[AJ275]

Hi all! I purchased a new 2022 Highlander Platinum about 3 weeks ago. I have a strange issue. When the air or heat are on, I seem to have issues with cabin pressure. It seems like there is too much pressure in the cabin and it adversely effects my ears. It is worse if I have it set to bring in fresh air as that affects me almost immediately. On recirculate, it takes about 30-40 minutes before I feel it. All the windows are up at the time. But it is the same sensation in my ears as if the back window was down. My passengers have also noticed this. I travel the interstate daily so cracking a window is not really an option as it makes for a very loud trip. I will add, if I am driving around town at less than 30mph, it doesn't seem to have any adverse effects on my ears.

I have taken it back to the dealership once and they did not see any issues.

Has anyone else noticed this? Or have any possible causes?

 

[lipster1]

At the rear of the car there is a vent with a flap that lets air out, but no in. Ask them to check that.

 

[lightfreak]

The ventilator flap is behind the rear bumper , on the driver’s side. It’s a simple part with lightweight flaps that open with air flow and fall back down on their own weight, similar to bathroom exhaust fan outlets on the exterior of a home. The flaps might be stuck closed or there’s an obstruction behind them.

the passenger side has a solid cover with no flaps

Since your dealer is being useless there’s a good pdf file with instructions on bumper removal posted here:

2020 Highlander Limited, OEM factory hitch, Painted...

I photo highlights and put all pieces of info and instructions in attached pdf file. It was the work I done on my 2020 highlander XLE AWD. Hope you find it useful

www.toyotanation.com

No need to remove the whole bumper, only need to release the driver’s side enough to access the vent.

 

[lipster1]

If there is something amiss with those flap(s), you should really notice pressure in your ears when you close the door with the windows closed.

 

[AJ275]

The ventilator flap is behind the rear bumper , on the driver’s side. It’s a simple part with lightweight flaps that open with air flow and fall back down on their own weight, similar to bathroom exhaust fan outlets on the exterior of a home. The flaps might be stuck closed or there’s an obstruction behind them.



View attachment 404471

the passenger side has a solid cover with no flaps

View attachment 404472


Since your dealer is being useless there’s a good pdf file with instructions on bumper removal posted here:

2020 Highlander Limited, OEM factory hitch, Painted...

I photo highlights and put all pieces of info and instructions in attached pdf file. It was the work I done on my 2020 highlander XLE AWD. Hope you find it useful

www.toyotanation.com

No need to remove the whole bumper, only need to release the driver’s side enough to access the vent.

Thank you! I will check this. It sounds like this might be the reason it takes an extra hard shove to close my doors also.

 

[GasStrut]

. . . it takes an extra hard shove to close my doors also.

Open one of your windows about a quarter way down and gently slam one of the other doors.
If the door closes easily, the pressure release flaps (or something blocking them) are very suspect.
I don't know how difficult it is to access the flap area from the interior but it might be an easier approach than from the exterior.

 

[JB in AZ]

Thank you! I will check this. It sounds like this might be the reason it takes an extra hard shove to close my doors also.

We also had to use the "extra hard shove" when closing the front doors, and the dealer said it would "fix itself". After almost a year (bought Dec 25, 2021), either we have become accustomed to using extra leverage when closing the doors, or the gaskets have compressed enough. ??? Sad really, as this is the first new car that we have owned that did this, and we have bought a lot of new cars.

Be sure to let us know if the flaps mentioned are the issue for you.

 

[lipster1]

Is any one old enough to remember the 70's Beetles?
Shuting the doors was an Olympic event!

 

[MI-HL]

Is any one old enough to remember the 70's Beetles?

I had a '64 and a '67. So airtight that they would likely float across the Atlantic back to Europe.