Toyota Highlander Complaints
958 consumer complaints on file.
- #11451887February 14, 2022ENGINE
The vehicle's automatic stop-start feature malfunctioned and shut the engine off while I was driving with my 3 children in the car. Our safety was at risk because the car shut off in the middle of the road and we had to wait for an hour for the tow truck to come and give us a jump. There was no prior warning before the car shut off. Afterwards the message "High Power Consumption Partial Limit on AC/Heater Operation" came on I was very nervous for my kids and I safety.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11451756February 13, 2022FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The vehicle is advertised with a 17.9 gallon fuel tank. But I can only get about 14 gallons in the tank. Gauge reads full but my distance to empty is only showing 286 miles. It should read closer to 400.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11451109February 9, 2022UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving with my daughter on the highway where all of a sudden I could here a loud noise on the top of my car. I opened the sunroof to see what's wrong only to see a Crack in the sunroof. Nothing hit the roof but it was cracked up. As I was driving it began to break up. If I had the shade opened I would have been hit with the glasses and I had my three year old in the car as well. Absolutely nothing hit the vehicle but it broke on its own.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11450255February 3, 2022SEAT BELTS
We had to cut a seatbelt because it was cutting into a child’s stomach. The child was screaming and complaining and it left a scar on his stomach. If we would have taken into the dealer which was 20 min away it would have done more damage to the child. We tried using the steps in the book to release it, didn’t work. As an emergency we had to cut the seat belt to release it.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11450021February 2, 2022FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My concern has to do with an inability to completely fill the gas tank in my 2021Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE (AWD), and the gas tank capacity has worsened over time. I purchased the vehicle new from a Toyota dealer in Maryland in April 2021. Initially, I could fill the gas tank to almost full per the gas gauge. Over time, the amount of gas the tank can hold has decreased. As of early 2022, I can only fill the tank to just above 3/4 full per the gas gauge. Please note that when filling the tank at a gas station, I always stop filling when the gas pump shutoff switch activates (1st click) - I never "top off" the tank. It is certainly annoying to not get anywhere close to advertised range of the vehicle (the vehicle display shows a range just over 400 miles/tank versus an expected 600+ miles). However, my main concern is safety-related - I don’t trust my fuel gauge and fuel monitoring system, and as a result I fill the tank whenever I approach 1/2 full per the gas gauge. This is so I don't inadvertently run out of fuel. In Sept 2021, I took my vehicle to the Toyota dealer where I purchased it to report this fuel tank issue. The dealer's service department "verified [customer's] concern that the fuel pup clicks off before gas tank was full." The dealer also "created a TAS Case #xxx and with the information give was informed there is an active investigation by Toyota on this concern and there is no repair available at this time." Since then, the dealer has not reported anything new from Toyota USA (they said "we'll hear about any fix the day before you do.."). I called Toyota USA last Fall and also got no indication on an impeding fix. Bottom line - Toyota USA has been silent on the matter, although there is certainly lots of online chatter from other owners and mention of a lawsuit against Toyota. I am wondering if this issue is similar to what was noted (and finally fixed?) for Toyota's late model RAV4 hybrid vehicles.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11448773January 25, 2022SEATS
I was vacuuming the second row carpet in my vehicle. I was leaning into my vehicle and pulled the second row seat release to move the seat back. The back of the seat flipped forward hitting me in the right side of my head so hard it resulted in a pinched nerve at C5-C6. It was a substantial blow. I had to stop what I was doing and sit down. I would be very concerned at that amount of force hitting a child. Has Toyota measured the force and done a risk analysis to the vehicle occupant?
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11448511January 23, 2022SEAT BELTS, SEATS
The Toyota highlander was advertised as a family vehicle that safely fits 7 passengers with the captain chairs. We purchased a brand new 2022 Toyota Highlander for our family of 5. However, you cannot safely install a booster car seat in the third flow as advertised in ANY position. In every position of the third row the booster car seat covers the buckle not allowing you to secure the seat belt/booster seat. The car manual show on page 58-59 to install the booster seat on the passenger side of the third row but there is not enough space. The second picture shows a car seat in the middle using an anchor bracket that does not work for a booster seat and thus would also obsure other seat buckles thus not allowing the two other seats to be used. Toyota told us to bring the vehicle to a fire station to have the car seats installed. The fire station told us to contact to 1-866-SEAT-CHECK or www.seatcheck.org to schedule an inspection and when we called them they said they do not inspect Toyota vehicles. The dealership also suggested to us to purchase a seat belt extender. The manual also states on page 59 not to use a seat belt extender as this could cause serious injury or death. The third row does not have latches and only offers an achor in the middle seat of the back row not suitable for a booster car seat. I do not want any other family to go through what we have experienced and this is a matter of child safety.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11448081January 19, 2022FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAN NOT FILL IN A FULL TANK OF GAS. AT MOST THE CAR TAKES 13 GALLONS, WHERE AS THE TANK CAPACITY IS 17, WHICH IS 4 GALLONS SHORTER AND GIVES 140 MILES SHORTER RANGE (CALC ACCORDING TO EPA RATING). 140 MILES IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE. EVEN IF YOU FILL MORE THAN 13 GALLONS, THE RANGE STAYS AT 423 MILES AND DOESN`T INCREASE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11446810January 9, 2022UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My sunroof exploded. I reported it to Toyota USA and dropped my car off at the local Toyota dealership. We had to shut the sun shade to keep glass from falling in on us. The SUV is still in the shop and we have not heard back from them yet. I did not call the police or insurance yet. There was no warning. Nothing hit it. It just exploded.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11444627December 21, 2021FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The Forward Collision did not activate cause the vehicle to meet into a accident. the car didn't give a Warning, or try to stop itself. took it to the dealer and was told that the system was working properly. but I tested the system in the parking lot, with a cardboard box and the system still didn't activate.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11442920December 6, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE
Recently purchased this Highlander on August 2021. On 11/29/21 at around 8:00 AM, the Check Engine light illuminated resting stop at a red light. Engine still running. Took the vehicle to the dealership at 9:45AM. Vehicle was found to have had misfires as a result of bad gasoline. I have been pumping at the same gas station ever since I bought the vehicle. If it was the bad gas, this issue should have happened sooner. Now, the dealership is telling me to pay for the diagnostic fee which they claimed it was my fault. The vehicle is under warranty. Another non-power/fuel issue that came with the vehicle was a loud wind noise when reaching 40 MPH. The noise is very annoying, like someone whistling into your ear. The dealership is ordering a part to fix this issue. The vehicle is still at the dealership.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11442435December 2, 2021LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: AUTOMATIC STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: STEERING ASSIST
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently attempted to navigate the steering and lane direction to the opposite direction of where the contact was attempting to steer the vehicle. This caused the contact to manually steer the vehicle into the center lane. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle but could not diagnose the cause of failure. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle lane sensor and steering assist sensor were performing as intended. The contact was concerned that the sensor should be adjusted so that the sensor would not have to adjust so easily while the contact was driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11441873November 28, 2021FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
Advertisement say make 35 mpg Is lie Car make 16 to 24 mpg ave not more than that I decide buy this car for save gas, and spend more that any v6, Toyota still a lot money and fake advertisement, and also the dealer charge $3,000 more of the price because they say there are not cars, I paid $ 55,000 + taxes super expensive car for lie at the costumers. I went to service to the dealer and they said, that it is not they problem, the car is like that, I hope you can help to return or change the car
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11441746November 26, 2021VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 65 MPH, she heard a loud abnormally horrific sound coming from the roof of the vehicle. The contact's wife immediately pulled over and upon inspection, she discovered that the sunroof had shattered without incident. The contact's wife drove the vehicle to the dealer and the vehicle was left in their possession. Days later, the dealer informed the contact that it appeared to be previous damage to the sunroof had caused the failure and that the damage would not be covered under warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle has been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11441642November 24, 2021UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When driving down interstate, ticking came from above followed by a loud bang. Moon roof busted out and glass shattered out while on interstate.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11441497November 23, 2021SERVICE BRAKES
At only 12,000 miles there is significant vibrating and shuddering when applying brakes. I was told after an inspection that it is the rotors.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11441473November 23, 2021UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Driver side mirror shakes when going greater than 25 mph. This does not happen on passender side, makes it more difficult to see object in mirror and more dangerous changing lanes on highways. First noticed after a few months of minimal driving.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11440891November 18, 2021SERVICE BRAKES, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Regarding brakes: There is an inconsistent involuntary brake pressure release occurring when slowing down via braking where the brakes let loose for about a second before applying again. This occurs with no change in pressure applied to the brake pedal. This is a dangerous situation, especially if in emergency braking situation. This has occurred multiple times over the 16k miles that it's been driven, but more recently. There is no consistency on the speeds it occurs at either. Regarding fuel: We are unable to fill fuel tank completely due to poor venting in gas tank, which could lead to spilled gas similar to overfill, causing a hazard. This vehicle has a 17.1 gallon fuel tank but we are only able to get 12-13 gallons upon fill-up at empty. Both of these issues have been reported to our local Toyota dealership, with no resolution.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11440523November 15, 2021TIRES:MARKINGS
235/55R20 Michelin CrossClimate 2 UTQG ratings missing on outside of tires, for 2 out of the 4 tires. Note: the previous CrossClimate has had a recall for the same issue.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11439378November 4, 2021POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated his wife pulled into a parking spot and turned off the engine while the vehicle was in reverse. The vehicle then switched gears to neutral on its own, started reversing, and slightly crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The warning message "Put Transmission Into park Illuminated". The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 2000.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0