Toyota Highlander fuel smell problems

Filed Oct 10, 2026 · Fuel system · FL

The vehicle has a strong gas smell especially after using the car and coming to a complete stop. The gas smell comes from the gas tank. Tried putting less gas and still the problem persists.

Filed Sep 20, 2026 · Transmission · MD

Vehicle begin making grinding noises, and stalling during accelerating and also fuel smell. Took vehicle into Toyota Waldorf, MD dealership for diagnostic. At 58,000 miles, 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE stalls to accelerate due to front differentials failing, causing large chunks of metal on the drain plug indicating internal failure. Vehicle needs transmission and front differential replaced. I have 4 children, 3 of them still small, and driving with the fuel smell would impact them greatly as 1 of my children has asthma. It's also a hazard to be on the road with this vehicle as it can stall at any moment, causing a traffic incident. The problem has been reproduced by dealer, who is refusing to approve the fix under the 60,000 mile Power Train Warranty. There were no other warning signs, no check engine light came on, no issues prior to me hearing this grinding noise and stalling.

Filed Sep 20, 2026 · Transmission · MD

Vehicle begin making grinding noises, and stalling during accelerating and also fuel smell. Took vehicle into Toyota Waldorf, MD dealership for diagnostic. At 58,000 miles, 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE stalls to accelerate due to front differentials failing, causing large chunks of metal on the drain plug indicating internal failure. Vehicle needs transmission and front differential replaced. I have 4 children, 3 of them still small, and driving with the fuel smell would impact them greatly as 1 of my children has asthma. It's also a hazard to be on the road with this vehicle as it can stall at any moment, causing a traffic incident. The problem has been reproduced by dealer, who is refusing to approve the fix under the 60,000 mile Power Train Warranty. There were no other warning signs, no check engine light came on, no issues prior to me hearing this grinding noise and stalling.

Filed Sep 1, 2026 · Fuel system · TX

I have been experiencing a gas smell issue with my Toyota Highlander near the rear of the car by gas cap area upon putting in gas and driving. The smell starts typically when it’s a hot day outside and I only usually get half a tank worth of gas. After getting gas and driving about 15-30 mins. Is when the smell of gas starts. I recently took my car it to the local Toyota dealership and they checked the purge valve, fuel canister and EVAP system. The technician did state that the fuel rail failed slightly. But overall, they stated there no codes after testing and the technician did state he smelled the gas faintly. But that since there are no codes to pinpoint an issue they cannot fix or figure out the issue. Please figure out this issue, as this is a real concern to have this issue and drive this car with myself and family in it.

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · AZ

Driving the vehicle a strong smell of fuel vapor is noticeable coming from rear driver side of vehicle by rear door and fuel cap area. This happens when car is driven for long periods of time or on hot days. I drive my car daily and it happens every day. Smell gets so bad it gets in to the cabin area. Causing me to get headaches or light headed feeling making it unsafe to drive. I have taken vehicle to the dealership but nothing was done. The only thing they said they could do is clean and disinfect my AC vents. This issue has been on going since I bought the vehicle brand new 0 miles when I purchased it. There are no warning lamps or messages that appear when the issue starts. After returning home I have to park my car out side for a few hours until the fuel smell goes away and it is safe to park in my garage. I have talked to other people who own the 2024 Highlander and they have stated they to have experienced the same issue also taking it back to the dealership but no fix for the issue. Please have Toyota find a fix for this issue it is a huge safety concern for the people and the environment for the amount of fuel vapors that this car releases.

Filed Jul 30, 2026 · Fuel system · AZ

Vehicle has strong gas smell and has gas vapor streaming out from under rear driver side wheel well and gas cap area.

Filed Jun 16, 2026 · Fuel system · AZ

This 2023 Toyota Highlander XLE AWD has a recurring gasoline/fuel odor that began while the vehicle was still within the basic warranty period. The concern was reported to Toyota/dealer multiple times. At first, the odor was intermittent and difficult to duplicate, but the problem continued after repeated dealer visits. The fuel smell was later duplicated/confirmed while the dealer was open, before approximately 60,000 miles, but the vehicle was still not properly repaired. The odor has continued and recently occurred multiple days in a row. The smell has been noticed around/inside the vehicle and creates a safety concern because gasoline odor may indicate fuel vapor leakage or a fuel-system problem. Possible sources could include the fuel tank, fuel pump module or seal, filler neck, fuel lines, EVAP system, charcoal canister, purge valve, injectors, fuel rail, or another related fuel-system component. The vehicle has been inspected by a Toyota dealer multiple times, but the cause has not been identified or corrected. No warning light has clearly identified the source of the problem. The concern is especially serious because it involves fuel odor, possible vapor exposure, possible fire risk, and possible fuel-system failure. Occupants and others could be placed at risk if the odor is caused by a leak or defective fuel-system component. The dealer is now recommending removal/drop of the fuel tank for further diagnosis and quoted approximately $1,500 for that step. My concern is that full fuel-system diagnosis, including tank removal if needed, should have been performed earlier when the complaint was repeatedly made during warranty. The issue is not a new complaint; it is a continuing unresolved fuel odor concern that started during warranty and remained unresolved despite repeated dealer involvement. The vehicle and related components should be available for inspection upon request.

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · OK

Vehicle smells like fuel after engine toggles on and off between the hybrid system. This issue is intermittent, but when it is taken to the dealership they smell the fuel, with no luck duplicating the issue. I have also noticed when the smell is present the vehicle seems to run rough.

Filed Feb 7, 2026 · Fuel system · PR

When the engine is running after hours a gasoline smell and vapor exit the tank by the cap.

Filed Dec 31, 2025 · Electrical · CA

Vehicle Issue Description (Rear Liftgate): The rear power liftgate intermittently fails to operate and presents a safety concern. The liftgate often will not open at all. At other times, it opens only partially (approximately one-quarter of the way) and then stops. When this occurs, the liftgate frequently will not close properly and sometimes fails to latch securely. This issue has been ongoing for approximately two years and has progressively worsened. It has now reached the point where the rear liftgate is no longer usable. If the liftgate does not open in an emergency, occupants may be unable to exit the vehicle through the rear, which could be dangerous in the event of an accident. Additionally, when the liftgate fails to latch securely, there is a risk it could open while driving, potentially causing cargo loss, reduced visibility, or allowing exhaust fumes to enter the cabin. Numerous Toyota Highlander owners report the same issue on public forums such as Reddit, indicating this is a widespread and known problem. According to these reports, dealerships are commonly diagnosing the failure as a failed liftgate strut, with quoted repair costs of approximately $1,500. I reported this issue to Toyota directly today and was told that Toyota does not issue recalls and that concerns should be reported to the federal safety agency. I am frustrated that this appears to be a known issue that has existed for years without corrective action. Component/System Failed: Rear power liftgate system (including latch and power operation components). Available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: Risk of liftgate opening while driving and inability to exit through the rear in an emergency, potentially trapping occupants. Dealer Confirmation: Not formally confirmed. A reset was recommended during a prior service visit, which worked temporarily for one day. Resets no longer resolve the issue. Inspected by Others: No. Warnings Prior to Failure: No warning lamps or messages.