2025 Toyota GRAND HIGHLANDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
67 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
12,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2025 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 67 complaints (29.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 9.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 7.5% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 6.0% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 6.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 6.0% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 4.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 20 |
| Power Train | 15 |
| Engine | 11 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Structure:Body:Hood | 3 |
Unknown Or Other: 20; Power Train: 15; Engine: 11; Fuel/Propulsion System: 9; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Structure:Body: 5; Electrical System: 4; Structure:Body:Hood: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 64 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 26 |
| 2026 | 41 |
2025: 26; 2026: 41
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11669921 · 2025-06-28 (June 28, 2025)
Missing the wire connector for the puddle lamp installation? although not a safety issue, would like to bring this to attention; wire connectors (and wires) missing on both driver and passenger doors? Not sure if this was a factory oversight, or an error in original wiring diagram of Toyota? If so, there could be other wires missing in the vehicle as well. Hopefully Toyota will look into this and propose a fix for their customers. Thank you
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11669921 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11677229 · 2025-07-30 (July 30, 2025)
I am writing to report a serious issue with my 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] ), purchased on [XXX] from Hillside Toyota . I have noticed water leaking from the top of the windshield, dripping onto the steering wheel and dashboard, particularly during rain or after a car wash. This issue began on [XXX] and I saw couple of times under these conditions, posing a potential safety hazard due to driver distraction and possible damage to electrical components. I have taken the vehicle to Hillside Toyota on 05/05/25 and 07/21/25 whe…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11677229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11683022 · 2025-08-25 (August 25, 2025)
I have experienced intermittent transmission issues. Specifically, the car often fails to shift gracefully from first gear, resulting in rough or hard shifts that are jarring and unsafe, particularly during acceleration or in stop-and-go traffic. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has refused to shift correctly, requiring me to pull over, turn the car completely off, and restart it to restore proper shifting functionality. This issue is not only inconvenient but also poses a significant safety risk, especially when merging into traffic or navig…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11683022 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11699345 · 2025-11-14 (November 14, 2025)
Inconsistently but on numerous occasions, this vehicle has experienced harsh shifting, hesitation, or jerking during low-speed acceleration (e.g., 20-40 mph) or gear engagement. This was a known and reported issue with the 2024 model for which Toyota provided a fix. They have not provided one for the 2025 models. This issue is a safety risk while driving because with the surge you feel you must quickly let off the pedal, and with the hesitation you let off the brake indicating you will move forward yet the vehicle doesn’t accelerate.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11699345 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11664671 · 2025-06-03 (June 3, 2025)
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated while reversing, the back over prevention system failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the image was visible; however, there was no tone alert. Additionally, there was a message indicating that the Adaptive Cruise Control was unavailable and to see the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact stated that the automatic braking system had independently activated. The contact stated that the failure had occ…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11664671 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11735710 · 2026-05-05 (May 5, 2026)
I was driving on in the left most lane on a highway at 70 miles speed with multiple trucks speeding from behind. My car suddenly lost acceleration and saw multiple warning messages on my car display. I barely managed to save my car from being hit by the trucks speeding from behind, applying emergency lights and steering my vehicle from the left lane to the right side of the highway. After towing the car to nearest dealer I understood that a stone went through the front grill of the car and it got the radiator converter leaking all the coolant …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11735710 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11651434 · 2025-03-29 (March 29, 2025)
Fuel fill-ups averaging 13-14 gallons when vehicle trip computer alerts 0 miles remaining distance to empty. Fuel tank capacity published as 17.8 gallons. Total vehicle range understated, requiring more frequent stops at gas stations to fill. Not a direct safety concern, but a significant nuisance and dealer has stated this is normal and there is no fix for this issue. EPA estimated MPG 26-27, should equate to approximately 460+ miles/tank. Instead experiencing approximately 350-365 miles per full tank of fuel.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11651434 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11714181 · 2026-01-29 (January 29, 2026)
The entire life of the car from initial purchase the fuel gauge is incorrect. The car has a 17 gallon gas tank and the fuel gauge is calibrated to around 13 gallons. The car thinks it is out of gas around 13 gallons when there is actually 4 more gallons left.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11714181 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11750573 · 2026-07-15 (July 15, 2026)
After coming to a complete stop at a stop sign or stop light, then trying to go, the vehicle will stall. It will not go when given gas. The first time it happened, I was at a busy intersection with oncoming traffic coming towards me with the pedal to the floor, nothing would happen for 5-10 seconds. It was terrifying. Thank god the car coming towards us went around in time. It then happened again in my neighborhood a week later. Thankfully that time I wasn’t in traffic. I have noted that it seems to happen when very hot outside (Florida July su…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11750573 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11752130 · 2026-07-22 (July 22, 2026)
After a complete stop at a stop sign there is hesitation/stalling when trying to accelerate. Sometimes the hesitation is several seconds and then the engine kicks in and lurches forward. Couple times this has been a safety issue as it happens when I’m trying to pull out on a busy road. The delay/hesitation has caused me to almost get hit a few times. There are no lights or warning messages when this happens. It happens a multiple times a week especially during hot weather when AC is on full (LO temp setting and maximum fan) and is usually …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11752130 at NHTSA ↗