2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Troubles: Columbus Owner’s Lemon Law Battle

DEAR SUZANNE

By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 199 – From Marsh E. from Savannah, GA

Dear Suzanne,

A year ago, if someone had told me I’d be in this sour situation, I’d have denied it up and down. I always thought getting a Toyota Highlander was the perfect decision since it was reliable and family-friendly, but here I am, a year later, regretting every step.

When I first leased the 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid last year, I thought, “It’s Toyota, the brand known for dependability. What could possibly go wrong?” Well, maybe I should have knocked on wood because I guess I jinxed it. This journey has been eventful, and I’m ready to share why I’ll probably never go hybrid again.

The Electrical System and the Error Code Popup Party

Right from the start, I began to notice problems. Only a month after getting my shiny new Highlander, an error code popped up with the hybrid system. I thought it was a simple notification, but this proved to be no ordinary glitch, and it would be my first of many trips to the Toyota dealership.

This first year of ownership went by in a blur of dealership visits, with every month bringing a new challenge. One time, it was because the hybrid cable wasn’t being recognized by the computer anymore. Then came the firmware updates, after which we had to reinstall this old firmware twice.

Finally, after a prolonged battle with the hybrid system, I gave up and decided it was fine as a regular gas-powered vehicle. But guess what? With my Highlander, the gas and hybrid systems are so intertwined that you can’t just do one or the other. If there’s a problem with the hybrid or electrical system in any way, it means I can’t drive the vehicle.

When I first told my dealership, they thought I was exaggerating the issue. So, I handed the car to them to test-drive for a few days. When they returned it, they said they experienced the same issues I had described and knew my complaints were legit.

A Cross-Country Disaster

Fast forward to last spring. I figured it was time to give the Highlander one more shot, so I had it serviced, cleaned, and tuned up for a big cross-country road trip. I had dreams of exploring America’s scenic routes with my family laughing in the backseat and everything going smoothly for once.

For a while, it was perfect. The Highlander handled the drive to Florida well enough, where we would spend an entire month catching up with friends, but, of course, my Highlander had other plans.

Three weeks into the trip, I went to grab coffee one morning, and a dual error message popped up: “Electrical system needs servicing” and “Hybrid electrical vehicle system needs servicing.” Great! I decided to mostly ignore it since the car still started and ran fine. At least, it did for a while, until Sunday morning came around.

Falling Apart and Being Stranded in Florida

That bright Sunday morning, we got ready to head to church and hopped into the Highlander. I pressed the start button… and nothing. The dashboard lit up, the air conditioning turned on, but the engine refused to start. Geez, I thought, something must be wrong with the starter.

I checked the battery, which seemed fine, so I kept trying, but the car just wouldn’t turn over. As a result, we had to forfeit going to church that Sunday.

Monday morning came and I called for a tow, and they shipped my Highlander to the nearest Toyota dealer. Nineteen days later, my car was still sitting there, and I hadn’t heard anything from them. Two days later, I had to call and track them down to get an update. It was then they told me that they still hadn’t figured out what was wrong. Their electrical expert had been working on it, but every system showed up as offline when they ran diagnostics. How could that even be possible?

Feeling Stuck

Anyway, it’s almost time for us to return home, and things have become complicated. Toyota gave us a loaner car, which is fine, but it didn’t solve our bigger problem: we don’t live in Florida. We need to get back home, but how? If we leave, the Highlander will be stuck here, and we’ll have to figure out how to retrieve it later. I don’t have the money needed to tow it from Florida to our dealership back home.

This is not a mere inconvenience. It is ridiculous, and it’s been over three weeks with no news or any idea of how long it will be at the repair shop.

At this point, I’m convinced it’s a lemon, and I’ve started looking into Lemon Laws. My spouse is an attorney, so that helps, but I don’t want it to come to that. I just want my car back.

What can the Georgia Lemon Law do for me?

We still have a year left on the lease, and the thought of spending the next 12 months fighting Toyota is exhausting. Do you think it’s a good option to opt for the Lemon Law? Can’t the manufacturer just swap it out for another Highlander? Or maybe even a Camry? At this point, I don’t mind driving anything as long as it works.

Marsh E. from Savannah, GA

Navigating Georgia Lemon Law with Your 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Dear Marsh,

You’ve been on a nightmare journey with your 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. I know how irritating it must be to deal with unreliable vehicles, especially when they disrupt important moments with your family.

Let’s look at the details of the Georgia Lemon Law to see how it can provide you with the relief you deserve.

Do You Think It’s a Decision to Opt for Lemon Law Compensation?

Yes, I think deciding to seek relief under Georgia Lemon Law is a good option for you. Based on your description, it seems like your vehicle may qualify for lemon law benefits in Georgia. To qualify, your vehicle must meet certain criteria:

• Substantial Defects: Your vehicle must have one or more substantial defects covered by the warranty that significantly impair its use, value, or safety. The issues you’ve described, such as the recurring electrical problems, hybrid system failures, and the vehicle refusing to start, appear to be substantial defects.
• Repair Attempts: The manufacturer or dealer must have made a reasonable number of attempts to repair the vehicle. Typically, this means three or four attempts to fix the same defect or one attempt to repair a defect that could cause serious injury or death. You’ve mentioned multiple repair attempts without resolution.
• Time Frame: The issues must occur within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles of ownership, whichever comes first. Since your vehicle is a 2024 model, it appears to fall within this time frame.

Can’t the Manufacturer Just Swap It Out for Another Highlander or a Camry?

The Georgia Lemon Law allows for several remedies, including a replacement vehicle or a refund. If the manufacturer is unable to fix the substantial defects after a reasonable number of attempts, they are required to either replace the vehicle with a comparable new one or refund the purchase price. 

You can request a replacement vehicle, and if they cannot provide a suitable Highlander, you may discuss the option of a different model like a Camry. However, the final decision will depend on the terms of your lease and negotiations with the manufacturer.

What Are the Different Options Under the Law That Would Allow Me to Move On?

Under the Georgia Lemon Law, you have several options:

1. Replacement: The manufacturer can replace your defective vehicle with a new one of comparable value. This means you could potentially get another Highlander or a different model that meets your needs.
2. Refund: The manufacturer can refund you the purchase price or lease payments made, minus a reasonable allowance for vehicle use. This option would allow you to use the refunded money towards a new vehicle purchase or lease.
3. Cash Settlement: In some cases, the manufacturer may offer a cash settlement instead of a replacement or refund. This would compensate you for the defects and allow you to decide how to proceed with a new vehicle.

Next Step: Consult a Lemon Law Attorney

I highly recommend consulting with a knowledgeable lemon law attorney. They can guide you through the process, help you gather necessary documentation, and represent your interests to achieve the best possible outcome. This step is crucial to ensuring your rights are fully protected.

Marsh, you’re almost through with the frustration of owning this car. So far, you’ve done a good job of being patient through this ordeal, and you will soon be rewarded for it. With a little more time and the help of an experienced lemon lawyer, you can walk away with a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement. Don’t live with your lemon another day!

Suzanne

Get Rid of Your 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Lemon Car Headaches!

Dear reader, are your vehicle problems ruining your life? Confused about what legal route to take? We’re here to help! Find information about Texas’ lemon law protections here, fill out the form on this page, or give us a call at (833) 743-1990 to discuss your situation with someone who understands how frustrating it can be to have a lemon car, and what to do about it.

DEAR SUZANNE is a weekly column written by Suzanne Henderson and published in LemonLawyers.ORG. If you have a defective lemon vehicle and have questions about Georgia Lemon Lawyer or how to file a claim, please write to [email protected]. While not guaranteed, we will try to feature your letter in this column to provide you the answers you need, as well as enlighten other consumers who may have lemon problems similar to yours.

Disclaimer: Suzanne Henderson is not a lawyer and the points discussed here are intended for general information and reference purposes only and not to be construed as legal advice. Please consult a Georgia Lemon Lawyer to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.

Related Articles:

• Common Defects Covered Under Georgia Lemon Law
• How to File a Lemon Law Claim in Georgia: Step-by-Step Process Explained
• Georgia Lemon Law: Eligibility and Requirements Explained

Featured Images:

• 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid ©Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)