Toyota Grand Highlander problems and known issues

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The most-documented Toyota Grand Highlander problems are recalls rather than long-term wear items: 2024 curtain airbags that may deploy outside an open window, an instrument panel that can stay blank at startup, a backup-camera software fault, and 2026 rear axle carriers and front steering knuckles that may have been made incorrectly.

CarWhere lists 5 documented Grand Highlander issues, including 5 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source.

Grand Highlander generations at a glance

Toyota Grand Highlander generations and the known issues listed for each
GenerationModel yearsIssues on this page
1st gen2024–presentCurtain airbags can deploy outside an open window (recall 24V461) · Instrument panel can stay blank at startup (recall 25V595) · Backup camera image can freeze or go blank (recall 25V744) · 2026 rear axle carriers may break (recall 26V437) · 2026 front steering knuckles can crack (recall 26V598)

1st gen Grand Highlander problems (2024–present)

Curtain airbags can deploy outside an open window (recall 24V461) (2024)

Safety recall
Generation:
1st gen (2024–present)
Years:
2024
Powertrain:
All

The driver- and passenger-side curtain airbags on 2024 Grand Highlander and Grand Highlander Hybrid models (and Lexus TX) may not unroll as intended and could partly deploy outside an open window, so the vehicle does not meet the federal ejection-mitigation standard. Dealers replace both curtain airbag assemblies.

Symptoms

  • No symptoms before a crash

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work

NHTSA recall: 24V461 (2024-06) · 145,254 vehicles

Sources: [1]

Instrument panel can stay blank at startup (recall 25V595) (2024–2025)

Safety recall
Generation:
1st gen (2024–present)
Years:
2024–2025
Powertrain:
All

A software error at startup can leave the 12.3-inch instrument panel blank on 2024–2025 Grand Highlanders and many other Toyota and Lexus models, so speed and brake and tire-pressure warnings are not shown. Dealers update the software, over the air for most non-plug-in models.

Symptoms

  • Blank gauge display after starting

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
  • Start the vehicle several times and confirm the display comes on each time

NHTSA recall: 25V595 (2025-09) · 591,377 vehicles

Sources: [2][3]

Backup camera image can freeze or go blank (recall 25V744) (2024–2026)

Safety recall
Generation:
1st gen (2024–present)
Years:
2024–2026
Powertrain:
All (with Panoramic View Monitor)

A Panoramic View Monitor software error can make the backup camera freeze or show a blank screen in reverse on about a million 2022–2026 Toyota, Lexus and Subaru vehicles, including the Grand Highlander. Dealers update the parking-assist software free of charge.

Symptoms

  • Backup camera freezes or shows a black screen in reverse

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
  • Shift into reverse several times and confirm a live camera image

NHTSA recall: 25V744 (2025-10) · 1,024,407 vehicles

Sources: [4][5]

2026 rear axle carriers may break (recall 26V437) (2026)

Safety recall
Generation:
1st gen (2024–present)
Years:
2026
Powertrain:
All

Rear axle carriers on certain 2026 Grand Highlander and Grand Highlander Hybrid models (and Lexus TX) may have been made with insufficient material strength and could break, causing a sudden loss of stability. Dealers check the carrier codes and replace affected parts.

Symptoms

  • Clunking or wandering from the rear
  • Rear wheel looks out of alignment

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work

NHTSA recall: 26V437 (2026-07) · 5,408 vehicles

Sources: [6][7]

2026 front steering knuckles can crack (recall 26V598) (2026)

Safety recall
Generation:
1st gen (2024–present)
Years:
2026
Powertrain:
All

A manufacturing error can leave cracks in the front steering knuckles of a small number of 2026 Grand Highlander and Grand Highlander Hybrid models (and some Lexus TX and RX), which could break and cause a loss of steering control. Dealers inspect and replace the knuckles as needed.

Symptoms

  • Clunk or play in the front suspension
  • Steering feels vague or pulls

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work

NHTSA recall: 26V598 (2026-09) · 617 vehicles

Sources: [8]

Related Grand Highlander research

This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints relative to the rest of the model’s history is answered in the years-to-avoid research where CarWhere publishes it.

Confirm how a Grand Highlander was built before you buy.

Engine, transmission and packages decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere Toyota build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Toyota build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What are the Grand Highlander recalls?

Key recalls are 24V461 (2024 curtain airbags), 25V595 (instrument panel can stay blank), 25V744 (backup camera software), 26V437 (2026 rear axle carriers) and 26V598 (2026 front steering knuckles). All repairs are free.

Is the 2024 Grand Highlander airbag recall serious?

Recall 24V461 says the curtain airbags may partly deploy outside an open window, which can reduce protection in a crash, so the vehicle does not meet the federal ejection-mitigation standard. Dealers replace both curtain airbag assemblies.

Why is the Grand Highlander dashboard blank at startup?

Recall 25V595 covers a software error that can leave the instrument panel blank at startup on 2024–2025 Grand Highlanders and other Toyota and Lexus models. Most are fixed with a software update.

Does the 2026 Grand Highlander have suspension recalls?

Yes. Recall 26V437 covers rear axle carriers that may break on certain 2026 models, and 26V598 covers a smaller group whose front steering knuckles may crack. Dealers inspect and replace parts as needed.

How do I check a Grand Highlander for open recalls?

Enter the 17-digit VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup or Toyota’s recall site, or ask a Toyota dealer. Recall repairs are free regardless of mileage or owner.

Sources

Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. NHTSA recall 24V461: Curtain Air Bag May Deploy Improperly/FMVSS 226 (Recalls Data record) — NHTSA (U.S. DOT open data)
  2. NHTSA recall 25V595: Instrument Panel Failure (Recalls Data record) — NHTSA (U.S. DOT open data)
  3. Toyota Recalls Certain Toyota and Lexus Vehicles: 12.3-inch instrument display (Sept. 11, 2025) — Toyota USA Newsroom
  4. NHTSA recall 25V744: Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (Recalls Data record) — NHTSA (U.S. DOT open data)
  5. Toyota Recalls Certain Toyota and Lexus Vehicles: Panoramic View Monitor backup camera (Oct. 30, 2025) — Toyota USA Newsroom
  6. NHTSA recall 26V437: Rear Axle Carrier May Break (Recalls Data record) — NHTSA (U.S. DOT open data)
  7. Toyota Recalls Certain Model Year 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander and Lexus TX Vehicles (July 8, 2026) — Toyota USA Newsroom
  8. NHTSA recall 26V598: Loss of Steering Control from Cracked Steering Knuckle (Recalls Data record) — NHTSA (U.S. DOT open data)

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota Motor North America or any Toyota distributor. Toyota, TRD, i-FORCE MAX, Hybrid Synergy Drive and the model names are trademarks of their owners.