Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Toyota Highlander problems

Owners filed 191 complaints about the 2012 Toyota Highlander with NHTSA between Feb 2012 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is steering (47).

Complaints
191
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
16
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
13
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering47
  2. Electrical system30
  3. Structure22
  4. Engine17
  5. Visibility/wiper15
  6. Vehicle speed control14
  7. Service brakes13
  8. Air bags10
  9. Power train8
  10. Latches/locks/linkages5
  11. Visibility5
  12. Tires4
  13. Seats4
  14. Suspension3

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 3, 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
201213
201313
201418
201520
201613
201717
201826
201927
202012
20219
20228
20235
20243
20255
20262

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

Steering

47 reports2 crashes
“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.consumerclasslawyersblog.com/snap-crackle-pop-intermediate-shaft-noise-coming-from-toyota-highlanders/”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2021SteeringODI 11420336

Electrical system

30 reports
“I think there is odometer fraud by this company selling this car. [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 5, 2025Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11671369

Structure

22 reports1 crash
“Hello, to whom it may concern: My 2012 Toyota Highlander Color Pearl White vin [XXX] ) has a repaint recall before Nov 2024. I was told at the dealer that I have to contact the Toyota dealers until I get the opportunity to get it paint. I was told that I had to contact any Toyota dealer until I get a date of acceptance. Thinking that it was not fair to delegate the responsibility on myself I made a few calls until I did get an appointment to get my SUV painted. The recall period is almost over (Nov 2024) I was told and I will put a claim on Toyota Corporation for not making sure all the vehicles are completely painted. I will also put a lawyer to help me get across my claim if I am not informed from Toyota the date that they will work on my SUV with the repaint recall. Respectfully, [XXX] [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2024StructureODI 11620903

Engine

17 reports2 fires
“Toyota Piston and Ring defect. My 2012 Toyota Highlander engine has defective pistons and rings that have led to excessive oil consumption and the potential for a serious accidents as it causes the engine to lose compression and conk out, all of a sudden, in traffic, and costly repair for us customers with less than 150,000 miles. Piston/ring issue diagnosed by Toyota Dealer in Panama City, Florida. A class Action lawsuit needs to be initiated, immediately, for the 2012 Toyota Highlander. Toyota has already had a Class Action Lawsuit for this same problem in 2014 for their other Toyota models.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2023Power train, EngineODI 11540363

Visibility/wiper

15 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 20, 2018Visibility/wiperODI 11130384

Vehicle speed control

14 reports7 crashes
“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 Toyota after knowing that there was a recall regarding unintended acceleration in some Toyota cars. Toyota sent an inspection team to Geico Insurance company which had taken over possession of the car. The inspection team and the Toyota representative assured me a final report would be sent to me within a month after the inspection had been completed but even up to this moment Toyota has not responded to my email requesting for the report. You can reach out to Toyota and reference File # 220105001224. For the six years I owned the car, i have never been informed of any recall. My car was regularly serviced by Toyota Ourisman Chantilly and Ourisman Toyota Fairfax.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 5, 2022Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11463537
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

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