NHTSA Complaint #10366709 — 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

VEHICLE: 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. DEFECT: THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH (THE DEVICE THAT TURNS OFF THE SIGNAL AFTER A TURN IS COMPLETED) HAS FAILED IN OUR VEHICLE. WE ARE TOLD BY A LOCAL DEALER THAT TOYOTA'S TURN SIGNAL SWITCHES FAIL AT A VERY HIGH RATE. THIS COMPONENT SHOULD NEVER FAIL OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. GIVEN THE HIGH INCIDENCE OF FAILURES, TOYOTA'S DESIGN IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE. HAZARD: IF THE DRIVER FORGETS TO MANUALLY TURN THE SIGNAL OFF, OTHER DRIVERS ARE GIVEN A FALSE SIGNAL AND LIKELY TO MISINTERPRET THE DRIVER'S INTENT. THIS COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. REPAIR: TOYOTA'S CHARGE FOR REPAIRING THE DEFECTIVE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS EXCESSIVELY HIGH -- APPROXIMATELY $450. CONSEQUENTLY, MANY DRIVERS ARE FORCED TO ACCEPT AND LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM, RESULTING IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION. REMEDY: TOYOTA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO EITHER RECALL AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TURN SIGNAL SWITCHES OR REPAIR THEM AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. *TR