2008 Toyota Highlander: engine stalls while driving

Filed Jul 20, 2020 · Engine · 82,652 miles · NY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, smoke was suddenly present coming from under the passenger side of the front hood before the engine stalled. After stopping and examining under the hood it was discovered no oil was present in the engine and oil had spilled onto the engine. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine oil cooler line had burst causing oil to leak from the engine. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 82,652.

Filed Jul 7, 2020 · Engine · 82,156 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the engine oil cooler pipe ruptured without warning which caused the vehicle to stall. The contact pulled over, shutoff the vehicle and inspected the vehicle. The contact became aware that the oil was completely drained from the engine. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be inspected. The inspection confirmed the driver's assessment. The mechanic informed the contact of a manufacturer's extended warranty coverage on similar vehicles however, the warranty had expired on the vehicle. The contact stated that he was never notified of the extended warranty prior to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 82,156.

Filed Feb 13, 2020 · Acceleration · 240,000 miles · GA

When accellerating into traffic after stopping for a stop sign or light the car moves into the traffic but does not accellerate but coasts dispite flooring the gas pedal. After 2 to 5 seconds the car will accelerate. The tech at the toyota dealership said that this was caused by the computer throttle control that sets according to driving habits. This stall when accelleration is needed has almost caused many collisions from traffic coming up behind the vehicle. This stall happens also when trying to pass a vehicle on roads, pull out from behind vehicle being passed, depress the gas pedal and no acceleration for 2 to 5 seconds then the accelleration happens. This computer flaw is such a safety problem that if I let anyone else drive my vehicle, I have to warn them about the acceleration delay and to make sure there is beyond normal clear space before pulling out into traffic. I try to drive smoothly and avoid flooring the gas pedal. In order avoid a safety issue this computer throttle problem requires the gas pedal to be constantly floored to make sure that when acceleration is really needed that it will happen. I am sure I am not the only owner doing a driving work around of this issue. This has happend consistantly since I purchased the vehicle in 2009.

Filed Feb 13, 2020 · Acceleration · 240,000 miles · GA

When accellerating into traffic after stopping for a stop sign or light the car moves into the traffic but does not accellerate but coasts dispite flooring the gas pedal. After 2 to 5 seconds the car will accelerate. The tech at the toyota dealership said that this was caused by the computer throttle control that sets according to driving habits. This stall when accelleration is needed has almost caused many collisions from traffic coming up behind the vehicle. This stall happens also when trying to pass a vehicle on roads, pull out from behind vehicle being passed, depress the gas pedal and no acceleration for 2 to 5 seconds then the accelleration happens. This computer flaw is such a safety problem that if I let anyone else drive my vehicle, I have to warn them about the acceleration delay and to make sure there is beyond normal clear space before pulling out into traffic. I try to drive smoothly and avoid flooring the gas pedal. In order avoid a safety issue this computer throttle problem requires the gas pedal to be constantly floored to make sure that when acceleration is really needed that it will happen. I am sure I am not the only owner doing a driving work around of this issue. This has happend consistantly since I purchased the vehicle in 2009.

Filed Dec 30, 2015 · Engine · 128,000 miles · NY

The primary issue of concern is regarding the vehicles valve springs. As a result of the valve spring which was in place, the vehicle in which I drove, stalled multiple times while in motion on a highway, before I was able to get it checked. In order to rectify this it cost over $2,000.00 in repairs. This issue is of grave concern, as a faulty valve spring, if it were to happen on a highway, could result in the death of a driver, passengers, and other vehicles. This issue is similar to the 2010 valve spring issue which affected lexus vehicles. In that 2010 issue, toyota admitted fault and recalled issues for 2006 to 2008 lexus models. Given that the issue happened to other brands owned by toyota the dot should see whether the issue is more widespread, and whether my vehicle falls under this issue as well.

Filed Apr 8, 2015 · Engine · 115,000 miles · NC

I purchased a qualified pre-owned 2008 toyota highlander sport from rice toyota in greensboro, nc in february of 2013. Since that time, I have properly serviced the vehicle and retained all service records. On or about march 31, 2015, while I was driving home from work on I-40 (65 MPH interstate highway), the engine in my highlander suddenly stalled and the check engine light came on. I coasted into a rest area (luckily) and was towed to a service station in greensboro. A complete diagnostic was performed and it was determined that the engine failure was due to a faulty engine valve spring. Every mechanic I have spoken with have indicated that a valve spring should not break on a 2008 toyota with around 100k miles. I searched online and found that toyota has recalled hundreds of thousands of certain lexus models, including models from 2008 with the same 3.5 liter v6 engine as is in my highlander, for faulty valve springs that result in sudden engine stalling. Rice toyota has refused to provide any assistance, as has toyota corporation. Further, toyota corporation has refused to provide me with any information regarding the manufacturer of the valve spring in my vehicle and/or any indication if the same valve spring was in the recalled lexus modes. I have seen class action law suits filed against toyota for concealing issues with valve springs. This defect can be very dangerous as the vehicle stalls suddenly and without warning. I need assistance to motivate toyota corporation and rice toyota to correct a clear design and/or manufacturing defect that caused a potentially dangerous engine stall in the middle of a major interstate highway.

Filed Sep 18, 2013 · Engine · 100,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted and taken to the dealer for inspection. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Feb 8, 2013 · Fuel system · 124,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact merged to the shoulder of the road and power off and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the inverter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 124,000. Updated 3/13/13

Filed Feb 2, 2012 · Engine · 77,900 miles · OH

Valve springs. While driving at 65 MPH the vehicle stalled without warning. I managed to steer across 4 lanes of fast traffic to a complete stop. The car was towed to the closest toyota dealer and was diagnosed as piston failure. The car was towed 140 miles to motorcars toyota for repair. The technician inspected and diagnosed: "a valve spring on the #2 cylinder broke in front head and dropped into the # 2 cylinder, destroying the piston and severely damaging the short block assembly. Block had a hole in it and #2 piston was broken in half". Repair included: replacing short block assembly, front head, exhaust cam, valve, spring. I had to pay aprox. $6000 for a problem toyota publicly admitted some 2008 v8 models had. Faulty valve springs was actually a recall but only for lexus models. Not fair!

Filed Apr 6, 2010 · Engine · 29,866 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. The contact was driving at approximately 20 MPH when the vehicle turned off as she made a left turn. She attempted to restart the vehicle multiple times but it continued to stall and would not restart. The contact was finally able to start the vehicle but the vehicle would not move forward when shifted into drive. The police were at the scene and the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealership. The dealer inspected the vehicle but could not find the cause for failure. The vehicle had not been repaired and the contact had not called the manufacturer at the time of the complaint. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 29,850. The current mileage was 29,866.