Toyota Grand Highlander Common Problems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2024 Toyota Grand-Highlander frequently report issues with acceleration hesitation, where the vehicle fails to accelerate from a stop or hesitates unpredictably, often described as "unresponsive gas pedal" or "limp mode." This issue is noted to occur intermittently and is particularly concerning in busy traffic situations. Complaints also highlight persistent gasoline odors and front axle clicking noises, with some owners mentioning these issues around 8,500 to 15,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of a vehicle fire and incidents of violent shaking when stopped, posing risks to occupants. Multiple complaints also describe panoramic sunroof glass shattering unexpectedly and exposed vehicle components like the condenser being prone to damage.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports

AIR BAGS

Owners of the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander frequently report issues related to airbag recalls, specifically citing delays in obtaining parts for recall repairs. Many complaints highlight that the airbag recall remedy is unavailable, and owners express concern over the extended time taken to address the issue, with some waiting several months without resolution. Reports indicate that the curtain airbags may not deploy correctly if the windows are down during a crash, posing a potential safety risk. The complaints also include a case of misinformation regarding recall completion and one reported injury, emphasizing the importance of verifying recall status. Buyers should be aware of these ongoing airbag concerns and verify repair completion before purchasing.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

POWER TRAIN

Owners report frequent issues with the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander's power train, particularly concerning acceleration and the CV axle. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle hesitating or failing to accelerate from a complete stop, often described as a lag or loss of power, which can result in a sudden lurch forward. This issue appears intermittently and is noted even after software updates, particularly under high-temperature conditions with the A/C running. Additionally, several owners describe a recurring clicking noise and vibration during turns, suggesting potential CV axle problems. These issues are reported at various mileage points, with some occurring as early as 4,000 miles, and pose significant safety risks, such as near-collisions due to unexpected vehicle behavior.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report multiple electrical system issues with the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, primarily involving the infotainment screen going black and instrument cluster failures. Complaints frequently mention screens losing functionality, including maps and radio, with some instances requiring a vehicle restart to restore operation. Instrument cluster failures are noted, with some vehicles becoming unsafe or inoperable, often linked to recall-related issues with no available remedy. Typical symptoms occur at various mileage ranges, with some reports at approximately 1,000 miles and others at higher mileages, such as 90,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as the loss of critical display information can affect driving safety, and the inability to start or access the vehicle due to key fob detection failures is also noted.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Owners of the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander frequently report issues with the vehicle's fuel system, primarily concerning the inability to fill the fuel tank to its advertised capacity. Many complaints mention that the tank only accepts 11 to 14 gallons, despite the vehicle specifications indicating a 17-gallon capacity, leading to reduced driving range and more frequent refueling. Additionally, some owners describe a persistent gas odor, particularly in hot weather, which raises potential safety concerns regarding vapor accumulation. These issues are often noted within the first year of ownership, with some owners referencing a lack of resolution from Toyota service centers. This information suggests prospective buyers should be aware of potential refueling inconvenience and the need for frequent monitoring of fuel levels.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Owners report frequent issues with the 2024 Toyota Grand-Highlander related to vehicle speed control, primarily involving hesitation and delayed acceleration from a stop. Complaints frequently mention a "dead pedal" experience where the vehicle does not respond for several seconds, followed by a sudden surge in acceleration. This issue often occurs when stopped at intersections or during left turns, posing a safety risk due to potential collisions. No warning lights or error messages typically accompany these incidents, and several owners note that dealership visits have not resolved the problem. The issues are reported both shortly after purchase and at mileage as low as 8,000, indicating a potential early onset of this problem.

SUSPENSION

Owners of the 2024 Toyota Grand-Highlander frequently report issues related to the suspension, with two primary complaints emerging. First, several owners describe a knocking or popping noise when turning, which in some cases leads to the replacement of the CV axles, often at low mileages such as 2,162 to 20,000 miles. Second, multiple complaints mention a low-frequency cabin boom or reverberation noise occurring at speeds below 50 mph, causing discomfort such as ear pain and nausea. Safety concerns are noted by some owners due to the vehicle's instability, such as sliding or wobbling, though no crashes or loss of control incidents are reported. These issues may be of interest to potential buyers considering the vehicle's early-life mechanical challenges.

POWER TRAIN

Owners report several issues with the 2025 Toyota Grand-Highlander's power train, particularly involving acceleration and transmission. Complaints frequently mention poor acceleration, with some vehicles experiencing shaking, stuttering, or failing to accelerate from a stop, especially when the EV battery is low. Transmission problems include rough shifting and, in some cases, the need to restart the vehicle to restore normal function. These issues often appear within the first 20,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, such as sudden power loss on highways and unintended vehicle movement, which could pose risks in traffic or parking situations.