It started in the back passenger door panel armrest. My daughter's friend shifted in her seat and "POP". I was so aggravated thinking that she was being to rough with my vehicle, then I inspected all the door panels and every panel in the car is destined to do the same thing as time goes on. You can feel the THIN seam under the door panel (EVEN on 2010 floor models). It is a poor design flaw that should have never made it through a Quality Assessment check.
I am over warranty unfortunately and have pursued the replacement and even called JMFAMILY about it. The Area Service Manager offered to pay to fix 2 of the panels which will cost $100 each.. They send them to a uphostery guy and reenforce the arm with fiberglass and a thin metal piece.
A new $800 panel will evenually do the same thing. T
The bad thing is that they say it is normal wear and tear, but it is NOT. I am ver ycareful with my vehicles and over time the more it is used more and more peopel will start to come forward with the same issues, unfortunately MOST will be out of warranty.
Let me move your thread over to the Highlander forum so the folks there can help you out. As a fellow Highlander owner, welcome to the Highlander forums too!
__________________
-------------------------
2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
Not exactly sure what you are talking about...can you take a picture?
__________________
09 Toyota Highlander Sport 4wd - Black on Black leather, Moonroof, XM, Integrated iPhone/iPod, backup camera, Phillips Extreme Power bulbs, Painted mudguards, All-weather floormats
09 Toyota Corolla S -Moonroof, JBL, XM, Integrated iPhone/iPod
06 MINI Cooper S
It started in the back passenger door panel armrest. My daughter's friend shifted in her seat and "POP". I was so aggravated thinking that she was being to rough with my vehicle, then I inspected all the door panels and every panel in the car is destined to do the same thing as time goes on. You can feel the THIN seam under the door panel (EVEN on 2010 floor models). It is a poor design flaw that should have never made it through a Quality Assessment check.
I am over warranty unfortunately and have pursued the replacement and even called JMFAMILY about it. The Area Service Manager offered to pay to fix 2 of the panels which will cost $100 each.. They send them to a uphostery guy and reenforce the arm with fiberglass and a thin metal piece.
A new $800 panel will evenually do the same thing. T
The bad thing is that they say it is normal wear and tear, but it is NOT. I am ver ycareful with my vehicles and over time the more it is used more and more peopel will start to come forward with the same issues, unfortunately MOST will be out of warranty.
I HAD a 2008 HL with the same problem. I put my hand on the driver's arm rest to adjust my seat position and heard a "pop". A plastic section from inside the panel broke loose which allowed the arm rest to cave in anytime you used it. I took it to the dealer and they replaced the entire panel under warranty. The same day, I drove to the Nissan Dealer and traded the HL for a 2010 Murano LE loaded.
I HAD a 2008 HL with the same problem. I put my hand on the driver's arm rest to adjust my seat position and heard a "pop". A plastic section from inside the panel broke loose which allowed the arm rest to cave in anytime you used it. I took it to the dealer and they replaced the entire panel under warranty. The same day, I drove to the Nissan Dealer and traded the HL for a 2010 Murano LE loaded.
Wow!! You traded in a vehicle the very same day because of a broken piece of plastic? It sounds like the dealer took care of your needs. What are you going to do with the Murano when something similar happens to that vehicle?
This is a common flow in the vehicle. I've had my drivers arm rest repaired twice and it has broken again ever single time. The first time they replaced the entire panel and the second time they reinforced it.
We are fortunate in Australia to have Trade Practice laws which provide a statuatory warranty that can go beyond the period of the manufacturer's warranty. Something not being fit for purpose is covered here, and in my case as I've had a demonstrated history of the same problem I should be able to keep getting the dealer to fix it, even when the warranty expires (fingers crossed).
There are a couple of threads on the Australian Forums discussing the issue:
We have a past thread in this forum as well about the issue. BCJSTARFE, you might want to do a search of this forum and read through that thread as well.
__________________
-------------------------
2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
Wow!! You traded in a vehicle the very same day because of a broken piece of plastic? It sounds like the dealer took care of your needs. What are you going to do with the Murano when something similar happens to that vehicle?
Actually, I had advance warning about all the Toyota recalls coming up, so thought it would be a good time to unload the HL (I really liked the vehicle) before the resale value plunged.
I just took my 2008 Highlander Sport to address the cracked plastic in the driver's side armrest and the dealership states that Toyota refused to replace under warranty stating it is wear and tear. I think that is total bs.
You're right. It's BS. I have an '08 and they replaced the driver side panel and the right rear passenger. The service guy noted that the new panels have a product number that is different than the original and therefor he thought the replacement was re-designed to make it stronger. I've leaned on it and it does seem stiffer. If you think you need the part number I can find it for you.
yea i heard that same pop and it took me about a month to figure out what it came from. Every single door panel except for the front right door are broken like that so that now when u put weight on them they cave inward. that is EXTREMELY frustrating, I can't believe Toyota designed a car like that.
__________________
2008 Black Highlander Limited FWD
Nav (with override), Rear DVD | 900+ Watt Sound System | Headlight & Fog HID Projector Retrofit | LED Interior/Puddle Lights | Rattletrap Sound Deadener | Dueler HL Alenzas 255/55R19's |Updated Modification List
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
to Toyota Nation!
You traded in a vehicle the very same day because of a broken piece of plastic? It sounds like the dealer took care of your needs. What are you going to do with the Murano when something similar happens to that vehicle?
2008 Toyota Kluger KX-S
Linear Mode
