What 133 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Toyota Highlander

TO AVOID TWO DEER CROSSING ROAD (BULL BRIDGE ROAD, SOUTH KENT, CT) ON CURVE, LOST CONTROL ON RIGHT SHOULDER, HIT STRAIGHT ON THE UTILITY WOOD POLE. MY SPEED WAS IN BETWEEN 25 AND 30 MPH. DURING THE ACCIDENT, ALL AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK ME UP. THE IMPACT CAUSED MY CHEST, BACK, NECK AND HEAD INJURIES.

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VEHICLE SHUT OFF DURING DRIVING, CAUSING ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS TO FAIL INCLUDING THE ELECTRONIC STEERING, WHICH SINCE VEHICLE ALSO TURNED OFF, CAUSED THE STEERING COLUMN TO LOCK UP. SINCE THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT SPEED AND INFACT WHILE MAKING A TURN, A NEAR COLLISION OCCURED. THE PROBLEM OCCURED MULTIPLE TIMES IN SUCCESSION AND WAS ALSO INTERMITTENT WITH MUCH TIME ELAPSING BETWEEN EPISODES. TWO OTHER TYPES OF RELATED OCCURRENCES DURING THIS TIMEFRAME WERE THE (1) VEHICLE ALSO CYCLING OFF AND ON AND (2) WOULD ALSO TURN ON ITSELF IF THE KEY WAS IN THE VICINITY OF THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA OF SEATTLE EXPERIENCED THE ISSUES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN AND DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE TO BE A LOOSE BOLTED CONNECTION OF THE NEGATIVE ELECTRICAL WIRE FROM THE BATTERY TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES SINCE TIGHTENING OF THE NEGATIVE WIRE BOLTS. ONGOING ISSUES INCLUDE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CYCLING OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING INCLUDING THE NAVIGATION AND FRONT CONSOLE DISPLAY. THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT IN SEPTEMBER 2014 AND HAD LESS THAN 25K MILES AS OF APRIL 2016. ON TWO PRIOR INSTANCES ELECTRICAL ISSUES WERE IDENTIFIED AND DOCUMENTED TO TOYOTA OF SEATTLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS KEPT FOR TESTING. THE FIRST ELECTRICAL ISSUE OCCURED WITH THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL FAILING AND THEREBY REQUIRING PASSENGER INTERVENTION TO AVOID COLLISION. THIS CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE FIRST SEEMED TO OCCUR IN DECEMBER 2015. TOYOTA OF SEATTLE DID NOT FIND ANY FAULT AND SENT ME AWAY. THE SECOND PRIOR ELECTRICAL ISSUE OF THE BATTERY PREMATURELY FAILING OCCURRED IN MARCH 2016. THE READINGS INDICATED SOME ODD DRAWS. TOYOTA OF SEATTLE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND SENT ME AWAY WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE ODD DRAWS. THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY REMAINS SUSPECT WITH ONGOING ELECTRICAL CYCLING OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING.

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WHEN THE A/C OR HEATER IS ON, THERE IS A VERY FOUL ALMOST ROTTEN TYPE OF SMELL COMING INTO THE CABIN. I NOTICE IT AS SOON AS I START THE CAR. IT USED TO GO AWAY AFTER DRIVING IT SEVERAL MILES, BUT LATELY IT SEEMS TO CONTINUE WITH THE BAD SMELL FOR A LONGER TIME. WE HAVE NOTICED IT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. IT HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT AS OF 4-25-16.

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NAVIGATION SYSTEM. WILL NOT SET TO GO TO SPECIFIC ADDRESSES, WILL NOT OPERATE MUCH LIKE A NAVIGATION SYSTEM SHOULD.

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THE REAR POWER DOOR, FIRST WAS SPORATIC, WOULD OPEN HALF WAY THEN STOP, THEN YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE DOOR OPEN AGAINST THE MOTORS, THEN, SOMETIMES IT WILL CLOSE, BUT MOST TIME IN THE RAIN, YOU HAVE TO JUMP UP AND PULL DOWN THE DOOR, AGAIN AGAINST THE MOTORS, THEY RESIST QUITE ALOT, NOW THE DOOR, OPENS 2 INCHS AND STOPS AND I CAN'T GET IT TO OPEN MORE, TOLD TOYOTA, WELL, WE HAVE ONE GUY THAT WORKS ON THAT, AND IT HAS TO DO IT IN FRONT OF HIM, SHOULDN'T A COMPLAINT ABOUT A DOOR NOT OPENING BE SAFETY RELATED, ITS A DOOR, IT WON'T OPEN AND PUSHING AGAINST MOTORS IS VERY UNWANTED FOR A DISABLED PERSON, THE LAST 2 WEEKS, EVERY TIME I GO TO STORE IT WON'T WORK, AND I HAVE MY HANDS FULL WITH GROCERY'S, I HAVE HAD TO USE SIDE DOORS, TO GET THINGS OUT WHEN IT WON'T OPEN, TOOK IT BACK FOR THE THIRD TIME TO TOYOTA AND DEALERSHIP PERSON SAID, I WAS RUDE, SAYING BS THE DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN, SO FAR, IT DOES NOT OPEN AND TOYOTA HAS NOT OFFERED A FIX, AND I NEED TO GO ON A TRIP, LOOKS LIKE A CAR RENTAL, RATHER THAN TAKE A CHANCE MY DOOR WON'T OPEN IN THE RAIN.......ITS A BACK DOOR TO A CAR, IT SHOULD OPEN AT ALL TIMES, AND NO MOTOR SHOULD BE STOPING IT, AND I WAS TOLD THEY KNOW ABOUT IT, BUT AGAIN, THE ONE PERSON IN BUILDING HAS TO SEE IT........WOW, BIGGEST CAR COMPANY IN THE WORLD AND I HAVE TO POST THIS, 4 VECHILES WITH THEM AND RETHINKING IT NOW, THE HORRIBLE JBL STEREO, IS ANOTHER POST.....BUT SHOULDN'T A DOOR OPEN AT ALL TIMES, IT DOES NOT AT THE MOMENT OF WRITING THIS, LAST NIGHT IT DID NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY, AND THE WIND CAUSED THE ALARM TO GO OFF THIS MORNING...THE VERY MOTORS, THAT SHOULD CLOSE IT DID NOT WORK, AGAIN, IT WAS 1/2 INCH, OPEN THIS TIME....AND IT WAS RAINING ALL NIGHT.

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THE HVAC SYSTEM DOES NOT DRAIN COMPLETELY IN HOT CLIMATES, CAUSING A BUILD UP OF MOLD/MILDEW IN THE AC SYSTEM, BLOWING IT INTO THE CAR. THE ODOR IS FOUL AND DAMAGING TO CUSTOMERS RESPIRATORY SYSTEMS. THIS OCCURS IN THE SUMMER, IN HOT MONTHS WITH THE AC IS USED ON A DAILY BASIS. IT DOES NOT OCCUR IN THE WINTER.

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POPPING NOISE FROM REAR BREAK FREQUENTLY WHEN I DISENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVER. WHENEVER THIS HAPPENS THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND NOT BEEN USED FOR 3 HOURS ON; TOOK TO DEALERSHIP STATING COULD FIND PROBLEM, BUT DEALER SAYS IT DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING ABNORMAL. DEALER'S MECHANIC SUGGESTED RELEASING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE RELEASING PRESSURE FROM BRAKE PEDAL AS A RECOMMENDATION. I TOLD THEM THIS IS NOT THE ORDER OF STEPS RECOMMENDED BY MANUFACTURER (TOYOTA) IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THEY CONTESTED MY STATEMENT TELLING THTA THEIR MECHANICS ARE SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL PERSONNEL WHICH THEY TRUST.

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REAR DOOR HATCH STALLS UPON OPENING AND CLOSING. FREQUENTLY REPORTED PROBLEM ON TOYOTA WEBSITES. WHEN DOOR SWITCH IS ACTIVATED EITHER AT THE DOOR, REMOTE FOB OR DASH SWITCH, THE DOOR OPENS A FEW INCHES THEN STOPS. PRESSING AGAIN MOVES IT BACK THEN STOPS. YOU MUST MANUALLY OPEN OR CLOSE THE DOOR. NOT CERTAIN THE DOOR LOCKS COMPLETELY WHEN CLOSING. ONGOING ISSUE SINCE JULY 2014

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I NOTICED A BAD SMELL FOR MONTHS AND COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. RECENTLY I NOTICED WATER COMING IN FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SEATBELT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD ME BRING IT IN IMMEDIATELY. THEY FOUND MOLD AND SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE MOON ROOF LEAKING. THE CARPETING WAS REPLACED BY PROFESSIONALS SINCE THEIR EMPLOYEES COULD NOT BE EXPOSED TO THE MOLD. I HAD THE CAR FOR OVER A YEAR AND DROVE IT WITH MY ASTHMATIC CHILD DAILY. NO ONE HAS YET TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH HAZARD THIS IS. NOT TO MENTION THE MOLDING AROUND THE DOORS AND SEVERAL GUARDS AND PIECES NO LONGER FIT PROPERLY AND ARE SLIDING ALL OVER THE FLOOR AS I DRIVE.

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POPPING NOISE FROM REAR BREAK FREQUENTLY WHEN I DISENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVER. WHENEVER THIS HAPPENS THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND NOT BEEN USED FOR 3 HOURS ON; TOOK TO DEALERSHIP STATING COULD FIND PROBLEM, BUT DEALER SAYS IT DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING ABNORMAL.

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WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THERE IS LOUD WIND NOISE WITH WINDOW SHUT. ALSO IF ONE WINDOW IS DOWN THERE IS A AWFUL NOISE THAT HURTS THE EARS.

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WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER OR HEATER IS ON THERE IS A HORRIBLE SMELL THAT COMES OUT. MOLD OR BODY ODOR TYPE OF SMELL.

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THE TRANSMISSION HAS A FLUTTER WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT UP OR DOWN TO DIFFERENT GEARS. IT CAUSES A HESITANCY. IT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED BY THE CALDWELL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN CONWAY, AR USA AND I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT IS IN OTHER HIGHLANDERS. I REQUEST A RECALL TO HAVE THIS FIXED. THANK YOU *TR

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PURCHASED VEHICLE 5/26/14. AT FIRST HAD A POPPING NOISE FROM RIGHT REAR BREAK; TOOK TO DEALERSHIP STATING COULD FIND PROBLEM, SO LIVED WITH IT. AT 10,000 + MILES DEALER FOUND FRONT BREAKS WARPED, SO HAD THEM REPLACED. AROUND SAME 10K + MILES DEALER HAD TO DROP ENGINE TO REPLACE LEAKING OIL FOUND AROUND TIMING COVER AREA, STATING FACTORY INSTALL DID NOT ALLOW PROPER SEALING. ON 7/22/15, @ 12,748 MILES NOTICED OIL LEAK SAME AREA, AND INFORMED BY DEALER THAT ENGINE HAS TO BE DROPPED FOR THE 2ND TIME TO REPAIR OIL LEAK. ABOVE DOES NOT INCLUDE OTHER ISSUES SUCH AS REPLACING MIDDLE ROW CUP HOLDER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT RECUSHION. SOUNDS LIKE I PURCHASED A 2014 HIGHLANDER LIMITED CONSIDERED A LEMON. MY THREE PREVIOUS CARS - '06 AVALON; '02 4RUNNER; & '90 4RUNNER NEVER HAD EXTREME ISSUES, SUCH AS THE 2014 HIGHLANDER.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT HOOD WAS SO HEAVY AND EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO PROP OPEN. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. MA 08/05/15

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AUTOMATIC/POWER LIFTGATE DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY. STARTS - THEN STOPS HALF TO 90% CLOSED. REQUIRES MANUALLY LOWERING TO CLOSE. HAPPENS 75% OF THE TIME. TOYOTA DEALER RELUCTANTLY ACKNOWLEDGED A SERVICE BULLETIN AND SAYS THEY WILL REPLACE MOTOR BUT IT TOOK SOME PUSHING TO GET PAST THE SERVICE DESK AND TECH WHO SAY, "WE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG". I SAID NOT GOOD ENOUGH ANSWER AND, LO AND BEHOLD, THE SENIOR CSR LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND CONFIRMED THE MALFUNCTION IS NOT UNCOMMON AND IMMEDIATELY OFFERED TO REPLACE THE POWER LIFTGATE MOTOR.

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WE PURCHASED A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED ON AUG 9, 2014. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 150 MILES THE PERSON IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT EXPERIENCES SEVERE BACK AND DISCOMFORT IN THE AREA OF THE TAILBONE. THERE IS SOMETHING VERY HARD TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE SEAT. I COMPLAINED TO THE SELLING DEALER AND THEY RECOMMENDED COMING BACK WHEN THE ZONE REP WAS IN AREA. I RETURNED A WEEK LATER AND MET WITH THE ZONE REP. SHE HAD ME SIT IN ANOTHER HIGHLANDER LIMITED AND ASKED IF IT FELT DIFFERENT, IT DID FEEL THE SAME. HER REPLY WAS "DIDN'T YOU SIT IN THE CAR BEFORE YOU BOUGHT IT?" I TOLD HER MY WIFE SAT IN THE BACK SEAT AND I DROVE, SALESMAN SAT IN RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTOMOTIVE UPHOLSTERY SHOP WHERE THE REMOVED THE LEATHER SEAT COVER AND DISCOVERED THE METAL SEAT HEATER MODULE AND WIRING DIRECTLY UNDER THE LEATHER AND ON TOP OF THE FOAM. THE SHOP CUT ABOUT 1/2 INCH INTO THE FOAM AND BURIED THE MODULE AND PLACED THE CUT OUT FOAM ON TOP OF IT. THEY ALSO DID THE SAME FOR THE SEAT BACK. I REQUESTED DEALER TO REIMBURSE ME THE $200.00 IT COST TO HAVE THE ABOVE MENTIONED WORK DONE; THEIR RESPONSE WAS THEY WOULD REQUEST TOYOTA TO COVER THE COST. A WEEK LATER I LEARNED THAT TOYOTA REFUSED TO PAY FOR A MODIFICATION THEY DID NOT APPROVE AND THEY FELT THE PLACEMENT OF THE MODULE WAS NOT A DEFECT. I THEN ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO REIMBURSE ME AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID TOYOTA WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE THE EXPENSE. I TOLD HIM I WORKED FOR A GM DEALERSHIP AND SAW MANY MODIFICATIONS THAT WERE APPROVED BY GM. HIS RESPONSE WAS "CHEVROLET HAS TO ACCOMMODATE CUSTOMERS IN ORDER TO SELL CARS AND TOYOTA DOESN'T HAVE TO BECAUSE THEY SELL CARS AS FAST AS THEY ARE MADE. AND, WHEN TOYOTA SELLS TWO MILLION CARS AND ONLY A FEW HUNDRED CUSTOMERS COMPLAIN ABOUT AN ISSUE SUCH AS MINE TOYOTA ISN'T CONCERNED ENOUGH TO MAKE OR REIMBURSE A MODIFICATION;" UPON LEARNING THIS IS THE ATTITUDE OF TOYOTA, I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A TOYOTA AGAIN. *TR

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WHEN DRIVING ON THE FWY, INTERMITTENTLY DEPENDING ON THE WIND OR HOW THE DOOR WAS SHUT FOR THE RUBBER SEAL TO MAKE A SOLID CONNECTION, THERE IS SIGNIFICANT WIND NOISE THAT BREACHES THE SEAL AND MAKES EXCESSIVE NOISE. THIS IS MOST NOTICEABLE IN THE DRIVERS SIDE AND IS WHERE I MEASURED FOR SOUND LEVELS. THE CLOSER I BRING THE METER TO THE WINDOW BY THE SIDE MIRROR THEN MORE NOISE IS RECORDED. SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AT ALL, EVEN AT 70MPH. OTHER TIMES, AND OFTEN IT THERE IS A WIND NOISE COMING INTO THE CABIN. WITH TOYOTA'S CLAIM FOR IT BEING SUCH A QUIET CABIN, THIS NOISE IS NOT RIGHT. I TEST DROVE WITH THE TECH MANAGER AT MY DEALER AND HE TOO NOTED THE PROBLEM. HE ORDERED A NEW DOOR SEAL. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE DOOR SEAL, AND I DIDN'T HAVE IT INSTALLED. HOWEVER THERE WAS A WINDOW FRAME BLACK PLASTIC PANEL THAT WASN'T PROPERLY SEATED, AND THIS WAS REPLACED. NOT SURE IF IT FIXED THE PROBLEM, AS ITS TOO EARLY TO TELL. THERE IS A LARGE NUMBER OF REPORT FROM OTHER OWNERS ONLINE WITH THIS ISSUE. SO FAR I KNOW OF ONE OWNER WHO RETURNED THE CAR DUE TO THIS EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE. *TR

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A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WAS PURCHASED IN 2/2014.THE CUSTOMER NOTICED WATER COMING INSIDE THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SEAT BELT A-FRAME PANEL CAUSING THE INTERIOR FLOOR TO BECOME WET WITH STANDING WATER.UPON DEALERSHIP INSPECTION IN 2/2015, BLACK MOLD WAS FOUND FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE EXTENDING TO THE TRUNK.THE BLACK MOLD FOUND WAS EXTENSIVE PENTRATING THE CARPETS, THE SOUND BARRIER FOAM INTO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE.DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE MOLD FOUND, THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED THE CUSTOMER THAT CORPORATE WOULD NEED TO BE INVOLVED, AS THIS WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT COULD BE DEALT WITH AT THEIR LEVEL. WHEN THE CUSTOMER MET WITH A REPRESENTATIVE OF TOYOTA CORPORATE,THE CUSTOMER WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS THE 3RD VEHICLE THAT THE REP HAD IN THEIR TERRITORY. THE CUSTOMER LEARNED OF AN INTERNAL TOYOTA DOCUMENT THAT SPECIFIES THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER?S DEFECT THAT OCCURRED DURING THE BUILD PROCESS (T-TT-0322-15). THE DOCUMENT DESCRIBES THE KNOWN ISSUE WITH A KINKED SUNROOF DRAIN THAT LEADS TO WATER INTRUSION AND MOLD.WHEN ASKED WHY THIS WAS NOT RECALLED DUE TO THE HEALTH EXPOSURE OF BLACK MOLD, THE REP RESPONDED THAT THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE LIKE A BRAKE FAILURE.THE REMEDIATION PROCESS OUTLINED BY THE CORPORATE REP WAS INADEQUATE AS IT DID NOT REMEDY THE SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. TOYOTA COULD NOT PRODUCE ANY DOCUMENTATION THAT SUGGESTS A THOROUGH EVALUATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS OR CERTIFIED THAT THEIR PROCESS WILL RECTIFY THE MOLD EXPOSURE. THE CUSTOMER HAS PHOTOS OF THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, THE INTERNAL TOYOTA DOCUMENT SPECIFYING THIS DEFECT AND EMAILS WITH TOYOTA THAT DEMONSTRATE A LACK OF WILLINGNESS TO ADDRESS THIS FROM A HEALTH AND SAFETY PERSPECTIVE BUT RATHER FROM A CORPORATE LOSS STANDPOINT. TOYOTA?S ACTIONS SEEM UNWILLING TO HELP DETERMINE THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION REGARDING A KNOWN TECHNICAL ISSUE LEADING TO THE WATER INTRUSION AND BLACK MOLD. *TR

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PURCHASED NEW 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN MAY 2014, AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS OF OWNERSHIP A FOUL ODOR BEGAN TO EMIT FROM A/C UNIT WHENEVER VEHICLE WAS STARTED. AFTER 3 TRIPS TO SELLING DEALER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM I WAS GIVEN TOYOTA T-SB-0142-13 WHICH INFORMS ME THAT THERE ARE 23 TOYOTA VEHICLES WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTED TO PLACE BLAME ON VARIOUS ITEMS BUT, SINCE TOYOYA PUBLISHED A TSB IT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT IS NOT WANTING IT TO BECOME KNOWN AS IT MIGHT IMPACT THEIR SELLING VEHICLES. MY A/C EXPERIENCE LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY AN IMPROPERRLY DESIGNED A/C SYSTEM WHICH IS FAILING TO DRAIN ALL THE MOISTURE FROM THE A/C SYSTEM THEREBY ALLOWING MOLD, MILDEW, ALGAE TO GROWN IN THE UNDRAINED LEFT OVER WATER IN A/C SYSTEM.

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THIS COMPLAINT RELATES TO TRANSMISSION SHIFT SEQUENCES. WHEN STARTING OUT, THE TRANSMISSION IS IN FOURTH GEAR. IF YOU ARE AT SAY A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND ARE MAKING A LEFT TURN, AND THEN NEED TO MAKE A RAPID ACCELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS DOWN TO A LOWER GEAR, PROBABLY 1ST GEAR. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT TORQUE STEER THAT AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER WOULD FIND VERY DISTURBING. ALSO, WHEN TRAVELING 60 - 70 MILES PER HOUR AND YOU SHIFT FROM "DRIVE" TO "S" POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO FOURTH GEAR WITH A RESULTANT SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN RPM'S. IT WOULD SEEM LOGICAL THAT WHEN YOU SHIFT FROM "DRIVE" TO "S", YOU SHOULD REFLECT THE SAME GEAR THAT "DRIVE" WAS IN. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR A 5,000 MILE CHECK UP, MY DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO RELATED TO TRANSMISSION PROGRAMMING. SECOND ISSUE, SAME VEHICLE, REFERS TO THE INSTALLATION OF MUFFLER AND TAILPIPE, WHICH CAUSES TAILPIPE TO BE THE LOWEST ITEM UNDER VEHICLE RESULTING IN IT DRAGGING THE GROUND IN CERTAIN INSTANCES; I.E., GOING UP A STEEP DRIVEWAY. DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING TO RAISE MUFFLER/TAILPIPE. *TR

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THE SPEEDOMETER CONSISTENTLY INDICATED THAT I AM TRAVELING 2 TO 3 MPH MORE THAN MY ACTUAL SPEED. THE HIGHLANDER IS FACTORY ORIGINAL WITH NO AFTERMARKET PARTS INSTALLED. THIS ISSUE WAS OBSERVED WHILE TRAVELING CROSS COUNTRY AND OBSERVING THE PLETHORA OF RADAR SPEED INDICATORS ALONG I-80 AND COMPARING TO THE INDICATOR IN THE HIGHLANDER ALONG WITH DIGITAL INDICATION ON BOTH GPS AND IPHONE APPS. I MENTIONED THIS THE TOYOTA WHILE PERFORMING THE FIRST SERVICE ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT THE SUPPOSED ISSUE. ITS NOT A SAFETY ISSUES AS FAR AS I KNOW, BUT IT IS AN IRRITATION. *JS

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AUTOMATIC LIFTGATE DOES NOT CLOSE. STARTS TO CLOSE, STOPS, THEN BEEPS. REQUIRES MANUAL CLOSURE. HAVE HAD IN FOR REPAIR 5 TIMES, INCLUDING HAVING THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY REPLACED. STILL MALFUNCTIONS. WHILE USING A LOANER CAR OF THE SAME MAKE/MODEL/YEAR, IT HAD THE SAME MALFUNCTION. *TR

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I PURCHASED THE ABOVE IN JULY 12, 2014. THIS VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN LATITUDE TOUR TIRES. THIS VEHICLE HYDROPLANES VERY BAD. I AM TELLING YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART IF THIS IS NOT CORRECTED, LIVES WILL BE LOST. YOU COULD FEEL THE VEHICLE FLOATING. IT SCARED ME TO DEATH, EVERYTHING WAS OUT OF MY CONTROL, AND I WAS GOING SLOW. I HAD A PASSENGER WITH ME. MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO, MY FRIEND PURCHASED A 2015 HIGHLANDER LIMITED, NOT MUCH RAIN AT ALL AND HYDROPLANED. HER VEHICLE HAD DIFFERENT TIRES. IT HAS HAPPENED OTHER TIMES. I THINK IT IS IN ALL HIGHLANDER 2014 AND UP AND XLE AND UP. I AM GOING TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER, I DO NOT EXPECT MUCH. I WANT TO VOICE MY CONCERNS BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT ANYONE HURT. *TR

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2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED HAS BEGUN MAKING NOISE WHEN TRAVELING RELATIVELY SLOW (<30MPH) ON A NORMAL ROAD. WHEN THERE'S A VERY MINOR BUMP, A SQUEAKY SOUND WILL COME FROM THE REAR. IT'S NOT SO NOTICEABLE ON THE FREEWAY (PERHAPS FEWER VIBRATIONS AND/OR THE THE WIND NOISE OVERPOWERS IT). UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION (RIDING IN THE BACK AND LISTENING FOR THE SOURCE), IT'S COMING FROM THE REAR-HATCH DOOR/CAR GAP NEAR THE BOTTOM CORNERS. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE THE POWERED HATCH ISN'T FULLY TIGHT AND THE WEATHERSTRIP IS RUBBING. HOWEVER, THE DOOR DOESN'T FEEL OR APPEAR LOOSE AT ALL. *TR

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