I Expected More
My Highlander is a Hybrid. It uses a high voltage battery to power the wheels and uses a standard 12V battery to start the car when the car requires engine power. The 12V battery went completely dead. I'm guessing because ECO can leave the engine off while 12V systems are in use. This brings about a $600 towing charge to move the vehicle 18 miles to a Toyota dealership. It's great to learn these things while under the service protection plan.
I got a check engine code that I went to the dealer for. It was winter and drove there with the DEFROST mode. My windshield fogged and iced up, on the inside, from the roof line down. Once it reached the rear view mirror I lost all forward looking electronics like: distance to vehicle ahead, radar controlled cruise control and automatic high beam headlights. So when I arrived at the dealer I asked them to fix the DEFROST mode while it was in.
They told me to use RECIRCULATE instead of DEFROST because there was no fix.
I need DEFROST so I crack a window next to an unoccupied seat. (I should have been an engineer.)
The check engine light was due to one of the wheels turning at a different speed than the others. Imagine my surprise to hear that in the winter when there's hard packed snow and ice.
And who installs heated leather seats and NO heated steering wheel. (Must have known about the battery.)
Using REMOTE START means you have to preset your dash prior to shutting off your vehicle the night before. Then when you touch the door handle the car shuts off. Really? Key Fob requires requires excessive steps and the Mobile App requires; email, password and start feature.
NAVIGATION won't come up without a cell phone attached which is odd because my 2016 Tundra brings it up whenever it's running.
That spaceship sound it makes which is louder in reverse. That's so someone nearby knows the car is in gear. Yet I nearly get hit by a truck I walked in front of, in a parking space, because the engine was so quiet. Maybe just a better sound.
The OE tires were on sale at the dealership. Buy 3 and get the 4th free. Well the OE tires didn't impress me with performance or how many miles they went. BUT I did get a great set of replacement tires. If my wife wants a new Highlander, it won't leave the lot until I have the Crossclimate 2 tires on it.
It's a great vehicle but if Toyota can't overcome those simple problems they should reduce the price and extend the service program.
Verified Owner
