2013 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.

WE RECENTLY HAD OUR HIGHLANDER COMPLETELY TOTALED BY OUR INSURANCE AFTER A FAILURE TO HAVE OUR AIR CONDITIONING DRAIN PROPERLY. THE CLOG CAUSED WATER TO BACK UP INTO THE FRAME OF THE CAR AND FLOOD OUR FLOOR CARPETING. THE DRAINAGE ISSUE ALSO CAUSED THE HEADLINERS TO BECOME WET AND DRIP ONTO THE LEATHER UPHOLSTERY. WE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP ADVANTAGE TOYOTA VALLEY STREAM AND THEY FIRST SUGGESTED CLEARING THE MOON ROOF BUT THAT WASN'T THE ISSUE. WHEN WE BROUGHT IT BACK TO THEM THEY KNEW IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE A/C DRAIN. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH TOYOTA VEHICLES. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IT'S NOT PART OF THEIR STANDARD MAINTENANCE PROCESS. WE COULD HAVE SAVED OURSELVES A HEADACHE BY HAVING THEM "ADD" THIS TO THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE.

NHTSA ID

11223009

Incident

Jun 21, 2019

Mileage

48,000 mi

OVER NIGHT MY PARKED SUV MOVED 10 FEET BACKWARDS ON A VERY SLIGHT UP SLOPED PARKING SPACE AT MY HOME. IT WAS LOCKED, IN PARK AND NO ICE UNDERNEATH. I DID NOT MOVE IT AFTER FIRST NOTICING INCIDENT, BUT IT THEN MOVED ANOTHER 2 FEET THIS MORNING. THEN LATER I GOT IN AND MOVED IT BACK TO ORIGINAL PLACE, PUT IT IN PARK AND IT CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THEN SET PARKING BRAKE SO THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. CALLED SOUTH HILLS TOYOTA AND THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY CAUSE OR PROBLEM. PLEASE ADVISE, RJM PS: NO ICY CONDITIONS INVOLVED. SMART KEY WAS IN HOUSE ON TABLE. NO ONE IN HOUSEHOLD MOVED IT.

NHTSA ID

11061497

Incident

Jan 9, 2018

Mileage

47,200 mi

8/1/2016 2013 HIGHLANDER HYBRID WAS TRAVELING AT 60MPH WHEN LIGHTS ON DASH STARTED BLINKING WITH A LOUD BEEPING NOISE. BRAKE MALFUNCTION, CHECK ABS WAS READING ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN. TRAFFIC AHEAD ON 2 LANE HIGHWAY WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 55MPH HAD SUDDENLY STOPPED AND I WAS FORCED TO SLAM ON BRAKES. AT THIS POINT THE BRAKES FELT VERY HEAVY, HEAVIER THAN USUAL, AS I DETECTED WHEEL LOCK UP AND PROCEEDED TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO AVOID REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE AHEAD.

NHTSA ID

10892270

Incident

Aug 1, 2016

Mileage

53,400 mi

WATER IS LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE, SOAKING CARPET AND THE FLOOR, EVERYTIME IT RAINS. LOTS OF WATER REMAINS IN THE FLOOR EVERYTIME IT HAPPENS, MOSTLY IN THE MIDDLE ROW, SMELLING BAD AFTER A WHILE. DEALER SAID THEY CAN'T FIND IT. !..UPDATED 08/13/15 *BF UPDATED 11/27/2015*JS

NHTSA ID

10726473

Incident

Nov 2, 2014

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE AIRBAG OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,500.

NHTSA ID

10682172

Incident

Feb 9, 2015

Mileage

16,500 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.

The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.

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.