NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
27 reportsClear category filter17,000 miles · Dec 15, 2015
Structure
REAR LIFT GATE STOPPED OPENING AND CLOSING WITH BUTTON ON DASH. HYDRAULIC ARM POPPED OFF. WAS ABLE TO REATTACH, BUT TOYOTA DEALER SAID IT WOULD KEEP HAPPENING BECAUSE THE HINGES OF THE DOOR WERE SEPARATING FROM THE DOOR AND TO GET THAT REPAIRED I WOULD NEED TO SEND IT TO THE BODY SHOP. THE ARM HAS SINCE SNAPPED IN HALF AND TH…
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REAR LIFT GATE STOPPED OPENING AND CLOSING WITH BUTTON ON DASH. HYDRAULIC ARM POPPED OFF. WAS ABLE TO REATTACH, BUT TOYOTA DEALER SAID IT WOULD KEEP HAPPENING BECAUSE THE HINGES OF THE DOOR WERE SEPARATING FROM THE DOOR AND TO GET THAT REPAIRED I WOULD NEED TO SEND IT TO THE BODY SHOP. THE ARM HAS SINCE SNAPPED IN HALF AND THE DOOR CAN ONLY BE OPENED/CLOSED MANUALLY, BUT TOYOTA WARNED ME THAT THE HINGES WILL CONTINUE TO BEND. I AM FEARFUL AS I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND DO NOT TRUST THE DOOR TO BE SAFE. TOYOTA DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR AT THEIR EXPENSE EVEN THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN LAWSUITS AND ARE SO MANY DOCUMENTED CASES.
NHTSA ODI #10810610
43,002 miles · Oct 12, 2015
Structure
THE POWER FUNCTION LIFT ARM BROKE OFF FROM WHERE IT CONNECTS INTO THE REA DOOR ON MY 2011 HIGHLANDER. TOYOTA DIDN'T MENTIONED ABOUT THE DOOR HINGES RELATED ISSUES AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF THE HINGES. THIS, OF COURSE DIDN'T PREVENTED NOR RESOLVED THE ISSUE WITH THE POWER FUNCTION LIFT ARM THAT NOW IS BEYON…
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THE POWER FUNCTION LIFT ARM BROKE OFF FROM WHERE IT CONNECTS INTO THE REA DOOR ON MY 2011 HIGHLANDER. TOYOTA DIDN'T MENTIONED ABOUT THE DOOR HINGES RELATED ISSUES AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF THE HINGES. THIS, OF COURSE DIDN'T PREVENTED NOR RESOLVED THE ISSUE WITH THE POWER FUNCTION LIFT ARM THAT NOW IS BEYOND REPAIR; THE BOLT AND SCREW HOLE ARE NOW STRIPPED.
NHTSA ODI #10781482
70,000 miles · Jan 20, 2015
StructureVisibility
I HAVE A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR HAS BROKEN FROM ITS INTERNAL GUIDE ON THE VISOR, MAKING IT UNSAFELY AND UNCONTROLLABLY FLIP & FLOP AROUND. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET A REPLACEMENT, BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME THERE ARE MORE THAN 200 ON BACKORDER, AND IT COULD TAKE ONE OR MORE MONTHS TO GET A REPLACEMENT. …
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I HAVE A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR HAS BROKEN FROM ITS INTERNAL GUIDE ON THE VISOR, MAKING IT UNSAFELY AND UNCONTROLLABLY FLIP & FLOP AROUND. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET A REPLACEMENT, BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME THERE ARE MORE THAN 200 ON BACKORDER, AND IT COULD TAKE ONE OR MORE MONTHS TO GET A REPLACEMENT. FURTHER RESEARCH SHOWS PREVIOUS RECALLS ON TOYOTA SUN VISORS. SO, WITH MORE THAN 200 ALREADY NEEDING REPLACEMENTS ON WHAT SHOULD BE A STRONG PART, IT SUGGESTS A LARGER PROBLEM WORTHY OF YOUR ATTENTION AND A POSSIBLE RECALL. THANKS.
NHTSA ODI #10677145
50,000 miles · Jan 12, 2015
Structure
THE POWER LIFT-GATE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN OR CLOSE PROPERLY, BROKE ABOUT 50000 MILES AFTER THE 36 MONTHS OR 36,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS TOYOTA CERTIFIED. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE HANDLED AS A RECALL INSTEAD OF TSB BECAUSE IT WAS A DESIGNED ISSUES REASON TOYOTA UPGRADED WITH BETTER DESIGNED HINGES. ALSO, IT WILL BE NICE IF TOYOTA INFORME…
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THE POWER LIFT-GATE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN OR CLOSE PROPERLY, BROKE ABOUT 50000 MILES AFTER THE 36 MONTHS OR 36,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS TOYOTA CERTIFIED. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE HANDLED AS A RECALL INSTEAD OF TSB BECAUSE IT WAS A DESIGNED ISSUES REASON TOYOTA UPGRADED WITH BETTER DESIGNED HINGES. ALSO, IT WILL BE NICE IF TOYOTA INFORMED US ABOUT THE TSB BY WRITING SO OWNER CAN DOUBLE CHECK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10671816
37,500 miles · Dec 23, 2014
Structure
THE AUTO LIFTGATE FOR THE REAR DOOR WOULD NOT GO UP AND DOWN. TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH A SERVICE BULLETIN HAS GONE OUT FOR THIS DEFECT! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10668027
55,000 miles · Dec 18, 2014
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
THE AUTOMATIC LATCH OF THE LIFTGATE STARTED TO FAIL. THE LIFTGATE NOT LONGER OPENS AUTOMATICALLY. I WAS TOLD IT IS PROBABLY THE MOTOR AND THE PARTS COST ALONE IS OVER $1,200. I CANNOT AFFORD THIS AND AM DOING WITHOUT THAT FEATURE, BUT ANNOYED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10667182
49,000 miles · Dec 15, 2014
StructureInjury
THE OPEN REAR AUTOMATIC DOOR FAILED, IMMEDIATELY CLOSING ON MY WIFE'S BACK AS SHE WAS REMOVING A BAG FROM THE REAR CARGO AREA. THE FAILURE HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAME DOWN HARD. AS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, TOYOTA WOULD NOT REPLACE AT THEIR COST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10664397
43,326 miles · Dec 5, 2014
Structure
POWER BACK DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY, BROKEN AT 43,326 MILES AFTER THE 36 MONTHS OR 36,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10662366
56,000 miles · Oct 31, 2014
Structure
THE AUTOMATIC LATCH OF THE LIFTGATE STARTED TO FAIL. THE LIFTGATE NOT LONGER OPENS AUTOMATICALLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REJECTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS NOT LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10651651
20,000 miles · Oct 26, 2014
Structure
I OWN A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT I BOUGHT NEW. AT APPROXIMATELY 7-9 MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE PIVOT OR LINK ARM OF THE AUTOMATIC LIFT GATE DETACHED FROM THE BODY FRAME. I RE-ATTACHED IT AS IT LOOKS IT BECAME LOOSE. AFTER A FEW OTHER INSTANCES IN WHICH IT GOT LOOSE AGAIN AT DIFFERENT INTERVALS, I DECIDED TO BRING T…
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I OWN A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT I BOUGHT NEW. AT APPROXIMATELY 7-9 MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE PIVOT OR LINK ARM OF THE AUTOMATIC LIFT GATE DETACHED FROM THE BODY FRAME. I RE-ATTACHED IT AS IT LOOKS IT BECAME LOOSE. AFTER A FEW OTHER INSTANCES IN WHICH IT GOT LOOSE AGAIN AT DIFFERENT INTERVALS, I DECIDED TO BRING THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. I MENTIONED THE ISSUE TO THE SERVICES REP WHO INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN (SB) LINKED TO THE LIFTGATE. HE MENTIONED ABOUT THE SB SINCE IT SEEMS THAT THE ISSUE WAS AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE HINGE DOORS PROBLEM THAT WAS BEING ADDRESSED THROUGH THE SB. THE JOB WAS MADE (REPLACING THE HINGE). I WAS ASKED TO PAY FOR IT SINCE THE SB WAS DUE WITH THE CAR 36 MO. /36K MI. WARRANTY. I INITIALLY OBJECTED TO THIS BUT ENDED PAYING THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE CAR HAD 43,000 MILES AT THE TIME. THE ISSUE WAS APPARENTLY CORRECTED. WELL, IT WAS NOT. THE SCREW NUT AT THE END OF THE ARM THAT ATTACHES THE ARM TO THE CAR FRAME WAS STRIPPED AND ALSO DAMAGING THE THREAD ON THE CAR FRAME. THIS ARM WAS NEVER CHANGED BY TOYOTA. RECENTLY, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALER THAT OPENED NEAR MY HOME AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT HE HEARD ABOUT OR SEES A CAR WITH THIS ISSUE. THROUGH DIFFERENT SEARCHES LOOKING ON HOW TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE PROPERLY AND AFTER DOING SOME INVESTIGATION THROUGH THE WEB, HAVE NOTICED THERE HAVE BEEN QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS FILED OVER THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10650086
Official recalls
5Jun 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 & remedy
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.
Oct 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 & remedy
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.
Nov 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 & remedy
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.
Apr 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 & remedy
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.
Jan 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 & remedy
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seats
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.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA18006 · Steering Column Separation
Opened Nov 16, 2018 · Closed Apr 2, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column
On November 16, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) as an upgrade to a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-005). The investigation focused on allegations of steering wheel separation from the lower steering column after using the tilt and/or telescoping mechanism. Given the separation occurring when operating the tilt and/or telescoping function and failure of both shear capsules to maintain the lower steering column mounting position, potential for shear capsule damage in the known failures due to collisions, the overall low rate of occurrence, and the updated manufacturer documentation, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency reserves right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. A detailed summary of the investigation is attached to this closing resume. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:column
On November 16, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) as an upgrade to a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-005). The investigation focused on allegations of steering wheel separation from the lower steering column after using the tilt and/or telescoping mechanism. Given the separation occurring when operating the tilt and/or telescoping function and failure of both shear capsules to maintain the lower steering column mounting position, potential for shear capsule damage in the known failures due to collisions, the overall low rate of occurrence, and the updated manufacturer documentation, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency reserves right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. A detailed summary of the investigation is attached to this closing resume. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Steering
On November 16, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) as an upgrade to a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-005). The investigation focused on allegations of steering wheel separation from the lower steering column after using the tilt and/or telescoping mechanism. Given the separation occurring when operating the tilt and/or telescoping function and failure of both shear capsules to maintain the lower steering column mounting position, potential for shear capsule damage in the known failures due to collisions, the overall low rate of occurrence, and the updated manufacturer documentation, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency reserves right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. A detailed summary of the investigation is attached to this closing resume. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
PE18005 · Upper Steering Column Separation
Opened May 4, 2018 · Closed Nov 20, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column
On May 4, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE18-005 to investigate three allegations of steering column separation for Model Year (MY) 2008 through 2013 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Two (2) of the 3 complaints were received by ODI in April 2018 and occurred while the vehicle was in motion. Since opening PE18-005, one (1) additional VOQ involving steering column separation has been received. This incident occurred while the vehicle was stationary.As part of PE18-005, ODI examined the field data, warranty data, and relevant technical information submitted by Toyota in response to the PE18-005 information request letter. Ten (10) additional incidents of steering column separation were identified. Four (4) of these instances occurred while driving. During PE18-005, ODI confirmed that the steering columns in the subject vehicles are equipped with breakaway capsules that are designed to collapse/shear during certain types of vehicle collisions. This design feature aims to reduce driver injury severity from impact with the steering wheel in frontal vehicle collisions. There is no direct method for detecting when the capsules in the subject vehicles have sheared. If the driver operates the tilt/telescoping feature after the breakaway capsules have separated, the steering column may drop out of position and could subsequently detach entirely from the rest of the steering assembly. Loss of steering while driving may cause a loss of vehicle control, which could lead to a vehicle crash.To date, ODI has identified 14 incidents involving complete steering column separation, 6 of which occurred while driving. One of these incidents involved a minor crash. Additionally, there have been 16 events where the steering column dropped from the dashboard mounting brackets, but column separation did not occur. Four of these incidents happened while driving. Of these 30 total separation/drop incidents, 5 of the vehicles have evidence of minor collision repairs months or years prior to the steering column failure.This investigation has been upgraded an to Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) in order to 1) conduct a more detailed analysis of the conditions that may cause the steering column breakaway capsules to separate and 2) assess factors that may contribute to the problem of failing to detect and repair breakaway capsules after they have separated. Toyota has recently revised their repair manual and issued a Collision Repair Information Bulletin to help address the second concern.The VOQs associated with this investigation can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI complaint numbers: 11141761, 11083623, 11083280, 10888043.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:column
On May 4, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE18-005 to investigate three allegations of steering column separation for Model Year (MY) 2008 through 2013 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Two (2) of the 3 complaints were received by ODI in April 2018 and occurred while the vehicle was in motion. Since opening PE18-005, one (1) additional VOQ involving steering column separation has been received. This incident occurred while the vehicle was stationary.As part of PE18-005, ODI examined the field data, warranty data, and relevant technical information submitted by Toyota in response to the PE18-005 information request letter. Ten (10) additional incidents of steering column separation were identified. Four (4) of these instances occurred while driving. During PE18-005, ODI confirmed that the steering columns in the subject vehicles are equipped with breakaway capsules that are designed to collapse/shear during certain types of vehicle collisions. This design feature aims to reduce driver injury severity from impact with the steering wheel in frontal vehicle collisions. There is no direct method for detecting when the capsules in the subject vehicles have sheared. If the driver operates the tilt/telescoping feature after the breakaway capsules have separated, the steering column may drop out of position and could subsequently detach entirely from the rest of the steering assembly. Loss of steering while driving may cause a loss of vehicle control, which could lead to a vehicle crash.To date, ODI has identified 14 incidents involving complete steering column separation, 6 of which occurred while driving. One of these incidents involved a minor crash. Additionally, there have been 16 events where the steering column dropped from the dashboard mounting brackets, but column separation did not occur. Four of these incidents happened while driving. Of these 30 total separation/drop incidents, 5 of the vehicles have evidence of minor collision repairs months or years prior to the steering column failure.This investigation has been upgraded an to Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) in order to 1) conduct a more detailed analysis of the conditions that may cause the steering column breakaway capsules to separate and 2) assess factors that may contribute to the problem of failing to detect and repair breakaway capsules after they have separated. Toyota has recently revised their repair manual and issued a Collision Repair Information Bulletin to help address the second concern.The VOQs associated with this investigation can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI complaint numbers: 11141761, 11083623, 11083280, 10888043.
Steering
On May 4, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE18-005 to investigate three allegations of steering column separation for Model Year (MY) 2008 through 2013 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Two (2) of the 3 complaints were received by ODI in April 2018 and occurred while the vehicle was in motion. Since opening PE18-005, one (1) additional VOQ involving steering column separation has been received. This incident occurred while the vehicle was stationary.As part of PE18-005, ODI examined the field data, warranty data, and relevant technical information submitted by Toyota in response to the PE18-005 information request letter. Ten (10) additional incidents of steering column separation were identified. Four (4) of these instances occurred while driving. During PE18-005, ODI confirmed that the steering columns in the subject vehicles are equipped with breakaway capsules that are designed to collapse/shear during certain types of vehicle collisions. This design feature aims to reduce driver injury severity from impact with the steering wheel in frontal vehicle collisions. There is no direct method for detecting when the capsules in the subject vehicles have sheared. If the driver operates the tilt/telescoping feature after the breakaway capsules have separated, the steering column may drop out of position and could subsequently detach entirely from the rest of the steering assembly. Loss of steering while driving may cause a loss of vehicle control, which could lead to a vehicle crash.To date, ODI has identified 14 incidents involving complete steering column separation, 6 of which occurred while driving. One of these incidents involved a minor crash. Additionally, there have been 16 events where the steering column dropped from the dashboard mounting brackets, but column separation did not occur. Four of these incidents happened while driving. Of these 30 total separation/drop incidents, 5 of the vehicles have evidence of minor collision repairs months or years prior to the steering column failure.This investigation has been upgraded an to Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) in order to 1) conduct a more detailed analysis of the conditions that may cause the steering column breakaway capsules to separate and 2) assess factors that may contribute to the problem of failing to detect and repair breakaway capsules after they have separated. Toyota has recently revised their repair manual and issued a Collision Repair Information Bulletin to help address the second concern.The VOQs associated with this investigation can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI complaint numbers: 11141761, 11083623, 11083280, 10888043.
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