QuestionI have 2004 Highlander with 17K miles. The VSC light and alarm sporadically keeps coming on. Happens in all road conditions (wet and dry)and at different speeds. Each occurrence stays on for various lengths of time. When it happens with car going 55+ mph the car abruptly slows to <40 mph and will not go any faster. I took it to the dealer and they said there was nothing wrong and they could not reproduce the effect. Said all the sensors and chips were fine. The day I got the car back it happened three times for me. This seems like a safety issue. Have other people had this same problem with VSC? Thanks.
AnswerI have not experienced this problem and have not had this complaint but it sounds like there is a some sort of problem. When the VSC warning light comes on the computer has seen a problem with the system and will log a diagnostic trouble code(DTC) which the dealer should have been able to retreive and identify, don't understand why they said everything is OK.
I have checked Toyota's tech information system and there are no service bulletins concerning this condition.
Is it a safety issue? YES.
A couple of suggetions for you:
Take it back to the dealer and tell them to check for trouble codes.
Have a technician or shop foreman go for a test drive with you and demonstrate the problem.
Talk to the service manager and tell them you will not drive the car until they fix the problem and give you a rental car until the problem is solved.
If that fails to resolve the problem talk to the dealer's customer relations person.
If all else fails it's time to call Toyota's customer service line and get them involved, it's an 800 number and it is in your owner's manual, these people do not like having dissatisfied customers and will assist you in resolving the problem with the dealer.
