TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Toyota Highlander cruise control problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
5crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 11 cruise control complaints filed for the 2012 Toyota Highlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TOYOTA: ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY INFORMATION REGARDING THE INSPECTION, REMOVAL, AND INSTALLATION, IF LUBRICATION OR OIL, IS APPLIED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Eleven owners of 2012 Highlanders reported sudden unintended acceleration during parking, low-speed maneuvers, and stops—sometimes occurring multiple times in a single trip. Incidents happened across mileages from 4,000 to 11,500 miles. During these events, brake pedals frequently became rock-hard and unresponsive, and several drivers reported engine RPM surging to 3,000 or higher. One owner experienced excessive vibration at 10 mph followed by unresponsive brakes and unwanted acceleration. Another described the brake as "rock hard—no response" during a red-light stop. Drivers used multiple tactics to regain control: shifting to Neutral, applying brakes with both feet, or turning off the engine. One vehicle crashed into a house twice (during forward and reverse), another went over a curb, and one hit a concrete wall and was totaled. Toyota dispatched inspectors and engineers to at least three vehicles but concluded no defect existed. One owner awaited resolution under California Lemon Law; another refused to drive the vehicle after a third occurrence. Owners noted Toyota blamed driver error despite incidents occurring with foot firmly on brake or vehicle at a stop.
Same Toyota Highlander cruise control reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration during parking or low-speed maneuvers
Vehicle accelerates suddenly without driver input while parking, entering driveways, or attempting low-speed stops. Occurs during forward or reverse movement, sometimes repeatedly in succession.
When: Reported across mileages from 4,000 to 11,500 miles; incidents span 2012–2014
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden rapid acceleration with no pedal input; Vehicle accelerates when shifting between gears; Acceleration occurs during parking attempts with brake pedal depressed; Repeated acceleration events on same trip
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles inspected by Toyota service and manufacturer representatives; no repairs performed. Multiple owners report Toyota engineers found no defect or design issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota issued recalls for unintended acceleration in some 2012 Highlanders. Manufacturer inspection teams investigated but concluded no defect existed in the complaints reviewed. No technical service bulletins or warranty remedies mentioned by owners.
Brake failure or unresponsiveness during unintended acceleration events
Brake pedal becomes hard, unresponsive, or fails to function during episodes of sudden acceleration. Drivers report multiple brake applications with no effect until vehicle strikes obstacle or is shifted to Neutral/Park.
When: Occurred at 4,000 miles and during low-speed parking situations; timing of recurring events 2013–2014
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal becomes rock hard with no response; Brake ineffective despite repeated applications; Loss of braking coincides with engine revving to 3,000+ RPM; Braking restored after vehicle collision with curb or barrier
Repairs/costs cited: No brake repairs documented. One owner applied brakes with both feet and shifted to Park to regain control.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No brake-specific recalls, TSBs, or warranty actions mentioned in narratives.
Engine racing or excessive RPM during stops or gear transitions
Engine RPM surges to elevated levels (3,000+ RPM) when vehicle approaches stops or when shifting gears. Engine continues racing even after brakes applied or when vehicle at standstill.
When: Multiple occurrences reported; one owner documented three consecutive events on February 4, 2013, and another on June 16, 2013
Symptoms owners cite: Engine RPMs spike to 3,000+; Engine racing when slowing down or coming to complete stop; Engine acceleration triggered by gear shifts; Engine continues to race until turned off manually
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report turning off engine multiple times as temporary solution to stop racing. No permanent repairs provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota attributed events to driver error. No recalls or service bulletins specific to engine racing mentioned.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
While entering a parking spot with foot firmly on the brake the vehicle experienced sudden and unanticipated acceleration resulting in the car crashing into a concrete wall and being totaled. Witness corroborated the sound of a the engine at high RPM immediately before the crash.
Had cruise control trouble with your 2012 Toyota Highlander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2012 Toyota Highlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 5,700 and 11,500 miles, with the median around 7,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 5,700; a quarter make it past 11,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Toyota/Highlander.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.