Suspension Problems of Toyota Highlander - part 1

•the transmission malfunctioned and developed an abnormal internal noise at approximately 67,000 miles, which is an unexpected failure at low mileage. The vehicle had been properly maintained and had no prior mechanical issues. Atlanta Toyota inspected the vehicle and confirmed the transmission had failed and required full replacement. The dealer also stated that as a result of the transmission failure, other related components showed excessive and abnormal wear. A second independent service center inspected the vehicle and confirmed the same diagnosis. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. • this unexpected transmission failure created a serious safety risk due to the possibility of sudden loss of power, inability to accelerate, or complete transmission failure while driving. I rely on this vehicle daily to transport my child to school and to commute to work. A sudden failure while in traffic could result in becoming stranded or involved in a collision. • the vehicle was inspected by an authorized Toyota dealer and an independent service center. Both stated that the failure was unusual given the low mileage and normal use of the vehicle. • there were no warning lights, messages, or diagnostic trouble codes prior to the failure and afterward. The only symptom was an abnormal internal noise from the transmission, which began suddenly at approximately 66,000 miles. • the vehicle has received regular maintenance and is used for normal daily driving. There was no abuse, heavy towing, or unusual use that would explain a transmission failure at this mileage.

See all problems of the 2021 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

It’s been a known issue that Toyota Highlander has transmission problems under 100k miles from 2016-2021 or later (social media sites confirmed such). My vehicle require a trans axle replacement as well as the struts are leaking oil and my vehicle has less than 62k miles and is only 5 years old. This is being covered under my extended warranty but parts are on back order after doing research many owners complain about a whining noise showing acceleration of vehicle . If left unfixed this leads to transmission gears slipping and eventually needing an entire replacement some owners also complain about leaky struts. My car has an issue with leaky struts and is being fixed under warranty some owners say they need an entire new transmission and after that is replaced the rear transaxle goes and needs replacement Toyota is not putting a recall on this but it’s a known issue. Owners are asking to have this put out as a recall by toy. All parts are on back order and takes several months before transmission can be repaired or replaced. This tells me there are hundreds if not thousands of Highlander’s having the same issue this is a Toyota problem and is related to building transmission in the factory. . Recall the older vehicles and do better in the factory.

See all problems of the 2020 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that 5,000 miles after purchasing the vehicle, the contact noticed an oil leak. The contact performed the oil changes and had noticed that engine oil had leaked down onto the weather seal in the vehicle. The contact noticed several oil stains on the ground during rainy weather. The contact noticed that the new tires that the dealer installed at the time of the vehicle sale were worn out. The contact checked the tires and noticed that the plastic rubber on the front strut was severely damaged. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the timing cover had a leak, and that the timing cover area was smeared with an unknown silicone patch. The struts were replaced. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.  the failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

See all problems of the 2012 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Both front struts and bearing plates failed at 75k miles. They were leaking oil before that mileage. Approximate date of failure was 1/5/24. No parts were available until now. Parts were on back-order for upwards of a year for this model of Highlander in the fwd configuration, with 18” wheels. Prematurely failure causes a lot of bouncing in the car, therefore making the vehicle unresponsive to quick steering maneuvers. The bounce also made it so that typical driving within the city is dangerous as the bounce makes the car difficult to control. This is an issue that is documented on Toyota forums for fwd models. An accident has not been caused by this failure as of yet. Vehicle will be repaired soon. Mechanic was finally able to get two factory struts and bearing plates. Each strut is $200 and mounting plates are about $150 each. Parts + labor are expensive, but at least now it will be fixed.

Unknown - 2024 Toyota Highlander makes a drumming or hooting sound when driving over normal to slightly rough roads. It is not related to expansion joints in the road. 1st dealer said it was a rt. Wheel bearing, changed it and it did not work. He then said it was in all Toyota's with 20" wheels. I paid to change tires and wheel to no avail. 2nd dealer said it was normal even though mechanic heard the noise. His supervisor said it was fine and they would do nothing to try to isolate the noise. Noise is very obvious.

See all problems of the 2024 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Had cv boot and control arm work at 30k miles caught it in time in 2021 and dealer fixed it. 2 years later same issue if I had bot taken it to dealer and just did oil changes myself cv boot and control arm would break during operation. Seems like they have serious issues with cv boots and control arms at low miles. I only have 50k miles to have a second replacement.

See all problems of the 2016 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

3 wheel alignments in same vehicle needed in less than 30 months: <5,000, 30,000 and 35,000 odometer readings it’s not from pot holes; I have owned about 14 cars in family fleet and have never had 1 vehicle need more than 1 alignment during it’s time of ownership of over 1,000,000 miles driven something is wrong with vehicle design or mechanical components to go out of alignment so frequently.

Front strut leaking fluid. Needs replacement. Seals worn out below 36,000 miles.

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.

See all problems of the 2009 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

When the vehicle was ~1. 5 years old following its 10,000 mile maintenance, substantial thumping generated from the rear of the vehicle. Each time, the dealership attempted to resolve the problem finding issues with struts; however, it only went away in late March after having the vehicle in the shop for weeks at a time on 5 different occasions Nov 2018 - Mar 2019. I engaged Toyota hq (800-331-4331) - filing report #1901092572 - requesting an exchange of the vehicle. This was denied and I was offered a 8 year warranty. To covid, I rarely drove this vehicle through 2020 and most of 2021, where to date, I have only ~34,000 miles on the vehicle. -on 21 oct 2021, my wife was stopped at a gas station and attempted to start the vehicle. The vehicle would not start and the following lights came on without previous warning: 1)braking power low, 2)maintenance needed soon, & 3)orange yellow triangle lit up with exclamation mark. My wife was stranded for 3 hours and the vehicle had to be towed. The dealership informed me that Toyota installed a generic battery into the vehicle (when being sold) that was only to have 4-5 years of life; however, my concern was that this vehicle had just completed maintenance and there was no warning of this upcoming issue. When repaired, I had to pay for the name brand (true start) battery. -on 16 Jan 2022, after having driven the Highlander for 25 minutes, I started the engine while in a parking lot. While moving forward and the engine still going, the brakes and power steering went out. On the dashboard, the same lights that came on in oct 2021, did so again. I had to let the vehicle coast (having no control) with my wife and child in the car through the parking lot. It came to a stop at the concrete parking curb stop at a store front. Toyota stated that since there was no check engine light that there was no code and they could not duplicate the problem. The vehicle was sent back to me with no resolution or explanation.

See all problems of the 2017 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Driver's seat belt locked up so I was unable to wear it, I hit a deer tried to swerve to miss it, and my car was shaking uncontrollably.

See all problems of the 2005 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

While entering a business park's parking lot, my vehicle suddenly and immediately stopped all forward movement. I was thrown against the steering wheel, injuring the right side of my chest and scraping the skin off my right forearm which was covered with the sleeve of my shirt. I was dazed, had no idea what happened, and thought that I had hit something but yet no airbags had deployed. When the vehicle stopped it was near a light post which I assumed I had hit. Upon exiting the vehicle I noticed the front tire was blown and the wheel was sitting on the ground at an odd angle. Walking around the vehicle showed no other body damage other that a few small strips of yellow paint from the base of the light post. When the tow truck driver was placing the chains to load it onto the flatbed, he called my attention to the fact that the drivers side control arm had failed. See the attached pictures for further detail. I am very grateful that I was not in traffic on a major highway as this would have been a horrific accident. Pictures show the control arm had a crack with exposed rust on edges of a fracture in the control arm. This vehicle has only been serviced at Toyota authorized dealerships and has undergone their multipoint inspections during these visits that include the front and rear suspension. I will not feel comfortable driving this vehicle again!.

See all problems of the 2019 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Unknown, squeaking in rear when going over bumps and uneven roads.

See all problems of the 2018 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

I was forced to change lanes quickly from the left lane to the left shoulder of an interstate when a double tandem tractor trailer moved into my lane of traffic. The interstate was dry and the left shoulder was in excellent condition and wide enough to accommodate my vehicle easily. All lane assist options were turned off, the driving mode was set to “economy” and the cruise control was turned to “off”. A few seconds after entering the left shoulder of the interstate, I felt the rear end of my vehicle sway from side to side for a few seconds. After the swaying ended, I thought there was a brief loss of vehicle control after which the vehicle returned completely to my control. My vehicle is a Toyota Highlander limited awd gas engine SUV with about 2700 miles when this occurred. I drove my vehicle without any emergency steering maneuvers 2700 miles prior to and 500 miles after this incident without any problems. I had my Toyota dealer examine the suspension, steering and event recorder of the vehicle and test drive it. They found the vehicle to be performing within manufacturers specifications and without any defect in the steering or suspension and found no codes found in the event recorder.

The vehicle was taken for service on 1/8/21 at Toyota of scranton for rear suspension problems. They had replaced arm away, trailing. We called again for device in February 2021 for problems with the car. It was scheduled for service on March 20,2021, which Toyota of scranton did not have the parts. In January 2021, Toyota mentioned nothing of the pending fuel pump recall. We received no calls from Toyota at any time for a recall. We became aware of the recall after we experienced problems with the car in February. Toyota has still not resolved the full pump recall.

The brakes feel like the pulsate wgen you start to press on them. Then while engaging the brakes it will feel likes its grabbing then it releaes and the pedal feels like it has no pressure in it. The cruise control stopped working, all the lights are on for the brake system, and now it has a long high pitch beep when turning the car on or applying pressure to the break pedal.

See all problems of the 2008 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the vehicle was very well kept and that the undercarriage of the vehicle was regularly washed and serviced however, the undercarriage became very corroded. The subframe and front suspension of the vehicle showed an excessive amount of rust. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 256,000.

See all problems of the 2006 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Have taken this vehicle multiples times to Toyota dealers looking to address a front suspension problem. It feels like the steering wheel is shaking a little bit when is being driven at slow speed over uneven street pavement surface (small potholes) it feels something in the suspension is loose and it wobbles from left and right. I always feel it on the steering wheel. They haven't been able to determine what is the real problem arguing they don't feel any wobbling on the vehicle.

Vehicle was in park and rolled. It picked up speed as it continued to roll and there weren't any occupant. This took place in a driveway. The vehicle rolls while the emergency brake is on alll the time as well.

Last year 02/22/2018 /3,168 miles, I hear a bang/noise from rear of my Highlander road rough only they fixed. This year 07/102019 /12,780 miles same problem.

In the back of the car, the rear light covers stick out about 3 inches, the edges are as sharp as a keen knife (photos attached). When I unload stuff from the trunk, it often hurts me. I have tried to be very careful. I also reminded my teenage son with caution. However, it sticks out too much and is too sharp. It is hard to avoid. It keeps hurting. For example, three months ago, on an evening it was dark and raining, at a costco parking lot, when I uploaded groceries onto the car, my right arm and joint were suddenly hit by this sharp cutting edge of the rear light cover. The keen edge cut my arm, and the stick out part badly hurt my joint (photos attached). I could not raise my arm. Three months have passed; however, my joint is still paining. I went to jim coleman dealer and pointed out the danger part in the rear. I had their managers and staff to feel by putting their hands on the keen edge. They all admitted it is bad design and easy to injure people. But they said they could not do anything about it. I asked if they could report incidents/cases to manufacturers, and have it improved. They said they sell cars only. I randomly took photos of other made of cars (photos attached). None of them stick out a knife likes Highlander. It is a nightmare when using this Highlander daily.

For several months now I have been hearing a clucking noise when turning the steering wheel left or right and upon breaking a thud sound in the front of my car. After taking my car in to the dealership they came back and said that the noise was coming from the intermediate shaft. I asked well how do you damage a whole intermediate shaft? they said it occurs over a period of time. My vehicle has 92,000 miles on it but its been maintained and serviced and not driven roughly but to make a long story short they said it would cost me about $615. 00 to have the vehicle repaired plus an additional $89. 95 for the alignment. This appears to be a manufacture issue and needs to have a recall. I'm very disappointed in Toyota since they pride themselves as being one of the leading auto makers around the world.

Tl the contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, a rattling noise was present coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer conicelli Toyota located at 860 baltimore pike, springfield, PA 19064, however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000.

Buying new car, potential buyer of this car had a mechanic check it out. Found extensive rust involving frame and suspension. Not safe to drive. I live in nc mountains with extensive snow and ice and salted roads. Toyota has had previous rust issues and mechanic said he's seeing this more with local Highlanders.

See all problems of the 2007 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Took my 2018 Highlander to have the 5000 mile service done. Upon entering the service department I spoke with one of the certified technicians. I told him my vehicles is pulling to the left. They then did a alignment and tire rotation. After leaving mike wood Toyota of uniontown I noticed that my vehicle was now pulling to the right. When I got home I examined the tires closely only to notice the tires were cupped and starting to feather out on the inner and outter edges. I then scheduled another appointment two days later showing the dealership service department my findings. The service tech got in and took a ride with me. He also drove my 18 Highlander. He observed my vehicle pulling and the cupling and feathering of my tires. He stated that the tires should not have done that in 5000 miles. I am waiting now to see if Toyota is going to replace my tires. Or if the tires are defective.

Tl the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that there was a suspension failure on the driver's side of the vehicle that was progressing. The first dealer (lombard Toyota, 725 roosevelt rd, lombard, IL 60148, (855) 890-2899) provided an alignment and diagnosed that the suspension arm seized, and the rear suspension arm and toe adjust cam sub-assembly needed to be replaced. The second dealer (st charles Toyota, 2651 e main st, st charles, IL 60174, (630) 584-6655) diagnosed that the rear alignment was slightly off and that the rear suspension arm needed to be replaced. The manufacturer had not issued any recalls to provide a solution. The approximate failure mileage was 51,442.

See all problems of the 2010 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Unable to align vehicle correct due to driver's side rear camber. Caused uneven tire wear and costly replacement for tires for 6 years.

See all problems of the 2013 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Towing capabilities are not congruent with the specification per manual. . . Rear suspension is very weak and cannot handle the weight of the cabin cargo and the weight of trailing up to 5,000 lbs safely. . . Multiple pictures (1 attached) taken but did not drive on the road for safety reasons for it passengers.

I have had axles break while driving after they where replace and they say there is nothing a matter with the front end. And the frame is rusted after a year and it is breaking.

Gps/radio often turns off while driving. Screen completely goes blank and keeps trying to reset itself. Voice commands often don't work while driving or stationary. Blue tooth often doesn't connect while driving or stationary. Tailgate often doesn't close and takes multiple tries to get to working again when stationary. Spongy/broken spring sound coming from the rear of the car as I drove over uneven road. Rear left tail light always foggy and contains moisture even after replacing it. Chirping sound coming from right side of car when driving on highway on windy days. Wheel and car shaking while driving on highway at speed over 60 mph.

See all problems of the 2014 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Popping sound coming from right front side when breaking to a stop at all speeds. The problem was first noticed at around 2500 miles and the car was taken to the dealer at around 2900 miles. Dealer inspected it and couldn't find what the problem was. Then as instructed by Toyota replaced the right front strut assembly but that didn't fix the problem. The car was returned to me and I was told there were no safety concerns and that Toyota was sending one of their techs to troubleshoot, but that may take a couple of weeks. In the mean time the problem seems to be getting worse.

See all problems of the 2015 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

On Saturday, may 30th at approximately 8:30 I was moving our 2005 Highlander from the street into our reserved parking space within our complex. As I was starting my right hand turn into the complex the car accelerator stuck. I hit the curb on the driver's/left side causing the vehicle to veer to the right. As the car continued to accelerate I hit a tree and knocked over one of the community's posted signage. The impact made the car bounce backward partially into the drive, damaging the front passenger's side, drive shaft broke, front end part flew all over and a small fire occurred. Police were call and report taken. They estimated the speed at 20-30 miles per hour. The report taken was not filed since the accident took place on private property. The tow truck driver started the vehicle to get it on the truck. He had a difficult time for he could not get the wheels to turn. On Tuesday, June 2, we were notified by our insurance company that the vehicle was totaled. There was a recall repair done on may 21, 2011, after we were advised that the replacement parts were available to install the forward retention clip used to secure the drive's side floor carpet cover. We were advised that if it was not installed properly, the cover may lean toward the accelerator pedal and interfere with the accelerator pedal arm. If this occurs, the accelerator pedal may temporarily become stuck in a partially depressed position rather than returning to the idle position. An accelerator pedal temporarily stuck in a partially depressed position may increase the risk of a crash. There must have been a failure of the replacement part.

Clunking noise from rear end of vehicle when braking, dealer was authorized to change rear away bars and shocks, no fix, now Toyota corp. , says this is normal characteristic of vehicle ? I don't feel safe driving vehicle with noise, and as brakes feel soft also.

Tl-the contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at 10 mph, heard an abnormal noise from the driver front tire. The vehicle was taken to a dealer mechanic ,who diagnosed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000. Lb.

Vehicle was proceeding through an intersection under a green light. A vehicle traveling the cross road proceeded through their red light and impacted my vehicle at full speed. The result was a "t-bone" accident into the driver's side door. The force of the collision was such that my vehicle was turned 90 degrees. The driver's head impacted the driver's side window shattering that window. The side curtain air bag did not deploy. Air bags in the other vehicle did deploy. Had the air bag operated properly it would have protected the driver's head from impacting and shattering the window. Since the side curtain airbag did not deploy in what appears to be an obvious situation, I am now concerned that none of the airbags in that vehicle will deploy upon impact and I am driving an unsafe vehicle.