2012 Toyota Highlander reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2012 Toyota Highlander has 191 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 15 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Highlander years here — under the median of the other years, which is 27. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Labels and Inactive sensor control module.

Complaints

191

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Steering (47 of 191), then Electrical system (30) and Structure (22). Those filings include 16 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 5 that report an injury.

Next to 2013

The 2013 Highlander has 212 complaints, 27 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Toyota Highlander. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (2)

Recall Labels 2013-04-09 · NHTSA campaign 13V123000

Summary 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."

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.

Recall air bags, frontal, inactive sensor control module 2013-01-16 · NHTSA campaign 13V014000

Summary 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.

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.

Complaints by component (191 total)

Steering

Electrical system

Structure

Engine

Visibility and wipers

Speed control

Service brakes

Air bags

Powertrain

Latches, locks, and linkages

Visibility

Seats

Tires

Fuel and propulsion system

Suspension

Wheels

Engine and engine cooling

Exterior lighting

Forward collision avoidance

Hydraulic brakes

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Fuel system, other

Hybrid propulsion

Other or not sure

Seat belts

Show 17 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"While driving one day i got the ABS light and brake light on on my car screen and the small display showed "Barke Malfunction" when i did the scan it is C1391 Code which is for ABS Accutator issue. This showed be fixed…"
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance · filed 2026-08-21
"The unmatched handle completely broke. So now the insert and the base are stuck together and I can not unlatch them to use this carseat properly to transport my son. I have to take the base and all out of the car as one…"
Other or not sure · filed 2026-01-04
"The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that 5,000 miles after purchasing the vehicle, the contact noticed an oil leak. The contact performed the oil changes and had noticed that engine oil had…"
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling · filed 2025-12-29
"The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a Tire Center, which was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Upon further…"
Tires · filed 2025-09-25
"The paint is malfunction , and is available for inspection upon request."
Structure · filed 2025-07-26

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2012 Toyota Highlander HV SUV AWD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2012 Toyota Highlander SUV AWD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2012 Toyota Highlander SUV FWD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Highlander two-wheel drive	3.5L, 6-cyl	Automatic (5-speed)	Front-wheel drive	18	24	20 MPG	$3250
Highlander two-wheel drive	2.7L, 4-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	20	25	22 MPG	$2950
Highlander four-wheel drive	3.5L, 6-cyl	Automatic (5-speed)	All-wheel drive	17	22	19 MPG	$3400
Highlander hybrid four-wheel drive	3.5L, 6-cyl	Automatic (variable gear ratios)	All-wheel drive	28	28	28 MPG	$2300

Specs and fitment

3rd generation, 2012–2013

Body styles SUV

Oil 0W-20 (SAE 5W-20 may be used; 0W-20 preferred) , 6.4 qt capacity

Tire size P245/65R17, P245/55R19

Towing capacity 5,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

Recall 14V-148 covers certain model year 2013 Highlander vehicles in which the second-row left-hand seat may not lock into the inboard seat track in the forward first or second adjusting position, so the seat could move and increase injury risk in a crash; dealers modify the seat so it locks into the track, free of charge.

Compare

Next year 2013 Toyota Highlander See every Toyota Highlander model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Toyota Highlander reliable?

What are common problems with a 2012 Toyota Highlander?

Is the 2012 Toyota Highlander more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Highlander has 212 complaints, 27 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Toyota Highlander been recalled?

The 2012 Toyota Highlander has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Toyota Highlander?

Owners have filed 191 complaints about the 2012 Toyota Highlander with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Toyota Highlander get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Toyota Highlander is 22.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Toyota Highlander take?

US gasoline Highlanders in these generations prefer 0W-20 (5W-20 may be used temporarily). Approx. capacities with filter: ~6.4 qt (2012-2013 3.5L), ~5.8 qt (2014+ 3.5L V6).

Does recall 20V-162 cover the Toyota Highlander?

It covers certain 2020 Highlander vehicles with the 3.5L V6: an ECU programming error may fail to supply fuel correctly during stop-and-restart; dealers update the ECU software.

What generation is the 2020 Toyota Highlander?

5th generation (2020 onward). 2014-2019 are 4th generation; 2012-2013 are late 3rd generation in this catalog.