2022 Toyota Highlander

I would like to file a complaint regarding Toyota’s known brake surge issue addressed in Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0059-23. I believe this is a serious safety issue because the unexpected braking or brake surge when stopping can potentially cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle or contribute to an accident. I contacted a Toyota dealership near me about the issue, but they were unwilling to provide any assistance. I then contacted another Toyota dealership, which informed me that they could perform the repair but would charge approximately $400. I am concerned that Toyota has identified and documented this issue through T-SB-0059-23 but does not provide the repair free of charge unless the vehicle is still within the 36,000-mile warranty period. A known safety-related defect should not necessarily become the customer’s financial responsibility simply because the vehicle has exceeded the mileage limitation of the basic warranty. I am requesting that Toyota review this matter and consider providing the repair at no cost, particularly given the safety implications of the brake surge issue and the fact that Toyota has already acknowledged the condition through its technical service bulletin.

When I’m driving with the A/C on when I start to decelerate to a stop at a stop sign or light, my car lurches forward. It feels like I’m going to crash into the car in front of me, but I’m not sure how far it actually moves. It happens more in the summer months (more than once per week) when the A/C is on. In the winter it does happen less often. I purchased the car in 2021 and it has done this for at least the last 3 years if not longer.

The cars brakes will release and car will lurch forward forcing you to hit the brakes again to avoid colliding with car in front of you. This is a KNOWN problem called "HYBRID REGENERATIVE BRAKE TRANSITION FEELING IMPROVEMENT" PER Toyota's TSB-0059-23. They know of the problem, but do not tell people about it upon bringing car in. My car is starting to do it more now, and they will not cover because it is "beyond 36,000 miles or 3 year manufacturer warranty" This is NOT a minor safety problem. I have had this happen being first car to stop at red light and brake will release and lurch forward almost causing me to go into cross traffic! It has happened multiple times almost making me hit the car in front of me (rear ending the car stopped in front of me). This is not a warranty issue like the weatherstriping on window is bad! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE INVOLVING 100,000 OF CARS. DO NOT WAIT for someone to get seriously injured by this or killed because of it (think kid in crosswalk walking and Suv stops, then lurch forward into them!) who is going to sue whom? Also, the injury or death could of been prevented. Now they charge over $350 to fix. This is with 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrids. Make Toyota know that this is unacceptable and a SAFETY hazard NOT a non injury causing type event. Thank you

Component or system that malfunctioned: The braking system on my 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, specifically the transition between regenerative braking and hydraulic friction braking, appears to malfunction intermittently. During braking, the vehicle sometimes lurches or surges forward instead of slowing smoothly, especially at low speeds or when braking downhill. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How safety was put at risk: The unexpected forward surge while braking increases stopping distance and creates uncertainty about braking performance, particularly in traffic or parking situations. This creates a risk of rear-end or low-speed collisions and reduces my confidence in the braking system. Problem reproduced or confirmed by dealer or service center: The vehicle was inspected by a Toyota dealership, and a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) software update intended to address braking behavior was performed at approximately 50,000 miles. However, the braking problem continues unchanged after the repair. I had to pay the dealer to perform this TSB update. The dealer was initially reluctant to apply the TSB and did not associate my braking complaint with the known issue. I had to research the TSB myself and request that it be applied. The invoice notes that the dealer reproduced the issue. Vehicle or component inspected by manufacturer or others: The vehicle has been inspected by a Toyota dealership service department. It has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives, as no accident has occurred. Warning lamps or prior symptoms: No warning lights or messages appear when the problem occurs. The issue happens intermittently without warning and has occurred since the vehicle was new. The condition appears to be getting progressively worse. The issue seems more likely to occur when braking while the hybrid battery is near or at full charge, suggesting a possible problem in the transition between regenerative and friction braking.

I reported twice to Tustin Toyota that my car seemed to have a strange braking issue. It felt like the car lurched/lunged forward as I was braking. Every time I brought it into service, I verbally mentioned it to the technician checking my vehicle in. I was repeatedly told there was no issue. Turns out there is an active bulletin (T-SB-0059-23) that came out but now my vehicle is out of warranty and they won't fix it unless I pay out of pocket. Why was the dealership not aware. Why is this not a recall for all affected years regardless of warranty? There have been multiple reports online with people have the same issue.

While driving my 2022 Toyota Highlander (VIN: [XXX] , 29,427 miles), I have experienced multiple recurring safety defects that Toyota has been unable or unwilling to repair under warranty. •Front collision sensors frequently trigger without any object present, creating a risk of unexpected emergency braking at freeway speeds. •Transmission hesitates and surges unpredictably, sometimes propelling the vehicle into traffic. •In heavy rain, my windshield wipers activated on their own and multiple system failure warnings appeared (including ABS failure), nearly causing a crash. •Persistent startability issue when fuel is below half a tank. •Seatbelt malfunction caused a passenger to strike their head. •Seat heater failure, seat separation, persistent coolant odor, and nonfunctional factory wireless charger since purchase. These defects are intermittent but recurring, and their unpredictability increases the danger. Toyota and the dealer have failed to duplicate the issues during short test drives, but they continue to occur during normal operation. This vehicle remains under factory and extended warranty, yet repairs have been denied. I believe these defects pose a serious risk to myself, my passengers, and others on the road. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Car lunges forward while constant braking. Problem is not consistently repeatable and occurs at various speeds, road conditions, and weather conditions. It seems to be in the transition between regenerative braking and mechanical braking from the hybrid system. The car will coast for a brief moment while braking increasing the stopping distance and time required to come to a complete stop. We've noticed this issue since we bought the car