Toyota’s Newest SUV Is Facing Another Quality Question
The Toyota Grand Highlander wasted no time climbing the family SUV ranks. Billed as the Highlander’s bigger, bolder sibling, it promises more third-row legroom, extra cargo space, and all the practicality and reliability Toyota fans expect.
Since it’s still the new kid on Toyota’s block, the Grand Highlander hasn’t racked up a laundry list of issues – at least, not yet. Aside from last month’s suspension recall (where a part could split under the right conditions), things have been pretty quiet.
But now, the Grand Highlander is making headlines for a whole new reason. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is poking around the 2024-2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid – not for a busted part or glitchy software, but for something much more basic: the front grille’s design.
Chase Bierenkoven
The Investigation Covers Around 87,000 Hybrid SUVs
The ODI says about 87,000 Grand Highlander Hybrids from 2024 to 2026 are under the microscope. The complaint states that the grille has gaping holes and no protective screen, which supposedly lets rocks and road junk fly straight through and smack into crucial cooling parts hiding behind the bumper.
We’re talking about the hybrid inverter radiator, the A/C condenser, and the main radiator – all sitting in the line of fire. If a rock punches a hole in any of these, you could end up with coolant or refrigerant leaking, and maybe even a faulty hybrid system.
This all kicked off when NHTSA got a petition on July 20, 2026. The petitioner rounded up 13 complaints, tossed in their own story, and now regulators are sifting through 14 cases altogether.
So far, the reports say the damage happened during totally normal driving – not off-roading or anything wild. The petition claims that even regular traffic can kick up enough debris to mess with the exposed cooling parts. The good news is that NHTSA says there haven’t been any crashes, injuries, fires, or fatalities tied to these incidents.
Toyota
Not a Recall Yet, but Owners Should Pay Attention
It’s important to point out that this is not a recall, or at least not yet. The ODI just opened a defect petition, which is basically step one in determining whether this warrants a full-blown investigation. The NHTSA will dig into the complaints and do their homework before deciding whether to take things any further.
That doesn’t mean Toyota will have to fix anything just yet. But when a petition gets opened, it usually means regulators think the complaints are worth a second look instead of just tossing them aside.
If you own a Grand Highlander Hybrid, you don’t need to panic or rush to the dealer. Just keep an eye out for any warning lights tied to the cooling or hybrid systems, watch for surprise leaks, and let Toyota or NHTSA know if you spot any damage after regular driving.
Toyota
About the author
Jacob Oliva
Senior Editor, Autoblog