Toyota Grand Highlander Complaints

375 consumer complaints on file.

#11758691August 22, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Front bumper grille too large. I see lots of bugs stuck on top of radiator. Very exposed for rocks to enter and damage cooling systems.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756523August 12, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving down [XXX] at approximately [XXX] this morning and heard a loud bang, then an air sound like window not fully closed, then heard crumbling glass falling into Sunroof shade. Initially I thought I had a tire blowout or someone on the access road fired a pistol. When I stopped and took a picture of the sunroof I saw the front sunroof glass bulging upward and the whole window was cracked with glass lying in the sunroof shade. If I had the sunroof shade open the glass would have been all over my head. I reported the incident to Orr Toyota in Hot Springs, ar. and they informed me that Toyota claims that something impacted the window. There was no impact to the window as it would have caused the window to bulge inward if that occurred. They evidently ignored my original picture so I don't see how they could make a determination of impact after I'd driven the vehicle more than 50 miles to get to their location (The event occurred in Bryant, ar). 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
#11756482August 12, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact believed that the odor was caused by a fuel leak. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with an evaporator filter failure, and it was determined that a fuel leak was not the cause of the odor. The dealer stated that the vehicle did not require a repair and could still be driven with the odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756305August 11, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Vehicle intermittently fails to accelerate when accelerator pedal is depressed after stopping. Vehicle may move extremely slowly for several seconds and then suddenly regain power. This has occurred while entering/intersecting traffic and has resulted in near-collision situations. Dealer cannot duplicate the problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754975August 5, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
See attached Citizen's Petition Letter
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754911August 5, 2026
WHEELS
I have a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander (FWD Gas) with about 37,000 miles and had 2 wheel bearings fail - front right and rear right. I noticed a constant humming noise starting around 20-25 mph that increased with vehicle speed. Thinking it was tire noise, I replaced all 4 tires, and the sound was still present. The dealership first replaced the right front bearing, and when they drove it after the repair, they noticed the sound decreased but did not eliminate the noise, and they further diagnosed a failed rear wheel bearing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754788August 4, 2026
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Rodent damage to plant based wiring to Engine Harness A and valve vacuum hose. Cost $1700 and 2 repairs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754520August 3, 2026
POWER TRAIN
My vehicle has a recurrent issue with failing front axle assemblies. The vehicle experienced rotational clicking and had both from axle assemblies replaced around 20,000 miles. Around 40,000 miles the clicking returned and toyota has refused to replace the failing axles again. I currently am at 63,000 miles and I won an arbitration case regarding the axles. The arbitration decision ordered toyota to replace the axles and determined that the parts were defective and covered under warranty. Toyota breached the arbitration and refused to replace the defective axles as ordered in a legally binding arbitration. Rotational clicking is more apparent at low ambient temperatures. A metallic grinding is more apparent at high ambient temperatures. I have had several drive train skips, a sensation of drive train parts slipping and slamming together. Toyota knowingly put defective parts back on my car during the 20,000 mile repair. Toyota release a technical service bulletin T-SB-0082-24 in sep of 2024. It stated that they redesigned the axle to fix the problem. The tsb said to put the original part number on instead of the updated, fixed part number. I received the old, broken part number when my repair was done in 2025. There is a new bulletin T-SB-0028-26 release in april 2026 for the same issue and it states that the previous bulletin is obsolete. The new bulletin states that the correct part number is the new part number not the old one. Additionally, the tsb indicates toyota changed to the new part number with a vin cutoff sometime in 2024. The fixed part number was changed at the production line level in 2024 yet I received the old, known defective part. These are drive axles and a failure can lead to loss of control and a serious accident. A full investigation and recall of this part should be conducted.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754401August 3, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated that the vehicle unexpectedly lurched forward while depressing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that excessive pressure was needed on the brake pedal to prevent the failure. The contact stated that a service appointment was scheduled with the dealer. While conducting independent research, the contact identified Technical Service Bulletin: T-SB-0028-25, which was associated with the vehicle shuddering while at a complete stop, and believed that the failure was associated with the technical service bulletin. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753991July 31, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Driving on highway and suddenly panoramic sunroof glass shattered spontaneously. It nearly caused us to crash into median due to the sudden extremely loud noise that sounded like a gunshot at close range and then the sound of glass shattering and hitting into sunroof shade and top of car. My 18 year old daughter was driving and it was extremely scary for her and myself. No nearby vehicles on either side of the road or near an overpass. We were fortunately near an exit and able to safely remove vehicle from road. I feel extremely lucky that no accident or injury occurred and credit my daughter's ability to stay calm and not panic at highway speed. To date, the car insurance company Travelers states it is not covered as there was no accident and dealership states it is not a warranty item (but they have escalated it to Toyota corporate for further review) and no one is willing to repair it so far (including stand alone glass companies!). But it will certainly be several thousand dollars in repairs. In the meantime I cannot drive my car when there is any chance of rain or really at highway speed. No warning prior, no history of any cracks or damage to sunroof prior. The car is just barely 1 year old.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753688July 30, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated that while at a stoplight and attempting to drive forward, while making a left turn, the vehicle experienced a momentary unintended acceleration and lurched forward. The contact immediately depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,544.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753270July 28, 2026
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and turning the steering wheel to the left or the right, occasionally there was a clicking sound coming from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the failure as an axle failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred approximately two to three months later. The vehicle was repaired five times due to failures. There was no sound coming from the vehicle after the last repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752775July 25, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The component that was available for inspection was our gas tank. It provided a profuse smell of fumes coming out of the tank and/or exhaust. You could also see vapors coming out of the gas tank when driving. The fumes alone are extremely toxic and extreme levels. The safety of me, my two young children and husband is all at risk. The smell of the gas and the view of the vapors from the gas tank puts the vehicle at an extreme fire risk. The smell of the fumes out it at a toxic inhalant risk - especially having two young children. This has caused great fear within me and the safety of my children is at extreme risk. No. I have taken the vehicle to the dealer 2-3 times, advised each time there is no issue with the vehicle. However, the smell of the gasoline has happened 6-8 times since purchasing the vehicle in May 2025. The vehicle has only been inspected by the dealer. Unsure who else to bring it to. The first time it was towed because the smell of the gas was in the cabin of the vehicle and I did not feel safe having my two small children in it with the extreme gas smell. No, no warning lamps. No indicators. The first time it happened I was alone with my two small children and the only indicator was the vapors coming out of the tank that were visible, and the extreme smell of the gasoline when I would roll my window down.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752397July 23, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate immediately while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle then accelerated and lurched forward while entering traffic. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752231July 22, 2026
POWER TRAIN
I own a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid MAX with approximately 34,000 miles. The vehicle has experienced repeated delayed or absent acceleration from a complete stop, creating a serious risk when entering traffic. Before the most recent repair, I reported intermittent hesitation to the Toyota dealer. On Sunday, July 12, 2026, shortly after startup, the vehicle hesitated twice within the first half mile. At the second stop sign, I attempted a left turn into traffic and applied approximately 30% accelerator pedal. The engine was running, but the vehicle only crept forward at idle-level power for approximately three seconds. There was no noticeable increase in engine RPM and no warning lights. Normal power then returned. On July 15, 2026, the Toyota dealer performed TSB T-SB-0017-24 and updated the engine-control software for hesitation during acceleration. After that repair, the same loss-of-acceleration condition happened again while my wife was leaving a parking lot. She was stopped at a stop sign, making a right turn into traffic on a slight uphill grade, when the vehicle failed to provide normal acceleration. This was substantially similar to the earlier incident and occurred after the software update intended to correct the problem. The repeated failure to respond to accelerator input from a stop creates a collision risk because the vehicle can begin entering traffic without providing the expected power. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this is a broader safety defect affecting the Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX and whether the existing software repair is effective.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752130July 22, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
After a complete stop at a stop sign there is hesitation/stalling when trying to accelerate. Sometimes the hesitation is several seconds and then the engine kicks in and lurches forward. Couple times this has been a safety issue as it happens when I’m trying to pull out on a busy road. The delay/hesitation has caused me to almost get hit a few times. There are no lights or warning messages when this happens. It happens a multiple times a week especially during hot weather when AC is on full (LO temp setting and maximum fan) and is usually during the first few minutes of operation usually at the same stop signs on my route to pickup my kids after the car has been sitting unused overnight. I also notice that the hybrid battery indicator is usually always at 3 bars. Dealership hasn’t been able to reproduce as it's a very specific scenario (not driving/in garage overnight and short drive). Instead they went and applied T-SB-0040-25 but this hesitation is still happening after the software update. This needs to be handled like a safety issue/recall worthy with a complete fix! Not just some drivability issue that only gets applied if we ask about specific T-SBs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752112July 22, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
My 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander exhibits abnormal fluttering/vibration of the hood at speeds above approximately 25 mph. I have identified that this is the same defect documented in Toyota's own Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0111-24 (issued December 4, 2024), which addresses this condition on 2024 model year Grand Highlander and Grand Highlander Hybrid vehicles, with the same complaint widely reported by 2025 model year owners as well. Despite this being a known, documented Toyota defect for three consecutive model years, I have been unable to get it resolved through Toyota's official channels: I contacted Toyota's PATT Lab (Parts and Technical Assistance) regarding the vibration under Dealership Task Number DC261970283. PATT Lab informed me that other 2026 model year vehicles exhibit the same condition, characterized it as "intended behavior," and closed the task without applying the known TSB remedy. I was directed to Toyota Brand Engagement for further assistance. This was opened as Case Number 260722000822. Toyota Brand Engagement stated they are not mechanics and that the issue must be resolved at the dealership level, but has provided no directive or authorization to the dealership to perform the known TSB repair. As a result, I am caught in a loop between Toyota corporate departments, none of which will authorize or perform the fix that Toyota's own engineering team has already documented and issued a bulletin for. My vehicle has a known manufacturing/design defect that Toyota has acknowledged in writing for prior model years, yet I am being told simultaneously that it is "normal" and that it's a dealership matter — while no dealership has been given authorization to apply the remedy. Requested Action: I am requesting that Toyota Motor Sales, USA be required to apply the existing Technical Service Bulletin remedy (or its 2026 model year equivalent) to my vehicle at no cost, consistent with how this defect has already been addressed for 2024 and 2025 mod
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750959July 16, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I haven’t had no accident in my car
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750898July 16, 2026
POWER TRAIN
On occasion the car will not accelerate from a dead stop like it should. I think it’s turbo lag. There have been a few times I thought I was going be broadsided pulling out into traffic when normal acceleration would have been safe but with a dead pedal for a few seconds it was terrifying. I’ve brought this up to two different dealers and they say without being able to experience it there’s nothing they can do. Someone going to die because of this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750786July 16, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
I've had consistent issues with the vehicle accelerating and shifting. These include sluggish acceleration, loss of power and sputtering when we've come to a complete stop and starting to move again. We've almost been hit by other vehicles at least over 20 times because the vehicle has failed to accelerate when pulling into a roadway. The car hesitates during acceleration regardless of how much I push the gas. Once it starts to go, it feels as though the car can't shift from 1st to 2nd gear, The RPMs get extremely high while the car is going 25-40 mph and remain there for a few seconds up to ~20 seconds. I am fearful of getting t-boned when my car hesitates while turning at an intersection, going through an intersection or pulling out from a parking lot. I have been stuck in several intersections when traffic was coming toward me, but thankfully those cars had patience and avoided us. I've also found that this issue always happens when the hybrid battery shows that it only has a charge of 3 bars. It seems that the engine, transmission and hybrid battery don't know how to communicate when the battery charge gets that low. This has been happening since Dec 2023 when I bought the vehicle and the dealer has never been able to duplicate or find any error code, they are refusing to fix a known issue when many others are experiencing the same issue. There are Toyota Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) out there regarding this problem but my dealer told me they won't do anything as it could label my vehicle a lemon. This is creating an unnecessary safety risk for me and my family.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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