2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER: complaints, problems and recalls

IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING OUR CAR, WE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS DEFECTIVE. IT HAS WAVES, CAUSING VISION DISTORTION AND HEADACHES. WE HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND ALSO HAD A TOYOTA CORP REP LOOK AT IT, WITHOUT US BEING PRESENT, AND THEY SIMPLY DENY THIS PROBLEM EXISTS. WE HAVE COMPARED IT WITH OTHER HIGHLANDERS, AND NONE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THE SALESPEOPLE ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM EXISTS, BUT TOYOTA WILL NOT FIX IT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10295298 at NHTSA ↗

WE HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT OUR 2010 HIGHLANDER & ITS DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WHICH, BASED ON CONVERSATIONS WE'VE HAD WITH REPAIR SHOPS AND TOYOTA EMPLOYEES, IS LIKELY CAUSED BY THE PLASTIC FILM PRESSED BETWEEN THE GLASS. THIS DEFECT CAUSES VISUAL DISTORTION AND IS INCREDIBLY DISTRACTIVE WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSES EYE STRAIN. I SPOKE TO THE SALESMAN THE OTHER DAY WHO NOW SAYS HE BELIEVES IT IS A DEFECT IN ALL HIGHLANDERS (WE HAVE NOT SEEN THIS DEFECT IN OTHER HIGHLANDERS OURSELVES). TOYOTA CORP, DESPITE ALL OF THIS, REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PRO…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10296805 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS ON, HE COULD NOT SEE OBJECTS ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND VARIOUS SPEEDS IF HE HIT A DIP OR CURVE IN THE ROAD, THE VISIBILITY WOULD DROP TO LESS THAN 2 FEET IN FRONT OF HIM. HE NOTICED THE ISSUE DIFFERENCE WHENEVER HE HAD TO USE THE HEADLIGHTS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO FILE A LEMON LAW COMPLAINT.…

Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10301888 at NHTSA ↗

ON JAN.26,2010, I WAS STOPPED BEHIND CARS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. MY 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER STARTED CREEPING FORWARD/I THOUGHT I'D TAKEN MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, AND THEN THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING TO AN OUTRAGEOUS LEVEL. THE HARDER I BRAKED THE MORE THE ENGINE REVVEDAND THE CAR TRIED TO JUMP FORWARD. IT WAS SO LOUD THE DRIVER AHEAD OF ME TURNED AROUND TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON BEHIND HIM. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO REAR-END HIM UNTIL I REMEMBERED TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE RETURNED TO ITS NORMAL RPMS, BUT I WAS REALLY SHAKEN. I …

Owner-reported narrative. 3,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10303728 at NHTSA ↗

GAS PEDAL OF 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER GOT STUCK ON THE WEATHERTECH DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR LINER WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE. LUCKILY, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND WAS ABLE TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PULL CAR OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WE DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. WHEN MY HUSBAND REMOVED THE FLOOR LINER THE GAS PEDAL POPPED BACK UP - SO IT GOT STUCK ON THE LINER. ALSO, EARLIER IN THE TRIP THAT DAY THE WEATHERTECH CARGO LINER PREVENTED THE REAR HATCH FROM CLOSING PROPERLY AND OUR LUGGAGE FELL OUT INTO THE ROAD. ORDER # 92137633; ORDER DATE: 1/5/2…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10303992 at NHTSA ↗

2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED HYBRID--BRAKING PROBLEMS. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE FIRST APPLIED, THEY ARE SOFT AND MUSHY. IF YOU SLAM ON THE BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY, THEY STOP, BUT IN EVERYDAY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES DOWN BUT DOESN'T SEEM TO ENGAGE UNTIL YOU REALLY PUT SOME WEIGHT ON IT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR 2 MONTHS AGO. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 17 miles reported. Look up ODI 10305087 at NHTSA ↗

ON PENNSYLVANIA TPKE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2010 MODEL BOUGHT A MONTH AGO JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AFTER AN HOUR DRIVE, CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY STATED THAT IT HAS A COMPUTER PROBLEM AND THAT WAS REPLACED. THE WAS RETURNED AFTER A WEEK. ON OUR WAY BACK AGAIN AFTER APPROX. AN HOUR DRIVE THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. WE ESCAPED 2 MAJOR ACCIDENTS BY GOD'S GRACE. THE CAR IS STILL WITH ROCKLAND TOYOTA. THIS TIME THEY SAID THE FUEL PUMP WAS THE PROBLEM, THEN THEY SAID IT IS LOOSE WIRE ETC. ETC. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 737 miles reported. Look up ODI 10305870 at NHTSA ↗

UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. 3 TIMES ON 2-10-10. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,417 miles reported. Look up ODI 10308512 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2010-01-21 (January 21, 2010)

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 TUNDRA VEHICLES. DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FRICTION LEVER INTERACTS WITH THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSIDE THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE LEVER MAY BECOME SMOOTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THIS CONDITION, IF CONDENSATION OCCURS ON THE SURFACE, AS MAY OCCUR FROM HEATER OPERATION (WITHOUT A/C) WHEN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS COLD, THE FRICTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS OPERATED MAY INCREASE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMING HARDER TO DEPRESS, SLOWER TO RETURN, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION.

Consequence: THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FOR THE PONTIAC VIBE PLEASE SEE 10V-018. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AND WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Reported: 2010-01-27 (January 27, 2010)

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, VENZA AND MATRIX PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A CAMPAIGN OF 3.8 MILLION OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES ANNOUNCED IN 2009 FOR THE SAME ISSUE (SEE 09V-388).

Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL MODIFY OR REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. FLOOR SURFACE MODIFICATIONS ARE ALSO BEING CONSIDERED AND WILL BE INCLUDED FOR ANY MODEL FOR WHICH IT IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE. INITIALLY, DEALERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO RESHAPE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOR THE REPAIR. AS REPLACEMENT PARTS WITH THE SAME SHAPE AS THE MODIFIED PEDAL BECOME AVAILABLE, THEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERS FOR THE REPAIR. CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE PEDAL RESHAPE REMEDY COMPLETED WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE A NEW PEDAL IF THEY DESIRE, AFTER REPLACEMENT PEDALS BECOME AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, TOYOTA WILL REPLACE ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT IN A SUBJECT VEHICLE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MAT, FREE OF CHARGE. FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT BUT DO NOT NEED OR WANT THE NEWLY DESIGNED ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT, TOYOTA WILL RECOVER THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT AND REIMBURSE ITS PRICE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN MARCH 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Reported: 2013-01-16 (January 16, 2013)

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Reported: 2013-04-09 (April 9, 2013)

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Reported: 2014-04-09 (April 9, 2014)

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.

Consequence: If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General Motors sent Pontiac Vibe owners an Interim letter on June 20, 2014 notifying them that parts are currently unavailable. General Motors sent notices to the Pontiac Vibe owners on September 15, 2014, that a remedy is available. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-762-2737.

Reported: 2014-11-19 (November 19, 2014)

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Reported: 2015-10-22 (October 22, 2015)

Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.

Consequence: If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.

Reported: 2016-06-02 (June 2, 2016)

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.