2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid acceleration problems

Filed May 29, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 90,501 miles · MI

First noticed on date above, but occurs at least once a week. When slowing down, and brakes are applied, if a bump, pothole, and traction is lost for a split second the brakes stop working and the car surges,coasts, disengage. Firm pressure on brakes is used to compensate for the loss of braking power. As a result stopping distance is increased. This loss of breaking power lasts for 1/2 to 1 second. Perhaps its related to the hybrid regenerating system. Never the less it is very disconcerting to lose brakes, even for a split second

Filed Dec 12, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 170,000 miles · FL

After getting off the highway (not in my town) lights came on my dashboard for the ABS braking and vsc system. There were also additional characters like (!) in a circle. The manual said for all of these contact dealer immediately, which I did. I was told the ABS accumulator needed to be replaced and it was approximately a $3,000 job. I had the repair completed and paid $2,700.00. (the dealer discounted the job). I am aware that toyota is aware of this problem and has extended the warranty on that same part in the camry hybrid. Further the internet is replete with instances of this happening in 2006 and 2007 highlander hybrid models. Toyota has no credit, extended warranty, or other benefit to highlander hybrid owners. I called toyota and have a case number with them (#1412081681). I feel there should be a recall or extension of warranty on this known defective part. Is there any investigation into this issue?

Filed Nov 21, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 86,074 miles · WI · crash

While entering into a driveway at a very slow speed, I stepped on the brake to slow down further. But instead of braking, the car lunged forward. I felt I was not in control of the vehicle. I continued to hit the brakes, but the vehicle continued to go forward. It slammed into the car that was parked in the driveway and caused major damage. It also shoved the car into their garage, split the frame in half and ripped off brick from their home. The surface was slippery with wet leaves and there was a slight incline going up the driveway, but I just had brand new top of the line winter tires put on and I was probably only going 5 MPH. It did not make any sense. From reading the forums on line, I believe this is a major defect with the hybrid and toyota is not doing anything about it. They need to do a recall. Lives are at stake. Thank god no one was hurt, but it could have been fatal.

Filed Apr 29, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 29,000 miles · MD · crash

I bought new a 2007 highlander hybrid . The brakes have continually performed spongy and the accelerator would stick . I have had to drive with exaggerarted braking space to compensate . My wife has had three small accidents ( rear end due sudden stops in urban traffic setting . Over the years we have pressed darcars toyota dealership in rockville md for assistance but they claimed no problem . Calls to toyota USA were greeted with no help. Our insurance has been drastically increased we have tried to get the insurer, geico . To assist us in the defective braking problem and sticky accelerator. We are nearing the 5 year write off of those accidents . We have sideline the SUV and had to perchase a another toyota ( prius )for my wife , a nurse . We have not had problems with accidents and braking ever before . We see the legal wrangling with the attorney general and toyota but see no relief. We are two combat veterans of the gulf war and iraq war . We feels abandoned . A friend said to file the claim with your agency . We are not hopeful. Sincerely lieutenant colonel [xxx], us army retired. And major[xxx], us army reserves. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Feb 11, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 109,000 miles · VT

I was driving down the road and lost power of my vehicle. Toyota dealership said it was my #6 coil but I have a feeling it was the inverter with everything that happened to it. I googled it and everything that happened was exactly what happened when the inverter goes on the vehicle. I don't really trust them.

Filed Oct 6, 2013 · Acceleration, Electrical · 139,952 miles · NY

I try to start the car and it did not start. All light was on including vsc/hybrid system car was towed to toyota dealer. They bleed the brake and erased the code. Drive the car for the next 2 days. Car failed to start again all light on vsc/hybrid car was towed to toyota dealer. Diagnosis is failed inverter ask $8357.82 for repair because the recall is not launched and I call toyota motors canada tell me they will not repair recall for USA vehicle . Toyota motors USA will not authorize for repair in canada of safety defect (toyota safety recall 13v‑396) also refusing to repair in the USA if I bring the car to toyota car dealer in new york state because recall not launched. The car have been towed to my house.

Filed Oct 1, 2013 · Acceleration, Airbags · 24,700 miles · CA · crash

On sept 5, 2013, I put my toyota highlander hybrid in reverse to straighten it up in a parking space, before I could even breathe, it took off in reverse going over 60 mi. An hour and I had no control over the car. It finally hit a garage from behind and took down the whole side of the garage and the front of the garage. Air bags never deployed. I was not injured except for a sore neck and right shoulder. They are just now pulling the black box from my car. No response from toyota yet.[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 9, 2013 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 154,579 miles · VA

While accelerating from a stoplight and driving in a 45mph zone, our 2007 highlander hybrid began to accelerate on its own. The engine revved as if someone were flooring the gas pedal. Neither my husband nor I knew what was happening. Then we heard a loud thud sound from the back seat and we lost power steering, power brakes, and we started to decelerate. Traffic was averaging 45-50mph around us. Thankfully, my husband was able to safely coast us into the right lane, then into a parking lot, and then into a parking spot. After that we were not able to start the vehicle and we had multiple error messages flash across the instrument panel: "check hybrid system" & "check vehicle stability". We were told by toyota that our error codes indicated that the inverter "blew up" & needs replacement. They did not mention anything about the recall which I found while researching. We are 13 VIN numbers after the recall for this same issue. We were told the part costs $10,000 before taxes & installation. Toyota won't honor the earlier recall and so I've towed the vehicle home. :(

Filed Mar 6, 2013 · Acceleration, Electrical · 106,083 miles · NC

I was exiting a parking lot onto the street. I suddenly lost power while I was waiting to merge into traffic. My car was in drive but I had my foot on the brake when my car went dead. There were warnings flashing at me from my dashboard. I put my car in park. Turned off the engine and restarted my car but the same thing happened plus I began to roll backwards do to the slight incline in the parking lot exit. I quickly put my car in park again, turned on my hazard lights, and waived the cars behind me to go around. I was able to put my car in reverse and back it up to a safe area in the parking lot. I called the toyota dealership in charlotte where I purchased the car at and continued having it serviced. They told me to have it towed to the nearest dealership immediately. I called the service department at team toyota mall of ga to let them know I was bringing it in. After their mechanic determined it was the faulty inverter in the transmission, I was told it would cost me $8,000 to fix it. I still owed $15,000 on the car. I found out about the recall on 2006-2007 highlander hybrids for the same faulty inverter. The dealership said my car was ineligible for the recall since the VIN was not listed. I called toyota as advised and opened a case number. I received the worst customer service and constant run around from toyota. They offered to give me $1,000 towards the repairs or $2,500 for a new or toyota certified used vehicle. I'm still waiting to find out why my car wasn't included on the list though it met the criteria. I am truly shocked by the dismissive attitude I'm currently getting from toyota as if they didn't know about the faulty inverter. My car broke down on my way home to north carolina. Now I'm trapped in georgia with no way of getting home to my husband and children. I'm still waiting on toyota's decision about my case, in ga.

Filed Jan 8, 2013 · Acceleration, Electrical · 130,000 miles · FL

While driving on the highway, the lights in the vehicle all began flashing to check hybrid system. I was unable to use anything but the brakes as the gas pedal would not even work to decelerate or accelerate. I was able to veer out of traffic to safety. I had one other passenger in the car and we were scared for our lives as the whole car just shut down and could have been involved in a serious accident. Eventually the battery also died and we were stuck on the road at night waiting on a tow truck. We had the car towed to a toyota dealership and have been working with toyota and corporate toyota for the past 6 weeks on a resolution. We were told the inverter needs to be replaced and the cost is $9000. We were also told by the serviceman at toyota that the car is not worth fixing as it still will not work properly after the part is replaced as it could have lead to transmission problems. This is a faulty part that was recalled in some of their 06 and 07 highlanders but not others. We were not part of the recall. I am without a vehicle and am still waiting for help. This part should be fixed by toyota completely as it is faulty or toyota should at least reimburse for what the car was worth before the incident.