2012 Toyota Highlander engine problems

Filed Dec 29, 2025 · Engine, Suspension · 160,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that 5,000 miles after purchasing the vehicle, the contact noticed an oil leak. The contact performed the oil changes and had noticed that engine oil had leaked down onto the weather seal in the vehicle. The contact noticed several oil stains on the ground during rainy weather. The contact noticed that the new tires that the dealer installed at the time of the vehicle sale were worn out. The contact checked the tires and noticed that the plastic rubber on the front strut was severely damaged. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the timing cover had a leak, and that the timing cover area was smeared with an unknown silicone patch. The struts were replaced. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. Â The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Filed Jul 5, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CA

I think there is odometer fraud by this company selling this car. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 23, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · FL

Toyota Piston and Ring defect. My 2012 Toyota Highlander engine has defective pistons and rings that have led to excessive oil consumption and the potential for a serious accidents as it causes the engine to lose compression and conk out, all of a sudden, in traffic, and costly repair for us customers with less than 150,000 miles. Piston/ring issue diagnosed by Toyota Dealer in Panama City, Florida. A class Action lawsuit needs to be initiated, immediately, for the 2012 Toyota Highlander. Toyota has already had a Class Action Lawsuit for this same problem in 2014 for their other Toyota models.

Filed May 31, 2023 · Engine · SC

Around 112,500 miles our vehicle's oil pressure light came on. My husband drove it home, and our mechanic told us to tow it to his shop for inspection. The next day I drove it to the shop, which was only a few miles away, and my mechanic informed us that there was "no oil left" inside the engine and that it was a miracle the engine didn't seize on the way. We left it at the shop, a certified Toyota mechanic, overnight for inspection. The next day our mechanic informed us that the piston rings in the engine have failed and oil was burning internally. Every service had been done on this vehicle by a Toyota dealership or a certified mechanic. We were shocked considering the mileage on the vehicle. We have since discovered that the V4 engine in this vehicle was also problematic with Camrys and other Toyotas, but that the recalls were only repaired prior to 60k miles and our vehicle was not apart of that service bulletin, even though it was the same problem and same engine. We could have been on the interstate with our 4 and 6 year old children in the vehicle if the engine seized. This is a tremendous engine issue and we understand that soon the engine will produce smoke that could blow into the vehicle. We have calculated that a quart of oil is being burned every 600 or so miles.

Filed Nov 5, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · NJ

When turning on the defrost button, the engine shuts off while driving.

Filed Feb 11, 2022 · Engine · 120,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly loss motive power while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact pulled over and attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing chain fractured and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Dec 30, 2020 · Engine · GA

Well before my oil changes are due, my vehicle needs more oil. There are no apparent exterior leaks but the oil has to be leaking somewhere or burning away through the exhaust.

Filed Feb 6, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 117,000 miles · FL

Car has over 117,000 miles and is excessively consuming oil. There is no sign of leaks anywhere. I do not get any warning anywhere about low oil, all I see is a small message that sometimes blinks indicating 'oil pressure'. Oil is not lasting 1000 miles. I thought maybe the oil was not properly filled but after a second oil change, same happened, oil empty with less than 1000 miles after an oil change. Car has been always kept with all recommended maintenance and all oil changes have been done every 5,000 as recommended by toyota. Have never been in any accident that could cause any engine problem, seems this is a factory defect. In the electrical part, power back door does not close/open, there is a recall for that but no dealers in my area will fix it because one of the parts that is inside that motor is not listed in the recall specs and dealers will not fix unless I pay. I took the car to the dealer about 2 years ago. This refers to the warranty enhancement letter zg4.

Filed Apr 15, 2019 · Engine · 86,000 miles · VA

With 1000 miles left on an oil change or so our car would randomly stall when you make certain turns. Occaisioanlly the oil light would pop one when it would stall. I checked the dipstick and you could not see anything on it. I added oil and took it into dealer. They are doing a consumption test to see how much we lose in 1000 miles. This vehicle only has 86,000 miles on it. We have no leaks and no visible smoke coming out of exhaust. This has me worried of similiar problems they had with one of there other 4cyl engines.

Filed Dec 17, 2018 · Engine · 100,300 miles · MD · fire

I was driving on a highway I heard a noise and smoke started coming from under the hood I pulled over and looked under the hood and saw smokr a tow truck driver who happened to be passing by pulled over and sure fire under the hood he put the fire out with a fire extinguisher I called nine-one-one four fire trucks to make sure the fire was completely extinguished my mechanic says a rod popped and punctured the oil tank which caused all the oil to leak out onto the side of the highway the firemen actually spread sand over it my insurance company he's refusing to repair the car because they say there was a maintenance issue because there was no oil in the car when they looked at it there was no oil in the car because it all leaked out on the side of the road I had just put oil in the car the previous day this happened on november 26th 20186