general problems of the 2012 Toyota Highlander

Four problems related to power train have been reported for the 2012 Toyota Highlander. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Toyota Highlander based on all problems reported for the 2012 Highlander.

1 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 08/22/2023

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 repair for us customers with less than 150,000 miles. Piston/ring issue diagnosed by Toyota dealer in panama city, florida. A class action lawsuit needs to be initiated, immediately, for the 2012 Toyota Highlander. Toyota has already had a class action lawsuit for this same problem in 2014 for their other Toyota models.

2 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2015

Placed vehicle in park in garage and took foot off brake. I opened the car door to make sure in was parked straight, and the car began rolling backwards. Them car rolled about a foot, with the door striking a garage pillar before I could apply the brakes. Damage to the vehicle was only cosmetic, but the event was unnerving and potentially very dangerous.

3 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 05/18/2013

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 to almost a stop because there were too many cars and I couldn't turn at that moment. Then there was a window of opportunity for me to turn shortly after I slowed down almost to a stop and I stepped on the gas to go, then nothing happened. The vehicle just paused for about 2 or 3 seconds and then suddenly jumped forward. My wife was in the car and she thought it was me mashing on the accelerator pedal but I didn't, it's just that the vehicle didn't do anything and then suddenly jumped forward! luckily when this delay happened, I wasn't in the oncoming traffics lane, nor were there any oncoming traffic close at that moment. At the time this happened, I even thought maybe it was me not giving the vehicle enough gas, but it happened again about a month later. This is when I did a google search for delayed acceleration and I came upon other's who have mentioned the exact same thing happening with their Toyota vehicles as well. Please look into this as this is very dangerous. This vehicle is less than two years old and I've read that others have had this problem with their older Toyota vehicles. I've even read that Toyota knows of the issue already but they have no fix?????.

4 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/17/2012

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 shift went into neutral and then back into drive. The vehicle finally came to a stop as it hit the building in front of me, causing damage to the building, and the front of my vehicle. I was able to back up the vehicle and park it in the parking space, with not problem braking it to stop this time.


Other Power Train related problems of the 2012 Toyota Highlander



Safety Ratings of Highlander Cars
Fuel Economy of Highlander Vehicles
Highlander Service Bulletins
Highlander Safety Recalls
Highlander Defect Investigations