Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2012 Toyota highlander has 2 recalls, 190 complaints, and a 4-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
2
Recalls
190
Complaints
★★★★★
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026
13V014000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-20...
13V123000
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010...
Overall
★★★★★
Front Crash
★★★★★
Side Crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rating for: 2012 Toyota Highlander SUV AWD
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 4, 2026 | Other/I am not sure | The unmatched handle completely broke. So now the insert and the base are stuck together and I can n... |
| Aug 1, 2025 | TIRES | The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light was illumi... |
| Jul 5, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | I think there is odometer fraud by this company selling this car. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSU... |
| Jul 1, 2025 | STRUCTURE | The paint is malfunction , and is available for inspection upon request. |
| Nov 28, 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2012 Toyota Highlander Blizzard white paint peeling I need help!!! I noticed paint peeling on a si... |
| Aug 17, 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES | All brake warning indicators lit up. Took it to a mechanic that specializes in hybrids and they diag... |
| Jan 22, 2024 | SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that 5,000 miles after purchasing the ... |
| Nov 29, 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER was locked & battery was dead. Could not unlock using either the key fob or... |
| Oct 20, 2023 | STRUCTURE | Hello, to whom it may concern: My 2012 Toyota Highlander Color Pearl White vin [XXX] ) has a repain... |
| Aug 22, 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | Toyota Piston and Ring defect. My 2012 Toyota Highlander engine has defective pistons and rings tha... |
| Jun 23, 2023 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that he noticed that the front and rea... |
| May 9, 2023 | ENGINE | Around 112,500 miles our vehicle's oil pressure light came on. My husband drove it home, and our mec... |
| Oct 28, 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | When turning on the defrost button, the engine shuts off while driving. |
| Jul 27, 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was driving and arrived home and suddenly lost my braking and almost hit my house if I didn't stee... |
| Jul 22, 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | This is the second Highlander Hybrid I've owned that has had the brake actuator and booster assembly... |
| Jun 5, 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | The Brake Hydro-Boost pump failed while driving on I-75. Subsequently almost all braking was lost on... |
| Apr 23, 2022 | AIR BAGS | The front passenger side airbag light has been going off and on for a few months when someone is sit... |
| Dec 29, 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | On December 29, 2021, while backing up my 2012 Toyota Highlander accelerated at speed that I was una... |
| Dec 12, 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | I have had at least 6 occasions that in shifting from reverse and backing up that the bakes did not ... |
| Sep 30, 2021 | ENGINE | The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle sudd... |