2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Complaints

TIRES — Filed 01/05/2025

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Highlander equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: Evolution H/T, Tire Size: 245/55/R19, DOT Number: UPPIILE. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 55-65 MPH, the rear driver's side tire unexpectedly had a blowout. The contact's wife pulled over to the side of the road. The contact arrived on the scene and replaced the rear driver's side tire with the spare tire. The vehicle was taken to a tire retailer, where it was determined that the tire blowout was caused by a road hazard. The tire was not replaced. The tire manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The tire failure mileage was 30,000. The vehicle failure mileage was 61,000. The VIN was unavailable.

ENGINE — Filed 12/03/2024

The water pump on my 2016 Toyota Highlander XLE disintegrated while I was driving in heavy traffic. The pulley came loose from the water pump shaft. I have the water pump. Our safety was at risk because this happen in heavy traffic and it could have effected my control of the vehicle if it had came off completely. The pulley was wedge between the wheel well and fame. I sent a claim to Toyota and it was rejected due to the vehicle be out of warranty. I'm saying this is a manufacturing defect. No warning before it happen.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 11/11/2024

The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed low speeds on a decline, the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard. As a result, the vehicle rolled downhill into a busy intersection and was struck by another vehicle on the passenger side door. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed at total lose by the contacts insurance provider. A police report was filed with no injuries reported. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 62,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES — Filed 04/17/2024

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.

STRUCTURE — Filed 08/23/2024

The driver side rear passenger door can not be opened,either by remote or manually. This poses a threat to the safety of passengers in the rear seat area in the event of a crash. First responders would need to take other measures to tend to any injured passengers.

VISIBILITY — Filed 01/10/2024

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,

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 12/21/2023

2016 toyota highlander le model v-6 cylinder. The FUEL PUMP runs after engine has been turned off for several hours, even up to as many as 8 hours. This situation can be heard in a closed in garage, in the completely quiet of night time, and at multiple times during the same time period. It happens intermittently with various levels of gas in the tank. The length of time FUEL PUMP can run can be as little as 10 minutes to over 60 minutes.

VISIBILITY/WIPER — Filed 08/07/2023

The side view mirrors are positioned in a way that completely blocks visibility on the sides of the car, especially when making a left-hand turn. After owing the vehicle for several weeks, I collided with another car when making a left-hand turn. I couldn't see the car when turning until it was too late. I've been driving for 30+ years and have never had an accident before. I had another close call several weeks ago, and my husband almost didn't see a pedestrian because of the visibility issue. I looked up the problem online and see that many other have had this same problem. Please look into it. I called Toyota but they don't have a recall and said they couldn't help. I plan to change out my side view mirrors but wanted to bring this to your attention so that no one gets hurt by this issue. Thank you.

SUSPENSION — Filed 10/30/2023

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.

AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 11/19/2022

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.

AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 01/13/1954

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 01/01/2023

Description of Problem (electrical issue affecting multiple systems): Engine shuts off while driving. All instrument/electronic displays shut off or flicker while driving. Steering wheel locks and vibrates. Liftgate does not open. Vehicle cannot be unlocked with fob. Vehicle does not start. May start after several attempts. Safety: My family's safety was put at risk when car stalled and almost hit by other vehicles while driving on streets and highway. Risk has continued because Toyota has not identified and fixed the problem. Dealer: The problem has been reproduced by dealer. Dealer blamed and replaced battery, but problem continued. Vehicle only inspected by dealer and nobody else. Warning Lamps/Message: No Service lights or warning messaged on.

STRUCTURE — Filed 11/14/2022

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND SUNROOF EXPLODED. SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 08/10/2019

2 years ago I pulled my car, that was backed into the driveway out to turn it around to face in to the garage. As I pulled forward going very slowly I pressed on the brakes and the rubber pad on the pedal came off and caused my foot to come off of the pedal. I hit my wife's car and caused some slight damage to my car and to hers. I contacted Toyota and they had my car inspected and gave me a report that the brakes worked fine. I have not replaced the rubber pad, because I am afraid the cover will come off again in a similar matter. I explained this to Toyota but they closed the case of my complaint. I believe this is a danger that can cause an accident.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 04/17/2022

I had bought my vehicle 5 months ago in an authorized Toyota dealer, on Easter Day we got on the vehicle drove 15 minutes from home to the park, parked my vehicle, turn it off and went to the park are next to where my vehicle was parked, from where i was sitting i was able to see my vehicle and we wasn't that far, not even 5 minutes after that i walked near the vehicle and notice it was on fire. No light was on in the dashboard, everything was working fine, the vehicle just had an oil change at the begging March 2022 and now in April 2022 it caught fire. This was my dream vehicle and i worked hard to get it. Fire fighters arrived at the scene, police department as well, the police gave me a report number, also a fire department investigator was called to the scene where he certified it was a short circuit and gave me a report number as well.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 01/23/2020

THE LIFTGATE HIT MY 73 YEAR OLD MOTHER IN THE HEAD KNOCKING HER BACKWARDS WITHOUT ANY SAFETY FEATURE STOPPING OR REVERSING THE DOOR AS IT CLOSED.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 05/07/2019

PARKING SENSORS AND PARK ASSIST RANDOMLY TURNS ITSELF OFF. WILL NOTICE THE SENSORS NOT DETECTING WHILE BACKING UP AND NOTICE DASH LIGHT IS NOT ILLUMINATED. NOT FUNCTIONING WHEN BACKING AND PARKING.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 09/03/2018

WHILE PARKING IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT, AT IDLE SPEED, THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP FORWARD PROGRESS. CAR STRUCK THE CURBING, CLIMBED ONTO THE DIVIDER, CROSSED THE DIVIDER AND BUMPED A PARKED CAR ON THE OTHER SIDE. WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, I PUMPED THE BRAKES, AND PUSHED THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER INTO THE PARK POSITION. AFTER VEHICLE STOPPED, I REVERSED CAREFULLY, WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME OFF THE DIVIDER, I SET THE FOOT BRAKE. AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, I OPENED THE HOOD AND MY SON AND I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. IT WAS FULL. RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HAD MY SON CHECK THE DISTANCE OF THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS ALMOST ON THE FLOOR. I CALLED AAA AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND FILED A CLAIM WITH TOYOTA.

STRUCTURE — Filed 12/04/2016

THE DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE TOP CORNER STRUCK ME IN THE TEMPLE AND CAUSED BLEEDING AND A HEADACHE. THE DOOR HAS A SHARP ANGLE. IT WAS STATIONARY I CLOSED THE DOOR AND WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE TO GO IN A CROWDED RESTAURANT. IN A PRIVATE PARKING LOT.

AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 09/27/2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (KENNY KENT TOYOTA IN EVANSVILLE, IN) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,600.

STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 06/26/2017

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.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 01/31/2017

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

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/23/2016

I HAD AN ACCIDENT ON MY CAR GOING 50 TO 60 MPH I THE ROAD CURVED AND I DID NOT I WENT INTO THE TOP OF THE DITCH HIT FRONT END AND WENT AIRBORN 30 TO 50 FEET IN THE AIR OVER THE PERSONS DRIVWAY. I LANDED ON MY BACK BUMPER WHICH THEN PROPELLED ME BACK INTO THE AIR AND I FLIPPED END OVER END LANDED ON MY TIRES. NOT ONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THIS ACCIDENT. THE OFFICER AT THE SCENE WAS SHOCKED. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL THE HEAD REST BROKE I HET IT SO HARD AND THE B PILLAR OF THE CAR. I WAS ON A HIGHWAY.

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/23/2016

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.

AIR BAGS — Filed 01/25/2016

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.