2012 Toyota Highlander Electrical Problems

I think there is odometer fraud by this company selling this car. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11671369

Incident

Jul 5, 2025

2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER was locked & battery was dead. Could not unlock using either the key fob or the mechanical key in the fob. Was told even the mechanical key requires battery power.

NHTSA ID

11557916

Incident

Nov 29, 2023

This is the second Highlander Hybrid I've owned that has had the brake actuator and booster assembly fail affecting the functionality of the car's braking system. Replacing these two parts has an absurd price of over 3k at the dealership and other independent hybrid repair shops. My car only has 70k miles on it and I've read this issue applies to almost all other Toyota Hybrids. If most hybrid's brakes will fail eventually, putting at risk owners, why is there not a recall to fix this "not a matter of if, but when" possible life threatening issue?

NHTSA ID

11496907

Incident

Jul 22, 2022

When turning on the defrost button, the engine shuts off while driving.

NHTSA ID

11492447

Incident

Oct 28, 2022

Major issue with Airbags July 2021. A warning appeared shortly after Passenger Sensor malfunction, that stated “Check SRS Airbag System. Have your vehicle checked by dealer immediately.” Dealer did Diagnostic. Toyota Dealer has tried to fix airbags three times in three weeks but it fails within a day or so and warning comes back on. Toyota has issued a recall for 2012 Highlanders for seats and front airbag that describes the issue this vehicle has however Toyota Dealer said our Vin is not included. The recall is under Campaign no. 13V014000 Report Date Jan 16 2013 Component Seats.

NHTSA ID

11428253

Incident

Jul 10, 2021

POWERLIFT GATE BAR CAME OFF FROM DOOR, MECHANIC SAYS I NEED A NEW TAILGATE.

NHTSA ID

11352834

Incident

Sep 2, 2020

CAR HAS OVER 117,000 MILES AND IS EXCESSIVELY CONSUMING OIL. THERE IS NO SIGN OF LEAKS ANYWHERE. I DO NOT GET ANY WARNING ANYWHERE ABOUT LOW OIL, ALL I SEE IS A SMALL MESSAGE THAT SOMETIMES BLINKS INDICATING 'OIL PRESSURE'. OIL IS NOT LASTING 1000 MILES. I THOUGHT MAYBE THE OIL WAS NOT PROPERLY FILLED BUT AFTER A SECOND OIL CHANGE, SAME HAPPENED, OIL EMPTY WITH LESS THAN 1000 MILES AFTER AN OIL CHANGE. CAR HAS BEEN ALWAYS KEPT WITH ALL RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE AND ALL OIL CHANGES HAVE BEEN DONE EVERY 5,000 AS RECOMMENDED BY TOYOTA. HAVE NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT THAT COULD CAUSE ANY ENGINE PROBLEM, SEEMS THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT. IN THE ELECTRICAL PART, POWER BACK DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE/OPEN, THERE IS A RECALL FOR THAT BUT NO DEALERS IN MY AREA WILL FIX IT BECAUSE ONE OF THE PARTS THAT IS INSIDE THAT MOTOR IS NOT LISTED IN THE RECALL SPECS AND DEALERS WILL NOT FIX UNLESS I PAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. THIS REFERS TO THE WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT LETTER ZG4.

NHTSA ID

11307417

Incident

Feb 3, 2020

Mileage

117,000 mi

MY 2012 HIGHLANDER CURRENTLY HAS 110,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. AT THIS TIME NONE OF THE POWER DOORS LOCKS WORK WHEN THE KEY FOB OR DOOR BUTTON IS DEPRESSED. IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, THAT ALL FOUR LOCK ACTUATORS ARE FAULTY. THE ESTIMATE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WAS PRESENTED TO ME AT $2,000.00. I HAVE OWNED MULTIPLE CARS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, MOST OF THEM BEING TOYOTAS AND I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ALL FOUR DOOR LOCKS BEING DEFICIENT AT THE SAME TIME. I, ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS FEEL AS THOUGH THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS UNACCEPTABLE AND MAY BE GROUNDS FOR A MASS RECALL DUE TO ITS FREQUENCY RATE.

NHTSA ID

11302931

Incident

Sep 18, 2019

Mileage

90,000 mi

THE FRONT DRIVER WINDOW WAS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AS IF IT WERE COMING OFF THE TRACK. EVENTUALLY, THE ARM MOTOR STOPPED ALL TOGETHER AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE ARM. NOW THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW IS MAKING THE SAME NOISE AND I'M AFRAID TO OPEN IT. THE LEATHER INTERIOR IS CRACKING BADLY ON ALL SEATS. I RARELY HAVE PASSENGERS AND CONDITION THE LEATHER. I'VE HAD TO USE AN ADHESIVE TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL CRACKING

NHTSA ID

11286771

Incident

Nov 18, 2019

Mileage

131,500 mi

DRIVING IN A MAJOR CITY, WITH MY WIFE AND TWO SMALL BOYS IN THE BACK SEAT, CAME UP ON A STOP (POLICE CLOSED THE ROAD AND TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED. WE WAIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE I PLACE THE CAR INTO PARK AND DOORS UNLOCKED. ONCE TRAFFIC STARTED MOVING ONLY, WE HEARD LOCK THE LOCKS ENGAGE BUT THEY ACTUALLY DID NOT ENGAGE THUS LEAVING ALL DOORS UNLOCKED. AS TRAFFIC STARTED MOVING A HOMELESS MAN OPENED MY DOOR AND ASSAULTED ME BECAUSE MY DOORS WERE NOT LOCKED. I PUSHED BACK AND PULLED MY DOOR CLOSED AND MANUALLY SWITCHED THE LOCK TO ENGAGE. THEN I DID THE SAME TO MY BACK DOORS WHERE MY KIDS WERE. ONCE WE GOT HOME AND PUT THE CAR INTO PARK, THE DOORS DID NOT UNLOCK. I PULLED ON THE HANDLE, PUSHED THE LOCK OUT AND THE LOCK WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. IF THERE HAD BEEN AND EMERGENCY AND I HAD TO FLEE THE CAR I WOULD BE UNSUCCESSFUL AND WOULD BE INJURED.

NHTSA ID

11282939

Incident

Nov 27, 2019

Mileage

114,100 mi

THE DRIVER SEAT WINDOW IS GOING OFF TRACK. THE GLASS DOES NOT GO UP CORRECTLY AND HAS ALMOST LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FALL OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WITH THE VEHICLE STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID

11232123

Incident

Jul 14, 2019

THE POWER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WENT OUT ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR IF MY 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I ONLY NOTICED THE FAILURE BY CHANCE. AFTER MY SIX YEAR OLD SON GOT OUT OF THE CAR ONE DAY, I TRIED THE DOOR HANDLE AND NOTICED IT WAS UNLOCKED. I HIT THE KEY FOB LOCK BUTTON AGAIN, AND THE OTHER THREE DOORS LOCKED, BUT NOT THAT ONE. IT TURNS OUT, THE DOOR HAD NOT BEEN LOCKING FOR MONTHS. I PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY AT HOME, AND A REMOTE SURFACE LOT AT WORK, SO ESSENTIALLY THE CONTENTS OF MY VEHICLE HAVE BEEN WIDE OPEN TO THEFT FOR A LONG TIME. MORE SERIOUSLY, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS PUT INTO PARK, OR THE UNLOCK BUTTON DEPRESSED. MY SON, WHO IS STILL IN A CAR SEAT WITH A FIVE-POINT SEATBELT, IS ESSENTIALLY TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. SOMEONE HAS TO OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, AND REACH PAST THE HEADREST TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE REAR DOOR. IF YOU CONDUCT A LITTLE RESEARCH, YOU WILL SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON TOYOTA VEHICLES. IT COSTS $500 PER DOOR TO FIX AT THE DEALERSHIP. WHILE AUTOMATIC LOCKING MAY BE ONLY A CONVENIENCE ISSUE FOR OWNERS, FAILURE TO UNLOCK DOORS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11210570

Incident

May 25, 2019

Mileage

60,000 mi

PURCHASED USED 2012 HIGHLANDER LTD FROM COLLEGE PARK HYUNDAI/HONDA, COLLEGE PARK MD 20720 IN FEB 2017. THE FRONT PASSENGER AUTOMATIC DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE OF THE FOUR DOORS. THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER.. VEHICLE HAD 48,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11113854

Incident

Mar 2, 2017

WHEN LOCKING THE DOORS, EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERIES HAVE BEEN CHANGED THE DOORS HAVE TO BE LOCKED MANUEL. THE TRUNK OPENS ON IT OWN. I CAN BE IN THE HOUSE AND WHEN I GO OUTSIDE THE TRUNK IS OPEN.

NHTSA ID

11112299

Incident

Jul 16, 2018

2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAILURE AND HORN CABLE FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THESE FAILURES AND TO BE REIMBURSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *JS

NHTSA ID

11066232

Incident

Jan 1, 2017

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND EXITING A HIGHWAY, APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, DASHBOARD FLICKERED, AND ENGINE DIED. THE RED STEERING WHEEL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON BRIEFLY, BUT THE WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE PERIOD OF A FEW MINUTES. BATTERY & ALTERNATOR WERE TESTED - NO MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ID

10960048

Incident

Mar 10, 2017

Mileage

71,579 mi

THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER STOPPED WORKING. WITH ONLY 51K ON THE CAR, ALL 4 DOORS WONT CLOSE WITH THE KEY FOB, OR ON THE DOOR. THEY OPEN BUT DONT CLOSE, I HAVE TO MANUALLY CLOSE EACH DOOR LOCK EVERY TIME I WANT THE DOORS LOCKED. I'VE SEEN MANY POSTS ABOUT THIS! I THINK ITS TIME TOYOTA FIXES THE PROBLEM WITH A RECALL! I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA DEALER THAT IT IS MALFUNCTION OF THE ACTUATOR AND THAT THEY SEE THIS ALL THE TIME WITH THIS MODULE... IT WOULD COST ME $500-$600 TO LET THEM FIX IT!!WHY SHOULD THE CONSUMER HAVE TO PAY FOR THE MANUFACTURERS PROBLEMS!! CAN I HEAR RECALL! RECALL! RECALL!!

NHTSA ID

10950440

Incident

Dec 2, 2016

Mileage

51,000 mi

DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT I HAD TO COVER THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. I GOT IT DONE TODAY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE 3 DEFECTIVE DOORS HAVE AN ISSUE AND SOME PART MUST BE CHANGED AT A TUNE OF $1700! IF THE CAR HAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD COVER IT, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE IT INVOLVES 3 OUT OF 4 DOORS. THERE WAS NOTHING I DID OR COULD HAVE DONE TO MESS UP THE 3 DOORS.

NHTSA ID

10914882

Incident

Oct 8, 2016

REAR TAILGATE NO LONGER WORKS.STARTED NOT CLOSING OFF AND ON IN JUN. 2016. FINALLY STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER IN AUG 2016. TOOK TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHY IT WAS NOT WORKING THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A BROKEN MOTOR.I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST TO FIX IT.SINCE IT IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN ON IT IN 2012 AND MANY CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS FILED ON IT.

NHTSA ID

10895576

Incident

Jun 1, 2016

Mileage

39,000 mi

REAR TAILGATE NO LONGER WORKS.STARTED NOT CLOSING OFF AND ON IN JAN. 2015. FINALLY STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER IN AUGUST 2015.TOOK TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHY IT WAS NOT WORKING THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A BROKEN MOTOR.I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST TO FIX IT.SINCE IT IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. CONTACTED THE TOYOTA CORPORATION THEY WENT OVER MY COMPLAINT AND SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN ON IT IN 2012 AND MANY CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS FILED ON IT.

NHTSA ID

10789424

Incident

Aug 8, 2015

THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER STOPPED WORKING. WITH ONLY 17300 ON THE CAR, ALL 4 DOORS WONT CLOSE WITH THE KEY FOB, OR ON THE DOOR. THEY OPEN BUT DONT CLOSE, I HAVE TO MANUALLY CLOSE EACH DOOR LOCK EVERY TIME I WANT THE DOORS LOCKED. AM I THE ONLY OWNER?I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW, AND AS SOON AS IT CAME OUT OF WARRANTY THE DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING. I DISCONNECTED THE AUTO CLOSE WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, NOW THE DOORS CLOSE ONCE IN A WHILE FROM THE KEY FOB.

NHTSA ID

10744835

Incident

Apr 13, 2015

Mileage

17,300 mi

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 PROBLEM THAT IT SHOULD BE FIXED AT TOYOTA'S EXPENSE.

NHTSA ID

10724124

Incident

Jun 7, 2015

Mileage

48,896 mi

THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER STOPPED WORKING. WITH ONLY 17500 ON THE CAR, ALL 4 DOORS WONT CLOSE WITH THE KEY FOB, OR ON THE DOOR. THEY OPEN BUT DONT CLOSE, I HAVE TO MANUALLY CLOSE EACH DOOR LOCK EVERY TIME I WANT THE DOORS LOCKED. I AM THE ONLY OWNER, I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW, AND AS SOON AS IT CAME OUT OF WARRANTY THE DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING.

NHTSA ID

10721143

Incident

Apr 22, 2015

Mileage

17,400 mi

2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS BEGAN TO FAIL AT ABOUT 40K MILES. THE INITIAL FAILURE BEGAN WITH RT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, BUT ALL FOUR DOORS BEGAN TO FAIL TO LOCK OR UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY BY SMART KEY REMOTE OR BY DRIVER SIDE DOOR CONTROLS (SOMETIMES ALL THE DOORS WOULD FAIL TO UNLOCK). EMERGENCY ACCESS TO ANY OF THE PASSENGERS WOULD BE A CONCERN. AT 47K MILES, TWO OF THE DOORS' ACTUATORS (RT FRONT PASSENGER & LT REAR PASSENGER) HAD TOTALLY FAILED, AND ARE BEING REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP AT OWNER'S EXPENSE OF $900 PLUS $125 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. WEB RESEARCH OF MULTIPLE TOYOTA AND AUTOMOTIVE FORUMS HAVE REVEALED THAT SIMILAR DOOR ACTUATOR FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED WITH OTHER TOYOTA MODELS AND YEARS, MANY REPORTING FAILURES THAT OCCUR IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING EXPIRATION OF WARRANTY AT 3YRS/36K MILES. BASED ON OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS' REPORTS ON THIS ISSUE, WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THE OTHER TWO DOOR ACTUATORS ARE LIKELY TO FAIL IN THE NEAR FUTURE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10702972

Incident

Aug 1, 2014

Mileage

40,000 mi

AT APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE THAT TIME, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES AND WAS REPLACED OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY AND NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR HAS ALSO FAILED. THREE OF THE FOUR DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS HAVE FAILED BETWEEN 30,000 AND 42,000 MILES AND ONLY ONE WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10671763

Incident

Jan 15, 2014

Mileage

31,000 mi