2010 Toyota Highlander engine complaints

Filed Sep 29, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 31,000 miles · TX

Twice in september 2014, as I was approaching a stop light, I pressed the brakes and slowed to nearly a stop. The engine suddenly accelerated very high, and if I had not already had a foot on the brakes, I would have gone into an intersection. The engine was running so high that it was difficult to keep it from moving. I shifted into neutral, came to a complete stop, and while the transmission was in neutral, took my foot off the brake pedal. The engine immediately returned to normal idle. This same sequence happened both times. This has happened twice this month, but these are the first occurrences since I purchased the vehicle new. I called the toyota dealer, and the service person said that if the vehicle isn't demonstrating that behavior when I bring it in, they would not be able to find what caused it. They indicated that the vehicle data recorder would not record such an event. They said they would add a note about this to the record they have on this vehicle (they have done all the service since I purchased it from them). I have already decided that should it happen again, I will trade the vehicle. I don't like having to keep my hand on the gearshift, ready to shift into neutral. I saw a report in usatoday that sudden acceleration in toyotas is being investigated again. I wanted to add my experience to the mix.

Filed Mar 1, 2014 · Airbags, Body · 70,000 miles · NC · crash

While driving on the interstate at 70 MPH, a deer hit my car. Airbags did not deploy, damaged front end, minor damage to the bumper, major damage to engine compartment and windshield was cracked why did the airbag not deploy our major concern concern that will the airbag work after repairs??

Filed Sep 10, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 8,500 miles · AZ · fire

I was driving my vehicle and it caught fire and completely burned up...it was a total loss.

Filed Jul 19, 2010 · Engine · 11,746 miles · NC

I have a 2010 toyota highlander 4 cylinder that has an engine which is accelerating and surging despite that it has received the recall "fix" for the recent gas pedal recall. Even after the recall modification to the gas pedal, the engine's tachometer jumps (often up to 5000 RPM) while traveling at a steady speed or not accelerating. The problem occurs every time it is driven and is easily duplicated. My local dealer service had the car for over 3 weeks and was working closely with toyota corp technicians. They were able to reproduce and observe the problem and acknowledged it. But the vehicle was not producing any diagnostic "error codes" and they were unable to diagnose or repair this vehicle. In a strange twist they returned the vehicle to me and "changed their tune". The dealer then said toyota tech's stated it was a normal gear change function and that there was nothing they could do about the surging. The problem has gotten progressively worse and I am about to take it back to the dealer and go another round. Problem occurs at both high and low speeds, with and without use of cruise control. The vehicle is less than 1 year old and the engine behavior is quite scary. I do not want to have my wife and children get into an accident. Please get involved. In my opinion, this problem seems to be related to the vehicles electronic engine controls. A.s.I.