2016 Toyota Highlander Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary
The 2016 Toyota Highlander has 133 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve unknown or other and service brakes.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 133 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
21 15.8%
SERVICE BRAKES
19 14.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
14 10.5%
AIR BAGS
10 7.5%
ENGINE
9 6.8%
Quick Insights
The top category is UNKNOWN OR OTHER, accounting for 15.8% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 24 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
Subscribe to Recall Alerts
Get notified when a new recall or important ownership update lands for the 2016 Toyota Highlander.
Free alerts based on U.S. recall data. Unsubscribe anytime.
What owners keep reporting on the 2016 Toyota Highlander
The 2016 Toyota Highlander has 133 owner complaints in this dataset. UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the most common complaint category, representing about 16% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2016 Toyota Highlander are UNKNOWN OR OTHER (21), SERVICE BRAKES (19), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (14).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 63 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2016 Toyota Highlander?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 24 of 24 systems
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
21 Reports16% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WHEN I PURCHASED THIS 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LE IN MID DECEMBER, I DID NOT REALIZE UNTIL I GOT IT HOME, THERE WAS NO INTERIOR REAR DOOR RELEASE. NO RELEASE BUTTON ON THE DASH AND NO INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, FOUND MY SALESMAN AND ASKED HIM IF THERE WAS AN INTERIOR DOOR RELEASE. HE TOLD ME THERE WAS NOT AND "THAT'S WHY THEY OFFER THE LE PLUS MODEL WHICH HAS A POWER REAR DOOR WITH INSIDE RELEASE". EVERY VEHICLE I'VE OWNED SINCE 1998 HAS HAD AN INSIDE TRUNK OR REAR DOOR RELEASE. IT SEEMS LIKE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE TO ME, HOW WOULD ANYBODY ESCAPE FROM THE BACK IN CASE OF FIRE OR OTHER TRAGEDY? AREN'T PASSENGER VEHICLES REQUIRED TO BE MANUFACTURED WITH AN INSIDE RELEASE/DOOR HANDLE?
12/28/2015
I PURCHASED THE TOP OF THE LINE LIMITED PLATINUM MODEL IN ORDER TO GET SAFETY FEATURES. HOWEVER, THE WARNING CHINES FOR LANE DEPARTURE, BACK UP CROSS TRAFFIC PROTECTION ETC. ARE VERY FAINT WHEN COMPARED TO OTHER CARS THAT HAVE THESE FEATURES. WHEN THE RADIO PLAYS MUSIC THEY CAN NOT BE HEARD AT ALL RENDERING THESE PROTECTION FEATURES USELESS. FURTHERMORE, THE VOLUME OF THE WARNING CHIMES CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED WHICH WAS CONFIRMED BY BOTH THE DEALER AND TOYOTA.
2/23/2016
SERVICE BRAKES
19 Reports14% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
RECALL VEHICLE SOLD TO ME AS NEW CAR WIHOUT REMEDY. MANUFACTURER RECALL ISSUED NHTSA #16V775 RECALL #G03 SAFETY (NONCOMPLIANCE) RECALL G03 - REMEDY NOTICE, CERTAIN 2016 MODEL YEAR HIGHLANDER, BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR SENSOR CONNECTOR
1/16/2017
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. UPDATED 03/07/17*LJ *CN
2/6/2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
14 Reports11% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
MY CAR ENGINE STARTED ON ITS OWN AFTER BEING TURNED OFF. I WENT SHOPPING AT WALMART AND PARKED MY 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER XLE IN THE PARKING LOT. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND PUSHED THE ENGINE START/STOP BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE CAR. MY FAMILY AND I EXITED THE CAR AND I USED THE KEYLESS ENTRY PAD TO LOCK THE DOORS. WE SHOPPED FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MIN. WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE CAR, I USED THE KEYLESS ENTRY PAD TO UNLOCK THE DOORS SO I COULD PUT OUR PURCHASES IN THE TRUNK. AS I GOT CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE I HEARD AN ENGINE RUNNING, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS THE CAR NEXT TO US. I BENT DOWN AND LISTENED UNDER THE FRONT END OF MY HIGHLANDER AND TO MY SURPRISE, I REALIZED MY CAR ENGINE WAS RUNNING. WHEN I OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND LOOKED AT THE DASHBOARD, I NOTICED A SMALL TRIANGULAR YELLOW CAUTION LIGHT WAS FLASHING BUT I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT THE MESSAGE SAID OTHER THAN CAUTION. IF MY CAR RANDOMLY STARTS ON ITS OWN WHILE ITS IN A GARAGE, IT COULD CAUSE TOXIC FUMES TO FILL MY GARAGE IF LEFT ON LONG ENOUGH, AND COULD CAUSE HARM OR DEATH TO SOMEONE WHO BREATHES IT IN. AFTER READING ABOUT THE BRAKE/HYDRAULIC RECALL ON SOME 2015-2016 HIGHLANDERS, COUPLED WITH THE RECENT ISSUE I HAD AT WALMART, I AM NERVOUS ABOUT DRIVING MY CAR. I WISH I HAD READ ABOUT THESE ISSUE BEFORE BUYING MY CAR 30 DAYS AGO. I THOUGHT I HAD DONE MY HOMEWORK AND READ SEVERAL WEBSITES BEFORE BUYING THE CAR, BUT I WILL READ RECALL REPORTS BEFORE BUYING A CAR FROM NOW ON.
12/23/2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, IT AUTOMATICALLY TURNED ON WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUSH THE IGNITION SWITCH TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED ON. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND TURNED ON THE VEHICLE, AND THE LOUD NOISE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
11/29/2017
AIR BAGS
10 Reports8% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE 2016 HIGHLANDER HIT THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT THAT HAD SLOWED FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON 1-25-16 AND THE CAR WAS TRANSPORTED TO A TOYOTA AUTO BODY SHOP ON THE 26TH. SINCE THEN HIGHLANDER HAS BEEN TOTALLY REPAIRED EXCEPT FOR THE SIDE AIRBAGS. TOYOTA MOTOR IN CA HAS NO IDEA WHEN AIRBAGS WILL BE RELEASED FOR USE IN PARTS ON 2016 MODEL. IT IS NOW 3/21/16.
3/21/2016
I OWN A 2016 HIGHLANDER LIMITED PLATINUM AND AFTER A MAJOR ACCIDENT I HAVE A SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY CLAIMS. YESTERDAY MY WIFE WAS IN A ROLLOVER (2 FULL ROTATIONS) ACCIDENT IN HER 2016 HIGHLANDER PLATINUM. CAR WAS DESTROYED, HER HEAD HIT BOTH THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE B-PILLAR, BOTH HAVE AIRBAGS. NOT A SINGLE AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED. DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT-MOUNTED SIDE AIRBAGS, DRIVER KNEE AIRBAG, FRONT PASSENGER SEAT-CUSHION AIRBAG AND ALL-ROW ROLL-SENSING SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS = ALL A TOTAL FAIL, NONE OF THAT WORKED. THE ONSTAR LADY DID HOWEVER SENSE THE ACCIDENT AND DISPATCH AN AMBULANCE AND POLICE, THAT WAS EXCELLENT. WHATEVER CAR I GET AS A REPLACEMENT WILL DEFIANTLY HAVE THAT. NOT REAL HAPPY ABOUT THE SAFETY ON THIS VEHICLE. ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WAS THE IIHS RATING ON THE VEHICLE. RIGHT ON THERE SITE IT TALKS ABOUT THE SAFETY AND THE AIRBAG ROLL SYSTEM BUT THE REALITY IS IN A ROLLOVER THIS DID NOT WORK I WILL HAVE THE ACCIDENT SCENE PICTURE LATER TODAY. I CURRENTLY ONLY HAVE SOME OF THE VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS TOWED.
10/24/2016
ENGINE
9 Reports7% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
MY CAR ENGINE STARTED ON ITS OWN AFTER BEING TURNED OFF. I WENT SHOPPING AT WALMART AND PARKED MY 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER XLE IN THE PARKING LOT. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND PUSHED THE ENGINE START/STOP BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE CAR. MY FAMILY AND I EXITED THE CAR AND I USED THE KEYLESS ENTRY PAD TO LOCK THE DOORS. WE SHOPPED FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MIN. WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE CAR, I USED THE KEYLESS ENTRY PAD TO UNLOCK THE DOORS SO I COULD PUT OUR PURCHASES IN THE TRUNK. AS I GOT CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE I HEARD AN ENGINE RUNNING, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS THE CAR NEXT TO US. I BENT DOWN AND LISTENED UNDER THE FRONT END OF MY HIGHLANDER AND TO MY SURPRISE, I REALIZED MY CAR ENGINE WAS RUNNING. WHEN I OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND LOOKED AT THE DASHBOARD, I NOTICED A SMALL TRIANGULAR YELLOW CAUTION LIGHT WAS FLASHING BUT I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT THE MESSAGE SAID OTHER THAN CAUTION. IF MY CAR RANDOMLY STARTS ON ITS OWN WHILE ITS IN A GARAGE, IT COULD CAUSE TOXIC FUMES TO FILL MY GARAGE IF LEFT ON LONG ENOUGH, AND COULD CAUSE HARM OR DEATH TO SOMEONE WHO BREATHES IT IN. AFTER READING ABOUT THE BRAKE/HYDRAULIC RECALL ON SOME 2015-2016 HIGHLANDERS, COUPLED WITH THE RECENT ISSUE I HAD AT WALMART, I AM NERVOUS ABOUT DRIVING MY CAR. I WISH I HAD READ ABOUT THESE ISSUE BEFORE BUYING MY CAR 30 DAYS AGO. I THOUGHT I HAD DONE MY HOMEWORK AND READ SEVERAL WEBSITES BEFORE BUYING THE CAR, BUT I WILL READ RECALL REPORTS BEFORE BUYING A CAR FROM NOW ON.
12/23/2016
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. *TR
2/2/2017
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
8 Reports6% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DOES NOT DISPLAY KPH (KILOMETERS PER HOUR) FOR DRIVING IN CANADA. THE NUMBERS ARE ON THE SPEEDOMETER HOWEVER, NOT ILLUMINATED AND IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. THIS SHOULD BE BASIC INFORMATION WHILE DRIVING IN CANADA. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, VEHICLES SOLD IN CANADA HAVE THE SAME ISSUE---NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE THE MPH WHEN DRIVEN IN THE US. I WOULD THINK THAT BEING ABLE TO BE AWARE OF ONE'S SPEED WOULD BE A BASIC SAFETY FEATURE---HOWEVER---NOT ON A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER.
7/19/2017
THE REAR PASSENGER TAIL LENS CONTINUES TO FOG UP. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL AND THERE IS NOT. I WOULD LIKE THE LENS REPLACED WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANT. BUT I DON'T WANT ANY ISSUES FROM THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. HOW DO I RESOLVE THE ISSUE, DO YOU ISSUE A WORK ORDER TO THE DEALERSHIP?
3/16/2018
VISIBILITY/WIPER
7 Reports5% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WE RELIED ON CONSUMER REPORTS GLOWING REPORTS OF TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS WHEN PURCHASING OUR NEW, 2016 MODEL LE HIGHLANDER. HOWEVER, WE ARE VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE DRIVER FRONT VISIBILITY TO THE SIDES IS OBSCURED BY THE OVERLARGE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS AND THE WINDOW FRAMES; AND BACKUP VISIBILITY IS EXTREMELY POOR BECAUSE THE REAR WINDOW DESIGN WITH TURNED UP BOTTOM CORNERS, LOW PLACEMENT OF REAR WIPER, AND SMALL WINDOW SIZE SEVERELY REDUCES WHAT THE DRIVER CAN SEE WHEN BACKING UP. THE BACKUP CAMERA DOES NOT CLEARLY SHOW REAR OBSTRUCTIONS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED IN SHADE OR SHADOWS, OR THE DRIVER IS WEARING SUNGLASSES. THESE ARE MAJOR, CRASH INDUCING PROBLEMS, WHICH WE REPORTED TO TOYOTA TODAY. WE NARROWLY AVOIDED TWO COLLISIONS BECAUSE WE DID NOT SEE VEHICLES APPROACHING US FROM THE SIDE FRONT OF OUR VEHICLE; AND WE NARROWLY AVOIDED BACKING INTO A PARKED CAR (IN SHADE) WHICH DID NOT CLEARLY SHOW UP ON THE BACKUP CAMERA. TWO OF THESE INCIDENTS WERE IN PARKING AREAS; THE THIRD WAS DRIVING INTO A LEFT BEND ON A ROAD AS ANOTHER VEHICLE APPROACHED HEAD ON. ALL THREE OF THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED IN BROAD DAYLIGHT, WITH DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. WE HAVE HAD THIS HIGHLANDER FOR ONLY 7 MONTHS; AND WE ARE BOTH VERY EXPERIENCED ADULT DRIVERS WITH EXCELLENT SAFETY RECORDS, WHICH OUR AAA INSURANCE RECORDS WILL SHOW. WE ARE VERY SURPRISED THAT TOYOTA WOULD MARKET THE HIGHLANDER WITH THESE MAJOR SAFETY DESIGN FLAWS. THEY SEEM TO HAVE PLACED VEHICLE APPEARANCE OVER SAFETY WITH THE 2016 HIGHLANDER LE.
6/29/2016
SINCE APRIL WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET OUR WINDSHIELD REPLACED. THE LOCAL AUTO GLASS DEALER BROUGHT OUT 3 SEPARATE WINDSHIELDS THAT DIDN'T FIT BEFORE THE FINALLY DISCLOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WE NEEDED HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR SOME TIME. APPARENTLY THERE ARE SEVERAL HUNDRED ON BACK ORDER IN OUR REGION AND THE NUMBER SEEMS TO GROW AT A RATE OF ABOUT 15 A WEEK. WE HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THE DEALER WITH NEITHER ARE OFFERING A SOLUTION. DUE TO THE SLOPE OF THE HOOD, THE SLOPE OF THE WINDSHIELD, OR FAULTY GLASS, THESE CARS SEEM TO BE MORE PRONE TO CRACKS. WITH OUR CAR HAVING 4 CRACKS DEVELOP IN LESS THAN A YEAR WITH MAINLY HIGHWAY AND NO GRAVEL DRIVING, PLUS THE BACK ORDER RATE, THERE SEEMS TO BE A BROADER PROBLEM
7/24/2017
TIRES
7 Reports5% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WE BOUGHT TIRES AND FOUND THEM TO DEFECTIVE WITHIN A FEW DAYS IN WHICH YOU HAVE 30 DAYS TO GET REFUNDED OR PAY THE DIFFERENCE FOR ANOTHER TIRES .WE DID UPGRADE TO MICHELIN TIRES BUT NOT GET THE FULL REUND FOM THE DEFECTIVE TIRES THAT GOODYEAR WANTED TO HAVE RETURNED AND INVESTIGATED ,BUT THE MANAGER HAD THEM DESTROYED TO COVER UP THE EVIDENCE AND WE LOST $321.00 AND NOW WE WILL HAVE SAMS ALSO INVESTIGATED BY THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY FOR SELLING DEFECTIVE TIRES FROM GOOD YEAR AND COVERING IT UP.WE DEFINETLY WILL NOT LET THIS ISSUE GO BECAUSE WE FEEL THESE TIRES WERE A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SAMS AND GOOD YEAR SHOULD OF ACKNOLEGED
3/19/2018
LEFT REAR TIRE ON OUR 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER BEGIN TO LOOSE AIR WHILE PASSING A SEMI TRUCK ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE TIRE PRESSURE ALARM NOTIFIED THE DRIVER OF TIRE PRESSURE LOSS FOR AN EMERGENCY STOP. UPON A COMPLETE STOP THE TIRE PRESSURE HAD DROPPED ABOUT 85 % OR SO, (NOT FLAT BUT VERY NEAR SO AND COMPLETED THE AIR LOSS WITHIN A SHORT TIME AFTER STOPPING).. WE KNOW THIS BECAUSE I WAS FOLLOWING BEHIND MY WIFE DRIVING THE HIGHLANDER AT THE TIME. TRAVEL SPEED WAS BETWEEN 65 AND 70 MPH AT THE TIME. THE TIRES ARE THE ORIGINAL THAT CAME ON THE TOYOTA NEW AND HAD ABOUT 27000 MILES ON THEM. UPON INSPECTION OF THE TIRE IT LOOKS OBVIOUS THAT THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF VISUAL CRUMBLED RUBBER ALL INSIDE THE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALLS IN SIDE AND THE MASSIVE BLISTERS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE, WE HAD ALL THE TIRES REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE AS WE HAD NO TRUST IN THE REST OF THE TIRES AFTER THIS HAPPENED. NEITHER THE TOYO TIRE MANUFACTURER REP., THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, OR THE TOYOTA COMPANY WOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE, OR OFFERED ANY CONCESSIONS AGAINST THE REPLACEMENT TIRES. PHOTOS OF THE TIRE AND OR THE TIRE ITSELF IS AVAILABLE FOR NHTSA IF THERE IS A REQUEST TO REVIEW. POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM THE TOYO TIRE MANUFACTURER, THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP OR THE TOYOTA COMPANY IS QUITE OBVIOUS TO US THAT THEY HAD NO CONCERN FOR OTHER PEOPLE THAT MAY HAVE THE SAME TOYO TIRES THAT TOYOTA CHOOSE TO PUT ON THE NEW VEHICLE THAT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE TIRE BRAND IS TOYO, TIRE LINE IS OPEN COUNTRY, TIRE SIZE 245-55-19 DOT # 73HH (CND2216)
4/17/2018
SEATS
4 Reports3% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WE SPECIAL ORDERED THE 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED PLATINUM MODEL. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN A TOWN APPROX 180 MILES AWAY. I WAS THE DRIVER BACK HOME. I AM 6' 1" AND WIFE IS 5' 3". WE ORDERED THE ADJUSTABLE MEMORY SEATS WHICH ARE GOOD. THE SAFETY PROBLEM WE HAVE EXPERIENCED IS THE HEADRESTS. FOR SHORTER PEOPLE THEY ARE TILTED FORWARD IN A AWKWARD POSITION. OTHER THAN AND UP AND DOWN POSITION THERE IS NO WAY TO PROPERLY ADJUST THEM. MY WIFE HAS COMPLAINED THAT SHE CANNOT BE SAFELY POSITIONED OR COMFORTABLE DRIVING WITH THE HEADREST IN THE TILTED DOWN AND FORWARD POSITION. ADJUSTING THE SEATS DOES NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM EITHER. THIS JUST MAKES THE VIEWING MORE DIFFICULT CREATING BLIND SPOTS. WE PAID OVER $52,000 FOR THIS EQUIPMENT VEHICLE AND EXPECTED COMFORT AND PAID FOR THE EXTRA SAFETY FEATURES. HOWEVER MY WIFE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER (90%) OF THE TIME. HER SAFETY AS WELL AS OTHERS SHE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE IS MOST IMPORTANT. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE DEALER AND EXPRESSED THE DETAILS AND SAFETY CONCERNS AS WELL AS REQUESTING A WORKABLE SOLUTION. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE SALES CONSULTANT WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FFROM SAID HE WAS AWARE OF THESE HEADREST COMPLAINTS. HE RECOMMENDED DOING WHAT OTHER DRIVERS HAVE HE TOLD US TO REVERSE THE HEADRESTS? I REMOVED AND REVERSED THEM. THIS DID NOT ACCOMPLISH A SAFE RESOLUTION. INSTEAD THE HEADRESTS SIT BACK MUCH FARTHER ENOUGH THAT WHEN THERE WOULD BE A COLLISION THE DRIVER OR FRONT PASSENGER COULD SUSTAIN SEVERE NECK INJURIES OR WORSE POSSIBLE PARALYSIS OR DEATH. I CAN JUST PLACE MY HEAD BACK ENOUGH TO TOUCH THE HEADRESTS BUT I AM THEN LOOKING UP TO THE ROOF. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN A SAFETY COMPLAINT AND CASE WITH TOYOTA, I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CONTACT ME IN 7 DAYS. IT'S 23 DAYS LATER. I RESEARCHED THE COMPLIANT AND FOUND THERE ARE MANY OTHER DISSATISFIED OWNERS ! UNACCEPTABLE!
2/5/2016
WHEN SEATED ON FRONT PASSENGER RIGHT SIDE THE SEAT DOES RETURN TO NORMAL SHAPE. CONTACTED TOYOTA THEY REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM
6/22/2016
STEERING
4 Reports3% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
BRAND NEW CAR IN THE SHOP TWICE DURING FIRST WEEK. FOLLOWING REFUELING (NOT TOPPED OFF - STOPPED AT FIRST CLICK) THE CAR STARTS STALLING AT RED LIGHTS OR AT LOW SPEEDS. HAS DONE THIS A DOZEN TIMES. ON THE HIGHWAY CAR STUTTERS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND TRACTION CONTROL BECOMES DISABLED. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS DUE TO OVERFILLING THE GAS TANK AND CHANGED THE CARBON CARTRIDGE FOR THE EVAC THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT THE CASE. A SECOND REFILL AFTER THE REPAIR CONFIRMED THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS EVEN WHEN FILLING UP VERY CAREFULLY. IF GASOLINE IS FILLING UP THIS COMPONENT THEN THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE AND ITS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. AGAIN THIS CAR IS ONLY 9 DAYS OLD AND IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR THE SAME REASON. LOSING POWER AT A BUSY INTERSECTION IS DANGEROUS AS THIS HAS HAPPENED IN AREAS WHERE CARS ARE MOVING QUITE FAST. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED WHEN MY CAR STALLED.
4/18/2016
I WAS JUST PROCEEDING FROM A STOP AT A 4 WAY INTERSECTION GO VERY SLOWLY WHEN I RECEIVED A WARNING ON MY DASHBOARD SAYING "EPS FAILURE, STEERING WHEEL HARDER TO TURN". I WAS THEN PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, ALMOST AS IF THE POWER STEERING WAS DISABLED. THIS WAS AT AN EXTREMELY BUSY INTERSECTION AND I ALMOST HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. EVEN WHEN TRYING TO BACK UP AND TURN, MY VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO STEER OTHER THAN GOING STRAIGHT FORWARD AND BACK. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING IT, THE ERROR WENT AWAY AND MY STEERING RESUMED AS NORMAL, BUT I SMELLED A BURNING SMELL. THIS WAS A VERY SCARY INCIDENT AND I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IF I HAD HIT THE TELEPHONE POLE, IF I HAD BEEN GOING FASTER, OR SOMEONE IN THE INTERSECTION COULD HAVE HIT ME. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE IN THE 2015 MODEL AND IT SHOULD PROBABLY BE EXPANDED AS THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO EXIST WITH THE 2016 MODEL AS WELL.
11/1/2018
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
4 Reports3% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
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. *TR
2/2/2017
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. UPDATED 03/07/17*LJ *CN
2/6/2017
STRUCTURE:BODY
4 Reports3% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
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.
7/7/2017
I LOADED A KAYAK THAT IS ABOUT 13' LONG AND WEIGHS 60 LBS. ONTO MY TOYOTA FACTORY CROSSBARS. WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WE HEARD CRACKING AND POPPING NOISES. THINKING IT WAS THE STRAPS IN THE WIND, I PULLED OVER ONLY TO FIND THE STRAPS SECURE. WE WERE ON A TRIP AND KEPT GOING. AFTER HEARING THE NOISE ON AND OFF WE GOT TO OUR DESTINATION AND FOUND A WARPED ROOF AND DENTS IN THE ROOF. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A ROOF OF A VEHICLE. I WOULD EXPECT THE CROSS BARS TO FAIL BEFORE THAT WOULD HAPPEN. AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS, TOYOTA FINALLY HAD AN AREA REP. LOOK AT IT. THEY OFFERED TO HAVE PAINLESS DENT REMOVAL OR $1,000 OFF OF ANOTHER TOYOTA. I DIDN'T WANT EITHER OPTION. THE PDR WOULD HAVE DONE NOTHING AND THE DAMAGE WOULD COME RIGHT BACK. THEY WERE NOT BELIEVING ME THAT CARRYING A LOAD ON THE CROSSBARS DID THAT. WELL, I SWEPT IT UNDER THE RUG FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THIS FALL I HAD TO CARRY A 2X10 BOARDS ON TOP AND AGAIN, WITH FREEWAY SPEEDS DID IT AGAIN. NOW AT CHRISTMAS TIME, WE CUT A TREE DOWN AND LOADED IT ON TOP AND AGAIN, MORE NOISES AND NOW THERE IS MORE DAMAGE THAN THE FIRST PICTURES I TOOK THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AND THE CREASES AND DENTS ARE DEEPER. SOMETHING IS STRUCTURALLY NOT RIGHT WITH MY 16' TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND TOYOTA WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP. I'M OUT OF OPTIONS AND I HOPE SOMEONE AT NHTSA CAN HELP! I HAVE A $40K SUV THAT I CONSIDER A LEMON. (SEE ATTACHED FOR MORE INFORMATION AND MY ATTEMPTS TO ASK TOYOTA FOR HELP) THANKS! [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
12/20/2017
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
4 Reports3% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TWICE THE AWD SYSTEM HAS FAILED. 12/28/2016 AND MARCH 17/ 2019. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THE THE 4WD SHUTS DOWN ALONG WITH THE TRAC AND VEHICLE STABILITY SYSTEM. UNDER BOTH TIMES THE CAR WAS BEING OPERATED IN EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS OF DEEP HEAVY SNOW, SLUSH, ICE AND MUD. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ALLOW THE WHEELS TO SPINS ENABLING ME TO KEEP MOVING IN THE HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. I NEEDED TO SHIFT BETWEEN 1, 2 AND 3 GEARS TO ENGAGE THE HIGHER REVS TO SPINS THE TIRE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM GETTING STUCK OR SLIDING OFF THE ROAD. IN BOTH INSTANCES I WAS IN REMOTE, ISOLATED AREAS WITH NO HELP AND NO CELL SERVICE. THE DECEMBER 2016 INSTANCES WAS REPAIRED BY A TOYOTA DEALER IN OMAHA. DEALER COULD NOT READILY UNDERSTAND HOW THE PROBLEM INITIATED.
3/18/2019
COMPLAINT FILES 3/18/2019 COMPLAINT # 11189699 ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM FAILS IN WET WEATHER. SNOW OR SLUSH OR HEAVY RAIN. FAILURE 7 TIMES. RESETS ITSELF WHEN WEATHER DRY. SENSOR IS CRACKED OR FAULTY. DEALER SAYS OWNER COST. IT SEEMS A TOYOTA FACTORY DEFECT AND SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING IN SEVERE WEATHER AND MOUNTAIN PASSES IN COLORADO. PLEASE ADVISE
5/21/2019
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
3 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
BRAND NEW CAR IN THE SHOP TWICE DURING FIRST WEEK. FOLLOWING REFUELING (NOT TOPPED OFF - STOPPED AT FIRST CLICK) THE CAR STARTS STALLING AT RED LIGHTS OR AT LOW SPEEDS. HAS DONE THIS A DOZEN TIMES. ON THE HIGHWAY CAR STUTTERS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND TRACTION CONTROL BECOMES DISABLED. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS DUE TO OVERFILLING THE GAS TANK AND CHANGED THE CARBON CARTRIDGE FOR THE EVAC THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT THE CASE. A SECOND REFILL AFTER THE REPAIR CONFIRMED THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS EVEN WHEN FILLING UP VERY CAREFULLY. IF GASOLINE IS FILLING UP THIS COMPONENT THEN THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE AND ITS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. AGAIN THIS CAR IS ONLY 9 DAYS OLD AND IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR THE SAME REASON. LOSING POWER AT A BUSY INTERSECTION IS DANGEROUS AS THIS HAS HAPPENED IN AREAS WHERE CARS ARE MOVING QUITE FAST. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED WHEN MY CAR STALLED.
4/18/2016
JULY 3, 2016: WE BOUGHT THE CAR. JULY 23 5PM I FILLED UP WITH GAS AT THE CHEVRON. DROVE TO WEST LA FOR 15 MILES ON THE 10 FWY WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR, NO PROBLEM TO VISIT MY MOM. 8:30PM WE LEFT HER HOUSE TO GO HOME. WE DROVE ON THE STREET FOR TWO MINUTES AND WE CAME TO A STOP LIGHT I BRAKED TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND THE CAR DIED. THE DASH BOARD SCREEN SAID PUT YOUR CAR IN PARK AND START THE CAR. IT WAS DARK AND MANY CARS WERE BEHIND ME, WAITING FOR ME TO START MY CAR. WE WERE AFRAID THE CAR BEHIND US WOULD HIT US. MY DAUGHTERS WERE SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT, AND MY WIFE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I PUT IT IN PARK, TRIED TO START. BUT IT DID NOT, SO I PUMPED THE ACCELERATOR, THEN IT STARTED. I DROVE ONTO THE FREEWAY ON RAMP, GOT ON THE 10 FWY HEADING EAST. TRAFFIC WAS GOOD AT FIRST, EVERYONE WAS GOING 60 MPH. THEN SUDDENTLY, THE THE FREEWAY TRAFFIC WAS BUMPER TO BUMPER AND I HAD TO BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN QUICKLY. WHEN I DID, THE CAR DIED ON ME AGAIN. THE DASHBOARD SCREEN SAID TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND START MY ENGINE. NOW, WE ALL BEGAN TO PANIC BECAUSE THE CARS BEHIND US WERE GOING FAST, AND THEY MIGHT SMASH INTO US. WE WERE AFRAID WE WOULD DIE OR BE BADLY INJURED BY THE COLLISION COMING. LUCKILY THE CAR BEHIND ME STOPPED WITHOUT HITTING US. ONCE AGAIN, I PUT IT IN PARK, PUMPED MY ACCELERATOR, AND THE CAR STARTED. AT THIS POINT, I DECIDED, NO MATTER HOW SLOW THE FREEWAY TRAFFIC IS, I WILL L NOT BRAKE, BECAUSE IF I DO, THE CAR WILL STALL, AND WE CAN GET HIT BY THE CAR BEHIND US. SO I DROVE VERY SLOWY UNTIL WE GOT OFF THE FREEWAY, AND ARRIVED HOME. AUGUST 2, 2016: 6:30AM I FILLED UP THE TANK AT THE SHELL GAS STATION NEAR MY HOUSE, BEING CAREFUL NOT TO OVERFILL IT. THEN I TRIED TO DRIVE TO WORK BUT THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED.
8/6/2016
WHEELS
3 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
ON NOVEMBER 27 2017 THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SUFFERED A MAJOR BLOWOUT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS ABLE TO STABILIZE THE VEHICLE. AAA PLACED THE SPARE ON THE VEHICLE AND WE DROVE IT TO LAKELAND TOYOTA IN LAKELAND FLORIDA. THEY GAVE US A RENTAL VEHICLE AND SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TIRE IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO PORT CANAVERAL TO GO ON A CRUISE. ON FRIDAY WE RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY ON THE TIRE AND CHARGED US $327.09 FOR A NEW TIRE. I REQUESTED. THE OLD TIRE SO I COULD HAVE IT EXAMINED AND THEY SAID THEY HAD TURNED IT OVER TO WASTE DISPOSAL. I ADVISED THEM THAT VIOLATED THE SPOILATION DOCTRINE IN THIS STATE. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE HAD 6805 MILES. AT THE TIME OF THE BLOWOUT THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 70MPH ON INTERSTATE 4 ON THE WAY TO PORT CANAVERAL. I HAVE THE RECORDS OF LAKELAND TOYOTA FOR YOUR REVIEW...THE TIRE WAS A BRIDGESTONE DUELER HL 422 P245/55R19. I TOLD THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT IT WAS WRONG FOR THEM TO NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE TIRES..AND THEY SHOULD REPORT THE MATTER TO YOUR AGENCY
12/2/2017
WE BOUGHT TIRES AND FOUND THEM TO DEFECTIVE WITHIN A FEW DAYS IN WHICH YOU HAVE 30 DAYS TO GET REFUNDED OR PAY THE DIFFERENCE FOR ANOTHER TIRES .WE DID UPGRADE TO MICHELIN TIRES BUT NOT GET THE FULL REUND FOM THE DEFECTIVE TIRES THAT GOODYEAR WANTED TO HAVE RETURNED AND INVESTIGATED ,BUT THE MANAGER HAD THEM DESTROYED TO COVER UP THE EVIDENCE AND WE LOST $321.00 AND NOW WE WILL HAVE SAMS ALSO INVESTIGATED BY THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY FOR SELLING DEFECTIVE TIRES FROM GOOD YEAR AND COVERING IT UP.WE DEFINETLY WILL NOT LET THIS ISSUE GO BECAUSE WE FEEL THESE TIRES WERE A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SAMS AND GOOD YEAR SHOULD OF ACKNOLEGED
3/19/2018
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
3 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
brakes did not work in January 13, 2023 when backing out of driveway. Have had numerous dealership look at it multiple times in last 4 years.
6/13/2023
I have had problems with the brakes since I bought the vehicle new in 2016. I have the brakes checked every year and when I had problems but they never found the problem why the brakes do not work. The worse accident was on November 19, 2022 when my wife was using the car. She was in the car alone. She went to brake and the brakes did not engage, she slammed on the brakes 4 times and the car did not even slow down and she rear-ended the car in front of her. The air bags did not engage and she was injured. The brakes do not always work, I have gone through stop signs and red lights but the dealership says there is no problem.
8/23/2023
SUSPENSION
2 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
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
9/15/2016
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.
10/30/2023
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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. *TR
2/2/2017
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL EXPLOSION SOUND. ONCE THE CONTACT EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND PULLED OVER, SHE OBSERVED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL IN PLACE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND THAT THE SUN ROOF WOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (LIA TOYOTA OF WILBRAHAM, 2145 BOSTON RD, WILBRAHAM, MA, 01095) WHERE THE SUN ROOF WAS REPLACED FOR FREE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.
10/19/2017
SEAT BELTS
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
DOES NOT HAVE ANY SIDE AIR BAG MOUNTED PASSENGER DRIVER SEAT AIR BAG OF THE FRONT PASSENGER DRIVER ALL THE ROW FILTER IN THE GUIDE DOES NOT HAVE AIR BAG AND THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT WORK.
7/5/2019
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH on the highway, the contact pulled over and heard water dripping. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence and then to the dealer where it was diagnosed as the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. The contact stated that the failure speed was actually 0 mph and the mileage was 90,723. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure.
6/1/2022
VISIBILITY
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the front right passenger's side view mirror suddenly fractured. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000,
1/10/2024
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the trunk power switch failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the trunk power switch was enabled to unlock, however the trunk door did not unlock. The contact stated that the trunk power switch failed to unlatch the trunk door and the trunk door was stuck. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with battery failure due to a lack of voltage. The contact was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred intermittently. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that a Representative provided remedy options over the phone. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred intermittently. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
11/20/2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
On multiple (3-5), but not all, occasions at the same location my pre collision warning and automatic breaking appear to have been triggered as I approached an expansion plate at the edge of a bridge. The pre collision warning sounded, then the brakes were automatically applied. After a few seconds the braking stopped and my car proceeded normally. If a car had been following closely I may have been struck in the rear.
5/13/2025
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2016 Toyota Highlander?
Are complaints about the 2016 Toyota Highlander a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2016 Toyota Highlander?
Are complaints about the 2016 Toyota Highlander severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Toyota Highlander: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 133
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
We may earn a commission via links on this page.