2013 Toyota Highlander: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Aug 19, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 5,000 miles · CO

Vehicle hesitates when accelerating, usually when making a turn from a stop or moving slowly. It is especially hazardous when trying to make a left turn in front of oncoming traffic. Has happened multiple times, not just the date below. The dealer can not duplicate the problem. We bought the car in early 2014 new, and noticed this problem before 5,000 miles. The car now has 22,000 miles and it still does this intermittently.

Filed May 22, 2016 · 100 miles · MD

Car hesitates upon accelerating from a stop as if it was coasting. It doesn't happen every time but it has occurred from the day I bought it. The hesitation can be from 2-4 seconds. It also happens when turning from a stop. Playing with the gas pedal doesn't seem to help but ,curiously, shifting into neutral and then back to drive seem to stop the hesitation. I haven't explored this rigorously; just tried it a couple of times. I complained to the dealer and they have denied it is a problem: obviously they don't know what to do with it.

Filed Dec 17, 2015 · Acceleration · 33,993 miles · MO

Periodically hesitates when accelerating - doesn't move, doesn't accelerate - nothing - almost like car not running. Does it from stopped position or while moving. Happened twice yesterday, after being stopped at red light and when turning across lane of traffic (city street). Has done it when passing on interstate - never know when it will happen. It's scary and by the time it kicks in, traffic is fast approaching. Worry that one day it will not engage and I will get hit. Doesn't matter if hot or cold, wet or dry, driving short time or long time. Definitely an accident (and death) waiting to happen. Dealership said they have not heard complaint before and can't fix it unless code appears. Find that hard to believe since owner's wife drove it. Sent complaint to toyota with copies of similar complaints found posted online. Wonder if it is related to transmission because I can sometimes feel brief changes in RPM (outside of hesitation issue). Please help!

Filed Dec 14, 2015 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 16,000 miles · WA

From stop (at traffic light, merging, etc), press on gas pedal for acceleration and vehicle does not go, hesitates, then does accelerate. This has happened multiple times, intermittently, and has been reported to titus will toyota dealership. Since they have not duplicated it, problem continues intermittently. Never know when this will occur. It is very disconcerting and dangerous. This vehicle has a lot of "computer" glitches with GPS mapping, bluetooth, auto lights, etc. Maybe related?

Filed Oct 9, 2015 · Acceleration, Transmission · 17,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 toyota highlander. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated when accelerating from a stop or a break without warning. The failure recurred several times and, each time, the contact had to pump the accelerator pedal up to three times in order to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who diagnosed that one of the computer modules that regulated acceleration was faulty. The dealer could not determine which of the modules was faulty; therefore, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and issued a case number to take to the dealer. The failure mileage was 17,000.

Filed Aug 31, 2015 · Transmission · 16,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 toyota highlander. While attempting to accelerate from a stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,000. Ma 10/25/15

Filed Aug 26, 2015 · Fuel system · 17,000 miles · MA

Upon acceleration the vehicle hesitates for 3-5 seconds, it has happened numerous times. Went to the dealer and they say nothing wrong. Very dangerous pulling into a highway.

Filed Aug 26, 2015 · Acceleration · 10,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 toyota highlander. While at a stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000. Updated 1/12/16

Filed Aug 10, 2015 · Engine · 2,000 miles · CO

While attempting to turn from a side road onto a main road, I needed to accelerate to blend into the faster moving traffic. While attempting to accelerate the engine acted like the gas pedal had not been pressed but maintained the previous slow engine speed despite the gas pedal being finally pressed to the floor. While maintaining the full gas pedal position the engine finally revved up and the SUV lurched forward. I have not been placed yet into a hazardous situation, but that is becoming a reality. This hesitation has recurred more than twenty times since then. No, I have not taken this to toyota since they appear to have no concern for the many fine folks reporting similar engine stalling.

Filed Apr 4, 2015 · Acceleration · 335 miles · VA

2013 toyota highlander hesitates/stalls occasionally when driving. Primarily occurs when turning left after stopping at a sign/light. The hesitation last for 5-10 seconds. Have asked dealership to look at it 5 times since I purchased the car in july 2013 but they have not been able to duplicate the problem during their test drives. They conclude the "vehicle is operating as designed."

Filed Jul 3, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 300 miles · MS

I purchased a new 2013 toyota highlander limited in november 2013. A few days later, upon accelerating from a stop into a left turn, the engine cut off for a few seconds while entering traffic. This happened a couple more times before the first checkup, at which time I informed the service technician, problem was noted on service sheet, but when service was completed, they said they could find no problem. The hesitation continued, quite randomly, and seemed to happen in left turn, accelerating situations. At next service and checkup (different dealer) I told them about the problem and it was written up again with same result, no problem could be found. This has been reported to dealer at least three times, no results, no action taken, no problem found. I consider this a dangerous situation, especially when merging into traffic. Based on information I have seen, it appears that toyota should address this problem asap.

Filed May 31, 2014 · Acceleration · 350 miles · MA

Driving uphill,suddenly lost speed,had no gas pedal,had to pull to side of road and then it came back.has happened dozens of times at different speeds. The last time it happened I was driving 70 MPH in the center lane of I 95 in pa, have not driven the car since I got home. Toyota has told me it is everything from slight hesitation to my imagination.