Toyota Highlander Complaints

958 consumer complaints on file.

#11658736May 4, 2025
ENGINE, STRUCTURE:BODY
There’s a noticeable lag in the engine, especially when starting or turning. Sometimes, it’s almost a full second, which is quite alarming. When I asked the mechanics at a few dealerships about this, they all said it’s normal for these new “Green” type engines with four cylinders and a turbo. However, I feel that the turbo is functioning poorly as the mileage increases. I’ve owned the car for almost three years and it only has 20k miles! Another issue is the wind noise. At speeds exceeding 40 mph on the highway, the wind noise can become quite annoying. I’ve addressed this issue at two different dealerships, and both acknowledged the problem and admitted it. However, they both claimed that it’s inherent in the car’s design and advised me to wait for a potential recall from the manufacturer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658668May 3, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Car lunges forward while constant braking. Problem is not consistently repeatable and occurs at various speeds, road conditions, and weather conditions. It seems to be in the transition between regenerative braking and mechanical braking from the hybrid system. The car will coast for a brief moment while braking increasing the stopping distance and time required to come to a complete stop. We've noticed this issue since we bought the car
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658625May 3, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Around 76k miles, a whining occurs upon accelerating. Hear ever so slightly in 1st gear. Gradually is more evident as the speed increases. At 78k I decided it was definitely getting louder and was concerned after researching and learning that MULTIPLE 2021 Highlanders have needed transmissions replaced. I brought it in to a mechanic who searched for every possible problem, but ultimately came back to tell me it is my transmission failing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658464May 2, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Engine/Transmission 'whining' noise upon acceleration. We cannot drive it, three places said we shouldn't - it will only get worse, and eventually fail. No one knows when. My wife was driving on interstate when it firsts occurred, she couldn't get to the side fast enough. My wife feels unsafe driving it alone and with our young son. We are receiving very high quotes - despite the fact that they don't seem to be doing any real diagnostics. It seems to be a well known problem that only Toyota can address, as their design seems to have caused this dangerous problem and their supply chain issues seem to be common knowledge to many in the industry. Toyota service tells us at least a two month wait for a new transmission to arrive. Then three of four days to install. My wife feels very unsafe driving this vehicle knowing it could just stop operation at any time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658405May 2, 2025
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The component that failed is the roof rail clips that hold the roof rack to the vehicle (Toyota Service Bulletin T-SB-0040-24). The clips under the rail fail and cause water to leak into the headliner and down the A-pillars on both sides of the vehicle. It presents itself by causing water staining where the headliner meets the A-pillar cover. This issue presented itself in January of 2023, a few months after we bought the vehicle. Toyota Bountiful (Utah) tried to tell us that it is the sunroof drain lines that are clogged and required a $100 service to clear them which is an annual service. After some push back they found the problem with the roof rack clips. However, they only replaced the passenger side and neglected to repair both sides. April of 2025 the driverside failed and Toyota Bountiful once again confirmed that the driverside clips failed. This creates a danger to the front occupants of the vehicle by allowing a possible mold issue within the cabin. Secondly, it allows water into the front curtain airbags of the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657685April 30, 2025
POWER TRAIN
While driving the vehicle will wobble, shake and make grinding noises at lower speeds and at higher speeds.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657416April 29, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The transmission has a whining noise caused by the front carrier pinion shafts. There is a TSB out for the transmission issue. Transmission has been inspected by a technician. No warnings - the noise was a warning I suppose. It first appeared in March 2025.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657246April 28, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The transmission started to make a higher pitch sound when accelerating. We brought the vehicle in for evaluation @ 70,500 miles. We were advised the vehicle needed a new transmission for $ 9,900.00 Not even 4 years old, and Toyota Warrantee department said past the 60K drive train warranty so no support from them.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657006April 26, 2025
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
I was driving around a corner and the driver's door popped open into the ajar position (not fully open, just ajar) and safety alarms went off. Confirmed that the doors were locked at the time this happened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656617April 24, 2025
TIRES:SIDEWALL
P 235 / 55 R 20 This tire has developed a sidewall bulge. It has always been properly inflated. I currently have the tire but the manufacturer has requested that I send it to them.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656614April 24, 2025
TIRES:SIDEWALL
P 235 / 55 R 20 The sidewall blew out on the highway. I did not hit any road hazards and the tires were properly inflated. I have the tire now but Continental has requested I ship it to them.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656172April 22, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? THE CAR SMELLS OF GASOLINE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. THE SMELL TRAVELS IN THE CAR AND MAKES ME SMELL LIKE GAS AND ALSO THROUGH THE AIRV ENTS WHEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE. I DO NOT OVERFILL THE GAS TANK. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? WE ARE INHALING GASOLINE SMELLS ALL THE TIME AND IT IS UNSAFE Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? NO THE DEALER AND THE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR SAY THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM BUT THEY DO SMELL THE GAS Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR HAVE LOOKED AT IT Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? NO WARNING LIGHTS HAVE APPEARED DURING THE TIMES WE SMELL THE GAS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656004April 22, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE PROPERLY FAULTY SENSORS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655651April 19, 2025
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My SUV is having issues with the tires air and also the sensors are not working properly
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655077April 16, 2025
STEERING
Was driving and all of a sudden ‘steering power low’ came on and engine died, got stuck in a busy intersection and needed assistance from police officer until I could be towed. Steering did not work to push car to side of the road so I was stuck in the center of the traffic. There was absolutely no lights or warnings before the steering power low and it died. Could have been very dangerous, I am supposed to drive north through the mountains to go camping in 2 days, lucky it didn’t happen then. At the mechanic now and they jumped the battery and say it’s working fine and they can’t find the problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654997April 16, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
This is a widespread issue of these models leaving the factory with their headlights aimed too high which is leading other drivers to flash their brights thinking the bright lights in the Highlander are on. This needs to be sent to Toyota as a safety recall!!!! It is unsafe for oncoming traffic!!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654844April 15, 2025
POWER TRAIN
There is a whining noise that occurs when the car is accelerating. At times, there car will skip when accelerating. There is also a vibration. I was informed the issue is with the transmission. A bad transmission can make driving very difficult, potentially causing the vehicle to stall or become unresponsive, and can be a safety concern. I drive my child to school daily, over an hour from our home, and drive to homes to provide hospice care to terminally ill patients. This issue causes great concern, both financially and for safety.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654760April 15, 2025
POWER TRAIN
There is a TSB about the transmission whine between certain serial numbers. My transmission was outside of the range but started whining. I took it to the Toyota dealership and they advised me that the transmission needs to be replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654713April 15, 2025
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and a case was filed. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654245April 12, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Strong smell of fuel after a hot day. This is a new vehicle purchased new on 2024. No warning lights On dashboard. After reading a few threads about the same situation on newer highlanders it seems like it's being ignored.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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