general problems of the 2007 Toyota Highlander

Subject: urgent safety concern - recurring issues with Toyota Highlander hybrid models dear national highway traffic safety administration, we owned the car since almost new, after repeated attempts with Toyota, like others 300k customers from their own site, I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding persistent safety issues with Toyota Highlander hybrid models, specifically between the years 2004 and 2007. Despite previous reports and numerous attempts to seek assistance from Toyota, the response has been unsatisfactory, with the company deflecting responsibility rather than providing a resolution. **vehicle information:** - make: Toyota - model: Highlander hybrid - year: 2007 - VIN: jtehw21a570043517 **description of the issue:** 1) the primary concerns involve the hybrid a) brake actuators failing/loosing braking power 2) the electrical inverters, which have shown a pattern of failure across many vehicles, including my own. 3) leaky blow back from engine into intake. 4) seat belts are not properly retracting, these failures could compromise the safety of the vehicle but also risk to the driver, passengers, and others on the road. **previous reports:** I have previously reported these issues to Toyota, but the attempts to resolve the matter have been met with deflection of blame. It is imperative to note that these issues are not isolated incidents but are widely reported by other owners of the same model. **impact on safety:** the malfunctioning of critical components such as the braking system has led to near-miss incidents that could have resulted in severe injuries or fatalities. It is unacceptable for such critical safety issues to remain unaddressed. **request for action:** I urge the NHTSA to investigate these reports thoroughly and take appropriate action to hold Toyota and its ceo accountable. The safety of countless drivers and the integrity of our transportation system depend on your prompt attention to this matter.

2007 hybrid abs brake actuator problem. The primer motor continues to run to prime the pump even when car if off. The humming noise changes when you press on the brakes to load knocking groaning noises. No dash warning signs. I bought this car used and it has always made the humming noise since I bought it. I thought this was normal for a hybrid. Sometimes brake pedal would push easily to floor, but then get tighter. I would hear the knocking grinding noise. No warning lights, had brakes checked and they are good. Thought maybe air in line. This noise and loose pedal started about 1 year ago. 6/2024 it did not happen all the time. I also have a company car, so I do not drive the Toyota Highlander that often. Now I cannot drive it at all. For fear that the brakes would go out. I started looking further online on information regarding this. It seems Toyota and Lexus RX 300 hybrids (same part model number) 44510-48060 are all doing this. I looked up recall's and nothing for abs hybrid problems. Just last week all warning lights came on in my car brake vsc. Reading all the problems with this abs actuator pump, this should be recalled. 6/2025 per online, it is a known problem with Toyota in the hybrid models. All of these units will need to be replaced, only a matter of time. Usually Toyota's run up to and overr 300k miles. I planned on keeping mine around. But it is a 2007 with 189k miles on it. I am not sure I want to invest $2000. 00 on just a part for a car this old! junk yards sell used ones for $800+. Same model number and only in time that will fail. Apparently Toyota has issued a new model number 44510-48061. There is also another new model 44050-48191. The replacement part (no labor) varies in price 44510-48060 new $1200. 00, 44510-48061 $1350. 00, 44050-48191 $2000. 00.

Starts without using a key and cannot be shut off.

Warning light - possible inverter malfunction. Just appeared for the first time.

I was driving and without any warning the car shutdown down, the car controls would not respond. The car continued till it lost momentum stopped, there was no/or very little braking and steering assistance/control. ***I called Toyota and reported the problem, no assistance was provided*** the dashboard flashed lights, the vsc, awd and other lights came on. Fyi - the car has been regularly maintained. There are numerous controls on these similar issues, vsc awd ecu etc, but there seems to be no acknowledgement from Toyota.

During driving, abruptly without warning - the Highlander hybrid during driving, without warning, just went dead - car did not respond to driver control. The dashboard started flashing lights and the vsc check, awd check, skid light, brake lights came on. The car, and power steering stopped responding to control. Upon contacting the dealers, everyone has given us a different reason, some don't even make sense.

This is in follow-up to my complaint #10306258 filed earlier this morning (Feb 5, 2010). I found my previous service order of July 23, 2008, from my Toyota dealership, on which I complained about the delayed acceleration when I pressed on the gas pedal. Their response, as documented on my repair order was scanned for error codes. None present. Characteristic of this transmission. ¿ on my previous report to you regarding this, I classified this as fuel system, gasoline and as electrical system, it looks like Toyota classified this as a transmission problem. Regardless, the facts are as I stated them and I still view this to be a dangerous condition. For the record, my vehicle was serviced on July 23, 2008 at west ashley Toyota, 2100 savannah hwy, charleston, SC 29414. Their phone number is 843-556-9110. My customer nbr is 82921. My concern was addressed on their invoice # tocs178222. I had my vehicle in for a checkup at the above dealership this morning, after my posting on your web site. I again inquired about my previously reported acceleration problem. The maintenance representative, heather, informed me that she knows of no problem regarding this. When I asked if I was the only one who is experiencing this problem and questioned the fact that no one else has complained about this to Toyota, heather told me that she personally has no knowledge of others reporting this.

Tl-while pulling into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The vehicle jumped the median and hit another vehicle in another parking space. The failure miles are not available. The current miles are 45,000 miles. Aa.

Was pulling into parking space under 5 mph and there was a sudden surge forward and the brakes did not work. Went over curb through bushes off another curb hitting underneath of car and brakes then worked again. Car was towed to dealer where they drove it put it on a machine and found nothing wrong with the car!.

When traveling down hill for extended periods of time the batteries charge and then start to emit noxious fumes into the cab of the vehicle. (ozone I think. ) on several occasions we have had to roll the windows down or stop and exit the vehicle to allow the fumes to clear. The local dealer says that there is nothing wrong with the vehicle, and that there is nothing they can do about our complaints.

Hybrid inverter failure.