
571
8When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)8-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers .......... 572
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ...................... 573
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed ..................... 575
If you think something is wrong .......................... 579
Fuel pump shut off system ............................ 580
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds ............................ 581
If a warning message is displayed ..................... 591
If you have a flat tire.......... 608
If the engine will not start ........................... 633
If the electronic key does not operate properly........ 635
If the vehicle battery is discharged ................... 638
If your vehicle overheats ........................ 644
If the vehicle becomes stuck ............................... 647

5818-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
If a warning light turns on or a warning
buzzer sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights
comes on or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then
goes off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the
system. However, if this continues to occur, have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Warning light and warning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)*1
Indicates that:
• The brake fluid level is low; or
• The brake system is malfunctioning
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer. Continuing to drive the vehi-
cle may be dangerous.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp Indicates a malfunction in:
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The electronic automatic transmission control system.
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
ABS warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.

5828-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)Parking brake warning light (warning buzzer)*2
Indicates that the parking brake is engaged
→ Release the parking brake.
Electric power steering system warning light (warning
buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steer-
ing) system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Slip indicator
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) system;
• The TRAC (Traction Control) system;
• The Trailer Sway Control;
• The hill-start assist control system; or
• The downhill assist control system
*3
The light will flash when the VSC, TRAC or Trailer Sway
Control
system is operating.
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Low fuel level warning light
Indicates that remaining fuel is approximately 2.9 gal.
(10.7 L, 2.4 Imp. gal.) or less
→ Refuel the vehicle.
Driver’s and front passenger’ s seat belt reminder light
(warning buzzer)
*4
Warns the driver and/or front passenger to fasten their
seat belts
→ Fasten the seat belt.
If the front passenger’s seat is occupied, the front
passenger’s seat belt also needs to be fastened to
make the warning light (war ning buzzer) turn off.
Rear seat seat belt reminder lights (warning buzzer)*5
Warns the second and/or third seat passengers to fasten
their seat belts. An indicator corresponding to an unfas-
tened second or third seat seat belt will illuminate.
→ Fasten the seat belt.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions

5838-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
PCS (Pre-Collision System) warning light When the warning light flashes (and a buzzer sounds):
Indicates a malfunction in the PCS (Pre-Collision system)
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
When the warning light flashes (and a buzzer does not
sound):
Indicates that the PCS (Pre-Collision system) is temporar-
ily unavailable, possibly due to either of the following:
• An area around the radar sensor or camera sensor being dirty or covered with condensation, ice, stickers,
etc.
→ Clear the dirt, condensation, ice, stickers, etc.
(→P. 256)
• Radar sensor or camera sensor operational conditions
(such as temperature etc.) being not met
→ Driving is possible in th is case. The PCS (Pre-Colli-
sion System) will be enabled if the operational condi-
tions (such as temperature etc.) are met again.
When the warning light is illuminated:
Either the VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) system or PCS
(Pre-Collision system) is disabled or both are disabled.
→ To enable the PCS, enable both the VSC system and
PCS. ( →P. 265, 334)
(Amber)
LDA (Lane Departure Alert wit h steering control) indica-
tor The indicator comes on and a warning message is dis-
played to indicate that the LDA (Lane Departure Alert with
steering control) system is not available temporarily or has
detected a malfunction.
→ P. 592
(Flashes)
Stop & Start cancel indicator*3
Indicates a malfunction in the Stop & Start system
(The Stop & Start cancel indicator will come on when the
system is canceled.: →P. 298)
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions

5848-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
Master warning lightA buzzer sounds and the warning light comes on and
flashes to indicate that the master warning system has
detected a malfunction.
→ P. 591
Tire pressure warning light
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as
• Natural causes ( →P. 586)
• Flat tire ( →P. 608)
→ Adjust the tire inflation pressure (including the
full-size spare tire) to the specified level.
The light will turn off af ter a few minutes. In case
the light does not turn off even if the tire inflation
pressure is adjusted, have the system checked by
your Toyota dealer.
When the light comes on after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire pressure warning system
( → P. 587)
→ Have the system checked by your Toyota dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions

5858-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
*1: Brake system warning buzzer: When there is a possible problem that couldaffect braking performance, the warning light will come on and a warning
buzzer will sound.
*2: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer: →P. 594
*3: If equipped
*4: Driver’s seat belt buzzer:
Vehicles without a smart key system: The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds
to alert the driver that his or her seat belt is not fastened. Once the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position, the buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. If
the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds once.
If the seat belt is still unfastened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound
intermittently for 6 seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the
buzzer will sound in a different tone for 90 more seconds.
Vehicles with a smart key system: The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds to
alert the driver that his or her seat belt is not fastened. Once the engine
switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode, the buzzer sounds for 6 seconds.
If the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds
once. If the seat belt is still unfastened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will
sound intermittently for 6 seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened,
the buzzer will sound in a different tone for 90 more seconds.
Front passenger’s seat belt buzzer:
The front passenger’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the front passenger
that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds once if the
vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). If the seat belt is still unfas-
tened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermittently for 6 seconds.
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different
tone for 90 more seconds.
*5: Rear seat seat belt buzzer:
The second and third passenger’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the sec-
ond and third passengers that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The
buzzer sounds for 6 seconds after the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph
(20 km/h). Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in
a different tone for 24 more seconds.

5868-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)■
SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front impact
sensors, side impact sensors (front door), side impact sensors (rear), driver’s
seat position sensor, driver’s seat belt buckle switch, front passenger occu-
pant classification system (ECU and sens ors), “AIR BAG ON” indicator light,
“AIR BAG OFF” indicator light, front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch,
driver’s seat belt pretensioner, front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner and
force limiter, airbags, interconnecting wiring and power sources. ( →P. 42)
■ Front passenger detection sensor, seat belt reminder and warning
buzzer
If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger detec-
tion sensor may cause the warning light to flash and the warning buzzer to
sound even if a passenger is not sitting in the seat.
■ If the malfunction indicator la mp comes on while driving
First check the following:
● Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.
● Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after several trips, contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.
■ Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
When the battery charge becomes insufficient or the voltage temporarily
drops, the electric power steering system warning light may come on and \
the
warning buzzer may sound.
■
When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level. Push-
ing the tire pressure warning reset switch will not turn off the tire pressure
warning light.
■The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes such
as natural air leaks and tire inflat ion pressure changes caused by tem-
perature. In this case, adjusting the ti re inflation pressure will turn off the
warning light (afte r a few minutes).

5878-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)■
When a tire is replaced with a spare tire
Vehicles with a compact spare tire
The compact spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure warning valve
and transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning light will not
turn off even though the flat tire ha s been replaced with the spare tire.
Replace the spare tire with the repair ed tire and adjust the tire inflation
pressure. The tire pressu re warning light will go off after a few minutes.
Vehicles with a full-size spare tire
The spare tire is also equipped with the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter. The tire pres sure warning light will turn on if the tire inflation
pressure of the spare tire is low. If a tire goes flat, even though the flat tire
is replaced with the spare tire, the tire pressure warning light does not
turn off. Replace the spare tire with the repaired tire and adjust to the
proper tire inflatio n pressure. The tire pressure warning light will turn off
after a few minutes.
■Conditions that the tire pressure warning system may not function
properly
→ P. 5 3 7
■If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking
for 1 minute
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1
minute when the engine switch is turned on, have it checked by your
Toyota dealer.
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
The vehicle speed linked seat belt reminder buzzer can be disabled.
(Customizable features →P. 690) However, Toyota recommends that the seat
belt reminder buzzer be operational to alert the driver and front passenger
when seat belts are not fastened.
■ Warning buzzer
In some cases, the buzzer may not be heard because of noisy place or an
audio sound.