HEARD AND SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS SITUATION. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ANY HELP THAT YOU CAN RENDER!

FRONT HEADLIGHT ON BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE BURNT OUT, IN DOING SO THE OUTSIDE LENS WAS BURNED WITH A QUARTER SIZE WHITE SPOT. PLASTIC LENS WAS MELTED.

DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY FLUSH TO INTERIOR CAR ROOF NOR FLUSH TO WINDSHIELD WHEN PLACED IN DOWN POSITION. NO TENSION AT ALL AROUND THE SUPPORT SHAFT. IN "UP" OR CLOSED POSITION, VISOR DROPS TO 45 DEGREES AND DIRECTLY INTO DRIVER LINE OF SIGHT, BLOCKING VISIBILITY SIGNIFICANTLY. IN "DOWN" OR OPEN POSITION, VISOR CANNOT REMAIN FLUSH WITH WINDSHIELD, DROPPING TO 120 DEGREES. WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, VISOR DROPS FURTHER TO ALMOST 90 DEGREES. ISSUE ONGOING FOR ~5 WEEKS.

MY VEHICLE IS A HIGHLANDER HYBRID LIMITED. THE LIMITED HAS A TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY TO CONTROL THE ONBOARD GPS, SOUND SYSTEM, MAINTENANCE REMINDERS, AND CLIMATE CONTROL. I BRING THIS UP BECAUSE A FEW MONTHS AGO THE DISPLAY WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO BLACK. THE ONLY BUTTON THAT WOULD RESPOND WAS THE MAP BUTTON WHICH CAUSED THE SCREEN TO DISPLAY A MESSAGE STATING THAT IT WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE EXTERNAL SYSTEM. INITIALLY, THE SCREEN WOULD GO BLACK ONLY AFTER I STARTED TO MOVE, BUT LATER I REALIZED THAT THE MOVEMENT WASN'T A FACTOR BUT THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION.ONLY A COUPLE OF MINUTES AFTER IGNITION. AS TIME WENT BY THE SCREEN HAS NOW BECOME PERMANENTLY BLACK. MY CONCERN IS THAT I NOW NO LONGER HAVE CONTROL OF THE CLIMATE CONTROL WHICH COULD LEAD TO MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES DUE TO POTENTIAL LACK OF VISIBILITY. THE REAR DEFROSTER HAS ITS OWN INDEPENDENT BUTTON, SEPARATE FROM THE DISPLAY, BUT THAT ALSO DOES NOT RESPOND. I'VE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AMONG FIRST-GENERATION HIGHLANDER LIMITEDS AND THAT THE COST COULD BE UPWARDS OF $2000 TO REPAIR. THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT WAS CAUSED BY USER ERROR OR MISUSE, IT'S SOMETHING RELATED TO THE MANUFACTURE OF THE CAR. THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT THE CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR OUT OF POCKET. ALSO, ONE OF THE THINGS I READ WAS THAT THIS COULD BE CAUSED BY A TRIPPED FUSE SO I CHECKED EVERYONE (EXCEPT THE ONES THAT COULDN'T POSSIBLY BE INVOLVED) AND NOT ONE FUSE WAS BAD.

CONSUMER STATED HE WAS REAR ENDED BY A DRUNK DRIVER. *BF THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

THE SRS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IN MY 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WITH 112,000 MILES HAS BEEN TURNING ON AND OFF WHILE TRAVELLING. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSES TO ARRANGE AND PAY FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR SINCE MY VIN IS NOT IN THE RECALL LIST FOR AIRBAG RECALL. IT HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED.

ENGINE MECHANICAL ~|~CHECK AND REPORT...CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND VSC LIGHT ON DASH, .FOUND INVERTER PUMP NOT WORKING PROPERLY ~|~REPLACED INVERTER WATER PUMP

ENGINE MECHANICAL ~|~CHECK AND REPORT...CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND VSC LIGHT ON DASH, ,,CAR LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING, HAD TO PULL OVER AND GET THE VEHICLE TOWED IN TO THE DEALERSHIP... ~|~TECH PULLED CODE P0A05,P0A08,P0A93, ...FOUND INVERTER PUMP NOT WORKING PROPERLY ~|~REPLACED INVERTER WATER PUMP

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE IS USED ON STANDARD SUBURBAN AND HIGHWAY PAVED ROADS. NO DIRT OR SPECIAL CONDITION DRIVING. IN MARCH 2011 AT ABOUT 82,000 MILES, THE FRONT WHEELS STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE WHICH WAS NOTICEABLE AT SPEEDS OF 35MPH OR GREATER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY. THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THEN AT 87,943 MILES IN SEPTEMBER 2011, THE SAME GRINDING NOISE HAPPENED TO THE REAR WHEELS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR HUB ASSEMBLIES AND BEARINGS. THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR THAT HAD 3 OUT OF 4 WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES AND BEARINGS BREAK. *TT

HAVE A TOYOTA 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND WAS DRIVING THE CAR LESS THAN A WEEK AGO AND WAS ON THE PARKWAY DOING 65 IN THE MIDDLE LANE AND CAR STARTED TO DECELERATE, LOST THE POWER STEERING, COULD NOT BRAKE NOR WAS I ABLE TO PUSH THE PEDAL FOR THE GAS. ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER AND CAR STOPPED. PUT IT IN DRIVE AND WENT TO RESTART CAR, WOULD NOT TURN ON THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, CHECK VSH, BRAKE LIGHT ETC..... BROUGHT TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THURSDAY, STILL NO WORD. STATES IT MIGHT BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM PART IS APPROXIMATE. 1500 TO START. THEYCANNOT EVEN EVALUATE THE CAR TILL THEY PLACE THIS PART IN. SOUNDS COSTLY TO ME . WENT ON ANOTHER WEBSITE, APPEARS THAT OTHER OWNERS OF THE 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WHEN THEY ARE OVER 100,000 MILES. OCTOBER 4 EMAIL:"FINALLY GOT MY CAR BACK AFTER 3 WEEKS. THEY PUT IN A NEW CONTROL PANEL AND INVERTER, I PAID $1400 FOR THE CONTROL PANEL AND WAS COMPENSATED FOR THE $8800 INVERTER. PLUS THEY FIXED A STEERING WHEEL RECALL AND THE REAR BRAKES WERE SHOT (MY FAULT). [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

CATASTROPHIC FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FAILURE AT 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE I-35. CAR WAS BROUGHT TO A HALT SAFELY FORTUNATELY. THE MAIN TIRE WAS COMPLETELY GONE, WITH JUST THE RUBBER ALONG THE EDGE OF EACH SIDE OF THE RIM REMAINING. $1300 IN DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL HOUSING, BUMPER AND WASHER RESERVOIR. TIRES ACTUALLY KELLY EDGE AS (NOT KELLY EXPLORER AS), WHICH WAS NOT AN OPTION IN THE DROP DOWN LIST PROVIDED.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WITH GOODYEAR, INTEGRITY, SIZE 225-65-R17. THE REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN 2009. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED THE MECHANIC ADVISED HIM THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE TIRE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN 15,000 MILES. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WEAR WAS ABNORMAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,778.

WE BOUGHT A NEW 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID IN 2005 AND, FROM TIME TO TIME SINCE WE BOUGHT IT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL KIND OF STICKS OR SURGES IN CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHEN YOU TRY TO REDUCE SPEED BY TAKING YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. IT SOMETIMES DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND, IT TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO REDUCE SPEED AND SOMETIMES ACTUALLY SURGES A LITTLE, WHICH IT ALSO DOES SOMETIMES WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AT A CONSISTENT SPEED. I THOUGHT IT HAD TO DO WITH THE HYBRID FEATURE AND JUST SORT OF LEARNED TO BE SENSITIVE TO IT AND HIT THE BRAKES IF IT NEEDED IT, BUT THIS SOUNDS LIKE WHAT IS GOING ON WITH OTHER MODELS SUBJECT TO THE RECALL AND, AS OUR MODEL IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IT. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

MY 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID LOSES ALL POWER ON ICE OR ANY SLIPPERY SURFACE. THIS HAS CAUSED MY CAR TO "DIE" ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS INCLUDING ENTERING AND EXITING HIGHWAYS, DRIVING ON HILLS, DRIVING IN SNOW. I HAVE SLID OFF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I ENCOUNTERED AN ICY PATCH. I HAD NO CONTROL. UPON ENTERING A FREEWAY VIA AN ICY ENTRANCE RAMP, MY CAR LOST ALL POWER WHILE ENTERING TRAFFIC AND I WAS FORCED TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

VEHICLE A RAN A RED LIGHT WHILE BEING DISTRACTED BY PUTTING ON HER SHOE AND RAN A RED LIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION. VEHICLE B CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE A AND VEHICLE B HAS BODY DAMAGE TO FRONT BUMPER FENDERS AND HOOD AND BODY RAILS. VEHICLE B WAS TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE CO. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN NEITHER VEHICLE. MILEAGE WAS AROUND 25-30 MILES PER HOUR AND NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY HURT. WHY HAVE AIR BAGS FOR SAFETY IF THEY DO NOT DEPLOY? NEED STIFFER PENALTIES FOR DISTRACTED DRIVING, DRIVER A WAS CITED FOR RUNNING THE RED LIGHT. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY THAT INDUSTRY TOOK OUT BODY FRAMES TO CUT GAS MILEAGE. WHERE IS THE SAFETY WHEN LIVES ARE AT RISK? *TR

NEW 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID 7200 MILES, WELL UNDER BOTH FACTORY AND EXTENDED WARRANTY. NO A/C -AIR CONDITIONING NOT WORKING- FOUND THAT SMALL PEBBLE/ROCK HAD DAMAGED AC CONDENSER ASSEMBLY, AND ALL COOLANT LOST. UNLIKE GAS VERSION OF HIGHLANDER, HYBRID HIGHLANDER HAS ZERO PROTECTION FROM ANY ROCK/BUG/ OBJECTS FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE -- THERE IS NO MESH OR PROTECTION AT ALL. IT IS VERY ACCESSIBLE, BEING LESS THAN 1 FOOT AWAY FROM GROUND, AND COMPLETELY EXPOSED TO FRONT AIR TRAFFIC DEALER IS CHARGING ME OVER 950$ TO REPLACE ENTIRE SYSTEM. THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS UNDER ANY WARRANTY. THIS PROBLEM CAN/WILL EASILY HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAVE NOT/DO NOT TRAVEL DIRT ROADS, MOSTLY HIGHWAY -- SO THIS PROBLEM WILL MOST LIKELY REOCCUR UNLESS MESH/GRATE PROTECTION IS FITTED TO FRONT OF LOWER ASSEMBLY. TOYOTA HAS NO FRONT-BRA PARTS AVAILABLE. I HAVE CONTACTED CUSTOMER CARE AT TOYOTA AND THEY ONLY SYMPATHIZE. *NM

IN JULY OF 2009 I NOTICED A TEAR ON BOTH FRONT LEATHER SEATS, IN ALMOST THE SAME SPOT, ON THE SIDE OF EACH SEAT. WE TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF OUR CAR AND WE ARE NOT OVERWEIGHT. TOYOTA WILL NOT REPLACE OR REPAIR THE SEATS. EVEN THOUGH IT IS VERY CLEAR THIS IS A DEFECT. BOTH FRONT SEATS WITH TEARS IN THE SAME LOCATION? WE PAID EXTRA FOR THE "LIMITED' EDITION WHICH INCLUDES 'HIGH QUALITY LEATHER SEATS'. WE HAVE ANOTHER CAR WITH 500,000 THOUSAND MILES ON IT (NOT A TOYOTA) AND THE SEATS SHOW NO SIGNS OF TEARING. WE HAD A TOYOTA SALESMAN CALL US AND WANTED TO KNOW IF WE WANTED TO TRADE IN OUR 2006 HIGHLANDER FOR A NEW ONE AND THE ANSWER IS NO. WE HAVE ALREADY HAD TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED BECAUSE THEY HAD MELTED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HEADLIGHT DUE TO THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. TOYOTA PAID FOR THE LABOR BUT WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. WITH TOYOTA GOING THROUGH SO MUCH BAD PRESS, ONE WOULD THINK THEY WOULD BEND OVER BACKWARDS FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE, DO THE RIGHT THING, SO THAT PEOPLE WOULD WANT TO BUY TOYOTA AGAIN. ARE THERE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND IF SO, WHY WON'T TOYOTA HELP OUT? WE WILL NOW HAVE TO PAY A CAR INTERIOR SHOP TO REPAIR THE TEARS ON BOTH SEATS, NOT HAPPY WITH THAT. IT IS A SHAME BECAUSE ALL IN ALL WE ARE VERY PLEASED WITH OUR HIGHLANDER HYBRID. *TR