2012 Toyota Highlander problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: Does the 2012 Toyota Highlander have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2012 Toyota Highlander. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Q: What gas mileage does the 2012 Toyota Highlander get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Toyota Highlander at about 22 mpg combined (21 city / 25 highway).

Q: How much is a 2012 Toyota Highlander worth?

Comparable 2012 Toyota Highlander listings run roughly $18,498–$28,000, typically around $23,162 (from 525 vehicles).

2012 Toyota Highlander at a glance

Safety recalls2

Owner complaints190

Overall safety4 / 5 ★

Combined22 mpg

Typical price$23,162

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Toyota Highlander recalls 2

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive NHTSA Campaign #13V014000 · 16/01/2013

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010…

Fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #13V123000 · 09/04/2013

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Sc…

Fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Toyota Highlander common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 190 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Structure

Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Engine

Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

Service Brakes

Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

Other/i Am Not Sure

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Suspension

Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

2012 Toyota Highlander safety ratings

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash★★★★★

Side crash★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Toyota Highlander SUV AWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 Toyota Highlander MPG & running costs

Combined22 mpg

City21 mpg

Highway25 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$2,838

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Toyota Highlander worth?

Low

$18,498

Typical price

$23,162

High

$28,000

From 525 comparable 2012 Toyota Highlander listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Toyota Highlander costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,190

Depreciation (5 yrs)$15,100

Total$29,290

Per mile$0.39

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($23,162) with the same model 5 model-years older ($8,072), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Toyota Highlander trims & engines on record

Trims

Base · Limited · SE · Base/Hybrid

Engines

3.5L 6-cyl 231 hp · 2.7L 4-cyl 185 hp

2012 Toyota Highlander vehicles on record

2012 Toyota Highlander Base5TDZK3EH4CS059863

2012 Toyota Highlander Limited5TDYK3EH5CS059446 2012 Toyota Highlander Base5TDZA3EH1CS025334 2012 Toyota Highlander Limited5TDYK3EH2CS058254 2012 Toyota Highlander Base5TDBK3EH8CS107107

2012 Toyota Highlander Base5TDBK3EH1CS094863

2012 Toyota Highlander Limited5TDDK3EH2CS093973

2012 Toyota Highlander Base5TDBK3EH8CS131696

2012 Toyota Highlander Limited5TDDK3EH9CS111353 2012 Toyota Highlander Limited5TDDK3EH1CS109502

2012 Toyota Highlander Limited5TDDK3EH4CS115066

2012 Toyota Highlander Base5TDBK3EH7CS112217

2012 Toyota Highlander Limited5TDDK3EH8CS102594 2012 Toyota Highlander Limited5TDDK3EH7CS125719

2012 Toyota Highlander Base5TDBK3EH1CS101746

2012 Toyota Highlander Limited5TDDK3EH9CS131909

2012 Toyota Highlander Limited5TDDK3EH3CS112711

2012 Toyota Highlander Limited5TDDK3EH0CS093812 2012 Toyota Highlander Base5TDZA3EH3CS026355 2012 Toyota Highlander Base5TDZA3EH9CS022522

2012 Toyota Highlander SE5TDZK3EH3CS059773

2012 Toyota Highlander SE5TDZA3EH0CS017936

2012 Toyota Highlander Base5TDZK3EH2CS065984

2012 Toyota Highlander SE5TDBK3EH3CS102154

Other Toyota Highlander model years

2012 Toyota Highlander — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Toyota Highlander have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2012 Toyota Highlander. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Highlander?

Based on 190 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are structure, electrical system, engine.

What is the 2012 Toyota Highlander safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 Toyota Highlander an overall crash-test rating of 4 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2012 Toyota Highlander get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Toyota Highlander at about 22 mpg combined (21 city / 25 highway).

How much is a 2012 Toyota Highlander worth?

Comparable 2012 Toyota Highlander listings run roughly $18,498–$28,000, typically around $23,162 (from 525 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.