Vehicle Speed Control Problems of Toyota Highlander Hybrid - part 1

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle surged forward and accelerated before coming to a stop. The failure occurred intermittently; however, the failure seemed most pronounced while decelerating from highway speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was informed of the failure; however, the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.

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The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle independently accelerated while the brake pedal was depressed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on several different occasions to be diagnosed; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

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The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle continued to accelerate forward before coming to a stop. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions but no cause for the failure was found. The contact was informed that the vehicle operated normally due to the hybrid system. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 10.

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We were driving on the highway on 5/16/20. We were driving around 65 mph straight. We were driving on black asphalt and then when we drove over a bridge with white/grayish concrete, the car's emergency braking system activated and applied sudden braking even though we were normally driving. The car jolted and slowed down and all passengers were stopped by auto-locking seatbelts.

See all problems of the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 🔎.

We were driving down the highway I-30 east up a hill going appt 70 mph when the car went into limp mode and slowed down to 10 mph. Then went to only 1 mph. We checked the battery connection, fuel cap, everything we found online to check.

See all problems of the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 🔎.

Tl the contact owns a 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. While driving at low speeds, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 60,000.

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The abs ,vsc ,check engine light coming on when accelerating. Stating to park vehicle and take it to the dealer.

See all problems of the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 🔎.

In August of 2017 we were driving our 20088 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and all of sudden the display warned of abs vsc malfunction and to pull over or take car to nearest dealer, the brake pedals lost compression or pressure and the brake was not working hardly. Took to the mechanic shop that has been doing the regular maintenance, they performed diagnostics and stated abs module needed to be replaced. They advise car was not safe to drive. Checked this website and carcomplaints to see many other users same issue, contacted Toyota, they stated they had no recalls, its out of warranty, we would have to pay the $4000 to have fixed, we paid for the repair out of pocket, which was a financial hit for us. Contacted Toyota today about reimbursement for repair cost, said they dont have it recalled or a campaign for the issue, I stated this website with the complaints and other sites, was basically told until a recall is on the issue, wouldnt be refunded.

Steering recall: I have a 2006 Toyota highlander hy with the p/s (powers steering) light on. I've been to Toyota twice in the past week and only owned the vehicle for 2 weeks. They say they cannot do anything without knowing the problem and I've told them the problem. The vehicle also tries to accelerate on its on when at a complete stop.

Accelerator moved to full speed as backing up began. Auto plowed 110 feet full speed through plants and trees, coming to a stop by some trees. Car was parked on private driveway. Driver slightly injured. Rear end car damage is $6,000+.

See all problems of the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 🔎.

While driving abs, vsc and check engine light illuminated, I continued driving (was 10 miles from home on fwy). Five minutes later I encountered traffic, traveling at 40-50 mph I took foot off gas and began to apply brakes. Brakes immediately seized and the car started to skid. I released the brakes, then tried again, same result. I pulled to side of fwy and stopped. I drove surface streets using the parking brake when I needed to stop, until I got to my house. That evening and the next morning I checked toe cars operation, it didn't matter if I was traveling in fwd or reverse, the brakes immediately grabbed at the slightest application of the pedal. I took the car to a repair shop, he witnessed the same circumstance and did a computer diagnosis, which indicated a new brake actuator unit was needed ($3000). My primary concern (and my mechanic's) was that there was no fail safe, if the unit malfunctioned I would expect the abs system not to work, not to make the braking system completely inoperable. I narrowly avoided being rear-ended when they malfunctioned on the fwy. I reported the problem to Toyota motor as well (case #1511120583).

While trying to get back on the freeway, the indicator lights for the abs system, the vsb system, the 4wd system and anti-skid system came on and the vehicle lost all drive power. It defaulted to failsafe/limp mode even though the engine was still running. The car will start and move but within 60 seconds reverts to fail safe mode.

Tl-the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that the while driving at slow speeds, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond as the vehicle accelerated without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 156,000. Ss.

While entering into a driveway at a very slow speed, I stepped on the brake to slow down further. But instead of braking, the car lunged forward. I felt I was not in control of the vehicle. I continued to hit the brakes, but the vehicle continued to go forward. It slammed into the car that was parked in the driveway and caused major damage. It also shoved the car into their garage, split the frame in half and ripped off brick from their home. The surface was slippery with wet leaves and there was a slight incline going up the driveway, but I just had brand new top of the line winter tires put on and I was probably only going 5 mph. It did not make any sense. From reading the forums on line, I believe this is a major defect with the hybrid and Toyota is not doing anything about it. They need to do a recall. Lives are at stake. Thank god no one was hurt, but it could have been fatal.

See all problems of the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 🔎.

Tl- the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 20 mph to pull into a parking spot, the vehicle would not stop. The contact applied force to the brake pedal and the vehicle rolled forward and crashed into a planter pot which prevented the contacts vehicle from crashing into a building wall. A police report was not filed. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who was not able to replicate nor diagnose the failure. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 11v112000 (vehicle speed control) and 10v499000 (service brakes, hydraulic ). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,160. Dyd.

First noticed on date above, but occurs at least once a week. When slowing down, and brakes are applied, if a bump, pothole, and traction is lost for a split second the brakes stop working and the car surges,coasts, disengage. Firm pressure on brakes is used to compensate for the loss of braking power. As a result stopping distance is increased. This loss of breaking power lasts for 1/2 to 1 second. Perhaps its related to the hybrid regenerating system. Never the less it is very disconcerting to lose brakes, even for a split second.

I was driving down the road and lost power of my vehicle. Toyota dealership said it was my #6 coil but I have a feeling it was the inverter with everything that happened to it. I googled it and everything that happened was exactly what happeneds when the inverter goes on the vehicle. I don't really trust them.

In October 2013 I had a "check vsc system" warning light. Upon taking it to the dealership, they said it was due to the battery and replaced it and the warning light went away. However, over the next few months, we started noticing a "squeaking" sound coming from the area underneath the front of the car when the car was in drive but the brakes were applied. Yesterday, the same "check vsc system" warning popped up, only now it was accompanied by a number of other lights on the dash, including "abs" "brake" the "tire pressure (!)" and one other light on the left side to the upper right of the "ready" text. The dealer has just told me there were two computer codes, one is c1241. They said the previous dealer did not dig deep enough into the issue in October, and that the braking system was not getting enough pressure. The brake actuator needs replacement, the part is $1,800 and with labor and taxes the bill comes to over $2,400. Based on other research I have done today this seems to be a growing issue that many owners are facing.

After purchasing the car (our first hybrid) we noticed that the breaks were acting different when slowing; while slowing down to stop at a stop light or sign or to slow in traffic, if the car is under 30 mph and hits a bump the breaks will release (while your foot is on the breaks) and the car will lunge forward even though your foot is pressing down and has not been released. This has happened over the past year and no one can seem to figure out the problem. The breaks are new and several forums have been read in regards to trying to figure out the issue. It seems that several hybrids experience the same issues. Breaking under 30, the car will hit a bump, breaks will release causing the car to lunge forward and possibly causing an accident. It has happened enough that our family is considering trading in the car. We have almost been in 10 plus accidents because we are almost stopped at the stop sign and the car hits a bump and accelerates into traffic coming from the left/right. With children in the back seat, this is a huge concern. We have sent Toyota an email asking for inspection, however they said they would just like to have our dealer look at it, however they have not been noted of this issue in the past, when clearly there are hundreds of others that are having the same issues and they have been in accidents. I find it very difficult to believe that acceleration/break release when hitting a bump causing the car to lunge forward into moving traffic is a safety concern when the breaks are perfectly good. We will be trading in the vehicle if something is not done about it shortly, not only are we worried about our family but we are also worried about others who could be involved. This issue has nothing to do with the breaks, they are good, and the issue is still re-occurring.

The case was stopped and placed in parking when the vehicle started moving forward at about 3 mph. I almost hit a car 5 feet in front of me(at the time I placed the highlander in parking gear) and it ended 6 inches away from the car in the front. I had to step on the brake shift gears from parking to drive. Shift again to parking and while keeping the brakes on I pressed on the parking brake and turned the car off. There was no incline in the street or any decline observable that could have caused the original failure. My wife and my 1 year old child were inside the car when this happened.

I try to start the car and it did not start. All light was on including vsc/hybrid system car was towed to Toyota dealer. They bleed the brake and erased the code. Drive the car for the next 2 days. Car failed to start again all light on vsc/hybrid car was towed to Toyota dealer. Diagnosis is failed inverter ask $8357. 82 for repair because the recall is not launched and I call Toyota motors canada tell me they will not repair recall for USA vehicle . Toyota motors USA will not authorize for repair in canada of safety defect (Toyota safety recall 13v-396) also refusing to repair in the USA if I bring the car to Toyota car dealer in new york state because recall not launched. The car have been towed to my house.

On sept 5, 2013, I put my Toyota Highlander Hybrid in reverse to straighten it up in a parking space, before I could even breathe, it took off in reverse going over 60 mi. An hour and I had no control over the car. It finally hit a garage from behind and took down the whole side of the garage and the front of the garage. Air bags never deployed. I was not injured except for a sore neck and right shoulder. They are just now pulling the black box from my car. No response from Toyota yet. Sherry shelton.

I was exiting a parking lot onto the street. I suddenly lost power while I was waiting to merge into traffic. My car was in drive but I had my foot on the break when my car went dead. There were warnings flashing at me from my dashboard. I put my car in park. Turned off the engine and restarted my car but the same thing happened plus I began to roll backwards do to the slight incline in the parking lot exit. I quickly put my car in park again, turned on my hazard lights, and waived the cars behind me to go around. I was able to put my car in reverse and back it up to a safe area in the parking lot. I called the Toyota dealership in charlotte where I purchased the car at and continued having it serviced. They told me to have it towed to the nearest dealership immediately. I called the service department at team Toyota mall of GA to let them know I was bringing it in. After their mechanic determined it was the faulty inverter in the transmission, I was told it would cost me $8,000 to fix it. I still owed $15,000 on the car. I found out about the recall on 2006-2007 Highlander Hybrids for the same faulty inverter. The dealership said my car was ineligible for the recall since the VIN was not listed. I called Toyota as advised and opened a case number. I received the worst customer service and constant run around from Toyota. They offered to give me $1,000 towards the repairs or $2,500 for a new or Toyota certified used vehicle. I'm still waiting to find out why my car wasn't included on the list though it met the criteria. I am truly shocked by the dismissive attitude I'm currently getting from Toyota as if they didn't know about the faulty inverter. My car broke down on my way home to north carolina. Now I'm trapped in georgia with no way of getting home to my husband and children. I'm still waiting on Toyota's decision about my case, in GA.

While driving on the highway, the lights in the vehicle all began flashing to check hybrid system. I was unable to use anything but the brakes as the gas pedal would not even work to decelerate or accelerate. I was able to veer out of traffic to safety. I had one other passenger in the car and we were scared for our lives as the whole car just shut down and could have been involved in a serious accident. Eventually the battery also died and we were stuck on the road at night waiting on a tow truck. We had the car towed to a Toyota dealership and have been working with Toyota and corporate Toyota for the past 6 weeks on a resolution. We were told the inverter needs to be replaced and the cost is $9000. We were also told by the serviceman at Toyota that the car is not worth fixing as it still will not work properly after the part is replaced as it could have lead to transmission problems. This is a faulty part that was recalled in some of their 06 and 07 highlanders but not others. We were not part of the recall. I am without a vehicle and am still waiting for help. This part should be fixed by Toyota completely as it is faulty or Toyota should at least reimburse for what the car was worth before the incident.

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid . The contact stated that braking at 5 mph, the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The contact was finally able to stop the vehicle by applying extreme pressure to the brake pedal. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealer where they were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 41,866 and the current mileage was 41,883. Updated 05/09/12 updated 05/14/12.

There's an engine surge, slight but still can be felt, when applying the brakes. The surge is intermittent but the surge is felt often. Example: after take off from a stop the next time the brakes are applied there'll be a slight bump, as if the accelerator is stepped on at the same time the brakes are applied. There's no high rev, just a bump.

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid limited accelerated while pulling into my driveway and before I could stop vehicle I hit a frozen snow drift with the right front side. Damage occurred to vehicle and I hurt my back. This happened once.

While pulling out of a parking lot onto a busy street I pressed the accelerator hard at which time it became stuck. I tried braking hard but the car continued to accelerate at which time I remembered hearing about a recall involving floor mats. I yanked the floor mat back while continuing to brake and shortly thereafter the car stopped accelerating. I would estimate it was stuck for about 5 seconds, maybe a quarter mile distance. After returning home and moving the floor mat around I do not see how it could have been up under the gas pedal and if it was how it could have interfered with the operation of the gas pedal. The floor mat is a vinyl/plastic, rigid, relatively thin and bought aftermarket (not the carpet floor mat that came with the car). I removed the floor mat altogether. Reading about the latest recall prompted me to file this report even though no accident was caused nor damage done to the vehicle.

I have a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. On 1/26/2009 I was stopped at a light, behind another vehicle, waiting for the light to change. I hadn't been doing anything but sitting there, waiting for the car in front of me to start moving, when my vehicle went forward (lurched) and I rear-ended the car in front of me! I have never done that in my life. My car hit the vehicle - a minivan, in front of me very hard, (felt like 10-15 mph) causing a lot of damage to the rear cargo door. However, because the event was so odd, and happened so fast, (and this happened before Toyota ever recalled anything except the prius), I assumed I must've done something to cause it. So when the police got there, I told them maybe I wasn't paying attention, and maybe I accelerated before the light changed (but even at the time, it didn't make sense to me, because I wasn't first in line at the light, I was waiting, patiently, behind another vehicle). In fact, I don't even remember looking at the light, I was just waiting for the vehicle in front of me to move, as I usually do - did. I went in to my Toyota dealer a few month ago (March 2010) and told them what happened, and the service advisor told me that because my vehicle is a hybrid, sometimes, when you're stopped at a light, it switches from the electric motor to gas, and if you don't have your foot on the brake petal hard enough, it can lurch forward. Please can you look into this further, it was quite scary. I bet allstate and other insurance companies have many claims where a Toyota highlander rear-ends other vehicles, and people assume it's their fault, not assuming the vehicle might have a problem.

To whom it may concern, on September 11th, 2009 we drove from orange county to kernville for a weekend trip. 120 miles into our journey we were o in the mojave desert on highway 395 when I overtook another car at approximately 75miles per hour. As I got back into lane, I attempted to depress the brake to slow back down but the car continued to accelerate. My wife was sitting beside me. Perplexed, I looked down at the pedals and told my wife the car would nor slow down, as I continued to try and depress the brake pedal. At each attempt to decelerate the engine whined alarmingly but the car continued to accelerate. I tried several times to press and release the accelerator followed by returning my foot to the brake. At no time did the accelerator pedal appear to be hindered or restricted in anyway. The car continued to accelerate. At 95miles per hour I forced down both the brake pedal and the emergency/ hand brake at the same time forcing the car to slow down, all the while the engine continued to rev up. As we approached stopping saskia pushed the gear stick into park and we bounced and shuddered to a halt. It was terrifying. The children did not understand what was going on and were completely panicked by the situation, screaming and crying as we tried to stop the car. Both saskia and I were visibly shaken. We took a short brake and then gingerly attempted to move forward again. The car appeared to be working and we slowly accelerated back on to the highway attempting several times to stop and brake to make sure that the car was working properly. It was immediately apparent that the brakes were not working properly though still functional. They were taking longer to stop and there was a grinding sound and shuddering very time we tried to slow down. We were much closer to our destination than to home and decided it made sense to continue and hope that we could call the dealer the next day.

Moving a Toyota highlander 2006 had finished backing up and was preparing to move forward into a parking spot and the car continued backward and hit a pedestrian and another car. All observers agree that the car accelerated after my foot was off the pedal and I had no chance to put the car in drive before it happened. I hit a pedestrian who was hospitalized and received a large gash in her leg which required many stitches and physical therapy rehabilitation and another auto which was totaled due to the damage.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota highlander hv. The contact stated as he was driving at 50 mph and set the vehicle speed control, the vehicle accelerated and the speed increased rapidly. He had to continue to apply his foot on and off of the accelerator pedal to stop the vehicle. After the vehicle slowed down he pull to the side of the road ,turned the vehicle on and off, and drove the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer stated that he could not duplicated the failure, yet they reset the computer. The vehicle accelerated after the computer was reset while driving in rainy and inclement weather conditions. The vehicle would shut off immediately without any warning. The Toyota manufacturer was called and stated that the vehicle was designed to shut off in inclement weather to protect the electrical drive motor in the wheels. The manufacturer was not willing to repair the vehicle since there were no recalls associated with his VIN. The failure mileage was 18,000 and the current mileage was 60,000.

2006 hybrid Toyota highlander - accelerator pedal seems to depress on its own when driver's foot is on it; feels like someone is stepping on your foot and pushing it down further. My wife and I have each experienced this independently about a dozen times over the past year. The car is controllable and the breaks work when this happens.

Came to a complete stop on a neighborhood street to allow a car out of their driveway. My 2008 Toyota highlander Highlander Hybrid (with 8000 miles) made a hissing or whistling type sound and just accelerated. ( I was at a stop) we went about 150 ft (according to the insurance investigator) and went right into a tree. I was released from the hospital that evening but my passenger is severely injured. My ins investigator suggest I ask you if there are any other circumstances like this. ?? the truck is totaled. My investigator wants to get a court order to have the "black box" released that gathers information.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that when driving over bumps at approximately 20 mph, the vehicle momentarily surges forward. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed they could not duplicate the failure. The failure continued to occur. The failure mileage was unknown. The current mileage was approximately 20,000.