Page 2 of 4 · complaints 51–100 of 182

2012 Toyota Highlander complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2012 record →

Steering
Filed Jul 29, 2019128,000 milesGA

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
Filed Jul 15, 2019PA

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
Filed Jul 7, 2019FL

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
Filed Jul 1, 201980,000 milesGA

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 › Body
Filed Jun 18, 2019CO

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.

Steering
Filed May 31, 2019TX

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
Filed May 29, 201960,000 milesTX

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 › Body
Filed May 11, 2019FL

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
Filed May 6, 201955,000 milesCA

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
Filed Apr 30, 201962,000 milesGA

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 BagsCrash5 injured
Filed Apr 24, 2019VA

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
Filed Apr 15, 201986,000 milesVA

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
Filed Apr 2, 2019FL

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 › Body
Filed Mar 29, 201991,000 milesKS

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
Filed Mar 12, 2019103,000 milesMN

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
Filed Mar 11, 201968,000 milesVA

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
Filed Mar 5, 201959,000 milesTX

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
Filed Feb 6, 201968,000 milesTN

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
Filed Jan 7, 201955,000 milesNY

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.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 2, 2019WI

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
Filed Dec 30, 201848,000 milesIL

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
Filed Dec 26, 201862,000 milesPA

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 ControlCrash
Filed Dec 25, 2018133,993 milesMD

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
Filed Dec 21, 201899,000 milesAR

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.

Steering
Filed Dec 19, 2018126,987 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, A POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE NOISE OCCURRED FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS AND WAS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER (MCGEORGE TOYOTA, 9319 W BROAD STREET, HENRICO, VA 23294) TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,987. *TT CONSUMER STATED NOISE WAS DIAGNOSED AS INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.*JB

EngineFire
Filed Dec 17, 2018100,300 milesMD

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY I HEARD A NOISE AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND SAW SMOKR A TOW TRUCK DRIVER WHO HAPPENED TO BE PASSING BY PULLED OVER AND SURE FIRE UNDER THE HOOD HE PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER I CALLED NINE-ONE-ONE FOUR FIRE TRUCKS TO MAKE SURE THE FIRE WAS COMPLETELY EXTINGUISHED MY MECHANIC SAYS A ROD POPPED AND PUNCTURED THE OIL TANK WHICH CAUSED ALL THE OIL TO LEAK OUT ONTO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY THE FIREMEN ACTUALLY SPREAD SAND OVER IT MY INSURANCE COMPANY HE'S REFUSING TO REPAIR THE CAR BECAUSE THEY SAY THERE WAS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE CAR WHEN THEY LOOKED AT IT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE CAR BECAUSE IT ALL LEAKED OUT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I HAD JUST PUT OIL IN THE CAR THE PREVIOUS DAY THIS HAPPENED ON NOVEMBER 26TH 20186

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 1, 2018GA

SUNROOF LEAKING UNDERCARRIAGE RUST

Engine
Filed Nov 15, 2018216,148 milesAR

THE "MAINTENANCE REQUIRED " LIGHT CAME ON AND I STARTED NOTICING A STRANGE NOISE AS I STARTED THE CAR EVERY MORNING AND AGAIN AS I ACCELERATED. I CALLED AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE ATTENDANT REPORTED TO ME THAT THE OIL LEVEL WAS BARELY VISIBLE ON THE DIP STICK. THE DEALER SHIP CONDUCTED AN "OIL PRESSURE TEST" AND DID NOT DISCOVER ANY LEAKS. SO THEY ARE CONDUCTING AN "OIL CONSUMPTION" TEST AND I AM TO RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER 1100 MILE TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF OIL CONSUMED ON MY VEHICLE.

Steering
Filed Oct 3, 201846,500 milesNC

WHEN VEHICLE IS BEING TURNED, SPECIFICALLY TO THE RIGHT, THERE IS A POPPING AND CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO ALLOW EXTRA TRAVEL PLAY WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. THERE IS AN EXISTING TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN T-SB-0034-13 WHICH OUTLINES A REPLACEMENT STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette
Filed Oct 1, 20187,400 milesMD

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY TOAD. THE DISPLAY ALSO NOTIFIED ME AND READ, PLEASE TAKE THIS TO A TOYOTA DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE HORN ON THE CAR ALSO STOPPED WORKING. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE NO HORN AND A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG. ARE THEY CONNECTED?

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Sep 20, 201869,000 milesMN

THE REAR WIPER QUITS WORKING. INITIALLY THE DEALERSHIP TOOK IT APART, CLEANED IT AND IT WORKED TEMPORARILY. BUT THEN THE WIPER QUIT WORKING AGAIN. THERE APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE MECHANISM AND/OR REAR WINDOW ALLOWING IN MOISTURE FOR THIS TO CONTINUE OCCURRING, REQUIRING THE NEED TO KEEP GOING IN AND CLEANING IT OR HAVING TO REPLACE IT AS SOME HAVE REPORTED WHICH APPEARS TO BE THE POINT I AM AT THE LAST TIME I TOOK IT IN.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 4, 201845,800 milesMI

WHILE STOPPED ON AN INCLINE WITH BRAKE BEING PRESSED VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS AND SKID LIGHT CAME ON. PUT VEHICLE IN 'PARK' AND VEHICLE STOPPED. PLACED VEHICLE IN 'DRIVE', ACCELERATED AND DROVE AWAY WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM IDENTIFIED.

Steering
Filed Aug 5, 201870,023 milesTX

WHEN DRIVING, STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT WHILE TURNING. HEARD A KNOCK SOUND AT VARIOUS TIMES. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE THE STEERING SHAFT REPLACED. THE COST CAME TO $540. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 70,000 MILES. BASED ON OTHER COMPLAINTS I SEE ONLINE, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A TREND AND SHOULD BE A RECALL VOLUNTEERED BY TOYOTA.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 26, 2018MD

PURCHASED USED 2012 HIGHLANDER LTD FROM COLLEGE PARK HYUNDAI/HONDA, COLLEGE PARK MD 20720 IN FEB 2017. THE FRONT PASSENGER AUTOMATIC DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE OF THE FOUR DOORS. THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER.. VEHICLE HAD 48,000 MILES.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 19, 2018MD

WHEN LOCKING THE DOORS, EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERIES HAVE BEEN CHANGED THE DOORS HAVE TO BE LOCKED MANUEL. THE TRUNK OPENS ON IT OWN. I CAN BE IN THE HOUSE AND WHEN I GO OUTSIDE THE TRUNK IS OPEN.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 25, 201854,000 milesVA

REAR WINDSHIELD BLEW OUT ON THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR WAS WARMED PRIOR TO DRIVING AND FONT AND REAR WINDSHIELD WERE ON DEFROST PRIOR TO THE REAR WINDSHIELD EXPLODING.

Steering
Filed May 12, 201870,000 milesOH

CLUNKING WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL

Steering
Filed Feb 26, 201855,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A POPPING NOISE WAS PRESENT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (SEEGER TOYOTA, 12833 OLIVE ST, ST. LOUIS, MO 63141). WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 17, 2018NC

LIFTGATE OPERATES ERRATICALLY, NOT STAYING OPEN WHEN BUTTON IS PUSHED. SOMETIMES IT OPENS ALL THE WAY, ONLY TO CLOSE IMMEDIATELY. MOST TIMES IT STARTS TO OPEN PARTIALLY THEN CLOSES. TWICE IT OPENED WHILE DRIVING. MOST TROUBLING IS ONCE IT STARTED TO CLOSE DOWN ON ME WHILE I WAS GETTING THINGS OUT OF THE TRUNK AREA. I WOULD THINK, FOR SAFETY REASONS, THERE SHOULD BE SOME TYPE OF SENSOR. IS THAT NOT THE CASE WITH MY HIGHLANDER? THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING PERIODICALLY FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS.

Steering
Filed Feb 13, 2018CA

2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAILURE AND HORN CABLE FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THESE FAILURES AND TO BE REIMBURSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *JS

Seats
Filed Feb 1, 201815 milesNY

THIS VEHICLE PRESENTS A HIGH NOISE BUMP WHEN STEERING. THE SUSPENSION FRONT & BACK IS TERRIBLE, CAUSING INTERIOR RATTLES FRONT AND BACK.

Seats
Filed Jan 23, 201864,000 milesMA

AS I WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH ON A SIDE STREET WITH MY HUSBAND SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT (WITH HIS SEATBELT ON) AND THE EMERGENCY LIGHT WENT ON AND A MESSAGE SAYING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF CAME ON. IF WOULD NOT RESET AND TOLD US TO CALL OUR LOCAL DEALER TO FIX THIS IMMEDIATELY, WHERE WE HAD TO PAY FOR IT TO BE FIXED. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR WHAT HAPPENED!

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Nov 20, 201755,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AUTOMATIC DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE OF THE FOUR DOORS. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR. COLONIAL TOYOTA (2600 W PIKE RD, INDIANA, PA 15701, (724) 349-9100) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 25, 201766,000 milesGA

REAR LIFT GATE OPENED AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. DANGEROUS. NOW THE DOOR DOES NOT WORK AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO. I WAS TOLD DIRECTLY BY ANOTHER OWNER THAT THE DOOR DOES NOT ALWAYS LOCK WHEN CLOSED. WHAT ABOUT GRANDCHILDREN AND PETS. I CANNOT USE MY CAR AS INTENDED. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS I HAVE NO IDEA IF OR WHEN IT WILL REPEAT.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 7, 2017MI

6/21/17 DRIVERS DOOR FAILED TO LOCK, 7/24/17 PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO LOCK, 8/4/17 PASSENGER REAR DOOR FAILED TO LOCK. CAR WAS STATIONARY

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 13, 201763,000 milesWI

POWER LIFTGATE MOTOR ARM DETACHED FROM THE UPPER PORTION OF THE REAR DOOR. UPON REPEATED USE AND TIGHTENING IT BECOMES STRIPPED. FORUMS REPORTS THIS IS COMMON FOR SEVERAL MODEL YEARS - NO RECALL. HOLE TO SCREW BECOMES STRIPPED OVER TIME. NO ACCESS TO THE BACK END TO APPLY NUT. DEALER RECOMMENDS TAKING IT TO A BODY SHOP FOR DOOR REPLACEMENT AT $3200 - $3900 DOLLARS. EXTREMELY BAD DESIGN FLAW. NO SOLUTION FOUND OTHER THAN REPLACING THE REAR LIFTGATE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 1, 2017FL

BOUGHT THE CAR CERTIFIED PREOWNED IN 2014 AND NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR DOOR. WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE AUTOMATICALLY IT WOULD JERK TO A STOP, VIBRATE AND GO BACK UP. THE DEALER AGREED TO FIX IT AND TOOK IT IN BACK FOR AN HOUR. AFTER THAT IT WORKED ON AND OFF FOR TWO YEARS. I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AGAIN LAST YEAR AND NOW IT WONT CLOSE AT ALL OR OPEN WITH THE BUTTON- I CAN ONLY OPEN AND CLOSE IT MANUALLY. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER TWO WEEKS AGO AND THEY SEEMED DUMBFOUNDED DESPITE A NEW NOTICE FROM TOYOTA ON THE MATTER. I HAVE READ THIS IS NOW A COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION AGAINST TOYOTA ON THIS MATTER. THE DEALER HAS ORDERED A NEW MOTOR AND I GO BACK NEXT WEEK - ALTHOUGH I'M NOT SURE THAT THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE READ ACCOUNTS OF OWNERS GOING BACK 6-8 TIMES AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS.

Service Brakes
Filed May 20, 201730,101 milesCA

1. MY CAR HAS ONLY 30000 MILES AND YESTERDAY BRAKE MALFUNCTION SHOWED UP. MY WIFE HAD HARD TIME STOPPING THIS VEHICLE. 2. SINCE I AM REPORTING BRAKE ISSUE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO SHARE OUR SPEED GAGE IS COUNTING 2 -3 MILES/HOUR HIGHER THAN ACTUAL SPEED. WE HAD A KIND OF SENSE FOR THIS. NOW I PURCHASED A VERY HIGH EFFICACY GPS. WHICH CONFIRMED. WHEN EVER WE ARE PASSING BY SPEED DETECTOR ON ANY GIVEN STREET. MY SPEED METER IS 2 -3 MILES HIGHER AS COMPARED SHOWS ON SPEEDING DETECTOR ON STREET . I DO NOT WANT TO PAY TO THE DEALER BUT I WANTED TO REPORT FOR SURE.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Apr 26, 2017NJ

2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FAULTY ELECTRIC WINDOW MOTOR WHICH RESULTED IN A VEHICLE FIRE. *LD *JS

Steering
Filed Apr 12, 201728,000 milesNY

VERY SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE IT WAS IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS DIFFICULTLY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE ON ACCELERATION. LATER IT APPEARED AS IF THERE WAS A HIGH POINT IN THE STEERING. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE CHANGED AT 32K MILES AND NOW THERE IS A DISTINCT CLUNK IN THE STEERING WHEN TURNING OR ACCELERATING. THE CAR WAS CHECKED FOR ALIGNMENT WHEN THE TIRES WERE CHANGED. I RECEIVED NO REPORT OF SUSPENSION OR TIE ROD PROBLEMS. CLUNK BECAME MORE AUDIBLE. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW AND A PROBLEM WAS EVIDENT VERY EARLY. CURRENT MILEAGE LESS THAN 33K.

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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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