5.3

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
21,800 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (9 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Toyota dealer.

problem #9

Nov 222018

Highlander Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,500 miles

While driving the navigation/radio will freeze and become unresponsive. The radio will then reboot and reset all settings back to default. There are numerous complaints on various forums. I asked the Toyota dealer to fix this issue. The dealer said they would have to analyze and since the mileage was not under 36K, it would not be covered under warranty. We thought it may be related to the GPS software, but, this happens whether using the GPS or not. So there has to be an issue with the premium audio system installed. Toyota needs to accept responsibility for this and fix given the number of other complaints with the same issue. This issue randomly occurs and is still an issue. One online suggestion was to update the software and the mapping data. I saw another solution to update the firmware. This should be Toyotas issue to fix.

- Barbara H., Burke, US

problem #8

Dec 192017

Highlander LXI V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

Car radio and related system reset for no reason. Is happening more often of lately. Toyota should recall and repair this before their customers decide to go somewhere else next tine

- Brian Q., White Lake, US

problem #7

Jul 012017

Highlander XLE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,500 miles

I took a 3000 mile road and noticed that the entertainment system would freeze and reset every few hours. It was very annoying. I forgot to mention it to my dealership when I took it in for an oil change but I plan to mention it next time. I heard there is a software update so there might be hope for this PIA issue.

Other than that, the Highlander has been a dream of a vehicle. I absolutely love it.

- chickenpeppers, Santa Ana, US

problem #6

May 102017

Highlander XLE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

Problem with audio resetting started out once in awhile. Yesterday I returned from a 9 hour drive and I stopped counting at 10 times the system reset. Then you have to go through the gps reset as well.

Not a happy camper.....

- tigers, Temple, US

problem #5

Sep 012015

Highlander

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

My navigation also continually resets itself. Could be several times in one trip or sometimes it will go a few weeks. Yesterday I had a new problem. It started randomly dialing people on my phone. It made four phone calls in a row. I was able to hit the hang-up button right away on all but the last call and then my screen was frozen so it wouldn't hang up. Never had that happen before. I have now turned my bluetooth option on my phone to off :(

I also agree that the seats are the most uncomfortable. I thought it was just me until I saw it mentioned on the website. I am starting to really hate my car and it's only 2 1/2 years old. I like to keep my cars a long time rather than wasting my money on new, but I can't wait to get rid of this car. I hate it. Don't think Toyota will be my next car. I used to think Toyotas were great cars. My very first two cars were Toyotas. This one is the worst! I'm going back to Honda.

- debralynn, Simi Valley, CA, US

problem #4

Oct 012014

Highlander Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles

The radio/navigation/apps system will restart while I'm driving, whether I'm just using navigation my UBS input of the radio. For example, the radio stops, the screen goes blank and then it's the same as when I first start the car. It forgets some of my settings, like the navigation screen settings and one-time set up like Dealer/Maintenance record, but not my radio stations and the address book for navigation. Sometimes it returns with the radio on and to the station I was listening, other times with the radio off and when I turn it on, the station is different but still one in the memory.

I used to go months between this happening, but the last time I took it out, it happened 3 times during a 45 minutes trip, prior to that it happened twice in a 45 minute trip. So, I'm bringing it to the dealer. I called first and he said he's heard this from other owners and appears to be a growing complaint. He won't know what to do to fix it, but he wants it on record so Toyota will be advised.

Imagine taking a 7 hour trip, which I do 2-3 times a year, and having this occur every 15 to 20 minutes. It would be intolerable.

Update from Mar 12, 2016: Brought into dealer and they found a software update. They mentioned that the issue might have to do with the smartphone I'm using, an IPhone 5S. After almost 2 weeks, the problem has no reappeared, so hopefully, it's fixed.

- joep-nj, Wall Township, NJ, US

problem #3

Jan 162016

Highlander LX 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,000 miles

Intermittent Computer Failure: It began with the clock resetting. Dealer was very concerned but could not locate the cause. "Bring it in if it happens again". Last week the entire computer system went down. No clock, no interior lights, rear hatch would not open, the entire console information center went black, nothing! the dealer wants it in ASAP. Really great dealership !!!

I got the computer to re-boot when stopped at a red light: Turned the car off for about a minute and restarted. Problem was gone, except for the clock, which had to be reset.

This is the only problem I've had with this vehicle in 16 months of ownership.

Lou S

- Louis S., Stratford, US

problem #2

Feb 102015

Highlander Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

I have not noticed the frequency to which the audio settings reset, but thought it was independent based off the XM station or Audio Input. After seeing the complaint here from another owner, it confirms the issue.

- Mark H., Boynton Beach, FL, US

problem #1

Mar 272015

Highlander Limited 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,800 miles

The audio system settings for bass and treble regularly reset back to flat defaults. This happens for the unique settings on all inputs (FM, XM, CD, Bluetooth, etc.) at unpredictable, but semi-regular intervals.

- Kameron G., Grants Pass, OR, US