Toyota Grand Highlander Complaints

314 consumer complaints on file.

#11682380August 22, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
“Apple CarPlay Escape” is not available through software update for this vehicle although other cars of the same model year and 2025 models have this option to quickly navigate between Apple CarPlay screen and Toyota settings screen. As a result, More swipes/touches are needed on the screen to navigate which is unsafe and distracting while driving
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682281August 21, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The car only accepts 11-13 gallons of gas when refueling an empty tank despite the advertised 17.2 gallon capacity. I believe this is a fuel gauge or DTE system problem. I’ve seen many many similiar complaints on the forums. Fuel gauge issue could leave drivers stranded on the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682016August 20, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apparently, a rock flew into the front grill striking the radiator (which is located directly behind the grill) and put a hole in it. This caused fluid to leak and fortunately during a routine maintenance check (my first service) on 8/15/25, it was discovered. The car was deemed not safe to drive until repairs were made. I submitted it to my insurance company and they inspected it and verified the issue. The radiator was replaced by Toyota at the dealership where I purchased the vehicle. They said they heard of a few cases, but I went online and discovered several vehicles that had this happen. Apparently the grill on the new highlanders is the issue - it has wide openings and the radiator is directly behind it. I am purchasing a bra and some mesh to place behind the grill in order to prevent another incident. No warning lights or indicators came on and the dealership said it would've eventually when it got hot enough. Fortunately, most of my driving was local after the incident occurred so the vehicle didn't have time to overheat. I am thankful it was discovered before I was stranded.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681923August 20, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I've had consistent issues with the vehicle accelerating and shifting. These include sluggish acceleration, loss of power, sputtering, and limp mode. We've almost been hit by other vehicles almost 10 times because the vehicle has failed to accelerate when pulling into a roadway. The vehicle will start to accelerate slowly, then stop, then 5-10 seconds later will surge forward will the engine revs very high and is delayed shifting into 2nd gear. I've told my Toyota dealership about this numerous times but they keep telling me that there's no issue but there clearly is being that many others are experiencing the same exact problems. There's never been a warning lamp or message when this happens. This is a huge safety issue and my family is extremely lucky that we haven't been involved in a serious accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680783August 14, 2025
ENGINE
AC condenser has a leak and AC cooling not working-blowing hot air, making vehicle very hot inside. Toyota claiming from road debris damage, front grill not protecting condenser unit enough to allow this not to happen and will not cover under warranty. Seems like a manufacturer grill design problem not consumer. Toyota has no fix to the problem to protect condenser unit from this happening over and over again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677818August 1, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Description of Issue: We have experienced multiple episodes of violent shaking in our 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander while stopped at red lights or in intersections. Both my wife and I have had this happen independently, around two to three times each. Most incidents occurred while our young children were in the vehicle. The most recent incident occurred today, when my wife experienced it twice in a row while stopped at an intersection. Our children were not in the vehicle during today’s event. Component or system involved: UNKNOWN at this time. We suspect a major mechanical or drivetrain-related failure. The entire vehicle shakes violently and feels unstable. We are willing to make the vehicle available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: The severity of the shaking is extreme and it feels as though the car may explode or fall apart. We have had to put the car in park, shut it off immediately, and in some cases, exit the vehicle in the middle of intersections or while stopped at a red light. This places everyone in the vehicle at serious risk, especially our children, and could result in a crash or secondary accident due to the abrupt stop and unexpected behavior in active traffic. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or service center? The issue has not yet been reproduced by the dealership. We brought the vehicle to Toyota of Escondido after a previous incident. They inspected it but stated they could not find anything wrong. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by others? The vehicle was only inspected by the dealership (Toyota of Escondido). It has not been reviewed by any other parties such as law enforcement or insurance representatives. Warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the issue: There were no warning lights, error messages, or abnormal behavior prior to the onset of the violent shaking. The issue occurred suddenly each time, without warning.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677229July 30, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
I am writing to report a serious issue with my 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] ), purchased on [XXX] from Hillside Toyota . I have noticed water leaking from the top of the windshield, dripping onto the steering wheel and dashboard, particularly during rain or after a car wash. This issue began on [XXX] and I saw couple of times under these conditions, posing a potential safety hazard due to driver distraction and possible damage to electrical components. I have taken the vehicle to Hillside Toyota on 05/05/25 and 07/21/25 where they inspected the vehicle but could not identify the source of the leak” or “attempted a repair, but the issue persists. This issue is concerning, as it affects the safety and functionality of my vehicle, which has only 1184 miles 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
#11677106July 29, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sometimes,about 50/50 now, when I stop at a light or a stop sign then try to go, my car refuses to go. Pressing the gas won’t make it go. I just sit there idling or worse, in the middle of oncoming traffic. The lights still work, everything else seems to work. This does this with or without the ac in. It almost jerks you around, but won’t go. This has happened multiple times now.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674893July 20, 2025
ENGINE
It has a hard time shifting at times when the car has just been started
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674682July 19, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Ever since I got my car, sometimes it smells like gas on the right side of the vehicle. By driver side and right passenger side in the back. I assumed it was because I topped my gas off, but even when I stopped doing that, it still has a strong gas smell when the car is running and after turning it off. Not ever day, but ever so often.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11673489July 14, 2025
ENGINE
The vehicle suddenly gave several warnings of “check engine visit your dealer”, “Hybrid system malfunction”, “AWD system malfunction 2WD activated” and “System malfunction visit your dealer.” The vehicle was bought new 4 weeks prior. Took it to the dealership and the technician said there was coolant all over the engine compartment and there was a leak somewhere. After inspection he told us that a small rock hit the radiator and caused damage. Told to replace the radiator and flush the system and it was not covered under warranty. After research was done, it was found there was a forum with hundreds of not thousands of people with the same issue. This has been an issue with the new OEM front grill not protecting the radiator and leaving it susceptible to be damaged easily. Toyota Corporate was called and said they were aware of the issue for some time. Even the Technician told us this is a common issue with this vehicle. Also if you place something inside the grill to protect the radiator, it will void the warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672869July 11, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
The vehicle was in PARK and the IGN was in the ON/RUN position and the air conditioning was on. There was no one in the driver's seat but there was an occupant sitting buckled in the front passenger seat. The passenger heard a sound (possibly the ICE turning on) and he felt the vehicle move forward about five inches. He became worried about his safety and pressed the IGN button in order to turn the vehicle off. It could have pushed itself into other cars in the parking lot or pedestrians. A report was made to the local police department on the same day. This occurred in a retail parking lot. Video footage cannot be obtained as a police officer or insurance company must request it. I have not seen a check engine light nor any message prompts and it has not been inspected by a dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672107July 8, 2025
AIR BAGS
It was a recall for airbags and was fixed by the dealer
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671112July 3, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Numerous times now the vehicle will not accelerate from a stop for about five seconds after the gas is pressed. It always seems to be on hot days with high air conditioner demand.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670662July 1, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Over 1.5 years of owning my new 2024 grand Highlander platinum hybrid pro max I have had multiple incidents (6 documented now with toyota) where after coming to a complete stop I go to accelerate and the car shutters,sputters,lunges, and even looses power or goes into “limp mode”. I have been almost hit several times now by oncoming traffic because my grand Highlander completely loses power. It will not accelerate. After 5 seconds I typically hear loud groaning noises followed by two loud bangs and two violent lurches forward before my car finally regains power. No warning lights popped up on my dash any of the times my car has lost power. My dealership keeps telling me “no problem found” and that I am the only one with this issue. This is false. There are many complaints online and finally after I did not give up the dealership pulled a comprehensive RoB scan/report on my car and found multiple transmission failure codes on the transmission system/TCM. One “lack of acceleration code” was even dated two weeks before I bought my brand new grand Highlander with toyota. I received my grand Highlander with 6 miles on it. I was the first owner. My PDI “pre-delivery inspection date was one week after this transmission failure code”. When I presented this to toyota reps who finally met with me at the dealership they had nothing to say. Toyota knows about this problem and they do not know how to fix it. It is a serious safety issue and I refuse to allow someone to get hurt because Toyota will not be honest and relay this known issue. After the dealership and toyota reps told me I was the only one with this issue toyota officially released a service bulletin in March 2025 for a TCM flash reset/update to address sluggish acceleration, loss of power, and limp mode with the transmissions TCM when the hybrid systems battery is at 33% or less. My dealership installed the TCM update about 1.5 months ago and unfortunately my car has had two more instances since with loss of power.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669921June 28, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Missing the wire connector for the puddle lamp installation? although not a safety issue, would like to bring this to attention; wire connectors (and wires) missing on both driver and passenger doors? Not sure if this was a factory oversight, or an error in original wiring diagram of Toyota? If so, there could be other wires missing in the vehicle as well. Hopefully Toyota will look into this and propose a fix for their customers. Thank you
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669354June 25, 2025
AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was informed by my Toyota dealership and received a written letter from Toyota dated March 25, 2025, that the curtain airbag recall on my 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had been completed. However, during a scheduled maintenance visit in June 2025, I was told the airbag recall had never actually been performed and was still open. The recall was only completed at that time. I unknowingly drove the vehicle — often with my infant child — for several months, believing the airbag system was safe, based on incorrect information from Toyota. This represents a serious safety concern and a breakdown in Toyota’s recall management. The issue has now been fixed, but I am reporting this because I was misled into driving an unsafe vehicle, putting my family at risk. Toyota’s failure to properly close and track recall repairs should be investigated.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668947June 24, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The vehicle’s design leaves the condenser completely exposed, with no protective barrier in place. As a result, even a small rock can easily pass through the front grille and cause significant damage. That’s exactly what I’m currently experiencing, and unfortunately, Toyota has refused to cover the repair costs. What’s more concerning is that I’m far from the only one — many other owners are dealing with the exact same issue. It’s clear that Toyota needs to take responsibility and implement a proper solution to protect the condenser moving forward.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668846June 24, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
*Acceleration lag from a stop On June 21, 2025 - 92 degrees outside leaving store, I was making a left turn from a parking lot. I took my foot off the brake to creep forward which the vehicle did, but as I pressed the gas the car would not accelerate. I was stuck in the middle of the lanes with my car coasting. Fortunately it was a quiet street and the car coming from behind me had ample time to stop until i could coast my car to the side of the road which then it revved high and engaged. It felt like the car was in neutral but it was in drive. It lasted about 5 seconds. *It would not accelerate which was scary and very dangerous for obvious reasons. * I took the car to the dealership on the next business day and unfortunately cannot have it inspected until July 15, 2025. *No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms. *My car is available for inspection. That would be great! That’s why I brought it to the dealer but they were booked. *It happened only once, but I haven’t driven it much since the incident. I am now driving my 20 yr old, reliable MDX until I can get it inspected on July 15th
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668805June 24, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
Hood on 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander vibrates/flutters due to poorly designed aluminum construction. Very distracting and causes drivers to take eyes off the road. Toyota has issued T-SB-0111-24 for the 2024 Grand Highlander for this specific issue but my dealership told me that it doesn't apply to the 2025 but the hood part number is the same for both years. The constant vibration could eventually "work harden" the thin metal and ultimatlly allow the hood to break off the vehicle. Check out the old Jimmy Stewart movie when the constant vibration made the tail break off the airplane.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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