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Air Bags
04/05/2026
On April 5, 2026, my 2017 Toyota Highlander was involved in a side‑impact (T‑bone) collision on the front & rear passenger side. I was seated in the front passenger seat. The impact was hard enough that my insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss. During the crash, I struck my head, but no airbags deployed (front, side, or curtain). The vehicle is being released to Liberty Mutual Insurance. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. I am concerned that the airbag/SRS system may not have functioned properly in a crash severe enough to total the vehicle and cause a head injury to a front passenger. I am requesting that NHTSA record this incident and consider whether there may be a safety defect related to side or curtain airbag non‑deployment in this vehicle. Crash date: April 5, 2026 Approximate speed of other vehicle: [unknown] Location of impact: front passenger side (T‑bone) Result: vehicle declared total loss, head injur...
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Vehicle Speed Control, forward Collision Avoidance
04/01/2026
The radar cruise control system on my 2017 Toyota Highlander is not functioning properly and creates a safety hazard. When initially setting the radar cruise control, the system works as expected. I can accelerate to a desired speed, press the “set” control, and the vehicle maintains that speed correctly. The problem occurs when I try to increase the set speed. After setting an initial speed (for example, 45 mph), I accelerate to a higher speed (such as 65 mph) and press the “set” control again to update the cruise setting. Instead of setting the new speed, the system reverts to the previously stored speed. When this happens, the vehicle rapidly decelerates and applies braking to return to the lower speed. This sudden and unexpected braking creates a dangerous situation, especially on highways, as it can put surrounding drivers at risk of a rear-end collision. I have tested this multiple times and experience the same result each time. This issue only occurs when using radar cruise cont...
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Power Train
03/25/2026
Power training went out I-70 in warren county mo where all the construction is. It put my 4 autistic kids in danger. No insurance looked at the vehicle. However a mechanic did look and diagnosed it which look over a week for. Kaizen auto in wentzville mo diagnosed it
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Power Train
03/01/2026
The component that has been deemed in need of replacement is the UA80 8-speed transmission. It is available for inspection as of today's date, April 1, 2026. My and my family's safety has been put at risk of the transmission failing, especially at highway speeds. The problem was reproduced and diagnosed at both a local repair garage in Westwood, MA and the Nucar Toyota dealership in Norwood, MA. Both facilities inspected the transmission, heard a high-pitched whining noise, and determined it was irreparable and needs to be replaced. This high-pitched whining noise is a known and well-documented problem with these transmissions and needs to be included in a widespread manufacturer's recall.
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Power Train
12/11/2023
Purchased a brand new 2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 9 years ago. I followed all recommended maintenance and service schedules from the manufacturer. There has always been a faint whine noise present during acceleration. In December of 2023 and about 112,000 miles the transmission began to slip in gears 3 and 4. I brought the vehicle into Balise Toyota in West Springfield, MA for diagnostic services. It was determined that my automatic transmission was failing and needed replacement. Luckily I had purchased an extended warranty through All State and the repairs were covered under warranty. The cost of this repair was upwards of $9,000, so at the time I felt extremely fortunate. That was 2 years ago but my luck would only last so much. Since the remanufacturered transmission was installed by Toyota there has always been a faint whine noise during acceleration. I summed it up to a bad serpentine belt, pulley or alternator because how could it be the new transmission that had been installed?...