NHTSA Complaint #10365988 — 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE NEW HEADLIGHT DESIGN ON THE 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER CAUSES THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS TO APPEAR AS IF THERE IS A VISOR ON THE LIGHTS. WHEN TRAVELING ON LEVEL ROADS OR GOING UP HILL THE HEADLIGHTS BEAM THROW DISTANCE IS EFFICIENT WITH THE VISOR EFFECT. HOWEVER, WHEN GOING DOWN HILL AFTER CRESTING A KNOLL, THE VISOR EFFECT DIMINISHES THE THROW DISTANCE OF THE HEADLIGHT BY AN ESTIMATED 50%. THIS LIGHT THROW REDUCTION TOOK ME BY SURPRISE AND CAUSED ME TO ALMOST HIT A DEER THIS EVENING ON THE FIRST NIGHT OF OWNERSHIP. TOYOTA NEEDS TO MAKE A CHANGE TO GET RID OF THE VISOR EFFECT. REQUEST NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS NEW DESIGN BEFORE NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS OCCUR. I AM CONTACTING TOYOTA TOMORROW TO SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY.