Vehicle Speed Control Problems of Toyota Highlander - part 2

Problems: 1) check engine light lit up. 2) "hybrid system malfunction" warning on heads-up display. 3) "pre-collision system failure" warning on heads-up display. 4) gasoline engine stalls after an intentional deceleration and is unable to come back up to speed. First event: on July 4th, my wife and I were driving on an interstate highway. We entered an exit ramp interchange to merge onto another highway and when trying to accelerate the car suddenly became sluggish, and gave messages for problems 1), 2), and 4) stated above. Problem 3) did not occur during this event. Messages stated to pull over in a safe location. We parked on the shoulder and immediately shut the car off, waited 5 minutes and then started the car again. We were able to drive to the next off-ramp to a city street (about 100 yards) before the engine started becoming sluggish again and lurching, error messages remained throughout the event. Obd codes stated simply "faulty engine" on a car with 16,000 miles. Dealership was unable to find a cause, but did find a code for ignition failure. They checked some things but did not do any repairs, and were unable to replicate the issue as it seemed to have cleared. Diagnosis was "vapor-lock" and no explanation for why. Second event: on August 6th, my wife was driving the vehicle to visit family, when pulling onto an exit ramp, was unable to accelerate again afterwards. All the same warnings popped up, but this time also had problem 3). Engine stalled when warnings appeared and did the same sluggish lurching. After pulling off in a safe area, shut the car off and tried to restart 4 times, warning did not clear. Gasoline engine does not operate when pedal is pressed. Shut the car down for 2 hours and tried to restart afterwards, warnings still present, engine now runs when pedal is pressed, but stalls when idle. Shutdown for another hour while waiting for a tow, warnings still present, still stalls when idle. Waiting on callback from dealership.

See all problems of the 2019 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

The vsc light, abs light, check engine light and sound is are on. The code is back as well c1391 for this brake actuator. It is a well known problem with Toyotas . This was fixed once already by Toyota dealer and failed after 40k miles again. How can a part has failed again in such a short time and miles? this is a common problem and we can't get help from Toyota company other than to pay for their lack of quality on parts? I can't afford $4000 plust to fix a part that only lasted 40,000 miles. When is Toyota going to do a recall on this part and fix it for good?.

See all problems of the 2006 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Vehicle is slow to respond and/or has intermittent performance when accelerating or moving from complete stop. There is lag time in the vehicle's response to driver acceleration which makes it challenging to enter (from roadway or driveway) oncoming traffic or merge into interstate/freeway traffic. The delay in the responsiveness and inconsistent performance causes driver to need extra time and distance when entering the flow of traffic. The front end also becomes jumpy and enters with a skid/pull force causing the need to steer into the vehicle and course-correct. Vehicle also does not accelerate well out of a right-hand turn on 90deg turns and lags to acceleration past apex. This particular vehicle was purchased 07/25/2020 with 4,278 miles. Toyota issued a recall for low-pressure fuel pump in 01/2020 and added this model to the recall list in 10/2020. An interim safety recall notice stating the vehicle could stall while driving increasing the risk of a crash, particularly at high speeds. As of 02/15/2021, Toyota has not issued a remedy to this safety recall which has been open, in total, for more than a year. As a driver who relies on freeway travel in arizona, this is disturbing and the additional erratic performance in-town during normal traffic is equally unsettling. This vehicle is still being used in normal conditions due to the owner being in an essential industry during the pandemic, but recreational driving is being limited due to the open and unresolved safety recall issued by Toyota. I also contacted my service writer at Toyota before receiving the letter, shortly after purchasing the vehicle to ask if the acceleration delays and inconsistency were normal in this vehicle because the driver experience is subpar to what should be expected with a new, low-mile xle vehicle.

Vehicle went into limp mode reieved code p0300 reduced engine power on highway when accelerating.

See all problems of the 2020 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Driving 50 miles/ hour veh�cle started loosing power and started to shake. Engine light came on and two different messages in dashboard pop out. One about hybrid malfunction and the other output power reduced.

We recently purchased our Highlander and it has a little over 4,000 miles. Today while driving down the road at about 45 mph, the car just lost power and the check engine light came on. 1. Check engine - reduced engine power 2. Secondary collision brake system malfunction we had to park and wait for the Toyota dealership to come and tow it to the service center. At this point I don't know what was wrong or why it just cut out while driving. I am very concerned and can only hope Toyota can address this or replace the car.

The brake actuator is failing and is making loud noises. The car does not brake normally. I have reported braking problems since I bought the vehicle in 2007. When it hits a bump it accelerates and I must stand on the brakes so I do not hit someone. It lurches forward when it hits a pothole or some kind of obstruction in the road. When I worked down near the bus station I would hit the areas in the road where the buses created bumps in the roadway and it would lurch forward. I reported this numerous times at north bakersfield Toyota. I recently went in to report the noise I was hearing and they finally figured out that the brake actuator is failing. I was told that it was not a hazard but they could not tell me when it will totally fail. I believe it is a safety hazard and there has been a problem from day one.

As I begin driving and come to stop it tends to rev up and then drops back to normal. It feels like vehicle revs up a little while you are trying to stop it by pressing the brake pedal. It feels like vehicle does not want to stop and you have the feelings to press the brake even harder.

See all problems of the 2013 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

While traveling through a highway construction zone my car suddenly became hard to steer, and my speed became greater, tried to (break) decelerate the car began sliding out of control-plowing into the road construction barriers part lodged in front passenger windshield. The car went through the ditch became airborne through a rod iron fence shattered the rear second-row right side window spun out , and came to rest just feet from the some pileings. This is the information of my daughter whom is an out of state college senior and very shaken up from this ordeal, this her statement to the best of my knowledge. Possibly the placement of the 🚧 could have been a contributor, and the uncontrollable acceleration. Vehicle was bought used a year ago. Can you help up learn why?.

See all problems of the 2004 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

When accellerating into traffic after stopping for a stop sign or light the car moves into the traffic but does not accellerate but coasts dispite flooring the gas pedal. After 2 to 5 seconds the car will accelerate. The tech at the Toyota dealership said that this was caused by the computer throttle control that sets according to driving habits. This stall when accelleration is needed has almost caused many collisions from traffic coming up behind the vehicle. This stall happens also when trying to pass a vehicle on roads, pull out from behind vehicle being passed, depress the gas pedal and no acceleration for 2 to 5 seconds then the accelleration happens. This computer flaw is such a safety problem that if I let anyone else drive my vehicle, I have to warn them about the acceleration delay and to make sure there is beyond normal clear space before pulling out into traffic. I try to drive smoothly and avoid flooring the gas pedal. In order avoid a safety issue this computer throttle problem requires the gas pedal to be constantly floored to make sure that when acceleration is really needed that it will happen. I am sure I am not the only owner doing a driving work around of this issue. This has happend consistantly since I purchased the vehicle in 2009.

See all problems of the 2008 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

I turned my car to park in the church parking lot. I believe my foot was on the brake, it happened so fast, I am not sure. . All of a sudden the car began to accelerate on it's own! it scared the daylights out of me! suddenly the car jumped through a wooden fence and off a five foot drop off to the street below. I was lucky there was a pile of gravel to stop me. I put it into park. The airbags did not go off. I was not hurt. But I am very stressed by the incident. It will be a month before it is fixed.

See all problems of the 2017 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Driving on a city street at about 35 miles per hour I was heading home with my kids (5 y. O. And 7 y. O. ) when the vehicle decelerated and lost power while I was driving in traffic, I was fortunate that the care rolled long enough to pull over to a safe spot with my children and call for a tow. Lights that came on check hybrid system, check brake system, check 4wd system, and the check engine light came on. After the vehicle was inspected at Toyota of cerritos I was informed that the master mechanic had to place a ticket with Toyota motor company to figure out the issue due to all the codes that were logged after the diagnostic. Toyota motor informed mechanic it was hybrid inverter failure. This could of been a horrible situation had I been driving on the freeway and my car suddenly stopped function like it did on the evening of 11/05/2019.

See all problems of the 2011 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Severe hesitation when gas is applied, especially when crossing heavy traffic and instant power/quick acceleration needed. Also noted when going around corners, after car has slowed down below 5 mph to make the corner. Gas is applied with hesitation. Noted more when car is at a complete stand still/moving at slow speed then gas applied to move forward. Car does not move/react instantly. I notice this problem on a weekly (at least) basis.

My Toyota Highlander would not go into park. The SUV lunged forward over curbing and into building. Then went violently into reverse and into a uncontrollable spin. Then the SUV went violently into drive and jumping over a curbing and into a ditch and was sitting on top of a natural gas line. During this whole time I was pressing the brake and pushing the ignition switch trying to turn off the engine. This was done in a parking lot as I was trying to park.

I saw someone steal my car and told them they hacked. Windshield wipers would slow up and down. Burning of the electrics when try to charge. Car stoping in the middle of the road. Car going on and off. The middle of the road, turning back on. Speed control messing up. Security warning going up and down. . Battery would shit on and off. Car locks going on and off. Could barely steer the car.

See all problems of the 2002 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Tl-the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle crashed between a building and pylon. The contact stated that it was difficult exit the vehicle. The vehicle had to be winched out of where it was lodged. There was damage to the vehicle and the building. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a bruise to the right arm. Medical attention was not sought. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. Geico insurance company and a representative from thompson Toyota located at 1101 business center way, edgewood, MD 21040, (410) 679-1500, was scheduled to inspect and investigate the cause of the independent acceleration. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10v023000 (vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 189,000. Ah.

See all problems of the 2009 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Apon acceslaration , car hesitate for a few second, rpm goes to 5000 until vehicle slowly start to move. Feels likew ther is no proper synch between enging and transmission. Dangerous when passing or avoiding a vehicle ahead of you. The same issue while using the cruse control, it jumps from a few rpms to 5k + that always I have to brake to avid ramming a car ahead of me. Brakes get sof that I have to pump it a few times. Mileage is 1780 miles.

See all problems of the 2018 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

While entering a parking spot with foot firmly on the brake the vehicle experienced sudden and unanticipated acceleration resulting in the car crashing into a concrete wall and being totaled. Witness corroborated the sound of a the engine at high rpm immediately before the crash.

See all problems of the 2012 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

When driving my Highlander the following error messages appeared, error keeping the start button pressed will cause an emergency stop. I dismissed this. Then it popped up a message that car cannot drive while brake and accelerator are pressed simultaneously. I lost ability to accelerate so tried to pull of busy road, pressing the brake pedal restored acceleration. Then when I stopped in traffic or at lights the car shut itself down and had to be restarted. These error messages kept coming on while I drove to the dealer. I switched off the car at the shop and it wouldnt repeat the problem, no codes have been recorded by the vehicles computer because the check engine light never came on. Toyota and the dealership want to wait until it happens again. Since it happened before, also while it was driving I am uncomfortable as it is a safety concern. I don't want it to happen on a busy highway. I believe the intelligent power module of the car is shorting out and causing the car to go into failsafe mode and shut down creating hazardous driving conditions.

See all problems of the 2015 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

The door locks stopped working and I was forced to pay to repair them after owning car for less than 6 months. The power windows fail to operate at random times. There was a similar problem with the 2010 Toyota yaris window panel. The car jumps or skips while accelerating.

Tl the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Highlander. While driving 20 mph, the vehicle unintentionally accelerated at high speeds without warning. The contact was able to bring the vehicle to a complete stop and turn off the engine. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 185,000.

See all problems of the 2003 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Tl the contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. On April 1, 2017, while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle surged. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (lakeside Toyota, 3701 n causeway blvd, metairie, la 70002, (877) 512-8274) where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. Additionally, on August 31, 2018, the vehicle accelerated without warning, jumped the parking bumper, and crashed into the quarter panel of a transport van. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact sustained chest injuries and medical attention was provided. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at 800-331-4331, ext 73822 and provided case number: 1809053132. The manufacturer stated that the event data recorder would be retrieved from the vehicle. The failure mileage was 42,094.

On city street driving about 37 mph. Adaptive speed control engaged. I approach a car going the same direction slightly slower, about 35 mph. That slower car is following another car about 2 car lengths in front. My car gently breaks to bring my speed back to 35 mph. My 35 mph is being maintained at a fixed distance from the car in front of me. The car directly in front of me changes lane opening up a gap of about 3-4 car lengths to the car in front of me. My car now speeds up aggressively because there is no car directly in front of me. Instead of breaking when my car gets closer to the rear end of the car now that I am approaching, my car continues aggressive acceleration toward the rear of that car. My car would surely smash into the rear of that car if I don't brake significantly. This has happened several times through the years although not frequently given the conditions needed to experience the fault. I believe it is repeatable and suggestive of a software issue. All the hardware elements seem to be working just fine.

See all problems of the 2014 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Accelerator sticiking. Vehicle accelerates at 4000 to 5000 rpms had vehice towed to Toyota of bedford 440-809-8399.

Tl the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander. While making a turn at 5 mph, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle accelerated at an unknown speed. As a result, the vehicle struck a pedestrian. A police report was filed. The pedestrian suffered injuries and medical attention was required. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

The vehicle accelerates seemingly on it's own. While driving it picks up speed then slows down some.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. While driving various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would not immediately respond. Approximately two seconds after depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine revved and the vehicle abruptly accelerated forward. The vehicle was taken to conicelli Toyota (550 w. Ridge pike, conshohocken, PA) on several occasions, but no failure was found. The contact stated that the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 3,450.

While driving up the I-5 grapevine at 72 mph the car suddenly slowed without any warning to under 20 mph. The check engine light turned on and the dash said awd system disengaged or error or some similar message and to take to the dealer. I was barely able to accelerate to get off the road. I pulled off, turned the car off and back on, and it started running again. I'm lucky I was not rear ended.

On multiple occasions since purchasing my 2014 Toyota Highlander limited the car lurches forward while my foot is firmly pressed on the brake. On two occasions I could not stop the lurching of the vehicle without standing up with both feet on the brake pedal having hit the car in front of me while my car continued to push them again while applying both feet on the brake pedal. I was not in control of the vehicle as if something was pressing the gas pedal while I was stopped. In both of these accidents situations I had progressed forward stopping and starting. Once in a drive thru and the second time in line leaving a shopping center. It is as if the car wants to keep going forward after multiple stops and starts.

While driving vehicle lost power to appx 5mph and check engine, check all wheel drive system, visit dealer, lights appeared on dash, vehicle was on highway driving at appx 50mph at time of incident , dealer reprogammed ecm, and returned car to owner and next day while driving incident happened again.

I was in a parking lot trying to park my car I put my foot on the break to stop the car and put into reverse and the car accelerated instead of stopping. The harder I pushed the breaks the faster it accelerated and hit the car parked in front of me.

See all problems of the 2016 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

While driving home the car accelerated on it,s own and was unable to stop without rearending another car withall the damage to my car as a mechanic I repaired the body on my own after making repairs I was able to drive the car from the shop I work at to my house the car was idling a little high . I returned toward work the next morning to scan the car for high idle . The car accelerated to over 100 mph with my foot off the accelerater and both feet on the brake pedal I had to shut the car off tostop it I had it towed to work I scan it and found code c1203 which is a comunication fault from the ecm to the vehicle speed controller while researching the code I found that my car fell under a class action law suit for this problem I notifyed Toyota where they sent an outside adjuster out to examine the car he filed a report to Toyota saying there was no problem he did not mention the code in his report I filed an appeal on October 2017 and have not heard of anything with this problem I have been a mechanic for over 35 years and explain the problem to them with no solution this has been going on since may2017 I just want a solution to the problem without having to explain a fix to Toyota for thier class action settlement it seems that the indepenent assessor is working for Toyota and not the consumer.

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to the dealer more than once because it hesitated when the accelerator pedal was depressed. This was a safety concern while driving on the highway or various rates of speed. The dealer was unable to replicate and diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was waiting to determine if they had a service campaign or solution to remedy the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.

My wife was driving with our two daughters (ages 12 and 14). It had just started to snow and my wife said the road was slippery. She put the car into low gear and traveled slowly. She was right around the corner from our house when she could no longer control the vehicle. She hit a tree, a fence, and then two more trees, traveling more than 600 feet. Even though she was traveling downhill she said the brakes did not engage the abs and then toward the end of the crash, before hitting the third tree the car accelerated on its own. Upon hitting the third tree all air bags deployed and fire, police, and ambulance arrived at the scene and took them all to the hospital. They had x-rays and there were no broken bones. Our younger daughter was very traumatized and everyone had bruises and small cuts from seat belts but all were generally okay. The strange thing about this accident is how far the car traveled despite my wife's efforts to stop the car. She had already placed the car in low gear yet the brakes did not work and she says the car increased speed (not just due to the slope downward). Our family has lived in this area for years and driven through countless snow storms. This was not even a storm but just some light snow. It was slippery according to my wife but the fact that she could not stop the vehicle over such a long distance does not make sense and she feels that the car failed in multiple ways. Please see attached crash report. Thank you.

Occasionally, at a stop sign/intersection or entering a highway if I have come to a full stop before proceeding the car will stall. I pressed on the accelerator and nothing happens. My wife and I have found ourselves in this predicament several times now and it is only getting worse. This scenario is very dangerous for several reasons, but the most important one is that my family has been inside the car when this has happened. We have had several scares now, because the car stalled on us as we were entering the highway. I have spoken to the dealer about this over the phone and both times that the car has been serviced. After they test drove the vehicle, I was told that this was normal behavior due to a delay between the computer and the accelerator throttle. Additionally, I was also told that Toyota is aware of this, but has not addressed the problem. This is extremely upsetting because my family is now at risk due to a computer malfunction. I urge the NHTSA to please look into this matter as more and more people based on internet searches are dealing with this same issue. I own a 2005 Highlander with 105000 miles and this has never happened. You would think that a 2016 model with all of its safety features and enhancements would be a pleasant driving experience? but, now that I owned the car for almost 8 months I am second guessing myself whether this was the right purchase. Once, again I urge the NHTSA to look into this and to anyone else out there that is experiencing the same issue, please speak up so that both Toyota and the NHTSA address this problem as soon as possible.