2012 Toyota Highlander Driver assistance Problems

I was driving and arrived home and suddenly lost my braking and almost hit my house if I didn't steer the wheel towards my lawn and put on my parking brake it would have been a disaster. I felt so unsafe that I had my vehicle towed for repair and had to replace the brake master cylinder. Two weeks later, we went on a family trip and parked my vehicle with my family and it was on a slight slope and went to put on the parking brake and it was still slightly moving forward only to put my vehicle in reverse QUICKLY in order in NOT DRIVE INTO A LAKE WITH MY FAMILY IN THE vehicle!!! I have just read the complaints and this is an ongoing problem since 2011 and I am quite SHOCKED that this is NOT ON RECALL!!! My wife has a Prius V 2013 and have not had any problems at all, BUT has a recall on a Brake Hydro-Boost pump fail for her vehicle, BUT nothing is wrong with her brakes, ONLY THE 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER!!! Please let me know what Toyota needs to do to get this this fixed!!! I know there are probably more that no one is reporting this and I guess there must be a fatality in order for Toyota to fix this problem!!!!

NHTSA ID

11478377

Incident

Jul 27, 2022

On December 29, 2021, while backing up my 2012 Toyota Highlander accelerated at speed that I was unable to control. One car that was packed in the driveway was damaged beyond repair. An office building where I was working was damaged and has been accessed with a loss of over $100,000. I contacted Toyota after knowing that there was a recall regarding unintended acceleration in some Toyota cars. Toyota sent an inspection team to Geico Insurance company which had taken over possession of the car. The inspection team and the Toyota representative assured me a final report would be sent to me within a month after the inspection had been completed but even up to this moment Toyota has not responded to my email requesting for the report. You can reach out to Toyota and reference File # 220105001224. For the six years I owned the car, i have never been informed of any recall. My car was regularly serviced by Toyota Ourisman Chantilly and Ourisman Toyota Fairfax.

NHTSA ID

11463537

Incident

Dec 29, 2021

WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPOT WITH FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN AND UNANTICIPATED ACCELERATION RESULTING IN THE CAR CRASHING INTO A CONCRETE WALL AND BEING TOTALED. WITNESS CORROBORATED THE SOUND OF A THE ENGINE AT HIGH RPM IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE CRASH.

NHTSA ID

11163347

Incident

Dec 8, 2018

Mileage

133,993 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND EXITING A HIGHWAY, APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, DASHBOARD FLICKERED, AND ENGINE DIED. THE RED STEERING WHEEL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON BRIEFLY, BUT THE WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE PERIOD OF A FEW MINUTES. BATTERY & ALTERNATOR WERE TESTED - NO MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ID

10960048

Incident

Mar 10, 2017

Mileage

71,579 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CABINET IN FRONT OF HER HOUSE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ID

10954933

Incident

Feb 15, 2017

Mileage

48,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

NHTSA ID

10670407

Incident

Dec 18, 2014

Mileage

14,000 mi

THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE WHEN WE CAME TO A STOP. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO HELP. THE CAR HAS TO BE TURNED OFF BEFORE IT GETS OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE HAS BEEN NO RESOLUTION OR SOLUTION FOR THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM. UPDATED 02/25/14

NHTSA ID

10565408

Incident

Feb 22, 2014

Mileage

19,004 mi

ON FEBRUARY 4, 2013 THE HIGHLANDER ACCELERATED THREE CONSECUTIVE TIMES. TURNED OFF THE ENGINE EACH TIME AND ENGINE ACCELERATED WHEN COMING TO A STOP EACH TIME. ON JUNE 16, 2013 THE HIGHLANDER ENGINE ACCELERATED AS THE CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN BEFORE IT CAME TO A STOP. WE HAVE HAD ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WITH TWO HIGHLANDERS AND TWO CAMRYS AND NO ANSWERS FROM TOYOTA AS TO WHY ACCEPT FOR THEM TO TRY AND BLAME IT ON DRIVER ERROR. WHEN A CAR IS AT A STOP AND ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN THEN THERE IS NO DRIVER ERROR. PLEASE HELP US. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10520013

Incident

Jun 16, 2013

Mileage

5,787 mi

WHEN STOPPING THE AUTO ON 3 OCCASIONS THE ENGINE BEGAN RACING VERY STRONGLY....UPDATED 02/07/13 *BF *TR HOWEVER, WHILE THE HIGHLANDER WAS BEING CHECKED, THE CONSUMER AND HER HUSBAND EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING A TOYOTA CAMRY LOANER, CAUSING A CRASH AND PERSONAL INJURY. UPDATD 02/11/13

NHTSA ID

10496355

Incident

Feb 4, 2013

Mileage

5,700 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE HOUSE. THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY WHILE REVERSING BUT UPON SHIFTING BACK INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE AGAIN ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN PLACED INTO REVERSE AND THEN CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A CURB, CAUSING THE AXLE TO FRACTURE. THE DRIVER DID NOT SUFFER ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A DEFECT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,900. UPDATED 2/21/13 *CN

NHTSA ID

10495051

Incident

Nov 16, 2012

Mileage

8,900 mi

LIGHT TURNED RED. I ATTEMPTED TO STOP. BRAKE PEDAL WAS ROCK HARD NO RESPONSE. TWO MORE ATTEMPTS USELESS. I JUST CONTINUED ACROSS THE INTERSECTION AND THERE WAS NO FURTHER EVENT. THIS WAS THE THIRD EVENT FOR THIS CAR. I REFUSE TO DRIVE IT AGAIN. I AM AWAITING A RESOLUTION FROM TOYOTA UNDER A CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW DISPUTE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10473682

Incident

Aug 15, 2012

Mileage

7,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WENT OVER THE CURB. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET AND SHIFTED INTO PARK IN ORDER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO SENT AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,500.

NHTSA ID

10470867

Incident

Aug 13, 2012

Mileage

11,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SHE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY INSTEAD. SHE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE HOWEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD BECOME VERY STIFF. SHE HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED 15 FEET LATER. SHE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN IDLE UP CLUTCH DEFECT, WHICH OCCURRED AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,800. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD AND THE ENGINE REACHED 1600 RPM EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS ONLY DRIVING 10 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME HARD AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. SHE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. SHE THEN SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND WAITED ABOUT 7-10 MINUTES.

NHTSA ID

10467938

Incident

Jun 29, 2012

Mileage

6,200 mi

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING STALL IN A PRIVATE PARKING LOT, MY HIGHLANDER SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND I HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL! MY HIGHLANDER WENT UP OVER THE CURB WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLOW. I HAD BRAKES AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKE, COMING TO A SAFE STOP. NOT BEFORE SLASHING MY LEFT FRONT TIRE AND BENDING MY TIRE RIM. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED. *JS

NHTSA ID

10457095

Incident

Apr 30, 2012

Mileage

1,104 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. THE CONTACT THEN ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH WAS UNRESPONSIVE. THE ENGINE RMPS INCREASED UP TO 3,000. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED REPEATEDLY AND THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING TO THE DESTINATION AT A REDUCED SPEED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.

NHTSA ID

10456842

Incident

Apr 27, 2012

Mileage

4,000 mi

WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE IN PRIVATE SHOPPING MALL AT SLOW RATE OF SPEED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING RAPIDLY ACCELERATED FORWARD INTO VEHICLE PARKED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE WENT UP AND OVER PARKED VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. NO ONE WAS HURT IN THIS ACCIDENT AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS MADE AS IT WAS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. COMPLAINT WAS MADE TO TOYOTA WHO INVESTIGATED AND TOYOTA DETERMINED THAT NO VEHICLE DEFECT OR DESIGN EXISTED AND REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND SWEARS AS TO THE FACTS. SHE DID NOT CONTRIBUTE AT ALL TO THIS ACCIDENT. TOYOTA IS MARKETING A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY AND UNFORTUNATELY RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY IF THEY ARE NOT NOW HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10448197

Incident

Nov 3, 2011