2005 Toyota Highlander Brakes Problems

The contact owned a 2005 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle accelerated and crashed into a fence. The air bags did not deploy. At the time of the crash, the vehicle was 20 MPH. The vehicle was towed to a junkyard. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact sustained a face injury where he lost several teeth and also had back pain. Medical treatment was needed for the injury, went to the hospital and got an x-ray and some dental work done A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,435.

NHTSA ID

11538494

Incident

Nov 22, 2020

Mileage

108,435 mi

MY 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER LOOKS TO BE LEAKING NEAR THE BRAKE BOOSTER. I KNOW THAT IT WAS REPLACED BY TOYOTA DEALER UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V499000. HOWEVER I DO NOT REMEMBER THE YEAR. I WAS DRIVING ON LOCAL STREETS, WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE NEXT TIME I TRIED TO STEP ON THE PEDAL IT WAS WORKING OK. BUT THEN THE 3RD TIME I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WAS GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AGAIN. THIS WAS A SHOCKED SINCE IT GOT ME TO WORK 9 HOURS EARLIER WITH NO ISSUE. I GOT HOME AND CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL AND LOOKED TO BE AT THE CORRECT LEVEL. I DID NOT DRIVE UNTIL NEXT DAY TO TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO TOLD ME IT WAS THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER. HE STATED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL LEAK INSIDE THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND NEEDED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER. IT STILL IS IN THE SHOP, HOWEVER I REMEMBERED THAT IT WAS "SWAPPED OUT" WITH A NEW ONE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V499000. COULD IT BE POSSIBLE THAT THE RECALLED FOR THE NEW PART IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING? I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF I CAN GET REPLACED AGAIN UNDER THE RECALL, OR HAVE TO PAY THE $550 FOR NEW PART AND LABOR. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID

11378322

Incident

Dec 4, 2020

Mileage

185,000 mi

BRAKE FLUID HAS TO BE REFILLED EVERY 500 MILES. THERE MUST BE A LEAK SOMEWHERE IN THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. ONCE WE ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BRAKE NEARLY FAILED DUE TO ABSENCE OF BRAKE FLUID

NHTSA ID

11073387

Incident

Feb 12, 2018

Mileage

163,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE SUDDENLY DROVE IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CARMAN FORD LINCOLN (193 S DUPONT HWY, NEW CASTLE, DE 19720 AT (302) 323-2300) WHERE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS REPAIRED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE STABILITY CONTROL AND PARKING BRAKE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, AND THE RADIO AND CLOCK STARTED TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRICE TOYOTA (168 N DUPONT HWY, NEW CASTLE, DE 19720 (302) 322-8600) WHERE IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT OTHER FAILURES MAY OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,271.

NHTSA ID

11035924

Incident

Sep 22, 2017

Mileage

119,271 mi

WHEN I WAS TRYING TO PARK MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2005 IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING WHERE I WORK, BACKING UP, THE ENGINE IDDLE WENT EXTREMELY HIGH AND I TRIED TO STOP, BUT I COULD NOT DO IT BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKES LOCKED. I TRIED TO PUT THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL, BUT INSTEAD, IT WENT STRAIGH TO DRIVE, SO IT CAUSES MAJOR DAMAGES TO 2 VEHICLES BEHIND MINE, AND OTHER 3 IN FRONT OF MINE TOO. ALSO MY VEHICLE DESTROYED A MAIL BOX AND A TREE, BUT I COULD NOT STOP UNTIL MY HIGHLANDER STOPPED BY ITSELF TOTALLY DESTROYED. I ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL WITH SOME TRAUMA.

NHTSA ID

10895208

Incident

Aug 5, 2016

Mileage

50 mi

DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL LOCKED UP. HAD TO CUT ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE SIDE. THE WHEEL STILL TOTALLY LOCKED WHEN IT HAD TO BE DRAGGED ONTO A FLAT BED. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO INJURIES. STILL NOT 100% SURE OR WHAT'S WRONG BUT GUESSING IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TRACTION/ABS CONTROL SYSTEM. THEY REALLY SHOULD LOOK INTO A RECALL BECAUSE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10701712

Incident

Mar 19, 2015

Mileage

192,868 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR UPON ENGAGING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED BRUISES AND MINOR PAIN TO THE CHEST AS A RESULT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAULTY WEBBING. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WOULD NOT FUNCTION DURING THE CRASH. THE FRONT HOOD AND BUMPER WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,804.

NHTSA ID

10550836

Incident

Oct 31, 2013

Mileage

37,804 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V499000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES SEIZED ABNORMALLY, SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE NEVER SAW ANY OF THE TECHNICIANS SERVICE HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,333.

NHTSA ID

10458131

Incident

Apr 13, 2012

Mileage

70,333 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN SNOWY WEATHER AND APPLYING THE BRAKE, THE WHEELS SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BUT WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER AND MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ID

10446384

Incident

Jan 16, 2012

Mileage

59,000 mi

BRAKES MADE METAL/METAL GRINDING NOISE. FOUND REAR BRAKE ROTORS BADLY CORRODED. APPROX. 30% OF BOTH ROTORS FUNCTIONAL. SEVENTY PERCENT CAKED WITH THICK RUST. DRIVER'S SIDE REAR CALIPER SLIDER PIN STUCK. FRONT BRAKES DID MOST OF WORK, THEREFORE PADS ARE PREMATURELY WORN. IN DECADES OF DRIVING, I'VE NEVER HAD BRAKE WORK BEFORE 80,000 MILES. CAR IS USED ALMOST DAILY AND ALWAYS GARAGED. ROTOR CASTINGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. BRAKES HAVE BEEN INSPECTED BY TOYOTA DEALER EVERY 6 MONTHS. NO PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED, BUT CORROSION IS SEVERE, THICK WITH FLAKING. I HAVE DEALER SERVICE RECORDS AND PHOTOS TO SUPPORT MY SAFETY CONCERNS. TOYOTA RECALLED 130,000 VEHICLES IN CHINA BECAUSE OF A DEFECT IN THE REAR WHEEL DISK BRAKES WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RUST. PERHAPS SOME OF THESE ROTORS FOUND THEIR WAY ON TO OUR HIGHLANDER. MY FAMILY AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THANKFULLY, NO EMERGENCY STOPS HAVE BEEN REQUIRED. HOW MANY OTHER HIGHLANDERS HAVE CORRODED, UNSAFE, BRAKE ROTORS? UPDATED IVOQ 01/26/12 *TR

NHTSA ID

10432197

Incident

Oct 3, 2011

Mileage

35,900 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. IN APRIL 2011, THE DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE LOCKED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CALIPERS. IN AUGUST 2011, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR CALIPERS HAD RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKES AND STATED THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,800.

NHTSA ID

10425580

Incident

Apr 1, 2011

Mileage

56,800 mi

MY 2005 LIMITED EDITION TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES. THE RIGHT CALIBER IS STICKING, WHICH HAS CAUSED HEAT AND WARPING IN THE HUB SYSTEM AND AFFECTED THE ABS SENSOR. THESE WILL BOTH NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $1000. THE FRONT STRUTS ARE LEAKING. THE LARGEST PROBLEM IS WITH THE TRANSMISSION WHICH HAS SOME TYPE OF INTERIOR PROBLEM. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT I REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS, BASED ON WHAT THE TOYOTA SHOP SAID WAS $3400-$4600. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 94,000 MILES ON IT. THE BRAKE ISSUES WITH THE CALIBER, ROTERS, AND HUB SYSTEM WILL GET REPLACED NEXT WEEK. THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR WILL NOT BE REPAIRED AT THIS TIME UNLESS THE TOYOTA GOODWILL PETITION GOES THROUGH. THE COST IS TOO GREAT. *TT

NHTSA ID

10421658

Incident

Aug 26, 2011

Mileage

94,000 mi

2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL REQUEST *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY WERE VERY SLOW TO RESPOND. *JB

NHTSA ID

10387548

Incident

Mar 1, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 2-3 MPH IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE BUT TO NO AVAIL AS THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HER GARAGE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND THERE WAS MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE CONTACTS HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER YET THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THERE WERE THREE ADDITIONAL OCCURRENCES OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE FLOOR MAT AND THE BRAKE COVERS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS STILL AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. SHE LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V112000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL) AND THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ID

10386834

Incident

May 15, 2009

Mileage

2,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V499000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: MASTER CYLINDER). THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS EXHIBITED NINETY PERCENT ABNORMAL WEAR AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE NEVER REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10386491

Incident

Mar 1, 2011

Mileage

55,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ATTEMPT TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10379465

Incident

Jan 10, 2010

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. THE VEHICLE MOVED TO THE DRIVERS LEFT LANE AND A CRASHED OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AND MOVED INTO THE THIRD LANE OF THE HIGHWAY CRASHING INTO THE MEDIAN WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ( NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V499000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC FOUNDATION MASTER CYLINDER) AND WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10368534

Incident

Oct 10, 2010

Mileage

80,000 mi

IN A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE FRONT BUMPER CORNER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE BRAKES IN THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE FEEL VERY SPONGY MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE SPEED AND TRAJECTORY OF THIS VEHICLE AT SLOW SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10362923

Incident

Aug 3, 2009

Mileage

19,000 mi

WHILE COMING TO A RED LIGHT I APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR DID NOT STOP. TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AGAIN AND THE SECOND TIME THE BRAKES WOKED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE TO MY WIFE AND ONCE TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10320983

Incident

Jan 12, 2010

Mileage

28,000 mi

I'VE OWNED A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SINCE NEW, ONCE IN A WHILE THIS CONDITION WOULD OCCUR, NOW IT IS ALL THE TIME. IT JUST TURNED OVER 80K MILES. I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS, NOT EVEN TOYOTA NO. 60F. WHEN YOU ARE COMING TO A STOP,AT NORMAL SPEEDS,NORMAL BRAKING PEDAL PRESSURE, JUST BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPS, IT LAUNCHES FORWARD WITH YOUR FOOT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN YOU APPLY MORE PRESSURE AS IF THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY, IT IS WORSE. MY WIFE AND I HAVE LEARNED TO COMPENSATE BY COASTING THEN STOPPING. I EMAILED TOYOTA.COM ABOUT THIS TWICE, NO ANSWERS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10313008

Incident

Feb 23, 2010

Mileage

50,000 mi

2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. DRIVING TO WORK IN A BLIZZARD ON 12/11/09 ALL DASH BOARD LIGHTS WENT ON. DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT THE SUNROOF HOUSING FAILED CAUSING $3,977.16 WORTH OF DAMAGE. BEING OUT OF WARRANTY THE DEALER AGREED TO PAY 2,000.00. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE ANOTHER 1,500 AND WE PAID 477.16. WE PICKED UP THE CAR ON 12/24/09. ON 2/2/10 WE RETURNED IT AFTER NOTICING A BURN SPOT ON EACH OF THE PLASTIC HEAD LIGHT COVERS. THE DEALER FOUND BOTH HIGHBEAM BULBS MELTED,AND SUGGESTED I HAD OVERUSED THEM CAUSING THE INTENSE HEAT THAT DID THE DAMAGE. I AM CONCERNED IT COULD BE A RESULT OF DELAYED WATER DAMAGE SHOWING UP. OUR CONCERNS WITH THIS CAR(WHICH WE PURCHASED NEW IN NOV. OF 2005)GOES BACK TO 9/7/06 WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT SLOW THE CAR GOING DOWN HILLS. ON 2/28/07 WE HAD BRAKE AND WIPER BLADE ISSUES. ON 4/20/07 THE BLADES LOCKED DURING A DOWNPOUR ON THE 5 FREEWAY. I HAD TO PULL OVER IN A PANIC. ON 7/12/07 THE CARGO CLIP HAD TO BE REPLACED. ON 9/10/07 THAT PARKING BRAKE DID NOT HOLD PROPERLY AND THERE WAS A RATTLE FROM THE RIGHT REAR. ON 11/6/07 WE COMPLAINED OF SQUEAKY BRAKES. DEALER TIGHTENED LOOSE NUTS AND BOLTS ON 4X4 ASSEMBLY. ON 4/1/08 THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED @ 29,080 MILES.ON 10/22/08 THE SOUND SYSTEM FAILED AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. NEXT WEEK WE ARE HAVING THE 5TH SET OF TIRES PUT ON THIS VEHICLE WHICH HAS ONLY 53,000 MILES ON IT. THE SET TO BE REPLACED HAS ONLY ABOUT 15,000 MILES ON THEM. THEY HAVE A 60,000 MILE WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10312516

Incident

Dec 11, 2009

Mileage

52,991 mi

MY 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, V6 MODEL, ALWAYS ON APPLYING THE BRAKES THE FIRST TIME AFTER STARTING IN THE MORNING IS LIKE THE ABS SYSTEM IS ENGAGED, IT TAKES LONGER TO STOP THAN IT WILL ON THE SUCCEEDING BRAKING APPLICATIONS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY TO SOMEONE WHO MAY NOT BE PREPARED FOR THIS OR IS NOT THE USUAL DRIVER. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST HYDRAULICS BUT NOW I THINK IT IS TIED TO THE ABS SYSTEM, AFTER READING OF THE PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10305880

Incident

Mar 3, 2007

BRAKE PROBLEM I BOUGHT A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN APRIL 2005. EARLY NOVEMBER 2006 THIS HAPPENED: AFTER I STARTED THE CAR, I HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE STEPPED ON. IT SOUNDED LIKE NOISY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT. THE NOISE REPEATED EVERY TIME THE BRAKES WERE STEPPED ON. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SERVICE AT CRYSTAL TOYOTA IN GREEN BROOK, NEW JERSEY, AND THEY DID SOME WORK ON IT. ABOUT TEN DAYS LATER THE NOISE RETURNED. THE CRYSTAL TOYOTA SERVICE FOREMAN STATED THAT ROTOR PADS NOW HAVE A METALLIC CONTENT. WHENEVER MOISTURE FORMS ON THE PADS DUE TO THE WEATHER, NOISE CAN RESULT. THE SERVICE APPLIED AN ADDITIVE. THE LOUD NOISE REAPPEARED EARLY JANUARY 2007. CRYSTAL TOYOTA SERVICE SUGGESTED DRIVING THE CAR A SHORT DISTANCE AND THE NOISE WOULD GO AWAY. THIS WAS CORRECT. THE NOISE WENT AWAY AFTER DRIVING ABOUT HALF A MILE AND STEPPING REPEATEDLY ON THE BRAKES. I COULD NOT SEE THIS AS A LONG- TERM SOLUTION, HOWEVER, AS THE NOISE LEVEL WAS EXTREME, AND IT WAS LIKELY THAT AN EXCESSIVE IMPACT AND STRESS WERE OCCURRING. IT APPEARED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD EVENTUALLY FAIL. I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA CORPORATION CUSTOMER SERVICE AND JOE LACEFIELD, A NEW JERSEY REPRESENTATIVE, CALLED ME. LACEFIELD DOWNPLAYED MY CONCERN AND SAID HE WOULD LOOK AT THE CAR ON JANUARY 26. I TOLD HIM THAT HE WOULD PROBABLY NOT HEAR THE NOISE SINCE IT DID NOT OCCUR ON MOST DAYS. LACEFIELD CALLED ME AFTER LOOKING AT THE CAR AND SAID THAT HE HAD HEARD NO NOISE. I TOLD HIM THAT I HAD EXPECTED THAT AND HAD POINTED IT OUT TO HIM. HE THEN SAID THAT WHAT I HEARD MUST HAVE BEEN SOME PLAIN EVERYDAY BRAKE NOISE AND THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM! TOYOTA CORPORATION CUSTOMER SERVICE THEN TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO. THE NOISE HAS NOW OCCURRED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES. THE ATTITUDE OF LACEFIELD AND OF TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THAT MY COMPLAINT HAS NO MERIT, AND THAT THE EXTREME LOUD NOISE DOES NOT EVEN EXIST! MARCH 14 WAS THE LATEST NOISE OCCURRENCE. UPDATED 05/04/07

NHTSA ID

10185913

Incident

Nov 1, 2006

MY DAUGHTER LEASED A 2005 4 CYLINDER, FWD TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN FEBRUARY 2005, AND HAS PUT ON ABOUT 5,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS LEASED IN LOUISVILLE, KY. A FEW DAYS AGO SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65MPH, AND NOTICED THAT THE GAS PEDDLE WAS STUCK, AND WOULD NOT COME UP SO AS TO REDUCE THE SPEED. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, SHE MANAGED TO REACH DOWN AND PULL THE PEDDLE ASSEMBLY UP, AND DECELERATION OCCURRED. THE NEXT DAY THIS SITUATION REPEATED 2 MORE TIMES, THE LAST TIME BEING ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE "REPAIRED" UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER FIXED THE ASSEMBLY, AND STATED THE ASSEMBLY HAD COME LOOSE. WHILE THE REPAIR SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL TO DATE, AND THE DEALER WAS VERY COOPERATIVE, I THOUGHT YOU FOLKS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS "DEFECT" AND BE ALERT TO THE POSSIBILITY OF MORE SUCH FAILURES. WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS TOO SHY OR RETICENT TO CONTACT YOU, I THOUGHT IT'S INEVERYONE'S BEST INTEREST TO AVOID POSSIBLE FUTURE FATALITIES. NOT EVERYONE IS AS ATHLETIC OR CALM AS MY DAUGHTER IN THIS TYPE OF SITUATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ID

10122261

Incident

May 24, 2005

Mileage

5,000 mi