This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
When I start the Highlander, there is a loud (hurts your ears) feedback noise through the speakers, and the red and green lights near the SOS button flash multiple times. This happens intermittently, and when it doesn't happen, the SOS button only flashes red/green once.
Noise complaint - High pitched feedback screech coming through speaker (potential for hearing damage) that occurs for approximately 5 seconds intermittently upon starting the vehicle. It can happen multiple times in one day or not until a week or two later. We have twice filed a case with Toyota Corporation. The dealer has heard the noise numerous times and upon performing diagnostics has indicated a malfunction with the SOS system- the trial subscription that came with the car expired in January 2023 and the issue began the following month. An on-line search indicates that other owners of the same vehicle are also experiencing this issue.
When I start the highlander, there is a loud (hurts your ears) feedback noise through the speakers, and the red and green lights near the SOS button flash multiple times. This happens intermittently, and when it doesn't happen the SOS button only flashes red/green once.
I was turning into Starbucks at a low speed when the next thing I knew the car jumped forward and hit the car in front of me not one time but three times. I was finally able to get the car stopped but had Damage to both cars. I believe the accelerator was stuck causing the accident. I want to know if there is a recall on the accelerator petal that it would have caused the highlander to do this because to me this was a frightening site to go through.
When starting my vehicle, I get a high pitch ear piercing noise. My ears will ring after it because it is so loud. This is extremely high for my passengers, grandchildren and my husband and I. I am not putting in ear plugs in me or passengers just to start up my car. I have reported this to Toyota Brand Engagement Center Case 230711000212. This component has NOT been inspected by anyone, as I am not paying over $300 just to have a technician look at it. There has not been any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. This noise started around 3 weeks ago, Week of June 19, 2023.
- Fremont, WI, USA
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I have a 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, and about two years after driving the car, I get a loud, very high-pitched/high-frequency screeching sound when getting in the vehicle coming from the speakers. It lasts about 10 seconds. It's so loud it hurts our ears. Upon contacting Toyota, they declined to repair the issue, and I discovered several other users have the same issue. It's loud and excruciating and doesn't happen constantly, but it gets more frequent. complains from other owners: https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/2019-highlander-platinum-painful-ear-screech-sound-from-speakers-when-starting-car.1734165/page-3 This is the noise made:
Vehicle check engine turned on to check AWD system after about 2 days when filling with gas the engine wouldn't start and had Low brake power message on dashboard. Checked code and got P0171 and P0174 which mean engine's air/fuel mixture becomes too lean for the Engine Control Module (ECM) to correct within its normal operating range there are many posts and threads about same issue on highlanders as old as 2017 please look into this issue that could potentially cause a hazard. will take vehicle in for inspection 06/13/23 at Toyota of Naperville
There is a -€œsqueak-€ type noise that sounds like fluid or air is being forced through a crack when the brakes are applied. It is intermittent as brakes remain applied, however it happens every time the brakes are applied and lasts until they are released. The local Toyota dealer diagnosed it as a failed brake master cylinder. After repair, the same noise continues. The dealers -€œmaster technician-€ was able to hear and reproduce the noise, but claim that it is from pressure building to help breaking. The young -€œmaster technician-€ stated that he works feel safe in the vehicle, but they don-€™t know why it-€™s making that sound. The sound began 1 year after I purchased the vehicle (I bought it v used in 2022). Warning lamps flashed very briefly indicating something about brakes, although it was difficult to read, as it happened very quickly and has not happened since.
While driving on the freeway less than 10 miles from my home, my sunroof exploded and broke into pieces. I was driving on a section of freeway where there was nothing above me and there were no other cars near me. There was a loud noise and then the air was rushing into my car.
Sunroof glass. Driving down the highway, the sunroof glass exploded and shattered. A very loud explosion noise. Vehicle is currently at the dealer for repair. Broken glass falling on driver and passenger. Further inspection shows glass protruding upward as if it was broken from the inside. Online research has shown many other Highlanders with the same problem. Dealer blamed on a rock, so why is the glass protruding outward instead of inward. No warning lights.
When speaking to someone on the phone using the bluetooth connection in the car, the person you're speaking with hears their own voice echo back to them. Toyota suggest for every call that you turn volume on the phone all the way up and turn the volume on the car lower than 45. The does not make the system hands free and is dangerous to do this while driving.
Since having recall work done my vehicles computer system has not been functioning the same. My vehicle has been stalling out and saying braking power low, stop in a safe place, charging system malfunction. I-€™ve reached out to Haley Toyota 8301 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23235 where the diagnostic was done and let them know of the error code I was given ( P0335) Crankshaft Position Sensor -€œA-€ Circuit. I took it in for diagnostic there and they told me they couldn-€™t find any issues with my vehicle, ( picked up Oct.3, 2021). It-€™s Oct.4, 2021 and here I am at Sams Club trying to leave but my vehicle will not start. I contacted Toyota again and let them know of the same issue and they said to once again bring it in for diagnosing. I asked the gentleman on the phone if they had previously had it for a week and didn-€™t seem to find any issues with it after doing diagnostic then what were they planning on doing differently. My vehicle is under warranty and I-€™m trying to figure out who and where I can take it to to get some answers.
I purchased this vehicle in March 2020. I specifically asked if it had been a rental car. Having worked in the rental car industry, I know how hard people are on rental cars so I absolutely did not want one. I checked the Carfax and it was completely clean. I purchased this vehicle and a few months later noticed a sticker under the rearview mirror that was an Avis/budget sticker. Still, the Carfax never said it was a rental car. Today I'm cleaning out the glove box and registration falls out from the previous owners: Avis Budget in NJ. So this is confirmation that this car absolutely was a rental car at some point and your Carfax failed to disclose that.
Received notice of recall more than 60 days ago, NHTSA no.20V-682 "low pressure fuel pump may stall vehicle and cause crash" called both my dealership and Toyota with response of: "no date for remedy" I have travel planned and this 2019 Highlander should not be on the road for fear of crash. Why no positive result yet?
When slowing down and then trying to accelerate again there is a hesitation from when I push the gas pedal and when the car actually accelerates. It happens from a complete stop sometimes also. Sometimes the car jerks when it does this. The passenger can feel it also
Drcc malfunction. While approaching a slower vehicle on a highway, the car decelerates. If while decelerating I change lanes, then the system does not "see" the car in front in the new lane and starts accelerating towards the car full speed approaching the car and potentially crashing into it. This has happened several times and I think I can replicate it.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Bristow, VA, USA