2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (2) · Visibility/Wiper (1) · Steering (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (142)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0009-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on ni-mh high voltage (hv) batteries. this bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year repair manual while performing a rescue charge. the grx-5100 should be used wherever the repair manual ref
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0119-15 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
obsolete notice february 13, 2026: this bulletin is now obsolete. please see t-sb-0009-26.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Showing the 6 most recent of 142 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-06-12 · Seats · 103,240 mi“the mid-row seats shake and rattle when driving and no one is sitting on them.…”
2018-12-06 · Structure:body · 110,000 mi“vehicle power unlocking mechanism is unreliable, and shows significant defect in the unlocking capabilities of all but the drivers door. after several lock actuator replacements, the vehicle still exhibits improper operation. dealership agrees that there is a common complaint with this vehicle, and it's lock operation. biggest issue i see is having…”
2018-11-20 · Service Brakes · 114,000 mi“brake booster pump/abs actuator c1391/c1256 were codes given in attached report from toyota. this is apparently been a problem with other models of toyotas and are covered under a warranty enhancement, however the 2012 is not covered. nothing seems wrong with the car and they cannot really tell me what exactly is wrong or if it is a bad sensor, h…”
2018-06-11 · Steering · 82,427 mi“the vehicle developed a clunk or knock type noise when turning the steering wheel left or right. it occurred at slow speeds such as turning at an intersection. this required replacement of the steering intermediate shaft. this is a known , reported defect on highlanders from 2008 - 2013. it needs to be elevated to the level of a recall.…”
2018-03-01 · Visibility/Wiper · 105,002 mi“the sunroof exploded and shuttered with a load explosion noise while i was driving 55mph on a highway 17 in california with my children.…”
2015-02-17 · Hybrid Propulsion System · 86,000 mi“no prior history of hybrid problems during previous 65,000 miles. on monday morning, the highlander hybrid started up fine. after warming up for 5 minutes to scrape off snow, shifted to drive and began driving. car shut down after about 12 feet. car would not restart. warning message appeared on display, indicating hybrid system problem. aaa…”
2014-07-04 · Structure:body · 25,510 mi“several small paint bubbles on rear hatch. one had burst at seam of trim and is rusting. screws holding the license plate light and assembly are rusted. underside of "highlander" emblem trim where rear camera is located is corroded and rusted. *tr…”
2014-01-14 · Power Train · 25,690 mi“the vehicle was taken into dealer for a factory recall to replace the rear driveshaft assembly. the car was driving completely normally when taken in for this service. but when picked up, the car was unsafe. it drove normally at low speeds leaving the dealership. but a couple of miles later when getting onto the freeway, at about 50 mph, the re…”
2013-03-22 · Fuel System, Other · 15,445 mi“took the vehicle in for the 15,000 miles check up. this vehicle isn't even a year old. they told us the fuel tank charcoal canister was cracked, however the plastic shrowd was not. the dealer wanted $1,100 dollars to fix this. this should be covered under warranty. how could this car less than 20,000 miles and less than a year old have a crack…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.