Is the 2012 Toyota Highlander a bad year?
182 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Highlander years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2012 Toyota Highlander are in line with other Highlander years. Steering stands out for this year: see below.
7th quietest of 19 Highlander years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2012 Highlander owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 68,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 46 (25%) | 50k–88k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Electrical system | 29 (16%) | 17k–72k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 19 (10%) | 5k–86k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Air bags | 10 (5%) | 22k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 20 (11%) | 26k–66k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 19 (10%) | 34k–65k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 14 (8%) | 8k–46k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 14 (8%) | 6k–28k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 7 (4%) | 5k–48k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Latches and locks | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 68,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 182 complaints: 16 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 5 report an injury · 7 say the car was towed.
3 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Aug 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2012 Toyota Highlander: 2
These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. 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.
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 160
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2012 Toyota Highlander. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 - 2025 model year Toyota vehicles
The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power…
TechTip: Condition: Engine No Start and/or Poor Engine Power DTCs set immediately after performing service on the Inverter such as SSC D0M for IPM replacement…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Steering Column Separation
Upper Steering Column Separation
Neighbouring years
2011 Highlander: 182 complaints, keep it · 2013 Highlander: 207 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota Highlander year
2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Highlander years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2012 Toyota Highlander a bad year?
182 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Highlander years. At 68,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Highlander?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (46), electrical system (29), engine (19), air bags (10), body structure (20).
How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Highlander have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Equipment (NHTSA 13V-123), Seats (NHTSA 13V-014). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.