2012 Toyota Highlander Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 8%of 182 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 8,200miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2012 Toyota Highlander, 8% of the 182 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 8,200 miles. 7 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.
“While pulling into a parking stall in a private parking lot, my Highlander suddenly accelerated and I had no brakes at all! My Highlander went up over the curb which caused the vehicle to slow. I had brakes again and was able to apply the brake, coming to a safe stop. Not before slashing my left front tire and bending my tire rim. Thankfully no one was injured.”
NHTSA complaint #10457095, filed 2012-05, 1,104 miles“While entering a parking spot with foot firmly on the brake the vehicle experienced sudden and unanticipated acceleration resulting in the car crashing into a concrete wall and being totaled. Witness corroborated the sound of a the engine at high RPM immediately before the crash.”
NHTSA complaint #11163347, filed 2018-12, 133,993 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“When stopping the auto on 3 occasions the engine began racing very strongly....updated 02/07/13 however, while the Highlander was being checked, the consumer and her husband experienced sudden acceleration while driving a Toyota camry loaner, causing a crash and personal injury. Updatd 02/11/13”
NHTSA complaint #10496355, filed 2013-02, 5,700 miles“On february 4, 2013 the Highlander accelerated three consecutive times. Turned off the engine each time and engine accelerated when coming to a stop each time. On june 16, 2013 the Highlander engine accelerated as the car was slowing down before it came to a stop. We have had acceleration problems with two highlanders and two camrys and no answers from Toyota as to why accept for them to try and blame it on driver error. When a car is at a stop and accelerating on its own then there is no driver error. Please help us. …”
NHTSA complaint #10520013, filed 2013-06, 5,787 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 30% |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 9 | 5% |
| 2022 | 8 | 3% |
| 2021 | 9 | 2% |
| 2020 | 10 | 3% |
| 2019 | 13 | 3% |
| 2018 | 9 | 3% |
| 2017 | 13 | 5% |
| 2016 | 4 | 4% |
| 2015 | 11 | 6% |
| 2014 | 5 | 4% |
| 2013 | 31 | 15% |
| 2012 | 14 | 8% |
| 2011 | 12 | 7% |
| 2010 | 22 | 10% |
| 2009 | 14 | 10% |
| 2008 | 45 | 11% |
| 2007 | 16 | 13% |
| 2006 | 43 | 15% |
| 2005 | 39 | 17% |
| 2004 | 40 | 14% |
| 2003 | 28 | 11% |
| 2002 | 31 | 10% |
| 2001 | 15 | 11% |
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 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 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 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