2017 Toyota Highlander: false forward collision warnings

Filed Jun 20, 2021 · Fuel system · FL

Vehicle stalled while attempting to cross a 4 lane divided road (on or about 9/3/20). Engine sputtered and completely loss power. Vehicle was pushed out of busy traffic by a Sherriff's Officer to a side road. Vehicle was then towed to the dealership. Messages on screen displayed “check AWD system, check BMS system, pre-collision malfunction, EPS failure “. Battery was replaced and codes were cleared and rescanned reporting no problems. On 9/16/2020 vehicle again began sputtering shortly after starting engine and while driving on a busy road. I was able to drive into a nearby parking lot with reduced power. Engine completely stalled and the display panel showed the engine warning light and to see dealer. Vehicle was towed again to the dealership. Technician performed diagnostic health check on vehicle and found that the fuel pump was not sending any fuel to the engine (0 PSI). They tested and checked all wiring and connectors. Inspected wiring and grounds for the fuel pump and ECU. Technician isolated issue coming from fuel pump relay. They replaced relay and rechecked system, test drove vehicle with no further issues noted. On 6/11/2021 vehicle stalled again shortly after start-up while attempting to leave a shopping mall. Vehicle was again sputtering and losing power. I was able to park vehicle in same mall. Messages displayed on panel: “traction control turned off, check engine, reduced engine power, visit your dealer, check AWD system”. Engine then completely stalled. Called for tow service and waited for three hours but tow truck never arrived. Was able to restart engine and drove vehicle to dealer. Dealer replaced fuel pump and assembly after a week of testing. On 6/19/21 after paying dealer for the repairs the vehicle sputtered and stalled once again while attempting to leave the dealer’s parking lot. Same display messages seen as described above. Vehicle now in dealer’s garage awaiting further diagnosis.

Filed Nov 1, 2018 · Brakes · 14,500 miles · MD · crash

Takata recall. Strange noises and flash green light appear on display, after 1/4 miles from parking lot, the car speed up by itself, the pre-collision system (pcs) is not working, brake assist is failed, the driver cannot manually brakes the car.

Filed Jan 25, 2018 · Brakes · 2,000 miles · MD

I have a safety concern regarding my 2017 toyota highlander. I am trying to use the highlander's advertised ability to tow a small rv trailer (under 5000lbs). Toyota agrees this requires installation of a brake controller in the highlander and electric brakes on the rv trailer. I installed a brake controller following standard industry practices. When the manual brake switch is then applied, my toyota highlander displays "pre-collision system malfunction" warning message even if the pre-collision system is turned-off. (note: this issue only occurs in 2017 and 2018 highlanders since earlier versions did not come equipped with a collision avoidance system). I believe that the burden should be on toyota to provide proper instructions on how to rectify this issue. Toyota has not properly addressed this issue despite my repeated letters to toyota. I am particularly concerned that because of the lack of guidance provided by toyota on this issue, some folks (as noted on internet http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/333-highlander-3rd-generation-2014/1509914-7-pin-wiring-harness-2017-highlander-limited.html) are inserting a diode to prevent their brake controller from driving power back onto the brake sense line in order to prevent the "pre-collision system malfunction" warning message. This also prevents the brake lights on both the tow vehicle and trailer from being lit when the trailer brakes are manually applied. I believe this to be unsafe. The ability to apply the trailer brakes independently of the tow vehicle brakes (I.e. The manual override capability) is a safety feature for reducing trailer sway which can occur in certain circumstances. Furthermore, it is my understanding that the manual override capability is required by law in california. Toyota needs to provide guidance since only they have the detailed knowledge needed to develop a solution.

Filed Nov 29, 2017 · OH

Windshield replaced after a crack. Windshield company and toyota dealer could not recalibrate front camera. Lane warning system and frontal collision avoidance systems not working. Driving with warning lights on dash. Windshield mounted camera safety systems is a bad idea. The need for windshield replacement may occur to anyone. It should not be this complicated to recalibrate the camera. So now I have an expensive vehicle that is supposed to be keep me safe- except that the safety systems are not working.

Filed Nov 28, 2017 · 4,000 miles · IL · crash

Vehicle had a straight frontal collision with the end of a guardrail on a highway between 30-40 MPH. Vehicle is equipped with a collision avoidance radar system but the system did not engage. The system did not automatically brake as it should have.

Filed Nov 27, 2017 · Brakes · 2,600 miles · MA · crash

We were in a thanksgiving day related touch n go traffic on a normal street, which enters into a mall. All of us are stopped at a red light, car ahead of us just started moving and we followed after allowing a safe distance, then suddenly the car ahead of us stopped, so I tried stopping quickly, but the car's automatic collision avoidance kicked in and took control of my brakes, but it still didnt stop, I was trying to stop, but the brakes were not working. Ended up rear-ending car infront of me. The whole point of this safety feature was to prevent the car from rear ending other cars in day-to-day traffic situations. Also our speed was not more than 20 MPH, when I hit the gas pedal, almost instantly I realized I have to stop and took my foot off the pedal, tried braking, but car kept rolling forward. This is just 4 month old car with 2500 miles on it. Waiting to see how toyota handles my case, in the meantime, insurance thinks I am at fault and started the claim, covering the car infront of me. My dashboard displayed a "brake" message in red color, which is true, it identified a collision, but didnt stop. Imo stopping is more important! There was some damage to car infront of me, my car had some minor damage to grills and front bumper area.

Filed Jun 2, 2017 · Acceleration · 4,400 miles · NC

The dynamic radar cruise control does not operate correctly and can be very dangerous. When driving on a highway with the feature on and a vehicle in front of you exits to the right, the highlander will slow and brake aggressively as if it's still following the slowing exiting vehicle that is now in another lane and leaving the highway. The setting of the vehicle to vehicle distance and pre-collision setting have little affect on this problem. This problem can easily be duplicated every time. The dealer says it's normal operation. I was nearly rear ended by a large truck when my highlander unexpectedly and aggressively braked and slowed for no reason as it continued tracking the exiting vehicle in front of me. I could have been killed, which is why I no longer use dynamic radar cruise control. Please investigate this matter with toyota before some is seriously injured. Thank you.