NHTSA Complaint #10533441 — 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY WITH THE FAMILY (50MPH), CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL SUDDENLY TURN ON AND FLICKER ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. ENGINE POWER HESITATES. AT THE STOPLIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO TURN ON, AND OFF RANDOMLY, AS WELL AS TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. ENGINE APPEARS TO BE STALLING AT TIMES, AND RPM BOUNCES BETWEEN 500-900. ACCELERATION WHEN PRESSING AGAINST GAS PEDAL RESULTS IN UNEVEN ACCELERATION. PULLED VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE, TURNED ENGINE OFF, AND EXAMINED VEHICLE. EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DO NOT SEE ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS. TURNED VEHICLE BACK ON, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH TRACTION CONTROL OFF. MOMENTS LATER, LIGHTS TURN BACK ON. LIMPED VEHICLE BACK TO RESIDENCE VIA LOCAL ROADS. CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT ON/OFF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL. AFTER ARRIVING AT RESIDENCE, PARKED VEHICLE AND PERFORMED ADDITIONAL EXAMINATION. NOTICED BURNING SMELL AT REAR BRAKE SHOES, POSSIBLY FROM TRACTION CONTROL HOLDING ON TO BRAKES. WILL BRING CAR TO DEALERSHIP ON 08/05/13 FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. *TR