2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

On November 16, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) as an upgrade to a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-005).  The investigation focused on allegations of steering wheel separation from the lower steering column after using the tilt and/or telescoping mechanism. Given the separation occurring when operating the tilt and/or telescoping function and failure of both shear capsules to maintain the lower steering column mounting position, potential for shear capsule damage in the known failures due to collisions, the overall low rate of occurrence, and the updated manufacturer documentation, this investigation is closed.  The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.  The agency reserves right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. A detailed summary of the investigation is attached to this closing resume. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

On May 4, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE18-005 to investigate three allegations of steering column separation for Model Year (MY) 2008 through 2013 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Two (2) of the 3 complaints were received by ODI in April 2018 and occurred while the vehicle was in motion. Since opening PE18-005, one (1) additional VOQ involving steering column separation has been received. This incident occurred while the vehicle was stationary.As part of PE18-005, ODI examined the field data, warranty data, and relevant technical information submitted by Toyota in response to the PE18-005 information request letter. Ten (10) additional incidents of steering column separation were identified. Four (4) of these instances occurred while driving. During PE18-005, ODI confirmed that the steering columns in the subject vehicles are equipped with breakaway capsules that are designed to collapse/shear during certain types of vehicle collisions. This design feature aims to reduce driver injury severity from impact with the steering wheel in frontal vehicle collisions. There is no direct method for detecting when the capsules in the subject vehicles have sheared. If the driver operates the tilt/telescoping feature after the breakaway capsules have separated, the steering column may drop out of position and could subsequently detach entirely from the rest of the steering assembly. Loss of steering while driving may cause a loss of vehicle control, which could lead to a vehicle crash.To date, ODI has identified 14 incidents involving complete steering column separation, 6 of which occurred while driving. One of these incidents involved a minor crash. Additionally, there have been 16 events where the steering column dropped from the dashboard mounting brackets, but column separation did not occur. Four of these incidents happened while driving. Of these 30 total separation/drop incidents, 5 of the vehicles have evidence of minor collision repairs months or years prior to the steering column failure.This investigation has been upgraded an to Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) in order to 1) conduct a more detailed analysis of the conditions that may cause the steering column breakaway capsules to separate and 2) assess factors that may contribute to the problem of failing to detect and repair breakaway capsules after they have separated. Toyota has recently revised their repair manual and issued a Collision Repair Information Bulletin to help address the second concern.The VOQs associated with this investigation can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI complaint numbers: 11141761, 11083623, 11083280, 10888043.

THE HYBRID INVERTER FAILED WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A RED LIGHT. A LOUD CLUNK WAS HEARD AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT OF THE ROAD. "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" WARNING FLASHED. CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY AT 9 YEARS, 117K MILES (WARRANTY IS 8 YEARS, 110K MILES). THE PREVIOUS RECALLS FOR THE HYBRID INVERTER HAD BEEN COMPLETED ~3 YEARS AGO AND SO THE RECALL ALSO WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR. THE QUOTED COST OF THE REPAIR IS ~$11K.

NHTSA ID

11228964

Incident

Jun 23, 2019

Mileage

117,000 mi

ALL DOORS AND HATCH DO NOT LOCK WITH THE KEY FOB OR WITH THE POWER LOCKS ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOORS.

NHTSA ID

11191154

Incident

Feb 11, 2019

Mileage

120,000 mi

ABS - CODE -1391,THIS IS SECOND TIME,FIRST TIME(2016) WAS CHANGED THIS PART -44510-48080

NHTSA ID

11145191

Incident

Oct 24, 2018

Mileage

80,000 mi

WHILE USING THE TAILGATE CLOSE BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB,CAR SHUT OFF AND PARKED, A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD WHILE THE DOOR WAS CLOSING AND THE DOOR JAMMED, SLIGHTLY OPENED AND IMMOVABLE. HAD TO TAKE THE CAR TO A CERTIFIED TOYOTA REPAIR FACILITY TO GET THE CLOSING SERVO DISCONNECTED SO THE DOOR WOULD SHUT. MANUAL OPERATION OF THE DOOR IS THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN AND CLOSE AT THIS TIME. NOTHING WAS BLOCKING THE DOOR AS IT WAS CLOSING AND COMPLETE REPAIR APPEARS TO BE VERY EXPENSIVE. BACK DOOR HINGES APPEAR TO BE SLIGHTLY OUT OF LINE BUT DOOR WILL CLOSE MANUALLY. T-SB-0038-15 ADDRESSES A PROBLEM SIMILAR TO THIS BUT THE DOOR WOULD OPEN - IN THIS CASE IT WOULD NOT UNTIL THE TOYOTA SERVICEMAN REMOVED THE SERVO.

NHTSA ID

11142413

Incident

Oct 23, 2018

Mileage

61,050 mi

I ALMOST GOT IN TO AN ACCIDENT ON 5/11/2018 DUE TO THE ABS SYSTEM NOT STOPPING THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING IN I-95. I GOT A WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH AS I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKES, LATER THE CAR DID NOT WANTED TO STOP, BUT IT DID NOT PREVENT ME FROM HITTING THE OTHER CAR. I PRESS ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. LATER, I TOOK THE CAR TO GET DIAGNOSE AND PUT ERROR CODES C1391, ABS ACCUMULATOR LEAK OR MALFUNCTION. CONTACTED DELRAY TOYOTA IN DELRAY BEACH, FL AND THEY DENY TO DO A RECALL WHEN THERE IS AN EXTENTED WARRANTY RECALL ON CAMRY AND PRIUS MODEL LINE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. CALLED TOYOTA CORP. AND THEY ARE DENYING TO DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. THEY STATED THAT SINCE THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH BUYERS FOR THIS MODEL, THEY WILL NOT COVER OR MAKE A RECALL ON SAFETY FOR THE PUBLIC. I HAVE FOUND OVER ALL THE INTERNET COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. I AM LOOKING FOR A RESOLUTION. A PICTURE OF THE ERRORS CODES ON THE VEHICLE IS INCLUDED ON THE COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ID

11098111

Incident

May 11, 2018

Mileage

15 mi

DEFECTIVE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. CLUNKING, ETC. SEEMS DANGEROUS, NO RECALL.... THIS IS ONE COMPLAINT TO ADD TO THE NUMEROUS OTHERS. TOYOTA, WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS?

NHTSA ID

11084019

Incident

Feb 1, 2018

Mileage

112,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING TO PICK UP MY SON WHEN A BRAKE MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH ABS SYSTEM. AFTER PICKING UP MY SON I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND THE FOUND THE PROBLEM WAS GIVEN BY CODE C1391, A BRAKE ACCUMULATOR VACUUM LEAK. WAS TOLD VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT REPAIR, INTERNAL PRESSURE LOSS COULD PREVENT CAR FROM STOPPING IN A PANIC SITUATION. ALTHOUGH IT APPEARS THIS IS COVERED BY WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR SOME MODEL YEARS OF HIGHLANDER, CAMRY AND PRIUS, TOYOTA WOULD NOT EXTEND SAME COURTESY TO ME, NOR WAS DEALER ABLE TO OFFER ME A GOODWILL ADJUSTMENT. PUMP ASSEMBLY AND ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY PARTS AND REPAIR COST ABOUT $5300.00. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM THE DEALER, HAD ALL RECOMMENDED AND NECESSARY MAINTENANCE AT DEALER ON DEALER SCHEDULE. *BF *TR

NHTSA ID

11060726

Incident

Nov 25, 2017

Mileage

90,000 mi

VERY COMMON PROBLEM IS BEING REPORTED IN ALL OF THE HIGHLANDERS OF 2008 FORWARD. AT LOW MILEAGE, THE STEERING COLUMN HAS A BEARING IN IT CALLED A STUB SHAFT BUT APPARENTLY GETS LOOSE LEAVING TO A CLUNK AND LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING. IT IS SO COMMON THAT OUR DEALER HAS TO KEEP MULTIPLE REPLACEMENT PARTS IN STOCK. PEOPLE ARE REPORTING THIS WITHIN THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY, MY CAR BEGAN TO DO IT AT ABOUT 60,000 MILES. IT IS A $700 REPAIR. LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS POSSIBLE.

NHTSA ID

10840076

Incident

Feb 23, 2016

Mileage

60 mi

OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.

This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Repair Manual while performing a rescue charge. The GRX-5100 should be used wherever the Repair Manual references the Toyota Hybrid System (THS) charger.

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.

The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.