4th Generation Toyota Highlander (and Grand Highlander) Thread

[Sulu]

Toyota Has A Fix For Issue That Forced A Stop-Sale On Grand Highlander And Lexus TX | Carscoops

At the same time, around 154,000 Grand Highlander and TX models in the hands of customers need to be repaired

www.carscoops.com

Toyota has developed a fix for the Grand Highlander and Lexus TX that will allow it to end a stop-sale after the pair of SUVs failed an NHTSA audit in May because of defective side-curtain shield airbags.

An investigation from the national safety agency revealed that the side curtain airbag of the Grand Highlander and TX failed to stay fully inside the cabin if deployed with the driver’s side window rolled down. It found that one of the corners of the airbag could be pushed outside. It didn’t take long before Toyota’s engineers were able to re-create the fault and on June 20, the brand issued a recall notice and stop-sale to work on a fix.

Fast forward to September, and the group vice president of Toyota Motor North America’s quality division, Kent Rice, has confirmed that a remedy has been developed. Speaking with Auto News, Rice said engineers have worked with suppliers to modify the anchoring systems of the airbags, bringing them back into compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

 

[Flagship1]

Toyota Has A Fix For Issue That Forced A Stop-Sale On Grand Highlander And Lexus TX | Carscoops

At the same time, around 154,000 Grand Highlander and TX models in the hands of customers need to be repaired

www.carscoops.com

So similar to the Kia Ev9 remedy, but without any idea of a working timeline when unsold stock and customer cars will get the fix.

Edit: unsold stock gets fix last, 158k cars will get the notification starting in october, and production pause is lifted end of october.

Dealers, btw get ready to move the 4k fixed but unsold MY24 units before EOY24.

 

[Flagship1]

didnt think about this until reading C&D, but 44% sales drop on the highlander, despite no GH/stop sale

 

[qtb007]

didnt think about this until reading C&D, but 44% sales drop on the highlander, despite no GH/stop sale

The year over year drop for Highlander is because the GH was just starting to trickle onto lots a year ago. Highlander has been down roughly that percentage the entire calendar year.

Unfortunately, Toyota can't just turn volume back on for Highlander to make up for lost GH production. The lines at Indiana are flexible, but if the suppliers for Highlander parts (that aren't common to GH/TX/Sienna) already scaled down due to GH launch, they usually aren't able to just turn the supply base back on. Say a supplier of part A was making 200k/yr for Highlander and they got the business for the equivalent Grand Highlander part. Say they had 5 lines making that part, so they converted 2 of them over to Grand Highlander dropping the capacity to 120k Highlander and 80k Grand Highlander. They still need that capacity for Grand Highlander when it gets restarted. In order to ramp back up on Highlander, they'd have to invest in converting and qualifying 2 of those lines back to Highlander just to turn around 4 months later to convert back to GH when the airbag fix was in. Now apply that dynamic to every single part between the two vehicles that aren't common.

 

[Flagship1]

Understood. Has any other metric beside sales volume, such as average day on lot times changed for the highlander negatively though?

 

[Motor]

Toyota Grand Highlander Adds Hybrid Nightshade Edition and LE Grade for 2025 - Toyota USA Newsroom

PLANO, Texas (Nov. 4, 2024) – When Toyota launched the Grand Highlander for the 2024 model year, it set out to build the ultimate family SUV. With spacious three row seating, ample rear cargo room, well-appointed standard comfort, three different powertrain choices, and a head-turning sporty...

pressroom.toyota.com

• Grand Highlander has ample space for people and cargo, including an adult-sized 3rd row and 97.5-cu.ft. of storage with second and third row seats folded down
• New Hybrid Nightshade Edition addsa stylish flare to the 2025 Grand Highlander lineup with black exterioraccents, black wheels, and JBL® Premium Audio standard
• New LE Grade brings outstanding value to the 2025 Grand Highlander lineup with standard features like 8-person seating, 3-zone climate control, and 12.3-in. touchscreen
• Grand Highlander models are available in a choice of Hybrid MAX, Hybrid, or gas powertrains and All- or Front-Wheel Drive options for an efficient-yet-capable drive
• Hybrid MAX System brings impressive performance with 362 net combined HP and 400 lb.-ft. of torque
• Available tech like Traffic Jam Assist*, Head-Up Display, and Digital Rearview Mirror

 

[qtb007]

Friend of mine picked up a Grand Highlander Limited with the Hybrid Max powertrain around April. We all went to a Kacey Musgraves concert last weekend (3 adults, 3 kids) and I drove because our friend just had Lasik. Man, what a powertrain. Torque for days and instant response. It was really interesting how I could tell the transmission was shifting by the revs dropping but the acceleration didn't pause during the shift. That healthy rear motor is probably to thank for that sensation.