In-car Electronics
CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.
What Owners Say
"After many. Many service visits for the camera problem, 3 different dealers acknowledged the camera problem, but it took Toyota many, many months to agree to camera replacement."
W S., DC (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"Backup camera shifted so more of the license plate was in the field of view. Toyota said that was “normal” and wouldn’t fix it"
Anonymous, CA (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"The back up camera is worthless, when the sun is shining on it. The car should have sensors that beep when approaching an object while backing up. This would have prevented an accident by me."
Thomas Z., CO (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"Homelink- seems to only work at a very limited area of my driveway"
Anonymous, NJ (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"software replacement solved the problem"
Richard B., FL (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"Same issue described previously, they are all connected."
Anonymous, SC (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"I first noticed the problem when the display screen was blank. I was told this had to do with the radio. It seems it is tied together somehow. But with a blank screen there was no Bluetooth, navigation system or back-up camera or any information screens."
Diane C., TN (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"The entire CD, Radio, display screen, and navigation screen was replaced by Toyota; it was not a repairable issue."
Anonymous, AL (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"Problem was fixed quickly by dealer. A new program was installed."
S B., CA (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"the Screen simply went blank. Took it to dealer. It was repaired, but took a while to order new system."
George C., TN (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"Display screen went blank. Entire system was replaced"
Anonymous, FL (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"The screen goes blank while I am driving and the radio is playing. Sometimes a list of my contacts comes up without me initiating such a search. The dealership doesn’t find a problem but it does stop happening for a while after I take it in for a check of the system"
Shirley H., NC (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"Need a replacement unit. The whole thing is dead"
Jeff R., ON (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"When I launch Pandora Radio on Entune and it is connected to Wifi in my garage, it will have issues once the connection is lost. For example if Pandora is fully loaded and I leave the wifi coverage and use cellular data in a well covered area, Pandora will say insufficient connectivity and not reconnect. The same may also occur if it doesn't fully load and I leave wifi coverage to good cellular data coverage. When either of these situations occur, I have to turn off my car and turn it on again to get it to properly connect or turn off my phone, wait, and turn it on again. The Entune app on iPhone that you need to use Pandora on the Highlander is also terrible. It doesn't stay logged in and so you have to sign in frequently. It also sometimes doesn't connect properly to the Entune system so you have to restart the iPhone or turn the car off and then on again. It is truly an infuriating process."
Daniel L., OH (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"Messaging has not paired with my phone successfully."
Anonymous, MA (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"The whole entertainment system won't turn on."
Anonymous, (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"The mapping system is terribly outdated and mapping upgrades are poor."
Anonymous, TN (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"never really used it...not intuitive system"
Anonymous, TX (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"Navigation system is fairly basic, bare minimum. Not reliable, and must use cell phone navigation to get proper directions. In addition, the display on the dash has so much glare in sunshine that using backup camera is dangerous... unable to see objects."
Anonymous, TX (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"Stopped working with blank screen. Was given refurbished replacement which had numerous problems with freezing & restarting requiring multiple trips to dealer. Finally replaced with another refurbished system which finally worked. Very frustrating experience."
Anonymous, NJ (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"The navigation system does not automatically update to account for changes in daylight savings/standard time. Unless you uncheck the daylight savings time when standard time begins, the estimated arrival time is off by one hour. The reverse is true when daylight savings time begins."
Franklin D., CA (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"The entire electronic system had to be replaced. The radio, navigation system ,display screen, back up camera system all did not work. At that time I had less than 2000 miles. Fortunately, it was under warranty. I am not as confident in the Toyota brand as I once was."
Diane C., TN (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"Entune is not a good system. You cannot connect Google maps or other Android auto functions. It did not fail, but it is not good, old, clumsy etc."
Anonymous, CA (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"The system is actually working the way Toyota wants it to. But it is the worst Nav system I've ever come across. Very limited POIs. Cannot change categories. Cannot edit route or find a POI more than 1 exit ahead without coming to complete stop. Will not let a passenger make the entries either. Very difficult to make entries into address book, and cannot edit them for accuracy when Toyota info is wrong. Toyota has decided it is going to control all activity within their vehicles under the pretext of reducing driver inattentiveness. But there are so many apps in Entune and a mini info screen you have to continually scroll through that disabling the Nav system is not the biggest distraction of the vehicle. For persons that travel a lot, this is a totally unusable system. I hate it so much I may dump the vehicle all together. Absolute crap! I'm going back to using my old Magellan unit."
Carl B., AZ (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"While I was driving using the indash GPS, the map suddenly disappeared and the screen was blank. After that occasion for about 2 weeks the map would spontaneously show the display of radio stations. With no navigation system. I would have to pull off at times to get the map back in position. At times the radio would drop or pickup fm stations not set by me. The Toyota dealership checked, then said everything worked well. There were a few other incidences with the radio, but no concerns now."
Anonymous, AK (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"The maps were seriously out of date straight off the lot. I ask it to navigate me to a specific brand gas station and end up at a location that hasn’t been a gas station in years."
William D., TN (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"The Entune navigation system leaves a lot to be desired. It is nowhere as useful as Google or Apple apps. Also, contrary to what that said in their manual, I was NOT able to opt out on their collecting my personal driving and usage information!"
Anonymous, CA (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"Cumbersome to use. Touch screen response is erratic. Poorly designed. Keeps jumping out of selected feature. I stopped using it."
S B., CA (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"The navigation system does not have automatic updates so it is way outdated. I was told it can be updated every 3 years for over $300:00.. I do like the big screen but since the information /directions is outdated I don’t use it. I am quite disappointed since that was one of the main consideration when purchasing the car."
Shirley H., NC (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"Tied to the voice commands only"
Anonymous, IN (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"The GPS is a piece of shit. Leave you at a destination in the middle of nowhere, does not provide accurate info, gives you weird/insane routes. My 10 year old Garmin is much better."
Robert W., ON (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"Never operated correctly and Toyota charges for updates"
R D., LA (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"So busy that it seriously detracts. Needs non reflective glass. I must take my eyes off the road and shadow it with my hand to read it."
Anonymous, CA (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"The GPS map of my community disappeared. In addition, the lines reflecting streets and roads are so faint you can barely see them."
Anonymous, NM (2017 Toyota Highlander LE Plus 3.5-L V6)"Not at all intuitive. Why have a big manual for the nav system. Just make it simple and intuitive like Garmin does."
Anonymous, GA (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"We find it difficult to talk with the system. Tell it the name of a street and it may take 3-6 times to get the right street or town or street number."
John H., TX (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"While on calls using the bluetooth the call gets dropped from the connection. The phone call is still connected to the phone but not through the car system. This problem is ongoing and after 2 trips to Toyota dealership has not been resolved. The first time they updated the system and it did not work. The second time not sure what they claimed to have done but it still did not work."
Anonymous, NJ (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"The audio navigation on my iphone does not work when driving and prefer google on phone over in car navigation."
Anonymous, TX (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"Pairing my cell phone is hit-or-miss, varies from okay to so bad that I have to turn up volume to hear. And I have a brand new Samsung S10+ phone!"
Anonymous, TX (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"Problem with Bluetooth cutting in and out developed after adding Toyota software programs. Deleted Toyota software programs and Bluetooth work fine!"
Anonymous, SC (2017 Toyota Highlander LE Plus 3.5-L V6)"Two times of three I can't use my Bluetooth as it doesn't see my phone."
Yuri L., AB (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"Problem with echo in paired iPhone. Toyota agrees it is recognized issue that they tried multiple times to fix. They do not have a solution or additional suggestions"
Anonymous, GA (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"phone echo's when using"
R P., MI (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"USB ports are loose, phones constantly pair and unpair. Navigation is locked when in drive as well as music choices. A passenger can't even change the GPS or music stations. It's a terrible overall entertainment/GPS system with satellite radio."
Dennise R., NJ (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"Pairing is erratic. Switches randomly between family phones upon start up."
Anonymous, SC (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"Phone is recognized as a USB device not a phone"
Anonymous, MA (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"Doesn’t pair well with my iPhone. Won’t recognize simple commands or people in my contacts."
Anonymous, KY (2017 Toyota Highlander)"This is the worse bluetooth system I have ever worked with. Instead of calling Joe D Smith it ask me if I want co call D Smith. I have several people with only a mobile phone and it states they do not have a direct line do I want to call their mobile. We find it very difficult to change from one user to the second."
John H., TX (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"The whole entertainment system won't turn on."
Anonymous, (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"It began skipping channels. It was replaced with a new radio"
Anonymous, IN (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"I had the radio replaced twice because the top right hand touch screen didn't work"
Anonymous, MA (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"The HD Radio frequently drops audio during use and takes a long time to reconnect (if at all). This occurs during good radio coverage area."
Daniel L., OH (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"As noted on my previous comment, the entire system including the radio had to be replaced by Toyota."
Anonymous, AL (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"It shut down and had to return to dealer twice. They had to reset the software"
Stephen R., TX (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"would spontaneously change channels. If the car was shut off and restarted the problem would go away (for a while)."
Raymond G., IN (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"Worst radio of any vehicle I have had If I can see a any electric power line, static overpowers the radio"
T M., PA (2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 3.5-L V6)"The in car GPS/Entertainment system is a single unit that controls everything except the heat/air. The system updates do not always work properly and it randomly reboots. The dealer has tried to fix it and the system still sometimes goes blank and does not work. Their response was this is a software bug and our only action is to replace the unit at over $1300. We opted not to replace and just deal with the hassle of it not working 100% of the time."
Anonymous, SC (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"Engine suddenly lost all power, conjuring warning lights came on, and I crept at about 2-5 mph to the nearest dealer, fortunately only about 1½ miles from the incident. Just dumb luck I wasn't on a road trip or towing our trailer, and that it occurred locally, during business hours. Simple fix, but big potential disruption. Diagnosis was completely opaque to the driver."
Anonymous, (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 2.7-L 4 Cyl)"This was the final fix, but it took at least 3 to 4 attempts to get the right software. Once the correct software was installed, it has worked very well."
Anonymous, WA (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"Cheap sounding upgraded radio and speakers"
Richard W., NY (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"Can not understand commands. Never resolved."
Anonymous, (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"I have to repeat phone numbers 2 or 3 times to make a call"
Anonymous, AL (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"The Voice command is tied to the Nav system. Since the Nac system is no good, so also is the voice system. It cannot find or do anything because of the poor Nav system."
Carl B., AZ (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"Entune disables interacting with the system while driving with some features but not with others. One of the worst systems on the market."
Anonymous, NH (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"After using the voice tutor, I would verbalize a command and the system would not follow the voice command."
Anonymous, ON (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"The voice commands for the navigation system rarely works, resulting in having to manually put in the address. Also, the system rarely reads text messages."
Nathan M., IN (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"The voice control has a hard time recognizing my voice and the blue tooth for phone conversations is worthless. The people I’m speaking to say they can barely hear me."
William D., TN (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"System has trouble recognizing the verbal commands"
Anonymous, IN (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"See the previous comment"
Mike P., CA (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)"Voice commands for the navigation system are very hard to execute. Most of the time the system can't understand where I want to go, even though I can input the destination via the head unit. The navigation is no where near the ease of using Google Maps or Waze"
George G., MD (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"Voice control is virtually worthless. Terrible word recognition."
Anonymous, GA (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)"Voice recognition is poor. Does not understand proper names well, such as the names of businesses. For example, "navigate to Wingstop" might be interpreted as "rest stop," "Winstar" or even something really odd, like "winter socks". Retraining briefly improves performance"
Douglas V., TX (2017 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5-L V6)
"The video from the passenger mirror quit workin* over a year ago"
Anonymous, AL (2017 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)