Equipment Problems of Toyota Highlander - part 1

I was driving down the road about 50 miles an hour just south of otter valley union, high school and brandon vermont when I heard an extremely loud poof/thud sound. It also caused my ears to pop. I pulled over and realized it was the front sunroof that had basically shattered. Now there is a big hole and it’s just getting bigger. I was in a clear area with no overhanging trees. There were no vehicles in front of me or passing me in the opposite direction. I was alone on the road at around 8:30 in the morning.

See all problems of the 2017 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Ua8of transmission went. Vehicle was making whining noise when purchased and was told was normal. Driving the car as normal when traveling through intersection when car would not drive.

See all problems of the 2019 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

The back passenger door (passenger side) will not unlock when using the remote or the button on the front door panels. The only way to open the door is to push the button manually on the car door. The child lock is not on!!! I called the Toyota dealer in my town and they said there are no recalls and it would be $200 to do a diagnostic test on it. This is not ok. To not be able to unlock the door from the remote or the front door panel is not acceptable.

In the past 3 days, the trunk of the vehicle has opened on its own even though it was locked. This has also happened 3 additional times in the past since I have taken it to the Toyota service center in fairlawn, NJ. I am concerned because yesterday, I was at a supermarket and was inside for about 15 minutes and when I came out, the back was opened. This has not happened while I was driving but I was fortunate that nothing was taken from the vehicle.

See all problems of the 2022 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

I was parking the car. Car in park. Foot on brake. Carr violently lunged forward. Hitting, and tilting, concrete pole. Put car in reverse. Lunged forward then backward. Someone could have been killed. Thank god no person was near. I could have lunged through a storefront if parked by shop.

I just got my vehicle inspected and successfully passed with no codes on 07/07/2026. Today 07/10/2026 as I was driving to work my vehicle began to jerk/ jitter and when into limp mode. I took it to a shop to have the codes checked on it and they said it was something to do with the transmission and they don’t specialize in that type of work. My vehicle has less than 45400 miles on it and been maintained regularly. I was told this was a common issue with these vehicles. I don’t know where to go to get this serviced. I called around to local shops with no luck at getting someone to fix or look at the cause of it.

See all problems of the 2018 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

The dealership recommended transmission fluid exchange services for my 2019 Highlander se after the recommended mileage for this service. I wasn’t able to get this service completed because of timing, however later on the service was completed and after three weeks the vehicle started jerking upon acceleration. Took the benchley back to the mechanic to diagnose the problem. Per the diagnostic test the issue was determined by this code transmission p0745-7f | pressure control solenoid "a" actuator stuck off - pending dtc.

Nothing happened.

Bought the car in 2018 and ever since it makes a rttling noise, Toyota says it is the hybrid system engaigeing, hybrid cars are not supposed to make noise.

At 119500 miles a eev whining noise started. Only had all repairs done at a dealership.

The rear air conditioning refrigerant lines on a 2019 Toyota Highlander se failed due to excessive rust/corrosion, causing the a/c system to leak refrigerant and stop holding a charge. The failure affected the rear a/c lines that run to the rear of the vehicle. The problem was first diagnosed by an independent repair shop and then confirmed by a Toyota dealer. The Toyota dealer documented that the rear a/c lines were leaking due to excessive rust/corrosion. The dealer recommended replacing the rear a/c lines/cooling lines as a set, evacuating and recharging the a/c system, adding dye, and checking system operation. The repair was completed by the Toyota dealer but not covered or reimbursed. The vehicle/component was inspected by an independent service center and by a Toyota dealer. Toyota corporate customer support was also informed of the dealer diagnosis. The failed component may no longer be available for inspection because the repair has been completed, but repair records, dealer diagnosis, invoice, and related documentation are available. Safety concern: the a/c system failure can affect occupant safety and visibility because air conditioning is used for windshield defogging/defrosting and cabin humidity control. Loss of a/c can reduce the ability to clear the windshield in humid or rainy conditions. It can also create a risk to rear passengers, including children, during hot weather because the rear a/c system is no longer functioning as designed. The failure also involved leaking refrigerant from corroded lines. Toyota will not accept that this is a premature and dangerous parts failure. There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages before the failure. The symptom was that the a/c stopped cooling and would not hold refrigerant. The cause was later confirmed, by Toyota, as leaking rear a/c lines due to excessive rust/corrosion. Toyota has refused goodwill repair even after numerous persons have reported the same issue online.

I was told by oxmoor dealership I had to talk to Toyota corporate before I could get my car touched and that I did not need to talk to a lawyer. I called. Prior to the accident, the vehicle had been exhibiting multiple symptoms: an intermittent airbag warning light had illuminated briefly on the dashboard on a few occasions, and the vehicle had begun requiring noticeably longer physical distances to come to a complete stop at traffic signs and lights when not using cruise control. The vehicle was experiencing regular phantom seatbelt warnings—dinging as if a passenger was unbuckled when the seat was completely empty. The phantom seatbelt warnings I didnt think we're a big deal were occurring across multiple seating rows simultaneously in front and back. Directly preceding the crash, while making a turn, the vehicle swerved slightly. When I applied the physical brake pedal, the vehicle did not decelerate normally; instead, it experienced a sudden, abrupt forward acceleration surge into the building. I still haven't gotten my vehicle back or any information on what has been done or when I am getting my car back. I was also charged for an extra day for my rental when I was told to return it on the 16th. I haven't had a rental since then. I keep contacting oxmoor Toyota and they said they were waiting on Toyota corporate. I haven't had my car for a month. I tried to email. It was returned. My mailbox on my phone has been full of drs and other calls non stop. I texted online on the Toyota page for the claim as well. Ive repeatedly asked the Toyota dealership what is going on and I get we are waiting on corporate. I called Toyota corporate again today and was told they would get back to me. I told the dealership. I am under medical care and in severe pain. Yes my safety was put at risk. Police and fire department were here the night it happened. They said they don't do a police report on private property. There is an insurance claim through state farm.

See all problems of the 2020 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

My 2019 Toyota Highlander has taken on water from a leaking panoramic sunroof. Both times the dealership ran it through a car wash and it did not leak after cleaning the sun roof drains. Took my car in on 5/4/2026 after a thunderstorm and they cleaned (tom o’brien Toyota) the roof drains. Then on the evening of [xxx], we had a heavy thunderstorm which resulted in 3 quarts of water that my husband cleaned off the liner. It was also dripping inside on the armrest. Now I have a sagging liner with water stains. We took the car in again on 5/22/2026 and they cleaned the drains again. We are expected to have rain for the next 3 days. If I leave the liner back it could result in water pouring in the cabin, shorting out the electrical heat warmers on my console. What about mold and discoloration? talk about safety concerns. !! information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I was parking my car and was almost to the gray slab to stop when the car suddenly surged forward! it felt like an airplane taking off. I hit a brick building. Somehow my nose was broken, and I was bleeding profusely. If someone had been walking on the sidewalk in front of me, they would have been crushed against the brick wall. Others have had this problem; in fact, one lady said she almost hit a brick wall! ironic! there was no warning of any kind. However, the day before, while driving on the highway, the car did the same thing: it surged forward, but fortunately I was able to control it, and there had been no one in front of me. If I had been driving locally, I surely would have hit someone, and who knows what the consequence would have been. The insurance company towed the car and totaled it.

Premature transmission failure due to factory defect. All maintenance was done on time and at dealership.

The only door that will lock or unlock using the fab key or the master lock button on the drivers armrest is the drivers side rear door. My vehicle is not able to be locked unless I do it manually and can not be unlocked unless I use the rear drivers side door. This has been reproduced by the dealership. There were no warning lamps or messages and no other symptoms. This has been going on for a month. I am being told by the dealership service department that 3 actuators failed at the same time. My lift gate also malfunctioned this year. Dealership diagnosed it with needing new struts. Not sure if this is related. Lift gate would not open or open only a small amount. This was using the inside button and the outside one as well.

I've been waiting for a recall repair based on a recall file nearly 8 months ago now. This recall still appears to have no remedy. I continue to get emails about this issue from my dealer, but when I call to schedule the appointment to fix it, they continue to tell me that no remedy is available yet.

See all problems of the 2024 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

My car had around 52,930 miles on it when the transmission suddenly went out and left me stranded in [xxx]. I always took my car to the north hollywood Toyota dealership regularly, twice a year since I bought the car for regular service maintenance. When I was quoted nearly $7,000 to replace the transmission, I sold the car. Why would a 2018 japanese car with such low mileage and in great condition suddenly have transmission problems? something doesn’t add up. I had to get towed home. I’m wondering if other Toyota Highlander owners have experienced unexplained transmission problems as well. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Sunroof shattered and it sounded like a shot gun blast. The blast was from the inside out. Weather was a mild 70 degrees.

See all problems of the 2023 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

The rear back up camera is grainy the blue lines are digitized and shaky during the day everything is very blurry during the night you cannot see anything really the quality is extremely poor there are also no dynamic turning lines at all and the camera settings buttons are not present.

Car has stopped while pumping gas seems to be specifically after rain. There was a heavy rain and immediately after while pumping gas car was not able to start. Received message steering power low. Happened 3 times after first incident while pumping gas. Car was checked by a mechanic and believe it might be a defect with a part called purge flow ? after part was inspected all check engine lights and alerts on cars went away for a few weeks. Once again we had light rain and the same issue restarted , with unable to power car after pumping gas.

See all problems of the 2021 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Driving down the road and the sunroof exploded.

My vehicle was parked for about an hr 30 min , and it started smoking from dashboard area and immediately went into flames .

When accelerating, started hearing a whining noise. Took to mechanic, said it was the transmission. Called Toyota and they had us bring it in for diagnostics. Also said we needed a new transmission. Quoted at over 13k - could fail at any time. This should not be happening in a 2019 vehicle and seems to be a known issue that Toyota is not doing anything to address.

I was driving on a busy road going 50 mph and my sunroof exploded. Nothing hit my vehicle and it wasn’t a hot or cold day. No one was injured because my sunroof cover was luckily closed.

Hi dear my car doesn’t report crash.

During start up lta malfunction, pre-collision system malfunction and headlight system malfunction lights and warning indicators came on.

The struts for the tailgate appear to be a problem for these cars. Mine are failing intermittently and so if the technicians don’t witness it, they refuse to cover it under warranty. If I crash and the trunk is the only way out, I willl die. The trunk gets stuck and won’t open or close unless forced. This is a disaster and should be recalled. I see multiple complaints all over the internet about this issue and the dealers are no help. I have gone 4 separate times and they have wasted my time because there was no resolution.

The moon roof in my car completely shattered out of no where while I was driving down the road and fell all into my backseat. If my children were in the car, they would have had glass all over them.

See all problems of the 2015 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

During start up headlight system malfunction and pre-collision system failure lights and waring came on.

While driving down the highway I went over a bridge joint and my sunroof suddenly exploded sending glass both into and off the back of the vehicle. I was able to find the moment of the explosion on my rear dashcam (saw the falling glass) and checked the front dashcam for any evidence of an object that would have impacted and did not find any. Neither I or my two passengers saw an object hit. The front dashcam also confirmed rough pavement near the bridge joint that would have caused some vibration in the vehicle.

I bought this vehicle new in March 2024. I normally use apple carplay for music and more importantly maps. Approximately 1 year after purchase, I was driving along and all of a sudden a new screen appeared with a keyboard requesting that I sign in with my email address. To clear the screen, I had to hit the small "x" in the upper right hand corner of the screen. That cleared and then a new screen appeared in blue saying "experience drive connect" and asking me to subscribe to their software service for navigation and other services. To get back to the map on apple carplay I had to hit another button on the upper left of the screen. I will upload screenshots. This is a safety issue not only in losing the map but more importantly it takes my eyes off the road to resolve (the buttons are small and not easily pushed while driving. ) this happens multiple times a day in short around town drives. I googled this on line and noted many complaints by Toyota owners for the same problem. So I asked the mechanic yesterday when I had the car serviced if he could disable the experience drive connect so I wouldn't have the problem. He laughed and said it's a common complaint by customers and that it's "hard wired" in and cannot be disabled unless you call Toyota and purchase their monthly plan for $15/month or $20/mo for the premium version. This is not only a scam but it's an unsafe feature that could be disabled if Toyota chose to make a software change. I urge you to use your influence to correct this unsafe and unethical feature of their otherwise excellent vehicles.

My husband and I were driving down the highway when the front part of our sun roof shattered.

When I purchased the vehicle I was told I could use apple carplay, or Toyota's drive connect. Apple works better so I've always used that. I am used to having to clear Toyota's pop up ads for drive connect several times per week, even once per day. Recently Toyota's drive connect ads pops up on screen every few minutes regardless of what hands free app I'm trying to use (navigation, phone call, audiobook, etc. ). It's distracting which is dangerous and keeps me from being able to use the hands free feature through apple car play in my car. After calling Toyota corporate and Toyota brand engagement, both entities told me the only way to get the pop up ads to stop is to subscribe. The pop ups are dangerous and not what I agreed to when buying the car, so it feels like blackmail to be told it will only stop if I pay them $15 per month for a subscription to something that I won't use that was not a required feature when I purchased the vehicle.

Transmission whining sound.