NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
181 reports161,000 miles · May 24, 2021
Engine
The contact owns a 2011 TOYOTA Highlander. The contact stated while adding engine oil, the oil would leak from front section of engine. The contact stated that the oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was in the process of being diagnosed. The manufacturer was not informed …
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The contact owns a 2011 TOYOTA Highlander. The contact stated while adding engine oil, the oil would leak from front section of engine. The contact stated that the oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was in the process of being diagnosed. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000.
NHTSA ODI #11418369
50,000 miles · Apr 18, 2021
Steering
WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN THE TURN IS COMPLETED...THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT GO BACK INTO POSITION. THIS OCCURS WHEN YOU ARE IN MOTION.
NHTSA ODI #11408631
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2021
Air BagsCrashInjury
I HIT A CONCRETE POST AT ROUGHLY 30 MPH, DEAD CENTER FRONT OF VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED, AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I BROKE MY NECK DUE TO THE SEATBELT HOLDING MY CHEST AND TORSO BACK ON THE SEAT, WHILE MY HEAD MOVED FORWARD, ALL THE WAY DOWN AND HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HEAD MOVEMENT RESULTED IN A COMPLETE…
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I HIT A CONCRETE POST AT ROUGHLY 30 MPH, DEAD CENTER FRONT OF VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED, AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I BROKE MY NECK DUE TO THE SEATBELT HOLDING MY CHEST AND TORSO BACK ON THE SEAT, WHILE MY HEAD MOVED FORWARD, ALL THE WAY DOWN AND HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HEAD MOVEMENT RESULTED IN A COMPLETE BREAK OF MY C2 VERTEBRAE. THIS HAPPENED AFTER ENTERING THE LARGE AREA OF A WALMART PARKING LOT FROM THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA ODI #11405618
129,100 miles · Mar 20, 2021
Engine
ENGINE OIL COOLER HOSE BURSTED AND LEAKED OIL EVERYWHERE ON THE HIGHWAY, ENGINE OVERHEATED..WAS ALERTED BY THE SYSTEM AS LOW PRESSURE ENGINE OIL WARNING. ROOM TO CAUSE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. NEED TO RECALL THIS.
NHTSA ODI #11404047
117,600 miles · Jan 17, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine
TURNING ON THE REAR DEFROSTER WILL CUT POWER TO THE ENGINE AND DASHBOARD. TURNING OFF THE DEFROSTER WILL RETURN POWER TO THE DASH. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF IF THE VEHICLE IS STILL OR IN MOTION.
NHTSA ODI #11388588
160,000 miles · Nov 27, 2020
Engine
ENGINE OIL COOLER HOSE "LEAKING". TOYOTA DID ISSUE A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, BUT WAS NEVER CHECKED DURING REGULAR DEALER SERVICING AS PART OF THE HOSES. CONDITION IS ON THE 3.5L TOYOTA/LEXUS ENGINE AND CAN BE SEEN IN THIS VIDEO:HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=67S7Y90OTIY NEW PART NUMBER IS 15767-31020 WITH GASKETS 15185-0P0…
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ENGINE OIL COOLER HOSE "LEAKING". TOYOTA DID ISSUE A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, BUT WAS NEVER CHECKED DURING REGULAR DEALER SERVICING AS PART OF THE HOSES. CONDITION IS ON THE 3.5L TOYOTA/LEXUS ENGINE AND CAN BE SEEN IN THIS VIDEO:HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=67S7Y90OTIY NEW PART NUMBER IS 15767-31020 WITH GASKETS 15185-0P010 AND 11496-31010.
NHTSA ODI #11376494
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2020
Tires
TIRE LOSS OF TRACTION AND GRIP ON WET PAVEMENT.
NHTSA ODI #11359858
65,000 miles · Apr 14, 2020
Structure
I NOTICED IN NOVEMBER 2016 THAT THE PAINT ON MY 2011 TOYOTA ROOF WAS PEELING OFF. I TOOK IT TO A TRUSTED BODY SHOP AND THE OWNER ADVISED MY TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AS IT APPEARED TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I DID AS HE SUGGESTED AND I WAS SUBJECTED TO MONTHS OF UNRESPONSIVE BEHAVIOR BEFORE I WAS FINALLY TOLD MY CAR WAS BEY…
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I NOTICED IN NOVEMBER 2016 THAT THE PAINT ON MY 2011 TOYOTA ROOF WAS PEELING OFF. I TOOK IT TO A TRUSTED BODY SHOP AND THE OWNER ADVISED MY TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AS IT APPEARED TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I DID AS HE SUGGESTED AND I WAS SUBJECTED TO MONTHS OF UNRESPONSIVE BEHAVIOR BEFORE I WAS FINALLY TOLD MY CAR WAS BEYOND THE 3YEAR WARRANTY THEREFORE NOT THEIR PROBLEM IN OCTOBER OF 2017. SINCE THIS TIME, THE PAINT FAILURE HAS PROGRESSED TO INCLUDE NEARLY EVERY PANEL ON MY VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT TOYOTA IS RECALLING BLIZZARD PEARL VEHICLES DUE TO THIS EXACT PROBLEM BUT MY VIN IN NOT INCLUDED. I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED IMMEDIATELY AS THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT GREATLY IMPACTS THE VALUE OF MY INVESTMENT. **I AM UNABLE TO ATTACH MORE THAN ONE PICTURE TO MY COMPLAINT. HOWEVER, I HAVE MULTIPLE PHOTOS AND SOME DAMAGE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SUCCESSFULLY DOCUMENT BUBBLING PAINT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11321084
37,000 miles · Mar 25, 2020
Steering
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, THERE'S A THUMP WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, NO MATTER WHAT ROAD/STREET. WE HAVE LESS THAN 43,000 MILES ON IT & DO NOT DRIVE ON RUFF TERRAIN. WE PURCHASED THE 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER NEW, TAKE IT TO THE DEALER EVERY 6 MOS FOR MAINT. & NOW TOLD IT NEEDS A STEERING SHAFT REPLACEMENT & 4 W…
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FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, THERE'S A THUMP WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, NO MATTER WHAT ROAD/STREET. WE HAVE LESS THAN 43,000 MILES ON IT & DO NOT DRIVE ON RUFF TERRAIN. WE PURCHASED THE 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER NEW, TAKE IT TO THE DEALER EVERY 6 MOS FOR MAINT. & NOW TOLD IT NEEDS A STEERING SHAFT REPLACEMENT & 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT. ($657.33 TOTAL!) THIS IS INCONCEIVABLE TO PASS ON TO CUSTOMERS. AND A ROAD HAZARD TO ALL ON THE ROADS.
NHTSA ODI #11319251
93,500 miles · Feb 16, 2020
Service Brakes
ON FEB 13, I WAS DRIVING AN ANN ARBOR, MI, STREET THAT WAS DOWNHILL AND ICY. I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL THE ABS CAME ON, AND HELD IT ON FOR 15 TO 30 SECONDS. THIS DID NOT STOP THE CAR, BUT SLOWED IT, AND ALLOWED ME TO GO STRAIGHT, UNTIL AFTER 10 TO 20 SECONDS, THE ABS STOPPED WORKING (NO MORE PEDAL PULSING, NO MORE ABS NOIS…
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ON FEB 13, I WAS DRIVING AN ANN ARBOR, MI, STREET THAT WAS DOWNHILL AND ICY. I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL THE ABS CAME ON, AND HELD IT ON FOR 15 TO 30 SECONDS. THIS DID NOT STOP THE CAR, BUT SLOWED IT, AND ALLOWED ME TO GO STRAIGHT, UNTIL AFTER 10 TO 20 SECONDS, THE ABS STOPPED WORKING (NO MORE PEDAL PULSING, NO MORE ABS NOISE), THE WHEELS LOCKED UP, AND I SLID INTO THE CURB. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO DAMAGE. A TECHNICIAN AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAID IT IS NORMAL ON ALL VEHICLES FOR ABS TO STOP WORKING, AND FOR WHEELS TO LOCK UP, AFTER ABS OPERATES FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THIS MAY BE WHAT I EXPERIENCED. HE SAID ONE SHOULD RELEASE THE PEDAL AND THEN REAPPLY PRESSURE, OR PUMP THE PEDAL. THIS SUGGESTION IS QUITE DIFFERENT THAN THE USUAL INSTRUCTIONS, WHICH SAY TO CONTINUALLY PRESS BRAKE PEDAL. HE HAD AN EXPLANATION, WHICH I CANNOT REPEAT -- SOMETHING TO DO WITH BRAKE FLUID DEPLETING SOMEWHERE, PERHAPS THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE ABS PROBLEM PROBLEM LIGHT HAS NOT COME ON. AFTER THAT INCIDENT, THE ANTILOCK BRAKES HAVE WORKED FINE, THOUGH I HAVE NOT TESTED THEM IN THE SEVERE CONDITIONS OF FEB 13. SINCE THE ABS SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE WORKING NOW, AND THE ABS LIGHT IS NOT ON, THERE APPEARS TO BE LITTLE CHANCE THE TOYOTA DEALER COULD DO SOMETHING USEFUL. THERE APPEAR TO BE TWO POSSIBILITIES: 1. THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ABS SYSTEMS WHEN APPLIED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. NHTSA WILL BECOME AWARE OF THIS IF MORE OWNERS MAKE REPORTS. 2. THE TECHNICIAN IS CORRECT THAT AFTER ACTIVATING ABS FOR A LENGTH OF TIME, ONE MUST RELEASE THE PEDAL, OR PULSE IT, IN ORDER FOR ABS TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE. IN THIS CASE, INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING ABS NEED TO BE SUBSTANTIALLY REVISED, AND ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS NHTSA OUGHT TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THE ISSUE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR DANGEROUS ACCIDENTS WHEN ABS IS APPLIED CONTINUOUSLY FOR TOO LONG.
NHTSA ODI #11309478
Official recalls
5Jun 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.
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.
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.
Apr 9, 2013
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
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
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: 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
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: 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.
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
2EA18006 · 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
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.
Steering
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.
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
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.
Steering
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.
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