2014 Toyota Highlander

On or about 12-01-2022 the windshield wipers stopped functioning. The result was an inability to drive the car in the rain and especially at night. It was impossible to see so we pulled over and waited for the rain to stop. After analyzing the issue the motor had failed. We contacted Toyota for a replacement motor. What we found: No wiper motors are available from Toyota, no aftermarket parts are available. We ordered a motor from Gladstone Toyota but after a couple of weeks began calling. What I was told: no wiper motors are available and there is no release date for when they will be. I began calling around and found that some dealers (TRD Shop) have over 200 on back order and only 80 were released last time they made them. where we are today: We have a vehicle made by Toyota that is unsafe to operate due to the fact the wipers don't work We replaced the wiper switch $232.00 but that only allowed the rear wipers to function further inspection verified the front wiper motor failed in conjunction with the switch that controls the rear wipers. I contacted Toyota engagement center and reported the issues. case #230106000756 they told us they would have a parts specialist contact us no later than 01-09-23 that never happened ans on 01-10-23 I contacted them to let them know we haven't heard anything. They have yet to reply or contact us regarding our back order. We purchased the vehicle new from Gladstone Toyota all maintenance done there. Issue is the vehicle is unsafe to drive in Oregon in the middle of winter, Parts are not available to repair Toyota unwilling to reply or see what they can do for us using their online engagement website.

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON OUR STREET, WHICH IS CONSIDERED A PRIVATE ROAD, WHILE PREPARING TO TURN AROUND A BEND IN THE ROAD, A 94YR OLD WOMAN WALKED IN FRONT OF MY CAR, WAS STRUCK, AND DIED. AT NO TIME DURING MY TURN DID I SEE THE WOMAN AS SHE STEPPED IN FRONT OF MY CAR. RESEARCH OF THE 2014 HIGHLANDER REVEALED MANY OWNERS HAD DIFFICULTY SEEING ANY OBJECT OR PERSON DUE TO THE BLIND SPOT OF THE LEFT SIDE MIRROR. RESEARCH AT TOYOTA NATION FORUM, REVEALED ALL OWNERS HAD BLIND SPOTS DUE TO THE SIZE AND POSITION OF THE LEFT SIDE MIRROR. MOST WERE RELATED TO DRIVERS 5'2" IN HEIGHT, BUT 6FT DRIVERS ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BLIND SPOT OF THE LEFT SIDE MIRROR. IN FACT, I FOUND ANOTHER DRIVER WHO HIT A PEDESTRIAN, BUT THEIR VICTIM SURVIVED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE AT THE DEALER TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER (PRIME TOYOTA BOSTON, 1605 VFW PKWY, WEST ROXBURY, MA 02132) AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0.