2009 Toyota Highlander Suspension Problems

While driving on the highway, your front passenger-side wheel suddenly locked up, causing you to lose control and safely pull onto the shoulder. A brake malfunction warning light appeared on your dashboard. This suggests a problem with your brake system that needs immediate inspection to prevent future incidents.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, A SNAP WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR. UPON INSPECTION, THE REAR PASSENGER SWAY BAR LINK (JOINING THE SWAY BAR TO THE STRUT) WAS SNAPPED AT THE LOWER END. THIS LINK IS APPROXIMATELY 10 MM IN DIAMETER, NECKING DOWN TO 8 MM WITH A 1 MM RADIUS AT TRANSITION OF THE DIAMETERS. IT WAS OBSERVED THE FAILURE WAS NOT COMPLETELY IMMEDIATE AS APPROXIMATELY HALF THE DIAMETER WAS RUSTED. THE RUST HAD TWO DISTINCT ZONES; AN APPROXIMATE 3 MM LIGHTER YELLOW-BROWN REGION AT THE OUTER SIDE, AND A 1 MM DARK BROWN ZONE ON THE INNER SIDE SUGGESTING THE OUTER HAD BEEN FAILING FOR SOME TIME, THE INNER PROPAGATING MORE RECENTLY. FINAL FAILURE OF THE REMAINING PORTION WAS SUDDEN. UPON INSPECTION UNDER MAGNIFICATION, THE FAILURE BEGAN WITH SOME TYPE OF CRACK INITIATING AT THE ROOT OF THE FILLET, PROPAGATING DOWNWARDS AT AN APPROXIMATE 30 DEGREE ANGLE. BENDING OF THE 8 MM SECTION APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE SUDDEN FINAL FAILURE OF THE SECTION. NO OTHER DAMAGE UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS FOUND RULING OUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CAUSED BY ANY DRIVER. TOYOTA CORPORATE IN CALIFORNIA WAS CONTACTED (CASE # 1301222906) BUT THEY CLAIMED NO RECALL ON THIS PART OR ISSUES. THE PART APPEARS TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT FATIGUE STRENGTH OR THIS SPECIFIC LINK HAD A QUALITY ISSUE. THE PART IS IN MY POSSESSION AND AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST SHOULD FURTHER INVESTIGATION VIA SEM/EDX, OR OTHER IS HELPFUL. I ALSO CAN PROVIDE PICTURES UPON REQUEST. THIS FAILURE CONCERNS ME AS THE PART LINKS REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL AND IT FAILED SHORTLY PAST WARRANTY. *TR

COMPLAINANT HAD TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL BRIDGESTONE TIRES (245/55R19) ON A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LTD AFTER 20,679 MILES. TREAD WEAR WAS BELOW 3/32'S. TOYOTA WOULD NOT WARRANT OR PARTICIPATE IN THE REPLACEMENT COSTS. BRIDGESTONE OFFERED TO SPLIT THE COST OF REPLACING THE FOUR TIRES WITH THEIR DUELER H/L (P245/55R19) WHICH I ACCEPTED ON APRIL 20, 2010. MY COST WAS $491.32. THE REPLACEMENT TIRES AFTER 9 MONTHS AND 17,011 MILES HAVE 5/32'S WEAR. HOWEVER, WITH THAT TIRE WEAR, THE HIGHLANDER IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WHEN THERE IS FROST/SNOW/RAIN/ICE ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE LOOSES TRACTION AND IS UNCONTROLLABLE AS IT SLIDES THROUGH INTERSECTIONS. AGAIN, THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO WARRANT OR PARTICIPATE IN THE TIRE REPLACEMENT COSTS. BRIDGESTONE HAS OFFERED TO SPLIT THE COST TO REPLACE THE TIRES. THIS WOULD AMOUNT TO AN ADDITIONAL $500 (EST.) TO REPLACE TIRES THAT DO NOT WEAR PROPERLY. HOW CAN PAYMENTS OF APPROXIMATELY $1,000 FOR EIGHT TIRES THAT PROVIDE PREMATURE AND UNSAFE TIRE WEAR BE JUSTIFIED? THE VEHICLE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION, IS A HAZARD ON THE ROAD AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. TIRE WEAR IS PREMATURE. THE HIGHLANDER SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR A FREE FOUR WHEEL TIRE REPLACEMENT AND ALIGNMENT. UPDATED IVOQ 01/26/12 *TR

2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER CLEARANCE BETWEEN BOTH REAR "SHOCK BASE PLATE" AND BOTH REAR TIRES ARE TOO CLOSE. EVERY TIME WHEN YOU HIT A "BUMP", BOTH REAR TIRES ARE HITTING THE "REAR SHOCK BASE PLATE". THIS WILL DAMAGE BOTH REAR TIRES AND CAUSE ACCIDENT !! DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING DESIGN !! TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL ALL HIGHLANDERS WITH THIS DEFECTIVE DESIGN !!! YOU DON'T WANT TO WAIT FOR AN ACCIDENT TO HAPPEN THEN MAKE A MANDATORY RECALL. THANKS FOR READING MY MESSAGE AND CONCERN OF SAFETY FOR ALL HIGHLANDER OWNERS. *TR