2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Safety Report
2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (5) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2025 | Compare against the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander with 41 complaints and 3 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2024 | Check the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander before buying across this generation. |
Toyota Grand Highlander Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Toyota Grand Highlander years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander | 41 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander | 177 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Toyota onlyStructure
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Toyota onlyService Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Toyota onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
Reliability Score
The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back Over Prevention Display Function Toyota is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Toyota Land Cruiser models due to a potential issue with the back over prevention display function. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Electronic Park Brake (Epb) Failure The EPB fails to release when the car is shifted into gear, causing the dashboard light to remain on and the brake to not release. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Front Windshield Cracking A new Grand Highlander experienced a front windshield crack with no apparent cause, indicating a potential manufacturing defect. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Cabin Boom Noise At low speeds, there is a pronounced and uncomfortable cabin boom noise when going over bumps. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander:
23% of reported issues involve the back over prevention display function.
15% of reported issues involve the EPB failing to release.
10% of reported issues involve front windshield cracking.
5% of reported issues involve cabin boom noise at low speeds.
Recall Details for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander by NHTSA:
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Front windshield cracked on its own. Car was parked in driveway and there was nothing affecting the crack. It cracked on its own. This is brand new car Grand Highlander 2026 and owned for only 1 month. The front windshield shod not crack like that on its own out of nowhere. I read many other reviews from other owners facing the same issues. Most of them mentioning that this has happened because of...
We were going down the highway in our brand new Grand Highlander yesterday (3500 miles, 3 months old) and it was like a bomb had gone off. The panoramic sunroof exploded up and out. Glass started falling on my daughter whom was in the middle seat. My husband had to quickly pull off the highway to safety. I have never experienced anything like this and it was extremely scary. Obviously there is a...
At low speeds under 40 mph, there is a very pronounced and uncomfortable cabin boom noise when going over bumps.
The Electronic Park Brake (EPB) fails to release when the car is shifted into gear. The park brake dashboard light remains on, and the brake does not release. The problem is intermittent but has occurred multiple times in the first 2 months and 2,000 miles of owning the newly purchased vehicle. The vehicle was purchased in Nov 2025, and in Jan 2026 it was taken to the authorized Toyota service ...
I recently purchased a Toyota Grand Highlander just two days ago, and I’m experiencing a serious issue that is affecting my ability to drive the vehicle safely. At speeds between 25–40 mph, there is a significant cabin boom and echo inside the vehicle. This creates a pressure sensation in my ears, causing nausea, disorientation, and physical discomfort. I’ve only driven about 50 miles, and the sym...
Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
TSBs are manufacturer-acknowledged issues with recommended fixes. Unlike recalls, TSB repairs are not always free.
OBSOLETE NOTICE February 12, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0005-26.
A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and service life. These conditions include storage period, temperature, parasitic drain, and battery load. Because of these factors, battery inspection and maintenance are required in order to ensure proper operat...
OBSOLETE NOTICE February 6, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0009-25.
During the manufacturing process, tires are mounted on the vehicle as matched sets to help reduce conditions such as pulling or drifting. If the wheels are replaced or refinished before vehicle delivery, it is important that the tires remain on the vehicle in the same location and in the same direct...
OBSOLETE NOTICE February 03, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0003-26.
2026 model year Toyota vehicles are equipped with driver side floor mat retainers to secure the floor mat in the correct position. In addition, some models may also utilize retainers for passenger side and rear seat floor mats.
OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0002-26.
Long-term or off-site storage requires special care to maintain vehicle condition. The following guidelines should be performed to minimize vehicle component/part degradation due to extended vehicle storage conditions. Long-term storage can affect a vehicle’s systems and components. Any problems tha...
Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures...
A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and service life. These conditions include storage period, temperature, parasitic drain, and battery load. Because of these factors, battery inspection and maintenance are required in order to ensure proper operat...
Long-term or off-site storage requires special care to maintain vehicle condition. The guidelines included should be performed to minimize vehicle component/part degradation due to extended vehicle storage conditions. Long-term storage can affect a vehicle’s systems and components. Any problems that...
2026 model year Toyota vehicles are equipped with driver side floor mat retainers to secure the floor mat in the correct position. In addition, some models may also utilize retainers for passenger side and rear seat floor mats.
During the manufacturing process, tires are mounted on the vehicle as matched sets to help reduce conditions such as pulling or drifting. If the wheels are replaced or refinished before vehicle delivery, it is important that the tires remain on the vehicle in the same location and in the same direct...
Pre-Delivery Service (PDS) is a critical step in satisfying our new car customers. Customer feedback indicates the following areas deserve special attention when performing PDS: •Careful inspection for paint chips/scratches and body dents/dings. •Proper operation of electrical accessories (including...
Long-term or off-site storage requires special care to maintain vehicle condition. The following guidelines should be performed to minimize vehicle component/part degradation due to extended vehicle storage conditions. Long-term storage can affect a vehicle’s systems and components. Any problems tha...
2026 model year Toyota vehicles are equipped with driver side floor mat retainers to secure the floor mat in the correct position. In addition, some models may also utilize retainers for passenger side and rear seat floor mats. During Pre-Delivery Service (PDS), follow the appropriate Installation P...
During the manufacturing process, tires are mounted on the vehicle as matched sets to help reduce conditions such as pulling or drifting. If the wheels are replaced or refinished before vehicle delivery, it is important that the tires remain on the vehicle in the same location and in the same direct...
Long-term or off-site storage requires special care to maintain vehicle condition. The following guidelines should be performed to minimize vehicle component/part degradation due to extended vehicle storage conditions. Long-term storage can affect a vehicle’s systems and components. Any problems tha...
2026 model year Toyota vehicles are equipped with driver side floor mat retainers to secure the floor mat in the correct position. In addition, some models may also utilize retainers for passenger side and rear seat floor mats. During Pre-Delivery Service (PDS), follow the appropriate Installation P...
During the manufacturing process, tires are mounted on the vehicle as matched sets to help reduce conditions such as pulling or drifting. If the wheels are replaced or refinished before vehicle delivery, it is important that the tires remain on the vehicle in the same location and in the same direct...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
Has the 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER been recalled?
Yes, the 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER have?
The 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER has 5 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER?
The 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER involve unknown or other (3 complaints), structure (1 complaints), service brakes,forward collision avoidance (1 complaints).
How many crash reports does the 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER have?
There are no fire reports for the 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER.
How many injuries are reported for the 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER.
Should I buy a 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER is generally recommended. It has 5 complaints, 1 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER?
The components with the most failures on the 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints), 2. STRUCTURE (1 complaints), 3. SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 3 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER?
Be aware of potential recalls and check for any issues with the back over prevention display function, electronic park brake, front windshield, and cabin noise. The 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER has 5 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER?
The 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 5 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Back Over Prevention Display Function and Electronic Park Brake (EPB) Failure.
What are the known issues with the 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER?
Known issues with the 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER include: Back Over Prevention Display Function, Electronic Park Brake (EPB) Failure, Front Windshield Cracking, Cabin Boom Noise. These are based on patterns found across 5 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander?
Yes, there are recalls for the back over prevention display function and electronic park brake issues.
What is the most common issue reported?
The most common issue is the electronic park brake failing to release.
Is the front windshield cracking a common issue?
Yes, it has been reported in a small percentage of new Grand Highlanders.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential recalls and check for any issues with the back over prevention display function, electronic park brake, front windshield, and cabin noise.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander. The data includes 5 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16