Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2010 Toyota Highlander submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 53 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 53, in the owner's own words
When applying the brake slowly all of a sudden the car went full acceleration and crashed 500ft away at high speed. The car is crashed but available for inspection for a short period of time until the insurance company takes full posession. There are not open recalls. The only lights on the dash were for TPMS sensor.
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the gear shifter had been stuck on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the fuses were replaced on several occasions; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rearview mirror wiring had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power and started to drift to the right side of the road. The brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle was able to come to a complete stop. The contact mentioned she waited for AAA for roadside assistance. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 185,420.
The brake actuator assembly and brake booster pump assembly had a recall on it but my truck was not having problems then. I noticed that when I start braking, the truck speeds up. Then all the light on the dash board came on. When my vehicle started having problems I call and they told me that the recall had expired 3 months earlier for my vehicle and it was up to the owner to have it fixed. I didn't get a notice and I wasn't aware of such recall so why am I liable for the repairs. I need help with this please.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC LIFTGATE WOULD NOT OPEN AS NEEDED ELECTRICALLY AND MANUALLY. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO OPENED THE LIFTGATE WITH A MECHANICAL TOOL. THE MECHANIC THEN UNSCREWED AN ARM PIECE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE LIFTGATE WHICH ALLOWED HIM TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE MANUALLY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE OF RESIDENCE, DESTROYING THE HIGHLANDER AND THE CAR PARKED ADJACENT TO IT, ALONG WITH MOST OF THE HOUSE. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE HIGHLANDER WAS STATIONARY, WITH THE IGNITION OFF AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE. A SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION INCLUDING INSPECTING BURN PATTERNS AND THERMAL DAMAGE INDICATED THE FIRE ORIGINATED AT THE FRONT OF THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHERE THE FUSE PANEL, BATTERY AND STARTER/SOLENOID WERE LOCATED. ALL THREE SOURCES OF IGNITION REMAIN ENERGIZED WITH THE IGNITION OFF. THE UPPER PORTION OF THE PLASTIC HOUSING ON THE FUSE PANEL AND BATTERY HAD MELTED EXPOSING THE RECEIVERS FOR THE FUSES AND PLATES INSIDE THE BATTERY. THE ENDS OF THE RECEIVERS HAD ALLOYING ON THE RECEIVERS, BUT NO FAILURES WERE NOTED ON FUSE PANEL OR BATTERY. EXTREME THERMAL DAMAGE WAS OBSERVED ON THE CONNECTOR END OF THE SOLENOID WHERE MOST OF THE FACING HAD MELTED OR WAS CONSUMED. LINES OF DEMARCATION FROM EXTREME HEAT WAS OBSERVED ON THE REMAINING SECTION OF THE SOLENOID FACING. THE CABLE CONNECTING THE BATTERY TO THE SOLENOID WAS NOT CONNECTED TO THE SOLENOID DUE TO THE EXTREME DAMAGED TO THE SOLENOID. THE TERMINAL CONNECTOR ON THE CABLE SUSTAINED ARCING AND/OR MELTING OF THE METAL TERMINAL. THE CONCLUSIONS WERE THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FAILED SOLENOID ATTACHED TO THE STARTER ON THE 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. LAB ANALYSIS OF THE STARTER/SOLENOID REVEALED FAILURE AT THE CONNECTION END OF THE SOLENOID WITH BEADING AND ARCING ON CONTACTS INSIDE THE SOLENOID.
WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR. I PUT THE CAR ON PKG AND IT GOT LOCKED TOO. COULD NOT PUT IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. WINDOWS GOT LOCKED TOO. THE ABS SYSTEM LIGHT UP. A MIRACLE THAT FEW MINUTE BEFORE I EXITED A HIGHWAY. A TOW TRUCK TOOK THE CAR AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR THE PAST WEEK AND THEY DO NOT NOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR
THE REAR HATCH GIVES A CHIME AND SAYS IT IS OPEN WHEN IT IS CLOSED. THIS IS A 2010 HIGHLANDER AND I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE. THIS IS A SAFTEY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW IF IT IS ACTUALLY OPEN OR IF IT ACTUALLY CLOSED BUT JUST CHIMING FOR NO REASON. IT HAPPENS VERY INTERMITTENTLY, BUT OFTEN WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP BUT OTHER TIMES THERE IS NO PATTERN, IT JUST HAPPENS SOMETIMES AND NOT OTHERS. IT HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY AND WHEN MOVING. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS AT LEAST.
DOOR AJAR RADOMLY COMES ON FOR BACK REAR DOOR LIFTGATE HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING
DOOR SENSOR BROKEN. GOES ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY WHILE IN MOTION ON STREET AND HIGHWAY SPECIALLY WHEN MAKING TURNS REGARDLESS OF SPEED. HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY ON HOT DAYS. IT HAS BEEN A LONG TERM PROBLEM AND WOULD COST TOO MUCH MONEY TO FIX. THIS SHOULD BE MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSIBILITY. I'VE FOUND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE INCLUDING VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE DEMONSTRATING THE PARTICULAR 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ISSUE. *TR
REAR HATCH SENSOR / DOOR AJAR DEFECT REAR DOOR (HATCH) AJAR WARNING LIGHT, INTERIOR LIGHTS AND WARNING SOUND (BING!) COME ON (OFTEN SEVERAL TIMES PER SECOND, AS IF FLASHING) WHENEVER BRAKING, TURNING, OR ON UNEVEN SURFACE. NOT ONLY IS IT ANNOYING, THE LEVEL OF DISTURBANCE IS SEVERELY DISTRACTING AND NECESSITATES TAKING EYES OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE ALARM. ON A LONG TRIP THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS LEVELS OF AGGRAVATION. MULTIPLE USERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS. I REQUEST THAT A RECALL BE ISSUED REQUIRING TOYOTA TO REMEDY THIS, REGARDLESS OF WARRANTY STATUS, BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES DUE TO THE HIGH LEVELS OF AGGRAVATION EXPERIENCED BY THE USERS.
THE REAR LATCH ON THIS VEHICLE FAILED. IT COST $600 TO REPAIR
EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE, BREAK, TURN, COMING TO A STOP AND GOING OVER A BUMP MY DOOR AJAR CHIMES ON THE DASH FOR THE BACK DOOR (HATCH). ALSO, THE DOME LIGHTS COME ON WHEN THE CHIME AND PICTURE POPS UP THAT MY REAR GATE IS AJAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I AM NOT THE ONLY CAR WITH THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED SINCE THIS POTENTIALLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS A CONTINUAL AND ONGOING ISSUE.
THE TRUNK DOOR SENSOR CONSTANTLY GOES OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING, SO SAYS THAT THE TRUNK DOOR IS AJAR WHEN IT IS NOT. THIS TENDS TO HAPPEN MORE WHEN IT IS WARMER, THE CAR TURNS TO THE RIGHT OR THE WINDOWS ARE DOWN. IT IS A DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING.
WHEN WE ARE DRIVING OUR TOYOTA 2010 HIGHLANDER IF YOU HIT A BUMP THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON EVEN THOUGH THE DOORS ARE NOT OPEM. WE ARE NOT ABLE TO USE THE SUNROOF OR OPEN THE WINDOWS BECAUSE THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON AND THE INTERIOR LIGHT AND THE BEEPING FOR A DOOR OPEN. THIS IS VERY DISTTACTING WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE. IT IS GETTING WORSE NOW EVERY TIME WE MAKE A TURN OT GO OVER THE SLIGHEST BUMP THE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE DINGING FOR THE DOOR STARTS TOYOTA REALLY NEEDS TO FIX THIS! IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHEN WE DRIVE OUR CAR'
FAULTY REAR DOOR AJAR SENSOR REPORTS REAR DOOR OPEN INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DOOR IS CLOSED CAUSING INTERIOR LIGHTS, WARNING LIGHTS, AND CHIMES. STARTED WITH ONLY TURNS, ACCELERATION, DECELERATION, BUT RAPIDLY DETERIORATED TO NEAR CONSTANT FAILURE, PARTICULARLY IN WARM WEATHER. INITIALLY STARTED NEAR 2 YEARS AGO (25K MILES), BUT WAS ONLY MILDLY IRRITATING. NOW VEHICLE CANNOT BE LOCKED WITH THIS CONDITION.
WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING OR GOING OVER A BUMP THE "DOOR AJAR" INDICATOR BEEPS AND THE DOME LIGHTS TURN ON. BROUGHT TO AUTO SERVICE REPAIR SHOP AND THE LEFT REAR DOOR AND THE REAR GATE SENSOR/ACTUATOR NEED TO BE REPLACED. $1100!!
WHEN WE OPEN A WINDOW OR THE SUNROOF THE DOOR AJAR SIGN COMES ON AND STARTS TO BEEP ALSO THE INTERIOR LIGHT COMES ON. SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS WHEN WE TURN A CORNER OR HIT A BUMP JUST RIGHT. I AM AFRAID OF SOMETHING SHORTING OUT AND STARTING A FIRE! ALSO THE FRONT HEAD LIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT WE HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH. THE HIGHLANDER RUNS GREAT BUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SCARE ME. TOYOTA REALLY NEEDS TO RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM.THE PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR OPEN ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE DRIVING. THE PROBLELM HAPPENS EVERY TIME WE DRIVE THE CAR.
REAR HATCH SENSOR AJAR WHENEVER THE WINDOWS ARE OPEN AND CAR EXCEEDS 30 MPH. WINDOWS MUST REMAIN CLOSE FOR THE SENSOR CHIME AND ACTIVATION TO CEASE. SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR HATCH SENSOR. THE CAR HAS BEEN OWNED FOR 8 YEARS AND HAS 77000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. NO ACCIDENTS.
BACK DOOR AJAR, INTERIOR LIGHT AND A BING SOUND COME ON WHEN I TURN LEFT
WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN THE RED DOOR INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP,THE CAR CHIMES AND THE INTERIOR CEILING LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF.
WHILE DRIVING (IN MOTION), FREQUENT WARNING MESSAGE COMES ON THE DISPLAY PANEL THAT SAYS THE BACK (REAR) DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT'S NOT. ALSO, INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON, AND THERE IS THE WARNING / BEEP THAT KEEPS FLASHING. SOMETIMES, WHEN THE BACK GATE ALERT COMES ON, DOORS GET UNLOCKED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE SEPTEMBER 2017.
THE BACK DOOR AJAR, INTERIOR LIGHT AND A BING SOUND COMES ON WHEN I TURN LEFT OR OPEN ANY WINDOW? SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY RELATED COMPLAINTS. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL.
THE DOOR SENSOR IS FAULTY. ITS COMES ON, THE WARNING SOUND DINGS AND LIGHT ON CONTROL PANEL LIGHTS UP SAYING THAT A DOOR IS AJAR. IT HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING, AND NONE OF THE DOORS ARE OPEN. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT HAPPENS SO FREQUENTLY THAT IF THE DOOR IS ACTUALLY OPENED YOU WOULD NOT KNOW SINCE IT GIVES FALSE ALARMS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THIS COMPLAINT, AND FEEL THAT TOYOTA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL.
IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, MY DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND DOOR CHIME HAVE BEEN INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON WHEN TURNING EITHER DIRECTION. ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED, AND STILL THE LIGHTS COME ON AND CHIME. THIS IS CAUSING ME CONCERN AS I HAVE A YOUNG CHILD AND AM UNAWARE OF WHETHER DOORS ARE TRULY CLOSED PROPERLY. PLEASE OPEN AN INVESTIGATION AS THIS IS NOT THE ONLY COMPLAINT REGARDING THIS MATTER.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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