2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Safety Report

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander presents a strong overall safety picture based on its NHTSA crash test ratings, achieving a 5-star overall rating, with 5 stars for side impact and 4 stars for frontal and rollover tests. This indicates robust performance in controlled crash scenarios. However, despite being a new model year, there are 5 total NHTSA complaints, with 0 reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths. The most common complaint component is 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' with 3 reports, followed by 'STRUCTURE' and 'SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE' with 1 report each. Specific complaints highlight issues such as spontaneous windshield cracking, panoramic sunroof explosion, and cabin booming noise at low speeds, suggesting potential manufacturing or design flaws in structural components. The vehicle has one recall, 'BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION', affecting certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. This recall addresses a rearview camera that may fail to display an image, increasing the risk of a crash. While this recall is significant for driver visibility, it does not directly relate to the structural complaints observed in the early complaint data. The low number of complaints (5 total) for a new model year is typical, but the nature of some complaints, particularly the structural issues like exploding sunroofs and cracking windshields, warrants close monitoring. Common complaint patterns, though few, point towards potential issues with the vehicle's structural integrity and build quality, specifically related to glass components and cabin noise. The 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' category, while vague, often encompasses new or unusual problems not fitting standard classifications. The single complaint regarding 'SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE' for an electronic park brake failing to release is also a concern for a new vehicle. While the crash test performance is excellent, these early complaints suggest areas where real-world reliability might diverge from controlled test environments, particularly concerning structural durability and minor electronic glitches.

Our recommendation: While the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander boasts excellent crash test ratings, potential buyers should be aware of early reports concerning structural issues like exploding sunroofs and windshield cracks, and an electronic park brake malfunction. Consider waiting for more long-term reliability data or thoroughly inspecting these areas before purchase.