2012 Toyota Highlander Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2012 Toyota Highlander ranks 13th out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 40, earning a Good verdict relative to other Highlander years. NHTSA logged 182 complaints and 2 recalls, with steering as the top problem area at 25% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 40/100
- #13 of 21 Highlander years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 182
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 16
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 13
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
Top 2012 Toyota Highlander problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering46 (25%)
- Engine31 (17%)
- Electrical System30 (16%)
- Structure & Body27 (15%)
- Other24 (13%)
- Visibility & Wipers19 (10%)
- Brakes15 (8%)
- Airbags10 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, causing forward collisions with parked cars or structures.
- Some report the driver's airbag failing to deploy in a crash, leaving occupants exposed to head or other injuries.
- Brake failure while maneuvering in parking lots is reported, with the vehicle not stopping despite repeated brake pedal pressure.
- A rear tire lost air and went flat within minutes of a highway stop, with one report of a fire tied to a suspension or tire issue.
- At highway speed, the rear of the vehicle was reported to sway with the driver unable to control the steering wheel, resulting in a crash.
- One owner reported the vehicle catching fire and being declared a total loss after wheels spun while stuck in wet sand.
2012 Toyota Highlander recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V123000Apr 9, 2013Other7,525 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
- NHTSA 13V014000Jan 16, 2013Structure & Body3,235 vehicles
Seats
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Risk: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
2012 Toyota Highlander fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Highlander years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Toyota Highlander reliable?
- Compared to other Highlander model years, the 2012 ranks 13th out of 21 with a complaint index of 40, giving it a Good verdict. Steering is the leading complaint area, covering 25% of the 182 complaints filed with NHTSA.
- What are the main problems with the 2012 Toyota Highlander?
- NHTSA complaints point to steering issues (46 complaints, 25%), engine problems (31 complaints, 17%), and electrical system issues (30 complaints, 16%). Steering complaints had a median failure mileage of 68,000 miles.
- Does the 2012 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 Highlander, one covering a labeling issue (campaign 13V123000) and one covering occupant detection sensor recalibration in the Structure & Body area (campaign 13V014000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2012 Highlander compare to other years?
- The 2012 model's complaint index of 40 is better than the 2008 (80, Avoid), 2019 (95, Avoid), and 2021 (100, Avoid) model years, but higher than the 2014 and 2016 models, which earned Best verdicts with complaint indexes of 10 and 15.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Toyota Highlander?
- EPA rates the 2012 Highlander at 20 mpg combined (18 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,250.