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2012 Toyota Highlander Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 182 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota Highlander, most often about the steering (25% of complaints, typically around 68,000 miles). It is 17th of 26 Highlander model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2012 Toyota Highlander problems
Steering
46 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles.
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.
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…
Electrical
29 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, horn.
Right front door does not lock or unlock using the keyless remote have to manually lock and unlock the door. Took it to the dealer and had to have the actuator replaced on march 17th, 2014. Now on april 8th, 2014 driver side door does not lock or unlock using keyless remote again having to manually lock and unlock the…
The rear passenger door lock no longer works. It has to be manually locked and unlocked. I see that many other people have complained about the same type failure in their vehicles at approximately the same mileage-right around the time the warranty has expired or soon after. It seems that this is a common enough…
Other or unspecified
23 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles.
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…
The electronic door lock (driver's side door) on my 2012 Toyota Highlander recently began to have problems; it worked intermittently for a short time, then ceased working at all. After a recent service trip, Toyota quoted me over $500 to replace the door actuator and labor. I realize this seems like a small issue. But…
Body and structure
20 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, interior panels.
Toyota Highlander was crossing intersection with green light and was struck on the middle side by oncoming vehicle running a red light. Toyota Highlander rolled 1.25 times. Toyota Highlander had second row set up in bench configuration with center console unit stowed as manual indicated under center seat. Center…
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the hatchback separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the hatch lift needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the part do to the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. The…
Engine
19 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 32,000 miles.
I was stopped at an intersection (red light) and was needing to make a left turn. The light turned green but this intersection does not have a green arrow so you have to yield to the oncoming traffic. As I proceeded forwarded a little bit into the middle of the intersection so I could make my left turn, I slowed down…
Vehicle got stuck in shallow wet sand, within less than a couple mins of attempts to move forward and backward by spinning wheels , the car started smoking and became fully engulfed in flames. It was a total loss. The issue is the little that it took to start a fire like this - perhaps some component needs to have…
Visibility and wipers
19 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles. Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly, windshield, power window devices and controls, glass, side/rear.
I was about to start the car. My wife was in the passenger seat. She lowered the passenger side sun visor and then tried to put it back up. We heard a click, and found that the sun visor will not go back into the "up" position. This is a safety issue because it affects my visibility when driving.
Driver's side sun visor is malfunctioning creating a safety issue with clearly viewing the roadway. Without being manipulated by a vehicle occupant, the sun visor--unprompted--hangs down partially in the vision of the vehicle driver. Attempts to push the visor back to its closed position are unsuccessful. Koons tysons…
Speed control
14 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 8,000 miles.
Light turned red. I attempted to stop. Brake pedal was rock hard no response. Two more attempts useless. I just continued across the intersection and there was no further event. This was the third event for this car. I refuse to drive it again. I am awaiting a resolution from Toyota under a california lemon law…
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while entering the driveway, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into the house. The vehicle functioned normally while reversing but upon shifting back into drive, the vehicle again accelerated and crashed into the house. The vehicle was then…
Brakes
14 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 6,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
After pulling into a parking space, then braking, I backed up to realign the vehicle better. When I pulled in this time and brake, the vehicle did not stop. I continued to put my foot on the brake repeatedly, but the vehicle still did not stop. The engine then revved up and accelerated. At this same time the gear…
Light turned red. I attempted to stop. Brake pedal was rock hard no response. Two more attempts useless. I just continued across the intersection and there was no further event. This was the third event for this car. I refuse to drive it again. I am awaiting a resolution from Toyota under a california lemon law…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Toyota Highlander recalls
Equipment: labels
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
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, 2010-2013 toyota venza, 2010-2011 toyota 4runner, 2010-2013 toyota tacoma, 2011-2012 toyota sienna, 2012 toyota prius, 2013 scion fr-s, 2011 scion xd, 2011 scion xb, and 2012 scion tc vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 110, "tire selection and rims."
Seats
Risk: 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 deployment.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 year corolla, sienna and tundra; model year 2009-2013 highlander and venza; model year 2012 prius v; and model year 2010-2012 sequoia. During modification by set to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest dvd systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Steering column separation
Summary
On november 16, 2018, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened an engineering analysis (ea18-006) as an upgrade to a preliminary evaluation (pe18-005).â the investigation focused on allegations of steering wheel separation from the lower steering column after using the tilt and/or telescoping mechanism. Given the separation occurring when operating the tilt and/or telescoping function and failure of both shear capsules to maintain the lower steering column mounting position, potential for shear capsule damage in the known failures due to collisions, the overall low rate of occurrence, and the updated manufacturer documentation, this investigation is closed.â the closing of this inves
Upper steering column separation
Summary
On may 4, 2018, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened preliminary evaluation pe18-005 to investigate three allegations of steering column separation for model year (my) 2008 through 2013 toyota highlander vehicles. Two (2) of the 3 complaints were received by odi in april 2018 and occurred while the vehicle was in motion. Since opening pe18-005, one (1) additional voq involving steering column separation has been received. This incident occurred while the vehicle was stationary.as part of pe18-005, odi examined the field data, warranty data, and relevant technical information submitted by toyota in response to the pe18-005 information request letter. Ten (10) additional incidents
Questions about the 2012 Toyota Highlander
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Highlander?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (46 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles); electrical (29 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles); other or unspecified (23 complaints, typically around 63,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Highlander have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 9, 2013 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Toyota Highlander?
- It is 17th of 26 Highlander model years by number of complaints, with 182 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.