NHTSA Complaint #758802 — 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

WHILE DRIVING A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, THAT WE LEASED ON 01/08/2002, WE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM: WHEN THE WINDOWS ON THE REAR DOORS ARE LOWERED, THE VEHICLE MAKES A VERY LOUD TURBULANCE NOISE AND VIBRATION OCCURS, THAT MAKES THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. ON 01/12/2002, ACCOMPANIED BY MY BROTHER-IN-LAW, WE VISITED TOYOTA OF CERRITOS, WHERE I HAD LEASED THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, AND ADVISED THEM OF THIS PROBLEM. THE SALES MANAGER DALE POGODA, SAID " THEY HAVE RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS IN REGARDS TO ALL OF THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS AND IT IS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, AND THAT ALL THAT THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT IS GETTING THE VEHICLES OFF THERE LOT". I HAVE CONTACTED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER AT TOYOTA OF CERRITOS, CROWN TOYOTA'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT, TOYOTA REGIONAL OFFICE CASE NO. 200201160431, AND FOLLOWED THE ARBITRATION PROCESS. THEY ADVISED US THAT THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION OF THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DUE TO THE SHAPE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY SUV'S LIKE THE DODGE DURANGO, FORD EXPEDITION AND CHEVY TAHOE'S. AND NONE OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM, I FEEL THAT I HAVE A TRUE ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE AN VEHICLE ACCIDENT OCCURS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *AK