The 2012 Toyota Highlander has 2 safety recalls and 182 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is steering (46 complaints).
Problem: 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."
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.
Seats
NHTSA recall 13V014000 · Jan 16, 2013 · 3,235 vehicles
Problem: 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.
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.
Components: Seats; Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2012 Toyota Highlander SUV AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
17.4%
2012 Toyota Highlander SUV FWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
19.8%
2012 Toyota Highlander HV SUV AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
17.4%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Highlander 2WD
22mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.7 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
Highlander 2WD
20mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Highlander 4WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Steering
46
2
0
0
68,000 mi
Electrical system Instrument cluster/panel; Horn
29
0
0
0
48,151 mi
Unknown or other
23
1
0
0
63,000 mi
Structure Body; Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments
20
1
0
4
35,000 mi
Engine
17
0
2
0
31,900 mi
Vehicle speed control
14
7
0
0
8,200 mi
Visibility/wiper
14
0
0
0
41,370 mi
Service brakes
12
1
0
0
7,500 mi
Air bags Frontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette
11
6
0
9
31,000 mi
Power train
7
1
0
0
12,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkages Doors › Latch
5
0
0
0
55,000 mi
Visibility Sun/moon roof assembly; Windshield
5
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 30, 2026Service brakes While driving one day i got the ABS light and brake light on on my car screen and the small display showed "Barke Malfunction" when i did the scan it is C1391 Code which is for ABS Accutator issue. This showed be fixed by Toyota dealership for free. this is design issue seems like based on the google search with Toyota Hybrid vehicles
Jan 4, 2026Other/i am not sure The unmatched handle completely broke. So now the insert and the base are stuck together and I can not unlatch them to use this carseat properly to transport my son. I have to take the base and all out of the car as one piece
Jan 22, 2024 · 160,000 milesEngine and engine cooling The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that 5,000 miles after purchasing the vehicle, the contact noticed an oil leak. The contact performed the oil changes and had noticed that engine oil had leaked down onto the weather seal in the vehicle. The contact noticed several oil stains on the ground during rainy weather. The contact noticed that the new tires that the dealer installed at the time of the vehicle sale were worn out. The contact checked the tires and noticed that the plastic rubber on the front strut was severely damaged. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the timing cover had a leak, and that the timing cover area was smeared…
Aug 1, 2025 · 90,200 milesTires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systems The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a Tire Center, which was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Upon further investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V452000 (Tires). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 90,200.
Jul 1, 2025Structure › Body The paint is malfunction , and is available for inspection upon request.
Jul 5, 2025Engine 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)
Nov 28, 2024Unknown or other 2012 Toyota Highlander Blizzard white paint peeling I need help!!! I noticed paint peeling on a side panel 2 months ago and then followed up the peeling to find the entire top of my car is totally peeled! Please, help!!! [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Oct 20, 2023Structure › Body 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…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA18006 · opened Nov 16, 2018 · closed Apr 2, 2024Steering Column Separation 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). 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. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency reserves right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. A detailed summary of the…
PE18005 · opened May 4, 2018 · closed Nov 20, 2018Upper Steering Column Separation 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 of steering column separation were identified. Four (4) of these instances occurred while driving. During PE18-005, ODI confirmed that the steering columns in the subject vehicles are equipped with…
