NHTSA Complaint #11189699 — 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

TWICE THE AWD SYSTEM HAS FAILED. 12/28/2016 AND MARCH 17/ 2019. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THE THE 4WD SHUTS DOWN ALONG WITH THE TRAC AND VEHICLE STABILITY SYSTEM. UNDER BOTH TIMES THE CAR WAS BEING OPERATED IN EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS OF DEEP HEAVY SNOW, SLUSH, ICE AND MUD. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ALLOW THE WHEELS TO SPINS ENABLING ME TO KEEP MOVING IN THE HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. I NEEDED TO SHIFT BETWEEN 1, 2 AND 3 GEARS TO ENGAGE THE HIGHER REVS TO SPINS THE TIRE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM GETTING STUCK OR SLIDING OFF THE ROAD. IN BOTH INSTANCES I WAS IN REMOTE, ISOLATED AREAS WITH NO HELP AND NO CELL SERVICE. THE DECEMBER 2016 INSTANCES WAS REPAIRED BY A TOYOTA DEALER IN OMAHA. DEALER COULD NOT READILY UNDERSTAND HOW THE PROBLEM INITIATED.