2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: October 30, 2026 · Filed: October 30, 2026

While driving on highway with wet roads, the steering suddenly seemed to pull to the right causing the vehicle to lose control and spin finally hitting the side barrier. I then noticed that the steering wheel was no longer aligned with the vehicle (photo attached). A few minutes prior I had an issue with the main console/radio unit and had to reboot as no sound was working. This leaves me to believe there was some type of electrical malfunction with the vehicle.

Incident: September 6, 2026 · Filed: October 29, 2026

The front grill has enlarged holes and a rock was able to penetrate the grill and hit the condenser. It broke the condenser causing a very expensive repair. I made a comprehensive claim with my insurance and they agreed that was the cause of the damage. The grill does not provide sufficient protection for the parts inside. I had no warning lamps go off, the Air conditioner simply stopped working a few days later.

Incident: October 19, 2026 · Filed: October 24, 2026

Transmission Whining Noise Detected, Automatic Shifting Difficulties, Reduced Power & Acceleration Concerns. Dealer inspected and confirmed transmission failure. Required Dealer replacement under power train warranty. Defect known to exist in Toyota 6 speed Automatic U80A transmissions. Transmission is known to be defective and unreliable, potentially causing catostrophic injury to persons and property with use and operation.

Incident: October 17, 2026 · Filed: October 21, 2026

On XXX, at about 2:00 PM we were driving south on I95 somewhere in [XXX] when we heard a very loud noise. Thinking it was a rock hitting the windshield we looked but could see no cracks or chips so we kept driving on our trip to [XXX]. The next day it was windy and we thought it was unusually noisy inside the vehicle but we just thought it was the wind. After driving around in [XXX] we said it was unusually noisy inside so I said I would stand on the door sill to look at the roof and that’s when I saw the hole in the sunroof. That night, Sunday, XXX, I called our insurance company to report the damage. They said that an adjuster would contact us on Monday. Meanwhile I started to “Google” issues with sunroofs and there I found out about imploding glass sunroofs. On Monday, XXX, I went to the Toyota service in [XXX].and had them look at the damaged sunroof. The service advisor mentioned he had never seen this damage. He said they could replace it but would have ordered parts which could take a couple days. I said to go ahead as we were only here until Saturday. That day, Monday XXX I called the insurance company to update them. I also stopped at the Toyota dealer to talk with them. I mentioned the “Google” reports about sunroof issues. The advisor said there were no recalls or anything from Toyota on this. He did say that an insurance adjuster had contacted him and said they were very busy but would try to get there to look at the vehicle on Tuesday. We are thankful we did not have the sunroof cover open as we would have had glass all over inside the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: October 19, 2026 · Filed: October 20, 2026

Incident occurred on XXX at 9:46AM PST, [XXX]. When applying brakes normally to come to a gradual stop behind another vehicle stopped at a stop sign on a slight decline, PCS collision warning lights enabled and vehicle lurched forward while my foot was on brake. This is not to be confused with automatic braking behavior as front collision warning lights in driver information center flashed red. Rather, vehicle lurched forward as if accelerating once within feet of vehicle in front. Then, vehicle rocked front to back multiple times with my foot still on the brake, as if Drive and Reverse was being quickly and intermittently engaged back and forth about 1 second apart. Had my foot not been firmly on the brake, the vehicle felt like it would travel forward and then back (colliding with vehicle in front and in back) without driver inputs.   While car continued to lurch forward and then back, I shifted transmission into Park then back in Drive, and behavior stopped.  There was a loud clunk as the car engaged in Drive.  This has occurred 3 times over the past 2.5 years. What is even more curious, is that this occurred all 3 times at the same stop sign, which is at a slight decline. This leads me to deduce that somehow the angle of decline or other specific condition at this stop sign is somehow contributing or confusing vehicle systems, as bizarre as this sounds. AC was on during at least one preceding event but not during yesterday's event. Others have observed similar events on on-line forums, but I don't know if they have reported this given how infrequently it occurs. Vehicle has 28000+ miles, and I stop at this exact location at least 3 times per week, with behavior observed only 3 times. Statistically, it seems probable that there must be some element (angle of decline?) at this location that somehow confuses vehicle systems, triggering this dangerous unintended acceleration and reversing behavior. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: October 1, 2026 · Filed: October 14, 2026

Dear NHTSA Vehicle Safety Team, I am writing to report a serious steering system issue to my 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid and to request that NHTSA review this incident for potential safety concerns affecting other owners of the same vehicle model. Vehicle Information - Make and Model: 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid - VIN: [XXX] - Mileage at the time of the issue: Approximately 66,000 miles - Component involved: Steering rack/rack-and-pinion assembly Sequence of Events 1. Steering System Failure At 65,000 miles, i started having minor issues with the steering system, but was driving fine. At 85,000 miles i had the vehicle examined at Toyota, (cause steering rack just stuck) informed me the steering rack needed to be replaced, (repair cost 3300$). 2. Vehicle Maintenance History I have maintained my vehicle in a timely manner. at always 5000 miles, during my communication with Toyota's Brand Engagement Center, they acknowledged that my maintenance history was satisfactory. 3. Previous Accident and Service Documentation I contacted Toyota's Brand Engagement Center and requested goodwill assistance with the repair because of the nature of the failure, the vehicle's mileage, and its maintenance history. Toyota ultimately declined to participate in the repair, citing the prior accident. I also requested a written explanation , but denied my request for goodwill assistance, citing the vehicle's involvement in an accident, minor rear end to my rear door and bumper, not my fault. My service documentation dated XXX, (2 months prior the accident) contains a reference to the rack-and-pinion boot and a listed amount of $54.26, this service entry and the eventual steering rack failure to be properly examined. I am not claiming that the accident or the rack-and-pinion boot necessarily caused the failure. I just found out that my model vehicle had a steering wheel recall but 2026 model, maybe has the same issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: August 24, 2026 · Filed: October 2, 2026

Has a VERY strong gas smell and fumes near gas tank after car has been idling.

Incident: September 1, 2026 · Filed: September 26, 2026

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid AWD. Vehicle exhibits a severe metallic "clunk" or "boom" noise and impact from the undercarriage specifically when reversing under moderate to firm acceleration. This is a recurring issue reported by numerous owners of this model, related to harsh powertrain engagement and movement when changing direction under load. This issue is NOT related to wheel rotation, brakes, or CV axles. The vehicle has approximately 70,000 miles, has been driven strictly on paved roads with no towing or off-road use, and has no active warning lights. The sudden mechanical shock while engaging reverse poses a potential safety and reliability concern regarding drivetrain components.

Incident: September 15, 2026 · Filed: September 24, 2026

The air conditioning system on my 2024 Grand Highlander failed due to a punctured AC condenser caused by road debris passing through the front grille during normal driving. The front fascia has large open apertures with no protective mesh or screening, leaving the condenser, radiator, and other heat exchangers directly exposed to rocks and debris. The condenser face shows multiple debris strikes, with one impact puncturing the core and causing complete refrigerant loss and AC failure at approximately 62,000 miles. The vehicle worked normally when parked and the AC was completely dead one week later due to the slow refrigerant leak from the puncture. Diagnosis was performed by [XXX] Toyota in [XXX], which confirmed the puncture was caused by road debris. The repair is not covered under warranty or my extended service contract because it is classified as outside damage, leaving owners to pay out of pocket for a design vulnerability. This is the same failure mode described in open ODI Defect Petition No. XXX covering 2024-2026 Grand Highlander vehicles. The same unprotected grille openings expose the engine radiator, meaning the identical debris path can puncture the radiator and cause coolant loss, engine overheating, and sudden loss of propulsion in traffic. The grille design leaves critical cooling components unreasonably vulnerable to everyday road debris. Photos of the punctured condenser and the dealer's written diagnosis are available. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: February 1, 2024 · Filed: September 12, 2026

I own a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX Platinum, purchased brand new in February 2024 and now with approximately 30,400 miles. Since the first few weeks, the vehicle has had an ongoing fuel tank/range issue. The fuel tank is rated at approximately 17 gallons, but the gas pump consistently shuts off after only 10–12 gallons, even when the vehicle indicates 0 miles to empty. It accepts approximately the same amount whether I refuel with 80, 20, or 0 miles remaining. After filling, the vehicle reports the tank as full and but generally shows only 270–290 miles of estimated range. The actual miles driven before requiring fill up is 230-250 miles. Toyota issued T-SB-0060-25 (Low Fuel Warning Light Logic Enhancement), which a Toyota dealer reluctantly performed on my vehicle. It initially improved the displayed range by only about 10 miles, but did not resolve the problem, and the condition is now worsening. The dealer solution was to tell me I can drive another 60-100 miles past empty but I do not believe that is a reasonable or safe workaround. This is because the driver cannot reliably determine the remaining usable fuel or how far the vehicle can safely travel. The condition remains unresolved and is a known issue with other Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max owners.