5TDAAAB51SS0886402025 TOYOTA Grand Highlander

The front panel of the two-panel glass moonroof spontaneously shattered, buckled and collapsed onto the panoramic roof sunshade of my 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid without any impact or accident. I was driving at about 35-45 mph on a paved road and noticed the sound of wind coming from the car ceiling. I opened the panoramic roof sunshade slightly to see if the moonroof was open and saw that the front panel of the two-panel glass moonroof had spontaneously shattered. By the time I got home about an hour later, the moonroof glass had buckled about 1/2 inch into the air and a large chunk of the moonroof glass had collapsed onto the sunshade on the ceiling of the car. I now have a 6x10-in. hole in the moonroof glass and large, raised cracks much longer than that. The repair shop told me not to drive the car, because the broken shards of glass could damage the sunshade and get into the moonroof track. My car is available for inspection upon request. The defect in the moonroof glass clearly put my safety at risk. Had the sunshade not been closed when the glass collapsed, my car would have been full of shards of glass. I could have been hurt, and it could have caused an accident. This problem has been reported online repeatedly in Toyota Highlanders, as well as in Toyota RAV4s, resulting in a class action lawsuit with respect to the RAV4s. A service representative at the Toyota dealer saw the problem, but she could not help me because they don't handle glass. I also reported the problem to Toyota at 800-331-4331, but they have not inspected the damage. I have been informed that there are no replacement skylights for my car anywhere in the US and that it will take 1-2 months before the part will arrive. Nevertheless, Toyota has refused to pay for a rental car or cover the indoor storage I will need to obtain for my vehicle while we wait for some indeterminate time for the part to come in. There were no warnings of any kind before the skylight glass failed.

Experienced repeated axle issues, acceleration hesitation, and poor suspension performance. Dealer failed to identify or reproduce the problem despite multiple visits and diagnostic fees. Axles eventually required out-of-pocket replacement due to popping and clicking. Suspected axle defect persists, and the vehicle remains unsafe-feeling and unresolved. Requesting Toyota investigate and provide free repairs.

The vehicle exhibits abnormal fuel system behavior. When the vehicle reaches a low fuel condition (approximately 40–50 miles to empty), the fuel tank only accepts about 12 gallons, even though the listed tank capacity is 17.2 gallons. After refueling, the fuel gauge displays FULL and the “Distance to Empty” reading jumps to over 360 miles, which is inconsistent with the amount of fuel added. A Toyota dealer documented this behavior on a repair order, stating that the tank accepted only 12 gallons from a low fuel condition and immediately displayed a range of 363 miles. A second repair order states that the fuel system was inspected and that the tank supposedly has a “3–5 gallon reserve,” but no technical documentation was provided to support this claim. Toyota’s customer support later provided a written response stating only that mathematically 3–5 gallons must have been in the tank, without offering any engineering explanation for why the gauge reads FULL or why the vehicle reports an inflated driving range after adding only 12 gallons. The dealer also provided documentation explaining the issue using online forums and social media posts rather than Toyota engineering documentation. Safety concern: Because the gauge displays FULL and the vehicle reports a high range when the tank has not actually been filled to capacity, the vehicle may be operating with significantly less fuel than indicated. This creates a risk of unexpected fuel starvation, hybrid system shutdown, and loss of propulsion if the vehicle runs out of fuel while the driver believes adequate range remains. Supporting documents include dealer repair orders, Toyota’s written response, a dealer explanatory response, and confirmation that the issue was escalated internally.

I experienced a serious safety incident involving my 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander with approximately 14,000 miles. While driving on a straight interstate highway at approximately 70 mph, surrounded by other vehicles, the steering wheel suddenly made two to three sharp, forceful jerking movements to the left. Afterward, the steering wheel remained approximately 20 degrees off-center to the left. All lane departure assistance sensors were active during the incident. This unexpected steering behavior created a significant safety hazard. At highway speed, I could have lost control of the vehicle, departed my lane, or collided with surrounding traffic. I was able to reach my destination, but the steering wheel remained crooked. Immediately afterward, I took the vehicle to an authorized Toyota dealership for inspection and repair. The technician reported that the left rear wheel was significantly out of alignment and that the left rear alignment eccentric lock nut was loose. According to the technician, this caused excessive wear on the inside tread of the left rear tire. The dealership also performed a vehicle health check to identify any system faults. My vehicle has always been serviced by authorized Toyota dealerships. At the last service appointment, at approximately 10,000 miles, no related problems were identified. The technician confirmed that no alignment-related work had been performed during that visit. The vehicle had no previous similar issues. I am concerned that the loose alignment eccentric lock nut and resulting severe misalignment may indicate a mechanical defect that could compromise vehicle stability and steering safety. The sudden steering movements at highway speed presented a serious risk to me, my passengers, and other motorists. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this incident and determine whether a safety defect exists in the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander involving the rear suspension alignment component, eccentric locking, sensors.

On 9/26 at about 10:15am, my husband and I were fully stopped at a red light with his foot on the brake. Without him touching the gas pedal, the car suddenly surged forward as if it had been accelerated. It stopped for a moment, then surged forward again. Because he was holding the brake, the car didn’t move much, but each surge caused a hard jolt that felt like being rear-ended. No other vehicle hit us.

While driving in neighborhood at around 25 mph car started to sputter and lose power. Started flashing on display regarding ADAS which all disengaged then hybrid system failure message displayed. Stopped car, called dealership and asked if safe to drive. They said it was ok and set appointment for next morning, they contacted Toyota and confirmed it needed a new transmission. Gave me a rental and said car was do not drive. Said transmission backordered under warranty.

Driving in city traffic during morning rush hour, sitting at traffic light, when display lights up indicating “Hybrid Malfunction” and “take vehicle to dealer”. Leaving traffic light, the vehicle at first does not move after pressing accelerator, then slowly engages and thugs along. Pull over on closest side street and turn off vehicle, hoping just a fluke. Restart vehicle and drive a few yards. Stop and attempt to resume driving. This time the vehicle does not react at all, neither in drive or reverse. I was able to put in neutral and coast to nearby parking spot so not to block traffic. Had vehicle towed to my hometown Toyota dealer. Upon inspection, they notified me that a small object, probably a rock, had punctured the radiator , that it was not covered under the warranty, and would cost $2500 to fix. The suddenness and abrupt fashion this incident occurred could certainly have resulted in an accident or left be stranded in an unsafe area.

Engine temperature overheated during long idle on an out of town event. The vehicle put in park and engine running in idle with AC running. Vehicle coolant temp reach high mark in the red area. Vehicle temp alarm gave a warning to shutdown. I estimated the car idle time 40 min due to traffic accident ahead. The incident occurred on 9/11/26. The car was taken to dealer 9/17/26 for checkup/diagnose the issue. Dealer stated, they could not duplicate the issue. But they did my find the vehicle computer log, the engine registered high temp.

The contact owned a 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with radiator failure. The contact was informed that there was a hole in the radiator. The contact was informed that the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

A piece of road debris/rock struck the radiator/heat exchangers in my 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid that immediately damaged the radiator/heat exchangers to result in coolant leakage and sudden loss of propulsion and terminated the engine from moving and required a tow to a Toyota dealer and thus a replacement of the heat exchanger/radiator. It came apparent from their experience that the design of the front-end grill has large, open apertures and no protective screen between the grill and the vehicle’s heat exchangers. Had to file an insurance claim under comprehensive coverage that required me paying a deductible for repairs and NOW stress in future driving experiences.

Our 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum repeatedly produces a strong gasoline odor and visibly observable vapor under hot-weather/hot-soak conditions. The condition has been observed by dealership personnel. There is footage from us and the dealership. The manufacturer has characterized the condition as normal, but has not provided a technical explanation identifying the source of the vapor or documentation establishing that visible gasoline vapor is within design/safety specifications. I am reporting this because I am concerned that waiting until an injury, fire, or other serious incident occurs before addressing the condition is inappropriate. I am asking NHTSA to determine whether this represents a safety-related defect or a broader safety issue affecting other Toyota vehicles. I am unable to upload the video, but I am willing to provide it by other means.

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the air conditioner failed to operate. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the condenser had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the front grille had large open apertures and no protective screen between the grille or the heat exchangers. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure was associated with NHTSA Investigation: DP26006 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by telephone, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 15,450.

I am experiencing a strong gasoline odor & what appear to be gas vapors coming from the gas cap/filler area of my vehicle. A daily problem. Fumes are consistently present & enter the cabin, when the air conditioning is not on recirculation mode or when doors are opened. I can see and smell it when stopped & idling & I can visually see it when driving. Toyota has already performed multiple inspections & safety checks but has been unable to identify the source. A vehicle health check found no diagnostic trouble codes. The EVAP system was pressure tested & passed w/ no leaks found. Fuel lines, fittings, injectors & the high-pressure fuel pump were also inspected & all reportedly passed. The inability to identify the source does not mean the condition does not exist—it demonstrates that the current testing has not identified the source. I should not be expected to continue transporting my family in a vehicle w/ an ongoing gas vapor concern simply because standard diagnostic testing has not located the problem. My greatest fear is that an unidentified source of gas vapors could create a serious fire or explosion hazard. Gas vapors are highly volatile & when present in sufficient concentrations & exposed to an ignition source, can ignite. I continue to smell gasoline & detect what appear to be vapors around & inside the vehicle every day, I am afraid to drive it & constantly worry about the possibility of a fire or explosion while my children are inside. Breathing in these fumes are extremely toxic. My greatest concern is for my three children. Two are under the age of [XXX] & cannot communicate whether they are experiencing headaches, dizziness, nausea, respiratory irritation, or other symptoms. My [XXX] rides in the third row, closest to the rear area where I am detecting these vapors. I purchased this vehicle to safely transport my children. Instead, I no longer feel safe transporting my family in it. This is an ongoing, unresolved safety concern. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, another vehicle struck a rock, and the rock went through the front grille of the vehicle and punctured the inverter radiator, causing a coolant leak and a loss of motive power. The message "Hybrid System Malfunction" was displayed following the loss of motive power. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the inverter radiator had sustained a puncture and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Action Number: DP26006 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 14,300.

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH on the highway with a three-year-old child in the vehicle, the message "Pull Over Immediately and Shut Off the Vehicle" was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road and waited for a tow truck in hot weather. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the radiator was punctured by a rock that had gone through the front grille and caused a coolant leak. The dealer determined that the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was scheduled for the repair. The contact informed the dealer that the failure was a common issue associated with NHTSA Action Number: DP26006 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer was not aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 12,200.

Load cabin wind noise. Service said it was the luggage bars on the roof. I removed the bars and the noise was the same. Came back to the shop on August 22, 2026 they looked and said the panoramic seal was lifting and leaking. Before buying the car we were told the prior issue with panoramic sunroofs leaking had been resolved. In addition the plastic handle that controls the middle seat broke off after using it three times.

I have noticed on several separate occasions a strong gas odor coming from my 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander after I have completed a drive. This has been intermittent, however, yesterday on XXX, the gasoline odor was so strong after I parked my vehicle in my garage, that it quickly filled the garage with an overwhelming odor. My son urgently came to get me when he stepped into the garage and realized how strong the fumes were. We had to open the garage to air it out. I called the Larry Miller Peoria Toyota dealership immediately and had my vehicle inspected the following day on XXX. I was informed by the service advisor that Toyota receives numerous complaints daily about this very issue with the newer model Highlanders, Grand Highlanders, Tacomas, and 4Runners. I insisted that my vehicle be inspected. The report stated that they were unable to duplicate the condition. The report states that no leaks were found with the evap system. The report also states that whe outside temps are extremely high, fuel inside the tank expands and creates additional vapor. I was assured by the service team that the fuel tank is operating correctly, despite the overwhelming fuel vapors that are intermittently emitted. I have lived in [XXX] my entire life and I have never encountered this issue with any vehicle that I have owned. These fumes are toxic and I am very concerned about my family being exposed and our safety/wellbeing. I have installed a carbon monoxide monitor in my garage. I have also filed a formal complaint at the Corporate level within Toyota and am awaiting a response. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

on 8/13/2026, I was driving alone on West I-80 right before Park City, Ut; I heard a loud pop and my panoramic sunroof exploded which was really scary. I was not using my sunroof at all, so the cover protected everything on the inside. At first I thought it was a flat tire, but no warning messages came onto the control panel. There were not immediate safety issues, so I was able to get to a Toyota Dealership to have it repaired. I did not hear any gravel or road debris flip up onto my sunroof, nor did I hear any under my tires when driving. My vehicle was inspected by a service technician at the Toyota Dealership and he just said it was probably caused by an outside influence.

I have over 30k miles on my car. Over the period that I’ve owned it there have been a few, roughly 6, occasions where I’m trying to change lanes from a stop into quick traffic and my car lags 1-3 seconds in response to me pressing the gas petal. It happens infrequently and is not the normal response. Other times the car responds as one would expect.

I continuously have issues accelerating from stop in my max hybrid. the issue is particularly worse when it is warm out. I press the gas and the RPMs drop really low and I barely move through the intersection for a few seconds. Once it finally registers after a number of seconds, the RPMs rev up over 4000. It is very dangerous trying to proceed through an intersection and the car basically stalls when I press the gas. It especially concerns me that I have my child in the car with me and I worry when it is going to act up. I know others have experienced this issue and there was a TSB for 2024 models that had this issue. I have a 2025 and experience this issue. I have had toyota look at it and they said they cant do the TSB since it's bot for my VIN. A solution needs to be found for the the safety of myself and others.

My wife was driving and a small rock passed through the front grill puncturing the radiator and causing her check engine light to come on. Within 5 minutes the coolant leaked out and the car was undrivable. We took it to Bredemann Toyota in Park Ridge who replaced it.

Rodent damage to plant based wiring to Engine Harness A and valve vacuum hose. Cost $1700 and 2 repairs.

Driving on highway and suddenly panoramic sunroof glass shattered spontaneously. It nearly caused us to crash into median due to the sudden extremely loud noise that sounded like a gunshot at close range and then the sound of glass shattering and hitting into sunroof shade and top of car. My 18 year old daughter was driving and it was extremely scary for her and myself. No nearby vehicles on either side of the road or near an overpass. We were fortunately near an exit and able to safely remove vehicle from road. I feel extremely lucky that no accident or injury occurred and credit my daughter's ability to stay calm and not panic at highway speed. To date, the car insurance company Travelers states it is not covered as there was no accident and dealership states it is not a warranty item (but they have escalated it to Toyota corporate for further review) and no one is willing to repair it so far (including stand alone glass companies!). But it will certainly be several thousand dollars in repairs. In the meantime I cannot drive my car when there is any chance of rain or really at highway speed. No warning prior, no history of any cracks or damage to sunroof prior. The car is just barely 1 year old.

The component that was available for inspection was our gas tank. It provided a profuse smell of fumes coming out of the tank and/or exhaust. You could also see vapors coming out of the gas tank when driving. The fumes alone are extremely toxic and extreme levels. The safety of me, my two young children and husband is all at risk. The smell of the gas and the view of the vapors from the gas tank puts the vehicle at an extreme fire risk. The smell of the fumes out it at a toxic inhalant risk - especially having two young children. This has caused great fear within me and the safety of my children is at extreme risk. No. I have taken the vehicle to the dealer 2-3 times, advised each time there is no issue with the vehicle. However, the smell of the gasoline has happened 6-8 times since purchasing the vehicle in May 2025. The vehicle has only been inspected by the dealer. Unsure who else to bring it to. The first time it was towed because the smell of the gas was in the cabin of the vehicle and I did not feel safe having my two small children in it with the extreme gas smell. No, no warning lamps. No indicators. The first time it happened I was alone with my two small children and the only indicator was the vapors coming out of the tank that were visible, and the extreme smell of the gasoline when I would roll my window down.

After a complete stop at a stop sign there is hesitation/stalling when trying to accelerate. Sometimes the hesitation is several seconds and then the engine kicks in and lurches forward. Couple times this has been a safety issue as it happens when I’m trying to pull out on a busy road. The delay/hesitation has caused me to almost get hit a few times. There are no lights or warning messages when this happens. It happens a multiple times a week especially during hot weather when AC is on full (LO temp setting and maximum fan) and is usually during the first few minutes of operation usually at the same stop signs on my route to pickup my kids after the car has been sitting unused overnight. I also notice that the hybrid battery indicator is usually always at 3 bars. Dealership hasn’t been able to reproduce as it's a very specific scenario (not driving/in garage overnight and short drive). Instead they went and applied T-SB-0040-25 but this hesitation is still happening after the software update. This needs to be handled like a safety issue/recall worthy with a complete fix! Not just some drivability issue that only gets applied if we ask about specific T-SBs.

On occasion the car will not accelerate from a dead stop like it should. I think it’s turbo lag. There have been a few times I thought I was going be broadsided pulling out into traffic when normal acceleration would have been safe but with a dead pedal for a few seconds it was terrifying. I’ve brought this up to two different dealers and they say without being able to experience it there’s nothing they can do. Someone going to die because of this.

After coming to a complete stop at a stop sign or stop light, then trying to go, the vehicle will stall. It will not go when given gas. The first time it happened, I was at a busy intersection with oncoming traffic coming towards me with the pedal to the floor, nothing would happen for 5-10 seconds. It was terrifying. Thank god the car coming towards us went around in time. It then happened again in my neighborhood a week later. Thankfully that time I wasn’t in traffic. I have noted that it seems to happen when very hot outside (Florida July summer) and air is on full blast. Also seems to be happening only during the first trip of the day, within the first 5-10 minutes of said trip. The dealership has not been able to recreate this to see for themselves. I think it would have to be with them overnight and they start it/drive it for the first time that day. It has now happened a total of 3 times since I’ve been driving it (2.5 months). I have 3 children and very worried I will get t-boned one day when it stalls next. I love my car so much so it’s heartbreaking that I have to drive it in fear. No lights/warnings/messages when this happens.

This vehicle has just over 18,000 miles on it and is 14 months old. It has a manufacturer design defect that allows small stones or birds to hit and puncture the air conditioning condenser. It is a known defect and Toyota refuses to warranty their product, forcing the consumer to pay out of pocket $1,500-$1,700 for repairs. Oddly, the sister Lexus vehicle has a screen over the condenser to prevent this.

Radiator issue summer of 2025, when in back to back traffic at low speeds my vehicle overheated at a stand still took vehicle in to dealership with no real answers. The following summer 2026 same scenario but the engine was smoking. Took into dealership and they stated the connection for the radiator fan was disconnected which meant it was not colling the engine. A month later the AC is blowing hot air when AC is set to the coolest setting, scheduled another appt with dealership likely another radiator issue. Fuel gauge inaccuracy. Manual states 17 gallon tank capacity but my car states empty and can only fill the tank with 14 to 15 gallons. Dealership had no help and stated it does that to protect the hybrid engine. Transmission shifting issues, in the summer hotter temperatures I notice at times the transmission has difficulty shifting in lower gears and really revs up the RPMs to shift sometimes. At times the the transmission shift is jerky or harsh when going speeds form 20- 40 mph.

Subject: Potential Safety Defect Report – Infotainment System Interference with Driver Assistance Systems This submission reports a potential safety-related software interaction issue involving infotainment startup processes and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0). During startup conditions, infotainment system activity coincides with delayed or unavailable driver assistance alerts and camera system functionality. Observed Conditions: - Delay or suppression of collision warning alerts - Temporary loss of rear and surround-view camera feeds - System unresponsiveness during startup sequence Safety Concern: Potential reduction in driver situational awareness during low-speed maneuvering due to system prioritization conflicts. Request: Evaluation for potential systemic safety defect and determination of whether further investigation or corrective action is warranted.

While I was driving using the screen for the GPS the screen become black just sound. The volume got stuck and no image was displayed. Try to use manual control on steering wheel and they didn’t respond neither. Is not the first time that the screen freezes glows black or just glitches.

While driving on the highway, I heard an extremely loud noise followed by rush of wind. I was not under or near an overpass and there was nothing to indicate an impact by a foreign object. I arrived at my house 10 minutes after the incident and inspected my car. I determined the noise I experienced was the panoramic sunroof, of which the front panel spontaneously exploded while operating the vehicle. I could find no other damage to the car. The sunroof and internal shade cover were closed and not in use, nor was I trying to operate them. The sunroof had a large hole in the center directly under a luggage rail, and the glass around the hole was angled upwards. The small shards of tempered glass were contained on top of the sliding sunroof shade. There was no foreign object, damage to the soft interior sliding shade, or any dents/scratches on the roof. Had the sliding shade been open, the shards would have rained down on me and any passengers (none at time of incident). There were no vehicle warnings of any kind. I took it to the Toyota dealer who inspected the damage but refused to cover it under warranty. I filed an insurance claim with photos and it was approved for repair.

Adaptive cruise control causes quicker wear on rotors. Had to have them replaced at 16,000.

While driving my new Grand Highlander, I have experienced a serious and recurring safety issue. Even with lane assist turned off, the vehicle automatically steers to the right when I exit a regular highway — apparently misinterpreting the widening road as a lane shift. When this happens, the steering overrides my input and I am forced to pull the wheel hard to regain control and stay in my lane. This loss of steering control is dangerous and frightening, and I am formally reporting it as a significant safety concern that requires immediate attention.

Component that failed: Sunroof How was safety at risk: I was driving my 2025 Grand Highlander on Sunday, [XXX} in the morning. While I was driving, my sunroof exploded, causing a loud noise and a blowout in the front part of the sunroof (pictures included). There was no debris on the road or any other reason for the sunroof to have exploded. This was extremely shocking and concerning - if we had not kept the sunroof shade closed, the glass from the sunroof would have fallen directly on myself and my wife as we were driving, potentially causing an extremely dangerous situation. The sunroof blew outward, NOT inward as would have been expected if something had hit it and caused it to shatter. I also found multiple forums where I discovered that this is a common problem: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] The problem is widespread enough across models that there is an ongoing lawsuit regarding panoramic sunroofs: [XXX] The dealer and Toyota are claiming that it had to be an external source, but again, there was no debris in the area or any other reason to cause the blowout. The vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer's field service technicians. It is currently still at the dealer, awaiting final decision on coverage for the blowout. There were no warnings. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

On multiple occasions (four) my 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max has failed to accelerate when I push the gas pedal. Once in traffic, which was extremely scary and a huge hazard. I have contacted the dealership about this issue and have not heard back from them. It has been almost 2 weeks. No warming lamps turned on and this issue lasted about 15 seconds each time. I press the gas, the car does not respond other than an audible RPM raising sound.

“The aluminum vehicle hood exhibits severe, abnormal fluttering and vibration across the rear-center section when driving at highway speeds (approx. 55-70+ mph). This movement is constant and highly distracting, creating a safety hazard by drawing the driver's attention away from the road and causing concern about the structural integrity of the hood latch system. Despite having the manufacturer's recommended repair (T-SB-0111-24) performed by an authorized dealership, the condition persists without improvement. I am concerned the hood could eventually unlatch or detach completely at high speeds, posing a danger to myself and other motorists.”

The electronic parking brake on my 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander intermittently fails to auto-release when shifting from Park to Reverse or Drive. Curiously, the system does respond to the gear shifter when returning to Park, as the brake will then engage or release as expected once cycled. This indicates a failure specifically in the transition out of the Park position. This intermittent delay or refusal to release prevents the vehicle from moving when expected, creating a potential safety hazard in traffic or during time-sensitive maneuvers. No dashboard warnings are present, and the issue occurs even when the driver's seat belt is buckled and the foot brake is fully depressed.

I was driving on in the left most lane on a highway at 70 miles speed with multiple trucks speeding from behind. My car suddenly lost acceleration and saw multiple warning messages on my car display. I barely managed to save my car from being hit by the trucks speeding from behind, applying emergency lights and steering my vehicle from the left lane to the right side of the highway. After towing the car to nearest dealer I understood that a stone went through the front grill of the car and it got the radiator converter leaking all the coolant and that created the loss of acceleration. This is a safety issue in the design of the car grill as it has unusually large holes leaving a critical part vulnerable and failure leads to loss of acceleration and a safety hazard. For similar other hybrid models in Lexus or Toyota Sienna the same grill is protected with smaller vents in the grill.

The 2025 Grand Highlander XLS front sun roof exploded. Will be taken to dealer upon appointment. Had the interior cover not been closed, we would have been showered with glass particles. According to many articles this is a known defect by Toyota. Lemberg Law phenom. Vehicle will be inspected by Toyoto dealer on Apr 29, 2026. There were no warnings. Outside temp was 64 degrees F. Traveling at 45 mph at 2:30 EDT, Apr 27, 2026. Massive exploding sound, like a gunshot. Pulled over to check vehicle and noticed front sun roof center blown outward and rest of glass fractured.

Due to the design of the grill located at the front end of the 2025 toyota grand highlander the vehicle poses vulnerability for multiple debris items to fly up into exposed air conditioning condensor. The damage caused by the debris is not covered by the warranty because it is considered an outside occurrence. However the design creates the vulnerability for the ac to become damaged. It is also sitting below the radiator posing an additonal risk for damage and should have additonal protection to help prevent damage. I am currently having to dispute the refusal to cover the damage to my own ac condensor done by a rock flying into the grill space causing damage and losing freon, because they state it is an outside occurrence regardless of the fact that the design is faulty. There are multiple people who have experienced this happening to their vehicles some not even at the 2000 mile mark and are responsible for the financial cost. Upon doing research the 2026 toyota grand highlander model was created with an even lower setting bumper that provides better coverage and protection for the air conditioning condensor and all other important mechanical components. Suggesting that Toyota is aware of the issue if they created an additonal part to help protect that area from damage. I am literally at risk each time I drive my car just for the fact that rocks are on every road way as well as other debris. I have called the customer relations department with no resolution given only to be told I am responsible for the cost of the repair. I believe this is something that needs to be addressed as well as fixed for the sake of the buyer and the already large cost of owning and maintaining a vehicle. If it happens more than a few times its not bad luck, it's a flaw in the creation of the product and consumers should not have to be held financially responsible for someone else mistake, whether individual or corporate entity. I have previously owned 4 other toyotas with no issues!

We have two forward facing car seats in the third row. When buckled according to the car seat user manuals - the seatbelts do not stay buckled. The seatbelts unbuckle while driving, creating an extremely dangerous situation for our toddlers. We take out and redo their car seats daily due to them being unbuckled while the vehicle is in motion. Our toddlers are not able to unbuckle them - so we know it is a vehicle defect. The car has been taken to the dealership where they simply tell us they can’t find an issue. We do not feel safe in this vehicle and do not want our children in there. No safety lights appear on the dash to notify us that the seats have become unbuckled.

Transmission slipping, holding high RPM, Jerky shifts, back seat not locking at times, infotainment freezing up

Driving when it sounded like a gunshot went off in the car. I looked to the back of my car to see what was around me (nothing), and saw no damage to any windows. I could hear glass cracking so I went to open my moonroof screen to check the glass and I could hear glass on the screen so I closed it right back. I pulled over and was able to confirm the sunroof had busted across the back of the glass. It did not look like it was hit by anything, but like it blew out then spidered across the remainder of the glass.

Sunroof spontaneously exploded leaving an 8” hole and a completely shattered sunroof. The sunroof is flexed upwards like it was under extreme pressure. The high temperature was 70 degrees in Tuscaloosa today with cloudy skies and misty rain. So there shouldn’t have been any concerns from heat or cold. This left shattered glass every above the sunshade. Fortunately the shade was closed to catch most of the shattered glass.

The front panel of the sunroof shattered while the vehicle was parked in our garage. Glass shards are inside the car. The dealership submitted a claim to Toyota who denied any material defect and refused to repair under warranty.

Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am submitting this complaint to formally report a serious safety issue involving the left front axle of my Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid XLE. The vehicle was first diagnosed by my local Toyota dealer on January 14, 2026, at which time the left front axle issue was identified. I contacted **Toyota Motor Corporation**, and I was initially informed that the required replacement part would arrive on February 6, 2026. After that date passed, I was told the part would arrive in early March. I have now been told it will not arrive until late March. Based on these repeated delays, I am concerned that “late March” could easily become late April or even later, with no firm commitment or guaranteed repair date. I have contacted Toyota dealership multiple times and made several phone calls seeking assistance, updates, or a definitive timeline. Unfortunately, no one has been able to provide a clear solution, firm delivery date, or alternative support while the part remains on back order. Due to the axle issue, I do not feel safe operating the vehicle, as I believe it presents a significant safety risk. This vehicle is essential for my work and daily financial responsibilities. Because I do not feel it is safe to drive, I am unable to use the car to earn my day-to-day income and meet my financial obligations. As a result, I am currently losing wages, and the prolonged delay is causing financial hardship and significant inconvenience. Given the safety implications and the ongoing lack of resolution, I respectfully request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration review this matter. I would appreciate guidance on the appropriate next steps, including whether this issue warrants further investigation, inspection, or potential recall action. I also seek clarification regarding what protections or remedies may be available to consumers when critical safety components are unavailable for extended periods.

outside temperature reading is 2 to 7 degrees high, which is not good when it makes the difference between freezing temps and not freezing temps

The car was running perfect, 9 months after I bought this car, before 20,000 miles Front Left Axle become defective, and therefore, the dealer promised to reemplaced it, but I am still waiting from the dealer. It is a big risk to runs the car like that.

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.

The entire life of the car from initial purchase the fuel gauge is incorrect. The car has a 17 gallon gas tank and the fuel gauge is calibrated to around 13 gallons. The car thinks it is out of gas around 13 gallons when there is actually 4 more gallons left.

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V744000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the camera had failed, and that the contact would be notified when the remedy was available. The contact stated that after leaving the vehicle with the dealer, the back over camera started to fail. The back over prevention camera no longer switched the screen for the camera while in reverse, but remained on the home screen or radio instead. The contact had not heard from the dealer regarding the parts availability for the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.

2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid AWD, with about 16000 miles. While driving, the brakes failed. The brakes would only work if the pedal was pushed all the way to the floor. A "Low Brake Power" warning light came on the dash. The following warnings came on at the same time. Parking Brake System, Advanced Ultrasonic Detection, Vehicle Stability Control, Check Engine, Smart Stop System, Brake System, Electronically controlled Brake, Secondary Collision Brake, Anti-lock Brake System. I was lucky to have been traveling on a road that was not busy and was traveling at less than 30 mph very close to my home. Had I been driving on the interstate, on a busy road, or near pedestrians, the event could have injured or killed myself, my family, or others. The car was towed into the dealership. The dealership said that the issue was not current and the car operated normally when after it was towed in. The following DTC codes where present (P05E000, P05E062). This indicates an issue in wiring or brake pedal stroke sensor. They suspect its an intermittent issue with the sensor. The sensor was replaced (P/N, 89510-0R010 and 62112-0E040-C1). They also said the car battery was low and replaced it (P/N 00544-H5061-540). The dealership said that they would send the affected part to Toyota for inspection, but I have not heard anything back. The dealership experience was poor (Mark Jacobson Toyota, Durham, NC).

The vehicle takes an excessively long time to make heat, I know NHTSA only has requirements related to defrosting the windshield and it's clear Toyota is aware of the heating issue because they added an electronic defrost to be able to pass the defrost test. The vehicle when it is less than 20f outside takes 40+minutes to warm the cabin to a reasonable temperature. The dealership let the vehicle warm up in their 80deg F shop and said it took 20minutes to get heat out of the vents and claimed that this was normal behavior. I have owned several new cars and also work as an engineer in testing so I've driven countless new vehicles to do various tests and have never had it even take 20 minutes to have heat in a vehicle.

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.

While accelerating from low speeds and turning, the car exhibits a rotational clicking noise from one or both front drive shaft assemblies. Seems to be the identical issue noted in the 2024 Grand Highlander that was presumably fixed during later production lots (T-SB-0082-24). That issue was seemingly solved with driveshaft replacement. The dealer said they “could not duplicate” the issue; however, it happens often while I am driving the vehicle and others have reported it to the same dealer as well. It seems to be an existing related safety issue that the dealer, and potentially the manufacturer, are ignoring until we get past the warranty.

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander with an Evenflo Revolve 360 Slim car seat, Model Number: 36812470A, Manufactured Date: December 12, 2022, installed in the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25C010000 (Child Seat). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the child secured in the car seat, the contact became aware that there was an object in the child’s mouth. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and removed a foam piece from the child's mouth. The contact inspected the car seat and became aware that the foam was from the headrest. Medical attention was not needed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure, but the contact stated that the manufacturer mailed tape to cover the exposed areas of the car seat.

Shortly after powering on the GHHM vehicle, driving a short distance, coming to a stop and depressing the accelerator the vehicle does not accelerate as though no power is getting to the drive train. This does not often happen but has always happened when the EV battery level is 3 bars or less and the vehicle is in its Normal mode (as opposed to Sport or ECO). This acceleration failure event lasts for a few seconds. No warning indicators are displayed prior to, during or after this happens. The dealer checked the vehicle on 30AUG2025, was not able to reproduce, but applied a firmware update TSB-0040-25, which has not solved the problem. Took it back to dealer on 14OCT2025, but the dealer was again not able to reproduce the problem. It poses a safety risk when attempting to cross intersections or entering round-abouts and the vehicle can only move at a coasting speed instead of the expected normal acceleration.

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.

Inconsistently but on numerous occasions, this vehicle has experienced harsh shifting, hesitation, or jerking during low-speed acceleration (e.g., 20-40 mph) or gear engagement. This was a known and reported issue with the 2024 model for which Toyota provided a fix. They have not provided one for the 2025 models. This issue is a safety risk while driving because with the surge you feel you must quickly let off the pedal, and with the hesitation you let off the brake indicating you will move forward yet the vehicle doesn’t accelerate.

On 11/02/2025 with the cruise at 55mph all glass closed. Heater on with no vehicles around, the sunroof exploded. It pushed up from the inside. With less than 9k miles on the vehicle. It took my dealer 8 days to look at it then Toyota denied the warranty. Then Quoted me over $2,100 to replace. This vehicle isn't safe to drive as told to me from the dealer.

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.

Poor acceleration from 0 to 40. Vehicle will start shuttering at a dead stop. The engine has shut off once with this issue. It happened around 4800 miles.

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.

Windshield is prone to cracks and chips. Experienced multiple chips/cracks going at various speeds with precaution to other vehicles.

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.

I have experienced intermittent transmission issues. Specifically, the car often fails to shift gracefully from first gear, resulting in rough or hard shifts that are jarring and unsafe, particularly during acceleration or in stop-and-go traffic. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has refused to shift correctly, requiring me to pull over, turn the car completely off, and restart it to restore proper shifting functionality. This issue is not only inconvenient but also poses a significant safety risk, especially when merging into traffic or navigating busy roads. For a vehicle marketed as a reliable and family-friendly SUV, these transmission problems are unacceptable. The transmission issues have significantly undermined my confidence in the vehicle’s safety and reliability, particularly as I rely on it for family transportation. The need to pull over and restart the car to address shifting problems is not only inconvenient but also dangerous in certain driving conditions. Furthermore, the reports of similar issues among other owners indicate that these problems may persist without proper intervention from Toyota.

The car only accepts 11-13 gallons of gas when refueling an empty tank despite the advertised 17.2 gallon capacity. I believe this is a fuel gauge or DTE system problem. I’ve seen many many similiar complaints on the forums. Fuel gauge issue could leave drivers stranded on the road.

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.

I am writing to report a serious issue with my 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] ), purchased on [XXX] from Hillside Toyota . I have noticed water leaking from the top of the windshield, dripping onto the steering wheel and dashboard, particularly during rain or after a car wash. This issue began on [XXX] and I saw couple of times under these conditions, posing a potential safety hazard due to driver distraction and possible damage to electrical components. I have taken the vehicle to Hillside Toyota on 05/05/25 and 07/21/25 where they inspected the vehicle but could not identify the source of the leak” or “attempted a repair, but the issue persists. This issue is concerning, as it affects the safety and functionality of my vehicle, which has only 1184 miles INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The vehicle suddenly gave several warnings of “check engine visit your dealer”, “Hybrid system malfunction”, “AWD system malfunction 2WD activated” and “System malfunction visit your dealer.” The vehicle was bought new 4 weeks prior. Took it to the dealership and the technician said there was coolant all over the engine compartment and there was a leak somewhere. After inspection he told us that a small rock hit the radiator and caused damage. Told to replace the radiator and flush the system and it was not covered under warranty. After research was done, it was found there was a forum with hundreds of not thousands of people with the same issue. This has been an issue with the new OEM front grill not protecting the radiator and leaving it susceptible to be damaged easily. Toyota Corporate was called and said they were aware of the issue for some time. Even the Technician told us this is a common issue with this vehicle. Also if you place something inside the grill to protect the radiator, it will void the warranty.

The vehicle was in PARK and the IGN was in the ON/RUN position and the air conditioning was on. There was no one in the driver's seat but there was an occupant sitting buckled in the front passenger seat. The passenger heard a sound (possibly the ICE turning on) and he felt the vehicle move forward about five inches. He became worried about his safety and pressed the IGN button in order to turn the vehicle off. It could have pushed itself into other cars in the parking lot or pedestrians. A report was made to the local police department on the same day. This occurred in a retail parking lot. Video footage cannot be obtained as a police officer or insurance company must request it. I have not seen a check engine light nor any message prompts and it has not been inspected by a dealership.

Missing the wire connector for the puddle lamp installation? although not a safety issue, would like to bring this to attention; wire connectors (and wires) missing on both driver and passenger doors? Not sure if this was a factory oversight, or an error in original wiring diagram of Toyota? If so, there could be other wires missing in the vehicle as well. Hopefully Toyota will look into this and propose a fix for their customers. Thank you

Hood on 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander vibrates/flutters due to poorly designed aluminum construction. Very distracting and causes drivers to take eyes off the road. Toyota has issued T-SB-0111-24 for the 2024 Grand Highlander for this specific issue but my dealership told me that it doesn't apply to the 2025 but the hood part number is the same for both years. The constant vibration could eventually "work harden" the thin metal and ultimatlly allow the hood to break off the vehicle. Check out the old Jimmy Stewart movie when the constant vibration made the tail break off the airplane.

I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious safety hazard and design flaw with the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid. While driving on a two-lane highway, our vehicle suddenly lost power and warning lights appeared on the dashboard. We were forced to exit the highway immediately (we were less than 0.5 miles to an exit). Shortly after pulling onto the off-ramp, the vehicle entered limp mode, significantly limiting its ability to function - all assist systems deactivated amd the car has a significant decrease in power. We were able to drive approximately half a mile to a nearby gas station, where we called for a tow. This situation left us vulnerable on a busy roadway, placing both us and other drivers at risk. The Toyota dealership diagnosed the issue as damage to the hybrid inverter radiator, allegedly caused by a rock or piece of debris entering through the front grille. We were told this was not covered under warranty, and to make matters worse, the necessary part is currently on backorder for three weeks to three months—leaving the vehicle undriveable. A significant concern is the design of the front grille, which has large, open gaps that allow ordinary road debris to enter the engine compartment. This leaves critical components like the hybrid inverter radiator exposed and vulnerable, even under standard driving conditions. After researching, I discovered numerous similar reports from other Toyota hybrid owners—including those with Grand Highlanders, Highlander Hybrids, RAV4 Hybrids, and Prius models—who have experienced the exact same issue. In nearly every case, drivers were told it was due to external damage and denied warranty coverage. This presents a clear and growing safety issue: 1. Sudden power loss on a highway or arterial road increases the risk of collision. 2. A critical hybrid system component is inadequately

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.

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.

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated while reversing, the back over prevention system failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the image was visible; however, there was no tone alert. Additionally, there was a message indicating that the Adaptive Cruise Control was unavailable and to see the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact stated that the automatic braking system had independently activated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The contact stated that the instrument cluster was replaced two weeks prior to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

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.

The 2024 and 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander has excessive hood shaking and vibration at the rear of the vehicle. It is directly under the projection area of the windshield and directs your attention to the movement. At highway speeds the shaking is excessive. Toyota has not been able to find a repair for this issue.

Fuel fill-ups averaging 13-14 gallons when vehicle trip computer alerts 0 miles remaining distance to empty. Fuel tank capacity published as 17.8 gallons. Total vehicle range understated, requiring more frequent stops at gas stations to fill. Not a direct safety concern, but a significant nuisance and dealer has stated this is normal and there is no fix for this issue. EPA estimated MPG 26-27, should equate to approximately 460+ miles/tank. Instead experiencing approximately 350-365 miles per full tank of fuel.