Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid with NHTSA between 2013 and 2019.
The largest single group is the body & structure.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 9 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 5
Against the median year of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 46
27% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2012 compares with every other Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
218.2%
Median failure at 50,722 miles
Body & Structure
218.2%
Median failure at 67,755 miles
Other & Unspecified
19.1%
Median failure at 105,002 miles
Seats
19.1%
Median failure at 103,240 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
19.1%
Median failure at 105,002 miles
Brakes
19.1%
Median failure at 114,000 miles
Steering
19.1%
Median failure at 82,427 miles
Electrical System
19.1%
Median failure at 86,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
19.1%
Median failure at 25,690 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
19.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
218.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
327.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
545.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2013peak 2Jun 2019
NHTSA investigations into the 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP22005Opened 27 Jan 2023Closed 7 Aug 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc...
EA18006Opened 16 Nov 2018Closed 2 Apr 2024STEERING:COLUMN
Steering Column Separation
On November 16, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) as an upgrade to a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-005). The investigation focused on allegations of steering wheel separation from the lower steering column after using the tilt and/or telescoping mechanism. Given the separation occurring when operating the tilt and/or telescoping function and failure of both shear capsules to maintain the lower steering column mounting position, potential for shear capsule damage in the known failures due to collisions, the overall low rate of occurrence,...
PE18005Opened 4 May 2018Closed 20 Nov 2018STEERING:COLUMN
Upper Steering Column Separation
On May 4, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE18-005 to investigate three allegations of steering column separation for Model Year (MY) 2008 through 2013 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Two (2) of the 3 complaints were received by ODI in April 2018 and occurred while the vehicle was in motion. Since opening PE18-005, one (1) additional VOQ involving steering column separation has been received. This incident occurred while the vehicle was stationary.As part of PE18-005, ODI examined the field data, warranty data, and relevant technical information submit...
Recalls on the 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202172355,683 units in Canada
Electrical
Issue: This recall is for certain block heater kits installed on certain vehicles or sold as accessories at Toyota or Lexus dealerships. On certain vehicles, the engine block heater cable may not have enough heat protection and could be damaged by high temperatures. If this happens, the cable could short circuit while plugged in, and cause the wiring to overheat or melt. Note: This recall only affects the following block heater/cord part numbers: C014003034 PK5A408J09 PU14000904 C014003151 PK5A408J13 PU14000905 C014000885 PK5A489J11 PU14000907 C014000888 PK5A489J22 PU14000909 C014000907 PK5A410H00 PU14000911 C014100904 PU14000900 PU14000913 C014100907 PU14000901 PU14003571 C014100911 PU14000902 PK5A489J14 PK5A408J05 PU14000903 Safety Risk: Engine block heater wiring that overheats or melts could create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Toyota recommends that you should stop using the engine block heater immediately. Toyota will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to disable the engine block heater. For some vehicles, the corrective actions for this recall are under development. For others, a new engine block heater cannot be installed, and the owner will receive a refund of the purchase price of the engine block heater.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 103,240 milesFlower Mound, TX
SEATS
THE MID-ROW SEATS SHAKE AND RATTLE WHEN DRIVING AND NO ONE IS SITTING ON THEM.
NHTSA complaint #11219597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesBrandon, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY
VEHICLE POWER UNLOCKING MECHANISM IS UNRELIABLE, AND SHOWS SIGNIFICANT DEFECT IN THE UNLOCKING CAPABILITIES OF ALL BUT THE DRIVERS DOOR. AFTER SEVERAL LOCK ACTUATOR REPLACEMENTS, THE VEHICLE STILL EXHIBITS IMPROPER OPERATION. DEALERSHIP AGREES THAT THERE IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND IT'S LOCK OPERATION. BIGGEST ISSUE I SEE IS HAVING TO LEAVE MY CHILDREN UNATTENDED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE TO MANUALLY UNLOCK DOORS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS EXTENSIVELY, AND FOUND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE, IN MANY FORUMS ETC - TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE LOCK MECHANISMS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW, AND SHOULD BE EXAMINED FOR THE SAFETY IMPACT AT A GREATER SCALE.
NHTSA complaint #11156484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,000 milesGilbert, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP/ABS ACTUATOR C1391/C1256 WERE CODES GIVEN IN ATTACHED REPORT FROM TOYOTA. THIS IS APPARENTLY BEEN A PROBLEM WITH OTHER MODELS OF TOYOTAS AND ARE COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT, HOWEVER THE 2012 IS NOT COVERED. NOTHING SEEMS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THEY CANNOT REALLY TELL ME WHAT EXACTLY IS WRONG OR IF IT IS A BAD SENSOR, HOWEVER THEY WANT $4,200 TO REPLACE THE WHOLE UNIT. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX FROM PREVIOUS MODELS AND WOULD LIKE IT COVERED DUE TO POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK.
NHTSA complaint #11152787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,427 milesOverland Park, KS
STEERING
THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A CLUNK OR KNOCK TYPE NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. IT OCCURRED AT SLOW SPEEDS SUCH AS TURNING AT AN INTERSECTION. THIS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. THIS IS A KNOWN , REPORTED DEFECT ON HIGHLANDERS FROM 2008 - 2013. IT NEEDS TO BE ELEVATED TO THE LEVEL OF A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11101251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,002 milesScotts Valley, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE SUNROOF EXPLODED AND SHUTTERED WITH A LOAD EXPLOSION NOISE WHILE I WAS DRIVING 55MPH ON A HIGHWAY 17 IN CALIFORNIA WITH MY CHILDREN.
NHTSA complaint #11075617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,002 milesScotts Valley, CA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THE SUNROOF EXPLODED AND SHUTTERED WITH A LOAD EXPLOSION NOISE WHILE I WAS DRIVING 55MPH ON A HIGHWAY 17 IN CALIFORNIA WITH MY CHILDREN.
NHTSA complaint #11075617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesMullica Hill, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NO PRIOR HISTORY OF HYBRID PROBLEMS DURING PREVIOUS 65,000 MILES. ON MONDAY MORNING, THE HIGHLANDER HYBRID STARTED UP FINE. AFTER WARMING UP FOR 5 MINUTES TO SCRAPE OFF SNOW, SHIFTED TO DRIVE AND BEGAN DRIVING. CAR SHUT DOWN AFTER ABOUT 12 FEET. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON DISPLAY, INDICATING HYBRID SYSTEM PROBLEM. AAA CAME, PUT ON FLATBED, AND TOOK TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OR FIX PROBLEM FOLLOWING 6+ HOURS OF TROUBLESHOOTING BY THEIR HYBRID EXPERT YESTERDAY. THEY INDICATED IT COULD BE SOMETHING IN THE INVERTER, BUT THAT IT MAY NOT BE COVERED BY EXISTING EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND THAT WE MAY WANT TO CONTACT OUR INSURANCE COMPANY. AWAITING CALL BACK. AFTER RESEARCHING ON SAFECAR.GOV, THIS SOUNDS SIMILAR TO RECALL 13V396000 FOR 2006-10 HIGHLANDERS, AND 14V053000 FOR 2010-14 PRIUS. WE HOPE TOYOTA DOES THE RIGHT THING FOR US, AND FOR OTHERS WITH THE SAME DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10683807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesMullica Hill, NJ
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
NO PRIOR HISTORY OF HYBRID PROBLEMS DURING PREVIOUS 65,000 MILES. ON MONDAY MORNING, THE HIGHLANDER HYBRID STARTED UP FINE. AFTER WARMING UP FOR 5 MINUTES TO SCRAPE OFF SNOW, SHIFTED TO DRIVE AND BEGAN DRIVING. CAR SHUT DOWN AFTER ABOUT 12 FEET. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON DISPLAY, INDICATING HYBRID SYSTEM PROBLEM. AAA CAME, PUT ON FLATBED, AND TOOK TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OR FIX PROBLEM FOLLOWING 6+ HOURS OF TROUBLESHOOTING BY THEIR HYBRID EXPERT YESTERDAY. THEY INDICATED IT COULD BE SOMETHING IN THE INVERTER, BUT THAT IT MAY NOT BE COVERED BY EXISTING EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND THAT WE MAY WANT TO CONTACT OUR INSURANCE COMPANY. AWAITING CALL BACK. AFTER RESEARCHING ON SAFECAR.GOV, THIS SOUNDS SIMILAR TO RECALL 13V396000 FOR 2006-10 HIGHLANDERS, AND 14V053000 FOR 2010-14 PRIUS. WE HOPE TOYOTA DOES THE RIGHT THING FOR US, AND FOR OTHERS WITH THE SAME DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10683807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,510 milesMidlothian, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY
SEVERAL SMALL PAINT BUBBLES ON REAR HATCH. ONE HAD BURST AT SEAM OF TRIM AND IS RUSTING. SCREWS HOLDING THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT AND ASSEMBLY ARE RUSTED. UNDERSIDE OF "HIGHLANDER" EMBLEM TRIM WHERE REAR CAMERA IS LOCATED IS CORRODED AND RUSTED.
NHTSA complaint #10608193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,690 milesPortland, OR
POWER TRAIN
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO DEALER FOR A FACTORY RECALL TO REPLACE THE REAR DRIVESHAFT ASSEMBLY. THE CAR WAS DRIVING COMPLETELY NORMALLY WHEN TAKEN IN FOR THIS SERVICE. BUT WHEN PICKED UP, THE CAR WAS UNSAFE. IT DROVE NORMALLY AT LOW SPEEDS LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP. BUT A COUPLE OF MILES LATER WHEN GETTING ONTO THE FREEWAY, AT ABOUT 50 MPH, THE REAR END STARTED TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS A DRAG ON FORWARD MOVEMENT, AND FELT LIKE IT WAS SWAYING FROM SIDE TO SIDE, MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. NO UNUSUAL NOISES WERE HEARD. EMERGENCY FLASHERS WERE ACTIVATED AND SPEED REDUCED TO 25 MPH TO TRY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST OFF RAMP WAS TAKEN, AND THE DEALER NOTIFIED. THE CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO KEPT IT FOR THE NEXT 36 HOURS. THE DEALER REPORTED NO PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND, AND NO REPAIR HAD BEEN DONE. THE VEHICLE HAS DRIVEN COMPLETELY NORMALLY AGAIN SINCE THEN.
NHTSA complaint #10559803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,445 milesIdaho Falls, ID
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE 15,000 MILES CHECK UP. THIS VEHICLE ISN'T EVEN A YEAR OLD. THEY TOLD US THE FUEL TANK CHARCOAL CANISTER WAS CRACKED, HOWEVER THE PLASTIC SHROWD WAS NOT. THE DEALER WANTED $1,100 DOLLARS TO FIX THIS. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HOW COULD THIS CAR LESS THAN 20,000 MILES AND LESS THAN A YEAR OLD HAVE A CRACKED CANISTER, WITHOUT THE SHROWD BEING CRACKED. DEALER SAID THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A DEFECT THEN THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10504203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.