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Toyota Highlander

2012 only

225 classified complaints 2 recalls

121,054 sold in the US for 2012.

15 complaints on file
per 10,000 sold

2012 Toyota Highlander have 225 classified complaints on record for that year specifically, plus 2 recalls. The most common issue in this year is Doors, windows, latches, seats and trim, typically surfacing around 51,000 miles.

Computed directly from stored federal records for 2012 model years only — not blended with the rest of this vehicle's production run. See the full Toyota Highlander report for every year combined.

Where this year fits

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2012

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Complaints filed per individual model year — highlighted bars link to their own dedicated page.

What breaks, and when — 2012 only

Doors, windows, latches, seats and trim · Body and interior 51 complaints · 4.2/10k sold

Median onset: 51,000 miles. 3.9% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Tie rods, linkage, shaft and column · Steering 45 complaints · 3.7/10k sold

Median onset: 65,000 miles.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · Typical repair: $270–$510 nationally.

Body control and other modules · Electrical 20 complaints · 1.7/10k sold

Median onset: 65,790 miles.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · More common in newer model years.

Master cylinder and booster · Brakes 17 complaints · 1.4/10k sold

Median onset: 4,989 miles.

Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues.

Stalling and no-start · Engine 17 complaints · 1.4/10k sold

Median onset: 6,200 miles.

Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues. · More common in older model years.

Airbags, seatbelts and restraints · Body and interior 16 complaints · 1.3/10k sold

Median onset: 48,000 miles. 18.8% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Sunroof and panoramic roof · Body and interior 8 complaints · 0.7/10k sold

Median onset: 83,000 miles.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · Typical repair: $330–$620 nationally.

Internal engine (bearings, pistons, rings) · Engine 6 complaints · 0.5/10k sold

Median onset: 45,000 miles.

More common in older model years.

From owner-filed complaints to NHTSA, not independently verified. Federal mileage reporting on recent complaints is sparse — see how it works. Cost ranges are national estimates from book labor hours and parts pricing, not this vehicle's actual repair history — they don't account for your location or shop type.

Cost estimator: what will this one cost you?

Enter the car's year and mileage. See which known problems are due in your next 3 years, what each costs at your state's labor rates, which ones to ask the seller about, and routine maintenance to budget for.

How does 2012 compare with other Highlander years? Every model year ranked by complaints per 10,000 sold. See years →

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — complaints and recalls, scoped to 2012 model year. See the full Toyota Highlander report for every year and full specs/safety data.