Toyota Grand Highlander Complaints

314 consumer complaints on file.

#11568378January 28, 2024
POWER TRAIN
Bought in September 2023, within the first month, it started making a clunking noise when the wheel was turned to the left. The noise continued to get louder and started to make the same noise when turning right. In November, I got in my vehicle and it wouldn’t start. The dash and everything was flashing and making a cranking noise. I took it to the nearest dealership. They “charged” my battery and said it was fine. Also stated the noise was a heat shield issue and they fixed it. As soon as I pulled out of dealership, it still made the noise. The next morning went to start car, battery was dead. Had it towed to dealership for them to replace the battery. I filed complaint with Toyota, a field tech guy looked at it and said it had a bad left CV axel. No warning lamps/icons. But…Dealership's said it was safe to drive. However, If it fails, it can cause the vehicle to stop or tires to lock up. Causing an accident! It can also cause more damage to vehicle parts/ transmission. Furthering decreasing the value of the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11565971January 17, 2024
POWER TRAIN
Faulty CV Axles installed on 2024 Grand Highlanders. Toyota is aware of the problem and have edited the production of newer models. They have not issued a bulletin or recall for the ones installed in older models. Older meaning in the last year. This is a brand new vehicle. It started making noise when turning 2 weeks ago. The noise has gotten louder and occurs with every turn. It initially only made the noise when turning on an incline. If the axle fails, you lose control of the entire vehicle. Several dealerships have had to service and replace the axles, so Toyota needs to formally recall the ones installed in earlier Grand Highlanders before someone gets hurt. The vehicle sensors do not detect this issue. It was detected from sound and service at a Toyota Dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11565051January 12, 2024
POWER TRAIN, STEERING
Every time we turn in the vehicle it knocks/clicks. A lot of research shows the CV Axle is causing this problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11564084January 8, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The hood vibrates at 50mph on the back 1/4 th closest to the windshield. It’s very distracting while driving. I also had an incident where adaptive cruise control in light rain did not appropriately anticipate traffic up head and I had to slam the brakes myself.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11563994January 7, 2024
POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Very loud Popping/clicking noises when turning/accelerating from a stop. Only had 2,162 miles on the vehicle when this happened. While driving, it also felt like my front driver side wheel was wobbling-very unsafe. Called Toyota roadside assistance and had car towed to dealership. Lead service technician was able to reproduce the popping and clicking noise. Dealership opened a case with Toyota, and had engineers come look. 10 days later, they called to tell me that they have to replace CV axle. Car was in the shop 18 days total. This problem shouldn’t be happening to a brand new car with 2,000 miles on it. There are MULTIPLE reports of this same thing happening to MULTIPLE Grand Highlander owners-on a “Grand Highlander Owners” Facebook page. Some have had to have both cv axles replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11560579December 17, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
The center console display stopped working the next day I picked up my car. This display also displays the feed from the rear-view camera, which is flaky because of this issue. The center console display enters a reboot cycle; it reboots every minute, distracting me while driving. I picked up this new vehicle on Dec 15, 2023. This issue started occurring on Dec 16, 2023.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11556687November 24, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I was driving around town and a loud bang, almost as loud as a gunshot. My moonroof had shattered into thousands of pieces.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11556220November 21, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
side mirror vibrated badly with out music turn on. with music, shaking likes dancing
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11556078November 20, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased this vehicle in Canada and I need to use this vehicle in United States roads as well. Toyota is reluctant to confirm this vehicle is meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards except labelling and it is safe to drive in United States roads. This vehicle is equipped with TPMS but it is not listed as a part present in the vehicle which makes me worry. Request you to probe this requirement and make me and my loved ones feel safe in driving this vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11555916November 19, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Toyota provides the ability to use a phone for a key. Only one key was provided due to chip shortages. My phone has been registered as a key. I left my home with only my phone. Upon coming out of the store my phone would not open the door after trying numerous fixes including calling Toyota. My wife unlocked the car remotely via satellite. Trying for 20 minutes with Toyota we could not get the vehicle to recognize my phone. My wife had to drive the only set of keys to my location. The vehicle still wouldn't start until I unlocked the vehicle with the FOB. Had this issue occured in a remote area without cell service I would have been locked out of my vehicle with no way to call for help.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11552857October 31, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
Hood vibrates, and on sunlight or cloudy days the light flickers in your vision. This is a safety concern that Toyota says is a normal characteristic of the vehicle. NOT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11551537October 24, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
Hope this email finds you well. I am writing just to give some feedback about my brand new Grand Highlander Platinum. Unfortunately, I have been noticing some issues with the hood (vibrating) at any speed which raised a huge concern about the safety of my family as it seems like the hood is going to fly away from the vehicle (at high speed like 50 mph or more). The formal response received from 2 different dealers is: We just got off the phone with the Toyota technical specialists about the concern with the hood. They have one other case open for the same complaint but are telling us there is no safety concern at this time and to release the vehicle back to you. We did test 2 other Grand Highlanders and they are both doing the same thing. My personal opinion is that due to the lightweight nature of the hood it is susceptible to flex and is showing that movement more obviously because of the black paint’s reflection properties. In my experience, if more of these cases arise, the manufacturer will open an investigation into a possible resolution but at this time we have been instructed to take no action. If you want I can send you some videos about the vibration. As you can see, the answer does not make sense since it is uncomfortable to see how the hood moves while you drive. I think it is important that customers know this defect before investing money in this vehicle. Kind regards, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549288October 10, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
I wanted to open the hood using the hood support rod. Holding the hood with left hand using right hand grabbed the support rod . It burned my fingers immediately.Looking at the designed it is placed in the center of the hood underside right above engine compartment.It took one week and 3 phone calls to Toyota product liability area. I told him I learn my lesson the hard way that I will never grab it again without a glove. It is that hot I asked him why would they design a bar above the engine compartment which will except all the heat from the engine, I looked in the owners manual and I read it to the Toyota person I contacted and this is what it says and I quote the support rod may be hot after driving the vehicle. Touching the hot support rod may lead to burns or other serious injuries so I told the representative at Toyota they put this in the book knowing that people are going to get burned or drop the hood when their hand gets burned and it’s gonna fall on their head or it’s going to hit their hand. Why would they design something so poorly like this he thanked me for letting him know about it I asked him what will someone be back in touch with me to validate my concern and that they’re looking into it and he said absolutely not he said if there’s any recall, I’ll get notified by mail. Thank you very much is all I got from them
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540890August 26, 2023
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT
The vehicle main screen on the dash will not go past the “get started” screen without accepting Toyotas privacy agreement on their app. I cannot use the screen as it defaults to this screen each time the car starts and does not allow a menu to the feature I paid for. This is both a safety and privacy issue as I should be able to use the vehicle while not agreeing to the privacy policy and I should be able to access the screen without distraction from driving. I explained to the salesmen I did not agree with the privacy policy and have been able to navigate the vehicle without issue in my 2014 and 2021 Highlander. I contacted Toyota and there is not work around. The manufacturer will not provide a solution other than removing all my safety features, which did allow me to get past the Home Screen. I asked to return the vehicle because I cannot use it and was refused. I would like to be able to protect my privacy and be able to use the screen I paid for without offering access to cameras and other location and audio recording devises on the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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