2025 Toyota HIGHLANDER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
9 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
4,299 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2025 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 9 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 33.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 22.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Service Brakes: 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 | 2 |
| 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: 2; 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 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 7 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 | 3 |
| 2026 | 6 |
2025: 3; 2026: 6
Pattern summary
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 11676416 · 2025-07-26 (July 26, 2025)
Passenger seat belt won't extend half of the time. We have tried with engine on or off, put it in park and in gear, door open or closed and every other trick. We have pulled the belt straight up and down and every other angle. We have adjusted the height for tall or short riders. We took to the auto dealership, and they said it would not work for them at first then it started to work. We have had riders in the passenger front seat ride with no seat belt on because they couldn't extend it and gave up. It should work every time there becaus…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11676416 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11690033 · 2025-09-26 (September 26, 2025)
While waiting for a traffic light to change, I pressed the pedal to accelerate, and the car would not move. Like my pedal was dead. I have experienced this issue three times. I have also experienced bucking or jerking issues.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11690033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11707018 · 2025-12-25 (December 25, 2025)
Black Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD 2025 ~15000 miles What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Without any warning, the braking action is delayed. It is a momentary loss and happens occasionally at light braking application, nowhere near hard enough to lock the wheels up The vehicle is available for inspection upon request How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? If I were been closer to another vehicle/pedestrian/obstacle, an accident could happen Has the problem be…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11707018 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11711474 · 2026-01-16 (January 16, 2026)
I am reporting a safety defect in the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Nightshade involving the multifunction turn signal switch. The interior trim adhesive on the steering column has experienced a chemical breakdown (adhesive migration), causing the turn signal stalk to become stiff and bind. This obstruction makes it difficult to engage the turn signal and occasionally prevents the signal from "auto-canceling" after a turn. The dealership has acknowledged the adhesive failure by authorizing the replacement of the steering column covers but ref…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11711474 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11712542 · 2026-01-21 (January 21, 2026)
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally strong odor entering the cabin of the vehicle through the vents. The windows were rolled down due to the obnoxious odor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was tested for leaks in the exhaust; however, no leaks were found. The contact was informed that the fumes were possibly from burning wires or a new vehicle odor because the vehicle was a brand-new vehicle. In addition, th…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11712542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11740832 · 2026-05-29 (May 29, 2026)
The speedometer registers speed up to 7mph over actual speed for the first 15 miles then returns to matching GPS speed. Reported to Toyota, dealer said they have seen this before but not identified a fix as of today
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11740832 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11741757 · 2026-06-03 (June 3, 2026)
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while she and her husband were driving at 60 MPH, she heard a loud explosion noise from above her head and felt air whipping on top of her head. The contact stated that the sunroof exploded; however, the sunroof shield prevented the glass from entering the vehicle. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and inspected, but the contact did not find anything wrong at that time. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that a rock may have hit the sunroof. T…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,498 miles reported. Look up ODI 11741757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11750944 · 2026-07-16 (July 16, 2026)
[XXX] was turning left onto [XXX] from [XXX]. Two lanes turn left. She was in the inside lane. The traffic light was red, and when it turned green, she started to turn. Partway through the turn, the steering became unresponsive. She couldn't get it to turn left, and she could not complete the turn, and crashed into the pole that holds the traffic signal. She traveled less than 100 ft total from the light to the pole. The accident was at 1:30 PM on a dry and clear day. The car has 8087 miles on it. There were no observed indications of wa…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11750944 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
25V595000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
Reported: 2025-09-11 (September 11, 2025)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles. Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.
Consequence: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Additional letters will be sent, anticipated in May 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB08 and 25TA08. Lexus' numbers for this recall are 25LB05 and 25LA05.
NHTSA campaign record ↗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 ↗25V872000 · Seat Belts:Rear/Other:Anchorage
Reported: 2025-12-17 (December 17, 2025)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The third row center seat belt roof anchor may have been installed at an incorrect angle, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant.
Consequence: A seat belt that does not properly restrain an occupant increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reinstall the seat belt anchor with a new bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA16.
NHTSA campaign record ↗