2022 Toyota Highlander

1. The SRS airbag malfunction alert message has been displayed for more than a month. The vehicle was brought to the Toyota dealer where it was purchased for being diagnosed and repaired TWICE, but the problem still exists now. [The alert message is always displayed and keeps the driver from seeing any other information on the instrument panel. This is annoying and very dangerous.] 2. The engine sometimes automatically turned off while the vehicle stopped and was waiting for green lights at intersections or yielding to other vehicles at stop signs. The driver had to start the engine again before continuing driving. The vehicle was also brought to the dealer where it was purchase for repair, but the technicians were unable to find the problem.

When braking, and going down a slight grade, and when there is a slight bump in the road, the brakes seem to cut out for a second or surge. This will only last for a second and then the brakes will engage again. This could cause an accident if the car in front of me stops suddenly. On the lane departure warning, if an on ramp is merging into lanes (truck by passenger lanes on I-5 in Portland), the lane departure gets confused by the merging lane markings and alters the steering. This could cause a crash

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH and attempting to accelerate to enter the highway, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle responded sluggishly. The vehicle emitted abnormal sounds as though the transmission was in neutral. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal all the way to the floorboard and the vehicle responded as intended. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but hesitated to respond, causing 20 feet stopping distance delay. The contact stated that the failure mainly occurred in wet conditions, snowy conditions while driving approximately 60 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and test driven. The dealer informed the contact that though the vehicle was sluggish, it was not concerning. However, the failure reoccurred increasingly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a second and third time. The dealer test drove the vehicle and informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a strong burning wire coating smell coming from grill radiator while driving approximately 60 MPH. The contact stated that there was a metallic rotating sound coming from the air conditioning vent while using the heat. The contact stated that the sound persisted after turning off the vehicle. The contact also stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear passenger’s side subframe while reversing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was awaiting a call back. The failure mileage was approximately 1,800.

When braking the car will start braking then stop slowing down for 1/2 to 1 second and resume braking. If you have ever braked when hitting an ice patch this is exactly how it feels. The obvious answer was an intermittent braking problem and I was delighted to hear about the recall for the stability control. We had it reprogrammed last week but when driving it home it happened twice again but for the first time when braking the car ACTUALLY ACCELERATED 3-4 MPH. This is clearly not a braking failure but a very brief intermittent acceleration of the electric motor when braking. When it occurs it is almost exclusively when making a moving right hand turn onto another road or entrance ramp. The starting speed is approx 35-45 MPH when applying the brake so when into the turn the speed is 20-25 mph and your foot is still on the brake when the sensation of the car not braking occurs and lasts approx. 1/2 to 1 second before the car starts to slow again. So the sensation is that of an intermittent braking problem but it is actually a very brief acceleration of the electric motor. Not being able to slow the car at 30 MPH for even 1/2 to 1 second the car will travel an additional 22-44 feet before braking resumes. This is dangerous and very difficult to diagnose. This is intermittent but we experience it on average every other day and on that day it can occur 2-3 times. Present since we got it new and now has 2,100 miles.

When coming to a stop, intermittently the brakes feel like they disengage for a moment before kicking back in and lunging me forward. The first time it happened I thought my foot has slipped off the brake pedal. When I happened again, I knew something was wrong and started noting when it happens and the driving conditions. I have taken it in the dealer 4 times now, have opened a ticket with Toyota and have been told since they can’t reproduce the problem there isn’t much they can do to fix it. The service manager did advise that a scan of my car revealed my ABS/skid kicked in at one of the times I noted, but that was it. This malfunction is typically at low speeds and when apply the brake on a curve. There is no reason the abs to kick as as this doesn’t occur when slamming on brakes, but normal braking. No warning lights have been noted on my car and confirmed by the dealership. I believe this could be a problem either causing a rear-ended or possibly a pedestrian crossing in the right conditions. The sensation is very unnerving and since it’s intermittent, I believe something is not right. I have also found an online forum with multiple users reporting the same problem. https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/2021-highlander-hybrid-platinum-not-braking-properly.1694783/page-5#post-14619325