2012 Toyota Highlander Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 2%of 182 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,850miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the fuel system of the 2012 Toyota Highlander, 2% of the 182 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,850 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“My Highlander was at the airport for three days parked. When I was leaving the lot I was driving slow in the lot to pay my parking. When I got out of the lot to main stream traffic I tried to accelerate and the car would only go slow as I kept pushing the throttle. There were cars on both sides of me with no one in front and then the car just took off. It did startle me because I was not expecting this. Thank god no one was in front of me because I am sure I would not have reacted fast enough to stop because of the rapid acceleration. Something is wrong with the throttle in these vehicles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10459879, filed 2012-05, 5,000 miles“When filling the Highlander with fuel, it looks like a waterfall of fuel leaking onto the ground. It does not appear to be a gas tank issue but a problem within the lines? Once you stop fueling with the major leak and go to another area there is no fuel drop underneath the tank.”
NHTSA complaint #11397781, filed 2021-02, 47,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10134478May 19, 2015TT: Greenhouse Gas Logic (GHC) has been implemented on Toyota A/C Systems to reduce tailpipe emissions. The federal government issues café (Corporate Average Fuel Economy)…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 19% |
| 2023 | 17 | 9% |
| 2022 | 10 | 4% |
| 2021 | 31 | 6% |
| 2020 | 20 | 6% |
| 2019 | 109 | 21% |
| 2018 | 36 | 13% |
| 2017 | 37 | 14% |
| 2016 | 4 | 4% |
| 2015 | 4 | 2% |
| 2013 | 15 | 7% |
| 2012 | 3 | 2% |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 13 | 3% |
| 2007 | 6 | 5% |
| 2006 | 12 | 4% |
| 2005 | 6 | 3% |
| 2004 | 7 | 2% |
| 2003 | 10 | 4% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2012 Toyota Highlander
46 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsOther or unknown
24 complaintsBody and structure
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
19 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
5 complaintsTires
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology