Toyota Highlander Complaints (2023)

176 consumer complaints on file.

#11606299August 3, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car absolutely reeks of gas after driving for a while on warm days. You can visibly see the fumes around the filler neck. It has been the the dealer multiple times and they say they can't find anything. It seeps into the car causing headaches and dizziness. I personally know of 2 2023 Highlanders and 1 2024 highlander that have this issue. I am extremely worried this will cause a fire and/or explosion at some point.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11604808July 26, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES
Brakes momentarily lost during certain conditions. If going down a hill and applying brake, suddenly loses pressure and vehicle surges forward. Taking a right hand turn, slowing, brake suddenly loses pressure and lunges forward causing vehicle to go into wrong lane. Parking, apply brake, surges forward, end up in the next spot forward. I've had several very close calls, including trying to stop behind a bicycle at a stop sign, came within inches. I've repeatedly been to dealer. Toyota calls it "loss of braking sensation", have issued a TSB for years prior to 23. I have a 23 hybrid, there is no TSB or fix. Dealer is aware of the issue, has techs who have experienced it themselves. Just can't be fixed without Toyota stepping up. Happy to work with Toyota if they want to put sensors or computers on the vehicle. When the vehicle was new it only occurred once/twice a month. Now it is every day. The latest incident was today driving back from the dealer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603659July 21, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
When 87 fuel is put into the vehicle, the 2023 highlander is jerky/has hesitation, RPMs jump around. Trying to slow down to a yield then go again it jerks and almost feels like engine is cutting out. Seems worse when car is being driven on warm day with a/c on or under a “load”. Very dangerous in intersections. Current fix is to put 93 octane in the vehicle to remedy the issue. Putting 93 octane fuel in the vehicle does help. All of these issues pose a risk to the car jumping from a start to cause a rear-end accident. I've complained to the dealer and they've stated everything is normal when they test drive and no codes are showing even explaining a TSB was issued they refuse to fix. Started at 500 miles on odometer, still happening at over 13,000 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603161July 18, 2024
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 62 MPH, the front bumper detached from the vehicle. Additionally, the wheel guard had also detached. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure) 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. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11600119July 8, 2024
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure) 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. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11600087July 8, 2024
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure) 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11598566July 3, 2024
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Hesitation/Non-linear Acceleration From a Stop. Reprogramming the ECM completely resolved the issue. This needs to be sent out to affected vehicles but I had to investigate and pretty much demand a resolution. I fear what this could later do to our engines, etc.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11598542July 3, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
When 87 octane fuel is put into the vehicle, the 2023 highlander is sluggish to start and make jump at times as well. After reading other complaints online, the current fix was putting 93 octane in the vehicle to remedy the issue. Putting 93 octane fuel in the vehicle does help although the vehicle jumps around RPM's when going from ECO mode to normal. All of these issues pose a risk to the car jumping from a start to cause a rear-end accident. I've complained to the dealer and they've stated everything is normal. Folks online stated their dealerships said Toyota was working on a fix.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11598207July 2, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
I received the first recall notice about 7 months ago and have made the intent to set appointments with Kendall Toyota and West Kendall Toyota many times, but they stated that they don't have the fix available yet. They stated that they put me down in a waiting list and I will be called for an appointment according to the person on the phone the recall for my car is not a life-threatening recall. I stated that how come is not serious if the bumper gets detach while driving. I can cause an accident. I can I asked to speak to a supervisor in my last two intents to get appointments, but they stated that supervisors were not available at the moment, but a supervisor will call me back. NEVER GET A CALL BACK. I received the second recall showing in records that it is pending, however I have done the due diligence to fix it but not Toyota West Kendal and/or Kendall Toyota.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11595873June 22, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
There are two problems with our 2023 Toyota Highlander. 1) We only have 25k miles on our vehicle and the brake rotors became warped, to the point of causing severe chatter while downhill braking. Toyota stated that the warranty does not cover brakes. My argument was that the brake rotors should not be failing at 25k miles! They then stated that they would inspect the rotors and resurface them, if necessary. They did find that they needed to resurface the rotors. My contention is that this will be a recurring issue, especially since there is even less metal on the rotors now. I believe the original rotors are faulty to have failed prematurely. 2) We had a receiver hitch installed by a third party, which caused the kick sensor for the back hatch to be inoperable. This is expected and no big deal to us. However, when we put the bike rack in the receiver hitch, the backup warning sensors engage the brakes and cause the vehicle to not back up. The only way to back up with the bike rack on is to disable the backup sensors! Now we have lost that backup safety feature! The backup sensors see the bike rack and engage the brakes. Additionally, this issue also caused all other sensors to malfunction by stating that the sensors were dirty and needed cleaning, with the backup sensor engaged. Toyota inspected the vehicle multiple times and finally reached the conclusion that there is no fix for the sensors to allow our bike rack to be installed. Toyota sells this vehicle with the option of having a hitch and bike rack installed, yet their safety sensors don’t allow this to happen. Now, we are unable to use the bike rack, unless we disable the sensors. The safety features we paid for are now useless!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11595651June 21, 2024
TIRES
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V419000 (Tires) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11593367June 10, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When driving the vehicle will hesitate and pause when trying to accelerate. This normally occurs when trying to make a turn. The delay is a safety concern since the lack of acceleration frequently causes near accident with oncoming traffic. The dealership recreated once but said there is nothing they can find/ do about it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11591321May 29, 2024
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH and hitting concrete, the lower front bumper cover mounting tabs detached and created holes on the lower front bumper. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the parts were ordered; however, the dealer declined to repair the vehicle because they were not an auto body shop. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where the lower front bumper and mounting tabs were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure), which he related to the failure. The manufacturer was contacted for reimbursement and advised the contact to fax the required documents. The contact stated that the documents were faxed; however, the manufacturer informed the contact that reimbursement could only be provided once the recall remedy was available. The failure mileage was approximately 1,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11591086May 28, 2024
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11590220May 22, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
The warning lights go on for no apparent reason. Dash instrumen just disappear for no apparent reason and then reappear randomly. Such as compass disappearing and reappearing throughout the drive at long stretches at a time. The forward and rear collision warning system just come on when nothing is close to vehicle. The blind spot monitoring system doesn’t always show up on right side of vehicle. Doesn’t matter speed or road conditions. It randomly happens throughout our regular commute and not. The warning buzzer goes off but doesn’t say what is the problem. Went off for over half an hour even when car was stopped and car turned off. Dealership not able to figure out why. Said to bring it in while doing it. By time I get there it’s done. I live 1/2 hour away. They drive it and say blind spot working like supposed to. I showed them videos of how it’s not working and they tell me it’s fine. Yet even a semi truck didn’t show up in blind spot or a UPS truck. They say unless it throws a code every thing is fine. Yet I’ve had clear roads, no rain no traffic nothing and had my collision warning lights and sounds go off and not stop for up to 5-10 minutes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11590217May 22, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Still they have yet to come up with a fix to the problem they sent out for their safety recall. 23TA12 (Interim notice 23TB12) Certain model years 2020-2023 Highlander-Highlander HV-Front Lower Bumper Cover Assembly May Detach While Driving. This is something that has caused severe damage to vehicles lowering the value of their vehicles and causing harm to passengers and pedestrians at times. This is something that they should have done by now. This is a cause for concern and extreme anxiety every time I drive my car and I already deal with anxiety issue as does my husband.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11588525May 13, 2024
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
Noticed side view mirrors vibrate at speeds above 25 mph and on highway speeds. Driver side mirror has much noticeable vibration when looking at it to make lane changes. Vibration makes it hard to focus and view other vehicles on the road and possibly a safety concern. When taken to dealership, technician could not duplicate the concern and did not found mirror to be loose. I also noticed that tapping from inside the front driver or passenger door creates similar vibration of side mirrors. Both side mirror assemblies need more structural strengthening due to it’s position on the door panel which is prone to vibrations from road and transmits it to the side mirror assemblies. This is a design defect that needs to be addressed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11587043May 5, 2024
AIR BAGS, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
I was in an accident on [XXX] on [XXX] in Elizabeth, Indiana in front of the casino. They changed a two lane road into a one lane road by using mobile traffic lights. As I tried to brake, the car sped up and the car auto corrected in the lane on the left when I tried to avoid the impact by going right. When I crashed into the other vehicle, my air bags did not deploy. I hurt my back, neck, and chest(from the seatbelt/impact). I had no choice or option to avoid impact. On my left was oncoming traffic. To my right was the River. In the front of me, was the other car. I wore my seatbelt until the 911 operator told me to get out of the car to check on the other driver who said he was fine. The vehicle is a total loss. My Insurance Company, USAA, is in the process of giving me a settlement. I released the car to them. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11584545April 22, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
Notice something hanging when looking at the vehicle from the front took vehicle into Toyota dealership for inspection. Informed at that time there was an open recall on the vehicle was told by service director no remedy available to bring vehicle back in once remedy available. Explained there was visible damage to the vehicle. Vehicle in their possession since November 2023 no updated information on remedy available. Have had 3 loaner vehicles some do some don’t accommodate needs and family size. This is my primary vehicle for work as I travel 100% of the time for my job is financially inconvenient. Informed I will be responsible for rental vehicle if loaners become unavailable. Purchased the car new January 2024. Recall listed below. 10/26/2023 Manufacturer Safety recall issued NHTSA: #23V720 Recall: #23TB12 SAFETY RECALL 23TA12 (INTERIM NOTICE 23TB12) - CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2020- 2023 HIGHLANDER AND HIGHLANDER HV- FRONT LOWER BUMPER COVER ASSEMBLY MAY DETACH WHILE DRIVING Status: Remedy Not Available
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11582841April 14, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am on CarPlay Maps following direction and suddenly a pop up come up on the screen advertising the Toyota Driver experience connect subscription or asking me to reset the Toyota apps pin. In order to come back to the maps, I need to take my eyes off the road to click a couple of times to CarPlay. This is dangerous as it happens every 5 to 10 minutes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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