Owners have filed 13 complaints
about the 2025 Toyota Highlander with NHTSA between 2025 and 2026.
The largest single group is the driver assist & collision avoidance.
Across this model's run it ranks 25 of 25 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 — 2
Against the median year of the Toyota Highlander. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
38.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 2025 compares with every other Toyota Highlander
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2025 Toyota Highlander
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
323.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Other & Unspecified
215.4%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
215.4%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Seat Belts
17.7%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
17.7%
Median failure at 8,498 miles
Brakes
17.7%
Steering
17.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Electrical System
17.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Engine & Cooling
17.7%
Median failure at 100 miles
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
Frontal crash test
Side barrier crash test
Side pole crash test
Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash
tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2025 Toyota HIGHLANDER SUV AWD
16.4% risk
2025 Toyota HIGHLANDER SUV FWD
16.9% risk
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.
Jul 2025peak 4Jul 2026
Recalls on the 2025 Toyota Highlander
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 20256947 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
Issue: On a small number of vehicles, the bolt that secures the third-row center seat belt anchor to the roof may not have been installed properly. As a result, the seat belt could loosen or detach in a crash. Safety Risk: A seat belt that detaches in a crash could increase the risk of injury. Corrective Actions: To reduce the safety risk, Toyota advises that you shouldn't transport a passenger in the third-row center seat until the recall repairs are completed. Toyota will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the third-row center seat belt upper anchor bolt.
Recall 202559499,178 units in Canada
Visual System
Issue: Under certain conditions, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image to freeze or not to display. If this happens, the rearview image may not display when the transmission is shifted into reverse. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the vehicle is reversing. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles equipped with a panoramic view monitor system. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that doesn't display correctly could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners in writing and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the parking assist ECU software.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Wise, VACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I was backing up the vechial accelerated the steering wheel was turning rapid & a grinding noise causing me too hit another vechial about a month before my husband was driving & the vechial accelerated going toward also we had had some issues with back camera not doing a warning signal with a object behind vechial when the accident happened my vechial has braking system that stops you if something is behind you this time it didn’t I called the dealership when accident happed which was May 21 2026 & reported it they said they had accelerations before & advised me to call Toyota engadgment which I did they did a diagnostic test June 5 & to this day I’ve never heard back from them
NHTSA complaint #11753999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wise, VACrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was backing up the vechial accelerated the steering wheel was turning rapid & a grinding noise causing me too hit another vechial about a month before my husband was driving & the vechial accelerated going toward also we had had some issues with back camera not doing a warning signal with a object behind vechial when the accident happened my vechial has braking system that stops you if something is behind you this time it didn’t I called the dealership when accident happed which was May 21 2026 & reported it they said they had accelerations before & advised me to call Toyota engadgment which I did they did a diagnostic test June 5 & to this day I’ve never heard back from them
NHTSA complaint #11753999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was backing up the vechial accelerated the steering wheel was turning rapid & a grinding noise causing me too hit another vechial about a month before my husband was driving & the vechial accelerated going toward also we had had some issues with back camera not doing a warning signal with a object behind vechial when the accident happened my vechial has braking system that stops you if something is behind you this time it didn’t I called the dealership when accident happed which was May 21 2026 & reported it they said they had accelerations before & advised me to call Toyota engadgment which I did they did a diagnostic test June 5 & to this day I’ve never heard back from them
NHTSA complaint #11753999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sykesville, MDCrash1 injured
STEERING
[XXX] was turning left onto [XXX] from [XXX]. Two lanes turn left. She was in the inside lane. The traffic light was red, and when it turned green, she started to turn. Partway through the turn, the steering became unresponsive. She couldn't get it to turn left, and she could not complete the turn, and crashed into the pole that holds the traffic signal. She traveled less than 100 ft total from the light to the pole. The accident was at 1:30 PM on a dry and clear day. The car has 8087 miles on it. There were no observed indications of warning lights and no symptoms of a problem. The vehicle was towed to a salvage lot, the Insurance company inspected it and declared it a total loss. All the airbags went off. I mentioned to the adjuster that there was a mechanical problem, and he said they would not investigate that. [XXX] suffered a broken rib on her left side and has some serious cuts from the airbag below the dash, and of course, the seatbelt soreness. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11750944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Wise, VACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I was backing up the vechial accelerated the steering wheel was turning rapid & a grinding noise causing me too hit another vechial about a month before my husband was driving & the vechial accelerated going toward also we had had some issues with back camera not doing a warning signal with a object behind vechial when the accident happened my vechial has braking system that stops you if something is behind you this time it didn’t I called the dealership when accident happed which was May 21 2026 & reported it they said they had accelerations before & advised me to call Toyota engadgment which I did they did a diagnostic test June 5 & to this day I’ve never heard back from them
NHTSA complaint #11753999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wise, VACrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was backing up the vechial accelerated the steering wheel was turning rapid & a grinding noise causing me too hit another vechial about a month before my husband was driving & the vechial accelerated going toward also we had had some issues with back camera not doing a warning signal with a object behind vechial when the accident happened my vechial has braking system that stops you if something is behind you this time it didn’t I called the dealership when accident happed which was May 21 2026 & reported it they said they had accelerations before & advised me to call Toyota engadgment which I did they did a diagnostic test June 5 & to this day I’ve never heard back from them
NHTSA complaint #11753999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was backing up the vechial accelerated the steering wheel was turning rapid & a grinding noise causing me too hit another vechial about a month before my husband was driving & the vechial accelerated going toward also we had had some issues with back camera not doing a warning signal with a object behind vechial when the accident happened my vechial has braking system that stops you if something is behind you this time it didn’t I called the dealership when accident happed which was May 21 2026 & reported it they said they had accelerations before & advised me to call Toyota engadgment which I did they did a diagnostic test June 5 & to this day I’ve never heard back from them
NHTSA complaint #11753999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sykesville, MDCrash1 injured
STEERING
[XXX] was turning left onto [XXX] from [XXX]. Two lanes turn left. She was in the inside lane. The traffic light was red, and when it turned green, she started to turn. Partway through the turn, the steering became unresponsive. She couldn't get it to turn left, and she could not complete the turn, and crashed into the pole that holds the traffic signal. She traveled less than 100 ft total from the light to the pole. The accident was at 1:30 PM on a dry and clear day. The car has 8087 miles on it. There were no observed indications of warning lights and no symptoms of a problem. The vehicle was towed to a salvage lot, the Insurance company inspected it and declared it a total loss. All the airbags went off. I mentioned to the adjuster that there was a mechanical problem, and he said they would not investigate that. [XXX] suffered a broken rib on her left side and has some serious cuts from the airbag below the dash, and of course, the seatbelt soreness. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11750944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,498 milesSanta Fe, TX
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while she and her husband were driving at 60 MPH, she heard a loud explosion noise from above her head and felt air whipping on top of her head. The contact stated that the sunroof exploded; however, the sunroof shield prevented the glass from entering the vehicle. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and inspected, but the contact did not find anything wrong at that time. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that a rock may have hit the sunroof. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,498.
NHTSA complaint #11741757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glasgow, KY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The speedometer registers speed up to 7mph over actual speed for the first 15 miles then returns to matching GPS speed. Reported to Toyota, dealer said they have seen this before but not identified a fix as of today
NHTSA complaint #11740832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glasgow, KY
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The speedometer registers speed up to 7mph over actual speed for the first 15 miles then returns to matching GPS speed. Reported to Toyota, dealer said they have seen this before but not identified a fix as of today
NHTSA complaint #11740832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The speedometer registers speed up to 7mph over actual speed for the first 15 miles then returns to matching GPS speed. Reported to Toyota, dealer said they have seen this before but not identified a fix as of today
NHTSA complaint #11740832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesNaperville, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally strong odor entering the cabin of the vehicle through the vents. The windows were rolled down due to the obnoxious odor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was tested for leaks in the exhaust; however, no leaks were found. The contact was informed that the fumes were possibly from burning wires or a new vehicle odor because the vehicle was a brand-new vehicle. In addition, the contact was offered the option to trade the vehicle in for a new vehicle. The contact stated that the odor was extremely strong and foul, and the odor stuck to clothing and the contact’s skin. In addition, the contact described the odor as an old lawnmower or snow blowing odor. The contact was advised by the state Attorney General Office of Illinois to contact NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11712542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fresno, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am reporting a safety defect in the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Nightshade involving the multifunction turn signal switch. The interior trim adhesive on the steering column has experienced a chemical breakdown (adhesive migration), causing the turn signal stalk to become stiff and bind. This obstruction makes it difficult to engage the turn signal and occasionally prevents the signal from "auto-canceling" after a turn. The dealership has acknowledged the adhesive failure by authorizing the replacement of the steering column covers but refuses to replace the contaminated turn signal switch. Operating a vehicle with a binding turn signal switch is a direct safety hazard, as it compromises the driver's ability to communicate intent to other motorists. Additionally, the dashboard material is experiencing systemic delamination and producing a white crystalline powder (crystallized adhesive). I am requesting an investigation into the heat-resistance standards of the interior bonding agents used in the 2025 Nightshade trim, as these materials are failing and compromising safety-critical electronic controls. Thank XXX XXX
NHTSA complaint #11711474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
Black Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD 2025 ~15000 miles What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Without any warning, the braking action is delayed. It is a momentary loss and happens occasionally at light braking application, nowhere near hard enough to lock the wheels up The vehicle is available for inspection upon request How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? If I were been closer to another vehicle/pedestrian/obstacle, an accident could happen Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No, yet, I will book an appointment to allow the dealer to verify the issue Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? NO Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? NO General: I have been driving the Highlander for a little bit more than a year, and this issue has happened at least 5 times, twice (2) this week
NHTSA complaint #11707018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pensacola, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While waiting for a traffic light to change, I pressed the pedal to accelerate, and the car would not move. Like my pedal was dead. I have experienced this issue three times. I have also experienced bucking or jerking issues.
NHTSA complaint #11690033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bartlesville, OK
SEAT BELTS
Passenger seat belt won't extend half of the time. We have tried with engine on or off, put it in park and in gear, door open or closed and every other trick. We have pulled the belt straight up and down and every other angle. We have adjusted the height for tall or short riders. We took to the auto dealership, and they said it would not work for them at first then it started to work. We have had riders in the passenger front seat ride with no seat belt on because they couldn't extend it and gave up. It should work every time there because it is a safety issue that should be fixed.
NHTSA complaint #11676416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
