Problems · NHTSA complaints

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander problems

Owners filed 240 complaints about the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander with NHTSA between Aug 2023 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (52).

Complaints
240
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train52
  2. Engine38
  3. Fuel/propulsion system35
  4. Air bags30
  5. Vehicle speed control24
  6. Electrical system23
  7. Structure19
  8. Suspension15
  9. Steering11
  10. Forward collision avoidance9
  11. Service brakes9
  12. Back over prevention7
  13. Lane departure6
  14. Visibility/wiper6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20239
202494
202554
202683

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

52 reports1 crash
“Transmission Whining Noise Detected, Automatic Shifting Difficulties, Reduced Power & Acceleration Concerns. Dealer inspected and confirmed transmission failure. Required Dealer replacement under power train warranty. Defect known to exist in Toyota 6 speed Automatic U80A transmissions. Transmission is known to be defective and unreliable, potentially causing catostrophic injury to persons and property with use and operation.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2026Power trainODI 11773426

Engine

38 reports
“The air conditioning system on my 2024 Grand Highlander failed due to a punctured AC condenser caused by road debris passing through the front grille during normal driving. The front fascia has large open apertures with no protective mesh or screening, leaving the condenser, radiator, and other heat exchangers directly exposed to rocks and debris. The condenser face shows multiple debris strikes, with one impact puncturing the core and causing complete refrigerant loss and AC failure at approximately 62,000 miles. The vehicle worked normally when parked and the AC was completely dead one week later due to the slow refrigerant leak from the puncture. Diagnosis was performed by [XXX] Toyota in [XXX], which confirmed the puncture was caused by road debris. The repair is not covered under warranty or my extended service contract because it is classified as outside damage, leaving owners to pay out of pocket for a design vulnerability. This is the same failure mode described in open ODI Defect Petition No. XXX covering 2024-2026 Grand Highlander vehicles. The same unprotected grille openings expose the engine radiator, meaning the identical debris path can puncture…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2026Structure, EngineODI 11766783

Fuel/propulsion system

35 reports
“I own a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX Platinum, purchased brand new in February 2024 and now with approximately 30,400 miles. Since the first few weeks, the vehicle has had an ongoing fuel tank/range issue. The fuel tank is rated at approximately 17 gallons, but the gas pump consistently shuts off after only 10–12 gallons, even when the vehicle indicates 0 miles to empty. It accepts approximately the same amount whether I refuel with 80, 20, or 0 miles remaining. After filling, the vehicle reports the tank as full and but generally shows only 270–290 miles of estimated range. The actual miles driven before requiring fill up is 230-250 miles. Toyota issued T-SB-0060-25 (Low Fuel Warning Light Logic Enhancement), which a Toyota dealer reluctantly performed on my vehicle. It initially improved the displayed range by only about 10 miles, but did not resolve the problem, and the condition is now worsening. The dealer solution was to tell me I can drive another 60-100 miles past empty but I do not believe that is a reasonable or safe workaround. This is because the driver cannot reliably determine the remaining usable fuel or how far the vehicle can safely…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11763866

Air bags

30 reports3 crashes1 related recall
“400lb animal strike, no warning lamps on, sensors was replaced from Toyota Ashland KY last year. My wife and 14 year old daughter was in the front seats. Traveling speeds was 55mph zone was traveling approx 45mph.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11762670

Vehicle speed control

24 reports2 crashes
“If my car has been sitting for a while, especially in the heat, and occasionally at random times, when you get in the car and press the gas, the car will not move. This happened twice where I was almost put in a very bad accident. There is a very hard intersection near my son’s school. I have to take a left hand turn- and you have to be quick because there is no light. I turned left and my car would not go- I was stuck in oncoming traffic and the car would not move whatsoever. It was very dangerous and very scary. This has happened where it almost caused a very bad accident becuase the gas pedal would not move the car. The dealership couldn’t replicate and said it wasn’t an issue. But it is continuing to happen, and it is very dangerous. Maybe it has something to do with the battery getting hot and somehow power doesn’t get to the gas/engine e”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2026Vehicle speed control, Unknown or otherODI 11762268

Electrical system

23 reports1 related recall
“While driving on highway with wet roads, the steering suddenly seemed to pull to the right causing the vehicle to lose control and spin finally hitting the side barrier. I then noticed that the steering wheel was no longer aligned with the vehicle (photo attached). A few minutes prior I had an issue with the main console/radio unit and had to reboot as no sound was working. This leaves me to believe there was some type of electrical malfunction with the vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 30, 2026Steering, Electrical systemODI 11774695
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.