← Back to Search

2012 Toyota Highlander Base V6 FWD

The 2012 Toyota Highlander Base V6 FWD is a 270-hp 3.5-liter V6 SUV with a 5-speed ect-i automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $29,245 MSRP and is rated at 20 mpg combined.

It makes 270 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb-ft of torque at 4700 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway (20 mpg combined).

The Highlander measures 188.4 inches long on a 109.8-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,045 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$29,245 ($41,396 *)
MSRP with Destination$30,055 ($42,543 *)
Destination Charge$810
Engine
Engine Type2GR-FE 3.5L DOHC 24-valve Dual VVT-i V6
Displacement3.5 L
Horsepower270 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Torque248 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC 24-valve Dual VVT-i
Bore and Stroke94 x 83
Injection TypeSequential multi-port EFI
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission5-speed ECT-i automatic
Fuel Economy
City18 MPG
Highway24 MPG
Combined20 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular Unleaded
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar
Rear SuspensionIndependent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar
Brakes
Front Brake Disc12.9 in. ventilated disc
Rear Brake Disc12.2 in. solid disc
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front17 in.
Wheels Rear17 in.
Tires FrontP245/65R17
Tires RearP245/65R17
Dimensions & Weight
Length188.4 in
Width75.2 in
Height68.1 in
Wheelbase109.8 in
Front Track64 in
Rear Track64.2 in
Ground Clearance8 in
Approach Angle22°
Departure Angle23°
Cargo Volume10.3 ft³
Curb Weight4,045 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front40.6 in
Headroom Rear40.1 in
Legroom Front43.2 in
Legroom Rear38.3 in
Shoulder Room Front59.7 in
Shoulder Room Rear59.5 in
Hip Room Front56.7 in
Hip Room Rear56.5 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall ★★★★★
Frontal crash ★★★★★
Side crash ★★★★★
Rollover ★★★★★ (19.8 % risk)
Tested variant: 2012 Toyota Highlander SUV FWD
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2012 Toyota Highlander SUV AWD: 4 ★ overall

Recalls

2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Toyota HIGHLANDER. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Apr 9, 2013 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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 Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.

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 remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

NHTSA campaign 13V123000

Jan 16, 2013 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

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 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

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, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

NHTSA campaign 13V014000

191 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2012 Toyota HIGHLANDER

Owner Complaints

191 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Toyota HIGHLANDER (16 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 5 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Steering47
Electrical System30
Unknown Or Other24
Structure22
Engine17
Service Brakes15
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Aug 21, 2026 · Service Brakes, Forward Collision Avoidance
“While driving one day i got the ABS light and brake light on on my car screen and the small display showed "Barke Malfunction" when i did the scan it is C1391 Code which is for ABS Accutator issue…”
Jan 4, 2026 · Other/I Am Not Sure
“The unmatched handle completely broke. So now the insert and the base are stuck together and I can not unlatch them to use this carseat properly to transport my son. I have to take the base and all…”
Dec 29, 2025 · Suspension, Engine And Engine Cooling
“The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that 5,000 miles after purchasing the vehicle, the contact noticed an oil leak. The contact performed the oil changes and had noticed that…”
Sep 25, 2025 · Tires
“The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a Tire Center, which was unable to determine the cause of the…”
Jul 26, 2025 · Structure
“The paint is malfunction , and is available for inspection upon request.”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

← Back to Search