| Issue ID | 710331 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10256854 |
| Manufacurer | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION |
| Brand | TOYOTA |
| Model | HIGHLANDER |
| Model Year | 2003 |
| File date | 01/05/07 |
| Component | VISIBILITY |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | Temp (hot/cold) dial electrical short. Temp setting continuously fails to hold set temp & blows opposite of setting. Fear of electrical fire plus unable to defrost windshield for good visibility. Feel there should be a recall or some help on this item as after investigating i found that one dealership replaced 1,100 last year and has replace several already this year. I wouldn't have a problem except the failed switch can not be replace the whole assembly has to be replaced and that part cost $669. 00 plus labor to install. Being a single mom i don't have that kind of money and truly feel this is a safety issue due to the possibility of fire and not being able to defrost properly. |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 120000 |
| Number of Occurences | 1 |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | CHESTER, MD |
| VIN pattern | JTEHF21A630XXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
| Was incedent reported to police? | N |
| Was medical attention required? | |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | |
| No. of fatalities | |
| Date of purchase | 08/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | N |
| Anti-lock brakes | N |
| Cruise control | N |
| Number of cylinders | |
| Drive train type | |
| Transmission type | |
| Vehicle speed | 55 |
| DoT tire identifier | |
| Tire size | |
| Location of tire code | |
| Type of tire failure code | |
| Was defective tire repaired? | |
| Date of manufacture | |
| Type of child seat code | |
| Type of restraint | |
| Dealer's name | |
| Dealer's telephone number | |
| Dealer's city | |
| Dealer's state code | |
| Dealer's ZIP code |