This is the second time we have had a rock damage the AC condenser. This must be a flaw in the design. Insurance has reimbursed us minus our deductible but now we are at 1000 dollars out of our pocket because of a design flaw. I think Toyota needs to look at this defect immediately before we have to repair our AC condenser again.
6 inch oil spot on ground under mid-passenger side toward rear. Brought it immediately to Toyota for diag. I was told to not use A/C. 600$ (CDN) part was installed for repair. They (hopefully) refilled the oil that leaked out and A/C was also refilled. Problem seems fixed. Was damage done to system? Unknown!
We purchased our Highlander right before the pandemic; we have put about 20k miles in 2.5 years. We noticed that the AC would only blow warmish air about a week ago. We took it to the dealership, and they informed us that the AC condenser had something strike it, which punctured it and caused the issue because this was an "outside influence" we would have to pay for the repair, as it is not covered under warranty. I searched on the internet and found this forum where it seems that this has happened to more than just us. It appears that a strike on an AC condenser is typically a rare instance, but it seems to happen to the Highlander more often. I also heard the dealership had been repairing another AC condenser the same day for the same issue. I now think that this is an issue for Highlander's and might be a design flaw due to the large gaps in the grill.
On 1/10/2021 I drove to El Paso, TX From Douglas, AZ. Weather has been cold in Douglas, and as I was getting close to EL Paso I felt the need to turn on the A/C. Air was blowing but no cool air was coming out. I took my vehicle to its first service to Auto Nation Toyota and let them know about the A/C problem. They told me that a rock had hit and punctured the condenser,. Road hazards are not part of the warranty so I have to pay $1100 in order to get it fixed. How is it possible for a rock to make a hole on a condenser? This is the first time I hear something like that. I had a 2017 Highlander and never had that problem. I have driven a Suburban since 2004 and never had that problem. Is it something we are going to be dealing with with this vehicle? Am I going to have to replace the condenser every time I make a trip. Can Toyota do something about this?
One day after purchasing a 2020 Toyota Highlander Limited was driving from Phoenix, AZ to San Diego and AC stopped working (blowing hot air) about 100 miles out. Total miles on car less than 200. Drove back to Phoenix in 104 deg heat with no AC (1.5 hours). Took vehicle directly to dealer, who next day said rock hit AC condenser punching a hole letting the coolant escape. Since road hazard my problem, not covered by warranty or extended warranty. My 2010 Highlander has driven this same road hundreds of times with no problems (and not even a ding in the AC condenser). Toyota obviously took so much weight out of the car they made the fins on the condenser so thin they cannot withstand a rock - a design defect since the condenser is in the front of the car and will get hit by rocks (on my third windshield in my 2010 Highlander due to multiple chips from rocks). A big rock should bend the cooling fins perhaps, but not punch a hole in the tube holding the coolant. Two weeks later vehicle still sits in the dealer (AutoNation Tempe Toyota) service department waiting on resolution - they do not want to talk to me, do not return my calls. I may try to return the vehicle since I make that drive several times a month.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This is the second time we have had a rock damage the AC condenser. This must be a flaw in the design. Insurance has reimbursed us minus our deductible but now we are at 1000 dollars out of our pocket because of a design flaw. I think Toyota needs to look at this defect immediately before we have to repair our AC condenser again.
- Gary Z., Sullivan, US