2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Problems

I continuously have issues accelerating from stop in my max hybrid. the issue is particularly worse when it is warm out. I press the gas and the RPMs drop really low and I barely move through the intersection for a few seconds. Once it finally registers after a number of seconds, the RPMs rev up over 4000. It is very dangerous trying to proceed through an intersection and the car basically stalls when I press the gas. It especially concerns me that I have my child in the car with me and I worry when it is going to act up. I know others have experienced this issue and there was a TSB for 2024 models that had this issue. I have a 2025 and experience this issue. I have had toyota look at it and they said they cant do the TSB since it's bot for my VIN. A solution needs to be found for the the safety of myself and others.

After a complete stop at a stop sign there is hesitation/stalling when trying to accelerate. Sometimes the hesitation is several seconds and then the engine kicks in and lurches forward. Couple times this has been a safety issue as it happens when I’m trying to pull out on a busy road. The delay/hesitation has caused me to almost get hit a few times. There are no lights or warning messages when this happens. It happens a multiple times a week especially during hot weather when AC is on full (LO temp setting and maximum fan) and is usually during the first few minutes of operation usually at the same stop signs on my route to pickup my kids after the car has been sitting unused overnight. I also notice that the hybrid battery indicator is usually always at 3 bars. Dealership hasn’t been able to reproduce as it's a very specific scenario (not driving/in garage overnight and short drive). Instead they went and applied T-SB-0040-25 but this hesitation is still happening after the software update. This needs to be handled like a safety issue/recall worthy with a complete fix! Not just some drivability issue that only gets applied if we ask about specific T-SBs.

The contact owned a 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with radiator failure. The contact was informed that there was a hole in the radiator. The contact was informed that the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

A piece of road debris/rock struck the radiator/heat exchangers in my 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid that immediately damaged the radiator/heat exchangers to result in coolant leakage and sudden loss of propulsion and terminated the engine from moving and required a tow to a Toyota dealer and thus a replacement of the heat exchanger/radiator. It came apparent from their experience that the design of the front-end grill has large, open apertures and no protective screen between the grill and the vehicle’s heat exchangers. Had to file an insurance claim under comprehensive coverage that required me paying a deductible for repairs and NOW stress in future driving experiences.

I continuously have issues accelerating from stop in my max hybrid. the issue is particularly worse when it is warm out. I press the gas and the RPMs drop really low and I barely move through the intersection for a few seconds. Once it finally registers after a number of seconds, the RPMs rev up over 4000. It is very dangerous trying to proceed through an intersection and the car basically stalls when I press the gas. It especially concerns me that I have my child in the car with me and I worry when it is going to act up. I know others have experienced this issue and there was a TSB for 2024 models that had this issue. I have a 2025 and experience this issue. I have had toyota look at it and they said they cant do the TSB since it's bot for my VIN. A solution needs to be found for the the safety of myself and others.

After a complete stop at a stop sign there is hesitation/stalling when trying to accelerate. Sometimes the hesitation is several seconds and then the engine kicks in and lurches forward. Couple times this has been a safety issue as it happens when I’m trying to pull out on a busy road. The delay/hesitation has caused me to almost get hit a few times. There are no lights or warning messages when this happens. It happens a multiple times a week especially during hot weather when AC is on full (LO temp setting and maximum fan) and is usually during the first few minutes of operation usually at the same stop signs on my route to pickup my kids after the car has been sitting unused overnight. I also notice that the hybrid battery indicator is usually always at 3 bars. Dealership hasn’t been able to reproduce as it's a very specific scenario (not driving/in garage overnight and short drive). Instead they went and applied T-SB-0040-25 but this hesitation is still happening after the software update. This needs to be handled like a safety issue/recall worthy with a complete fix! Not just some drivability issue that only gets applied if we ask about specific T-SBs.

Our 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum repeatedly produces a strong gasoline odor and visibly observable vapor under hot-weather/hot-soak conditions. The condition has been observed by dealership personnel. There is footage from us and the dealership. The manufacturer has characterized the condition as normal, but has not provided a technical explanation identifying the source of the vapor or documentation establishing that visible gasoline vapor is within design/safety specifications. I am reporting this because I am concerned that waiting until an injury, fire, or other serious incident occurs before addressing the condition is inappropriate. I am asking NHTSA to determine whether this represents a safety-related defect or a broader safety issue affecting other Toyota vehicles. I am unable to upload the video, but I am willing to provide it by other means.

I am experiencing a strong gasoline odor & what appear to be gas vapors coming from the gas cap/filler area of my vehicle. A daily problem. Fumes are consistently present & enter the cabin, when the air conditioning is not on recirculation mode or when doors are opened. I can see and smell it when stopped & idling & I can visually see it when driving. Toyota has already performed multiple inspections & safety checks but has been unable to identify the source. A vehicle health check found no diagnostic trouble codes. The EVAP system was pressure tested & passed w/ no leaks found. Fuel lines, fittings, injectors & the high-pressure fuel pump were also inspected & all reportedly passed. The inability to identify the source does not mean the condition does not exist—it demonstrates that the current testing has not identified the source. I should not be expected to continue transporting my family in a vehicle w/ an ongoing gas vapor concern simply because standard diagnostic testing has not located the problem. My greatest fear is that an unidentified source of gas vapors could create a serious fire or explosion hazard. Gas vapors are highly volatile & when present in sufficient concentrations & exposed to an ignition source, can ignite. I continue to smell gasoline & detect what appear to be vapors around & inside the vehicle every day, I am afraid to drive it & constantly worry about the possibility of a fire or explosion while my children are inside. Breathing in these fumes are extremely toxic. My greatest concern is for my three children. Two are under the age of [XXX] & cannot communicate whether they are experiencing headaches, dizziness, nausea, respiratory irritation, or other symptoms. My [XXX] rides in the third row, closest to the rear area where I am detecting these vapors. I purchased this vehicle to safely transport my children. Instead, I no longer feel safe transporting my family in it. This is an ongoing, unresolved safety concern. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOI

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH on the highway with a three-year-old child in the vehicle, the message "Pull Over Immediately and Shut Off the Vehicle" was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road and waited for a tow truck in hot weather. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the radiator was punctured by a rock that had gone through the front grille and caused a coolant leak. The dealer determined that the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was scheduled for the repair. The contact informed the dealer that the failure was a common issue associated with NHTSA Action Number: DP26006 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer was not aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 12,200.

Driving on highway and suddenly panoramic sunroof glass shattered spontaneously. It nearly caused us to crash into median due to the sudden extremely loud noise that sounded like a gunshot at close range and then the sound of glass shattering and hitting into sunroof shade and top of car. My 18 year old daughter was driving and it was extremely scary for her and myself. No nearby vehicles on either side of the road or near an overpass. We were fortunately near an exit and able to safely remove vehicle from road. I feel extremely lucky that no accident or injury occurred and credit my daughter's ability to stay calm and not panic at highway speed. To date, the car insurance company Travelers states it is not covered as there was no accident and dealership states it is not a warranty item (but they have escalated it to Toyota corporate for further review) and no one is willing to repair it so far (including stand alone glass companies!). But it will certainly be several thousand dollars in repairs. In the meantime I cannot drive my car when there is any chance of rain or really at highway speed. No warning prior, no history of any cracks or damage to sunroof prior. The car is just barely 1 year old.

Rodent damage to plant based wiring to Engine Harness A and valve vacuum hose. Cost $1700 and 2 repairs.

Radiator issue summer of 2025, when in back to back traffic at low speeds my vehicle overheated at a stand still took vehicle in to dealership with no real answers. The following summer 2026 same scenario but the engine was smoking. Took into dealership and they stated the connection for the radiator fan was disconnected which meant it was not colling the engine. A month later the AC is blowing hot air when AC is set to the coolest setting, scheduled another appt with dealership likely another radiator issue. Fuel gauge inaccuracy. Manual states 17 gallon tank capacity but my car states empty and can only fill the tank with 14 to 15 gallons. Dealership had no help and stated it does that to protect the hybrid engine. Transmission shifting issues, in the summer hotter temperatures I notice at times the transmission has difficulty shifting in lower gears and really revs up the RPMs to shift sometimes. At times the the transmission shift is jerky or harsh when going speeds form 20- 40 mph.

While driving on the highway, I heard an extremely loud noise followed by rush of wind. I was not under or near an overpass and there was nothing to indicate an impact by a foreign object. I arrived at my house 10 minutes after the incident and inspected my car. I determined the noise I experienced was the panoramic sunroof, of which the front panel spontaneously exploded while operating the vehicle. I could find no other damage to the car. The sunroof and internal shade cover were closed and not in use, nor was I trying to operate them. The sunroof had a large hole in the center directly under a luggage rail, and the glass around the hole was angled upwards. The small shards of tempered glass were contained on top of the sliding sunroof shade. There was no foreign object, damage to the soft interior sliding shade, or any dents/scratches on the roof. Had the sliding shade been open, the shards would have rained down on me and any passengers (none at time of incident). There were no vehicle warnings of any kind. I took it to the Toyota dealer who inspected the damage but refused to cover it under warranty. I filed an insurance claim with photos and it was approved for repair.

The front panel of the sunroof shattered while the vehicle was parked in our garage. Glass shards are inside the car. The dealership submitted a claim to Toyota who denied any material defect and refused to repair under warranty.

Load cabin wind noise. Service said it was the luggage bars on the roof. I removed the bars and the noise was the same. Came back to the shop on August 22, 2026 they looked and said the panoramic seal was lifting and leaking. Before buying the car we were told the prior issue with panoramic sunroofs leaking had been resolved. In addition the plastic handle that controls the middle seat broke off after using it three times.

Transmission slipping, holding high RPM, Jerky shifts, back seat not locking at times, infotainment freezing up

We have two forward facing car seats in the third row. When buckled according to the car seat user manuals - the seatbelts do not stay buckled. The seatbelts unbuckle while driving, creating an extremely dangerous situation for our toddlers. We take out and redo their car seats daily due to them being unbuckled while the vehicle is in motion. Our toddlers are not able to unbuckle them - so we know it is a vehicle defect. The car has been taken to the dealership where they simply tell us they can’t find an issue. We do not feel safe in this vehicle and do not want our children in there. No safety lights appear on the dash to notify us that the seats have become unbuckled.

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander with an Evenflo Revolve 360 Slim car seat, Model Number: 36812470A, Manufactured Date: December 12, 2022, installed in the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25C010000 (Child Seat). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the child secured in the car seat, the contact became aware that there was an object in the child’s mouth. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and removed a foam piece from the child's mouth. The contact inspected the car seat and became aware that the foam was from the headrest. Medical attention was not needed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure, but the contact stated that the manufacturer mailed tape to cover the exposed areas of the car seat.

Transmission slipping, holding high RPM, Jerky shifts, back seat not locking at times, infotainment freezing up

When going over rough or uneven roads, the car produces a strong low-frequency resonance, like a bass-heavy "boom". This causes a very uncomfortable feeling of pressure changing in my ears, gives me a headache and ear pain whenever I drive in local roads, which is the majority of driving in my area. This causes me to need to pull over and stop the car frequently to readjust my hearing. I've found many reports from others of the same issue but Toyota have not acknowledged it or found a solution.

Adaptive cruise control causes quicker wear on rotors. Had to have them replaced at 16,000.

2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid AWD, with about 16000 miles. While driving, the brakes failed. The brakes would only work if the pedal was pushed all the way to the floor. A "Low Brake Power" warning light came on the dash. The following warnings came on at the same time. Parking Brake System, Advanced Ultrasonic Detection, Vehicle Stability Control, Check Engine, Smart Stop System, Brake System, Electronically controlled Brake, Secondary Collision Brake, Anti-lock Brake System. I was lucky to have been traveling on a road that was not busy and was traveling at less than 30 mph very close to my home. Had I been driving on the interstate, on a busy road, or near pedestrians, the event could have injured or killed myself, my family, or others. The car was towed into the dealership. The dealership said that the issue was not current and the car operated normally when after it was towed in. The following DTC codes where present (P05E000, P05E062). This indicates an issue in wiring or brake pedal stroke sensor. They suspect its an intermittent issue with the sensor. The sensor was replaced (P/N, 89510-0R010 and 62112-0E040-C1). They also said the car battery was low and replaced it (P/N 00544-H5061-540). The dealership said that they would send the affected part to Toyota for inspection, but I have not heard anything back. The dealership experience was poor (Mark Jacobson Toyota, Durham, NC).

While driving my new Grand Highlander, I have experienced a serious and recurring safety issue. Even with lane assist turned off, the vehicle automatically steers to the right when I exit a regular highway — apparently misinterpreting the widening road as a lane shift. When this happens, the steering overrides my input and I am forced to pull the wheel hard to regain control and stay in my lane. This loss of steering control is dangerous and frightening, and I am formally reporting it as a significant safety concern that requires immediate attention.