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So file a complaint if you are experiencing the hesitation problem with the '04 Highlander here;
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
Click on "secure submissions" and fill out the simple form. When you get towards the end of filling out the form, you'll be asked the component. Click/highlight "POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION." Some have posted under "VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL" so file where you want.
Thanks
I always check the odor and look of my transmission fluid at each oil change and have never before experienced this.
There are 4 92 to 95 vintage LS400's in my "family", all with over 100k miles and with no fluid change at all and none needed.
Something serious is wrong with the RX transmission.
Almost seems as though the hesitation is worse in the rain. Maybe I'm just hypersensitive to it now. Such a bummer. It would be a nearly perfect car if not for the spastic accleration.
May I ask which State are you in and who is the arbitrator?
It appears that Toyota doesn't participate in Better Business Bureau's arbitration program and the arbitrator is somebody that Toyota provides. I just wonder whether the arbitrator is independent or not.
I'm also in CA and can you please let us know your arbitration result? Does California Dispute Settlement Program pick an independent arbitrator for you?
Thanks.
Toyota said at this time, they (Toyota) doesn't have a fix/repair for the transmission problem. They said for me to go back (again) to the dealer and have a regional rep (again) look at it.
I literally laughed over the phone.
I mentioned that Lexus now has a possible fix for the same problem and she couldn't verify that since they can't look between the two vehicle types. Now thats communication!!
Now, we wait..........
A PROPER "fix" would undoubtedly involve eliminating the shift and would thereby adversely affect the EPA ratings and might mean recalling every vehicle out there to recycle them via the scrap heap.
Quality improvements are going in reverse.
Disc brake wobble is a continuing problem even after having rotors turned.
My impression is the hesitation is caused by the delay in the sluggish shifting of the transmission (when you jam down on the gas, the HL has to down-shift before being able to accelerate rapidly). Although I am very satisfied with my HL I never liked the way the V6 transmission shifts -- a peppier shifting response would be very welcome indeed.
Perhaps those who also peruse the RX boards (I used to do this at one time but not recently) can relate if owners of RXs receiving the fix have noticed any change in shifting response or fuel economy.
We have 2 Highlanders 2001 & 2002, both are V6 Limited have NOT had any acceleration problems at all. I believe it is an intermittent problem that a handful of people are experiencing and trying to make a big deal out of nothing.
Both the Sequoia & Highlander are great vehicles and you won't go wrong choosing either one.
Please post what your choice way between the two and why.
Best regards,
Philip
when the inevitable crash occurs from the car's hesitation, you can decide then if its a big deal out of nothing.
What I'm trying to saying is that there are a small number of registered complaints vs. the number of H/L's on the road, so the problem effects a small percentage of H/L owners.
And your statement that "when the inevitable crash occurs" (in my opinion) a bit of a stretch considering that we have been driving our H/L's for over 3 years now with any hesitations.
I wish you save driving and no hesitations.
Best regards,
Philip
I consider it a big deal when I buy a $33000 car
and take my life in my hands each time I drive it. I do consider it a big deal that my unsuspecting 19 yr old would be creamed when this '04 HL stalls instead of accelerates. So in my opinion making a big deal out of 'nothing' is called for since Toyota acknowledges the problem but says there is no fix. Are you also aware the '04 Camry's have the same problem so Toyota redesigned them to solve the problem? Great for you that your 3 & 4 yr old vehicles don't have the problem but don't assume the rest of us are overreacting.
Toyota and was assigned a case number. After they
received my certified letter they informed me this was a 'design characteristic' and sorry but
we can't "redesign the vehicle for a characteristic that could be objectionable to a
customer". By the way, I'm in the South. Be sure and file your complaint with the correct
government agency www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov
By the way I've learned since all of this began
Toyota has several models with this problem. Be interesting to see if they take responsibility or expect us to lose money because of their poor
engineering department. Good luck and let us know.
2- they have called toyota but as of now no response . I've washed the car down with Dawn dish washing detergent,no help, any ideas?
I think it comes out the door lock.
i think wax takes it off
will check
another lack of attention to detail on Toyotas part
I suspect that in this case the transmission will actually shift into first and now you will be able to accelerate away for a full stop rapidly.
Not saying the design feature is justified, just something to try for those of you so very frustrated about this.
And of course more information to take to the complaint department.
I've been wondering also about HL owners who don't experience the hesitation. I'm willing to bet that I could reproduce the effect on any Highlander.
Trade on a domestic or trade on a new Pathfinder, sounds like a good idea.
Given that people report life-threatening situations caused by the hesitation, I think I would notice if it happened to me.
I'm glad that you experience the same hesitation and also think it's dangerous.
Although some people do complain about this hesitation in the Solara, the number of complain is not as much as the HL or the Lexus ES330 due to the number of Solaras out there are not that many. I just thought it might be better if I can use the complain in the Lexus ES330 and HL board as a support if I indeed go to arbitration. So anywhere that talks about the sharing of 3.3V6 is helpful.
It may 'learn' the problem behavior again.
The highlander is a great value, but we are going with the Rx....active hids, nav with voice command, bluetooth, rear view cam, mark levinson stereo, memory for seats, mirrors, steering wheel for tilt and reach, 10 way driver& 8 way passenger power seats, power remote rear hatch, cool 18 rims, lexus glove soft leather, high grade wood trim,... are these worth the extra 10K when compared to a loaded highlander limited? probably not...but it is to us.
whats that about?
http://www.toyota.com/html/owners/
I am hoping that someone might have a recommendation or solution to this problem. For some reason, I've had problems with the fuel gauge not accurately reading the amount of gas in the tank. After filling up the tank last week, the needle slowly dropped down to half. Then yesterday after I started the car, the needle went up to full and did not drop with driving. This is probably the third time this has occurred over the past 6 months, and I have contacted the dealer who has done nothing as "they can not recreate the symptom." It has gotten quite annoying and I would like to resolve this before the warranty expires. I hope you guys can help me out with suggestions. Thanks.
characteristic' which is a bunch of bunk I might add. No reasonable person would think an auto maker would intentionally design a safety flaw into a vehicle. If anyone here decides to go to
arbitration please be advised you need to be extremely thorough and summarize in great detail the problems you're experiencing. Don't assume because the arbitrator has all of the 'paperwork' he will know what the problem is or that he will understand without explicit, spoken and written information. I wish I had been better prepared for the arbitration but everything is presented in such a low key manner one would forget this is the ONLY chance you have to make your case. You need to have paperwork to back up your complaint..copies for you and the arbitrator.
sales were down 2% for the first time ever. I hope the trend continues until they get the message.
Hope it helps.
You didn't say what year your Highlander is, but if your warranty is running out soon I would try this. Write down on paper exactly what problem your having and take it down to the dealer and have the service manager sign and date the paper. This way if your warranty runs out,they would have at least acknowledged the problem existed before your warranty was up.
Came back and told me that "it's to provide smoother, less noticeable shifting".
I'm not kidding, that's what the man said.