NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
182 reports69,000 miles · Sep 20, 2018
Visibility/wiper
THE REAR WIPER QUITS WORKING. INITIALLY THE DEALERSHIP TOOK IT APART, CLEANED IT AND IT WORKED TEMPORARILY. BUT THEN THE WIPER QUIT WORKING AGAIN. THERE APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE MECHANISM AND/OR REAR WINDOW ALLOWING IN MOISTURE FOR THIS TO CONTINUE OCCURRING, REQUIRING THE NEED TO KEEP GOING IN AND CLEANING IT OR HAVIN…
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THE REAR WIPER QUITS WORKING. INITIALLY THE DEALERSHIP TOOK IT APART, CLEANED IT AND IT WORKED TEMPORARILY. BUT THEN THE WIPER QUIT WORKING AGAIN. THERE APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE MECHANISM AND/OR REAR WINDOW ALLOWING IN MOISTURE FOR THIS TO CONTINUE OCCURRING, REQUIRING THE NEED TO KEEP GOING IN AND CLEANING IT OR HAVING TO REPLACE IT AS SOME HAVE REPORTED WHICH APPEARS TO BE THE POINT I AM AT THE LAST TIME I TOOK IT IN.
NHTSA ODI #11130384
45,800 miles · Sep 4, 2018
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other
WHILE STOPPED ON AN INCLINE WITH BRAKE BEING PRESSED VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS AND SKID LIGHT CAME ON. PUT VEHICLE IN 'PARK' AND VEHICLE STOPPED. PLACED VEHICLE IN 'DRIVE', ACCELERATED AND DROVE AWAY WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM IDENTIFIED.
NHTSA ODI #11124217
70,023 miles · Aug 5, 2018
Steering
WHEN DRIVING, STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT WHILE TURNING. HEARD A KNOCK SOUND AT VARIOUS TIMES. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE THE STEERING SHAFT REPLACED. THE COST CAME TO $540. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 70,000 MILES. BASED ON OTHER COMPLAINTS I SEE ONLINE, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A TREND AND SHOULD BE A RECALL VOLUNTE…
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WHEN DRIVING, STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT WHILE TURNING. HEARD A KNOCK SOUND AT VARIOUS TIMES. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE THE STEERING SHAFT REPLACED. THE COST CAME TO $540. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 70,000 MILES. BASED ON OTHER COMPLAINTS I SEE ONLINE, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A TREND AND SHOULD BE A RECALL VOLUNTEERED BY TOYOTA.
NHTSA ODI #11115836
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2018
Electrical System
PURCHASED USED 2012 HIGHLANDER LTD FROM COLLEGE PARK HYUNDAI/HONDA, COLLEGE PARK MD 20720 IN FEB 2017. THE FRONT PASSENGER AUTOMATIC DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE OF THE FOUR DOORS. THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER.. VEHICLE HAD 48,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11113854
Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2018
Electrical SystemService BrakesUnknown Or Other
WHEN LOCKING THE DOORS, EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERIES HAVE BEEN CHANGED THE DOORS HAVE TO BE LOCKED MANUEL. THE TRUNK OPENS ON IT OWN. I CAN BE IN THE HOUSE AND WHEN I GO OUTSIDE THE TRUNK IS OPEN.
NHTSA ODI #11112299
54,000 miles · May 25, 2018
Unknown Or OtherVisibility
REAR WINDSHIELD BLEW OUT ON THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR WAS WARMED PRIOR TO DRIVING AND FONT AND REAR WINDSHIELD WERE ON DEFROST PRIOR TO THE REAR WINDSHIELD EXPLODING.
NHTSA ODI #11097916
70,000 miles · May 12, 2018
Steering
CLUNKING WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL
NHTSA ODI #11093446
55,000 miles · Feb 26, 2018
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A POPPING NOISE WAS PRESENT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (SEEGER TOYOTA, 12833 OLIVE ST, ST. LOUIS, MO 63141). WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A POPPING NOISE WAS PRESENT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (SEEGER TOYOTA, 12833 OLIVE ST, ST. LOUIS, MO 63141). WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
NHTSA ODI #11074994
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2018
Structure
LIFTGATE OPERATES ERRATICALLY, NOT STAYING OPEN WHEN BUTTON IS PUSHED. SOMETIMES IT OPENS ALL THE WAY, ONLY TO CLOSE IMMEDIATELY. MOST TIMES IT STARTS TO OPEN PARTIALLY THEN CLOSES. TWICE IT OPENED WHILE DRIVING. MOST TROUBLING IS ONCE IT STARTED TO CLOSE DOWN ON ME WHILE I WAS GETTING THINGS OUT OF THE TRUNK AREA. I WOULD THINK…
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LIFTGATE OPERATES ERRATICALLY, NOT STAYING OPEN WHEN BUTTON IS PUSHED. SOMETIMES IT OPENS ALL THE WAY, ONLY TO CLOSE IMMEDIATELY. MOST TIMES IT STARTS TO OPEN PARTIALLY THEN CLOSES. TWICE IT OPENED WHILE DRIVING. MOST TROUBLING IS ONCE IT STARTED TO CLOSE DOWN ON ME WHILE I WAS GETTING THINGS OUT OF THE TRUNK AREA. I WOULD THINK, FOR SAFETY REASONS, THERE SHOULD BE SOME TYPE OF SENSOR. IS THAT NOT THE CASE WITH MY HIGHLANDER? THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING PERIODICALLY FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS.
NHTSA ODI #11073431
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering
2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAILURE AND HORN CABLE FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THESE FAILURES AND TO BE REIMBURSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *JS
NHTSA ODI #11066232
Official recalls
2Apr 9, 2013
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Jan 16, 2013
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seats
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA18006 · Steering Column Separation
Opened Nov 16, 2018 · Closed Apr 2, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column
On November 16, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) as an upgrade to a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-005). The investigation focused on allegations of steering wheel separation from the lower steering column after using the tilt and/or telescoping mechanism. Given the separation occurring when operating the tilt and/or telescoping function and failure of both shear capsules to maintain the lower steering column mounting position, potential for shear capsule damage in the known failures due to collisions, the overall low rate of occurrence, and the updated manufacturer documentation, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency reserves right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. A detailed summary of the investigation is attached to this closing resume. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:column
On November 16, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) as an upgrade to a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-005). The investigation focused on allegations of steering wheel separation from the lower steering column after using the tilt and/or telescoping mechanism. Given the separation occurring when operating the tilt and/or telescoping function and failure of both shear capsules to maintain the lower steering column mounting position, potential for shear capsule damage in the known failures due to collisions, the overall low rate of occurrence, and the updated manufacturer documentation, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency reserves right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. A detailed summary of the investigation is attached to this closing resume. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Steering
On November 16, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) as an upgrade to a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-005). The investigation focused on allegations of steering wheel separation from the lower steering column after using the tilt and/or telescoping mechanism. Given the separation occurring when operating the tilt and/or telescoping function and failure of both shear capsules to maintain the lower steering column mounting position, potential for shear capsule damage in the known failures due to collisions, the overall low rate of occurrence, and the updated manufacturer documentation, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency reserves right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. A detailed summary of the investigation is attached to this closing resume. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
PE18005 · Upper Steering Column Separation
Opened May 4, 2018 · Closed Nov 20, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column
On May 4, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE18-005 to investigate three allegations of steering column separation for Model Year (MY) 2008 through 2013 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Two (2) of the 3 complaints were received by ODI in April 2018 and occurred while the vehicle was in motion. Since opening PE18-005, one (1) additional VOQ involving steering column separation has been received. This incident occurred while the vehicle was stationary.As part of PE18-005, ODI examined the field data, warranty data, and relevant technical information submitted by Toyota in response to the PE18-005 information request letter. Ten (10) additional incidents of steering column separation were identified. Four (4) of these instances occurred while driving. During PE18-005, ODI confirmed that the steering columns in the subject vehicles are equipped with breakaway capsules that are designed to collapse/shear during certain types of vehicle collisions. This design feature aims to reduce driver injury severity from impact with the steering wheel in frontal vehicle collisions. There is no direct method for detecting when the capsules in the subject vehicles have sheared. If the driver operates the tilt/telescoping feature after the breakaway capsules have separated, the steering column may drop out of position and could subsequently detach entirely from the rest of the steering assembly. Loss of steering while driving may cause a loss of vehicle control, which could lead to a vehicle crash.To date, ODI has identified 14 incidents involving complete steering column separation, 6 of which occurred while driving. One of these incidents involved a minor crash. Additionally, there have been 16 events where the steering column dropped from the dashboard mounting brackets, but column separation did not occur. Four of these incidents happened while driving. Of these 30 total separation/drop incidents, 5 of the vehicles have evidence of minor collision repairs months or years prior to the steering column failure.This investigation has been upgraded an to Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) in order to 1) conduct a more detailed analysis of the conditions that may cause the steering column breakaway capsules to separate and 2) assess factors that may contribute to the problem of failing to detect and repair breakaway capsules after they have separated. Toyota has recently revised their repair manual and issued a Collision Repair Information Bulletin to help address the second concern.The VOQs associated with this investigation can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI complaint numbers: 11141761, 11083623, 11083280, 10888043.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:column
On May 4, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE18-005 to investigate three allegations of steering column separation for Model Year (MY) 2008 through 2013 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Two (2) of the 3 complaints were received by ODI in April 2018 and occurred while the vehicle was in motion. Since opening PE18-005, one (1) additional VOQ involving steering column separation has been received. This incident occurred while the vehicle was stationary.As part of PE18-005, ODI examined the field data, warranty data, and relevant technical information submitted by Toyota in response to the PE18-005 information request letter. Ten (10) additional incidents of steering column separation were identified. Four (4) of these instances occurred while driving. During PE18-005, ODI confirmed that the steering columns in the subject vehicles are equipped with breakaway capsules that are designed to collapse/shear during certain types of vehicle collisions. This design feature aims to reduce driver injury severity from impact with the steering wheel in frontal vehicle collisions. There is no direct method for detecting when the capsules in the subject vehicles have sheared. If the driver operates the tilt/telescoping feature after the breakaway capsules have separated, the steering column may drop out of position and could subsequently detach entirely from the rest of the steering assembly. Loss of steering while driving may cause a loss of vehicle control, which could lead to a vehicle crash.To date, ODI has identified 14 incidents involving complete steering column separation, 6 of which occurred while driving. One of these incidents involved a minor crash. Additionally, there have been 16 events where the steering column dropped from the dashboard mounting brackets, but column separation did not occur. Four of these incidents happened while driving. Of these 30 total separation/drop incidents, 5 of the vehicles have evidence of minor collision repairs months or years prior to the steering column failure.This investigation has been upgraded an to Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) in order to 1) conduct a more detailed analysis of the conditions that may cause the steering column breakaway capsules to separate and 2) assess factors that may contribute to the problem of failing to detect and repair breakaway capsules after they have separated. Toyota has recently revised their repair manual and issued a Collision Repair Information Bulletin to help address the second concern.The VOQs associated with this investigation can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI complaint numbers: 11141761, 11083623, 11083280, 10888043.
Steering
On May 4, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE18-005 to investigate three allegations of steering column separation for Model Year (MY) 2008 through 2013 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Two (2) of the 3 complaints were received by ODI in April 2018 and occurred while the vehicle was in motion. Since opening PE18-005, one (1) additional VOQ involving steering column separation has been received. This incident occurred while the vehicle was stationary.As part of PE18-005, ODI examined the field data, warranty data, and relevant technical information submitted by Toyota in response to the PE18-005 information request letter. Ten (10) additional incidents of steering column separation were identified. Four (4) of these instances occurred while driving. During PE18-005, ODI confirmed that the steering columns in the subject vehicles are equipped with breakaway capsules that are designed to collapse/shear during certain types of vehicle collisions. This design feature aims to reduce driver injury severity from impact with the steering wheel in frontal vehicle collisions. There is no direct method for detecting when the capsules in the subject vehicles have sheared. If the driver operates the tilt/telescoping feature after the breakaway capsules have separated, the steering column may drop out of position and could subsequently detach entirely from the rest of the steering assembly. Loss of steering while driving may cause a loss of vehicle control, which could lead to a vehicle crash.To date, ODI has identified 14 incidents involving complete steering column separation, 6 of which occurred while driving. One of these incidents involved a minor crash. Additionally, there have been 16 events where the steering column dropped from the dashboard mounting brackets, but column separation did not occur. Four of these incidents happened while driving. Of these 30 total separation/drop incidents, 5 of the vehicles have evidence of minor collision repairs months or years prior to the steering column failure.This investigation has been upgraded an to Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) in order to 1) conduct a more detailed analysis of the conditions that may cause the steering column breakaway capsules to separate and 2) assess factors that may contribute to the problem of failing to detect and repair breakaway capsules after they have separated. Toyota has recently revised their repair manual and issued a Collision Repair Information Bulletin to help address the second concern.The VOQs associated with this investigation can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI complaint numbers: 11141761, 11083623, 11083280, 10888043.
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