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Toyota STOPPING production on its new Grand Highlander due to Side Airbag not deploying. Recall soon

34K views 122 replies 35 participants last post by  knowak31  
#1 · (Edited)
#5 ·
I always take those YouTubers with a grain of salt. Sometimes they have accurate information, other times their videos are either clickbait or wild theories. There's tons of money to be made as a YouTuber these days- and the more clicks you get, the more money you get. Therefore, lots of channels post tons of videos with misleading headlines or just plain inaccurate information.

The YouTuber in the video above, for example, makes tons of videos that supposedly contain information about upcoming models. He made quite a few videos, for example, about the 2025 Camry long before it was revealed. Lots of his "information" was more of him guessing and rambling theory than factual information.

That, of course, doesn't mean that he's wrong about a possible stop sale, but again- always take them with a grain of salt. No one really controls or monitors the quality of information that's pushed out through YouTube, so it can be a dangerous place to get news or updates about anything important.

The NHTSA and IIHS are the best places to get information about automobile safety, not YouTube.
 
#6 ·
That's a pretty broad brush your painting with there! In general, I find the YouTubers to be pretty poor with their information and opinions. I've been watching this guy in particular for several years now. IMO, he's been pretty accurate with his information, where ever it's coming from. I believe he is one of the group that are actually invited to the manufacturers product introductions to review and evaluate the new vehicles well before (2 months in the case of the Crown Signia) they are released to the normal world.

I always take those YouTubers with a grain of salt. Sometimes they have accurate information, other times their videos are either clickbait or wild theories. There's tons of money to be made as a YouTuber these days- and the more clicks you get, the more money you get. Therefore, lots of channels post tons of videos with misleading headlines or just plain inaccurate information.

The YouTuber in the video above, for example, makes tons of videos that supposedly contain information about upcoming models. He made quite a few videos, for example, about the 2025 Camry long before it was revealed. Lots of his "information" was more of him guessing and rambling theory than factual information.

That, of course, doesn't mean that he's wrong about a possible stop sale, but again- always take them with a grain of salt. No one really controls or monitors the quality of information that's pushed out through YouTube, so it can be a dangerous place to get news or updates about anything important.

The NHTSA and IIHS are the best places to get information about automobile safety, not YouTube.
 
#7 ·
I'm waiting on a Grand Highlander and it was just placed on a 30-day hold in transit to address a pre-sale recall issue. So there may be something to it. But yes, I agree with others, youtube reviewers are not typically the best source of truth. I didn't get much from the dealer just it occasionally happens and is to address an issue or recall.
 
#9 ·
#20 · (Edited)
"That's why GHL doesn't qualify for IIHS Top Safety Pick. If you care about your and your family's safety, stay away from the GHL."

Yes, I could have bought a Kia K5, it is a IIHS top safety pick. Then all I would have to worry about is the gas tank expanding unexpectedly.

Or maybe a Ford Escape, it received a top IHSA rating. Then I can worry about it catching fire in my garage.
 
#23 · (Edited)
My biggest reason was the gas mileage in a big SUV. No big SUV such as my GHHL awd with 32 mpg out there. Not a single big suv out there (no lexus nor premium examples plz) that will give u 32mpg of such a size suv as ghhl.
All current big suv are v6 with 22 mpg if that much.
19mpg is much more realiatic today.
In my ghhl awd hybrid in sports mode I get 32 mpg in my ghhl awd hybrid 2.5L. I put on sport mode at startup and my pickup is amazing! For such a big suv. Try the sports mode. It will get ur steering wheel firmer and pickup is amaizing!!!

for this recall: just Keep ur windows closed and ur side bag will still protect u in rollover or side collision. No worries.
Toyota is very reliable.
Keep ur windows closed and dont text & die.
Roman
PS do not buy the turbo GH. Low MPG on turbo. Buy Hybrid GH and u will win mpg.
 
#26 ·
We have a GHL on the way and dealership GM is telling us that it is not part of the stop sale. If true, that makes me think Toyoto already has a fix identified and in place for latest production GHLs.

Anyone else with a GHL on order have any info on what your dealer is saying?
He's definitely lying to you and I would use this to haggle. If you want me to take this vehicle off the lot then I'll need a discount. There is not a fix yet.
 
#29 ·
Yes, there are other vehicles that are "top safety picks" that people could consider over a Grand Highlander. The two mentioned above- the Pilot and CX90, certainly are vehicles with that distinction. With that said, I don't think that either of them hold an edge over the reliability and overall ownership experience of a Highlander or Grand Highlander.

Mazda in general isn't in the same league as Toyota in terms of reliability. The CX-90 has had quite a few issues in the short time that it's been on the market. It's powertrains are questionable- and are probably just as complicated as Toyota's new turbo four.

The Honda Pilot is considered by many to be a reliable vehicle- but Honda has been slipping lately. The Passport in my driveway is a prime example. What's worse is that many of its problems date back to when the Pilot (which it is based on) was overhauled back in 2016 (for that generation). Honda knew about the issues- but similar to katekebo's complaints about Toyota, did little to solve those problems- even years and years as the generation lived on. They didn't even fix them when they introduced the Passport in 2019. Lots of those issues impact pretty much all of Honda's larger vehicles that are all on the same platform and share a ton of parts- the Pilot, Passport, Odyssey, and Ridgeline. Granted, the new Pilot is different than the previous one that was problematic- but there are lots of question marks about the long-term reliability of that powertrain. It might be a V6, but Honda had to completely overhaul that engine in order to make it compliant with emission requirements- which are going to continue to toughen over the next few years. Similarly, the 10-speed automatic used in the Pilot is a question too. It's been on the market for a while- I think it came out in 2018 with the last-gen Accord... and hasn't had a lot of problems- but how well will it hold up when it's used in the 1000lb heavier Pilot? Honda's in-house transmissions haven't exactly been trouble-free throughout history- especially when put in heavier V6 vehicles. There's also the added cost of maintaining that engine- which requires a timing belt change every 100,000 miles. While that might not seem like a lot- it's an extra $1000-1500 expense that might make the uncertainty of Toyota's turbo four (which has been pretty reliable since it came out a few years ago). After 200,000 miles, that's roughly $3000 worth of added service- which might offset any potential small issues that could arise with the Toyota's 2.4t during the same period.

Toyota's 2.4t isn't really an all-new engine anyway- as it has been used by Lexus for a few years and it's heavily based on other engines that also have been pretty problem-free throughout the Toyota lineup.

In terms of safety, I think it's important to step back and really look at the overall picture. Don't get me wrong- Toyota needs to fix this airbag issue. With that said, size is on the Grand Highlander's side. I'd rather be in a Grand Highlander than a smaller vehicle that is a "top safety pick" if I were involved in an accident. It's also likely a much safer vehicle than something produced 5, 10, or 15 years ago.
 
#31 ·
According to a Toyota press release they will notify all owners of the GHL by mid Aug 2024, they are currently working on a remedy for this issue, (side curtain air bags). Those that were sold b4 the recall was announced, or on dealer lots prior, can be sold thru.
Yes, there are other vehicles that are "top safety picks" that people could consider over a Grand Highlander. The two mentioned above- the Pilot and CX90, certainly are vehicles with that distinction. With that said, I don't think that either of them hold an edge over the reliability and overall ownership experience of a Highlander or Grand Highlander.

Mazda in general isn't in the same league as Toyota in terms of reliability. The CX-90 has had quite a few issues in the short time that it's been on the market. It's powertrains are questionable- and are probably just as complicated as Toyota's new turbo four.

The Honda Pilot is considered by many to be a reliable vehicle- but Honda has been slipping lately. The Passport in my driveway is a prime example. What's worse is that many of its problems date back to when the Pilot (which it is based on) was overhauled back in 2016 (for that generation). Honda knew about the issues- but similar to katekebo's complaints about Toyota, did little to solve those problems- even years and years as the generation lived on. They didn't even fix them when they introduced the Passport in 2019. Lots of those issues impact pretty much all of Honda's larger vehicles that are all on the same platform and share a ton of parts- the Pilot, Passport, Odyssey, and Ridgeline. Granted, the new Pilot is different than the previous one that was problematic- but there are lots of question marks about the long-term reliability of that powertrain. It might be a V6, but Honda had to completely overhaul that engine in order to make it compliant with emission requirements- which are going to continue to toughen over the next few years. Similarly, the 10-speed automatic used in the Pilot is a question too. It's been on the market for a while- I think it came out in 2018 with the last-gen Accord... and hasn't had a lot of problems- but how well will it hold up when it's used in the 1000lb heavier Pilot? Honda's in-house transmissions haven't exactly been trouble-free throughout history- especially when put in heavier V6 vehicles. There's also the added cost of maintaining that engine- which requires a timing belt change every 100,000 miles. While that might not seem like a lot- it's an extra $1000-1500 expense that might make the uncertainty of Toyota's turbo four (which has been pretty reliable since it came out a few years ago). After 200,000 miles, that's roughly $3000 worth of added service- which might offset any potential small issues that could arise with the Toyota's 2.4t during the same period.

Toyota's 2.4t isn't really an all-new engine anyway- as it has been used by Lexus for a few years and it's heavily based on other engines that also have been pretty problem-free throughout the Toyota lineup.

In terms of safety, I think it's important to step back and really look at the overall picture. Don't get me wrong- Toyota needs to fix this airbag issue. With that said, size is on the Grand Highlander's side. I'd rather be in a Grand Highlander than a smaller vehicle that is a "top safety pick" if I were involved in an accident. It's also likely a much safer vehicle than something produced 5, 10, or 15 years ago.
“The Honda Pilot is considered by many to be a reliable vehicle- but Honda has been slipping lately.”

I think it’s fair to say that most auto manufacturers have been slipping as of late.
Not to be piling on T, but they are really on the hot seat now sweating all the manufacturing fails/recalls, not withstanding the caught cheating on emissions scandals, but that’s part of doing business as an OEM. Pay the fines and keep making profits.
The burdensome, onerous and over regulated auto industry here in the states with their zero emissions go green agenda, just a lot of BS, IMHO. 😒
 
#44 ·
It sounds like Toyota needs to investigate why the vehicle's airbag is not deploying as designed and then develop a solution- so it's anyone's guess in terms of how long this will take before production begins again and the stop sale is lifted. Same in terms of providing a fix for existing Grand Highlanders.

It's to Toyota's advantage to move quickly- but stuff like this just takes time.
 
#54 ·
Also the CDK computer hack, also, took out many Toyota Dealerships....unable to process selling vehicles because everything is computerized, now.

I asked my salesman at my local dealership (Corwin Toyota in Colorado Springs) and he said the hack has taken them down for 2-weeks but, thankfully, they have some pretty smart folks and are now selling the old fashion way, paper forms and fax machines! (I'm old enough to remember having my car insurance folks faxing my proof-of-insurance to the dealer when I bought a vehicle.)
 
#70 ·
We all have a choice in everything we buy. Some of us do research, and some don't, but in the end we all have to live with our decisions, good, bad or otherwise. If we have a bad experience hopefully we learn from it.

I have had over 50 cars in my driving time. While Buicks would still likely be in my driveway, if they made the Park Avenue (had 3 and loved 2 of them:) One with a Super Charger, shit the bed early on) … so I gave Toyota a try. When I did this, I already had a New Ford Tempo - Yeah what a joke, gave it back to the Ford, VW, Mazda dealership (I WORKED AT) after some 120 miles or , as it keep breaking down. Chevy Monti Carlo, (pretty nice car), GTO, Vega, Honda Accord, Vista Cruiser Wagon, Dodge Polara, Cutlass Supreme, Pretty nice car as well, and many others. Once I started with Toyotas, purchased 4Runner, 2, tercels, 2 Camry's, 6 Avalons, RAV4, Highlander, and this Grand Highlander Limited 2.5 hybrid, and non have given us any issues to make us rethink our current choice of cars.

About the only car I didn't own early on that I wanted was the Masa 626 5-door, boy really likely that car a lot (as well as the 929).

Nw don't mis-understand me, if money wasn't at all an issue, I might be driving something else (Not that these have been cheap cars)

So can and will Toyota fix this current issue (I don't think they have much of a choice), will it hurt them … damn straight, going to knock Grand Highlanders right out of the window for best selling SUV this year for sure. Is it going to help other look better then maybe they should … yes again.

In the end this should be a good thing, as long as Toyota not only fixes the issue, but understands what they'll need to do, to regain the trust of the American auto buyer.

Oh, I think the New GMC Acadia Denali is one sharp looking SUV. If it was available in a hybrid when we were looking at Grand Highlanders, buy it might be in the door yard.
 
#77 ·
I truly think Toyota makes great cars. They are getting too expensive for the average person. The average credit card debt for a family has risen to $16K. Their quality has slipped recently with the introduction of the turbo hybrid engines.

They will figure it out down the road. Maybe they have too many models and need to narrow their focus a bit.

I welcome the competition from other automakers. Toyota has improved the tech in their vehicles because of this competition. The multimedia entertainment center and safety systems in pre-2015 models was atrocious including Lexus models.

Kia and Hyundai no longer offer throw away products. They certainly should not be with MSRP’s above $70K for the EV9.

Consumers will buy what they want and auto manufacturers will adjust accordingly.
 
#79 ·
IMO, most likely owner/user error or neglect to adjust service to driving habits.

As the owner of a 2019 Hyundai Kona Limited, 1.6T four cylinder with a 7 speed DCT transmission, bought new, I can relate our experience. The car is my wife's and she has driven only ~25,000 miles in roughly five years, so not a lot of use and that it turns out is a problem with Hyundai gasoline powered Turbo engines. We have had the oil changed and analyzed every 3,000 miles since new.

Hyundai (and maybe all) Turbos need to get to full operating temps before you shut them off, or you end up with significant oil dilution from the unburnt fuel making it through the cylinders into the oil. This was an issue for my wife's driving style because she typically is going less the 5-10 miles in any direction before it is turned off. The Turbo DCT has been a lot of fun to drive, but 3,000 mile oil changes and full operating temp are mandatory to avoid significant oil viscosity dilution issues.

I can't even imagine what someone who goes with the 5,000 mile severe service schedule would experience, God forbid the 10,000 mile recommended service schedule. Personally, I would NEVER buy a used Hyundai Turbo simply because you most likely have no idea the previous owner maintained it or the frequency of oil changes.