general problems of the 2020 Toyota Highlander

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled and abruptly stopped in traffic at a traffic light. The driver exited the vehicle. The vehicle failed to restart, and the steering wheel was inoperable. The contact was concerned the vehicle might move forward. The check engine warning light was flashing, and the message “high power consumption” was displayed. The ignition and steering warning lights were illuminated, and “low power” message was displayed. The vehicle was running but failed to move. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 20v162000 (fuel system, gasoline, engine) and special service campaign 21tc05. Bystanders nearby attempted to assist the contact. The emergency services was contacted, and the local police responded to the scene. The insurance company was called and arranged a tow. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, and the battery was replaced. Additionally, the contact spoke with the service director, management, and the technicians. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 29,296.

The steering wheel heating component burned my fingers twice due to a malfunction. I had to attempt to pull over immediately because the steering wheel began smoking and the pain from my finger/hand. Dealership confirmed and fixed issue and the wheel is no longer available to inspect. I was burned while holding the steering wheel and could have steered into another car/pedestrian while driving. I brought it to Toyota and they confirmed a defect and replaced parts of the wheel. I did not bring this up with any other entity. There were no warnings on my dash/anywhere in the vehicle. Smoke appeared after I burned my finger each time. I have attached an image of the smoke, but the only smoke I could capture was limited due to safety issues and not wanting the heating component to be in-use. A video shows it better.

I was in a school line waiting for my children. I went to hit the gas to move and the car said “maintenance required” and then flashed other warning lights “low power steering fluid and engine light. ” then the car turned off and screens were flashing. I tried to restart the car but the steering column was locked and brake pedal was locked. I checked all fluids and they were full. I had someone jump the car and it turned back on. I figured maybe a bad battery. Had aaa come look at the car and all diagnostic testing was normal. Next day, car does it again in the middle of an intersection.

I was at a stop sign in my 2020 Highlander waiting to turn left onto a busy road. Upon turning left onto PA state highway 999, the Highlander engine turned off and the steering wheel was "locked" into a left position. This caused the car to continue turning into the opposing left lane resulting in a head-on collision with an on-coming car. With the engine turned off there was no power steering, no brakes, and no way to unlock the steering wheel. The collision caused my car to bounce back and slowly free roll back to the stop sign as though I never entered the roadway.

In my 2020 Highlander I approached a stop sign at a "t" intersection behind 4 other cars. After stopping and looking to see road was clear of oncoming traffic, I pulled out and started my left turn. As I was turning into my lane the car engine turned off and the steering wheel was locked in the left position. There was no power for the brakes, which left me jamming on the brake pedal as hard as I could only slowing the car slightly. The steering wheel was locked left and I thought I was going to break it trying to force it back. With no ability to move the steering wheel or brake, I braced myself as the Highlander continued turning in the left direction into the other lane. The result was a head on collision with a Mini cooper, both cars totaled, and injuring both myself and the other driver. Highlander was investigated by forensic company in the employ of the insurance company, but they could not find any error in the cars cdr (crash data retrieval) system.