NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Unknown Or Other complaints
23 reportsClear category filter91,000 miles · Mar 29, 2019
StructureUnknown Or Other
ON MARCH 19, 2019 AROUND 9:30PM (DRY ROAD CONDITION ' NO RAIN), MY HUSBAND AND I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION OUTSIDE WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY (I-70) GOING APPROX. 70 MPH. IT SOUNDED LIKE A TIRE BLEW OUT OR A GUN SHOT. MY HUSBAND DIDN'T FEEL THE CAR WAS WOBBLY SO WE ASSUMED THE TIRES ON OUR CAR ARE OK. WE WERE DRIVING ON LEFT …
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ON MARCH 19, 2019 AROUND 9:30PM (DRY ROAD CONDITION ' NO RAIN), MY HUSBAND AND I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION OUTSIDE WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY (I-70) GOING APPROX. 70 MPH. IT SOUNDED LIKE A TIRE BLEW OUT OR A GUN SHOT. MY HUSBAND DIDN'T FEEL THE CAR WAS WOBBLY SO WE ASSUMED THE TIRES ON OUR CAR ARE OK. WE WERE DRIVING ON LEFT LANE AND THERE WAS A SEMI-TRUCK NEXT TO US BUT WE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING HAPPENED TO THE TRUCK AND IT WAS MOVING NORMAL TOO. HOWEVER, AFTER THAT LOUD EXPLOSION, WE BOTH NOTICED THE NOISE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE CAR (NOISE SIMILAR TO WHEN THE CAR WINDOW IS OPEN). I THEN OPENED THE COVER (SHADE) OF THE SUNROOF AND SAW THE SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED SO QUICKLY CLOSED THE COVER (SHADE) BACK UP. FORTUNATELY, THE COVER WAS CLOSED WHEN THE SUNROOF SHATTERED SO WE DIDN'T GET HURT FROM BROKEN GLASSES. WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW THAT HAPPENED AS WE DIDN'T SEE ANY OBJECTS WERE FLYING TOWARDS US.
NHTSA ODI #11192394
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2019
Unknown Or Other
MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND IN PARK IN A PARKING LOT, WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING. SUDDENLY, I HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD BANG, AND THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW HAD COMPLETELY EXPLODED INTO PIECES. ALL THAT WAS LEFT WAS THE REAR WINDOW WIPER. MOST OF THE GLASS EXPLODED OUT, WITH ONLY SOME GLASS LANDED IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. NO…
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MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND IN PARK IN A PARKING LOT, WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING. SUDDENLY, I HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD BANG, AND THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW HAD COMPLETELY EXPLODED INTO PIECES. ALL THAT WAS LEFT WAS THE REAR WINDOW WIPER. MOST OF THE GLASS EXPLODED OUT, WITH ONLY SOME GLASS LANDED IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. NOTHING WAS THROWN AT IT, THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO IT, AND ALL DOORS WERE CLOSED.
NHTSA ODI #11164577
45,800 miles · Sep 4, 2018
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other
WHILE STOPPED ON AN INCLINE WITH BRAKE BEING PRESSED VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS AND SKID LIGHT CAME ON. PUT VEHICLE IN 'PARK' AND VEHICLE STOPPED. PLACED VEHICLE IN 'DRIVE', ACCELERATED AND DROVE AWAY WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM IDENTIFIED.
NHTSA ODI #11124217
Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2018
Electrical SystemService BrakesUnknown Or Other
WHEN LOCKING THE DOORS, EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERIES HAVE BEEN CHANGED THE DOORS HAVE TO BE LOCKED MANUEL. THE TRUNK OPENS ON IT OWN. I CAN BE IN THE HOUSE AND WHEN I GO OUTSIDE THE TRUNK IS OPEN.
NHTSA ODI #11112299
54,000 miles · May 25, 2018
Unknown Or OtherVisibility
REAR WINDSHIELD BLEW OUT ON THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR WAS WARMED PRIOR TO DRIVING AND FONT AND REAR WINDSHIELD WERE ON DEFROST PRIOR TO THE REAR WINDSHIELD EXPLODING.
NHTSA ODI #11097916
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2017
Unknown Or Other
6/21/17 DRIVERS DOOR FAILED TO LOCK, 7/24/17 PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO LOCK, 8/4/17 PASSENGER REAR DOOR FAILED TO LOCK. CAR WAS STATIONARY
NHTSA ODI #11013328
63,000 miles · Jul 13, 2017
Unknown Or Other
POWER LIFTGATE MOTOR ARM DETACHED FROM THE UPPER PORTION OF THE REAR DOOR. UPON REPEATED USE AND TIGHTENING IT BECOMES STRIPPED. FORUMS REPORTS THIS IS COMMON FOR SEVERAL MODEL YEARS - NO RECALL. HOLE TO SCREW BECOMES STRIPPED OVER TIME. NO ACCESS TO THE BACK END TO APPLY NUT. DEALER RECOMMENDS TAKING IT TO A BODY SHOP FOR DOOR …
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POWER LIFTGATE MOTOR ARM DETACHED FROM THE UPPER PORTION OF THE REAR DOOR. UPON REPEATED USE AND TIGHTENING IT BECOMES STRIPPED. FORUMS REPORTS THIS IS COMMON FOR SEVERAL MODEL YEARS - NO RECALL. HOLE TO SCREW BECOMES STRIPPED OVER TIME. NO ACCESS TO THE BACK END TO APPLY NUT. DEALER RECOMMENDS TAKING IT TO A BODY SHOP FOR DOOR REPLACEMENT AT $3200 - $3900 DOLLARS. EXTREMELY BAD DESIGN FLAW. NO SOLUTION FOUND OTHER THAN REPLACING THE REAR LIFTGATE.
NHTSA ODI #11005061
Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2017
Unknown Or Other
BOUGHT THE CAR CERTIFIED PREOWNED IN 2014 AND NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR DOOR. WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE AUTOMATICALLY IT WOULD JERK TO A STOP, VIBRATE AND GO BACK UP. THE DEALER AGREED TO FIX IT AND TOOK IT IN BACK FOR AN HOUR. AFTER THAT IT WORKED ON AND OFF FOR TWO YEARS. I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AGAIN LAST YEAR AND NOW IT W…
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BOUGHT THE CAR CERTIFIED PREOWNED IN 2014 AND NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR DOOR. WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE AUTOMATICALLY IT WOULD JERK TO A STOP, VIBRATE AND GO BACK UP. THE DEALER AGREED TO FIX IT AND TOOK IT IN BACK FOR AN HOUR. AFTER THAT IT WORKED ON AND OFF FOR TWO YEARS. I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AGAIN LAST YEAR AND NOW IT WONT CLOSE AT ALL OR OPEN WITH THE BUTTON- I CAN ONLY OPEN AND CLOSE IT MANUALLY. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER TWO WEEKS AGO AND THEY SEEMED DUMBFOUNDED DESPITE A NEW NOTICE FROM TOYOTA ON THE MATTER. I HAVE READ THIS IS NOW A COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION AGAINST TOYOTA ON THIS MATTER. THE DEALER HAS ORDERED A NEW MOTOR AND I GO BACK NEXT WEEK - ALTHOUGH I'M NOT SURE THAT THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE READ ACCOUNTS OF OWNERS GOING BACK 6-8 TIMES AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA ODI #10992665
30,101 miles · May 20, 2017
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other
1. MY CAR HAS ONLY 30000 MILES AND YESTERDAY BRAKE MALFUNCTION SHOWED UP. MY WIFE HAD HARD TIME STOPPING THIS VEHICLE. 2. SINCE I AM REPORTING BRAKE ISSUE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO SHARE OUR SPEED GAGE IS COUNTING 2 -3 MILES/HOUR HIGHER THAN ACTUAL SPEED. WE HAD A KIND OF SENSE FOR THIS. NOW I PURCHASED A VERY HIGH EFFICACY GPS. W…
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1. MY CAR HAS ONLY 30000 MILES AND YESTERDAY BRAKE MALFUNCTION SHOWED UP. MY WIFE HAD HARD TIME STOPPING THIS VEHICLE. 2. SINCE I AM REPORTING BRAKE ISSUE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO SHARE OUR SPEED GAGE IS COUNTING 2 -3 MILES/HOUR HIGHER THAN ACTUAL SPEED. WE HAD A KIND OF SENSE FOR THIS. NOW I PURCHASED A VERY HIGH EFFICACY GPS. WHICH CONFIRMED. WHEN EVER WE ARE PASSING BY SPEED DETECTOR ON ANY GIVEN STREET. MY SPEED METER IS 2 -3 MILES HIGHER AS COMPARED SHOWS ON SPEEDING DETECTOR ON STREET . I DO NOT WANT TO PAY TO THE DEALER BUT I WANTED TO REPORT FOR SURE.
NHTSA ODI #10990716
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2017
Unknown Or OtherCrash
ON FEBRUARY 2, 2017,MY 2012 HIGHLANDER WAS PLACED IN PARK AND LEFT IN HIGH SCHOOL( DHS DURANGO, CO) ROUND ABOUT WITH KEYS IN CAR. I PARKED MY CAR IN FRONT OF A SCHOOL ROUND ABOUT, LEFT THE KEYS IN IGNITION BECAUSE I WAS RETURNING. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK, ACCELERATED UP A SLIGHT INCLINE IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HIT A PARKED T…
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ON FEBRUARY 2, 2017,MY 2012 HIGHLANDER WAS PLACED IN PARK AND LEFT IN HIGH SCHOOL( DHS DURANGO, CO) ROUND ABOUT WITH KEYS IN CAR. I PARKED MY CAR IN FRONT OF A SCHOOL ROUND ABOUT, LEFT THE KEYS IN IGNITION BECAUSE I WAS RETURNING. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK, ACCELERATED UP A SLIGHT INCLINE IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HIT A PARKED TRUCK. THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE VEHICLE. VIDEO FROM SAFETY OFFICER AT HIGH SCHOOL SHOWS THE WHOLE EVENT. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK, LIGHTS TURN OFF AS I PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SITS STILL IN PARK FOR SOME TIME, THEN PROCEEDS TO MOVE ON ITS OWN AND RUNS INTO VEHICLE AHEAD OF IT. THE TRUCK IN FRONT HAD DAMAGE TO BACK LEFT BUMPER AND BODY....MY VEHICLE HAS DAMAGE TO FRONT RIGHT BUMPER. MOST ALARMED BY VEHICLE HAVING CHANGED GEARS AND MOVED ON ITS OWN WITH NO ONE IN VEHICLE. SEVERAL WITNESS AND VIDEO THAT I AM UNABLE TO UP LOAD. CASE HAS BEEN INITIATED WITH TOYOTA AND SOMEONE IS COMING FROM DENVER TO DO A EDR ON TUESDAY, MARCH 7TH, 2017. I'M AFRAID ALL THE STORIES I'VE READ OVER THE WEEKEND ON INTERNET ARE VERY TRUE...THERE IS NO OTHER EXPLANATION TO WHAT HAPPENED. CONCERNED THAT TOYOTA REP WILL TRY TO MISREAD AND MIS-INTERPRET FINDINGS OR CAUSE DATA TO BE TAMPERED WITH...MY MAIN CONCERN IS SAFETY AND ASIDE FROM THIS INCIDENT AND A FEW UNEXPLAINED PULLING ON THE GAS PUMP LIKE A DRAG OR ACCELERATION, I THOUGHT MY CAR WAS SAFE---SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED. SINCE I WAS NOT PRIVY TO WHAT HAPPENED UNTIL VIDEO WAS PROVIDED FE. 23, I HAD NO IDEA HOW TO REPORT TO INSURANCE MY VEHICLE RUNNING INTO SOMEONE WITH NO ONE IN IT!
NHTSA ODI #10958968
Official recalls
2Apr 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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