Engine. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports5 fire reports5 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

21 reports

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Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2022

Service Brakes

Braking system warning lights came on. Prior to that the vehicle was making several clunking noises from the front and rear mostly when braking. The stopping distance while braking has been reduced to nearly double the distance while much more force is needed to be applied to the brake pedal to get the vehicle to come to a stop.

NHTSA ODI #11460850

Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2022

Service BrakesSuspension

on 26/Jan/2022 i driving on highway suddendly the front wheel passanger side lock, luckily i quickly get off drive land to emergency land. The Brake Malfuntion light come up, i so scare, do not what happen. But i should do complaint about brake system on this vehicle. Thanks. Vu Dam.

NHTSA ODI #11449529

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2021

Service Brakes

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Brake Actuator and Pump Assembly. If I drive the car Toyota has told me it could be catastrophic when the brakes stop while I’m driving. Yes, Toyota inspected and gave the quote to me. This vehicle had 446,000 others fixed (2008-2010) under a “warranty” instead of a “recall”! The car has not stopped yet working, it’s parked because I don’t want to die or kill anyone. I can still drive it maybe 20 mph without using any brakes. The closest store to buy food is 16 miles one way! Yes I have on the middle console screen: “BRAKE (in red) Brake Malfunction” which then says underneath that “Stop the vehicle in a safe place immediately, and contact a dealer.” “ABS Check ABS” and “Check Brake System” both of which say “Have your vehicle checked by a Dealer“. And on the dashboard it shows Lights (warning light in yellow with a !,) BRAKE in red, ABS (!), there’s actually a circle around the ! between the two ( ). Than the anti-brake symbol is on which is yellow with a car symbol and skidmarks behind it. I have attached the photo of the inspection bill and the text from the Toyota rep of how much it’s going to cost to repair. I did speak with the service manager, Steve, who told me that the NTSB is who decides if there should be a recall on this type of thing or not. I feel like if there were 446,000 cars fixed this is a huge issue! Mine should be included! I cannot drive the car so therefore I am stranded!

NHTSA ODI #11437828

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2021

Service Brakes

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I HAVE OWNED MY 2009 HIGHLANDER HYBRID SINCE I PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER IN JULY 2009. IN MID DECEMBER 2020 I NOTICED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THAT WITH MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD STILL BE MOVING A FEW FEET BEFORE STOPPING. NO WARNING LIGHTS SO I FIGURED NO BIG PROBLEM. IN JANUARY 2021 A WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON FOR MAYBE 5 SECONDS REGARDING BRAKE PROBLEM. ON FEBRUARY 2ND I BROUGHT IT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO ASSESS. THEY SCANNED IT AND DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY DTC CODES. I WAS ADVISED THAT MY FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE AT 4MM AND SHOULD BE REPLACED SOON. I DID THAT. VEHICLE DROVE WITHOUT INCIDENT UNTIL JUNE 20TH WHEN SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP. ABS, TIRE PRESSURE, BRAKES AND TRACTION. THE WARNING LIGHTS STAYED ON SO I BROUGHT MY HIGHLANDER BACK TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. THIS TIME I WAS TOLD THAT DTC C1391 CAME UP. ABNORMAL LEAK IN ACCUMULATOR, REPLACE BRAKE ACTUATOR AND PUMP ASSEMBLY. THAT WOULD COME OUT TO $2901.24. TOYOTA HAD ISSUED A CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM BULLETIN REGARDING THE BRAKE ACTUATOR AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY. BUT FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON, GIVEN THE DANGEROUS CONDITION A FAILURE WOULD PRESENT, THAT 100% COVERAGE OF REPLACEMENT EXPIRED ON DECEMBER 31, 2020. TOYOTA IS NOT MAKING ANY EXCEPTIONS ON THIS MATTER. IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA IS PUTTING THEIR REPUTATION AS WELL AS DOLLARS AND CENTS AHEAD OF THEIR CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA ODI #11422522

165,000 miles · Jan 29, 2021

Service Brakes

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SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, TIRE PRESSURE, BRAKES, ABS, TRACTION, THEY ALL STAYED ON FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN WENT OFF. THE CAR SEEMED TO BE DRIVING NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE TIMES, IT WAS NOT ALARMING, THE FIRST TIME THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WAS APPROXIMATELY NOVEMBER 12TH, THE LIGHTS STAYED OFF FOR WEEKS AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN AROUND DECEMBER 11TH, THE THIRD TIME, JAN 14TH, I GOT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR WAS LEAKING AND THE WHOLE BRAKE SYSTEM COULD FAIL. IT SEEMS HAZARDOUS AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS THAT THE LIGHTS DID NOT STAY ILLUMINATED TO REFLECT THE SEVERITY OF THE SITUATION AND NOT A LOOSE FUSE OR TIRE PRESSURE ISSUE. I ASSUMED THAT SINCE THE LIGHTS WENT OFF, THERE WAS NO ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. IT IS A VERY COSTLY PART AND REPAIR AND TOYOTA IS AWARE THAT THE PART HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC. THEY HAVE NOT NOTIFIED CUSTOMERS OF THE ISSUE SO TO LOOK OUT FOR THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. THEY HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE PART YET GAVE NO NOTICE THAT THE PART WAS PROBLEMATIC AND TO BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND TAKE IT IN AT ONCE IF THE LIGHT EVER COMES ON. IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS THAT MORE SHOULD BE DONE ON TOYOTA'S PART TO ENSURE DRIVERS SAFETY. TO TOP IT ALL OFF THE WARRANTY EXPIRED DECEMBER 31ST, 2020. I GOT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP JAN 14TH 2021. TOYOTA IS MAKING NO EXCEPTIONS TO DELAYS WARRANTY COVERAGE CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC. IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE PUTTING MONEY AHEAD OF SAFETY ON MORE THAN ONE LEVEL AND AHEAD OF CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA ODI #11390681

162,601 miles · Feb 28, 2020

Service Brakes

FAULTY BRAKE ACTUATOR. THIS IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE CALIBERS TO ENGAGE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL..THE BRAKE STAYS STUCK CAUSING ONE OF THE FOUR TIRES TO DRAG.THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION AND COULD CAUSE DEATH OR BODILY INJURY.

NHTSA ODI #11312122

165,000 miles · Feb 10, 2020

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

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ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKE MALFUNCTION LIGHT ON IN DASH DUE TO THE ABS BRAKE PUMP AND ACTUATOR NOT HAVING ENOUGH POWER AND A ABNORMAL LEAK. THE LIGHTS STAY ON FOR A DAY OR 2 AND GO OFF FOR ABOUT THE SAME TIME FIRST TIME LIGHTS CAME ON I HIT POUNDING WATER ON INTERSTATE ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AT AROUND 7PM AN LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY I DIDNT HIT ANYTHING. THE TRACTION CONTROL, ABS IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE SEEN WHERE THE 2008 MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11308266

142,299 miles · Sep 7, 2019

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

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THIS IS FOR A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID LIMITED WITH ABOUT 142000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND IS NOT ABUSED IN ANY WAY. ALL MAINTENANCE ARE UP TO DATE WITH THE MAJOR TIMING KIT REPLACED MOST RECENTLY AT ABOUT 140000. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON NORMAL ROADS (SOMETIMES HIGHWAY, SOMETIME CITY ROADS), I GET THREE WARNINGS THAT POP UP AT THE CENTER SCREEN BETWEEN THE AIR VENTS; 1) CHECK ABS, 2) CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, AND 3) BRAKE MALFUNCTION. FOR THE FIRST TWO WARNINGS, IT IS FOLLOWED BY "HAVE YOUR VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER." BUT, FOR THE THIRD WARNING, IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY "STOP THE VEHICLE IN A SAFE PLACE IMMEDIATELY AND CONTACT DEALER." THESE WARNINGS ALSO CORRESPOND TO THREE LIGHTS THAT POP UP BY THE SPEEDOMETER; 1) VSC, 2) ABS, AND 3) BRAKE. THE LIGHTS STAY ON FOR TWO TO THREE DAYS AT A TIME AND THEN WILL GO AWAY WITHOUT ANY REASONABLE EXPLAINATION. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY OTHER WEEK. I WAS UNABLE TO BRING IT TO A DEALERSHIP WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON AS I LIVE VERY FAR AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN I CALL AND DESCRIBE THE WARNINGS, I AM TOLD THAT THIS MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ACTUATOR AND IT IS COMMON. THE DEALER ESTIMATED THE COST TO BE AROUND $3500. I DID A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE AND FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG SAME GENERATION HIGHLANDERS. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS AND THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO GET THE VEHICLE RIGHT. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH THE UNCERTAINTY OF BEING ABLE TO STOP SAFELY WHEN NECESSARY. I UNDERSTAND THAT TOYOTA HAD A RECALL ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM FOR THE PRIUS AND CAMRY, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THE HIGHLANDER. THEY SHOULD HAVE SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT IS COMMON WITH THE FIRST AND SECOND GENERATION HIGHLANDERS. PLEASE GET TOYOTA TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY BEFORE AN ACCIDENTS OCCURS. BRAKES ARE AN IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE THAT SHOULD NOT BE COMPROMISED.

NHTSA ODI #11253911

83,000 miles · Dec 29, 2018

Service Brakes

2009 VEHICLE (MANUFACTURED 9/2008) ONLY HAS 83K MILES ON IT. CROAKING SOUND FOR WEEK OR SO AND THEN ONE MORNING ABS FAILURE WARNING ON DISPLAY. CODES ARE C1241 AND C1391. SAME PROBLEM AS OTHERS. NEEDS NEW ABS PUMP AND ACTUATOR. THE PARTS ARE #44050-48320 AND #44070-48020AND COST OVER $3K FOR PARTS ALONE. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN TOY…

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NHTSA ODI #11163985

101,601 miles · Aug 12, 2018

SeatsService BrakesStructure

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I WAS SOLD OVER INTERNET BY VANDERGRIFT TOYOTA OF ARLINGTON,TX A FALSELY ADVERTISED 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER,THAT WAS DELIVERED TO ME IN SAN ANTONIO, TX IN ENCLIMATE WEATHER AND WHILE I WAS IN A FULL BODY BRACE, I HAD TOLD THEM OF WEATHER, AND WAS IN DOWN POUR WHEN THEY DELIVERED, I WAS UNABLE TO EXAMINE CAR IN MY CONDITION AND WEATHER TILL NEXT MORNING. CAR HAD BEEN WRECKED, HAD SILT IN REAR TAIL LIGHTS, I TRIED TO HAVE DEALERSHIP FIX IT, BY TAKING CAR BACK TO THEM, I DID NOT HV ANOTHER CAR. THE CONDITIONS OF THE CAR WERE NEVER DISCLOSED, I DID NOT RECEIVED A BUYERS GUIDE, ONLY A BLANK SALES CONTRACT WITH MY NAME, CAR MAKE AND MODEL AND VIN WITH PRICE PAID. I HV REPEATEDLY TRIED TO RESOLVE MATTER, DEALER HAS LIED REPEATEDLY AND BILLIGERENT. I HAVE CALLED OWNERS OF DEALERSHIP, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY, THEY DEFER TO DEALER, DEALER HAS DONE NOTHING, I HAVE TRIED TO TELL PEOPLE AT BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY THIS IS SOMETHING A DEALER HAS DROPPED ON ME, WHO ARE AND REPRESENT THE BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY BRAND, I TOLD BH, I WOULD PERSUE AND SEEK TO EXPOSE TO AUTHORITATIVE ENTITIES, AND PRESS,THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING. I HAVE ALSO FILED A PENDING COMPLAINT WITH TEXAS DMV. I ALSO HAVE ACCORDING TO USE TITLE 18 2511 (2)(D), RECORDED CONVERSATIONS WITH DLRSHIPS USED SALES MNGR, GENERAL MNGR/PARTNER, AND BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY, AND PREVIOUS OWNER WHO TOLD ME WHEN CAR TRADED IN, DLR SD WOLD NOT KEEP DO TO MILES AND AGE, WD GO TO WHOLES AUCTION. I ALSO HV SCREEN SHOT WHERE DEALER CONTINUED TO ADVERTISE CAR FOR SALE AT REDUCED PRICE 12 DAYS AFTER INITIAL DEPOSIT AND OVER A WEEK AFTER WIRE TRNSFER, AND 5 DAYS AFTER DELIVERY. OTHER, PROBLEMS INCLUDED COMPONENTS ADVERTISED OR OPTIONS NOT INCLUDED. TOYOTA TOW PKG, TURNED OUT TO BE UHAUL HITCH BOLTED ON, NO WIRING TO EVEN COONECT TO BRAKES, AND NO ADDITIONAL RADIATOR/FANS/ TO AID IN HAULING /TOWING, AND NO STELLITE RADIO AS ADVERTISED. ORIGINAL AD PHOTOS FAKED

NHTSA ODI #11119444

Official recalls

16V396000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

Jun 2, 2016

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

15V689000 · Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls

Oct 22, 2015

Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.

14V743000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

Nov 19, 2014

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

14V168000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Apr 9, 2014

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General Motors sent Pontiac Vibe owners an Interim letter on June 20, 2014 notifying them that parts are currently unavailable. General Motors sent notices to the Pontiac Vibe owners on September 15, 2014, that a remedy is available. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-762-2737.

13V014000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seats

Jan 16, 2013

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats

Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

10V035000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

10V023000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Jan 27, 2010

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, VENZA AND MATRIX PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A CAMPAIGN OF 3.8 MILLION OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES ANNOUNCED IN 2009 FOR THE SAME ISSUE (SEE 09V-388).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL MODIFY OR REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. FLOOR SURFACE MODIFICATIONS ARE ALSO BEING CONSIDERED AND WILL BE INCLUDED FOR ANY MODEL FOR WHICH IT IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE. INITIALLY, DEALERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO RESHAPE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOR THE REPAIR. AS REPLACEMENT PARTS WITH THE SAME SHAPE AS THE MODIFIED PEDAL BECOME AVAILABLE, THEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERS FOR THE REPAIR. CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE PEDAL RESHAPE REMEDY COMPLETED WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE A NEW PEDAL IF THEY DESIRE, AFTER REPLACEMENT PEDALS BECOME AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, TOYOTA WILL REPLACE ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT IN A SUBJECT VEHICLE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MAT, FREE OF CHARGE. FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT BUT DO NOT NEED OR WANT THE NEWLY DESIGNED ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT, TOYOTA WILL RECOVER THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT AND REIMBURSE ITS PRICE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN MARCH 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

09V223000 · Equipment:other:labels

Jun 15, 2009

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

EA18006 · Steering Column Separation

Opened Nov 16, 2018 · Closed Apr 2, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column

On November 16, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) as an upgrade to a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-005). The investigation focused on allegations of steering wheel separation from the lower steering column after using the tilt and/or telescoping mechanism. Given the separation occurring when operating the tilt and/or telescoping function and failure of both shear capsules to maintain the lower steering column mounting position, potential for shear capsule damage in the known failures due to collisions, the overall low rate of occurrence, and the updated manufacturer documentation, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency reserves right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. A detailed summary of the investigation is attached to this closing resume. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Steering:column

Steering

PE18005 · Upper Steering Column Separation

Opened May 4, 2018 · Closed Nov 20, 2018

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column

On May 4, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE18-005 to investigate three allegations of steering column separation for Model Year (MY) 2008 through 2013 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Two (2) of the 3 complaints were received by ODI in April 2018 and occurred while the vehicle was in motion. Since opening PE18-005, one (1) additional VOQ involving steering column separation has been received. This incident occurred while the vehicle was stationary.As part of PE18-005, ODI examined the field data, warranty data, and relevant technical information submitted by Toyota in response to the PE18-005 information request letter. Ten (10) additional incidents of steering column separation were identified. Four (4) of these instances occurred while driving. During PE18-005, ODI confirmed that the steering columns in the subject vehicles are equipped with breakaway capsules that are designed to collapse/shear during certain types of vehicle collisions. This design feature aims to reduce driver injury severity from impact with the steering wheel in frontal vehicle collisions. There is no direct method for detecting when the capsules in the subject vehicles have sheared. If the driver operates the tilt/telescoping feature after the breakaway capsules have separated, the steering column may drop out of position and could subsequently detach entirely from the rest of the steering assembly. Loss of steering while driving may cause a loss of vehicle control, which could lead to a vehicle crash.To date, ODI has identified 14 incidents involving complete steering column separation, 6 of which occurred while driving. One of these incidents involved a minor crash. Additionally, there have been 16 events where the steering column dropped from the dashboard mounting brackets, but column separation did not occur. Four of these incidents happened while driving. Of these 30 total separation/drop incidents, 5 of the vehicles have evidence of minor collision repairs months or years prior to the steering column failure.This investigation has been upgraded an to Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) in order to 1) conduct a more detailed analysis of the conditions that may cause the steering column breakaway capsules to separate and 2) assess factors that may contribute to the problem of failing to detect and repair breakaway capsules after they have separated. Toyota has recently revised their repair manual and issued a Collision Repair Information Bulletin to help address the second concern.The VOQs associated with this investigation can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI complaint numbers: 11141761, 11083623, 11083280, 10888043.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Steering:column

Steering