| Issue ID | 1463215 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 11090274 |
| Manufacurer | Toyota Motor Corporation |
| Brand | TOYOTA |
| Model | HIGHLANDER |
| Model Year | 2013 |
| File date | 26/04/18 |
| Component | ENGINE |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | I am asking that the nhtsa investigate the 2013 highlander limited for the ability to turn off the car while in "drive" after parking. We purchased our car new form the dealer, and ever since we have been able to turn the car off the vehicle after parking but in "drive" which has led to the car unintentionally rolling downhill on several times. On two occasions it has led to the car not restarting. We have asked our local dealer and service people, at toyota of seattle, about this several times and have been told, albeit with inconstant reasoning, that the car was designed to have this capability. We have two small children and to us this seem extremely dangerous, as the only way to be alerted to the fact that you've left the car in "drive", other than the vehicle rolling, is a beep sound. However, this beep is the exact same sound alert you get when your lights are on, or a door is open, or you're running out of gas -- making it a common sound that does not signify a dangerous situation. Also, often this sound does not register in the brain until you are out of the vehicle, because the same sound is used to alert that a door has been opened before the car was turned off. In which case, the noise goes away after you get out and close the door. We have had several occasions where our children have gotten out of the parked vehicle while we're trying to determine the source of the beep and then the car will start rolling. I am a careful person, so given my innumerable close calls with this issue i encourage you to investigate this issue before someone is killed. Thank you of your time. Sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6). |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 50000 |
| Number of Occurences | 1 |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | SEATTLE, WA |
| VIN pattern | 5TDDK3EH6DSXXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
| Was incedent reported to police? | N |
| Was medical attention required? | N |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | |
| No. of fatalities | |
| Date of purchase | 07/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | N |
| Anti-lock brakes | N |
| Cruise control | N |
| Number of cylinders | 6 |
| Drive train type | FWD |
| Transmission type | |
| Vehicle speed | 0 |
| 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 |