EN

2014 Toyota Highlander SUV FWD

5
Recalls
111
Complaints
Overall rating

Safety Ratings.

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings help consumers compare vehicle safety when searching for a car. More stars mean safer cars.

Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
Overall Front Star Rating

Combines Driver and Passenger star ratings into a single frontal rating. The frontal barrier test simulates a head-on collision between two similar vehicles, each moving at 35 mph.

Front Driver Side
Front Passenger Side
Overall Side Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Driver
Passenger
Overall Side Pole Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Rollover Star Rating

The Rollover Resistance test measures the risk of rollover in a single-vehicle, loss-of-control scenario.

Rollover Risk: 18.5%

Complaints
Recalls

111 Complaints

for 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
08/13/2021
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 08/13/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH6ES******
Summary

The tires have worn down to needing replacing after only 27,308 miles on them, these tires are rating and warrantied for 60,000 miles. Reviews online show other owners complaining about the same issue with premature wear and safety issues. When it rains, the vehicle will slip when attempting to drive, slide when stopping, and hydroplaning at less than normal road speeds.

07/08/2021
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 12/02/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDKKRFH0ES******
Summary

The power back door is inoperative or stops during operation when the weather is cold. I moved to Oregon from Southern California in the spring of 2019. The problem started in the winter of 2020 & again in 2021. I looked it up and found a cars.com article that stated it was a problem and to call the dealer. I called Toyota and they didn't have it as a recall.I called the dealer in 2020 and they said they had never heard of the problem. I didn't take the vehicle to the dealer during Covid. I just went through another winter of dealing with a back door that would not operate properly.

05/26/2021
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 05/23/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFHXES******
Summary

Passenger door and rear left and right door doesn't lock or unlock with key fob, but can be locked and unlocked manually but if in a car crash and you have a child in the back seat it may creating a safety hazard if the doors are locked manually and you can't get your child out in a timely manner. I was told at the service center in Waldorf Maryland Toyota that it is a common problems, and there always changed on this make and model.

05/26/2021
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 05/09/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH4ES******
Summary

The power rear hatch will not properly open or close. The safety of others are at risk due to several factors. For example, the door will not open properly causing hands, fingers, and other object to get jammed in the doorway when trying to close it manually or when the door closes automatically without warning. It also does not close properly when the hatch is not working properly which could potentially be an issue while traveling where objects could fall out of the vehicle and injure other drivers. There are several articles online reporting the issue and will only be fixed if the vehicle is under warranty. Many of these vehicles are out of warranty due to their age. There was no prior warning other than a beeping noise when the door would not close properly.

05/24/2021
Components: VISIBILITY
Incident Date: 05/03/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH0ES******
Summary

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 mph, there was a loud wind sound present. After opening the interior sun roof sliding shade, it was discovered that the glass sun roof had detached from the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was repaired at a local repair center. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 168,000.

05/08/2021
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 05/07/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDYKRFH1ES******
Summary

BLUETOOTH FOR PHONE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY IN THOUSANDS OF TOYOTAS OVER MANY YEARS RENDERING HANDSFREE INOPERABLE. THERE IS A WELL DOCUMENTED LOUD ECHO IN THE PHONE HELD BY THE PERSON OUTSIDE THE CAR CALLING OR RECEIVING A CALL FROM THE CAR. THE CALL MUST BE TERMINATED AND THE DRIVER MUST USE THEIR HANDSET TO RECEIVE OR MAKE THE CALL. THIS IS WELL KNOWN BY TOYOTA AND IS A HUGE DISTRACTED DRIVING SAFETY PROBLEM. TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX THIS IMMEDIATELY AND A RECALL ISSUED TO DO SO. THIS PROBLEM HAS GONE ON TOO LONG. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH OUR 2014 HIGHLANDER FROM INCEPTION AND LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS WE'VE GIVEN UP WAITING FOR THE FIX. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS.

02/23/2021
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 02/23/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH5ES******
Summary

MY POWERED REAR TAILGATE DOOR MALFUNCTIONS WHEN I ATTEMPT TO OPEN IT. ABOUT 80% OF THE TIME WHEN I PRESS THE BUTTON TO HAVE IT OPEN, IT CRACKS OPEN AND THEN STARTS BEEPING. THEN TO OPEN IT, I HAVE TO MANUALLY OPEN IT BY HAND.

01/12/2021
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 01/12/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH5ES******
Summary

THE REAR LIFT GATE POWER STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 38000 MILES ON A 2014 VEHICLE. HAVE NOTICED NUMEROUS OTHERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON TOYOTA FORUMS.

12/28/2020
Components: SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 12/28/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDKKRFH0ES******
Summary

PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT, WHEN I GOT OUT OF VEHICLE TODAY. DINGING SOUND COMING FROM SOMEWHERE WHEN WE DROVE IT LAST NIGHT.

10/13/2020
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 08/23/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH3ES******
Summary

NEAR THE END OF A 180 MILE TRIP, VEHICLE WAS ON HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN LIGHT CAME ON SAYING ENGINE HAD STOPPED. ENGINE WAS SMOKING AND WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL DESPITE IT BEING FULL AT THE START OF THE TRIP. MECHANIC FOUND THAT ENGINE HAD SEIZED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED IN FULL. UPPER MANIFOLD ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO PRESENCE OF METAL SHAVINGS. TRANSMISSION WAS LATER FOUND TO BE LEAKING OIL AND AT THIS TIME APPEARS UNFIXABLE. CAR HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES AND THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OF ANY ISSUES - CAR RAN SMOOTHLY UNTIL THE ENGINE SEIZED.

09/16/2020
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 09/01/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDYKRFH3ES******
Summary

TAILGATE DOES NOT OPEN SOMETIMES. IT WILL DO A LONG BEEP. SOMETIMES IT WILL OPEN BUT NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY. SOMETIMES IT WILL OPEN LESS THEN HALF WAY AND THEN DO A LONG BEEP.

08/17/2020
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 01/01/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH8ES******
Summary

THE REAR DOOR (HATCH) ELECTRICAL DOES NOT FUNCTION

06/28/2020
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/01/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDYKRFH1ES******
Summary

DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS NOT WORKING. CAN NO LONGER USE KEY FOB TO UNLOCK/LOCK DOORS. POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE.

06/17/2020
Components: POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 06/17/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDZKRFH8ES******
Summary

SHARDS OF METAL INSIDE TRANSMISSION PAN AT 74K MILES. WHILE DRIVING AT DIFFERENT MPH, THE VEHICLES FEELS LIKE IT'S SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL. *TR

04/15/2020
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 04/01/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH0ES******
Summary

THE REAR DOOR LOCKS DO NOT LOCK ALL THE TIME MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR THE KIDS IN THE BACK SEAT TO OPEN THE DOORS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON MY 2014 HIGHLANDER. IT ALSO MAKES IT PRETTY EASY FOR PEOPLE TO STEAL STUFF FROM YOUR CAR. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS A KNOW ISSUE AND THE INTERNET FORUMS ARE FULL OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE WITH ZERO HELP FROM THE DEALER. NEW LOCK MECHANISMS ARE 300 DOLLARS. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE ONE AT 75K MILES,. NOW I HAVE TO DO THE OTHER. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 100K. *TR

01/24/2020
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 06/01/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDYKRFH9ES******
Summary

AROUND 55,000 MILES DRIVEN, MY PANORAMIC ROOF STARTED LEAKING INTO PILLARS. IT CAUSED BOTH REAR DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WET AND CARPETS WET. MY ROOF LEAKS WHENEVER THERE IS RAIN. ROOF DOES NOT LEAK WHEN MY CAR IS PARKED DOWN HILL, BUT IT LEAKS WHENEVER CAR IS PARKED UPHILL. ROOF ALSO LEAKS DRIVING IN HIGHWAY IN HEAVY RAIN. I CONTACTED TOYOTA, BUT THEY SAID I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LEAK SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY SAID I HAVE TO REPLACE PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING INCLUDE SUNROOF.

01/06/2020
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 12/29/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH9ES******
Summary

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AT 60 MPH, SOUTH BOUND ON RTE 495 SOUTH IN FOXBORO, MA AT 2:35 ON DEC 29, 2019. DRIVER HEARD A THUD ON THE ROOF, PULLED OVER TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE, OPENED THE MOONROOF SHADE AND DISCOVERED THAT MOONROOF GLASS WAS GONE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF SHATTERED GLASS. DRIVER DID NOT SEE ANY OTHER VEHICLE OR PERSON THAT WAS DAMAGED OR INJURED. DRIVER WAS TRAVELING ALONE. ON INSPECTION REPAIR SHOP DID NOT SEE ANY DAMAGE TO ROOF OR WINDOW FRAME AND NO GLASS SHARDS.

11/29/2019
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 11/02/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDYKRFH7ES******
Summary

THERE HAS BEEN A LEAK COMING FROM THE ROOF IN TO THE C PILLAR, CAUSING WATER TO GO IN TO THE CABIN UNDER THE CARPET. THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED.

11/22/2019
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 11/01/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH5ES******
Summary

POWER BACK DOOR JUST BEEPS WILL NOT OPEN IN COLD WEATHER. MANUALLY OPENS,HOWEVER, IT'S A STRUGGLE TO OPEN.

11/20/2019
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 11/20/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFH3ES******
Summary

ENTUNE RADIO/HEADUNIT (HU) REBOOT ITSELF WHILE IN A CALL. REBOOT OCCURS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT ANY SPEED, DURING ANY DRIVING CONDITION. AS THE HU REBOOTS, DRIVER IS UNABLE TO USE REAR-VIEW CAMERA AND ANY OTHER FEATURE DISPLAYED IN HU. ROAD ATTENTION IS AFFECTED SINCE DRIVER IS DISTRACTED BY THE SCREEN GOING BLACK AND ON AGAIN. ALSO IF DRIVER IS IN A CALL HAS TO END CALL FROM THE PHONE AND CALL AGAIN USING THE PHONE.

10/15/2019
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 10/12/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFH4ES******
Summary

WITHIN THE PAST MONTH OR SO THERE WERE A FEW SEPARATE/SPORADIC OCCASIONS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION OF MY 2014 HIGHLANDER WITH 82,344 GENTLE MILES ON IT SEEMED TO SLIP/NOT ENGAGE FOR A MOMENT WHEN FIRST STARTING TO TRAVEL AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DID ENGAGE DURING THESE EPISODES IT WAS ABRUPT AND NOTICEABLE CREATING AN AUDIBLE NOISE AND JERKED THE VEHICLE. THIS PAST WEEKEND THE SAME THING HAPPENED EXCEPT THAT THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE MESSAGES "TRAC OFF" AND "CHECK AWD SYSTEM" WERE DISPLAYED. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THAT HAS PERFORMED ALL THE SERVICE AND AFTER THEY INSPECTED IT AND RAN THE CODES I WAS TOLD THAT ALTHOUGH IT'S, AND I QUOTE, "EXTREMELY RARE FOR A TOYOTA WITH SUCH LOW MILES TO NEED IT, THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED." THIS FRUSTRATING NOT ONLY BECAUSE ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICE HAS ALWAYS BEEN PERFORMED, AND THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF, BUT I HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT A VIBRATION AND RATTLING NOISE WHEN FIRST ACCELERATING FROM THE UNDER CARRIAGE WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT IDENTIFY WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM OR WHAT WAS MAKING THIS OCCUR WHEN IT WAS OBVIOUS IT WAS ORIGINATING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER/PASSENGER AREA AT THE FRONT OF THE TRANSMISSION.

10/01/2019
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 09/01/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH4ES******
Summary

TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN MOTION

09/24/2019
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 09/24/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFH8ES******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR POWER DOORS AND TRUNK MADE A BUZZING NOISE AND WERE INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: SB0023-16 AND NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10134306 (STRUCTURE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). SPARKS TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 4855 HIGHWAY 501, MYRTLE BEACH, SC 29526, 888-847-7870) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

07/13/2019
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 07/13/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFH6ES******
Summary

THE REAR HATCH BEEPS AND DOES NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. I TRIED THE FACTORY RESETTING IT WITH NO LUCK. SAW ONLINE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, BUT TOYOTA IS STATING ITS NOT DESPITE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE BY OWNERS AND ALSO SITE SHOWING TOYOTA WILL FIX AND REPLACE THE REAR STRUTS

07/07/2019
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/15/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDBKRFH2ES******
Summary

WE ARE AFFECTED BY I AM LEARNING VERY COMMON ISSUE IN TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2014 AND LATER. POWER DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ARE ALL FAILING AT AROUND 4-5 YEARS. I HAVE NOT ENCOUNTERED THIS ON ANY OTHER CARS I OWNED AND IT SEEMS SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THESE SINCE PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE I TALKED TO HAD ONE OR MORE FAIL IN TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENED, BUT IT IS SAFETY CONCERNS BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW THAT ONE OF THE DOOR WAS BEING LEFT UNLOCKED. THERE IS NO WARNING THAT IT FAILED TO LOCK.

06/29/2019
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 06/21/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH8ES******
Summary

THE REAR LIFT GATE WILL OFTEN NOT CLOSE CORRECTLY ON THE FIRST TRY. IT BEEPS AS IF SOMETHING IS IN ITS WAY AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE. RECENTLY IT GOT STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION ANS IT HAD TO FORCIBLY BE CLOSED. NOW IT WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS STATIONARY AND THE ISSUE HAS OCCURRED BOTH WHILE ON AND OFF.

06/21/2019
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/01/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH6ES******
Summary

VEHICLE IN MOTION: RADIO/ENTUNE/NAVIGATION SYSTEM FREEZES AND REBOOTS MULTIPLE TIMES. VEHICLE STATIONARY: INTERIOR CABIN LIGHT WHEN SET TO "DOOR" FADES ON AND OFF CONTINUOUSLY. KEYLESS FOB FAILS TO FUNCTION ONCE CAR HAS BEEN STARTED; WHEN MOTOR SHUT OFF AND DOOR IS OPEN, WARNING LIGHT INDICATES NO KEY DETECTED.

06/06/2019
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 06/04/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDYKRFH7ES******
Summary

ISSUES WITH THE FRONT AND BACK DOORS NOT UNLOCKING. THE ISSUES HAVE RANGED FROM ALL DOORS UNLOCKED, BUT STICKING AND NOT DISENGAGING. I JUST HAD THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR REPLACED IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK DOOR THIS WEEK. THE NEXT DAY THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON OFF AND ON FOR THE PAST 3-4 YEARS.

06/03/2019
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 04/30/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH7ES******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE REAR LIFTGATE, IT OCCASIONALLY FAILED TO OPEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE HAD TO BE CLOSED MANUALLY OCCASIONALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHUCK PATTERSON TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 200 EAST AVE, CHICO, CA 95926) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MULTI LIFTGATE CONNECTOR OR THE POWER UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

05/19/2019
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 05/10/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

SPEEDOMETER NUMBERS ARE NOT VISIBLE TO THE DRIVER. THE NUMBERS INDICATING THE KILOMETER SPEED ARE TOO SMALL AND THE NUMBERS ARE NOT LIGHTED BRIGHTLY ENOUGH TO SEE. THE NUMBERS ARE NOT VISIBLE IN DAYLIGHT OR AT NIGHT. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS CONDITION WHEN I AM DRIVING IN CANADA. THE TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS NO SOLUTION TO THIS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. PLEASE NOT THAT I HAVE EXCELLENT EYESIGHT.

05/17/2019
Components: POWER TRAIN,WHEELS
Incident Date: 04/29/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE WHEELS LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE TRANSMISSION STOPS, PULLS, THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR. A WARNING MESSAGE APPEARS STATING 'CHECK ALL WHEEL DRIVE TRACK OFF'. THE SOLENOID FAILED. *JS

04/23/2019
Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Incident Date: 01/24/2019
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDYKRFH9ES******
Summary

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON OUR STREET, WHICH IS CONSIDERED A PRIVATE ROAD, WHILE PREPARING TO TURN AROUND A BEND IN THE ROAD, A 94YR OLD WOMAN WALKED IN FRONT OF MY CAR, WAS STRUCK, AND DIED. AT NO TIME DURING MY TURN DID I SEE THE WOMAN AS SHE STEPPED IN FRONT OF MY CAR. RESEARCH OF THE 2014 HIGHLANDER REVEALED MANY OWNERS HAD DIFFICULTY SEEING ANY OBJECT OR PERSON DUE TO THE BLIND SPOT OF THE LEFT SIDE MIRROR. RESEARCH AT TOYOTA NATION FORUM, REVEALED ALL OWNERS HAD BLIND SPOTS DUE TO THE SIZE AND POSITION OF THE LEFT SIDE MIRROR. MOST WERE RELATED TO DRIVERS 5'2" IN HEIGHT, BUT 6FT DRIVERS ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BLIND SPOT OF THE LEFT SIDE MIRROR. IN FACT, I FOUND ANOTHER DRIVER WHO HIT A PEDESTRIAN, BUT THEIR VICTIM SURVIVED.

03/26/2019
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 03/25/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDKKRFH4ES******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE REAR GATE, IT STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE. THE CONTACT MANUALLY HAD TO PUSH IT UP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GATE HAD BEEN MALFUNCTIONING FOR APPROXIMATELY EIGHT MONTHS. THE GATE WOULD SOMETIMES OPEN OR NOT OPEN, AND WOULD OCCASIONALLY BECAUSE GET STUCK IN THE PROCESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RONNIE WARD TOYOTA OF RUSTON (1001 NORTH SERVICE RD E, RUSTON, LA 71270), BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

03/16/2019
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
Incident Date: 03/15/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFH7ES******
Summary

MY COMPLAINT CONCERNS THE SAFETY OF THE WELLBEING OF MYSELF AND PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE. THE REAR AUTOMATUC DOOR LOCK ON MY PASSENGER SIDE OF MY HIGHLANDER WENT OUT FIRST. THEN THE DRIVER DOOR AT ANY GIVEN TIME MAY OR MAY NOT OPEN. NOT EVEN WITH THE KEY. I HAVE TO GO TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CLIMB OVER AND UNLOCK THE DOOR AND GO BACK AROUND TO GET IN. MY CONCERN IS BEING IN A WRECK AND THE DOOR NOT OPENING. NOT BEING ABLE TO GET A CHILD OUT OF THE CARSEAT IN THE BACK BECAUSE THE DOOR WON'T OPEN. YES. IT MAY BE THE ACTUATORS AND I HAVE READ THE EXPENSIVE REVIEWS OF GETTING THOSE FIXED ONLY TO FIND IT HAPPENS AGAIN OVER AND OVER. MY OTHER COMPLAINT IS THE BLUETOOTH PHONE SYSTEM WILL FREEZE UP AND YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR TO UNFREEZE IT. THE SYSTEM COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN CONTINUOUSLY. I HAVE READ REVIEWS ON THIS ALSO AND TOYOTA IS AWARE OF BOTH OF THESE COMPLAINTS BUT HAVE HAD NO RECALLS TO DATE. PLEASE HELP!

03/13/2019
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/10/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDZKRFH1ES******
Summary

DOOR ACTUATOR - DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT ALWAYS LOCK OR UNLOCK WHEN USING THE KEY FOB OR BUTTON ON DOOR.

02/26/2019
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 09/01/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH7ES******
Summary

REAR LIFT GATE MALFUNCTIONED WHEN TRYING TO LOAD GROCERIES. LONG BEEP AND WOULDN'T WORK. UNABLE TO MAKE IT WORK AGAIN EVEN AFTER RESETTING AND TURNING OFF AND ON VIA BUTTON IN GLOVEBOX. NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY ANYMORE. PAID $1000 FOR TOYOTA AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR. BROUGHT HOME AND IT WORKED FOR A FEW DAYS THEN STARTED DOING THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN.

02/21/2019
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 07/08/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH0ES******
Summary

POWER REAR LIFTGATE INOPERABLE. POWER REAR LIFT GATE TRAVELS A COUPLE INCHES, EITHER OPENING OR CLOSING, AND FREEZES. NO LONGER RESPONDS WITH THE POWER BUTTON AND HAS TO BE CLOSED MANUALLY. DISENGAGING THE POWER BUTTON AND USING ONLY AS MANUAL OPEN AND CLOSE, THE DOOR IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OPEN OR CLOSE.

12/06/2018
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/08/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

DOOR ACTUATORS FAILED IN ALL 4 DOORS 3 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE AND JUST AFTER WARRANTY WAS OVER.

11/13/2018
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/02/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TOYOTA ENTUNE SYSTEM , CONSTANTLY SHUT DOWN AND REBOOT WHILE DRIVING, LOSING BLUETOOTH CONNECTION, RADIO, NAVIGATION

11/09/2018
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/06/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDYKRFH4ES******
Summary

BLUETOOTH STOPPED WORKING. WHEN MY PHONE WOULD BE PLUGGED IN, THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY DISCONNECT FROM ITSELF FROM THE PHONE. TOUCHSCREEN WOULD ZAP IN AND OUT UNTIL IT WOULD FINALLY SHUT OFF. GOT SUSPENDED FROM WORK FOR TWO WEEKS BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT START (I HAD NO OTHER TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO WORK). TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH BATTERY. IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING WITH THE SOFTWARE.

10/22/2018
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 04/11/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDKKRFH6ES******
Summary

THE POWER LIFT GATE ACTUATORS ONLY WORKED INTERMITTENTLY AND CAUSED US TO CLOSE/OPEN BY HAND. THIS OCCURRED WHILE PARKED. THIS EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A LEAK IN THE DRIVER SIDE ACTUATOR. A REVIEW OF THE NHTSA WEBSITE SHOWED THAT OF THE 54 COMPLAINTS LISTED 14 CONCERNED THE POWER LIFT GATES. THAT IS ABOUT 25%. I HAD TO HAVE THE DEALER REPLACE BOTH AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOT A RECALL. THEY SUGGESTED I CALL TOYOTA DIRECTLY. TOYOTA REP SAID THEY COULD NOT REIMBURSE ME AFTER THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETE. NO SUGGESTION AS TO REPLACING MY CAR WHILE IT WAITED IN SHOP FOR ACTION FROM TOYOTA. HOWEVER TOYOTA DID PAY FOR HALF OF THE REPAIR ($1000) AND STATED THAT IF A RECALL OCCURRED AT A LATER DATE WE COULD REVISIT THE COST OF THE OTHER ACTUATOR. SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS RE THIS PROBLEM I HOPE THIS NOTIFICATION MIGHT LEAD TO OTHER DOCUMENTATION OF SIMILAR ISSUES AND MAYBE A RECALL. AT THIS TIME I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD MY COMPLAINT RE THE RADIO/ENTUNE SYSTEM GOING BLACK AND THEN TURNING BACK ON, THIS SEEMS TO BE THE MOST FREQUENT COMPLAINT.

10/17/2018
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 10/17/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFH8ES******
Summary

MY HIGHLANDER HAS HAD A TOTAL OF 14 (INCLUDING THE 4 ORIGINAL) DOOR ACTUATORS IN THE 4 PASSENGER DOORS. THE 1ST FAILED AT ABOUT 13K MILES. I HAVE ABOUT 75K MILES NOW. AS SOON AS (OR SHORTLY AFTER) A FAILED ONE HAS BEEN REPLACED, THE ISSUE TRAVELS TO ANOTHER DOOR. THAT PATTERN HAS CONTINUED TO REACH THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACTUATORS SO FAR. THE 15TH ACTUATOR WILL SOON BE INSTALLED. TOYOTA WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE ONCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, EVEN THOUGH IT ORIGINATED LONG BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRATION. I DON'T BELIEVE THE ACTUATORS ARE ACTUALLY THE PROBLEM, BUT POSSIBLY WHATEVER COMPUTER OR DEVICE IS SENDING THE SIGNAL TO THE DOORS TO LOCK/UNLOCK. IT HAPPENS WITH EITHER THE REMOTE OR THE LOCKING CONTROLS ON THE DOORS ITSELF. I CONSIDER IT A SAFETY AND INCONVENIENCE ISSUE WHEN YOU CANNOT RELY ON THE DOORS TO LOCK OR UNLOCK UPON COMMAND. UPON LEAVING THE CAR, YOU'RE NEVER QUITE SURE IF THE CAR IS SAFELY SECURED. BEING THE PRIMARY DRIVER, I'M NOT CERTAIN IF THE AFFECTED DOOR DU JOUR IS LOCKING UPON PUTTING THE CAR IN DRIVE, WHICH COULD BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THE "BAD ACTUATOR" WILL ALSO NOT OPEN FREQUENTLY, WHICH IS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE IF RAIN IS POURING AND YOU HAVE YOUR HANDS FULL. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

10/11/2018
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 08/07/2018
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH0ES******
Summary

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE RIGHT ONLY LANE AND SEE THE RED LIGHT ON THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL. IT IS NOT A BUSY STREET. AND THERE IS A CAR IN FRONT OF MINE. I APPLIED BRAKES AND THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE CAR DID NOT STOP AND TRIED BY PUSHING THE BRAKES IN FULL THROTTLE. IT DID NOT WORK AND MY CAR BUMPED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I TOWED MY CAR AND HAD MY CAR INSPECTED AT DEALERSHIP. THE REPORT WAS GREEN AND SO NO ISSUES. AND FILED A CASE WITH TOYOTA TO HAVE THE BLACK BOX REVIEWED. TOYOTA REPORTED NO ISSUES. AT THIS TIME I AM HELPLESS AND HAVE A SERIOUS CONCERN OF RUNNING INTO THE SAME ISSUE PUTTING MY AND OTHERS LIFE AT RISK.

10/10/2018
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 10/03/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH8ES******
Summary

ONE DAY I FIND A WATER UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT AND UNDER THE PASSENGER SEATTLE AND THE BACK SEAT TOO SO I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT DRAIN CLOGGED DUE TO A LOT OF RAIN AND DEBRIS AND THEY ASK ME TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE A LOT OF CARS PARK THERE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND I TOLD THEM I HAVE A WARRANTY ON THE CAR AND THEY SAID IT DOESN'T MATTER AND THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX IT WITH THE FACTORY WARRANTY AND THAT FLOOD CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR FIRE BECOUSE ALL THE WIRE THERE

09/12/2018
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/01/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDBKRFH4ES******
Summary

THE REAR TRUNK DOOR OF MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IS NOT FUNCTIONING AS EXPECTED. THE MOTORS THAT POWER THE ACTUATORS OF THE TRUNK DOOR ARE NOT WORKING AND WE HAVE TO MANUALLY OPEN AND CLOSE THE TRUNK DOOR. SOMETIMES WE DO NOT REALIZE IF THE TRUNK IS CLOSED OR NOT WHICH CREATES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN. TOYOTA WAS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN THE 2008 TO 2013 HIGHLANDER MODELS BUT THE SAME ISSUE STILL PERSISTS IN THE 2014 MODELS ALSO. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AT IRVING, TX AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE MOTOR POWERING THE ACTUATORS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AND TOYOTA COVERS IT AS PART OF WARRANTY. SINCE THE VEHICLE'S FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRED IN THIS YEAR THEY ADVISED ME THAT I WILL HAVE TO BEAR THE COST OF REPAIR AND PARTS.

08/20/2018
Components: TIRES,WHEELS
Incident Date: 08/20/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH1ES******
Summary

SPARE TIRE WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED AND UNUSABLE WHEN NEEDED. IT WAS NEVER USED BEFORE. TECHNICIAN CHANGING TIRE SAID IT WAS UNSAFE.

08/06/2018
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/04/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDYKRFH3ES******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING IN HOUSTON TX. USING THE NAV SYSTEM THE SCREEN WENT BLANK. IN HEAVY TRAFFIC DURING RUSH HOUR ABOUT 5 PM. I ACUTALLY MISSED MY TURN AND HAD TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RE STARTED IT. SCREEN BLANKED OUT AGAIN WHILE PARKED. I HAD TO RESORT TO MY CELL PHONE. I"M NEW TO THE AREA. TOYOTA TELLS ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ITS SOFTWEAR. I FEEL THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS VERY DISTURBING WHILE LOOKING FOR DIRECTIONS AND THE SCREEN GOES BLANK.

08/02/2018
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 07/17/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDCRFH4ES******
Summary

ON CITY STREET DRIVING ABOUT 37 MPH. ADAPTIVE SPEED CONTROL ENGAGED. I APPROACH A CAR GOING THE SAME DIRECTION SLIGHTLY SLOWER, ABOUT 35 MPH. THAT SLOWER CAR IS FOLLOWING ANOTHER CAR ABOUT 2 CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT. MY CAR GENTLY BREAKS TO BRING MY SPEED BACK TO 35 MPH. MY 35 MPH IS BEING MAINTAINED AT A FIXED DISTANCE FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME CHANGES LANE OPENING UP A GAP OF ABOUT 3-4 CAR LENGTHS TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY CAR NOW SPEEDS UP AGGRESSIVELY BECAUSE THERE IS NO CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. INSTEAD OF BREAKING WHEN MY CAR GETS CLOSER TO THE REAR END OF THE CAR NOW THAT I AM APPROACHING, MY CAR CONTINUES AGGRESSIVE ACCELERATION TOWARD THE REAR OF THAT CAR. MY CAR WOULD SURELY SMASH INTO THE REAR OF THAT CAR IF I DON'T BRAKE SIGNIFICANTLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES THROUGH THE YEARS ALTHOUGH NOT FREQUENTLY GIVEN THE CONDITIONS NEEDED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAULT. I BELIEVE IT IS REPEATABLE AND SUGGESTIVE OF A SOFTWARE ISSUE. ALL THE HARDWARE ELEMENTS SEEM TO BE WORKING JUST FINE.

07/16/2018
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/02/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFH3ES******
Summary

THE DOOR ACTUATORS KEEP GOING OUT. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS THE TWO BACK AND PASSENGER FRONT. I HAD IT FIXED AND LESS THAN A YEAR LATER THE TWO BACK DOORS WENT OUT AGAIN. THE DEALERS SHIP WANTS APPROXIMATELY 400.00 PER DOOR TO CORRECT.

07/13/2018
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 06/20/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH4ES******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WAS OBSCURED WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR FAILED TO RETRACT. IN ADDITION, THE LIFTGATE AUTOMATIC RELEASE BUTTON WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MILLER TOYOTA (8566 SUDLEY RD, MANASSAS, VA 20110, (866) 352-4910) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.

07/12/2018
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 07/11/2018
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDKKRFH5ES******
Summary

WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS A SOUND, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND COULD NOT STOP WHEN PRESSED THE BRAKE AND THE PARKING BRAKE. CRASHED INTO THE NEIGHBOR'S YARD WITH SUCH FORCE THAT THE CAR ROLL OVER. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY TO ME, A PASSERBY, OR NEIGHBOR'S CHILDREN.

07/10/2018
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 07/09/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDKKRFH1ES******
Summary

THE BACK HATCH NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU CAN'T ESCAPE OUT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. CAR IS PARKED WHEN WE TRY TO OPERATE THE HATCH.

06/29/2018
Components: SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 01/01/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH5ES******
Summary

GPS/RADIO OFTEN TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING. SCREEN COMPLETELY GOES BLANK AND KEEPS TRYING TO RESET ITSELF. VOICE COMMANDS OFTEN DON'T WORK WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY. BLUE TOOTH OFTEN DOESN'T CONNECT WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY. TAILGATE OFTEN DOESN'T CLOSE AND TAKES MULTIPLE TRIES TO GET TO WORKING AGAIN WHEN STATIONARY. SPONGY/BROKEN SPRING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR AS I DROVE OVER UNEVEN ROAD. REAR LEFT TAIL LIGHT ALWAYS FOGGY AND CONTAINS MOISTURE EVEN AFTER REPLACING IT. CHIRPING SOUND COMING FROM RIGHT SIDE OF CAR WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ON WINDY DAYS. WHEEL AND CAR SHAKING WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT SPEED OVER 60 MPH.

06/12/2018
Components: SUSPENSION
Incident Date: 06/09/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDZARFH7ES******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE MAKING TURNS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DAMAGED REAR SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. *TT

05/11/2018
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/23/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: WITHIN ABOU******
Summary

EVERY SINGLE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAS FAILED IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING REMOTE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING TO NOT WORK. DOORS, AFTER FAILING, REQUIRED TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED OR UNLOCKED. THE DRIVER FRONT AND REAR FAILED ABOUT 39 MONTHS AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE, THEN 3 MONTHS LATER THE RIGHT REAR ONE FAILED, AND NOW THE FOURTH AND FINAL ONE HAS FAILED.

05/06/2018
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 05/06/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH6ES******
Summary

LIFT GATE GET STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. I LIVE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, SO IT'S NOT DUE TO COLD TEMPS. SOMETIME IT TAKE 10 TRIED TO CLOSE THE GATE. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE TIME LATELY, SO I TRY NOT TO USE THE GATE. PUTTING IT IN A TURNING OFF THE SWITCH IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOES NOT HELP.

04/14/2018
Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 04/13/2018
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFH8ES******
Summary

I WAS T BONED ON PASSENGER SIDE, SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS PUSHED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN HEAD ON COLLISION. SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN- I INITIALLY HIT DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW, WHEN T-BONED, THEN WITH FRONT IMPACT HIT STEERING WHEEL, ROOF AND CENTER CONSOLE. *TT *TR

03/18/2018
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/09/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFH4ES******
Summary

LIFTGATE GETTING STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION MAKING IT A HAZARD TO DRIVE, NOT KNOWING WHEN IT WILL OPEN OR CLOSE PROPERLY. POWER WINDOWS BARELY CLOSE- REPORTED TO TOYOTA BUT CLAIMED IT WAS NOT AN ISSUE.

02/22/2018
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/01/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDGKRFH2ES******
Summary

I HAVE THREE ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRONICS IN MY 2014 HIGHLANDER STARTING IN JUNE 2017 (RIGHT AFTER MY WARRANTEE EXPIRED): 1. THE ELECTRONIC LIFTGATE IS NON-FUNCTIONAL. WHEN OPENING, IT TAKES MULTIPLE (5-10) ATTEMPTS TO GET IT TO OPEN ALL THE WAY UP. SAME WITH CLOSING THE LIFTGATE. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. 2. THE ELECTRIC PASSENGER WINDOW WILL NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY UNTIL YOU TRY TO CLOSE IT MULTIPLE (5-10) TIMES. IT GOES UP ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY, THEN OPENS AGAIN. I FOUND THAT IT WORKS QUICKER, AFTER 2-3 TIMES IF THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. VEHICLE CAN BE STATIONARY OR MOVING. 3. THE BLUETOOTH CONNECTING MY ANDROID PHONE STAYS CONNECTED FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS AND THEN I HAVE TO INITIALIZE IT AGAIN TO MAKE IT WORK. VEHICLE CAN BE STATIONARY OR MOVING.

01/23/2018
Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Incident Date: 04/09/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFH4ES******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE AT THE DEALER TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER (PRIME TOYOTA BOSTON, 1605 VFW PKWY, WEST ROXBURY, MA 02132) AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0.

01/05/2018
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 01/04/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDCRFH7ES******
Summary

LIFT GATE WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE IN COLD TEMPERATURES. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO OUR LOCAL DEALER IN BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. EACH TIME THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. WE DO NOT WISH TO INJURE OURSELVES TRYING TO OPEN OUR BACK DOOR. THIS VEHICLE IS USED IN OUR DELIVERY BUSINESS AND IT IS NECESSARY TO FREQUENTLY USE OUR BACK DOOR.

12/20/2017
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 12/20/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH7ES******
Summary

POWER LIFT GATE WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE AND LOCK WHEN THE OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 32 DEGREES F. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND COLD AS STATED.

12/12/2017
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 12/01/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH3ES******
Summary

CHROME GRILL IS BUBBLING AND LOOKS LIKE IT'S GETTING READY TO PEEL. MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED AND TAKEN CARE OF SINCE I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW.. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT WILL DEFINITELY LOWER THE VALUE OF MY CAR. MY HUSBAND NOTICED THIS ISSUE JUST RECENTLY WHEN I WAS PULLING INTO THE GARAGE.

11/21/2017
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 09/01/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDKKRFH3ES******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK OR CLOSE THE LIFTGATE AUTOMATICALLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE MANUALLY AND HOLD THE LIFTGATE OPEN MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LIFTGATE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

11/14/2017
Components: STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 11/12/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDZKRFH4ES******
Summary

MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2014 HAS A HUGE SECURITY AND SAFETY ISSUE. ITS STEERING WHEEL JAMMED AND IT BECOME COMPLETELY DISABLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE ENGINE WONT START AGAIN. IT HAS THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES IN THE DASHBOARD. 1- 'EPS FAILURE. STEERING WHEEL IS HARDER TO TURN'. 2- 'THE ENGINE HAS STOPPED. PLEASE PUT THE SHIFT LEVER TO P'. 3- 'TRAC OFF' 4- 'BRAKE OVERRIDE SYSTEM FAILURE'. MY CAR HAD SAME ISSUE BACK AUG 2017 BUT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT THEY DIDN'T SEE SUCH ISSUE AND THE CAR STARTED NORMAL. I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF DIAGNOSTICS THEY PERFORMED BECAUSE I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WHICH HAS SIMILAR SYMPTOM AS THE RECALL ISSUE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 15V14000) FOR TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2015 MODELS. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SECURITY FAULT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS IDOL WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL JAMMED. ON BOTH OCCASION THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.

09/08/2017
Components: SUSPENSION
Incident Date: 08/25/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFHXES******
Summary

I'VE PURCHASED 2014 HIGHLANDER ON JAN 2014. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERS ABOUT THE REAR NOISE STARTING IN 2014 AND ALL THEY COULD SAID WAS TO MAKE SURE THE JACK TOOL IS SECURED IN THE BACK. THEY COULDN'T IDENTIFIED THE ISSUE. TODAY I FOUND SB0016-16 AND HAD A DEALER CONFIRMED THE TRAILING ARM ISSUE. THIS IS PART OF THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. I CONTACTED TOYODA WITH CASE #1708260897 AND THEY SAID MINE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WON'T PAY FOR THE REPAIR. IT DIDN'T MATTER IF THE ISSUE WAS IDENTIFIED BEFORE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND BEFORE THIS BULLETIN SB0016-16 CAME OUT. THE REPAIR COST IS ESTIMATED TO BE $1,200.

09/03/2017
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 04/03/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDYKRFH3ES******
Summary

THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE MELTING THE PLASTIC COVER ON THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. BOTH SIDES ARE MELTING FROM THE HEAT OF THE LOW BEAM LIGHT BULBS. IT WAS FIRST NOTICED AT 37,000 MILES, AT 3 YEARS OLD. FACTORY INSTALLED PARTS, NO MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE ONLY OPERATING AT NIGHT, ABOUT 25% OF THE DRIVING TIME ON THE VEHICLE, SO THE MELTING OCCURRED WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES OF DRIVING TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY WHEN IT WAS REPORTED TO TOYOTA, BUT THIS MELTING HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE DAY ONE. THIS DEFECT WILL AFFECT THE SAFETY OF NIGHTTIME DRIVING IN THE VEHICLE. WORKED FOR MONTHS WITH DEALERSHIP, UNSATISFACTORY RESOLUTION.

07/07/2017
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 07/03/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFHXES******
Summary

AFTER NUMEROUS ELECTRIC ISSUES WITH MY 2014 HIGHLANDER NOW THE REAR ELECTRIC LIFT GATE CYLINDERS ARE BAD. TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER THIS AM AND FOR $1550 THEY WILL REPLACE THEM WITH A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN UPDATED PART NUMBER AND CYLINDER. AS I HAVE READ I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND IF THEY HAVE AN UPDATED NEW CYLINDER WHY DON'T THEY THE RIGHT THING AND REPLACE THE BAD DESIGN....UHGG I WANT MY OLD CHEVROLET BACK....

06/28/2017
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 06/10/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDYKRFH0ES******
Summary

WHEN USING THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL IT MAINTAINS A USER SPECIFIED TRAVELLING DISTANCE BEHIND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. WHEN THE VEHICLE CHANGES LANES, OR IS TURNING OFF, THE VEHICLE IS BARELY OFF THE LANE, BUT THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL STILL REACTS TO THE CAR THAT HAS EXITED THE LANE. THIS CAUSES MY TOYOTA TO REACT TO THE SLOWED VEHICLE THAT HAS JUST EXITED MY LANE BY SLOWING UNNECESSARILY, AND CAUSING VEHICLES BEHIND ME TO HAVE TO SLOW AND SOME TIMES GET IRRITATED BY THIS ACTION. I TOLD TOYOTA ABOUT THIS. I WAS TOLD THERE IS A FIX ON THE WAY, BUT NO ACTION HAS TAKEN PLACE IN THE PAST 3 YEARS. A TECH DROVE THE CAR ON THE ROAD IN FRONT OF THE DEALERSHIP, BUT HE OBVIOUSLY DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR ENOUGH, BECAUSE IF HE HAD, HE SHOULD HAVE NOTICED THIS ODD BEHAVIOR. IT HAPPENS SOME ON THE INTERSTATE, BUT IS MORE PRONOUNCED BEHAVIOR WHEN ON 2 LAND ROADS. THIS BEHAVIOR HAS OCCURRED EVER SINCE WE BOUGHT IT NEW.

06/06/2017
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/05/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFH6ES******
Summary

THE ENTUNE RADIO HAS A BUG THAT CAUSES IT TO REBOOT RANDOMLY. I HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AND RELYING ON THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR DIRECTIONS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. IT IS ANNOYING, DISTRACTING AND VERY UNSAFE. I HAVE INVESTIGATED THE ISSUE AND IT APPEARS THAT RELOADING OR NEW FIRMWARE DOES NOT WORK WHICH IS WHAT TOYOTA RECOMMENDS. REFER TO THIS LINK FOR OTHER PEOPLE'S COMPLAINTS. HTTP://WWW.LANDERFAN.COM/ARCHIVES/ENTUNE-NAVIGATION-FREEZE-CRASH-REBOOT-FOLLOWUP/

05/15/2017
Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 05/01/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER MORE THAN ONCE BECAUSE IT HESITATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THIS WAS A SAFETY CONCERN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR VARIOUS RATES OF SPEED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO DETERMINE IF THEY HAD A SERVICE CAMPAIGN OR SOLUTION TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

04/15/2017
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 04/10/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDYKRFH4ES******
Summary

SUNROOF EXPLODED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING ON STATE HIGHWAY 19 IN FLORIDA. THE TOYOTA COMPANY DENIED DEFECT AND I HAD TO HAVE REPAIR DONE USING MY INSURANCE. IF THE SUNROOF COVER HAD NOT BEEN CLOSED, PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COULD HAVE HAD LOTS OF GLASS CAUSING INJURY OR AN ACCIDENT

04/01/2017
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 04/09/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFH8ES******
Summary

THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAS SO MANY ISSUES IT HARD TO LIST THEM IN THIS SMALL SPACE. IT WILL REBOOT MANY TIMES A DAY, SOMETIMES JUST TURNS IT SELF OFF AND HAVE TO PULL TO THE SIDE TURN OFF ENGINE AND IT WILL COME BACK ON. COMMUNICATION IS EXTREMELY POOR, IT LAGS BEING WHERE I AM, IT POOR AT FINDING ADDRESSES THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS. TOYOTA NEEDS TO TOTALLY REDO THE SOFTWARE AND OFFER IT FOR FREE ITS SO BAD

12/18/2016
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/10/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH5ES******
Summary

STATIONARY VEHICLE. POWER REAR LIFT GATE WILL OPEN OR CLOSE ON DEMAND ONLY SPORADICALLY. IT MAY BEGIN TO OPEN OR CLOSE AND MOVE JUST SEVERAL INCHES, OR PERHAPS A FOOT. IT THUS REQUIRES THE OPERATOR TO MANUALLY OPEN OR CLOSE THE GATE WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT TO ACCOMPLISH ESPECIALLY FOR SMALLER OR ELDERLY PEOPLE AS THE RESISTANCE IS SEVERE, REQUIRING AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF EFFORT AND RISK OF INJURY. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND OCCURS CONTINUOUSLY.

10/31/2016
Components: VISIBILITY
Incident Date: 10/28/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDKKRFH0ES******
Summary

MY SUNROOF EXPLODED AS I WAS DRIVING WITH MY KIDS, ON THE HIGHWAY. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT AND THE GLASS FELL ALL OVER ME. *TR

08/27/2016
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 08/25/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH3ES******
Summary

REAR LIFT DOOR (HATCHBACK) DOES NOT STOP IF AN ARM OR BODY PART IS IN THE WAY ONCE THE BUTTON TO CLOSE IS PUSHED. MY HAIR GOT CAUGHT IN THE LOCK AND THE DOOR WAS CLOSING SO I TRIED TO STOP IT WITH MY ARM AND IT KEPT CLOSING ON MY ARM WITH MY HAIR CAUGHT AND MY ARM IS SEVERELY BRUISED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND SHUT OFF IN MY DRIVEWAY

08/01/2016
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/01/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY NAVIGATION SYSTEM STOP WORKING ON CITY, AND HIGHWAYS WHILE DRIVING. IT IS GETTING WORSE .I LIVE IN MARTIN TN. WHILE DRIVING TO, AND IN MEMPHIS TN IT STOP OVER TEN TIME ,AND ON THE WAY BACK AT LEAST NINE TIMES. WE WAS RELIEVING ON IT BUT FAILED. WHEN WE NEEDED IT THE MOST.

07/26/2016
Components: SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 06/19/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFH0ES******
Summary

2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT THREADING DETERIORATED AT THE STITCHING WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE FLOOR OF THE CAR. IT WAS FIXED BOTH TIMES AT IRA TOYOTA IN DANVERS, MA., ONCE ON JUNE 21, 2016 AND AGAIN ON JULY 26, 2016. THE FIRST TIME THE SEAT BELT BROKE, I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. I PUSHED OFF MY SEAT WITH MY ARMS TO ADJUST HOW I WAS SITTING, TO BE MORE COMFORTABLE, AND THE BELT BROKE. SEE IMAGE ATTACHED. THE SECOND TIME THE BELT BROKE WAS ALMOST IN THE SAME MATTER, EXCEPT I WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT.

06/30/2016
Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 06/18/2016
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH1ES******
Summary

TO AVOID TWO DEER CROSSING ROAD (BULL BRIDGE ROAD, SOUTH KENT, CT) ON CURVE, LOST CONTROL ON RIGHT SHOULDER, HIT STRAIGHT ON THE UTILITY WOOD POLE. MY SPEED WAS IN BETWEEN 25 AND 30 MPH. DURING THE ACCIDENT, ALL AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK ME UP. THE IMPACT CAUSED MY CHEST, BACK, NECK AND HEAD INJURIES.

06/15/2016
Components: STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 05/16/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFH0ES******
Summary

VEHICLE SHUT OFF DURING DRIVING, CAUSING ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS TO FAIL INCLUDING THE ELECTRONIC STEERING, WHICH SINCE VEHICLE ALSO TURNED OFF, CAUSED THE STEERING COLUMN TO LOCK UP. SINCE THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT SPEED AND INFACT WHILE MAKING A TURN, A NEAR COLLISION OCCURED. THE PROBLEM OCCURED MULTIPLE TIMES IN SUCCESSION AND WAS ALSO INTERMITTENT WITH MUCH TIME ELAPSING BETWEEN EPISODES. TWO OTHER TYPES OF RELATED OCCURRENCES DURING THIS TIMEFRAME WERE THE (1) VEHICLE ALSO CYCLING OFF AND ON AND (2) WOULD ALSO TURN ON ITSELF IF THE KEY WAS IN THE VICINITY OF THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA OF SEATTLE EXPERIENCED THE ISSUES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN AND DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE TO BE A LOOSE BOLTED CONNECTION OF THE NEGATIVE ELECTRICAL WIRE FROM THE BATTERY TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES SINCE TIGHTENING OF THE NEGATIVE WIRE BOLTS. ONGOING ISSUES INCLUDE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CYCLING OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING INCLUDING THE NAVIGATION AND FRONT CONSOLE DISPLAY. THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT IN SEPTEMBER 2014 AND HAD LESS THAN 25K MILES AS OF APRIL 2016. ON TWO PRIOR INSTANCES ELECTRICAL ISSUES WERE IDENTIFIED AND DOCUMENTED TO TOYOTA OF SEATTLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS KEPT FOR TESTING. THE FIRST ELECTRICAL ISSUE OCCURED WITH THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL FAILING AND THEREBY REQUIRING PASSENGER INTERVENTION TO AVOID COLLISION. THIS CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE FIRST SEEMED TO OCCUR IN DECEMBER 2015. TOYOTA OF SEATTLE DID NOT FIND ANY FAULT AND SENT ME AWAY. THE SECOND PRIOR ELECTRICAL ISSUE OF THE BATTERY PREMATURELY FAILING OCCURRED IN MARCH 2016. THE READINGS INDICATED SOME ODD DRAWS. TOYOTA OF SEATTLE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND SENT ME AWAY WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE ODD DRAWS. THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY REMAINS SUSPECT WITH ONGOING ELECTRICAL CYCLING OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING.

04/25/2016
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 02/01/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFH8ES******
Summary

WHEN THE A/C OR HEATER IS ON, THERE IS A VERY FOUL ALMOST ROTTEN TYPE OF SMELL COMING INTO THE CABIN. I NOTICE IT AS SOON AS I START THE CAR. IT USED TO GO AWAY AFTER DRIVING IT SEVERAL MILES, BUT LATELY IT SEEMS TO CONTINUE WITH THE BAD SMELL FOR A LONGER TIME. WE HAVE NOTICED IT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. IT HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT AS OF 4-25-16.

03/12/2016
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 03/10/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH3ES******
Summary

NAVIGATION SYSTEM. WILL NOT SET TO GO TO SPECIFIC ADDRESSES, WILL NOT OPERATE MUCH LIKE A NAVIGATION SYSTEM SHOULD.

03/10/2016
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 03/09/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFH5ES******
Summary

THE REAR POWER DOOR, FIRST WAS SPORATIC, WOULD OPEN HALF WAY THEN STOP, THEN YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE DOOR OPEN AGAINST THE MOTORS, THEN, SOMETIMES IT WILL CLOSE, BUT MOST TIME IN THE RAIN, YOU HAVE TO JUMP UP AND PULL DOWN THE DOOR, AGAIN AGAINST THE MOTORS, THEY RESIST QUITE ALOT, NOW THE DOOR, OPENS 2 INCHS AND STOPS AND I CAN'T GET IT TO OPEN MORE, TOLD TOYOTA, WELL, WE HAVE ONE GUY THAT WORKS ON THAT, AND IT HAS TO DO IT IN FRONT OF HIM, SHOULDN'T A COMPLAINT ABOUT A DOOR NOT OPENING BE SAFETY RELATED, ITS A DOOR, IT WON'T OPEN AND PUSHING AGAINST MOTORS IS VERY UNWANTED FOR A DISABLED PERSON, THE LAST 2 WEEKS, EVERY TIME I GO TO STORE IT WON'T WORK, AND I HAVE MY HANDS FULL WITH GROCERY'S, I HAVE HAD TO USE SIDE DOORS, TO GET THINGS OUT WHEN IT WON'T OPEN, TOOK IT BACK FOR THE THIRD TIME TO TOYOTA AND DEALERSHIP PERSON SAID, I WAS RUDE, SAYING BS THE DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN, SO FAR, IT DOES NOT OPEN AND TOYOTA HAS NOT OFFERED A FIX, AND I NEED TO GO ON A TRIP, LOOKS LIKE A CAR RENTAL, RATHER THAN TAKE A CHANCE MY DOOR WON'T OPEN IN THE RAIN.......ITS A BACK DOOR TO A CAR, IT SHOULD OPEN AT ALL TIMES, AND NO MOTOR SHOULD BE STOPING IT, AND I WAS TOLD THEY KNOW ABOUT IT, BUT AGAIN, THE ONE PERSON IN BUILDING HAS TO SEE IT........WOW, BIGGEST CAR COMPANY IN THE WORLD AND I HAVE TO POST THIS, 4 VECHILES WITH THEM AND RETHINKING IT NOW, THE HORRIBLE JBL STEREO, IS ANOTHER POST.....BUT SHOULDN'T A DOOR OPEN AT ALL TIMES, IT DOES NOT AT THE MOMENT OF WRITING THIS, LAST NIGHT IT DID NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY, AND THE WIND CAUSED THE ALARM TO GO OFF THIS MORNING...THE VERY MOTORS, THAT SHOULD CLOSE IT DID NOT WORK, AGAIN, IT WAS 1/2 INCH, OPEN THIS TIME....AND IT WAS RAINING ALL NIGHT.

01/21/2016
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 07/15/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDKKRFH0ES******
Summary

THE HVAC SYSTEM DOES NOT DRAIN COMPLETELY IN HOT CLIMATES, CAUSING A BUILD UP OF MOLD/MILDEW IN THE AC SYSTEM, BLOWING IT INTO THE CAR. THE ODOR IS FOUL AND DAMAGING TO CUSTOMERS RESPIRATORY SYSTEMS. THIS OCCURS IN THE SUMMER, IN HOT MONTHS WITH THE AC IS USED ON A DAILY BASIS. IT DOES NOT OCCUR IN THE WINTER.

01/21/2016
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 11/28/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDZKRFH7ES******
Summary

POPPING NOISE FROM REAR BREAK FREQUENTLY WHEN I DISENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVER. WHENEVER THIS HAPPENS THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND NOT BEEN USED FOR 3 HOURS ON; TOOK TO DEALERSHIP STATING COULD FIND PROBLEM, BUT DEALER SAYS IT DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING ABNORMAL. DEALER'S MECHANIC SUGGESTED RELEASING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE RELEASING PRESSURE FROM BRAKE PEDAL AS A RECOMMENDATION. I TOLD THEM THIS IS NOT THE ORDER OF STEPS RECOMMENDED BY MANUFACTURER (TOYOTA) IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THEY CONTESTED MY STATEMENT TELLING THTA THEIR MECHANICS ARE SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL PERSONNEL WHICH THEY TRUST.

11/09/2015
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 07/01/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH0ES******
Summary

REAR DOOR HATCH STALLS UPON OPENING AND CLOSING. FREQUENTLY REPORTED PROBLEM ON TOYOTA WEBSITES. WHEN DOOR SWITCH IS ACTIVATED EITHER AT THE DOOR, REMOTE FOB OR DASH SWITCH, THE DOOR OPENS A FEW INCHES THEN STOPS. PRESSING AGAIN MOVES IT BACK THEN STOPS. YOU MUST MANUALLY OPEN OR CLOSE THE DOOR. NOT CERTAIN THE DOOR LOCKS COMPLETELY WHEN CLOSING. ONGOING ISSUE SINCE JULY 2014

10/23/2015
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 09/13/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFH3ES******
Summary

I NOTICED A BAD SMELL FOR MONTHS AND COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. RECENTLY I NOTICED WATER COMING IN FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SEATBELT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD ME BRING IT IN IMMEDIATELY. THEY FOUND MOLD AND SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE MOON ROOF LEAKING. THE CARPETING WAS REPLACED BY PROFESSIONALS SINCE THEIR EMPLOYEES COULD NOT BE EXPOSED TO THE MOLD. I HAD THE CAR FOR OVER A YEAR AND DROVE IT WITH MY ASTHMATIC CHILD DAILY. NO ONE HAS YET TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH HAZARD THIS IS. NOT TO MENTION THE MOLDING AROUND THE DOORS AND SEVERAL GUARDS AND PIECES NO LONGER FIT PROPERLY AND ARE SLIDING ALL OVER THE FLOOR AS I DRIVE.

10/21/2015
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 10/15/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDZKRFH7ES******
Summary

POPPING NOISE FROM REAR BREAK FREQUENTLY WHEN I DISENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVER. WHENEVER THIS HAPPENS THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND NOT BEEN USED FOR 3 HOURS ON; TOOK TO DEALERSHIP STATING COULD FIND PROBLEM, BUT DEALER SAYS IT DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING ABNORMAL.

09/24/2015
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 05/01/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH3ES******
Summary

WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THERE IS LOUD WIND NOISE WITH WINDOW SHUT. ALSO IF ONE WINDOW IS DOWN THERE IS A AWFUL NOISE THAT HURTS THE EARS.

09/24/2015
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 11/28/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH3ES******
Summary

WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER OR HEATER IS ON THERE IS A HORRIBLE SMELL THAT COMES OUT. MOLD OR BODY ODOR TYPE OF SMELL.

09/15/2015
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 01/15/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDZARFH9ES******
Summary

THE TRANSMISSION HAS A FLUTTER WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT UP OR DOWN TO DIFFERENT GEARS. IT CAUSES A HESITANCY. IT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED BY THE CALDWELL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN CONWAY, AR USA AND I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT IS IN OTHER HIGHLANDERS. I REQUEST A RECALL TO HAVE THIS FIXED. THANK YOU *TR

07/22/2015
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 07/22/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDYKRFH6ES******
Summary

PURCHASED VEHICLE 5/26/14. AT FIRST HAD A POPPING NOISE FROM RIGHT REAR BREAK; TOOK TO DEALERSHIP STATING COULD FIND PROBLEM, SO LIVED WITH IT. AT 10,000 + MILES DEALER FOUND FRONT BREAKS WARPED, SO HAD THEM REPLACED. AROUND SAME 10K + MILES DEALER HAD TO DROP ENGINE TO REPLACE LEAKING OIL FOUND AROUND TIMING COVER AREA, STATING FACTORY INSTALL DID NOT ALLOW PROPER SEALING. ON 7/22/15, @ 12,748 MILES NOTICED OIL LEAK SAME AREA, AND INFORMED BY DEALER THAT ENGINE HAS TO BE DROPPED FOR THE 2ND TIME TO REPAIR OIL LEAK. ABOVE DOES NOT INCLUDE OTHER ISSUES SUCH AS REPLACING MIDDLE ROW CUP HOLDER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT RECUSHION. SOUNDS LIKE I PURCHASED A 2014 HIGHLANDER LIMITED CONSIDERED A LEMON. MY THREE PREVIOUS CARS - '06 AVALON; '02 4RUNNER; & '90 4RUNNER NEVER HAD EXTREME ISSUES, SUCH AS THE 2014 HIGHLANDER.

06/16/2015
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 06/12/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDYKRFH3ES******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT HOOD WAS SO HEAVY AND EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO PROP OPEN. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. MA 08/05/15

06/12/2015
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/18/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH9XX******
Summary

AUTOMATIC/POWER LIFTGATE DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY. STARTS - THEN STOPS HALF TO 90% CLOSED. REQUIRES MANUALLY LOWERING TO CLOSE. HAPPENS 75% OF THE TIME. TOYOTA DEALER RELUCTANTLY ACKNOWLEDGED A SERVICE BULLETIN AND SAYS THEY WILL REPLACE MOTOR BUT IT TOOK SOME PUSHING TO GET PAST THE SERVICE DESK AND TECH WHO SAY, "WE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG". I SAID NOT GOOD ENOUGH ANSWER AND, LO AND BEHOLD, THE SENIOR CSR LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND CONFIRMED THE MALFUNCTION IS NOT UNCOMMON AND IMMEDIATELY OFFERED TO REPLACE THE POWER LIFTGATE MOTOR.

05/07/2015
Components: SEATS,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 03/31/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFH3ES******
Summary

WE PURCHASED A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED ON AUG 9, 2014. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 150 MILES THE PERSON IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT EXPERIENCES SEVERE BACK AND DISCOMFORT IN THE AREA OF THE TAILBONE. THERE IS SOMETHING VERY HARD TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE SEAT. I COMPLAINED TO THE SELLING DEALER AND THEY RECOMMENDED COMING BACK WHEN THE ZONE REP WAS IN AREA. I RETURNED A WEEK LATER AND MET WITH THE ZONE REP. SHE HAD ME SIT IN ANOTHER HIGHLANDER LIMITED AND ASKED IF IT FELT DIFFERENT, IT DID FEEL THE SAME. HER REPLY WAS "DIDN'T YOU SIT IN THE CAR BEFORE YOU BOUGHT IT?" I TOLD HER MY WIFE SAT IN THE BACK SEAT AND I DROVE, SALESMAN SAT IN RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTOMOTIVE UPHOLSTERY SHOP WHERE THE REMOVED THE LEATHER SEAT COVER AND DISCOVERED THE METAL SEAT HEATER MODULE AND WIRING DIRECTLY UNDER THE LEATHER AND ON TOP OF THE FOAM. THE SHOP CUT ABOUT 1/2 INCH INTO THE FOAM AND BURIED THE MODULE AND PLACED THE CUT OUT FOAM ON TOP OF IT. THEY ALSO DID THE SAME FOR THE SEAT BACK. I REQUESTED DEALER TO REIMBURSE ME THE $200.00 IT COST TO HAVE THE ABOVE MENTIONED WORK DONE; THEIR RESPONSE WAS THEY WOULD REQUEST TOYOTA TO COVER THE COST. A WEEK LATER I LEARNED THAT TOYOTA REFUSED TO PAY FOR A MODIFICATION THEY DID NOT APPROVE AND THEY FELT THE PLACEMENT OF THE MODULE WAS NOT A DEFECT. I THEN ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO REIMBURSE ME AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID TOYOTA WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE THE EXPENSE. I TOLD HIM I WORKED FOR A GM DEALERSHIP AND SAW MANY MODIFICATIONS THAT WERE APPROVED BY GM. HIS RESPONSE WAS "CHEVROLET HAS TO ACCOMMODATE CUSTOMERS IN ORDER TO SELL CARS AND TOYOTA DOESN'T HAVE TO BECAUSE THEY SELL CARS AS FAST AS THEY ARE MADE. AND, WHEN TOYOTA SELLS TWO MILLION CARS AND ONLY A FEW HUNDRED CUSTOMERS COMPLAIN ABOUT AN ISSUE SUCH AS MINE TOYOTA ISN'T CONCERNED ENOUGH TO MAKE OR REIMBURSE A MODIFICATION;" UPON LEARNING THIS IS THE ATTITUDE OF TOYOTA, I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A TOYOTA AGAIN. *TR

03/28/2015
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 05/14/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

WHEN DRIVING ON THE FWY, INTERMITTENTLY DEPENDING ON THE WIND OR HOW THE DOOR WAS SHUT FOR THE RUBBER SEAL TO MAKE A SOLID CONNECTION, THERE IS SIGNIFICANT WIND NOISE THAT BREACHES THE SEAL AND MAKES EXCESSIVE NOISE. THIS IS MOST NOTICEABLE IN THE DRIVERS SIDE AND IS WHERE I MEASURED FOR SOUND LEVELS. THE CLOSER I BRING THE METER TO THE WINDOW BY THE SIDE MIRROR THEN MORE NOISE IS RECORDED. SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AT ALL, EVEN AT 70MPH. OTHER TIMES, AND OFTEN IT THERE IS A WIND NOISE COMING INTO THE CABIN. WITH TOYOTA'S CLAIM FOR IT BEING SUCH A QUIET CABIN, THIS NOISE IS NOT RIGHT. I TEST DROVE WITH THE TECH MANAGER AT MY DEALER AND HE TOO NOTED THE PROBLEM. HE ORDERED A NEW DOOR SEAL. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE DOOR SEAL, AND I DIDN'T HAVE IT INSTALLED. HOWEVER THERE WAS A WINDOW FRAME BLACK PLASTIC PANEL THAT WASN'T PROPERLY SEATED, AND THIS WAS REPLACED. NOT SURE IF IT FIXED THE PROBLEM, AS ITS TOO EARLY TO TELL. THERE IS A LARGE NUMBER OF REPORT FROM OTHER OWNERS ONLINE WITH THIS ISSUE. SO FAR I KNOW OF ONE OWNER WHO RETURNED THE CAR DUE TO THIS EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE. *TR

03/02/2015
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 02/02/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WAS PURCHASED IN 2/2014.THE CUSTOMER NOTICED WATER COMING INSIDE THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SEAT BELT A-FRAME PANEL CAUSING THE INTERIOR FLOOR TO BECOME WET WITH STANDING WATER.UPON DEALERSHIP INSPECTION IN 2/2015, BLACK MOLD WAS FOUND FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE EXTENDING TO THE TRUNK.THE BLACK MOLD FOUND WAS EXTENSIVE PENTRATING THE CARPETS, THE SOUND BARRIER FOAM INTO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE.DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE MOLD FOUND, THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED THE CUSTOMER THAT CORPORATE WOULD NEED TO BE INVOLVED, AS THIS WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT COULD BE DEALT WITH AT THEIR LEVEL. WHEN THE CUSTOMER MET WITH A REPRESENTATIVE OF TOYOTA CORPORATE,THE CUSTOMER WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS THE 3RD VEHICLE THAT THE REP HAD IN THEIR TERRITORY. THE CUSTOMER LEARNED OF AN INTERNAL TOYOTA DOCUMENT THAT SPECIFIES THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER?S DEFECT THAT OCCURRED DURING THE BUILD PROCESS (T-TT-0322-15). THE DOCUMENT DESCRIBES THE KNOWN ISSUE WITH A KINKED SUNROOF DRAIN THAT LEADS TO WATER INTRUSION AND MOLD.WHEN ASKED WHY THIS WAS NOT RECALLED DUE TO THE HEALTH EXPOSURE OF BLACK MOLD, THE REP RESPONDED THAT THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE LIKE A BRAKE FAILURE.THE REMEDIATION PROCESS OUTLINED BY THE CORPORATE REP WAS INADEQUATE AS IT DID NOT REMEDY THE SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. TOYOTA COULD NOT PRODUCE ANY DOCUMENTATION THAT SUGGESTS A THOROUGH EVALUATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS OR CERTIFIED THAT THEIR PROCESS WILL RECTIFY THE MOLD EXPOSURE. THE CUSTOMER HAS PHOTOS OF THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, THE INTERNAL TOYOTA DOCUMENT SPECIFYING THIS DEFECT AND EMAILS WITH TOYOTA THAT DEMONSTRATE A LACK OF WILLINGNESS TO ADDRESS THIS FROM A HEALTH AND SAFETY PERSPECTIVE BUT RATHER FROM A CORPORATE LOSS STANDPOINT. TOYOTA?S ACTIONS SEEM UNWILLING TO HELP DETERMINE THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION REGARDING A KNOWN TECHNICAL ISSUE LEADING TO THE WATER INTRUSION AND BLACK MOLD. *TR

02/26/2015
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 06/23/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDYKRFH9ES******
Summary

PURCHASED NEW 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN MAY 2014, AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS OF OWNERSHIP A FOUL ODOR BEGAN TO EMIT FROM A/C UNIT WHENEVER VEHICLE WAS STARTED. AFTER 3 TRIPS TO SELLING DEALER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM I WAS GIVEN TOYOTA T-SB-0142-13 WHICH INFORMS ME THAT THERE ARE 23 TOYOTA VEHICLES WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTED TO PLACE BLAME ON VARIOUS ITEMS BUT, SINCE TOYOYA PUBLISHED A TSB IT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT IS NOT WANTING IT TO BECOME KNOWN AS IT MIGHT IMPACT THEIR SELLING VEHICLES. MY A/C EXPERIENCE LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY AN IMPROPERRLY DESIGNED A/C SYSTEM WHICH IS FAILING TO DRAIN ALL THE MOISTURE FROM THE A/C SYSTEM THEREBY ALLOWING MOLD, MILDEW, ALGAE TO GROWN IN THE UNDRAINED LEFT OVER WATER IN A/C SYSTEM.

01/29/2015
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 07/30/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDZKRFH8ES******
Summary

THIS COMPLAINT RELATES TO TRANSMISSION SHIFT SEQUENCES. WHEN STARTING OUT, THE TRANSMISSION IS IN FOURTH GEAR. IF YOU ARE AT SAY A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND ARE MAKING A LEFT TURN, AND THEN NEED TO MAKE A RAPID ACCELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS DOWN TO A LOWER GEAR, PROBABLY 1ST GEAR. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT TORQUE STEER THAT AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER WOULD FIND VERY DISTURBING. ALSO, WHEN TRAVELING 60 - 70 MILES PER HOUR AND YOU SHIFT FROM "DRIVE" TO "S" POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO FOURTH GEAR WITH A RESULTANT SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN RPM'S. IT WOULD SEEM LOGICAL THAT WHEN YOU SHIFT FROM "DRIVE" TO "S", YOU SHOULD REFLECT THE SAME GEAR THAT "DRIVE" WAS IN. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR A 5,000 MILE CHECK UP, MY DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO RELATED TO TRANSMISSION PROGRAMMING. SECOND ISSUE, SAME VEHICLE, REFERS TO THE INSTALLATION OF MUFFLER AND TAILPIPE, WHICH CAUSES TAILPIPE TO BE THE LOWEST ITEM UNDER VEHICLE RESULTING IN IT DRAGGING THE GROUND IN CERTAIN INSTANCES; I.E., GOING UP A STEEP DRIVEWAY. DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING TO RAISE MUFFLER/TAILPIPE. *TR

12/30/2014
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 11/20/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH7ES******
Summary

THE SPEEDOMETER CONSISTENTLY INDICATED THAT I AM TRAVELING 2 TO 3 MPH MORE THAN MY ACTUAL SPEED. THE HIGHLANDER IS FACTORY ORIGINAL WITH NO AFTERMARKET PARTS INSTALLED. THIS ISSUE WAS OBSERVED WHILE TRAVELING CROSS COUNTRY AND OBSERVING THE PLETHORA OF RADAR SPEED INDICATORS ALONG I-80 AND COMPARING TO THE INDICATOR IN THE HIGHLANDER ALONG WITH DIGITAL INDICATION ON BOTH GPS AND IPHONE APPS. I MENTIONED THIS THE TOYOTA WHILE PERFORMING THE FIRST SERVICE ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT THE SUPPOSED ISSUE. ITS NOT A SAFETY ISSUES AS FAR AS I KNOW, BUT IT IS AN IRRITATION. *JS

12/08/2014
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 06/05/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

AUTOMATIC LIFTGATE DOES NOT CLOSE. STARTS TO CLOSE, STOPS, THEN BEEPS. REQUIRES MANUAL CLOSURE. HAVE HAD IN FOR REPAIR 5 TIMES, INCLUDING HAVING THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY REPLACED. STILL MALFUNCTIONS. WHILE USING A LOANER CAR OF THE SAME MAKE/MODEL/YEAR, IT HAD THE SAME MALFUNCTION. *TR

11/17/2014
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 08/08/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDJKRFH8ES******
Summary

I PURCHASED THE ABOVE IN JULY 12, 2014. THIS VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN LATITUDE TOUR TIRES. THIS VEHICLE HYDROPLANES VERY BAD. I AM TELLING YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART IF THIS IS NOT CORRECTED, LIVES WILL BE LOST. YOU COULD FEEL THE VEHICLE FLOATING. IT SCARED ME TO DEATH, EVERYTHING WAS OUT OF MY CONTROL, AND I WAS GOING SLOW. I HAD A PASSENGER WITH ME. MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO, MY FRIEND PURCHASED A 2015 HIGHLANDER LIMITED, NOT MUCH RAIN AT ALL AND HYDROPLANED. HER VEHICLE HAD DIFFERENT TIRES. IT HAS HAPPENED OTHER TIMES. I THINK IT IS IN ALL HIGHLANDER 2014 AND UP AND XLE AND UP. I AM GOING TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER, I DO NOT EXPECT MUCH. I WANT TO VOICE MY CONCERNS BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT ANYONE HURT. *TR

11/14/2014
Components: SUSPENSION
Incident Date: 03/07/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFH8ES******
Summary

2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED HAS BEGUN MAKING NOISE WHEN TRAVELING RELATIVELY SLOW (<30MPH) ON A NORMAL ROAD. WHEN THERE'S A VERY MINOR BUMP, A SQUEAKY SOUND WILL COME FROM THE REAR. IT'S NOT SO NOTICEABLE ON THE FREEWAY (PERHAPS FEWER VIBRATIONS AND/OR THE THE WIND NOISE OVERPOWERS IT). UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION (RIDING IN THE BACK AND LISTENING FOR THE SOURCE), IT'S COMING FROM THE REAR-HATCH DOOR/CAR GAP NEAR THE BOTTOM CORNERS. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE THE POWERED HATCH ISN'T FULLY TIGHT AND THE WEATHERSTRIP IS RUBBING. HOWEVER, THE DOOR DOESN'T FEEL OR APPEAR LOOSE AT ALL. *TR

10/27/2014
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 07/31/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDZARFH8ES******
Summary

REAR LIFTGATE SQUEALS TERRIBLY WHEN LEFT OPEN FOR A FEW MINUTES, SEEMS 'STICKY.' WORKS FINE WHEN OPENED AND CLOSED QUICKLY. FEELS FAULTY AND THAT STICKY SQUEALING WILL LEAD TO PREMATURE FAILURE. *TR

09/12/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/08/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDKKRFH9ES******
Summary

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AND THE VEHICLE JERK. THEN A WARNING SIGN APPEAR ON THE DASH THAT SAID EPS FAILURE. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN. I BEGAN TO STRUGGLE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AT THAT POINT IT WAS LOCK. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS; I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO AN EMPTY PARKING SPACE, PARKED THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED TO DICK DYER IN COLUMBIA SC. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHAT WAS ACTUALLY WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. AT THIS TIME, THEY THINK THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN STATED HE HAS NEVER SEEN SUCH A PROBLEM BEFORE AND WAS NOT SURE HOW TO FIX IT. I DID NOT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM DICK DYER INSTEAD I PURCHASED IT FROM SPARKS TOYOTA IN MYRTLE BEACH SC. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD TO CALL THE CENTRAL OFFICE. I WAS TOLD BY THE CENTRAL OFFICE TO COMPLETE THE ARBITRATION PROCESS. I AM IN PROCESS OF DOING THIS NOW. AT THIS TIME, I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND INSTEAD WOULD LIKE A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. AT DICK DYER NO ONE WANTED TO SIGN OFF ON THE SERVICE INVOICE STATING THE CAR IS FIX. I FEEL NO ONE WANTS TO BE LIABLE FOR ANY FUTURE ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE IF THIS DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

09/10/2014
Components: EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 03/27/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDKKRFH2ES******
Summary

FACTORY INSTALLED GPS SYSTEM WHEN SET TO A DESTINATION WILL TAKE YOU OFF THE MAIN ROAD JUST PRIOR TO YOUR DESTINATION AND DIRECT YOU IN CIRCLES THEN TELL YOU TO GET BACK ON THE MAIN ROAD THAT YOU JUST GOT OFF OF. THIS CREATES AN ISSUE AS ONE TIME IT TOOK US IN A UNDESIRABLE NEIGHBORHOOD; BUT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT WILL TAKE YOU CRUISING IN UNKNOWN NEIGHBORHOOD'S BEFORE IT TELLS YOU TO GET BACK ON THE MAIN ROAD YOU WERE JUST ON. ON OTHER OCCASIONS IT WILL TELL YOU TO TAKE SAY A RIGHT TURN THEN A FEW SECONDS LATER TELL YOU TO TAKE A LEFT TURN CAUSING YOU TO ERRATICALLY CHANGE LANES AND MAKE TURNS. *TR

08/26/2014
Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Incident Date: 08/23/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDKKRFH8ES******
Summary

THE SAFETY FILM ON THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT PROPERLY SEALED. *TR

08/04/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/04/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTDZN3EU4C3******
Summary

TO SELECT AN OPTION ON THE MAP MODE SCREEN (TURN LIST, FREE-WAY EXIT LIST ,INTER-SECTION SCREEN OR THE TURN-BY-TURN SCREEN) VEHICLE HAS TO IN MOTION. DRIVER HAS TO TAKE EYES OFF ROAD AND FOCUS ON THE SCREEN AND THEN FIND THE OPTION HE WANTS AND THEN SELECT IT. ALL THIS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED. A SOFTWARE UPGRADE CAN FIX THIS SO VEHICLE DOESN'T NEED TO BE IN MOTION. NOTIFIED TOYOTA CASE # [XXX] 8/3/2014. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

05/22/2014
Components: SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 05/22/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THE FLOOR ANCHOR OF THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE IS LOCATED BEHIND THE SEAT AND CAN BE STEPPED ON BY THE REAR PASSENGERS. STEPPING ON THE FLOOR ANCHOR AND BELT BY THE REAR PASSENGERS, OFTEN CHILDREN, IS A CONSTANT SOURCE OF DISTRACTION FOR THE DRIVER. *TR

05/05/2014
Components: SEATS
Incident Date: 04/24/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I PURCHASED MY 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON 4/24/14. I NOTICE A FEW DAYS LATER THAT THEIR WAS A CHIRP NOISE IN THE PASSENGER 2ND ROW WHILE DRIVING ( VERY ANNOYING). I TOOK IT TO DEALER AND IT WAS DIAGNOSIS THAT THE RAIL RACK SHOWS SIGN OF FRICTION AND POSSIBLE CAUSING IT CREATE THE CHIRP NOISE. *TR

03/10/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/07/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5TDDKRFH5ES******
Summary

OUR 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH 18 MILES ON FEBRUARY 25, 2014. ON MARCH 7, 2014 WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS ANOTHER DRIVER FAILED TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT SO I PRESSED THE HORN TO ALERT THE DRIVER WHILE I SWERVED OUT OF HIS PATH. THE HORN DID NOT WORK SO THE DRIVER WAS NOT ALERTED AND CONTINUED IN THEIR DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. MY NEED TO SWERVE WOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE OTHER DRIVER WAS PAYING ATTENTION AND I WAS ABLE TO ALERT HIM WITH MY HORN. *TR

5 Recalls

for 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
07/02/2014
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V051000
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
A seat belt that is not properly secured to its anchorage could increase the risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.
Campaign Number: 14V051000
Manufacture: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Components: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
Summary

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2014 Highlander vehicles manufactured November 20, 2013, through January 18, 2014. The third row middle seat belt assembly might not have been properly secured to the vehicle floor anchorage during vehicle assembly. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

22/05/2014
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V272000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
In the event of a crash, a larger front passenger seat occupant may not be properly restrained and be at an increased risk of injury.
Campaign Number: 14V272000
Manufacture: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Summary

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles may have improper software installed in the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) for the operation of the front passenger seat belt force limiter, and as a result, the force limiter may use the restraint setting designed for small occupants, such as those that weigh approximately 110 pounds, for all occupants regardless of their size. As such, some of these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

22/05/2014
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V274000
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
If the seat does not fully lock into the inboard seat track, the seat could move, increasing the risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.
Campaign Number: 14V274000
Manufacture: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Components: SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
Summary

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Highlander vehicles manufactured April 23, 2014, through April 29, 2014. The affected vehicles may have a second row right-hand seat assembly that does not fully lock into the inboard seat track in the forward first, second and third adjusting positions. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

19/09/2014
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V576000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Campaign Number: 14V576000
Manufacture: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Toyota Avalon, Camry, Sienna, and Highlander and model year 2015 Lexus RX350 vehicles. Fuel may leak from the one of the fuel delivery pipes in the engine compartment.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

27/11/2018
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18E107000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Campaign Number: 18E107000
Manufacture: Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry C
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary

Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles. The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM).

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

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