Toyota Highlander key fob problems

Filed Aug 30, 2026 · Locks · WA

Component: Latches/Locks — Power Door Lock Actuator I am the original owner of a 2014 Toyota Highlander AWD, currently with 88,000 miles on it. I have experienced six power door lock actuator failures on this vehicle. All replacements were OEM Toyota parts, and all repairs were paid out of pocket. Failure history: - 01/12/2019 — driver rear (original part) - 02/27/2019 — driver front (original part) - 12/07/2019 — passenger rear (original part) - 06/09/2023 — passenger front (original part) - 08/08/2025 — driver rear (OEM replacement, 6 yr 7 mo service life) - 08/30/2026 — driver front currently failing (OEM replacement, 7 yr 6 mo service life) All four original actuators failed between years 5 and 9 of the vehicle's life. Two OEM replacements have since failed on a comparable schedule. This is a consistent wear-out pattern across every door on the vehicle, not isolated part failure. The higher-cycle driver-side doors have now failed twice each. Current condition: the driver front door intermittently does not lock when commanded by the key fob or by the interior lock switch. The failure is silent — there is no chime, warning, or indication that the door did not secure. The driver has no way to know the door is unlatched without physically checking it. Safety concern: an unsecured door can open during vehicle operation, and reduces occupant protection in a side impact or rollover because the latch is not engaged. Because the failure is intermittent and gives no warning, a driver can reasonably believe the vehicle is locked when it is not. This affects occupants including children in rear seating positions. Toyota has issued no recall, technical service bulletin, or warranty extension for this component. Complaints describing the same repeated actuator failures have been reported by owners of Highlanders and other Toyota models across multiple model years. I am submitting this record so the failure pattern is documented.

Filed May 6, 2026 · Electrical · LA

Door lock actuators, yes it is available for inspection. Doors cannot be locked or unlocked with a remote key fob or the interior power door locks. Lock defect poses a significant safety hazard in that a single or multiple doors may not lock at any time, whether the vehicle is on or off and despite actions or commands by the driver. The alleged defect is dangerous to passengers as it can cause unintentional door openings while a vehicle is in use, result in inoperable doors during emergency situations, and leave a vehicle and any contents therein more vulnerable to theft. This poses serious safety concerns, for example when vehicles are involved in vehicular accidents because the occupants may become entrapped when the Door Actuator Defect prevents an occupant from unlocking the doors. Furthermore, this defect jeopardizes the safety of vehicle occupants given that not all doors are capable of being manually unlocked from the exterior. Since owning my highlander I've taken it to the dealership several times for this issue. The front door driver and passenger were replaced and a lock switch however dealership claimed they could not recreate the issue for all doors yet the issue continued and is noted several times in service history. Even when under warranty they refused to change the parts despite multiple service notes and verbal compilations due to their claim of not being able to recreate the issue. There were no warning lights or messages or other symptoms prior to failure. I've had this car since 2019 and it's been an issue notably since 2021. I fear the safety of myself, my family and other passengers are compromised every time we enter the vehicle.

Filed Apr 10, 2026 · Body · NY

Rear lift gate doesn't fully open or close sometimes. I have to manually assist in opening or closing after trying the key fob, inside push button and rear switch above the license plate. I have attempted to reset the height adjustment thinking it would fix it, with no success. I have made sure that the gasket is in place, lubricated the struts and tried opening a closing with the car running and again without success. I'm asking this be investigated due to my concern that this is going to be a safety issue if it doesn't open after an accident, to exit the vehicle if needed. Thank you.

Filed Apr 4, 2026 · Body · WA

Rear tailgate won’t open ir close correctly. The keyfob or the button om the tailgate won’t work. Really heavy tailgate to close manually.

Filed Mar 17, 2026 · Body · 48,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while using the rear liftgate with the key fob or the actuator on the liftgate door, the liftgate failed to raise properly and failed to close properly. The contact stated that the liftgate made a beeping sound and then stopped. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer several times and was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer recommended changing both liftgate pistons. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

Filed Feb 22, 2026 · Locks · TN

I purchase a 2018 Toyota Highlander in 2021. The vehicle had just over 8000 miles when purchased. The vehicle had manufacturers warranty but I purchased additional extended warranty in addition. I can review and find the dates but I don’t have it at the time I’m filling out this form. In any case, there was an issue with the passenger side door lock actuator not properly functioning. The door would not lock when using the key fob. Since the vehicle was under warranty, they replaced the actuator. In February or March of 2025, the passenger side rear door lock began with the same issues. The dealership diagnosed as another door lock actuator. The vehicle was still under warranty so the actuator was replaced. The actuator was ordered but not replaced until after the vehicle extended warranty had expired. Shortly before the second actuator was replaced, the front driver side lock began to give issues. It will not unlock or lock at all. The only way to get the lock engaged is to manually lock the door. In addition, the driver’s side rear door lock has quit functioning as well. I have reported the issue to the dealership but they have claimed they cannot repair since the warranty expired. The tech at the dealership (Rusty Wallace Toyota in Morristown, TN) told me that he has saw this issue in several highlanders. The safety issues is that the locks do not function unless manually engaged. If a child is in the rear seat, the door can be opened. When exiting the vehicle, the doors can be left unlocked inadvertently and unauthorized access can be gained to the vehicle leaving property at risk. I am in the process of getting these two no. Functioning actuators replaced but have been quoted a price in excess of $500 for the parts and labor. I have done some research and it appears this may be an issues on Highlander models 2009-2024. I can provide work orders to the actuators that have been replaced.

Filed Jul 14, 2025 · Electrical, Locks · 11,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that upon turning off the vehicle and locking the vehicle with the key fob, the doors were intermittently unlocked upon returning to the vehicle. The contact stated that over the years, the failure had become more frequent, but had become constant. The contact called two dealers and informed the dealers about the failure and was informed that a callback would be returned; however, the contact had yet to receive the callback. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.

Filed Dec 1, 2023 · Electrical · WI

2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER was locked & battery was dead. Could not unlock using either the key fob or the mechanical key in the fob. Was told even the mechanical key requires battery power.

Filed Feb 10, 2022 · MA

On several occasions, using the key fob to remote start the car, once unlocking the car, the car doesn't turn off as it should when unlocked or touching the drivers side door. Once in vehicle (car still running), car is unresponsive until shifted from Park, then the engine shuts off and car is disabled for 10-15 minutes. Will not start, unresponsive to touching the push start ignition and dash says "Not ready to Drive." Brake pedal gets very hard. Have been unable to video the actions of the remote start in order to get it to a dealership.

Filed Aug 18, 2021 · Body, Electrical · AL

The door locks have stopped working one by one. First I noticed the driver door not unlocking or locking with the key fob, with the touch system on the door handle, or with the button on the inside panel. Then I noticed my back door on the driver side not locking or unlocking with the key fob OR with the button on the inside panel. Both of these locks are now manual only. And the front passenger door lock only works sometimes, so I imagine it will stop working altogether soon as well. This puts the safety of my belongings, myself, and my children at risk. I don't know how long this had been happening before I noticed it, so I very easily could have been unknowingly leaving my car unlocked all over town. I am unable to enter my car quickly because I have to take the key fob apart and use the manual key to enter the driver door, and then my son has to wait for me to manually unlock his door before he can get in. My daughter sits on the other side so he can't just switch to the side that works. Well he could but then my daughter would have the same issue. If it was an emergency situation and we had to get into the car quickly it's just not possible. Also in traffic or in parking lots when we are inside the car I feel like we are left vulnerable with the doors unlocked and I can't lock them without reaching and manually doing this for each door. Which I do, but shouldn't have to. A quick internet search has made it clear that I am FAR from the first person this has happened to with these vehicles. It is clearly an extremely common issue with Highlanders and other Toyota vehicles and it 100% should be a recall.