2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Highlander Hybrid years
- Not enough data 7th of 22 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- None on file
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. That ranks 7th out of 22 Highlander Hybrid model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is structure (2 complaints, 22%), typically at around 67,755 miles. There are no safety recalls on file for this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.
- 9owner complaints
- 0safety recalls
- 3NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 2 | 22% | 67,755 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 1 | 11% | 86,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 11% | 15,445 | — | — |
| Hybrid Propulsion System | 1 | 11% | 86,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 11% | 25,690 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 11% | 103,240 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 11% | 114,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 11% | 82,427 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 11% | 105,002 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 11% | 105,002 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls (0)
No safety recalls are on file for the 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Pedestrian alert sounds (DP22005) — opened Jan 27, 2023, closed Aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V063000.
- Steering Column Separation (EA18006) — opened Nov 16, 2018, closed Apr 2, 2024.
- Upper Steering Column Separation (PE18005) — opened May 4, 2018, closed Nov 20, 2018.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The mid-row seats shake and rattle when driving and no one is sitting on them.
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…
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…
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…
The sunroof exploded and shuttered with a load explosion noise while i was driving 55mph on a highway 17 in california with my children.
Other Toyota Highlander Hybrid years
← 2011 Highlander Hybrid · 2013 Highlander Hybrid →
See all Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems by year, every Toyota model, or the Toyota VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
Owners most often report structure, electrical system, fuel system, other problems. The top one, structure, accounts for 2 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
No safety recalls are on file for this model year.
Was the 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Highlander Hybrid model years, the 2012 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.