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2025 Toyota Grand Highlander

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 5 of 71 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

20 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2026
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

At a complete stop my car started shaking violently back and forth. It felt like we were in an earthquake. It has happened before but not as violently and not as long. No warning lights or anything. It has had problems with lurching and stuttering since we bought it. The dealership said they fixed it once (the stuttering) but it…

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At a complete stop my car started shaking violently back and forth. It felt like we were in an earthquake. It has happened before but not as violently and not as long. No warning lights or anything. It has had problems with lurching and stuttering since we bought it. The dealership said they fixed it once (the stuttering) but it’s still happening. They cannot duplicate it and it’s not throwing any codes.

NHTSA ODI #11715336

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2026
Unknown Or Other

While driving under normal conditions, the air conditioning system in my Toyota Grand Highlander suddenly stopped working. The vehicle was inspected by a Toyota dealership, which determined that the AC condenser had a hole/puncture that caused a refrigerant leak and complete AC failure. Toyota denied warranty coverage, classify…

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While driving under normal conditions, the air conditioning system in my Toyota Grand Highlander suddenly stopped working. The vehicle was inspected by a Toyota dealership, which determined that the AC condenser had a hole/puncture that caused a refrigerant leak and complete AC failure. Toyota denied warranty coverage, classifying the damage as “road hazard,” despite acknowledging that this is a common issue with the Grand Highlander. There was no collision, no unusual road event, and no warning prior to failure. The condenser appears to be positioned in a highly exposed and vulnerable location, allowing small road debris to puncture it easily. Based on discussions with the dealership and reports from other owners, this issue is occurring repeatedly and results in expensive repairs (approximately $1,500–$2,000). This appears to be a design-related vulnerability, not an isolated incident or abnormal use. A failure of the air conditioning system significantly impacts vehicle safety and operability, particularly in extreme heat conditions. I am reporting this issue to document a pattern of premature AC condenser failure in Toyota Grand Highlander vehicles and to request further investigation.

NHTSA ODI #11709267

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2025
Unknown Or Other

While driving at approximately 50 MPH with no other vehicles around, there was a loud bang and then the sound of air. We identified that the panoramic sunroof had exploded. We pulled over immediately and took photos of the sunroof which at that time was shattered but intact. There was a clear bulge upward and no sign of impac…

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While driving at approximately 50 MPH with no other vehicles around, there was a loud bang and then the sound of air. We identified that the panoramic sunroof had exploded. We pulled over immediately and took photos of the sunroof which at that time was shattered but intact. There was a clear bulge upward and no sign of impact from an outside force. We then continued driving to our home approximately another 40 miles, during that drive shards of glass flew onto the roadway leaving a hole in the sunroof of approximately 10-12 inches. We brought the vehicle to Toyota dealership for a warranty repair. Toyota refuses to cover under warranty, stating outside influence. I am confident there was no outside influence causing the glass to explode. The vehicle is a 2025 Grand Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited with approximately 9000 miles on it, the incident happened on Nov 2nd. 2025 around noon. Weather was mild, 50-60 degrees F, no precipitation or severe winds.

NHTSA ODI #11699755

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2025
Unknown Or Other

There is a coolant leak in the hybrid radiator caused by a puncture. When taken to the dealer, they said a rock must have punctured it. The dealer currently has the part. Me, my husband, and 2 children were driving on I-5 when the car stopped accelerating and a "hybrid malfucntion" code and "engine malfunction" code started fl…

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There is a coolant leak in the hybrid radiator caused by a puncture. When taken to the dealer, they said a rock must have punctured it. The dealer currently has the part. Me, my husband, and 2 children were driving on I-5 when the car stopped accelerating and a "hybrid malfucntion" code and "engine malfunction" code started flashing. Prior to this, there were no warnings. I was thankfully able to full over safely, but we were stuck on the side of I-5 for at least an hour waiting for a tow. I am reading online that this is an issue with the car and seems to be a design flaw. The gaps in the grill are too large, and there is no mesh or anything else behind the grill to protect the front end of the car.

NHTSA ODI #11697495

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2025
Unknown Or Other

Sun roof shattered unprovoked in 2 month old vehicle while driving slowly in parking lot. We didn't know what happened at first but then opened interior lining and the shattered glass fell into the cabin; nobody was hurt. when we took this to dealership, we were told this wasn't under warrantee and we had to get it fixed indepen…

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Sun roof shattered unprovoked in 2 month old vehicle while driving slowly in parking lot. We didn't know what happened at first but then opened interior lining and the shattered glass fell into the cabin; nobody was hurt. when we took this to dealership, we were told this wasn't under warrantee and we had to get it fixed independently. I filed a complaint with Toyota Care but they denied covering cost to fix the shattered sun roof. We did not have the shattered sun roof inspected by anybody else but it has been fixed by glass shop.

NHTSA ODI #11693925

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2025
Unknown Or Other

I am told my 2025 Grand Highlander has a hole in the AC Condenser from "road debris" according to a Toyota dealership leading to no air conditioning. I've never taken the car off-roading. A simple google search shows that others are having this issue and are buying extra netting to protect it from happening again. I'm told I ne…

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I am told my 2025 Grand Highlander has a hole in the AC Condenser from "road debris" according to a Toyota dealership leading to no air conditioning. I've never taken the car off-roading. A simple google search shows that others are having this issue and are buying extra netting to protect it from happening again. I'm told I need to pay $1,800 to have this fixed when I haven't even had the car for a year. This seems like a design flaw that needs to be addressed.

NHTSA ODI #11683665

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2025
Unknown Or Other

Apparently, a rock flew into the front grill striking the radiator (which is located directly behind the grill) and put a hole in it. This caused fluid to leak and fortunately during a routine maintenance check (my first service) on 8/15/25, it was discovered. The car was deemed not safe to drive until repairs were made. I submi…

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Apparently, a rock flew into the front grill striking the radiator (which is located directly behind the grill) and put a hole in it. This caused fluid to leak and fortunately during a routine maintenance check (my first service) on 8/15/25, it was discovered. The car was deemed not safe to drive until repairs were made. I submitted it to my insurance company and they inspected it and verified the issue. The radiator was replaced by Toyota at the dealership where I purchased the vehicle. They said they heard of a few cases, but I went online and discovered several vehicles that had this happen. Apparently the grill on the new highlanders is the issue - it has wide openings and the radiator is directly behind it. I am purchasing a bra and some mesh to place behind the grill in order to prevent another incident. No warning lights or indicators came on and the dealership said it would've eventually when it got hot enough. Fortunately, most of my driving was local after the incident occurred so the vehicle didn't have time to overheat. I am thankful it was discovered before I was stranded.

NHTSA ODI #11682016

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2025
Unknown Or Other

Front Windshield cracked out of nowhere with no trauma, , now needs replacement due to crack expanding. I discovered it in the morning when my car was parked and not driving.

NHTSA ODI #11668173

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2025
StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

When going over rough or uneven roads, the car produces a strong low-frequency resonance, like a bass-heavy "boom". This causes a very uncomfortable feeling of pressure changing in my ears, gives me a headache and ear pain whenever I drive in local roads, which is the majority of driving in my area. This causes me to need to pul…

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When going over rough or uneven roads, the car produces a strong low-frequency resonance, like a bass-heavy "boom". This causes a very uncomfortable feeling of pressure changing in my ears, gives me a headache and ear pain whenever I drive in local roads, which is the majority of driving in my area. This causes me to need to pull over and stop the car frequently to readjust my hearing. I've found many reports from others of the same issue but Toyota have not acknowledged it or found a solution.

NHTSA ODI #11667916

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2025
Unknown Or Other

The Panoramic Roof Glass shattered on its own while driving on the freeway, there were no overpasses, no trees, no semi-trucks, no other vehicle in front of me while i was driving. The shattered glass pieces fell on my children in the back seats luckily there were no injuries as we closed the screen immediately.

NHTSA ODI #11661706

Official recalls

3

26V179000 · Equipment:other:labels

Mar 24, 2026

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Toyota Tundra, Tacoma Hybrid, Tacoma, RAV4 Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Lexus GX550, 2024-2026 Tundra Hybrid, 2025 Sequoia Hybrid, Crown Signia, Grand Highlander, Lexus TX500 Hybrid, Lexus NX350 Hybrid, 2025-2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid, and Lexus TX350 vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the load carrying capacity modification label, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 26, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26LB04, 26LA04, 26TB07, and 26TA07.

25V744000 · Back Over Prevention:display Function

Oct 30, 2025

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.

25V595000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

Sep 11, 2025

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles. Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Additional letters will be sent, anticipated in May 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB08 and 25TA08. Lexus' numbers for this recall are 25LB05 and 25LA05.

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

1

DP26006 · Road Debris/rocks Damaging The Heat Exchangers

Opened Aug 20, 2026 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated July 20, 2026. The Petition requests an investigation of road debris / rocks damaging the heat exchangers in model year (MY) 2024-2026 Toyota Grand Highlander vehicles. The Petition contends that the Grand Highlander’s front-end grill has large, open apertures and no protective screen between the grill and the vehicle’s heat exchangers. The Petition further alleges that as a result, during normal driving, the damage to heat exchangers results in coolant leakage and sudden loss of propulsion. The Petitioner cites thirteen (13) complaints received by ODI alleging this failure, which, when added to the petitioner’s own complaint, bring the total under consideration at this time to fourteen (14). ODI will evaluate these complaints to determine if they are related to the failure cited in the Petition and conduct a technical review under 49 CFR Part 552. This Defect Petition is being opened to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11754975.