2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Problems

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a drained battery. The dealer determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an ABS actuator malfunction, and the ABS actuator was replaced. The failure recurred and the ABS actuator was replaced a second time. The contact stated that the brake pedal needed to be depressed multiple times for the brakes to respond as needed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with ABS actuator malfunction for the third time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,153.

THE ABS BRAKE MODULATOR BEGAN EXHIBITING VERY LOUD AND CONTINUOUS PUMPING/PRIMING SOUNDS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. DURING THIS TIME PERIOD UPON HARD BRAKING THE BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD FAIL TO RESPOND IMMEDIATELY - THERE WAS A DELAY BETWEEN THE INSTANT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, AND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ACTUALLY ENGAGED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. TODAY, ALL THE INSTRUMENT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, INCLUDING: MASTER WARNING LIGHT, BRAKE WARNING LIGHT, ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED BRAKE WARNING, ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, AND SLIP INDICATOR. ALL THIS INDICATES A FAILURE OF THE ABS BRAKE MODULAR COMPONENT. TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, USA, INC. PUBLISHED WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM - ZG1 TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THE WARRANTY IS ONLY VALID FOR UP TO 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES AND HAS RECENTLY EXPIRED FOR MY VEHICLE. TOYOTA MOTORS, KNOWING THIS COMPONENT IS PRONE TO FAILURE AND COULD HAVE CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES, SHOULD TAKE A MORE PROACTIVE APPROACH TO ENSURE THE SAFE OPERATION OF ALL AFFECTED MODELS. AT PRESENT THERE IS NO WARRANTY COVERAGE, AND TOYOTA WILL NOT REPAIR THE FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEM. I AM LEFT WITH AN INOPERABLE VEHICLE WITH AN UNSAFE BRAKING SYSTEM, UNLESS I BEAR THE FULL COST OF REPLACEMENT MYSELF.

I REPLACED MY BRAKES AFTER SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS AND CODES KEPT POPPING UP ON MY DASH. HAD THE ROTORS TURNED. BUT WHEN I RETURNED TO DRIVING MY CAR AFTER I THOUGHT IT WAS FIXED THE BRAKES WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN JUST GO OUT THE HYDRAULIC PART WOULD GO COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR WOULD MAKE A HIGH PITCHED NOISE AND THEN NO BRAKES. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA IN CLINTON TN. SAID MY ABS BRAKE ACTUATOR WAS FAILING. WOULD COST ME 2200 DOLLARS TO FIX. THIS CERTAIN PART ON YOUR CAR IS SUPPOSED TO LAST YOU A LIFETIME. I DONT HAVE MONEY LIKE THAT NOW IT WAS TAKE ME A LIFETIME TO SAVE UP FOR THE REPAIRS. VERY SCARY. THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO ME RANDOMLY AS I WAS DRIVING NO MATTER WHERE OR HOW FAR THE TRIP I WAS TAKING. DIDN'T KNOW IF I WAS GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME SOMETIMES. YOU JUST NEVER KNEW WHEN. SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE FINE AND OTHERS IT WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY SCARY.

VSC LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE. TOWED TO TOYOTA AND HAD IT DIAGNOSED. THE POA80, P3020 HV BATTERY INOPERATIVE/SHORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED.

I REPLACED MY BRAKES AFTER SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS AND CODES KEPT POPPING UP ON MY DASH. HAD THE ROTORS TURNED. BUT WHEN I RETURNED TO DRIVING MY CAR AFTER I THOUGHT IT WAS FIXED THE BRAKES WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN JUST GO OUT THE HYDRAULIC PART WOULD GO COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR WOULD MAKE A HIGH PITCHED NOISE AND THEN NO BRAKES. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA IN CLINTON TN. SAID MY ABS BRAKE ACTUATOR WAS FAILING. WOULD COST ME 2200 DOLLARS TO FIX. THIS CERTAIN PART ON YOUR CAR IS SUPPOSED TO LAST YOU A LIFETIME. I DONT HAVE MONEY LIKE THAT NOW IT WAS TAKE ME A LIFETIME TO SAVE UP FOR THE REPAIRS. VERY SCARY. THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO ME RANDOMLY AS I WAS DRIVING NO MATTER WHERE OR HOW FAR THE TRIP I WAS TAKING. DIDN'T KNOW IF I WAS GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME SOMETIMES. YOU JUST NEVER KNEW WHEN. SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE FINE AND OTHERS IT WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY SCARY.

WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, ALL DASH LIGHTS WENT ON SAYING CHECK VSC SYSTEM, ABS, BRAKE LIGHTS, WARNINGS AND TRACTION. TOOK VEHICLE TO SERVICE AT TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE ABS ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED, FOR NEARLY $2500. THIS IS A VEHICLE WITH UNDER 65,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ACTUATOR SHOULD LAST FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I JUST HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED AND BRAKES REPLACED TWO MONTHS AGO. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT DETECTED. BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SOFT ON THIS VEHICLE. NOW THE BATTERY IS NOT CHARGING AND THE BRAKES ONLY SEEM TO WORK OFF AND ON. I HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO MAKE THEM WORK RIGHT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM AS ALL OF MY DRIVING IS IN THE CITY IN TRAFFIC. FROM READING ONLINE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT OCCURS FREQUENTLY WITH THIS TYPE OF TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND OTHER MODELS. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT. IT'S BARELY WORTH THE COST OF REPAIRING IT. IF THIS IS A KNOWN PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE WHY DOESN'T TOYOTA RECALL THIS PART? THE SERVICE PERSON TOLD ME THE BRAKES MAY NOW FAIL AT ANY TIME, IN A DAY OR IN TWO WEEKS. HE TOLD ME TO AVOID OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND "VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL" AND "HYBRID SYSTEM" DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HUDSON TOYOTA (599 NJ-440, JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INVERTER WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, AND THE CHECK HYBRID INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYBRID INVERTER MALFUNCTIONED. THE HYBRID SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact’s son stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact’s residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 196,000.

CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND WAS STATIONARY. WARMING CAR UP TO GET RID OF FROST ON WINDSHIELD. THE CAR STARTED ON FIRE - TOTAL LOST. 3 TO 4 FEET FLAMES COMING OUT OF ENGINE.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON YESTERDAY WHILE DRIVING. WE WERE TOLD THIS MORNING THAT WE MUST REPLACE THE FUEL SYSTEM CHARCOAL CANISTER. THIS ITEM IS UNDER RECALL FOR MANY TOYOTA VEHICLES 2006-2015, BUT THEY DID NOT TELL ME THAT IT IS COVERED ON MINE. HE SAID THERE IS A CRACK AND WHEN THEY REPLACE THE CANISTER THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE FUEL CONTAINMENT VALVE AS WELL. CAN YOU PLEASE CONFIRM IF MY VEHICLE IS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL? MY VEHICLE IS ACTING PERFECTLY FINE.

THE GAS TANK FELL PARTIALLY OFF AND DRAGGED ON THE ROAD. I WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREETS, TURNING RIGHT AT 5 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP/SNAP SOUND AND THEN A TERRIBLE SOUND OF SOMETHING DRAGGING UNDER THE CAR. FORTUNATELY, I COULD PULL OVER AND STOP WITHIN 50 FEET. THE GAS TANK WAS NOT DAMAGED SIGNIFICANTLY (IT PASSED A PRESSURE TEST AT THE DEALERSHIP). THE GAS TANK IS ATTACHED WITH TWO STRAPS, FORE AND AFT. THE RIGHT SIDES OF BOTH STRAPS SNAPPED VERY CLOSE TO WHERE THE STRAPS ARE BOLTED TO THE MAIN BODY IN A PLACE THAT COULD NOT HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN DAMAGED. THE FLAT BED TRUCK DRIVER WHO DELIVERED THE VEHICLE TO BERKELEY TOYOTA NOTED THAT THERE WERE NO SIGNS THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN ABUSED IN ANY WAY. HE ALSO ARGUED THAT HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEED, IT COULD HAVE BEEN QUITE DANGEROUS.

I AM REPORTING TWO ISSUES WITH MY HIGHLANDER. THE FIRST IS IN REGARDS TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. WHILE LOOKING AT ANOTHER COMPLAINT THAT HAD BEEN FILED, I REALIZED THAT MY CAR DID THE SAME THING. BRAKES BECOME MOMENTARILY UNRESPONSIVE WHEN STOPPING. CAR LURCHES FORWARD AND ADDITIONAL FORCE IS NEEDED ON PEDAL TO REGAIN CONTROL. I COPIED WORD FOR WORD WHAT THE OTHER PERSON WROTE, AS THAT DESCRIBES IT PERFECTLY. MY SECOND COMPLAINT REGARDS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE WIPER ON THE LEFT HAS STOPPED WORKING WELL, AND WILL NOT WIPE BACK AND FORTH PROPERLY ON THE WINDOW. IT STOPS OR GETS STUCK MID-WIPE, OBSCURING MY VISION. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND I AM HAVING THEM REPAIRED TOMORROW. THANK YOU. *JS

RHEOSTAT ON VEHICLE HVAC CONTROL PANEL N LONGER CONTROLS TEMPERATURE SETTING... VEHICLE WILL USUALLY START AT SETTING - RESPOND TO DESIRED HEAT OR A/C - CUT-OUT TO A NEUTRAL (CABIN OR OUTSIDE DEPENDING ON VENT SETTING) TEMPERATURE. HITTING A ROAD SURFACE BUMP OR SHARPLY TURNING ON A CURVE WILL RE-ACTUATE THE RHEOSTAT SETTING UNTIL THE NEXT ERRATIC INTERRUPTION BEGINS. *TR

THE HYBRID ABRUPTLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING, LIGHT AND ALARMS ALL AROUND. DEALER STATES ITS THE POWER INVERTER, HE MENTIONED IT WAS A RECALL, BUT NOT COVERING MY CAR. THE SYMPTOMS ARE IDENTICAL. *TR

I WAS EXITING A PARKING LOT ONTO THE STREET. I SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE I WAS WAITING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. MY CAR WAS IN DRIVE BUT I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN MY CAR WENT DEAD. THERE WERE WARNINGS FLASHING AT ME FROM MY DASHBOARD. I PUT MY CAR IN PARK. TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED MY CAR BUT THE SAME THING HAPPENED PLUS I BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS DO TO THE SLIGHT INCLINE IN THE PARKING LOT EXIT. I QUICKLY PUT MY CAR IN PARK AGAIN, TURNED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS, AND WAIVED THE CARS BEHIND ME TO GO AROUND. I WAS ABLE TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AND BACK IT UP TO A SAFE AREA IN THE PARKING LOT. I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN CHARLOTTE WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AT AND CONTINUED HAVING IT SERVICED. THEY TOLD ME TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT TEAM TOYOTA MALL OF GA TO LET THEM KNOW I WAS BRINGING IT IN. AFTER THEIR MECHANIC DETERMINED IT WAS THE FAULTY INVERTER IN THE TRANSMISSION, I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ME $8,000 TO FIX IT. I STILL OWED $15,000 ON THE CAR. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL ON 2006-2007 HIGHLANDER HYBRIDS FOR THE SAME FAULTY INVERTER. THE DEALERSHIP SAID MY CAR WAS INELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL SINCE THE VIN WAS NOT LISTED. I CALLED TOYOTA AS ADVISED AND OPENED A CASE NUMBER. I RECEIVED THE WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE AND CONSTANT RUN AROUND FROM TOYOTA. THEY OFFERED TO GIVE ME $1,000 TOWARDS THE REPAIRS OR $2,500 FOR A NEW OR TOYOTA CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE. I'M STILL WAITING TO FIND OUT WHY MY CAR WASN'T INCLUDED ON THE LIST THOUGH IT MET THE CRITERIA. I AM TRULY SHOCKED BY THE DISMISSIVE ATTITUDE I'M CURRENTLY GETTING FROM TOYOTA AS IF THEY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE FAULTY INVERTER. MY CAR BROKE DOWN ON MY WAY HOME TO NORTH CAROLINA. NOW I'M TRAPPED IN GEORGIA WITH NO WAY OF GETTING HOME TO MY HUSBAND AND CHILDREN. I'M STILL WAITING ON TOYOTA'S DECISION ABOUT MY CASE, IN GA. *TR

MY AIRBAG ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS JUST STOPPED WORKING. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY JUST SAY ITS A 10 YEAR OLD CAR AND AIRBAGS STOP WORKING. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. ALSO MY HORN IS AFFECTED BY IT TOO, BECAUSE THAT HAS STOPPED ALSO. THESE THINGS HAVE STOPPED OVER A YEAR AGO. BEING THAT MY VEHICLE IS A BATTERY POWERED CAR, PEOPLE DO NOT HEAR THE ENGINE MUCH AND THE PROBABILITY OF A ACCIDENT IS HIGHER.

I WAS IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION PROCEEDING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHEN A TOYOTA CAMRY TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME AND AT THE LAST MINUTE TRIED TO CORRECT BACK TO AVOID ME; BUT WAS UNABLE TO AND HIT ME WITH THE PASSENGER'S FRONT CORNER OF THEIR VEHICLE DIRECTLY INTO THE FRONT BUMPER OF MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID, MORE TOWARDS THE DRIVERS SIDE. BOTH CARS WERE TOTALED AND ALL OF THE CAMRY'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT NONE OF MINE DEPLOYED. BOTH MYSELF AND MY PASSENGER WERE BADLY INJURED AND ARE STILL IN TREATMENT 5 MONTHS LATER (AT THE TIME OF MAKING THIS REPORT). I JUST RECEIVED NEW INFORMATION REGARDING MY INJURIES AND SOME MIGHT BE PERMANENT INCLUDING A CLOSED HEAD INJURY AND SPINAL INJURIES. BASED ON SPEAKING WITH MANY PEOPLE ABOUT THIS ACCIDENT THEY ARE ALL SHOCKED MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BASED ON THE TYPE AND SEVERITY OF THE ACCIDENT AND ALL OF MY DOCTORS HAVE QUESTIONED WHY THEY DID NOT DEPLOY AND WERE ALSO SURPRISED. I STILL HAVE OWNERSHIP OF THE CAR AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS PLACED A HOLD ON IT UNTIL AN INSPECTION CAN BE COMPLETED TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION. PLEASE ADVISE ON HOW TO GET THIS INSPECTION DONE AND HOW TO ENSURE THE AIRBAGS WERE WORKING PROPERLY AND FOR SOME REASON THEY WERE JUST NOT SUPPOSE TO DEPLOY. *TR

I REPLACED MY BRAKES AFTER SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS AND CODES KEPT POPPING UP ON MY DASH. HAD THE ROTORS TURNED. BUT WHEN I RETURNED TO DRIVING MY CAR AFTER I THOUGHT IT WAS FIXED THE BRAKES WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN JUST GO OUT THE HYDRAULIC PART WOULD GO COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR WOULD MAKE A HIGH PITCHED NOISE AND THEN NO BRAKES. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA IN CLINTON TN. SAID MY ABS BRAKE ACTUATOR WAS FAILING. WOULD COST ME 2200 DOLLARS TO FIX. THIS CERTAIN PART ON YOUR CAR IS SUPPOSED TO LAST YOU A LIFETIME. I DONT HAVE MONEY LIKE THAT NOW IT WAS TAKE ME A LIFETIME TO SAVE UP FOR THE REPAIRS. VERY SCARY. THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO ME RANDOMLY AS I WAS DRIVING NO MATTER WHERE OR HOW FAR THE TRIP I WAS TAKING. DIDN'T KNOW IF I WAS GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME SOMETIMES. YOU JUST NEVER KNEW WHEN. SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE FINE AND OTHERS IT WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY SCARY.

DRIVING MY BELOVED 2007 HIGHLANDER HYBRID (HH) HOME FROM WORK, I WAS ON THE FREEWAY IN THE SLOW LANE AND HEARD A LOUD "POP" SOUND. I IMMEDIATELY SAW NUMEROUS WARNING MESSAGES FLASH ON THE DASHBOARD - "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM", "CHECK VCS SYSTEM", AND "CHECK POWER STEERING." THANKFULLY MY CAR DID NOT STOP IMMEDIATELY ON THE FREEWAY AS OTHERS HAVE BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY AND TO MY TRUSTED MECHANIC BEFORE THE SYSTEM COMPLETELY FAILED. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT NOW HAS MY CAR, THE INVERTER HAS FAILED BUT THIS VIN NUMBER WAS NOT IN THE TOYOTA RECALL OF 2006/2007 HH CARS. I HAVE 146,000 MILES AND THIS PART SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. THOUGH I PURCHASED THE CAR USED JUST 2 YEARS AGO, I HAVE MAINTAINED IT EXACTLY AS DIRECTED AND THE CARFAX ON THE CAR SHOWED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD ALL OF THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE DONE AT A DEALERSHIP USING THE TOYOTA MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. THOUGH THE FULL EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE WILL NOT BE DETERMINED UNTIL AFTER THE INVERTER IS REPLACED (IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME AND THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR OTHER DAMAGE AS WELL), THE INVERTER ISSUE ON THESE VEHICLES CONTINUE TO PLACE PEOPLE IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT IN ONE OF THE FAST LANES AND THAT THE CAR DIDN'T STOP WORKING; I WAS FORTUNATE TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY AND TO A SAFE LOCATION. I KNOW THAT THE NHTSB HAD A HAND IN THE 2011 RECALL OF THE 2006/2007 HH VEHICLES AND I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE STILL VEHICLES ON THE ROAD THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL THAT PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN (MINE INCLUDED.) PLEASE CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS SITUATION AND HOLD TOYOTA ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE POOR DESIGN/MANUFACTURING OF THEIR HYBRID TECHNOLOGY. *TR

CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND WAS STATIONARY. WARMING CAR UP TO GET RID OF FROST ON WINDSHIELD. THE CAR STARTED ON FIRE - TOTAL LOST. 3 TO 4 FEET FLAMES COMING OUT OF ENGINE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLAND HYBRID. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH, THE HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITH A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DETECTED AN ACCUMULATION OF WATER WITHIN THE HYBRID BATTERY. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE WATER ORIGINATED FROM THE REAR SUB FRAME AREA AND AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE FRAME EXHIBITED TWO CRACKS AND TWO HOLES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID LIMITED TIRE ISSUE!!!! I MAINTAIN MY VEHICLE VERY WELL ROTATE MY TIRES SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2007 NEW! I HAVE APPROX. 81000 MILES CURRENTLY AND HAVE JUST PUT MY (4TH) SET OF TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE. THE TIRES DON'T LAST THE MILEAGE WARRANTY THAT THE DEALERS PLACE ON THERE TIRES 60-65 K TIRES! I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I CHECKED MY TIRES AND EVERY TIME FOUND THAT MY TIRES ARE GOING BELOW THE TREAD MAX ALLOWED (BALD) AT 19-21K ON THEM ONLY!!! TOYOTA STATED TO ME ON THE FIRST SET OF REPLACEMENTS THAT THEY DON'T WARRANTY TIRES... OKAY THEN WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MISENGINEERING SCREW UP ON THE TIRES TO THIS VEHICLE. I ALSO SPOKE WITH OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT THIS AND FOUND OUT THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, AND SOMEONE SOMEWHERE IS TO BLAME. I HAD A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 FOR MY LAST VEHICLE AND HAD 90 K ON IT AND WAS ONLY ON MY 2ND SET THE FIRST SET FINALLY WORE OUT AT 66K SO IF THAT TRUCK CAN GO SO MANY MILES THEN HOW CAN AN HIGHLANDER GET SO LITTLE MILEAGE OUT OF THE SAME WEIGHT RATIO... IT'S OBVIOUSLY A TIRE SIZE MANUFACTURING ISSUE WITH THE SPECS BEING ALL WRONG FOR THIS VEHICLE. ONE OTHER THING IS THAT TOYOTA PUTS THE SAME TIRES ON OTHER TOYOTA'S FOR THAT YEAR ( RAV 4, SIENNA, CAMRY,AND THE STANDARD HIGHLANDER). OBVIOUSLY THIS IS AN ISSUE FROM THE GET GO BECAUSE THE HIGHLANDER HYBRID LIMITED IS A LOT HEAVIER THEN THE OTHER CARS MENTIONED, SO HOW CAN THEY HAVE THE SAME TYPE OF TIRE!!! THIS IS A MISTAKE, OVERLOOK, AND OR CRIME. THE AMERICAN CONSUMER SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS AND COMPENSATED FOR THIS ISSUE, AND IF THIS ISSUE WAS KNOWN BY THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE THEN LEGAL ACTION SHOULD BE STARTED !!!! BUT, AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE OPEN TO CORRECT AND COMPENSATE THE CONSUMER OF THESE VEHICLES THAT I HAVE AND OTHER YEARS THAT HAVE THIS ISSUE... IF YOU HAD TO BUY 4 SETS OF TIRES ON A CAR THAT ONLY HAS 81,000 MILES ON IT YOU WOULD COMPLAIN AS WELL!!! TIRES ARE NOT CHEAP!!! ESPECIALLY THE SIZE FOR THIS VEHICLE A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID LIMITED. *TR

I PURCHASED 4 SUMITOMO TIRES FROM NTB ON WEDNESDAY, 12-15-09. ON FRIDAY, 12-17, JUST 2 DAYS LATER, I PACKED UP FOR A TRIP TO BOSTON FROM DC WITH MY WIFE AND 2 TODDLER CHILDREN FOR A SCHEDULED EVENT THAT I WAS SLATED TO SPEAK AT. BY THE TIME WE REACHED THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE, WE PULLED OVER FOR GAS. THE GAS ATTENDANT NOTICED OUR LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. THE AUTOSHOP ATTENDANT THERE INFLATED THE TIRE AND ROLLED IT AROUND IN WATER BUT COULD NOT FIND A LEAK. THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE A LITTLE LONGER AND SEE IF I STILL HAVE A PROBLEM. I PULLED OVER LATER AND SAW NO PROBLEMS, BUT I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT. BY THE TIME I ARRIVED TO BOSTON (3 HOURS BEHIND SCHEDULE BECAUSE OF THE TIRES), 3 OF THE TIRES WERE FLAT. THE NEXT DAY, I BROUGHT IT TO THE NTB LOCATION IN DEDHAM, MA. THEY TOLD ME THAT ALL FOUR VALVE STEMS WERE ACTUALLY RECALLED BECAUSE THEY HAVE A TENDENCY TO CRACK AND LEAK AIR. UPON MY ARRIVAL BACK TO DC, I WENT TO THE NTB IN ALEXANDRIA AND ASKED THEM TO EXPLAIN WHY THEY SOLD ME THESE RECALLED PARTS. THE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT HE HAS BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS FOR 20 YEARS AND NEVER HEARD OF VALVE STEMS BEING RECALLED. I TOLD HIM THAT I DID A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH AND FOUND LINKS GOING BACK TO 2007 ABOUT THESE PIECES BEING RECALLED AND ASKED WHY HE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THEM. HE TOLD ME I AM THE FIRST PERSON TO EVER MAKE THIS COMPLAINT. I TOLD HIM I COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THE # OF PEOPLE WHO COMPLAINED BEFORE ME AND THAT HAD MY FAMILY AND I LEFT A DAY LATER, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS AND COULD HAVE CRASHED. HE SAID THE TIRES SEEM TO BE WORKING FINE NOW SO WHAT'S THE PROBLEM. I TOLD HIM THE PROBLEM IS THAT HE IS SELLING PIECES THAT COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I ASKED HIM WHY THE NTB IN DEDHAM KNEW ABOUT THE RECALL AND HE DIDN'T AND HE SAID HE CAN'T SPEAK FOR THEM. HE DID NOT EVEN PULL UP MY RECORD TO SEE WHAT THE DEDHAM BRANCH SAID. HE THEN OFFERED ME A FREE OIL CHANGE BUT IF HE THOUGHT THEY DID NOTHING WRONG, WHY MAKE THE OFFER? TO SHUT ME UP? *TR

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING RE TOYOTA COMPLAINT RE FORT'S TOYOTA OF PEKIN FM OWNER OF A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. *TGW 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HV. THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT LEATHER SEAT CRACKS ON THE DRIVERS SEAT. AFTER A TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE CRACKS WERE FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND WAS NOT GOING TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.

WHILE CHANGING TIRES, ONE OF THE FIVE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL STUDS BROKE OFF. INSPECTION REVEALS A FAULTY VOID (AIR BUBBLE) IN THE CENTER OF THE STUD WHERE IT BROKE OFF. I HAVE THAT PIECE. I BOUGHT A NEW REPLACEMENT STUD AND WHEEL NUT FROM BIGHORN TOYOTA IN GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO. THEY WILL REPLACE IT FOR ME IN APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS UNLESS I CAN FIND ANOTHER AUTO SHOP THAT CAN REPLACE IT BEFORE THEN. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE LIGHTS IN THE VEHICLE ALL BEGAN FLASHING TO CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM. I WAS UNABLE TO USE ANYTHING BUT THE BRAKES AS THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT EVEN WORK TO DECELERATE OR ACCELERATE. I WAS ABLE TO VEER OUT OF TRAFFIC TO SAFETY. I HAD ONE OTHER PASSENGER IN THE CAR AND WE WERE SCARED FOR OUR LIVES AS THE WHOLE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN AND COULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. EVENTUALLY THE BATTERY ALSO DIED AND WE WERE STUCK ON THE ROAD AT NIGHT WAITING ON A TOW TRUCK. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH TOYOTA AND CORPORATE TOYOTA FOR THE PAST 6 WEEKS ON A RESOLUTION. WE WERE TOLD THE INVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE COST IS $9000. WE WERE ALSO TOLD BY THE SERVICEMAN AT TOYOTA THAT THE CAR IS NOT WORTH FIXING AS IT STILL WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY AFTER THE PART IS REPLACED AS IT COULD HAVE LEAD TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THIS IS A FAULTY PART THAT WAS RECALLED IN SOME OF THEIR 06 AND 07 HIGHLANDERS BUT NOT OTHERS. WE WERE NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE AND AM STILL WAITING FOR HELP. THIS PART SHOULD BE FIXED BY TOYOTA COMPLETELY AS IT IS FAULTY OR TOYOTA SHOULD AT LEAST REIMBURSE FOR WHAT THE CAR WAS WORTH BEFORE THE INCIDENT. *TR