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Toyota Grand HighlanderModel year report

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Problems

Compared with other Toyota Grand Highlander years

Too new to compare

Open NHTSA investigationRoad debris/rocks damaging the heat exchangers

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
48filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
10,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
24 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 14 complaints (29% of the total), followed by body and structure (10) and engine (8). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 10,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 25 technical service bulletins for this model year. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 24 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (2), Air bags (1), Lane departure (1), Seat belts (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Other or unknown: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11697688, filed 2025-11

Body and structure: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11718364, filed 2026-02

Engine: “My Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Limited has 16000 miles. Yesterday, 5 vehicle alerts appeared simultaneously: Check Engine, AWD system, Drive-Start control system, Intelligent clearance Sonar, and Hybrid system. The vehicle has reduced power and check engine light is illuminated. I towed the vehicle to dealership. They found damage to inverter radiator causing a leak of coolant. Dealership mentioned that this could be because of flying debris hitting the vent. I am requesting a goodwill technical review and repair of the same. …”

NHTSA complaint #11770851, filed 2026-10

Fuel system: “My 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander XLE has a recurring gasoline smell near the rear driver’s side after long trips or when parked with the engine idling. The source of the odor and the specific component involved are unknown. I am concerned about a possible fuel or vapor leak and the potential fire risk to myself and my passengers.”

NHTSA complaint #11764246, filed 2026-09

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,000 and 10,000 miles.

0%0–10100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (1 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 10,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

This model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

2025202647
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Grand Highlander · SUV AWD★★★★★4 / 4554 · 17.4% risk
Grand Highlander · SUV FWD★★★★★4 / 4554 · 16.9% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2026 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.

Neighbouring years: 2025: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Grand Highlander AWD LE/XLE2.4L 4-cyl8-speed automatic212723$2,900
Grand Highlander AWD Limited/Platinum2.4L 4-cyl8-speed automatic202622$3,050
Grand Highlander LE/XLE FWD2.4L 4-cyl8-speed automatic212824$2,800
Grand Highlander Limited FWD2.4L 4-cyl8-speed automatic212824$2,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 25 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 25 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota Grand Highlander

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20264810,0003524Too new to compareToo new
20258114,6503524Too new to compareToo new
202423917,2284—24Too new to compareToo new

All Toyota Grand Highlander model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander have?

NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander is reported most often?

Other or unknown is named most often, in 14 complaints (29% of the total), followed by body and structure with 10.

Has the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander get?

The EPA rates the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander (Grand Highlander LE/XLE, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander reported?

Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 10,000 miles and the middle half falls between 10,000 and 10,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.