We have a 2002 Highlander Limited, over past several months has been making a grinding/rasping noise when accelerating from a stop or red light, not immediately upon depressing the gas but a second later (2-5 mph). This happens about 50% of the time. Sometimes VSC ***** light pops up for a second and the car shudders like it's going to stall. The noise only occurs on acceleration from a stop, once we're past 5 mph everything is fine. We took the car to the dealer (we are still under warranty til November) and they just replaced the tranny which did nothing to solve the problem. The sound is on the driver's side, slightly in front of the driver's seat, not coming from the engine. To me it sounds like something's grinding against the front axle. Help would be appreciated, would like to have a clue before bringing it back in to the dealer.

Hello, I own same vehicle with exactly the same problem. have your dealer able to solve the problem. can you let me know what they did to fix? thanks.

I'd like to know the answer too. I have a 2002 Highlander Limited with the SAME problem. My mechanic looked it over with a fine toothed comb and could find nothing wrong. Sometimes it goes days without making the noise, and then, all of the sudden, it starts up again.