2015 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.

2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AN ISSUE WITH THE AMBIENT LIGHTING GOING OUT. *LD *JS

NHTSA ID

11034928

Incident

Aug 1, 2017

I UNKNOWINGLY FAILED TO TURN OFF MY CAR LAST NIGHT. IT HAS A KEYLESS IGNITION (FOB) AND SETS OFF AN ALARM WHEN LEFT ON. UNFORTUNATELY, LAST NIGHT MY HUSBAND ARRIVED HOME AT THE SAME TIME AND BETWEEN 2 GARAGE DOORS CLOSING AND EXCITED, BARKING DOGS I DIDN'T HEAR THE ALARM. WE WENT TO BED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. MY HUSBAND WOKE UP VERY EARLY AND HEARD OUR CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR GOING OFF IN THE GARAGE. WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR HE DISCOVERED IT WAS VERY HOT AND THE DETECTOR WAS REGISTERING HIGH LEVELS OF CM. HE OPENED THE GARAGE DOORS AND WINDOWS IN THE HOUSE. I HAVE SINCE RESEARCHED THIS. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE DIED UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. I FEEL LUCKY. THE CAR IS A HYBRID SO IT WAS ALTERNATING ALL NIGHT BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE BATTERY. WE ALSO HAD A CM DETECTOR IN THE GARAGE WHICH IS NOT LEGALLY REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURERS NEED TO HAVE AN AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF FOR THE KEYLESS SYSTEMS OR MANY MORE INNOCENT PEOPLE WILL DIE. PLEASE FIX THIS NOW.

NHTSA ID

11035322

Incident

Oct 19, 2017

Mileage

16,000 mi

2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENTUNE SYSTEM CRASHING AND REBOOTING AT VARIOUS TIMES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENTUNE SYSTEM SCREEN FROZE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A STRAIGHT ROAD, MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, AND SITTING IDLE IN TRAFFIC. THE SCREEN WOULD GO DARK AND RESET THE SYSTEM WHEN THE NAVIGATION FEATURE WAS IN USE WHETHER THE RADIO WAS ON OR OFF. IT WOULD LOSE THE NAVIGATION ROUTE. THE SCREEN WOULD LOOP BETWEEN THE TOYOTA SCREEN AND THE WELCOME SCREEN 3-4 TIMES THEN RESETS WITH THE DEFAULT SETTINGS. THE ENTUNE SYSTEM REBOOTED WHEN THE RADIO WAS ON AND NAVIGATION WAS OFF. WHEN THE RADIO WAS ON THE SOUND TURNED OFF THEN AFTER IT REBOOTED, THE RADIO TURNED BACK ON WITH THE SAME STATION. DURING THE FAILURES NO CELLPHONE OR BLUETOOTH IS CONNECTED TO THE SYSTEM. UPDATED 03/23/2017 *JS

NHTSA ID

10918313

Incident

Oct 2, 2016

THE HATCH CONTINUES TO FAIL EVEN AFTER THEY REPLACED "DEFECTIVE" PART. THE BATTERIES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY HAD FAILED. ON 3/2/17 I WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER SEAT WITH THE CAR IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND SUDDENLY THE DRIVER SEAT MOVED ALL THE WAY FORWARD, THEN THE BACK STRAIGHTENED COMPLETELY AND THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ADJUSTED ALL THE WAY UP. I PLACED A CALL TO THE DEALERSHIP AT 2:51PM, WAS TOLD I'D GET A CALL BACK. I DROVE THE CAR HOME WITH MY ADULT DAUGHTER. RADIO WAS OFF. WHEN I WAS STOPPED IN EITHER TRAFFIC OR A LIGHT WE COULD HEAR A MOTOR TRYING TO START. I MADE IT HOME SAFELY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED THAT SINCE THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. THEY RETURNED THE CAR TO ME WITHOUT ANY DOCUMENTATION OF A COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ID

10958546

Incident

Mar 2, 2017

Mileage

16,425 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.