2026 Toyota GRAND HIGHLANDER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2026 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 30 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 10.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.3% |
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 | 10 |
| Structure:Body | 7 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 1 |
| Lane Departure: Assist | 1 |
Unknown Or Other: 10; Structure:Body: 7; Engine: 6; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 1; Lane Departure: Assist: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 30 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 | 1 |
| 2026 | 29 |
2025: 1; 2026: 29
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11697688 · 2025-11-05 (November 5, 2025)
I recently purchased a Toyota Grand Highlander just two days ago, and I’m experiencing a serious issue that is affecting my ability to drive the vehicle safely. At speeds between 25–40 mph, there is a significant cabin boom and echo inside the vehicle. This creates a pressure sensation in my ears, causing nausea, disorientation, and physical discomfort. I’ve only driven about 50 miles, and the symptoms are severe enough that I cannot continue driving the vehicle.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11697688 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11713179 · 2026-01-25 (January 25, 2026)
The Electronic Park Brake (EPB) fails to release when the car is shifted into gear. The park brake dashboard light remains on, and the brake does not release. The problem is intermittent but has occurred multiple times in the first 2 months and 2,000 miles of owning the newly purchased vehicle. The vehicle was purchased in Nov 2025, and in Jan 2026 it was taken to the authorized Toyota service center at the Toyota dealership where it was purchased to have this issue repaired. But Toyota refused to replace any parts. Multiple photographs of…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11713179 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11717218 · 2026-02-11 (February 11, 2026)
At low speeds under 40 mph, there is a very pronounced and uncomfortable cabin boom noise when going over bumps.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11717218 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11718364 · 2026-02-16 (February 16, 2026)
We were going down the highway in our brand new Grand Highlander yesterday (3500 miles, 3 months old) and it was like a bomb had gone off. The panoramic sunroof exploded up and out. Glass started falling on my daughter whom was in the middle seat. My husband had to quickly pull off the highway to safety. I have never experienced anything like this and it was extremely scary. Obviously there is a defect that needs to be addressed.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11718364 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11722133 · 2026-03-04 (March 4, 2026)
Front windshield cracked on its own. Car was parked in driveway and there was nothing affecting the crack. It cracked on its own. This is brand new car Grand Highlander 2026 and owned for only 1 month. The front windshield shod not crack like that on its own out of nowhere. I read many other reviews from other owners facing the same issues. Most of them mentioning that this has happened because of the poor installation and some mentioning that even after replacing the windshield it has cracked again. Toyota should address this as a recall asap.…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11722133 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11727530 · 2026-03-27 (March 27, 2026)
When I went to turn the car on last Tuesday (3/24.2026), the entire digital dashboard was black. I tried restarting the car a few times with no resolution. Thankfully, the infotainment screen and heads up display (HUD) were on and working fine. If it was not for the HUD, I would of had no idea what my speed was driving home. However, I was unable to see my gas level or other safety features which is concerning. Once I got the car home about 15 minutes later, we turned the car off and back on and everything was fine. So far, everything has been …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11727530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11729249 · 2026-04-05 (April 5, 2026)
I purchased this vehicle new from Toyota of madison in Indiana on 3/26/2026. It had 300+ miles on it. Had it for just a week before this warning light came on while idling or driving very slowly..… High Coolant Temp. Pull over in a safe area immediately. My temperature gauge was in the red. I pulled over. Called closest dealership who stated closed for Easter. After several hours of personal researching on the internet of a potential cause , I examined the engine only to find that my Radiator Fan had been UNPLUGGED!! No wonder the engine was …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11729249 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11732329 · 2026-04-20 (April 20, 2026)
Car vibrates at high speeds. Dealers idea of fixing is to "overinflate tires, drive for 45 minutes and then let hang on lift"
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11732329 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
25V744000 · Back Over Prevention:Display Function
Reported: 2025-10-30 (October 30, 2025)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V437000 · Power Train:Axle Assembly
Reported: 2026-07-08 (July 8, 2026)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2026 Lexus TX Plug-In Hybrid, TX Hybrid, TX, Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, and Grand Highlander vehicles. The rear axle carriers may have been manufactured with insufficient material strength and could break.
Consequence: A broken rear axle carrier can cause a sudden loss of vehicle stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle carrier sub-assembly code, and replace the sub-assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB13, 26TA13, 26LB08, and 26LA08.
NHTSA campaign record ↗