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.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 4, 2013
WHEN STOPPING THE AUTO ON 3 OCCASIONS THE ENGINE BEGAN RACING VERY STRONGLY....UPDATED 02/07/13 *BF *TR HOWEVER, WHILE THE HIGHLANDER WAS BEING CHECKED, THE CONSUMER AND HER HUSBAND EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING A TOYOTA CAMRY LOANER, CAUSING A CRASH AND PERSONAL INJURY. UPDATD 02/11/13
Vehicle speed control, Jan 29, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE HOUSE. THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY WHILE REVERSING BUT UPON SHIFTING BACK INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE AGAIN ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN PLACED INTO REVERSE AND THEN CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A CURB, CAUSING THE AXLE TO FRACTURE. THE DRIVER DID NOT SUFFER ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A DEFECT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,900. UPDATED 2/21/13 *CN
Exterior lighting, Jan 17, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS WERE TOO DIM, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR NIGHT DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND ADJUSTED THE LIGHTS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,000. ... UPDATED 02/27/13 *BF UPDATED 03/04/13
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Visibility/wiper, Dec 18, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND STEERING TO THE RIGHT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY EMITTED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHEN POWERING OFF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE DEFROSTER FOR THE REAR WINDOW WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO REMAIN FOGGY FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,300. UPDATED 1/29/13 *CN
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Sep 3, 2012
LIGHT TURNED RED. I ATTEMPTED TO STOP. BRAKE PEDAL WAS ROCK HARD NO RESPONSE. TWO MORE ATTEMPTS USELESS. I JUST CONTINUED ACROSS THE INTERSECTION AND THERE WAS NO FURTHER EVENT. THIS WAS THE THIRD EVENT FOR THIS CAR. I REFUSE TO DRIVE IT AGAIN. I AM AWAITING A RESOLUTION FROM TOYOTA UNDER A CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW DISPUTE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Aug 16, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WENT OVER THE CURB. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET AND SHIFTED INTO PARK IN ORDER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO SENT AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,500.
Electrical system, Aug 2, 2012
THE 2012 HIGHLANDER SPEEDOMETER CONSISTENTLY SHOWS 3 MILES OVER THE ACTUAL SPEED, AS COMPARE TO VARIOUS HIGHWAY SPEED MONITORS AND COMMERCIAL GPS SPEED INDICATORS. HOWEVER, TOYOTA DEALER AND HEADQUARTER SAID THE SPEEDOMETER IS WITHIN PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION. I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS DRIVER MAY NOT BE SURE OF THE ACTUAL SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 27, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SHE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY INSTEAD. SHE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE HOWEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD BECOME VERY STIFF. SHE HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED 15 FEET LATER. SHE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN IDLE UP CLUTCH DEFECT, WHICH OCCURRED AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,800. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD AND THE ENGINE REACHED 1600 RPM EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS ONLY DRIVING 10 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME HARD AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. SHE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. SHE THEN SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND WAITED ABOUT 7-10 MINUTES.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Jul 18, 2012, crash
AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THEN BRAKING, I BACKED UP TO REALIGN THE VEHICLE BETTER. WHEN I PULLED IN THIS TIME AND BRAKE, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. I CONTINUED TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE REPEATEDLY, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT STOP. THE ENGINE THEN REVVED UP AND ACCELERATED. AT THIS SAME TIME THE GEAR SHIFT WENT INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP AS IT HIT THE BUILDING IN FRONT OF ME, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING, AND THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO BACK UP THE VEHICLE AND PARK IT IN THE PARKING SPACE, WITH NOT PROBLEM BRAKING IT TO STOP THIS TIME. *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 29, 2012
MY HIGHLANDER WAS AT THE AIRPORT FOR THREE DAYS PARKED. WHEN I WAS LEAVING THE LOT I WAS DRIVING SLOW IN THE LOT TO PAY MY PARKING. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE LOT TO MAIN STREAM TRAFFIC I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR WOULD ONLY GO SLOW AS I KEPT PUSHING THE THROTTLE. THERE WERE CARS ON BOTH SIDES OF ME WITH NO ONE IN FRONT AND THEN THE CAR JUST TOOK OFF. IT DID STARTLE ME BECAUSE I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE I AM SURE I WOULD NOT HAVE REACTED FAST ENOUGH TO STOP BECAUSE OF THE RAPID ACCELERATION. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE THROTTLE IN THESE VEHICLES. I DID NOT TAKE IT IN BECAUSE I AM SURE THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS ONLY HAPPEN ONCE AND I HOPE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
Service brakes, May 17, 2012
THE CAR WILL NOT HOLD WHEN PARKED ON A STEEP INCLINE. NOT EVEN IN MY DRIVEWAY AT HOME. ESPECIALLY IF THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE ADDED WEIGHT. THEY ADJUSTED IT THE FIRST TIME AND SAID IT WOULD BE FINE. THAT ONLY LASTED A MONTH. TOOK IT IN AGAIN AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG BUT THEY ADJUSTED IT MORE. TECH SAID THEY MIGHT HAVE TO CHARGE ME BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO WEAR OUT THE PARKING BRAKE PADS. NEVER HAD SOME THING LIKE THIS HAPPEN IN ANY VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED. IT CURRENTLY IS NOT HOLDING SO I APPLY THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR AND THEN PUT IT IN PARK. NOT A GOOD PRACTICE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 1, 2012, crash
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING STALL IN A PRIVATE PARKING LOT, MY HIGHLANDER SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND I HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL! MY HIGHLANDER WENT UP OVER THE CURB WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLOW. I HAD BRAKES AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKE, COMING TO A SAFE STOP. NOT BEFORE SLASHING MY LEFT FRONT TIRE AND BENDING MY TIRE RIM. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED. *JS
Vehicle speed control, Apr 30, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. THE CONTACT THEN ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH WAS UNRESPONSIVE. THE ENGINE RMPS INCREASED UP TO 3,000. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED REPEATEDLY AND THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING TO THE DESTINATION AT A REDUCED SPEED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
Air bags, Apr 9, 2012, crash
DRIVERS AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT. FRONT END CRUSHED, PROBABLY $20,000 DAMAGE TO FRONT END ALTHOUGH TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID IT WAS TOTALED. WIFE WAS DRIVING AND COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED IF SEAT BELT HAD FAILED ALSO. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 18, 2012
OCCASIONALLY, AFTER COMING TO A STOP, AND THEN TAKING OFF AND TURNING EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT, THE ENGINE WILL LOSE POWER FOR A FEW SECONDS. THE ENGINE DOES NOT SHUT OFF, IT JUST SLOWS DOWN TO JUST ABOVE IDLE SPEED FOR 3 OR 4 SECONDS AND THEN RESUMES NORMAL ACCELERATION OPERATION. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 16, 2012, crash
WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE IN PRIVATE SHOPPING MALL AT SLOW RATE OF SPEED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING RAPIDLY ACCELERATED FORWARD INTO VEHICLE PARKED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE WENT UP AND OVER PARKED VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. NO ONE WAS HURT IN THIS ACCIDENT AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS MADE AS IT WAS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. COMPLAINT WAS MADE TO TOYOTA WHO INVESTIGATED AND TOYOTA DETERMINED THAT NO VEHICLE DEFECT OR DESIGN EXISTED AND REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND SWEARS AS TO THE FACTS. SHE DID NOT CONTRIBUTE AT ALL TO THIS ACCIDENT. TOYOTA IS MARKETING A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY AND UNFORTUNATELY RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY IF THEY ARE NOT NOW HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *TR