Toyota Grand Highlander Complaints

314 consumer complaints on file.

#11668786June 23, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious safety hazard and design flaw with the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid. While driving on a two-lane highway, our vehicle suddenly lost power and warning lights appeared on the dashboard. We were forced to exit the highway immediately (we were less than 0.5 miles to an exit). Shortly after pulling onto the off-ramp, the vehicle entered limp mode, significantly limiting its ability to function - all assist systems deactivated amd the car has a significant decrease in power. We were able to drive approximately half a mile to a nearby gas station, where we called for a tow. This situation left us vulnerable on a busy roadway, placing both us and other drivers at risk. The Toyota dealership diagnosed the issue as damage to the hybrid inverter radiator, allegedly caused by a rock or piece of debris entering through the front grille. We were told this was not covered under warranty, and to make matters worse, the necessary part is currently on backorder for three weeks to three months—leaving the vehicle undriveable. A significant concern is the design of the front grille, which has large, open gaps that allow ordinary road debris to enter the engine compartment. This leaves critical components like the hybrid inverter radiator exposed and vulnerable, even under standard driving conditions. After researching, I discovered numerous similar reports from other Toyota hybrid owners—including those with Grand Highlanders, Highlander Hybrids, RAV4 Hybrids, and Prius models—who have experienced the exact same issue. In nearly every case, drivers were told it was due to external damage and denied warranty coverage. This presents a clear and growing safety issue: 1. Sudden power loss on a highway or arterial road increases the risk of collision. 2. A critical hybrid system component is inadequately
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668306June 21, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? UNKNOWN How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Vehicle stalling and not accelerating after coming to a complete stop. Vehicle decelerating and hesitating when entering the freeway. Starting 40 mph driving up to 65mph. Vehicle hesitates and decelerates to 30mph and we have to pull over to avoid a collision Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No Unable to reproduce problem No code is showing on the dealers side. Shop foreman believes it’s a fuel pump issue. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? First appeared approximately 8,500 miles. And is consistently doing it when at a stop and when entering freeway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668173June 20, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Front Windshield cracked out of nowhere with no trauma, , now needs replacement due to crack expanding. I discovered it in the morning when my car was parked and not driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668073June 20, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Shortly after starting my vehicle and driving out of my neighborhood, there are a series of stop signs. The roadway is at a slight incline. When attempting to press the gas pedal after stopping at the first stop sign, my vehicle hesitates or does not accelerate. This lasts anywhere from 1-5 seconds. This occasionally also occurs again at the second stop sign a few hundred yards later as well. The best I can describe this is as an unresponsive gas pedal or limp mode. I cannot stress how incredibly dangerous this issue is. Someone is going to get seriously injured or killed if this isn’t acknowledged by Toyota or NHTSA. All it takes is for this to occur when someone is making a right hand turn into a roadway. I am fully aware that this is not an isolated incident with my vehicle and other vehicle owners of Toyota Hybrid Max Platinums report this same issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667916June 19, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When going over rough or uneven roads, the car produces a strong low-frequency resonance, like a bass-heavy "boom". This causes a very uncomfortable feeling of pressure changing in my ears, gives me a headache and ear pain whenever I drive in local roads, which is the majority of driving in my area. This causes me to need to pull over and stop the car frequently to readjust my hearing. I've found many reports from others of the same issue but Toyota have not acknowledged it or found a solution.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664671June 3, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, BACK OVER PREVENTION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated while reversing, the back over prevention system failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the image was visible; however, there was no tone alert. Additionally, there was a message indicating that the Adaptive Cruise Control was unavailable and to see the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact stated that the automatic braking system had independently activated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The contact stated that the instrument cluster was replaced two weeks prior to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661706May 18, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The Panoramic Roof Glass shattered on its own while driving on the freeway, there were no overpasses, no trees, no semi-trucks, no other vehicle in front of me while i was driving. The shattered glass pieces fell on my children in the back seats luckily there were no injuries as we closed the screen immediately.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658601May 2, 2025
SUSPENSION, ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
When making a left or right turn in this vehicle, there is a distinct knocking or clicking sound coming from under the drivers foot area. Dealer reviewed CV axel and suspension and says everything looks fine. However, I have driven enough cars to know that a persistent knocking sound while turning is not normal. This appears to be an issue with multiple 2024 Grand Highlander owners.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655686April 20, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was traveling on HWY 70 in Colorado outside Frisco at 65 mph temp about 35 degrees on 4/4/2025 when I heard a loud explosion. I pulled over and identified that the panoramic sunroof glass had exploded outward. There was no way a projectile could have hit the glass as a cargo carrier was on the roof rack completely covering the glass. The glass had an upward projection as well. I have included photos. The dealer refuses to take responsibility for the poor construction of the sunroof glass.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655348April 18, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Intermittently, my vehicle will hesitate to accelerate or will move only marginally (disproportionately to the depressing of the gas pedal) from a complete stop. When it occurs, it often does so for a number of seconds. This has been incredibly dangerous given I live off a busy street and I cannot trust that when I press the gas pedal to accelerate to turn onto the street, that my vehicle will be caught in oncoming traffic and hit.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654251April 12, 2025
POWER TRAIN
My car makes a click sound when turning the wheel left or right and gas is applied. This has been happening for around 5 months. It’s not noted all the time but I do hear it occasionally. I have a DashCam video with sound as proof, but this website is not letting me upload the video as its file size is too big. I have taken to the dealership to inspect but they said they were not able to reproduce the sound while inspecting. They also mentioned Grand Highlander have some sort of front axle issue. I looked online and NHTSA website and found that Toyota is aware of this issue and resigned it. But i don’t think the issue is fixed yet, something is still wrong with it. Please look into this matter as it concerns the safety of my family and others who owns the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652812April 4, 2025
POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While slowing to a stop on a slight incline (an interstate off-ramp), when almost stopped, the car started bucking as if the brake pedal was being slammed on, then released, slammed on again, then released, and repeated for maybe 2 seconds. I quickly hit the "P" (Park) button to take it out of gear and it stopped. No warning lights or anything came on and it drove perfectly fine afterwards. It felt just like the emergency braking and the car thinks you're going to hit something. It was very strong and jarring. Happened a 2nd time on April 4 in the same circumstances - driving downhill on a highway off-ramp and stopping at red light at the end of the ramp.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652060April 1, 2025
SEATS, SERVICE BRAKES, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, the contact moved the third-row seat, and the seat made and abnormal sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact then took the vehicle to the dealer and the dealer made unknown repairs. On a separate occasion the contact became aware the bottom of the window was fractured. The contact then taped the door on the bottom of the window. The system function error message was displayed. On a separate occasion, the contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the rearview camera sporadically failed to respond. The system function error message was displayed. The contact then turned off the vehicle shifted the vehicle into reverse and the vehicle started working properly. On a separate occasion, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle failed to respond. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired because the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,554.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651922March 31, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
The 2024 and 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander has excessive hood shaking and vibration at the rear of the vehicle. It is directly under the projection area of the windshield and directs your attention to the movement. At highway speeds the shaking is excessive. Toyota has not been able to find a repair for this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651434March 29, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel fill-ups averaging 13-14 gallons when vehicle trip computer alerts 0 miles remaining distance to empty. Fuel tank capacity published as 17.8 gallons. Total vehicle range understated, requiring more frequent stops at gas stations to fill. Not a direct safety concern, but a significant nuisance and dealer has stated this is normal and there is no fix for this issue. EPA estimated MPG 26-27, should equate to approximately 460+ miles/tank. Instead experiencing approximately 350-365 miles per full tank of fuel.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650608March 25, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
While driving, my panoramic moonroof exploded. There were no rocks or big vehicles on the road, but the panoramic moonroof simply just exploded. This could've been very dangerous and could've caused serious injuries for those inside of the vehicle, especially if the vehicle was moving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649434March 20, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact was unable to fill the fuel tank completely. The contact stated that the fuel tank had a 17-gallon capacity; however, the contact was only able to get more than 10 gallons into the tank. Additionally, the contact stated that the Auto START/STOP feature was not functioning as needed. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,455.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647381March 10, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
Minimum 3 times the vehicle has experienced unintended braking while in reverse. Toyota dealerships have been unable to repair or resolve. 1 incident the vehicle has experienced unintended braking while in drive. Dealership refuses to attempt repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11646863March 6, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Front two axles clicking when turning.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11646560March 5, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
After driving over 15k miles in approximately one year, my 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid fuel tank has never been filled with more than 12 gallons of gas, even when the Low Fuel light is on and the miles to empty are less than 10. The MPG for individual trips can be as low as 10.3 MPG; the overall average MPG has been 21 MPG or less. The advertised fuel tank size is 17 gallons and the MPG is 26/27. The Toyota dealership said that there are 3-5 gallons remaining in the tank when there are as few as 5 miles to empty. Actual miles to a tank are around 280-300 when driven in Eco mode; advertised is 450 miles when driven normally. Inaccurate fuel level sensing is a safety issue. 10.3 MPG for a Hybrid that is advertised to get 27 MPG is false advertising. This is a known issue since at least November 2023, as evidenced by the Manufacturer Communication Tech Tip T-TT-0742-23 on NHTSA.GOV.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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