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I’m a Lemon Law Attorney and I Analyzed 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Complaints
Problem analysis of the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander found issues including radiator damage from road debris, panoramic sunroof glass shattering, and transmission shifting problems.
Key Points
- Our team analyzed real consumer complaints, NHTSA data, owner reports, and internal case information to identify commonly reported problems with the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander.
- Owners most often report radiator and hybrid inverter damage from road debris, panoramic sunroof glass shattering, transmission shifting issues, fuel gauge inaccuracies, and front left axle defects.
- Owners with repeated or unresolved defects may have rights under state lemon laws, including a refund, replacement, or compensation.
A client reached out after their 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander suddenly lost power on the highway, warning lights flashing, family in the car, stranded on the shoulder waiting for a tow. The culprit turned out to be a rock that had passed straight through the front grille and punctured the radiator. On a brand-new vehicle.
I’m a lemon law attorney, so I’ve seen all sorts of issues over the years. But when I started digging into NHTSA complaints, owner forums, and our own internal data for the Grand Highlander, it became clear this grille design problem was showing up again and again across multiple owners.
As part of our ongoing series on common car problems, I dove into the top issues facing 2025 Grand Highlander owners. As always, it’s worth noting that not all Grand Highlanders will experience these issues. These are simply the most commonly reported defects, likely affecting a small percentage of vehicles.
Let’s dig in.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2024
Most Common Problems
Several data sources reveal recurring issues reported by 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander owners. Based on complaint frequency and severity, the primary problems include:
- Radiator Damage Due to Road Debris: Large grille openings allow rocks to puncture critical cooling components, causing sudden engine and hybrid system failures.
- Panoramic Sunroof Glass Shattering: Multiple owners report sunroof glass exploding spontaneously, sometimes while driving, leading to safety hazards and costly repairs denied under warranty.
- Transmission Shifting Problems: Rough or delayed gear shifts, jerking during acceleration, and occasional loss of acceleration requiring vehicle restart.
- Fuel Gauge and Range Inaccuracy: Fuel tank capacity discrepancies and faulty distance-to-empty readings causing unexpected refueling stops.
- Front Left Axle Defects: Premature axle wear causing clicking noises and unsafe driving conditions with extensive delays for part replacement.
Other complaints include excessive hood vibration, windshield and AC condenser vulnerability to road debris, and intermittent failure of back over prevention and braking systems.
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Complaint Summary
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Power Train | |
| Engine | |
| Structure:body | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | |
| Back Over Prevention | |
| Structure:body:hood | |
| Suspension | |
| Visibility/wiper |
Top Problem #1: Radiator and Hybrid Inverter Damage Due to Road Debris
I found numerous reports describing how the Grand Highlander’s front grille design exposes the radiator and the hybrid inverter radiator to road debris damage. This leads to coolant leaks and sudden power loss, sometimes on highways, creating dangerous situations.
- Sudden “hybrid malfunction” and “engine malfunction” warning lights during driving
- Vehicle enters limp mode with severely limited acceleration
- Fluid leaks from radiator or inverter cooling system
- Dealership denial of warranty coverage citing “road hazard” damage
- Parts often on backorder, leaving owners stranded for weeks or months
One owner shared
“Me, my husband, and 2 children were driving on I-5 when the car stopped accelerating and a “hybrid malfunction” code and “engine malfunction” code started flashing. Prior to this, there were no warnings. I was thankfully able to full over safely, but we were stuck on the side of I-5 for at least an hour waiting for a tow.”
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Top Problem #2: Panoramic Sunroof Glass Shattering
I noticed multiple complaints of panoramic sunroof glass shattering without any external cause. This dangerous event has occurred both while parked and driving, sometimes scattering glass inside the vehicle cabin.
- Glass explosion while driving at moderate speeds with no apparent impact
- Falling glass shards inside cabin risking injury, especially to rear passengers
- Dealership refusal to cover repair cost under warranty, citing outside influence
- Repair costs exceeding $2,000 out of pocket
- Owners feeling unsafe driving the vehicle after sunroof failure
An owner stressed: “The sunroof shattered on the freeway with no warning or impact. The glass fell on my children in the back seat. Toyota refuses to cover under warranty, stating outside influence. I am confident there was no outside influence causing the glass to explode.”
Top Problem #3: Transmission Shifting Problems
I discovered repeated reports of transmission issues, especially rough shifting and hesitation at low speeds. These problems cause safety concerns when merging or in stop-and-go traffic.
- Harsh or jerky shifts during acceleration from stop or low speeds
- Vehicle occasionally refuses to shift gears properly, requiring restart
- Stuttering or shaking at speeds between 20-40 mph
- No consistent warning lights or error codes visible to owners
- Dealers sometimes unable to replicate the problem and limited fixes deployed
One complaint stated
“The car often fails to shift gracefully from first gear, resulting in rough or hard shifts that are jarring and unsafe, particularly during acceleration or in stop-and-go traffic. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has refused to shift correctly, requiring me to pull over, turn the car completely off, and restart it to restore proper shifting functionality. The dealer said they could not duplicate the issue.”
Top Problem #4: Fuel Gauge and Range Inaccuracy
Several owners experience fuel system issues, including discrepancies between tank capacity and actual fuel fill, leading to inaccurate distance-to-empty estimates.
- Fuel gauge showing empty about 4 gallons before the tank is actually empty
- Fuel tank refusing more than 11-13 gallons despite rated 17.2-gallon capacity
- Unexpected early refueling stops and range anxiety
- Dealers dismissing the problem as normal with no available fix
One owner noted
“My fuel gauge consistently shows empty long before the tank is truly dry. This has caused me to make many surprise stops. The dealer just says this is normal and won’t address it.”
Top Problem #5: Front Left Axle Defects
The front left axle shows premature wear in many vehicles, causing clicking noises and raising safety risks due to faulty drivetrain performance.
- Rotational clicking sound when accelerating and turning at low speeds
- Dealership delays on replacement parts, with wait times extending several months
- Owners advised not to drive the vehicle due to safety concerns
- Complaints of poor dealer communication and lack of clear repair timeline
A concerned owner shared
“The car was running perfect, 9 months after I bought this car, before 20,000 miles Front Left Axle become defective, and therefore, the dealer promised to replace it, but I am still waiting from the dealer”
What Should You Do If Your 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Is a Lemon?
I define a lemon as a vehicle with a substantial defect covered by warranty that significantly impairs use, value, or safety, and that the manufacturer or dealer cannot fix after a reasonable number of attempts.
If you experience repeated problems like those I described, start documenting everything: service visits, repair orders, communications with the dealer, and dates of failures. I urge you to file complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as well as your state consumer protection agency.
Lemberg Law helps owners understand their rights under state lemon laws and can review your case for free. You don’t owe us any attorney fees unless we win. Lemon law deadlines can expire, so I encourage you to contact Lemberg Law today before it’s too late to protect your legal rights.
Please reach out for a no-cost consultation to discuss your options and potential compensation. We stand ready to represent you and hold manufacturers accountable.
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About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
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