There are 2 owner-reported fuel system complaints for the 2012 Toyota Highlanderin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
WHEN FILLING THE HIGHLANDER WITH FUEL, IT LOOKS LIKE A WATERFALL OF FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A GAS TANK ISSUE BUT A PROBLEM WITHIN THE LINES? ONCE YOU STOP FUELING WITH THE MAJOR LEAK AND GO TO ANOTHER AREA THERE IS NO FUEL DROP UNDERNEATH THE TANK.
ON (OR ABOUT) THE LAST WEEK OF MAY 2015, I HAD MY AUTO SERVICED AT THE DEALSHIP. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE 'THROTTLE BODY' NEEDED 'CLEANING' AND THIS WAS DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP AT THAT TIME. ON JUNE 4, 2015, I WAS BACKING INTO A PARKING SPOT ON A PARKING LOT, WIITH THE CAR 'COASTING' BACK AND MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. ABOUT HALF WAY INTO THE 'SPOT' THE CAR ENGINE SUDDELY ACCELLERATED AND I HAD TO USE EXTREME PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO OBTAIN A 'MINIMUM' OF SLOWING. THE CAR ONLY CAME TO A STOP WHEN THE REAR TIRES, MADE CONTACT WITH AN 'IN-PLACE' CEMENT PARKING BARRIER AND THE ENGINE ACCELERATION ONLY CEASED WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN 'PARK' GEAR. IT HAS NOT OCCURED SINCE, NOR HAS IT EVER OCCURED WHILE DRIVING FORWARD. I AM A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER WITH YEARS OF TRAINING IN DRIVING AND DRIVER SAFETY, AND AM CERTAIN OF THIS ACTION OCURRING AS I HAVE DESCRIBED.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026