2026 Toyota Grand Highlander problems

Filed Nov 9, 2026 · Visibility · IL

On September 10th 2026 a cracked windshield was replaced by PAULY TOYOTA in Crystal Lake. The re installed windshield is unsafe/defective. I reported the problem to the dealership and TOYOTA corporate. I went back to the dealership 3 times, they cleaned the windshield and stated it was my washer fluid and after refilling with shop washer fluid its all good. Then they said it is the outside influence. It was also inspected by certified, independent glass company that confirmed that the windshield is defective and needs to be replaced because its unsafe. THe corporate officially refused to replace it.

Filed Nov 9, 2026 · Engine · TX

I was traveling while on cruise with the max distance set between another vehicle and I. A rock popped up and managed to propel itself through the poorly designed and inadequately designed grill and into my condenser. I am apart of many Highlander support groups and this seems to be an issue with a lot of people. They have to take it upon themselves to install a mesh to prevent road debris entering through their grill. This could have been a significant safety issue had it been my radiator. Now I am out $2,000 due to faulty design on Highlander grill and I haven’t even made my first car payment yet.

Filed Nov 9, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · NJ

I am filing a safety complaint for a severe steering/drivetrain defect causing dynamic alignment deflection, unexpected braking feedback, and a vehicle control hazard on my 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander (16k miles). The vehicle has a severe rotational grumbling noise under low acceleration and right after letting off the brake. On braking, a violent mechanical "thunking" noise occurs in the front chassis. The brakes also exhibit a distinct physical grinding sensation through the pedal under normal stops, despite a formal inspection confirming pads, rotors, and calipers are free of defects. The steering geometry is entirely unstable. At 10,144 miles, an alignment sweep showed the settings were within factory specs, yet all four factory tires were completely feathered with severe tread destruction. By 15,000 miles, the front left toe violently drifted out of specification by 0.20° (shifting from a near-perfect 0.04° to a severe 0.24°). This massive structural alignment shift occurred in under 5,000 miles of normal driving without any road impacts. Compounding these issues, a drain/inspection of the front differential housing at 16,000 miles revealed the factory gear fluid is completely black, burnt, and opaque, with a heavy layer of dark metallic sludge coating the magnetic drain plug. This confirms severe friction, binding, and premature mechanical breakdown within the front drivetrain assembly. Both the Toyota dealership network and Toyota corporate customer service have been presented with this mathematical alignment data and degraded fluid evidence. They flatly refuse to diagnose the root cause, inspect the steering knuckles/axles under warranty, or perform repairs, claiming the vehicle's condition is "normal." I am trapped driving an unsafe, unserviced vehicle with active steering geometry collapse.

Filed Nov 9, 2026 · FL

Unprotected Grill A/C system. A rock can go straight through the grille and puncture the condenser.

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Body · TX

Rear moonroof glass shattered spontaneously, no object impact

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · TX

Experiencing a cabin boom. Low frequency noise and car is changing cabin pressure. Happening when going slower and over bumps or imperfections in the road. Causing severe ear pain to the point the car is not drivable. Toyota saying it is known and normal for the vehicle and will not fix it.

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · KS

Air Conditioner Failed after a small debris hit the condenser. Defrost does not work when AC fails. Dealer confirmed small debris punctured condenser. Claim was filed with insurance for repair and inspection. No warnings AC stopped working and windows fogged.

Filed Nov 1, 2026 · IA

On September 23, while driving 60 mph northbound on Highway 169 in Iowa with my young children in the vehicle, my 3-month-old Toyota Grand Highlander suddenly lost propulsion. The vehicle slowed dramatically, nearly causing a large truck behind me to rear-end us. I initially suspected an adaptive cruise control malfunction, but later connected the incident to condenser damage after discovering my AC no longer worked. The dealership eventually confirmed that a small projectile had damaged the condenser. Before even inspecting my vehicle, the service specialist on the phone correctly predicted the damage, explaining that this is an extremely common issue with Grand Highlanders and something they see frequently. A Toyota mechanic I know in California independently confirmed that this has been a widespread problem since the model's introduction in 2024. I understand the federal safety agency has already started investigating this issue (perhaps invest.#11754975), but I am reporting my experience to emphasize that the problem may be occurring far more frequently than reported. This issue is frequent enough that service personnel can instantly diagnose the issue based on car model alone. The condenser is dangerously exposed behind the Grand Highlander's large grille openings, allowing even small road debris to enter and damage it. The Lexus equivalent reportedly has protective mesh behind its grille (yet the Grand Highlander lacks similar protection). This is not merely an expensive $2,000 AC repair NOT covered by warranty, but damage that caused my vehicle to lose propulsion at highway speeds, nearly resulting in a serious collision with my children aboard. I am hesitant to repair it without a permanent preventative solution because the same dangerous failure could happen again. I urge the federal safety agency to investigate the frequency of this issue, because it is definitely underreported. Toyota needs to do a recall or provide a solution before a fatal accident occurs due to their poor vehicle design.

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Engine · ME

A small pebble or rock was thrown from another moving vehicle and it was able to get through the large holes of the grill and punctured the radiator. There isn’t adequate protection for the radiators from such common road debris.

Filed Oct 27, 2026 · Seats · MD

The contact owns a 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact received a notification on the Mobile App to check the rear seat. The contact stated that upon inspecting the rear seat, the contact became aware that while adjusting the rear seat, the rear seat failed to adjust as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that there was no fix for the failure.