THE REAR WIPER QUITS WORKING. INITIALLY THE DEALERSHIP TOOK IT APART, CLEANED IT AND IT WORKED TEMPORARILY. BUT THEN THE WIPER QUIT WORKING AGAIN. THERE APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE MECHANISM AND/OR REAR WINDOW ALLOWING IN MOISTURE FOR THIS TO CONTINUE OCCURRING, REQUIRING THE NEED TO KEEP GOING IN AND CLEANING IT OR HAVIN…
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THE REAR WIPER QUITS WORKING. INITIALLY THE DEALERSHIP TOOK IT APART, CLEANED IT AND IT WORKED TEMPORARILY. BUT THEN THE WIPER QUIT WORKING AGAIN. THERE APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE MECHANISM AND/OR REAR WINDOW ALLOWING IN MOISTURE FOR THIS TO CONTINUE OCCURRING, REQUIRING THE NEED TO KEEP GOING IN AND CLEANING IT OR HAVING TO REPLACE IT AS SOME HAVE REPORTED WHICH APPEARS TO BE THE POINT I AM AT THE LAST TIME I TOOK IT IN.
NHTSA ODI #11130384
Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2017
Visibility/wiper
THE EYEGLASSES HOLDER IN OUR 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS A MALFUNCTION OF DROPPING DOWN IN FRONT OF THE REARVIEW MIRROR DUE TO THE LOSS OF A SMALL RETAINING PIN. THE ISSUE CAUSES A DISRUPTIVE AND VERY ANNOYING SAFETY HAZARD. ATTEMPTS TO GET THE PROBLEM REPAIRED HAVE MET WITH NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES AS THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP MECHANI…
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THE EYEGLASSES HOLDER IN OUR 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS A MALFUNCTION OF DROPPING DOWN IN FRONT OF THE REARVIEW MIRROR DUE TO THE LOSS OF A SMALL RETAINING PIN. THE ISSUE CAUSES A DISRUPTIVE AND VERY ANNOYING SAFETY HAZARD. ATTEMPTS TO GET THE PROBLEM REPAIRED HAVE MET WITH NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES AS THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP MECHANICS AND ANOTHER DEALERSHIP IN SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI HAVE CAME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION, NOT REPAIRABLE. WE HAVE TRIED TO TAPE UP THE EYEGLASSES HOLDER, BUT THE TAPE WILL NOT STICK DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE MATERIEL. THE SITUATION BECOMES EMBARRASSING WHEN FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE IN THE VEHICLE AND TRY TO ASSIST IN KEEPING THE HOLDER UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. HOWEVER, WITHOUT FAVORABLE RESULTS AND CONTINUED NAGGING OR COMPLAINING. WE ARE HOPING THAT THIS INCIDENT INFORMATION WILL BE SUFFICIENT IN FINDING A POSITIVE SOLUTION. THE TIMELINE IS APPROXIMATE AND COULD HAVE BEEN LONGER THAN MARKED BECAUSE OF BEING IN PLAUSIBLE DENIAL.
NHTSA ODI #10967665
125,000 miles · Mar 15, 2017
Visibility/wiper
THE SUN VISORS ARE BOTH BROKEN AND ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. THE DRIVERS VISOR HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE FOR TIME. THE PASSENGER VISOR JUST BROKE RECENTLY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND AM SURPRISED I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. I HAVE WORN OUT LOTS OF VEHICLES, BUT NEVER THE SUN VISORS. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION…
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THE SUN VISORS ARE BOTH BROKEN AND ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. THE DRIVERS VISOR HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE FOR TIME. THE PASSENGER VISOR JUST BROKE RECENTLY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND AM SURPRISED I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. I HAVE WORN OUT LOTS OF VEHICLES, BUT NEVER THE SUN VISORS. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AS THE SITUATION IS WORSENING. SINCERELY [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10966152
58,109 miles · Feb 2, 2017
Latches/locks/linkagesVisibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS FAILED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LOCK THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DOOR LOCKS WERE REPLACED PER AN UNKNOWN NHTSA CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIV…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS FAILED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LOCK THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DOOR LOCKS WERE REPLACED PER AN UNKNOWN NHTSA CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW FAILED TO ALIGN WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ROLL IT UP OR DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V689000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,109.
NHTSA ODI #10948988
18,250 miles · Aug 19, 2015
Visibility/wiper
DRIVING VISIBILITY IS AFFECTED AS THE PART HANGS DOWN OBSCURING THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #10749682
25,000 miles · Aug 11, 2015
Visibility/wiper
THE SUN GLASS HOLDER DOES NOT STAY LATCHED. IT WILL FALL AND PARTIALLY OBSCURES THE REAR VIEW MIRROR
NHTSA ODI #10747987
58,000 miles · May 8, 2015
Visibility/wiper
MY PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE INTERNALLY AND THE INTERNAL SPRING FORCED IT TO POINT STRAIGHT DOWN. IT BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF VEHICLES APPROACHING FROM A SIDE STREET ON THE RIGHT . I HAVE FIDDLED WITH IT AND GOT IT TO STAY UP ABOUT 3 INCHES FROM THE ROOF , BUT IT KEEPS CREEPING BACK DOWN . I ORDERED A REPLACEMENT SUN VI…
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MY PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE INTERNALLY AND THE INTERNAL SPRING FORCED IT TO POINT STRAIGHT DOWN. IT BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF VEHICLES APPROACHING FROM A SIDE STREET ON THE RIGHT . I HAVE FIDDLED WITH IT AND GOT IT TO STAY UP ABOUT 3 INCHES FROM THE ROOF , BUT IT KEEPS CREEPING BACK DOWN . I ORDERED A REPLACEMENT SUN VISOR FROM TOYOTA THROUGH MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN JANUARY . THE ORDER WAS "BACK ORDERED" AND HAS YET TO BE SHIPPED FROM ( I PRESUME ) SOUTH EAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10715302
38,620 miles · Mar 25, 2015
Visibility/wiper
SUN VISOR, DRIVER'S SIDE: HANGS DOWN AT APPROXIMATELY 45 DEGREE ANGLE TOWARD DRIVER IN THE STOWED POSITION AND BUMPS HEAD ON THE BOTTOM EDGE WHEN EXITING OR LEANING FORWARD. WHEN IN THE USED POSITION IT GOES AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD GIVING LITTLE BENEFIT AS IT IS TOO HIGH TO BLOCK SUN AT SUNSET OR SUNRISE. IT WILL NOT STAY IN A FU…
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SUN VISOR, DRIVER'S SIDE: HANGS DOWN AT APPROXIMATELY 45 DEGREE ANGLE TOWARD DRIVER IN THE STOWED POSITION AND BUMPS HEAD ON THE BOTTOM EDGE WHEN EXITING OR LEANING FORWARD. WHEN IN THE USED POSITION IT GOES AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD GIVING LITTLE BENEFIT AS IT IS TOO HIGH TO BLOCK SUN AT SUNSET OR SUNRISE. IT WILL NOT STAY IN A FULL DOWN POSITION. THE INTERNAL SPRING HOLDS THE SUN VISOR IN THESE 2 POSITIONS ONLY. IN AN ACCIDENT IT MAY POSE A CUTTING PROBLEM ON FOREHEAD IN THE RETRACTED/STOWED POSITION. THE SUN VISOR?S SPRING MECHANISM APPEARED TO ROTATE OUT OF POSITION UPON NORMAL USE. IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AS TO MANY POSTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. DEALER CONTACTED ABOUT ISSUE AND CLAIMED IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10701692
Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2014
Visibility/wiper
THE VISOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE NO LONGER STAYS UP, SO IT EITHER HAS TO BE PUSHED TO THE SIDE THUS BLOCKING THE SIDE VIEW, OR LEFT AS IS BLOCKS THE AHEAD VIEW, OR MUST BE HELD WITH ONE ARM WHILE DRIVING ONE-ARMED (NOT IDEAL DRIVING CONDITIONS). MY GARAGE IS ORDERING A NEW VISOR BUT WAS TOLD THESE VISORS ARE ON BACKORDER - THERE A…
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THE VISOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE NO LONGER STAYS UP, SO IT EITHER HAS TO BE PUSHED TO THE SIDE THUS BLOCKING THE SIDE VIEW, OR LEFT AS IS BLOCKS THE AHEAD VIEW, OR MUST BE HELD WITH ONE ARM WHILE DRIVING ONE-ARMED (NOT IDEAL DRIVING CONDITIONS). MY GARAGE IS ORDERING A NEW VISOR BUT WAS TOLD THESE VISORS ARE ON BACKORDER - THERE ARE 1000 ALREADY ON BACKORDER! SEEMS THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM HERE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10667698
28,500 miles · Oct 3, 2014
Visibility/wiper
THE OVERHEAD SUNGLASSES HOLDER SUDDENLY FOLDED DOWN AND WOULD NOT SLIDE BACK INTO PLACE. THERE WAS NO FORCE USED AND IT APPEARED TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. THE HOLDER BLOCKS THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SAFELY OPERATE A VEHICLE. A QUICK INTERNET SHOWS THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. *TR
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.
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
2
EA18006 · 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.
2012 Toyota Highlander Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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