ToyotaHighlander2012Overview/toyota/highlander/2012/base/

2012 Toyota Highlander

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Highlander.

Body SUV

The 2012 Toyota Highlander is an SUV whose engine oil service calls for 4.7 quarts across the 5W-30, 5W-20, and 0W-20 API viscosity grades. In the model's recorded history from 1997 through 2026, the 2012 model year has drawn 190 owner complaints—below the 2021 peak of 475 and above the 1997 low of 1—with steering standing out as the top complaint area and 2 recalls issued. That placement between the historical extremes makes the 2012 Highlander a useful reference point for researchers assessing its long-term ownership risk against the broader Highlander lineup.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-20 / 0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque97 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9672335028. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnDCTYOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-65R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9672335028 alt 9030179006
Engine air filter17801YZZ01 alt 1780131141
Fuel filter770240E030 alt 770240E060
Spark plug9091901247 alt 9091901233
Battery2880064132 alt 2880031293
Front wiper blades852220E040 alt 8521206110
Serpentine belt99367K0810 alt 90916A2019
Thermostat1632562010 alt 90916A3002
Cabin air filter8713902090 alt 8713950100

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length188.6 in
Overall width75.2 in
Overall height69.3 in
Wheelbase109.8 in
Curb weight3847 lb
Track (front / rear)64.2 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Highlander of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.0–7.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.00 sec — 2008 Limited
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011Limited 3.5L V67.10 sec15.60 sec270 hpAWD
2011Limited 3.5L V67.20 sec15.60 sec270 hpAWD
2011Hybrid Limited 3.5L V6 + Elec7.30 sec15.60 sec280 hpAWD
2008Limited 3.5L V67.00 sec15.50 sec270 hpFWD
2008Sport 3.5L V67.00 sec15.60 sec270 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.7 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-20 / 0W-20 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 97 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.9
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.9 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · 5W-20 · 0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity4.7 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts192 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts184 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Main Bearings16
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts97 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub217 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub217 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)1300 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.90-1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.95 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca
Standard BCI Group NumberS55D23L

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum44.1 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum49.7 psi
Residual Pressure21.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum55.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum61.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle76 ft-lbs / 57 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.0059 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.39 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.39 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.983 in / 0.334 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 127 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
127 ft. lbs.27 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
390 degrees.; Bolts 9-10: 22 ft. lbs.; Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt, threads and flanges with engine oil.90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miHybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)
At 200,000 miHybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Toyota Highlander recorded 190 complaints and 2 recalls, which is lower than the complaint peak of 403 in 2008 and the recall peak of 13 in the same year. Within its second‑generation span (2008‑2013), complaints fell from the 2008 high to a low of 134 in 2009, then stabilized in the 180‑210 range for 2010‑2013, while recalls declined sharply after 2010. Compared to the years immediately before and after 2012—2011 (186 complaints, 5 recalls) and 2013 (210 complaints, 3 recalls)—the 2012 figures are comparable, showing no upward trend in either metric. The data indicate that, after a problematic period in 2008‑2010, the generation entered a phase of relatively consistent, moderate complaint levels and low recall frequency. Consequently, the 2012 Highlander offers a balanced record of modest complaints and few recalls, making it a prudent choice among used models from this generation.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
340
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
190
Owner complaints
16 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 190 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering43
Structure18
Electrical System14
Unknown Or Other13
Visibility/Wiper12
Engine7
Vehicle Speed Control7
Air Bags7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

13V014000Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-InactiveReported 16/01/2013

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year… Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21…

13V123000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 09/04/2013

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and… Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 340 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0119-15 Rev22026-02-13EngineOBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
T-SB-0009-262026-02-13EngineThis bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high…
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Highlander. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Highlander take?

4.7 qt of 5W-30 API, 5W-20 API 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Highlander have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.