2025 Toyota Grand Highlander: jerking or lurching

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Driver assistance, Steering · GA

I experienced a serious safety incident involving my 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander with approximately 14,000 miles. While driving on a straight interstate highway at approximately 70 mph, surrounded by other vehicles, the steering wheel suddenly made two to three sharp, forceful jerking movements to the left. Afterward, the steering wheel remained approximately 20 degrees off-center to the left. All lane departure assistance sensors were active during the incident. This unexpected steering behavior created a significant safety hazard. At highway speed, I could have lost control of the vehicle, departed my lane, or collided with surrounding traffic. I was able to reach my destination, but the steering wheel remained crooked. Immediately afterward, I took the vehicle to an authorized Toyota dealership for inspection and repair. The technician reported that the left rear wheel was significantly out of alignment and that the left rear alignment eccentric lock nut was loose. According to the technician, this caused excessive wear on the inside tread of the left rear tire. The dealership also performed a vehicle health check to identify any system faults. My vehicle has always been serviced by authorized Toyota dealerships. At the last service appointment, at approximately 10,000 miles, no related problems were identified. The technician confirmed that no alignment-related work had been performed during that visit. The vehicle had no previous similar issues. I am concerned that the loose alignment eccentric lock nut and resulting severe misalignment may indicate a mechanical defect that could compromise vehicle stability and steering safety. The sudden steering movements at highway speed presented a serious risk to me, my passengers, and other motorists. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency investigate this incident and determine whether a safety defect exists in the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander involving the rear suspension alignment component, eccentric locking, sensors.

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · Acceleration, Fuel system · CA

After a complete stop at a stop sign there is hesitation/stalling when trying to accelerate. Sometimes the hesitation is several seconds and then the engine kicks in and lurches forward. Couple times this has been a safety issue as it happens when I’m trying to pull out on a busy road. The delay/hesitation has caused me to almost get hit a few times. There are no lights or warning messages when this happens. It happens a multiple times a week especially during hot weather when AC is on full (LO temp setting and maximum fan) and is usually during the first few minutes of operation usually at the same stop signs on my route to pickup my kids after the car has been sitting unused overnight. I also notice that the hybrid battery indicator is usually always at 3 bars. Dealership hasn’t been able to reproduce as it's a very specific scenario (not driving/in garage overnight and short drive). Instead they went and applied T-SB-0040-25 but this hesitation is still happening after the software update. This needs to be handled like a safety issue/recall worthy with a complete fix! Not just some drivability issue that only gets applied if we ask about specific T-SBs.

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · NM

Radiator issue summer of 2025, when in back to back traffic at low speeds my vehicle overheated at a stand still took vehicle in to dealership with no real answers. The following summer 2026 same scenario but the engine was smoking. Took into dealership and they stated the connection for the radiator fan was disconnected which meant it was not colling the engine. A month later the AC is blowing hot air when AC is set to the coolest setting, scheduled another appt with dealership likely another radiator issue. Fuel gauge inaccuracy. Manual states 17 gallon tank capacity but my car states empty and can only fill the tank with 14 to 15 gallons. Dealership had no help and stated it does that to protect the hybrid engine. Transmission shifting issues, in the summer hotter temperatures I notice at times the transmission has difficulty shifting in lower gears and really revs up the RPMs to shift sometimes. At times the the transmission shift is jerky or harsh when going speeds form 20- 40 mph.

Filed Mar 18, 2026 · Seats, Suspension · CA

Transmission slipping, holding high RPM, Jerky shifts, back seat not locking at times, infotainment freezing up

Filed Feb 3, 2026 · Transmission · CO

At a complete stop my car started shaking violently back and forth. It felt like we were in an earthquake. It has happened before but not as violently and not as long. No warning lights or anything. It has had problems with lurching and stuttering since we bought it. The dealership said they fixed it once (the stuttering) but it’s still happening. They cannot duplicate it and it’s not throwing any codes.

Filed Nov 14, 2025 · Acceleration · SC

Inconsistently but on numerous occasions, this vehicle has experienced harsh shifting, hesitation, or jerking during low-speed acceleration (e.g., 20-40 mph) or gear engagement. This was a known and reported issue with the 2024 model for which Toyota provided a fix. They have not provided one for the 2025 models. This issue is a safety risk while driving because with the surge you feel you must quickly let off the pedal, and with the hesitation you let off the brake indicating you will move forward yet the vehicle doesn’t accelerate.