Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Failed System: Fuel Injector Failure (?) at high speeds, under load (uphill), causing an immediate and life threatening loss of power. While traveling on the highway, going up mountainous areas, the vehicle loses power and shakes violently. During multiple repairs/visits, the dealerships state that it is the failure of fuel injectors. They are replaced, and it happens again with the same explanation. Safety: Three times my family has lost power at 70mph while traveling uphill surrounded by many cars. The last event ended in a a scary and close interaction with an 18 wheel truck that was unable to stop as we lost power. Dealer Confirmation: The dealer has confirmed, on two separate occasions, that the fuel injectors needed replaced. The vehicle has 3,000 miles on it. At 2,000 miles, damage was found to the fuel injectors. They were replaced and the car was placed back in my possession. …
During normal highway driving, a small road rock/debris entered through the front grille and damaged the radiator/heat exchanger. The damage caused coolant to leak, and the vehicle subsequently lost propulsion and became disabled. I had to stop driving the vehicle and have it inspected and repaired by a Toyota dealer. The Toyota dealer inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the radiator/heat exchanger was damaged by an outside object and was leaking. The dealer indicated that rocks or road debris can cause this type of damage. The total repair cost was approximately $1,350. I am concerned that the large openings in the front grille allow ordinary road debris to reach the radiator/heat exchanger, which is not adequately protected. …
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the air conditioner failed to operate. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the condenser had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the front grille had large open apertures and no protective screen between the grille or the heat exchangers. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure was associated with NHTSA Investigation: DP26006 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by telephone, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 15,450.
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, another vehicle struck a rock, and the rock went through the front grille of the vehicle and punctured the inverter radiator, causing a coolant leak and a loss of motive power. The message "Hybrid System Malfunction" was displayed following the loss of motive power. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the inverter radiator had sustained a puncture and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Action Number: DP26006 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 14,300.
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact was unable to fill the fuel tank completely. The contact stated that the fuel tank had a 17-gallon capacity; however, the contact was only able to get more than 10 gallons into the tank. Additionally, the contact stated that the Auto START/STOP feature was not functioning as needed. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,455.
Vehicle: 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max The vehicle intermittently experiences a severe hesitation and shudder during acceleration from approximately 0-40 mph. The condition occurs only under specific circumstances: -The vehicle has been parked long enough for the engine, transmission, and related systems to cool to ambient air temperature. -The vehicle is started and driven shortly thereafter. -Engine oil and transmission temperatures are below approximately 160 F. -The air conditioning system is operating at maximum cooling with Eco Air Mode enabled. -The hybrid battery indicator displays approximately three bars of charge. When these precise conditions are present, the vehicle may hesitate, shudder, and fail to respond normally to accelerator pedal input during acceleration. …
NHTSA investigations
Road debris/rocks damaging the heat exchangers
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated July 20, 2026. The Petition requests an investigation of road debris / rocks damaging the heat exchangers in model year (MY) 2024-2026 Toyota Grand Highlander vehicles. The Petition contends that the Grand Highlander's front-end grill has large, open apertures and no protective screen between the grill and the vehicle's heat exchangers.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Grand Highlander years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2024 (40), 2025 (16) and 2026 (7) model years. Engine complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 2024.
Is there a recall for Toyota Grand Highlander engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Toyota Grand Highlander model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Toyota Grand Highlander engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 15,000 miles; 100% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the cooling system › radiator assembly (2 mentions), followed by the cooling system (1).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.