Toyota Grand Highlander fuel smell problems

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · Fuel system · AZ

The vehicle’s fuel system is allowing a large amount of gas fumes to escape. The gas fumes are more noticeable on the driver side and in hotter weather. The vehicle has a significantly low MPG than advertised with some trip readings showing 11 MPG. The issue has been reported twice to the dealership and they stated that they cannot duplicate the problem but stated that they have received multiple reports from other vehicle owners of similar issues. The fuel system leak presents a risk of fire or explosion when the vehicle is stored in a confined space such as a garage. We first noticed the issue back in August or early September. I parked the vehicle in the garage and the space quickly filled with gas fumes. When I returned to the garage and the door to the dwelling was left open my home also filled with fumes. My daughter complained of the smell and stated that it was giving her a headache. I no longer park the vehicle in the garage. Since then I have noticed from time to time, the smell of gas fumes in the cabin. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

Filed Oct 2, 2026 · Fuel system · TX

Has a VERY strong gas smell and fumes near gas tank after car has been idling.

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · Fuel system · AZ

Our 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum repeatedly produces a strong gasoline odor and visibly observable vapor under hot-weather/hot-soak conditions. The condition has been observed by dealership personnel. There is footage from us and the dealership. The manufacturer has characterized the condition as normal, but has not provided a technical explanation identifying the source of the vapor or documentation establishing that visible gasoline vapor is within design/safety specifications. I am reporting this because I am concerned that waiting until an injury, fire, or other serious incident occurs before addressing the condition is inappropriate. I am asking the federal safety agency to determine whether this represents a safety-related defect or a broader safety issue affecting other Toyota vehicles. I am unable to upload the video, but I am willing to provide it by other means.

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · Fuel system · TX

My 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander XLE has a recurring gasoline smell near the rear driver’s side after long trips or when parked with the engine idling. The source of the odor and the specific component involved are unknown. I am concerned about a possible fuel or vapor leak and the potential fire risk to myself and my passengers.

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Fuel system · CA

I am experiencing a strong gasoline odor & what appear to be gas vapors coming from the gas cap/filler area of my vehicle. A daily problem. Fumes are consistently present & enter the cabin, when the air conditioning is not on recirculation mode or when doors are opened. I can see and smell it when stopped & idling & I can visually see it when driving. Toyota has already performed multiple inspections & safety checks but has been unable to identify the source. A vehicle health check found no diagnostic trouble codes. The EVAP system was pressure tested & passed w/ no leaks found. Fuel lines, fittings, injectors & the high-pressure fuel pump were also inspected & all reportedly passed. The inability to identify the source does not mean the condition does not exist—it demonstrates that the current testing has not identified the source. I should not be expected to continue transporting my family in a vehicle w/ an ongoing gas vapor concern simply because standard diagnostic testing has not located the problem. My greatest fear is that an unidentified source of gas vapors could create a serious fire or explosion hazard. Gas vapors are highly volatile & when present in sufficient concentrations & exposed to an ignition source, can ignite. I continue to smell gasoline & detect what appear to be vapors around & inside the vehicle every day, I am afraid to drive it & constantly worry about the possibility of a fire or explosion while my children are inside. Breathing in these fumes are extremely toxic. My greatest concern is for my three children. Two are under the age of [XXX] & cannot communicate whether they are experiencing headaches, dizziness, nausea, respiratory irritation, or other symptoms. My [XXX] rides in the third row, closest to the rear area where I am detecting these vapors. I purchased this vehicle to safely transport my children. Instead, I no longer feel safe transporting my family in it. This is an ongoing, unresolved safety concern. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOI

Filed Aug 29, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · AZ

Horrible gas smell on the interior and exterier of vehicle after fueling up.

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Fuel system · TX

I currently own a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander with the 2.4L turbo engine, which I purchased in July 2023. I have been experiencing a strong gasoline/fuel smell coming from the vehicle. I took the vehicle to Fox Toyota in El Paso for inspection. According to the dealership, the smell was caused by the gasoline I was using and they stated that the fuel contained too much ethanol. However, the gasoline smell was strong enough to be concerning, and I am not comfortable simply assuming that the fuel is the cause without further inspection. At this time, I have not been given a specific diagnosis identifying a failed component or confirming that a particular fuel-system component is malfunctioning. The vehicle is available for further inspection if requested. The strong gasoline odor raises a safety concern because the presence of fuel vapors could potentially indicate a fuel leak or another problem with the fuel system, creating a possible fire hazard. The problem was reported to and inspected by Fox Toyota in El Paso, but the dealership attributed the odor to the ethanol content of the fuel rather than identifying a defective component. I have not had the vehicle inspected by the manufacturer or any other independent facility at this time. I have not observed any warning lights or warning messages associated with the problem. The primary symptom has been the strong gasoline smell. The vehicle has the 2.4L turbo engine. I would like to know if other 2024 Grand Highlander 2.4L turbo owners have experienced the same issue and, if so, what the actual cause was and how it was resolved.

Filed Aug 26, 2026 · Fuel system · AZ

I have noticed on several separate occasions a strong gas odor coming from my 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander after I have completed a drive. This has been intermittent, however, yesterday on XXX, the gasoline odor was so strong after I parked my vehicle in my garage, that it quickly filled the garage with an overwhelming odor. My son urgently came to get me when he stepped into the garage and realized how strong the fumes were. We had to open the garage to air it out. I called the Larry Miller Peoria Toyota dealership immediately and had my vehicle inspected the following day on XXX. I was informed by the service advisor that Toyota receives numerous complaints daily about this very issue with the newer model Highlanders, Grand Highlanders, Tacomas, and 4Runners. I insisted that my vehicle be inspected. The report stated that they were unable to duplicate the condition. The report states that no leaks were found with the evap system. The report also states that whe outside temps are extremely high, fuel inside the tank expands and creates additional vapor. I was assured by the service team that the fuel tank is operating correctly, despite the overwhelming fuel vapors that are intermittently emitted. I have lived in [XXX] my entire life and I have never encountered this issue with any vehicle that I have owned. These fumes are toxic and I am very concerned about my family being exposed and our safety/wellbeing. I have installed a carbon monoxide monitor in my garage. I have also filed a formal complaint at the Corporate level within Toyota and am awaiting a response. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 12, 2026 · Fuel system · 45,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact believed that the odor was caused by a fuel leak. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with an evaporator filter failure, and it was determined that a fuel leak was not the cause of the odor. The dealer stated that the vehicle did not require a repair and could still be driven with the odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.

Filed Jul 25, 2026 · Fuel system · AZ

The component that was available for inspection was our gas tank. It provided a profuse smell of fumes coming out of the tank and/or exhaust. You could also see vapors coming out of the gas tank when driving. The fumes alone are extremely toxic and extreme levels. The safety of me, my two young children and husband is all at risk. The smell of the gas and the view of the vapors from the gas tank puts the vehicle at an extreme fire risk. The smell of the fumes out it at a toxic inhalant risk - especially having two young children. This has caused great fear within me and the safety of my children is at extreme risk. No. I have taken the vehicle to the dealer 2-3 times, advised each time there is no issue with the vehicle. However, the smell of the gasoline has happened 6-8 times since purchasing the vehicle in May 2025. The vehicle has only been inspected by the dealer. Unsure who else to bring it to. The first time it was towed because the smell of the gas was in the cabin of the vehicle and I did not feel safe having my two small children in it with the extreme gas smell. No, no warning lamps. No indicators. The first time it happened I was alone with my two small children and the only indicator was the vapors coming out of the tank that were visible, and the extreme smell of the gasoline when I would roll my window down.