2012 Toyota Highlander Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2012 Highlander most often report a clunking or popping noise from the steering when turning, and door locks that stop working on one or more doors. Water leaking into the cabin — through the A/C drain or sunroof drains — and higher-than-expected oil use are also recurring themes. Many of these reports come in between roughly 45,000 and 100,000 miles, with several appearing soon after the warranty ended.

1. 1
   Steering

   Clunking or popping noise when turning the steering wheel

   • 33 complaints (18%)
   • median 62,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (26 state mileage)
   • filed 2014–2021

   Complaints describe a clunk, pop or ticking sound heard and sometimes felt through the steering wheel, usually when turning left or right; several say it got louder over time and one describes the wheel briefly seizing. Owners who had it inspected report being told the intermediate steering shaft or steering column needed replacement, with quotes ranging from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars. Some repairs were done under warranty and the noise returned later; others were told it was not a safety concern. Mostly reported between about 30,000 and 115,000 miles, with several around the 50,000-70,000 mile range and a few at higher mileage.

   What to check: Turn the wheel slowly left and right with the engine running and listen for a clunk or pop, and ask for service records showing whether the intermediate steering shaft or column was ever replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Making popping noise in steering wheel when turning. Took to dealership where I have it serviced and they informed me it was the steering shaft assembly. Which cost $273 dollars before labor. My understanding is that they have had problems with the 2008 to 2013 models. In my opinion this is a safety issue and should be covered by Toyota.”

   NHTSA complaint #11162957, filed 2018-12, 99,000 miles

   “When turning the steering wheel on my 2012 Toyota Highlander I experience a pop in the steering wheel. My mechanic says this is a recurring problem with the intermediate steering shaft but is not warranted by Toyota notwithstanding the fact it is a known and common problem with this year vehicle. If left unrepaired it could cause a significant safety problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #11185735, filed 2019-03, 68,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Power door locks stop working (lock actuators)

   • 19 complaints (10%)
   • median 55,000 mi at 4.4 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $700 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2020

   Owners report that one or more doors stop locking or unlocking with the key fob or the door switch, leaving them to lock each door by hand. Complaints say the dealer diagnosed failed lock actuators and quoted several hundred dollars per door; some had a first repair covered under warranty and then had other doors fail afterward. Reported from as low as about 17,000 miles up to roughly 135,000 miles, often clustered between 30,000 and 60,000 miles.

   What to check: Try every door with both the key fob and the interior switch, and ask whether any lock actuator has already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The door locks on my 2012 Toyota Highlander stopped working. With only 17500 on the car, all 4 doors wont close with the key fob, or on the door. They open but dont close, I have to manually close each door lock every time I want the doors locked. I am the only owner, I bought the car brand new, and as soon as it came out of warranty the door locks stopped working.”

   NHTSA complaint #10721143, filed 2015-05, 17,400 miles

   “The electronic door lock (driver's side door) on my 2012 Toyota Highlander recently began to have problems; it worked intermittently for a short time, then ceased working at all. After a recent service trip, Toyota quoted me over $500 to replace the door actuator and labor. I realize this seems like a small issue. But I, and my family, have owned toyotas previously and have had the same issue, even with different models. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10744578, filed 2015-07, 60,000 miles
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Unexpected acceleration or loss of power from a stop

   • 22 complaints (12%)
   • median 10,700 mi at 1.5 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2020

   Complaints describe the engine revving or the vehicle surging while braking or coming to a stop, requiring hard brake pressure, with one owner told an idle-up clutch was involved. Other reports describe the opposite: the engine dropping to near idle for a few seconds when pulling away from a stop, or hesitating when the accelerator is pressed. Most owners say the dealer could not reproduce or resolve the behavior. Mostly reported under about 25,000 miles, with several under 12,000 miles.

   What to check: Test low-speed driving and stops on the test drive, and ask whether the throttle body has been cleaned or any related service performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On (or about) the last week of may 2015, I had my auto serviced at the dealship. I was advised that the 'throttle body' needed 'cleaning' and this was done by the dealership at that time. On june 4, 2015, I was backing into a parking spot on a parking lot, wiith the car 'coasting' back and my foot on the brake. About half way into the 'spot' the car engine suddely accellerated and I had to use extreme pressure on the brake pedal to obtain a 'minimum' of slowing. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10724352, filed 2015-06, 39,850 miles

   “The car started to accelerate when we came to a stop. This is an ongoing problem and no one seems to be able to help. The car has to be turned off before it gets out of control. The consumer stated there has been no resolution or solution for the acceleration problem. Updated 02/25/14”

   NHTSA complaint #10565408, filed 2014-02, 19,004 miles

Buying note. On a used 2012 Highlander, listen carefully for steering clunks on turns and test every power door lock, since both are common in owner reports. Also check the carpets for dampness and the oil level, and ask for service records on steering shaft and lock actuator repairs.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.