NHTSA Complaint #10380881 — 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 19" RIMS WITH TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A20 TIRES ARE VERY UNSAFE. THIS TIRE/WHEEL COMBINATION WAS STANDARD ON 2008/09 LIMITED AND SPORT HIGHLANDERS. MY 2009 HIGHLANDER WOULD SLIP ALL OVER THE PLACE IN WINTER DRIVING. BY FAR THE WORST WINTER VEHICLE I EVER OWNED AND I'VE OWNED PLENTY THAT WERE NOT ALL-WHEEL DRIVE. LUCKILY THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM IS GOOD AND SAVED ME FROM SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. TOYOTA USED VERY LARGE 19" RIMS AND PERFORMANCE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. THE TIRES WERE WORN OUT AFTER 18 MONTHS AND 21,000 MILES. WHY TOYOTA THOUGHT BIG WHEELS AND PERFORMANCE TIRES WERE IMPORTANT TO AN SUV PURCHASER IS BEYOND ME. TOYOTA ALSO REFUSES TO STAND BEHIND THEIR SAFETY DEFECT (NOT TO MENTION THE TIRES ONLY LASTED 21,000 MILES). I PURCHASED 17" RIMS ON MY OWN AND TOYO PROVIDED CREDIT FOR 2 OF THE 4 NEW OPEN COUNTRY HT TIRES AND THE SUV IS NOW MUCH SAFER - IT NO LONGER FEELS LIKE I AM RIDING ON ROLLER SKATES! *TR