2012 Toyota Highlander Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 4%of 182 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Toyota Highlander, 4% of the 182 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Placed vehicle in park in garage and took foot off brake. I opened the car door to make sure in was parked straight, and the car began rolling backwards. Them car rolled about a foot, with the door striking a garage pillar before I could apply the brakes. Damage to the vehicle was only cosmetic, but the event was unnerving and potentially very dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #10779530, filed 2015-10, 37,000 miles“After pulling into a parking space, then braking, I backed up to realign the vehicle better. When I pulled in this time and brake, the vehicle did not stop. I continued to put my foot on the brake repeatedly, but the vehicle still did not stop. The engine then revved up and accelerated. At this same time the gear shift went into neutral and then back into drive. The vehicle finally came to a stop as it hit the building in front of me, causing damage to the building, and the front of my vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10466502, filed 2012-07, 4,989 miles“We were driving in a parking lot with our 2 small children when all of the sudden the car jerked like we were rear ended. I pushed the gas pedal again to have it only happen multiple times. It was very scary. If we were on the road we would have definitely been in an accident. We called roadside assistance and had to have the vehicle towed to the nearest Toyota dealer which was very far from our home. The dealer put in a new transmission after finding metal debris in the fluid. After a few days the car started acting up again and was brought to another dealer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10578448, filed 2014-04, 1,500 miles“I was stopped at an intersection (red light) and was needing to make a left turn. The light turned green but this intersection does not have a green arrow so you have to yield to the oncoming traffic. As I proceeded forwarded a little bit into the middle of the intersection so I could make my left turn, I slowed down to almost a stop because there were too many cars and I couldn't turn at that moment. Then there was a window of opportunity for me to turn shortly after I slowed down almost to a stop and I stepped on the gas to go, then nothing happened. …”
NHTSA complaint #10523296, filed 2013-07, 18,800 miles“The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, she attempted to brake but the vehicle accelerated rapidly instead. She attempted to apply the brake however the brake pedal had become very stiff. She had to apply extreme pressure to the brake and the vehicle stopped 15 feet later. She shifted into neutral and turned the vehicle off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where the contact was informed that there was an idle up clutch defect, which occurred at low speeds and when the air conditioner was activated. …”
NHTSA complaint #10467938, filed 2012-07, 6,200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10134401Apr 13, 2016TSB: This bulletin includes basic procedures for inspecting and adjusting World Standard (WS) Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) level at normal vehicle operating temperature…
- 10134454Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
- 10134169Mar 18, 2015TechTip: Condition: Engine No Start and/or Poor Engine Power DTCs set immediately after performing service on the Inverter such as SSC D0M for IPM replacement or Inverter…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 7% |
| 2023 | 20 | 11% |
| 2022 | 55 | 21% |
| 2021 | 228 | 43% |
| 2020 | 126 | 39% |
| 2019 | 213 | 42% |
| 2018 | 71 | 26% |
| 2017 | 77 | 28% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 7 | 4% |
| 2014 | 9 | 7% |
| 2013 | 11 | 5% |
| 2012 | 7 | 4% |
| 2011 | 16 | 9% |
| 2010 | 6 | 3% |
| 2009 | 7 | 5% |
| 2008 | 18 | 4% |
| 2007 | 8 | 6% |
| 2006 | 22 | 8% |
| 2005 | 51 | 23% |
| 2004 | 58 | 20% |
| 2003 | 13 | 5% |
| 2002 | 14 | 5% |
| 2001 | 13 | 9% |
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 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
5 complaintsTires
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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