2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

2 recalls, 228 complaints - 396 TSBs - 4/5 safety rating

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Defect Description

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, 2010-20... Read more

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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-... Read more

7,525 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Defect Description

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 y... Read more

Consequence

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 de... Read more

Remedy

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.

3,235 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Complaint Statistics

228 total complaints 20 crashes 4 fires 13 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
STEERING	47
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	29
ENGINE	19
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	19
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	15
VISIBILITY/WIPER	14
STRUCTURE:BODY	12
SERVICE BRAKES	11
AIR BAGS	10
POWER TRAIN	8

Incident date: Jan 4, 2026

Genesis Connected Services is not functional on vehicle since December 23 2025. This module controls Emergency Services and communications, Navigation and vehicle safety features. Genesis has been contacted more than 5 times already and no solution or fixes have been done as of todays date.

Incident date: Jan 22, 2024

1. at night when i toggle hi beams the light black out and i have to jiggle the toggle 2. My HECU assembly is out, I have about 7 lights on my dash.

Incident date: Jan 22, 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V838000(Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated t... Read more

Incident date: Aug 1, 2025

The transmission "stutters" causing shifting and acceleration issues. I have complained since shortly after purchasing it new but the exact cause was never diagnosed and/or repaired under warranty as it should have been. Ford has been uncooperative and only has ever offered me the possibility of fi... Read more

Incident date: Jul 1, 2025

The car has an issue with acceleration, when you stop or driving if you hit the gas pedal the car wont accelerate instantly it has a delay and it super dangerous when crossing through a 2 lane road, we have taken the car 3 times at VW and they finaly gave us an answer that this is an issue with all ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 5, 2025

Steering: While driving today (7/5/2025), all of a sudden and without warning, "driver assist" (power steering) became disabled. Steering wheel immediately became heavy in the sense that it was extremely difficult to turn. Motor: Also, on 02/22/2024, while driving on the freeway at freeway speed, a... Read more

Incident date: Jul 5, 2025

Vehicle vents gasoline fumes into the passenger cabin causing drowsiness, headaches, and impaired cognitive function as well as exposure to a carcinogen. Vehicle has significantly high levels of CO2 inside the cabin at all times (2000-4000ppm) as well as TVOC and HCHO being higher than OSHA allows. ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 5, 2025

Incident date: Nov 28, 2024

A random day the cars steering wheel light came on,the abs light came on,the tire pressure light came on,and the traction control light came on

Incident date: Oct 20, 2023

While driving on interstate highway I hit a bump and the front end began to wobble until I could brake and stop I took it to my front end shop and spent ~ $2K Next trip after repair had same problem when I hit a bump. After two more returns to the same shop and almost all parts replaced the tr... Read more

Incident date: Aug 17, 2024

While getting a routine tire change, my mechanic alerted me to the fact that nuts were missing from the rear suspension on both sides. On one of them, the bolt had nearly slid out as a result, and could have been very dangerous as it did so. The tires had been rotated at this shop prior to this, and... Read more

Incident date: Jul 3, 2014

In the two years I have had this car it has gone into limp home mode stating “start/stop error” while I am drivig the vehicle. I have taken it to my dealership and they will not do anything to fix the problem. The vehicle has also cut off twice while I am driving it with no warning lights which ... Read more

Incident date: Nov 29, 2023

BECM failure, covered by warranty but required towing that I had to pay out of pocket. Have been waiting a week for the repair to be completed and the dealer is refusing to provide a loaner vehicle.

Incident date: Nov 29, 2023

BECM failure, covered by warranty but required towing that I had to pay out of pocket. Have been waiting a week for the repair to be completed and the dealer is refusing to provide a loaner vehicle.

Incident date: Aug 22, 2023

I was driving the vehicle was in drive moving on the road and literally turned off. Completely disabled in the road. I purchased a new battery in September 2022, got the battery tested again and there’s no issue with it. Mechanics can’t find an issue. I had the engine stop feature off (the ligh... Read more

Incident date: Aug 22, 2023

Incident date: Jun 23, 2023

The inlet power supply shorted out and almost caught my camper on fire

Incident date: May 9, 2023

January 2021 starting burning engine oil. Have been to the kia dealership numerous times complaining. Negative results regarding the situation. Engine spits - hisses - hiccups and dies. Car hopped forward and rolled backwards into traffic on the highway. Car burned through three quarts of oil w... Read more

Incident date: Jan 1, 2013

At 100,000 miles my engine lost all compression in cylinder 4 causing the vehicle to suffer a serious lack of power and become a danger to drive. Upon further research I have found that this is not uncommon for the Audi/VW 2.0 Liter TFSI (direct injected) engines. It appears that injector issues lea... Read more

Incident date: Jul 22, 2022

This is the second Highlander Hybrid I've owned that has had the brake actuator and booster assembly fail affecting the functionality of the car's braking system. Replacing these two parts has an absurd price of over 3k at the dealership and other independent hybrid repair shops. My car only has 70k... Read more

Incident date: Jul 22, 2022

Incident date: Oct 28, 2022

When turning on the defrost button, the engine shuts off while driving.

Incident date: Oct 28, 2022

When turning on the defrost button, the engine shuts off while driving.

Incident date: Jul 27, 2022

I was driving and arrived home and suddenly lost my braking and almost hit my house if I didn't steer the wheel towards my lawn and put on my parking brake it would have been a disaster. I felt so unsafe that I had my vehicle towed for repair and had to replace the brake master cylinder. Two weeks... Read more

Incident date: Jul 27, 2022

Incident date: Jun 5, 2022

The Brake Hydro-Boost pump failed while driving on I-75. Subsequently almost all braking was lost on the vehicle. I have researched similar failures on the same model brake pump assemblies, and feel that this is a very unsafe failure condition for the vehicle. The repair cost for this failure is e... Read more

Incident date: Dec 29, 2021

On December 29, 2021, while backing up my 2012 Toyota Highlander accelerated at speed that I was unable to control. One car that was packed in the driveway was damaged beyond repair. An office building where I was working was damaged and has been accessed with a loss of over $100,000. I contacted To... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Apr 23, 2022

The front passenger side airbag light has been going off and on for a few months when someone is sitting in the seat now and now the sea is showing up

Incident date: Jul 11, 2018

In July 2018, I was rear ended and had to have the Toyota of Greenville repair and repaint the rear of my car. Prior to that I had had no issues with chipping paint anywhere on my car. After that I began to have small bubbles of chipping paint on the front end of my car. I questioned the process and... Read more

Incident date: Sep 30, 2021

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly loss motive power while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact pulled over and attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. There were several unknown warning ... Read more

Incident date: Dec 12, 2021

I have had at least 6 occasions that in shifting from reverse and backing up that the bakes did not work, fortunately I was going slow and stopped with emergency brake. I have it also after backing safely, then shifting into drive that the brakes went to the floor and wouldn’t stop the vehicle aga... Read more

Incident date: Dec 12, 2021

Incident date: Aug 12, 2021

Toyota and other vehicle brands use wheel lug nuts that become "swollen" over time. This happens because a cosmetic cap (with no mechanical purpose) made from a different metal is bonded over the metal of the lug nut. The cosmetic cap deforms or swells, because of its different properties compared... Read more

Incident date: Jul 10, 2021

Major issue with Airbags July 2021. A warning appeared shortly after Passenger Sensor malfunction, that stated “Check SRS Airbag System. Have your vehicle checked by dealer immediately.” Dealer did Diagnostic. Toyota Dealer has tried to fix airbags three times in three weeks but it fails withi... Read more

Incident date: Jul 10, 2021

Incident date: Jul 8, 2021

ABS check light is on, says "have dealer check immediately". Took vehicle to dealer, dealer determined the main wire that runs under the carpet is defective and has to be fixed. The cost for the diagnostics is $750 without repairs. The cost to repair is $5100. I bought this vehicle brand new and hav... Read more

Incident date: Jun 9, 2021

Popping and clunking sound in steering or suspension. Can be produced at speeds and at stand still. Could it be this? https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2013/SB-10075792-2280.pdf https://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Highlander/2013/steering/steering.shtml NHTSA Action Number: EA18006 https://www.co... Read more

Incident date: Jul 11, 2017

WHEN I DRIVE THE VEHICLE YOU CAN HEAR A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN. IT HAPPENS AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. WHEN MAKE A TURN RIGHT, OR LEFT YOU HEAR CLUNKING IS THE STEERING COLUMN. IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WANTS TO COME OFF, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATE TO FIX IT WILL COST OVER 1000... Read more

Incident date: Feb 24, 2021

WHEN FILLING THE HIGHLANDER WITH FUEL, IT LOOKS LIKE A WATERFALL OF FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A GAS TANK ISSUE BUT A PROBLEM WITHIN THE LINES? ONCE YOU STOP FUELING WITH THE MAJOR LEAK AND GO TO ANOTHER AREA THERE IS NO FUEL DROP UNDERNEATH THE TANK.

Incident date: Jan 29, 2021

2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING A DEFECT WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, BUT THE TIRES ARE ALL AT THE CORRECT PRESSURE LEVELS. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE TPMS DEACTIVATED UNTIL A FIX WAS AVAILABLE. *JS

Incident date: Jan 22, 2021

MY VEHICLE WAS FINE NO NOISE NOTHING ALL OF SUDDEN THE TRANSMISSION FAIL TO SHIFT GEARS

Incident date: Jan 24, 2020

WELL BEFORE MY OIL CHANGES ARE DUE, MY VEHICLE NEEDS MORE OIL. THERE ARE NO APPARENT EXTERIOR LEAKS BUT THE OIL HAS TO BE LEAKING SOMEWHERE OR BURNING AWAY THROUGH THE EXHAUST.

Incident date: Oct 19, 2020

IN LEFT TURN LANE, ACCELERATING FROM RED LIGHT STOP, A LOUD BAND (AS FROM A ROCK), SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED INTO THOUSANDS OF PIECES. NO INJURIES.

Incident date: Oct 11, 2018

CRUNCH NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN MAKING TURNS.

Incident date: Jan 1, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN COLD WEATHER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK WAS HEARD HOWEVER, AFTER SEVERAL MOMENTS OF DRIVING, THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND HE HEARD THE DOOR UNLOCKING. THE VEHICLE WAS T... Read more

Incident date: Sep 2, 2020

POWERLIFT GATE BAR CAME OFF FROM DOOR, MECHANIC SAYS I NEED A NEW TAILGATE.

Incident date: May 2, 2019

IT MAKES A LOUD CLICKING NOISE WHEN YOU STEER AT ALL TIMES

Incident date: Jul 20, 2020

STEERING SHAFT CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURN LEFT OR RIGHT AT LOW SPEED. CONFIRMED STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FAILURE BY IRA TOYOTA TECHNICIAN ON 7/31/2020 . THIS IS 3RD TIMES FAILURE. 1ST FAILURE WAS JAN/2012 AND 2ND TIME FAILURE WAS 11/2013.

Incident date: Mar 29, 2017

HAD TO INSTALL A NEW STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY AT THE 5TH YR INSPECTION. THE WARRANTY WAS UP, HAD TO PAY $451.82 MYSELF. PROBLEM AND NOISE FROM DAY ONE. TOLD I COULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT FROM IT. THIS WAS ON 3/29/2017 AT DIEHL AUTOMOTIVE IN BUTLER, PA. ALWAYS CLANKED WHEN TURNING WHEEL, LOUD ... Read more

Showing 50 of 228 complaints.

NHTSA Safety Ratings, 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

2012 Toyota Highlander SUV AWD

Category	Rating
Overall Rating	4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Frontal Crash	4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Frontal Crash, Driver	4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Frontal Crash, Passenger	4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Side Crash	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Side Crash, Driver	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Side Crash, Passenger	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Rollover	4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Rollover Risk	17.4%

Safety Technology

Feature	Status
Electronic Stability Control	Standard
Forward Collision Warning	No
Lane Departure Warning	No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings Program. Ratings are based on crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Technical Service Bulletins, 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

396 manufacturer communications from 201 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
350000 EQUIPMENT	43
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL	30
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	29
060000 ENGINE (PWS)	26
353000 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL	23
353400 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.	22
357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER	21
353500 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)	17

061500 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) website.

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

OBSOLETE NOTICE January 22, 2024: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0057-18.

350000 EQUIPMENT

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the re

180000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

140000 AIR BAGS

350000 EQUIPMENT

TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

160000 STRUCTURE

DL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors. These reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the v

160000 STRUCTURE

140000 AIR BAGS

TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The pur

160000 STRUCTURE

162000 STRUCTURE:BODY

TI: TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS Customer Support Program ZKG Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint

162000 STRUCTURE:BODY

CSP: Customer Support Program ZKG ? Paint Repair Process

160000 STRUCTURE

TSB: Some 2010 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?. The wrinkles may trap water and

160000 STRUCTURE

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

160000 STRUCTURE

350000 EQUIPMENT

CSP: Customer Support Program ZKG - Paint Repair Process Operation Flow Chart

160000 STRUCTURE

TI: Technical Instructions Customer Support Program ZKG Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint

350000 EQUIPMENT

160000 STRUCTURE

350000 EQUIPMENT

160000 STRUCTURE

DD: Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint Toyota has added approximately 430,700 2008 ? 2018 model year Highlander and H

350000 EQUIPMENT

030000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions

280000 BACK OVER PREVENTION

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions

050000 PARKING BRAKE

TSB: This Service Bulletin includes procedures to replace damaged or loose front carpet floor retainer(s) without replacing the carpet assembly. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to replace the loose or damaged carpet floor retai

220000 SEATS

190000 TIRES

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any custom

200000 WHEELS

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

160000 STRUCTURE

353000 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth? connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth? failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ?Various Bluetooth? Audio function

357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

TSB: Some 2006 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles in particular geographic areas may exhibit a condition where the HVAC evaporator drain hose has become obstructed with an insect nest. An insect repellent drain hose tip (ARINIX? Tip) is avai

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

OBSOLETE NOTICE March 08, 2021: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0012-21.

140000 AIR BAGS

Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements

030000 BRAKES (PWS)

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.

280000 BACK OVER PREVENTION

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

OBSOLETE NOTICE March 08, 2021: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0044-16.

220000 SEATS

TSB: Some 2010 ? 2021 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?. The wrinkles may trap water an

350000 EQUIPMENT

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2021 model year vehicles may be available provided the re

030000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.

030000 BRAKES (PWS)

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.

280000 BACK OVER PREVENTION

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.

062300 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

TT: HVAC drain tube is found to be blocked/clogged.

353000 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

TSB: Some 2004 ? 2020 model year Hybrid vehicles may exhibit an excessive buildup of dust, lint, or debris in the HV battery intake filter or cooling fan. The condition could reduce the efficiency of the HV battery cooling system. Perform t

010000 STEERING

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

350000 EQUIPMENT

356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

060000 ENGINE (PWS)