NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
24 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Dec 27, 2021
Electrical System
1.) Bluetooth connects without issue to iPhone (for both media and phone) however during a phone call (incoming/outgoing) the car system will drop the call after about 2 mins of talk time. The phone then disconnects from the car & will only re-pair once the system restarts. 2. ) The safety hazard is due to distracted, han…
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1.) Bluetooth connects without issue to iPhone (for both media and phone) however during a phone call (incoming/outgoing) the car system will drop the call after about 2 mins of talk time. The phone then disconnects from the car & will only re-pair once the system restarts. 2. ) The safety hazard is due to distracted, hands required operation of the phone due to Bluetooth system not working properly 3.) The issue has been under 'warranty' for nearly 2 years at my dealer. There is currently no resolution. Dealer admits the fault is due to a compatibility issue of various vendors supplying the head unit, bluetooth/radio unit, and software. 4.) At the instruction of the manufacturer, the dealer has refused to replace any hardware.
NHTSA ODI #11445074
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine
Unable to start vehicle twice. In both instances, foot was placed on the brake before pressing Start button and brake was extremely stiff. When Start button is pushed, electronics engage (control panel lights, A/C, etc.) but engine will not engage. In the first incident, car had been stopped to refuel and would not restart. …
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Unable to start vehicle twice. In both instances, foot was placed on the brake before pressing Start button and brake was extremely stiff. When Start button is pushed, electronics engage (control panel lights, A/C, etc.) but engine will not engage. In the first incident, car had been stopped to refuel and would not restart. Car had been started without incident and been running for approximately 20 minutes prior to stopping for refueling. Tried to restart the engine for 20-30 minutes unsuccessfully and had to have vehicle towed to authorized Toyota dealer. Dealer was unable to look at it for two days and was able to start engine on the first try two days later. Dealer could not replicate problem. In the second incident, car had been in a parking lot for two hours on a hot day. Again, brake was extremely stiff, electronics engaged but engine would not start. A message appeared Brake Power Low. We shut off A/C and were able to restart the vehicle. In both instances, the driver-side door was open to try and let hot air out - we don't know if this has any bearing on the issue.
NHTSA ODI #11434415
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2021
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering
Upon turning on the vehicle the brake peddle locked and the steering wheel. Message prompted "braking power low, stop in safe place". After that all electronic features failed and vehicle did not turn on at all. Vehicle wouldn't even lock. Mine and my families safety was at risk due to the fact that this could have happened whil…
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Upon turning on the vehicle the brake peddle locked and the steering wheel. Message prompted "braking power low, stop in safe place". After that all electronic features failed and vehicle did not turn on at all. Vehicle wouldn't even lock. Mine and my families safety was at risk due to the fact that this could have happened while the vehicle was in motion and all steering and braking abilities are lost. The vehicle is scheduled to be seen. No warning signs/lampsor other symptoms where present prior to the incident.
NHTSA ODI #11420820
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2021
Electrical System
Car is not properly wired to tow a trailer equipped with electric brakes. Toyota advertises the Highlander as having 5000 lb towing capacity. On the other hand, trailers weighing 3000 lb or more are required by law to be equipped with trailers brakes in most states. However, the Highlander's towing wire harness does not inclu…
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Car is not properly wired to tow a trailer equipped with electric brakes. Toyota advertises the Highlander as having 5000 lb towing capacity. On the other hand, trailers weighing 3000 lb or more are required by law to be equipped with trailers brakes in most states. However, the Highlander's towing wire harness does not include the necessary wiring and 7-pin connector to power trailer brakes. Highlander OEM wiring harness only includes a 4-pin connector (which does not have output for a car-mounted brake controller nor 12V output to charge trailer's breakaway battery or power a trailer-mounted brake controller). Toyota's claim that the Highlander is capable of towing 5000 lb, but not equipping the car with essential safety equipment to do so is an unsafe condition (and false advertising). It could lead the car owners / operators to believe that it is acceptable to tow a 3000 lb or more trailer with the Highlander using the OEM 4-pin connector only, creating a serious safety hazard to themselves and other road users. Toyota should either equip the Highlander with proper wiring harness and 7-pin connector that allows the use of an on-board brake controller, or withdraw the towing capacity claim.
NHTSA ODI #11419860
Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2021
Electrical System
STARTING BATTERY IS DEFECTIVE. MY TOYOTA DEALER STATED THE "THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE WITH TOYOTA. THEY HAD A DEFECTIVE BATCH OF BATTERIES". THE ISSUE IS THAT THE REPLACEMENT BATTERIES ARE UNAVAILABLE, RENDERING THE CAR USELESS AS IT CANNOT BE STARTED. THE BATTERY DOES NOT HOLD A CHARGE. THIS IS COVERED UNDER THE NEW VEHICLE WARRANT…
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STARTING BATTERY IS DEFECTIVE. MY TOYOTA DEALER STATED THE "THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE WITH TOYOTA. THEY HAD A DEFECTIVE BATCH OF BATTERIES". THE ISSUE IS THAT THE REPLACEMENT BATTERIES ARE UNAVAILABLE, RENDERING THE CAR USELESS AS IT CANNOT BE STARTED. THE BATTERY DOES NOT HOLD A CHARGE. THIS IS COVERED UNDER THE NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY.
NHTSA ODI #11389732
4,500 miles · Aug 12, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
MY 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER EXPERIENCED 4 DIFFERENT EPISODES OF SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION WHILE ON LOCAL HIGHWAYS, 3 BEING ON RESUMPTION OF SPEED WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL AND THE 4TH NOT WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL.THERE ARE 10 OTHER ELECTRONIC TYPES OF MALFUNCTIONS NOT INVOLVING SAFETY ISSUES. PER THE LEMON LAW OF WA STATE, THE MAT…
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MY 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER EXPERIENCED 4 DIFFERENT EPISODES OF SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION WHILE ON LOCAL HIGHWAYS, 3 BEING ON RESUMPTION OF SPEED WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL AND THE 4TH NOT WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL.THERE ARE 10 OTHER ELECTRONIC TYPES OF MALFUNCTIONS NOT INVOLVING SAFETY ISSUES. PER THE LEMON LAW OF WA STATE, THE MATTER WAS TAKEN TO ARBITRATION. THE ARBITRATER FOUND IN MY FAVOR AND AWARDED ME A NEW REPLACEMENT HIGHLANDER. TOYOTA HAS ASKED FOR A JURY TRIAL. I THEREFORE CONTINUE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT COULD CAUSE A DANGEROUS, POTENTIALLY FATAL CAR. I CAN SUPPLY FURTHER DOCUMENTATION SHOULD YOU WANT IT.
NHTSA ODI #11348839
7,762 miles · May 8, 2020
Electrical System
BLIND SPOT MONITOR ON PASSENGER SIDE WORKS INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING, ESPECIALLY ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11323886
36,000 miles · Apr 17, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
PHONE SYSTEM CUTS OUT AND DOESN'T DOWNLOAD CONTACTS. BEING TOLD TOYOTA IS DOING UPDATE. THIS HAS BEEN TOLD TO ME 6-8 TIMES. I CONTINUALLY TAKE THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT A FUEL PUMP RECALL THAT CAN CAUSE A CRASH. I FOUND THE RECALL MYSELF. TO THIS DATE I HAVE NOT RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE RECALL. I FORCED…
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PHONE SYSTEM CUTS OUT AND DOESN'T DOWNLOAD CONTACTS. BEING TOLD TOYOTA IS DOING UPDATE. THIS HAS BEEN TOLD TO ME 6-8 TIMES. I CONTINUALLY TAKE THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT A FUEL PUMP RECALL THAT CAN CAUSE A CRASH. I FOUND THE RECALL MYSELF. TO THIS DATE I HAVE NOT RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE RECALL. I FORCED TOYOTA TO GIVE ME A RENTAL CAR AND NOT A TOYOTA. THAT WAS ON MARCH 16TH. TO THIS DATE THERE IS NO FIX AND MY CAR IS SITTING IN FLORIDA. TOYOTA REFUSED TO ALLOW ME TO LEAVE IT AT THE DEALERSHIP EVEN THOUGH I LIVE IN DELAWARE. I WAS ALSO TOLD WHEN THEY DO HAVE A FIX I WOULD NEED TO GET THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP WITHIN 10 DAYS, NO MATTER WHAT THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY IS. THEY WILL CANCEL MY RENTAL IF I DON'T. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR ANY LONGER SINCE I CONTINUE TO GET LIES FROM THEM ABOUT THE PHONE ISSUE AND NO INFORMATION ABOUT A RECALL. HOW DO I PROCEED WITH A COMPLAINT TO YOU AND IS THE LEMON LAW VIABLE? *TR
NHTSA ODI #11321401
14,900 miles · Mar 2, 2020
Electrical System
ISSUES WITH HANDS-FREE DEVICE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. PHONE BEING USED IS IPHONE 11 MAX AND WHEN CONNECTED IT SEEMS THAT RADIO AND HANDS FREE WILL GO OFF UNTIL THEY REBOOT THEMSELVES.
NHTSA ODI #11315649
14,800 miles · Jan 13, 2020
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
PROBLEMS WITH MY 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ([XXX]) 1 ) LANE DEPART INDICATOR:SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK UNTIL I'VE DRIVEN 1 OR 2 OR 4 MILES. SOMETIMES IN EVERY TRIP STOPS WORKING AS WELL AS ACTIVATES WHEN MAYBE A FOOT FROM LANE MARKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR 2) CLIMATE CONTROL: USUALLY DOES NOT RETAIN MEMORY OF FAN SPEED, CONT…
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PROBLEMS WITH MY 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ([XXX]) 1 ) LANE DEPART INDICATOR:SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK UNTIL I'VE DRIVEN 1 OR 2 OR 4 MILES. SOMETIMES IN EVERY TRIP STOPS WORKING AS WELL AS ACTIVATES WHEN MAYBE A FOOT FROM LANE MARKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR 2) CLIMATE CONTROL: USUALLY DOES NOT RETAIN MEMORY OF FAN SPEED, CONTROL OF PASSENGER SIDE TEMP, AND AIR FLOW DIRECTION WHEN RESTARTING THE CAR. WHEN TEMP SET ON, E.G. 69 TEMP IN CAR IS ~76-80. WHEN AIRFLOW SHOWS THE FLOW AIMED AT WINDSHIELD & FEET, MOST OF THE AIR FLOW COMES TO MY TORSO WITH MINIMAL FLOW TO OTHER 2 SITES. 3) NEED COFFEE BREAK MESSAGE: HAS COME ON TWICE WHEN ON A LONG TRIP, DISAPPEARING AFTER ~ A MINUTE, BUT SEVERAL TIMES CAME ON AFTER DRIVING ONLY 2-4 MILES. 4) FAULTY RESUMPTION OF SPEED: WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL WAS SET AT 50 MPH (ONCE) OR 60 MPH (ONCE) AND I TOGGLED THE CONTROL TO RESUME SET SPEED THE CAR SPED UP WELL BEYOND WHAT IT WAS SET AT. I HAD TO DISENGAGE THE SPEED CONTROLLER TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. HAPPENED AGAIN ~3 WEEKS AGO WHEN SPEED SET AT 35, AND WHEN I TOGGLED IT RESUME SPEED IT ROARED AHEAD UNTIL IT REACHED 45 MPH. 5) DOOR HANDLE LOCKING MECHANISM; NOT AS SENSITIVE TO LOCKING WHEN TOUCHED AS IT WAS WHEN CAR WAS NEW. UNLOCKING WHEN TOUCHING HANDLE WORKS FINE. 6) MOTOR TURNOFF WHEN AT STOPLIGHT: SELDOM WORKS. WHEN IT DOES IT TURNS ITSELF OFF AFTER AS LITTLE AS 30 SECONDS EVEN THO PRESSURE ON BRAKE PEDAL IS CONSTANT. 8) (NON-ELECTRONIC PROBLEM) THE TRANSPARENT PLASTIC COVER OVER THE DASH CONTROL SETTINGS IS DETERIORATING - - CAN?T SEE THRU IT VERY WELL IN CERTAIN WAYS THE LIGHT HITS IT 9) SPEEDOMETER READING PROBLEM: WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS WORKING, THE DIGITAL READOUT FOR THE SPEED IS USUALLY 1-2 MPH LOWER THAN WHAT THE SPEEDOMETER DIAL SAYS IT IS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #11299133
Official recalls
4Nov 4, 2020
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
Jan 13, 2020
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
Apr 3, 2018
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Camry and Highlander vehicles, 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles and 2017 Lexus RX350 vehicles. During the manufacturing process, the oil galley in the rotor for the brake booster vacuum pump assembly may have been improperly machined possibly resulting in a sudden loss of brake assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0K/JLD.
Dec 20, 2017
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, 2018 Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Lexus GX460 and 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles. These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. As such, 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 incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are H0Z for Toyota vehicles, and HLF for Lexus vehicles.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗