2012 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 191 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 16 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Equipment, other, labelsApr 9, 2013
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 13V123000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveJan 16, 2013
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 13V014000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
191 reports, newest first.
Steering, Jul 29, 2019
WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL, THERE IS A LOUD POPPING NOISE. THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ALSO FEELS LOOSE WHEN TURNING. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS AND WHETHER TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT.
Electrical system, Jul 15, 2019
THE DRIVER SEAT WINDOW IS GOING OFF TRACK. THE GLASS DOES NOT GO UP CORRECTLY AND HAS ALMOST LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FALL OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WITH THE VEHICLE STATIONARY.
Steering, Jul 7, 2019
WHILE TURNING STEERING COLUMN WAS MAKING LIGHT CLICKING NOISE FOR A FEW YEARS. IN 2019 CLICKING RATE AND VOLUME INCREASED AND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A DEFINITE FEEL IN THE COLUMN. RESOLUTION WAS REPLACING INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AT A COST OF FOUR HUNDRED AND FORTY FOUR DOLLARS.
Steering, Jul 1, 2019
STEERING COLUMN MAKING TICKING SOUND. TOOK TO A MECHANIC AND HE STATED KNUCKLE JOINT IS BAD. HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING. POTENTIALLY COULD CAUSE STEERING TOFAIL
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 75 MPH I HEARD A VERY LOUD POPPING NOISE IN THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I PULLED OFF ON A SIDE ROAD AT 45 MPH, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED, SOUNDING LIKE A SHOTGUN WAS FIRED OVER MY HEAD. THE COVER TO THE SUNROOF WAS OPEN AND TINY SHARDS OF GLASS FELL INTO THE CAR AND I WAS PICKING THEM OUT OF MY HAIR ALL DAY. IT WAS VERY DISTRESSING AS I DIDN'T KNOW IF SOMEONE WAS SHOOTING AT ME SO I KEPT DRIVING UNTIL I WAS OUT OF THE AREA. WHEN I FELT SAFE, I STOPPED THE CAR TO INSPECT THE DAMAGE AND THAT'S WHEN I SAW THE SUNROOF GLASS PROTRUDING UPWARDS. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME AND NOTHING OVERHEAD. IN THE ATTACHED PICTURE YOU CAN SEE THE GLASS OF THE SUNROOF PROTRUDING UPWARDS, WHICH COULD NOT BE THE RESULT OF AN IMPACT FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER, THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE'D HEARD OF IT HAPPENING BEFORE AND ADMITTED IT WAS A STRUCTURAL DEFECT, YET TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER IT. HE SUGGESTED I SUBMIT A CLAIM TO MY INSURANCE, WHICH I DID. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECTIFY.
Seats, Jun 12, 2019
THE MID-ROW SEATS SHAKE AND RATTLE WHEN DRIVING AND NO ONE IS SITTING ON THEM.
Steering, Suspension, May 31, 2019
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW I HAVE BEEN HEARING A CLUCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT AND UPON BREAKING A THUD SOUND IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR. AFTER TAKING MY CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY CAME BACK AND SAID THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. I ASKED WELL HOW DO YOU DAMAGE A WHOLE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT? THEY SAID IT OCCURS OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. MY VEHICLE HAS 92,000 MILES ON IT BUT ITS BEEN MAINTAINED AND SERVICED AND NOT DRIVEN ROUGHLY BUT TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT THEY SAID IT WOULD COST ME ABOUT $615.00 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED PLUS AN ADDITIONAL $89.95 FOR THE ALIGNMENT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURE ISSUE AND NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA SINCE THEY PRIDE THEMSELVES AS BEING ONE OF THE LEADING AUTO MAKERS AROUND THE WORLD.
Electrical system, May 29, 2019
THE POWER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WENT OUT ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR IF MY 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I ONLY NOTICED THE FAILURE BY CHANCE. AFTER MY SIX YEAR OLD SON GOT OUT OF THE CAR ONE DAY, I TRIED THE DOOR HANDLE AND NOTICED IT WAS UNLOCKED. I HIT THE KEY FOB LOCK BUTTON AGAIN, AND THE OTHER THREE DOORS LOCKED, BUT NOT THAT ONE. IT TURNS OUT, THE DOOR HAD NOT BEEN LOCKING FOR MONTHS. I PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY AT HOME, AND A REMOTE SURFACE LOT AT WORK, SO ESSENTIALLY THE CONTENTS OF MY VEHICLE HAVE BEEN WIDE OPEN TO THEFT FOR A LONG TIME. MORE SERIOUSLY, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS PUT INTO PARK, OR THE UNLOCK BUTTON DEPRESSED. MY SON, WHO IS STILL IN A CAR SEAT WITH A FIVE-POINT SEATBELT, IS ESSENTIALLY TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. SOMEONE HAS TO OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, AND REACH PAST THE HEADREST TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE REAR DOOR. IF YOU CONDUCT A LITTLE RESEARCH, YOU WILL SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON TOYOTA VEHICLES. IT COSTS $500 PER DOOR TO FIX AT THE DEALERSHIP. WHILE AUTOMATIC LOCKING MAY BE ONLY A CONVENIENCE ISSUE FOR OWNERS, FAILURE TO UNLOCK DOORS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
Structure, May 11, 2019
THE SEAL COATING ON THE ROOF PAINT CLEAR COAT IS UNDER CURRENT WARRANTEE AND THE DEALER WANTS NOT TO COVER IT. INSTEAD THEY WANT TO NOT USE THE POLICY ,BUT CHARGE ME $1000 FOR THEM TO PAINT IT.THIS I CONSUMER FRAUD.
Steering, May 6, 2019
WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 20 MILES PER HOUR, A POPPING NOISE WAS PRESENT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD IT SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST DETECTED AT ABOUT 55,000 MILES.
Steering, Apr 30, 2019
UPON TURNING STEERING WHEEL, EVEN SLIGHTLY, AN OBVIOUS "CLUNKING" NOISE IS HEARD AND FELT THROUGH THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR WAS APPROXIMATELY 62K. AT 70K I AM HAVING IT REPAIRED ALTHOUGH I WAS TOLD THERE WASN'T A SAFETY ISSUE. THE SOUND SEEMS TO HAVE INCREASED IN THE LAST 8K MILES.
Air bags, Apr 24, 2019, crash
TAKATA RECALL - DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE FULLY DURING THE FRONTAL ACCIDENT ON 05/26/2018. PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE AT ALL DURING THE FRONTAL ACCIDENT ON 05/26/2018. SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE AT ALL DURING THE FRONTAL ACCIDENT ON 05/26/2018. VEHICLE WAS MOVING ON HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER AND ON
Engine, Apr 15, 2019
WITH 1000 MILES LEFT ON AN OIL CHANGE OR SO OUR CAR WOULD RANDOMLY STALL WHEN YOU MAKE CERTAIN TURNS. OCCAISIOANLLY THE OIL LIGHT WOULD POP ONE WHEN IT WOULD STALL. I CHECKED THE DIPSTICK AND YOU COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING ON IT. I ADDED OIL AND TOOK IT INTO DEALER. THEY ARE DOING A CONSUMPTION TEST TO SEE HOW MUCH WE LOSE IN 1000 MILES. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 86,000 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE NO LEAKS AND NO VISIBLE SMOKE COMING OUT OF EXHAUST. THIS HAS ME WORRIED OF SIMILIAR PROBLEMS THEY HAD WITH ONE OF THERE OTHER 4CYL ENGINES.
Steering, Apr 2, 2019
I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW, I'VE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER/DRIVER. WITH IN THE 3RD YEAR OF HAVING THIS CAR, I START TO HEAR A ( CLANKING) NOISE. THE FIRST THING THAT I THOUGHT WAS , THAT IT WAS THE CV JOINTS. I REALIZE THAT I WAS CLOSE TO THE 36,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY CHECKED IT AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING, BUT THAT THEY WOULD CHANGE THE CV JOINTS SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. EVENTHOUGH THEY DID MAKE CHANGE, I CAN STILL HEAR THE NOISE WHEN I TURN EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I WENT BACK AND STILL THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE SHAFT. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING , SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. TILL THIS DAY I STILL HEAR THE CLANKING NOISE.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 29, 2019
ON MARCH 19, 2019 AROUND 9:30PM (DRY ROAD CONDITION ' NO RAIN), MY HUSBAND AND I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION OUTSIDE WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY (I-70) GOING APPROX. 70 MPH. IT SOUNDED LIKE A TIRE BLEW OUT OR A GUN SHOT. MY HUSBAND DIDN'T FEEL THE CAR WAS WOBBLY SO WE ASSUMED THE TIRES ON OUR CAR ARE OK. WE WERE DRIVING ON LEFT LANE AND THERE WAS A SEMI-TRUCK NEXT TO US BUT WE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING HAPPENED TO THE TRUCK AND IT WAS MOVING NORMAL TOO. HOWEVER, AFTER THAT LOUD EXPLOSION, WE BOTH NOTICED THE NOISE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE CAR (NOISE SIMILAR TO WHEN THE CAR WINDOW IS OPEN). I THEN OPENED THE COVER (SHADE) OF THE SUNROOF AND SAW THE SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED SO QUICKLY CLOSED THE COVER (SHADE) BACK UP. FORTUNATELY, THE COVER WAS CLOSED WHEN THE SUNROOF SHATTERED SO WE DIDN'T GET HURT FROM BROKEN GLASSES. WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW THAT HAPPENED AS WE DIDN'T SEE ANY OBJECTS WERE FLYING TOWARDS US.
Steering, Mar 12, 2019
STEERING SHAFT- AFTER EXPERIENCING CLUNKING AND POPPING WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY. THIS WILL COST APPROXIMATELY 1000 DOLLARS TO FIX. THIS CAN CAUSE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES IF NOT FIXED!
Steering, Mar 11, 2019
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER I EXPERIENCE A "POP" IN THE STEERING WHEEL. MY MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BUT IS NOT WARRANTED BY TOYOTA NOTWITHSTANDING THE FACT IT IS A KNOWN AND COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR VEHICLE. IF LEFT UNREPAIRED IT COULD CAUSE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY PROBLEM.
Steering, Mar 5, 2019
HEARING A NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AT LOW SPEED. STARTED AROUND WHEN IT WAS AROUND 45000 MILES BUT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO RECOGNISE IT OR REPRODUCE IT. NOW AT 63000 MILES VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND SERVICE CHARGE FOR REPLACING STEERING SHAFT IS ABOUT $1000, WHICH HAS TO BE SERVICED UNDER WARRANTY WHEN THE ISSUE ARISED. THIS IS A BIG SEVERE FAILURE ON TOYOTA SAFTEY CHECK AND HAS TO BE RECALLED AS MORE AND MORE CUSTOMERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE.
Steering, Feb 6, 2019
STEERING MAKES NOISE (CLANKS) UNDER TURNING AND ACCELERATION. I SPOKE WITH TOYOTA AND THERE IS A TSB FOR THE STEERING COLUMN WHICH HAS SEVERAL REPORTED FAILURES AND MANY COMPLAINS. THERE IS AN ONGOING NHTSA ENGINEERING INVESTIGATION. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WANTS AROUND $1000 TO REPAIR.
Steering, Jan 7, 2019
WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, CLUNKING AND POPPING NOISES ARE HEARD. VIBRATION AND PULSING FELT THROUGH STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING. INFORMED DEALER. THEY CHECKED IT AND SAID IT WAS THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AT ANY SPEED.
Other or unspecified, Jan 2, 2019
MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND IN PARK IN A PARKING LOT, WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING. SUDDENLY, I HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD BANG, AND THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW HAD COMPLETELY EXPLODED INTO PIECES. ALL THAT WAS LEFT WAS THE REAR WINDOW WIPER. MOST OF THE GLASS EXPLODED OUT, WITH ONLY SOME GLASS LANDED IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. NOTHING WAS THROWN AT IT, THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO IT, AND ALL DOORS WERE CLOSED.
Steering, Dec 30, 2018
HAVE NOISE IN STEERING SHAFT AT LOW SPEED WHEN TURNING AND BACKING UP AND PULLING FORWARD . TOYOTA DEALER CHECKED AT 50,000 MILE WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE NOISE . WHEN HAVING OIL CHANGE AT 62000 MILES MENTIONED IT AGAIN TO SERVICE MAN AND WAS TOLD IT PROBABLY IS THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT THEY ALWAYS GO BAD IN THAT YEAR AND TOYOTA WILL NOT REPLACE UNLESS I PAY FOR IT. HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH TOYOTA DIRECTLY AND THEY HAD THE DEALER CALKL ME TWICE TO SET UP APPOINTMENT TO LOOK AT THE CAR. WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG AND WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS ,I DECLINED ,WAS TOLD THEN THEY WERE GOING TO GET BACK TO TOYOTA FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE , THIS WAS THE WEEK OF 12/10 2018
Steering, Dec 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING STEERING FAILURE. FREEDOM TOYOTA OF HARRISBURG (6060 ALLENTOWN BLVD, HARRISBURG, PA 17112, (717) 545-4726) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. *DT*JB
Vehicle speed control, Dec 25, 2018, crash
WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPOT WITH FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN AND UNANTICIPATED ACCELERATION RESULTING IN THE CAR CRASHING INTO A CONCRETE WALL AND BEING TOTALED. WITNESS CORROBORATED THE SOUND OF A THE ENGINE AT HIGH RPM IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE CRASH.
Steering, Dec 21, 2018
MAKING POPPING NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAVE IT SERVICED AND THEY INFORMED ME IT WAS THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY. WHICH COST $273 DOLLARS BEFORE LABOR. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE 2008 TO 2013 MODELS. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY TOYOTA.