2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota Highlander. This model year has 190 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Steering Defects.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2012 Toyota Highlander Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Steering Defects
Electrical Faults
Uncategorized Issues
Considering a 2012 Toyota Highlander?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Toyota Highlander. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 47 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 30 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 24 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 22 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 19 | — | 2 | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 15 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 14 | 2 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 14 | 7 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 10 | 6 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Other/I Am Not Sure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hybrid Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Toyota Highlander. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 190 most recent complaints
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
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 no…
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 …
The paint is malfunction , and is available for inspection upon request.
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)
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 FREED…
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 Toyo…
All brake warning indicators lit up. Took it to a mechanic that specializes in hybrids and they diagnosed it as a brake assembly/actuator issue, with a diagnostic code of C1391, with a repair estimate of $4888. Found online that there was a Toyota Customer Support Program 21TE03 …
No accident
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.
Toyota Piston and Ring defect. My 2012 Toyota Highlander engine has defective pistons and rings that have led to excessive oil consumption and the potential for a serious accidents as it causes the engine to lose compression and conk out, all of a sudden, in traffic, and costly …
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that he noticed that the front and rear driver’s side and rear passenger’s side carpet were soaked with water. The contact then stated that he also noticed the water had leaked from the sunroof. The vehicle was taken t…
Around 112,500 miles our vehicle's oil pressure light came on. My husband drove it home, and our mechanic told us to tow it to his shop for inspection. The next day I drove it to the shop, which was only a few miles away, and my mechanic informed us that there was "no oil left" i…
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the driver’s side sun visor detached and fell on the contact. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the driver side sun visor to be replaced. The ve…
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.…
When turning on the defrost button, the engine shuts off while driving.
I was driving and arrived home and suddenly lost my braking and almost hit my house if I didn't steer the wheel towards my lawn and put on my parking brake it would have been a disaster. I felt so unsafe that I had my vehicle towed for repair and had to replace the brake master …
The Brake Hydro-Boost pump failed while driving on I-75. Subsequently almost all braking was lost on the vehicle. I have researched similar failures on the same model brake pump assemblies, and feel that this is a very unsafe failure condition for the vehicle. The repair cost f…
On December 29, 2021, while backing up my 2012 Toyota Highlander accelerated at speed that I was unable to control. One car that was packed in the driveway was damaged beyond repair. An office building where I was working was damaged and has been accessed with a loss of over $100…
The front passenger side airbag light has been going off and on for a few months when someone is sitting in the seat now and now the sea is showing up
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2012 Toyota Highlander.
Recalls for 2012 Toyota Highlander
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2012 Toyota Highlander. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2012 Toyota Highlander — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2012 Toyota Highlander reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2012 Toyota Highlander has 190 NHTSA owner complaints, 16 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Steering Defects (47 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Highlander?▾
#1: Steering Defects (47 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (30 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (24 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Toyota Highlander?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2012 Toyota Highlander?▾
The 2012 Toyota Highlander has 16 crash-related complaints and 3 fire reports out of 190 total NHTSA complaints. 13 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2012 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?▾
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2012 Toyota Highlander. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Toyota Highlander?▾
The 2012 Toyota Highlander has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Steering Defects issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Highlander reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2012 Toyota Highlander
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.