Problems with 2008 Toyota Highlander POWER TRAIN

Vehicle would not get out of 1st gear when in motion. when accelerating, in either manual or automatic, vehicle would go in neutral and coast when trying to shift into any other gear. reverse worked fine. would also not start out in a higher gear when shifted into 2-4 gears.

While driving my care on the highway the "low engine pressure" light came on. i immediately exit the highway and went to the gas station. all the oil in my car leaked out. we put 4 quarts of oil in my car and when you turn on the car all the oil leaked out. i call for a flat bed tow truck and drop my car off to the dealer. toyota has a recall 2gr-fev6 lsc 90k, which has this issue. the toyota dealer is saying my vehicle vin # is not effected by this. how could this been when the same exact thing happen to my car and they are replacing the parts that are part of this recall. they are charging me $900.00 to fix the car. i need help. my toyota life time warranty does not cover this!!!!!.....this is a serious safety issue. i believe toyota is covering it up so that they do not have to have all the vehicles fixed due to this malfunction. *tr

Following a oil change at local toyota dealer, a large puddle of oil (2 foot x 2 foot plus) found under car. i suspected oil filter or stripped oil pan plug. *js vehicle towed to dealer for inspection. they stated it was complete failure of the awd transfer box and that is was not covered by warranty. estimated cost to repair - $5,000.00+ note - during a previous oil change at approximately 63,000 miles toyota dealer stated there was a possible small leak on the awd transfer box and that they would monitor this during future oil changes. i was never informed, of any additional leakage during any oil changes at the same toyota dealer. (car did not leak any oil prior to failure of the awd transfer box)

As was pulling out parking space, car stopped moving even though engine running. had towed to dealership, diagnosed with failure of hybrid inverter. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. while stopped a stop sign and the rpms begin to increase excessively. when the contact attempted to pull off she was unable to drive forward or in reverse. a mechanic came and was able to drive the vehicle to the contact's residence. the vehicle was then towed to the dealer who stated that the transmission dropped out of the vehicle because the front axle had broken. the vehicle was being repaired when the complaint was filed. the failure and current mileages were 12000. updated 01/24/11 *bf the dealer stated the driver side axle broke in half and half of the axle became stuck in the transmission. also the camshaft position needed to be replaced. updated 03/16/11

While driving in reverse my 2008 toyota highlander gas pedal continued acceleration after braking and crashed into my garage. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. while driving at speeds of 5 mph in snowy weather, the vehicle began to loose traction, causing the vehicle to spin. the contact stated that he engaged the brakes and was able to stop the vehicle with the suspension traction control. the traction control had to be shut off before he was able to accelerate. the contact stated that he believed that the failure was contributed to the weight distribution axle. there were no repairs made to the vehicle and the manufacturer had not been contacted. the failure mileage was 9,000 and the current mileage was 12,000.

2008 toyota highlander purchased used toyota certified 9-3-09 fails to shift into gear. most occurrences at low speed after slowing to 5mph vehicle does not respond to gas pedal - or will not engage into gear and move forward. this occurs or is most noticeable at slow speeds when the gas pedal is pushed after having slowed down or in the midst of a turn into a parking spot. wife has also complained about transmission not engaging into gear when car is first started up acts like you didn't shift it into gear. we have also noted transmission doesn't always seem to disengage when slowing from highway speeds 55 mph. feels like it is dragging car to stop. there is a noticeable whine between 55 - 62 mph. talked to dealer mechanic and he said that was normal everything is controlled by computers. we are going to take it back in this week and complain about the transmission slippage. we have also had a issue with the toyo tires. at 28,345 they were down to 5/32 to 4/32. they have major problems in snow and heavy rain with loss of traction. when esc kicks on ...

Sudden acceleration of new highlander 2008 model. i had reported for the first time i feb 19, 2009 when i took the car for service that there is something wrong with acceleration, as it runs at a higher speed. they checked & i was told there is nothing wrong by the dealer.my wife who never had any accidents got involved in an accident on dec. 21,2009 when as she was parking the car accelerated suddenly & hit the building in front. the impact was so great the people that were working in that building came out to see what happened. inspite of wearing seat belts, her chest hit the steering wheel she was in severe pain. after emergency visit, she did not have any fractures, but bruises of ribs. she was so scared she was afraid to drive for weeks. it took more than 8k for repairs.the car still has the same problems &we are at a loss what to do. she is driving with caution locally until this problem is resolved. when we contacted 2 dealers, we are told the car is manufactured in japan & it is not on recall list. we try to contact numerous ...

I am leasing two toyota vehicles ... a 2008 toyota highlander and a 2009 toyota camry. during december 2009 i experienced problems with the 2008 toyota highlander transmission and sudden acceleration while braking. details include a transmission noise rattle while driving on a california freeway at about 60 mph. this transmission noise continued for 3-4 minutes, sounding louder as if a part was loose inside of the transmission. i shifted the transmission on the 2008 highlander between gears and the noise eventually stopped. the second complaint on the 2008 toyota highlander occurred on december 5, 2009, while i was parking the vehicle. as i approached the parking place, with my foot covering the brake pedal, i experienced unexpected acceleration while braking. the 2008 toyota highlander suddenly lurched without warning and would have continued to accelerate through a plate glass window at the bank if i didn't apply full force of the brake! i was able to apply the brake firmly enough to overcome the sudden acceleration in order to stop the vehicle in time. carlsbad, california toyota of carlsbad was notified on december 9, 2009 ...

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. the contact was backing out of the residence driveway on a slight incline. the driver stepped out of the vehicle while the gear shifter was placed in the reverse position and within three seconds the vehicle rolled over top of the driver. the ambulance was called to the scene. the driver was transported to the hospital and sustained severe injuries to the left leg and chest area. there was no damage to the vehicle. the cause of failure has not been determined. the failure mileage and vin were unknown. updated 4/5/10 *cn the consumer stated she stepped out of the vehicle not realizing it was in gear. it stayed stationary for several seconds before running her over. updated 05/11/10.

2008 low mileage toyota highlander sticking accelerator pedal. my accelerator got stuck at full throttle. i'm sure it was not the mats; i did not have any. the mileage was very low at the time, unlike what the recall is addressing. it has not happened since. *tr

2008 toyota highlander. the vehicle will roll forward when the vehicle and transmission are positioned in reverse, if the front of the vehicle is on a downward slope. *tr

When the front of the car is on a downward slope and it is shifted into reverse it will roll forward the same as a manual transmission will do when the clutch is depressed. the brake has to be applied with one foot while the other foot is pressing on the accelerator. the could cause injury and or property damage if parked close to person or property. the slope angle does not have to be a steep incline for this to occur. the toyota dealership was notified of the issue and stated they were not aware of this as a problem and it was a normal occurrence for the car to roll forward. *tr

Tl*the contact leases a 2008 toyota highlander. while driving approximately 20 to 25 mph, the brakes failed. the contact had to swerve to avoid striking other vehicles. he then heard a loud bang. there were no warning lights. he pulled off the road and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. the dealer stated that the transmission axle failed. the manufacturer will send an investigator to inspect the vehicle. the current and failure mileages were 4,000.