2021 Toyota Highlander

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 3 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle surged over the curb and sidewalk. The contact was able to release the brake pedal, stopped the vehicle, reversed, and parked the vehicle. While driving on a hill with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle hesitated and failed to properly drive forward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Germain Toyota of Naples (13315 Tamiami Trail N, Naples, FL 34110), who informed the contact about a brake issue and provided an unintended acceleration form; but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the original dealer who informed her about brake calibration. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the tailgate failed to open, and the seat heaters became inoperable. The remote start failed to turn off. The windshield wipers randomly came on for five minutes but self-corrected. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Braking system How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Vehicle braking is unpredictable. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? We can not get the issue to be reproduced, braking variables seem random Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Inspected by Toyota Dealership Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lights or computer codes go off Assessment of the incident: When applying the brakes to stop or slow, the brakes will slip for a second then re-engage. This can happen when coming to a slow stop or an abrupt stop. The exact parameters to cause this issue are unknown at this time and is unpredictable. My dealership is aware and has documented the issue but has been unable to reproduce the issue. Never experienced this before with other Toyota hybrids I have owned.

Unwanted acceleration happen more the 5 to 6 times. While driving in highway exit ramp my vehicle lurched forward while I was trying to slowdown. Dealership had the vehicle for more than 2 days and unable to duplicate the issue. Currently Toyota dealership informed they don't any know issues or condition like this. I am not very confident in driving this vehicle due to this experience.

On Saturday Jan 21, 2023 while driving 70 mph on I75 between Naples and Ft. Lauderdale Florida the lower bumper fell off. We didn't hit anything on the road. I was driving and my wife was in the car and witnessed the incident. We pulled off onto the shoulder of the highway. Our quick response saved not only the lower front bumper from going under the front tires but also avoided a major accident. We had to tie the bumper to the grill and went to the nearest Toyota dealer. He put it up on the lift, showed us how Plastic plugs securing the lower bumper had failed. He secured the bumper with zip ties so we could proceed on our journey.

Vehicle self drained 12 volt battery, causing hybrid drive system to not start up, leaving vehicle stranded, wife stranded alone at night. Dealership installed new software, 2 days later the hybrid drive system glitched again and this time the 12 volt battery was not drained but the vehicle hybrid system would not go into the ready mode and left the vehicle stranded, again with wife alone at night. Took to the dealer, service dept said "no trouble found". Has not glitched again but no longer trust this vehicle. Warning lights? Just about every light on the dash was flashing. Center screen said "hybrid system failure"

Visibility for interior windows defroster/defogger is not functioning. Inside windows are fogging up and icing no matter what heating setting is used. This poses significant risk of visibility in all windows. I have had to try to defrost the inside of my windows just to see out of my side windows and see in my rearview mirror. I have not gone to the dealership, but do intent to. No warning messages present.

The front headlights (low beam) are aimed too high resulting in blinding of oncoming drivers. More than half of all oncoming cars flash their lights suggesting. This has occurred for a year and a half since the vehicle was purchased. While a small adjustment was made to the headlights by the vehicle owner, this type of adjust was denied from the Toyota service department, and should never have been needed in the first place.