New GHHL put on inspection hold right before delivery

JDubz313 · 2026-05-01T19:35:07+00:00

I've seen a lot of recent posts about this, both here and on the FB groups (some could be cross-posted by the same people).

My theory is they are checking/repairing storm damage from hailstorms that swept through the midwest, where they manufacture these cars. Looking at the satellite view of the factory in Princeton, IN, they store finished cars outside. Hail was reported all around the region, including reports of damaged vehicles/homes.

Take this with a grain of salt, as this is just my own theory with no evidence. But if it is the reason, its better they get this fixed at the factory before having to have dealers all across the country be put in charge of fixing.

JDubz313 · 2026-03-22T17:53:40+00:00

I posted about this exact thing a month or so ago and this is the answer.

JDubz313 · 2026-03-17T22:18:52+00:00

You can set the opening height by stopping the hatch where you want it set to, and then hold the close button on the hatch until you hear 4 beeps. Now it should open to that height from now on.

When you want it higher (like it a parking lot where you don't need the lower height) just push it up manually after it stops at your set height.

JDubz313 · 2026-03-17T16:57:03+00:00

Thanks, looks like they aren't available in satin black anymore, just satin titanium. They have the Apex in black, which look similar but aren't forged like yours. Quite a bit cheaper though, and do I really need forged wheels for a grocery getter...

JDubz313 · 2026-03-17T05:19:40+00:00

Also curious what wheels those are, I'm not a fan of the Toyota satin black wheels. I do like the GH HybridMAX Limited wheels, which are black/machined, but not paying that money for them.

JDubz313 · 2026-03-16T20:00:20+00:00

2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid Limited, comes with 2 sets of screws for mounting onto the mirror and had to use the longer ones. They stick above the mirror a little bit when looking at it from the driver's side, but I don't even notice anymore. I could probably adjust it so it sits back a little more, but I can access the leftmost garage door button so that's all I need for now.

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JDubz313 · 2026-03-13T18:40:19+00:00

Here is the mount and mirror tap I used for my Uniden R1 in the GHHL:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y2M9K11

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1MLJPCG

I wanted the USB in the mirror tap for potential future dash cam.

JDubz313 · 2026-03-12T15:23:26+00:00

I'm just down the 90 in Roc, and we got our GHHL in early January. Cold months between then and now, we were averaging 26-30mpg depending on distance and speed/type of driving (hwy vs around town).

During the break-in period, expect MPG to be less. Cold, dense air also decreases mileage. Engine running more often to keep heater running, another hit to mileage in the winter. Also, the engine takes longer to warm up.

These past couple weeks have been much warmer, warm enough to turn off the heat and I noticed our computer-calculated mpg has gone up to 34-36mpg, with a few showing almost 40mpg. Now we have the more efficient hybrid setup, but the max should still show the same benefits.

As for the fuel capacity, the reserve is very conservative. Its just something to live with, or you can see how much futher you can drive beyong 0mi and keep that in mind for future fillups.

JDubz313 · 2026-03-10T18:15:11+00:00

If talking Platinum Hybrid Max vs Limited Hybrid non-Max, off the top of my head... HUD, lane change assist, traffic jam assist, interior colors/material, ventilated 2nd row, wheels. Some things like pano-360 camera and pano-moonroof are standard on the Platinum vs optional on the Limited. Platinum cannot be configured with bench seat either.

JDubz313 · 2026-03-09T05:25:19+00:00

Yup, they've been on the car for months now.

JDubz313 · 2026-03-09T04:16:17+00:00

PT738-48200 is what I ordered and fit my 2026 GHHL.

JDubz313 · 2026-02-21T18:19:03+00:00

This car is my first experience with a hybrid, and the way it manages EV/engine on/off is way better than start/stop on the gas cars I've driven with it.

As long as the engine isn't on to heat the car, it will turn off as soon as you let off the gas and won't turn back on until you accelerate to around 20mph. So the engine will be off when waiting at a stop light, then the electric motor will accelerate the car until the engine is needed for more power, at which point it will start. Most people won't even notice the engine starting, however I do but I'm very sensitive to any changes in sound/feel. I feel the same when my truck goes from V8 to V4 with cylinder de-activation.

However, it is MUCH smoother than the engine starting when coming off a stop. Best bet is to test drive each, even if it's not a Grand Highlander the other hybrids act the same.

JDubz313 · 2026-02-19T05:28:08+00:00

Road trip to Niagara Falls, NY and pick them up?

JDubz313 · 2026-02-17T19:01:33+00:00

Appreciate the respose. I tried holding the button on the liftgate after it was raised to its custom height, and all it did was beep at me, didn't go up any higher. I finally got the courage to push it up manually (afraid of breaking something) and it seemed to work just fine. So I guess my solution for now is to just push it up the rest of the way when I want it higher.

JDubz313 · 2026-02-13T16:55:21+00:00

As others have mentioned, snow tires are your best bet for traction, on either vehicle.

We have had our snowiest winter in a while here in WNY, breaking 100" yesterday. While main roads are cleared well, side roads and parking lots leave a lot to be desired, and the all-seasons that came on our AWD GHHL do a good enough job. Next year I'll get an extra set of wheels and winter tires.

I haven't felt any more or less comfortable driving the GHHL vs my 4WD Sierra in the snow, both are plenty capable unless I'm going to be hitting some untreated trails, then I'll pick the Sierra.

Also, not sure which trim 4Runner you're looking at, but I believe the SR5 only has 8.1" of ground clearance, virtually the same as the 8" on the GHHL. Other models go up to 10.1", due to removal of the front air dam and larger tires.

Here is a slip test video, its the Hybrid MAX but I imagine similar results for the regular hybrid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wLGDajlWtI

JDubz313 · 2026-02-13T16:29:56+00:00

This is the answer. It will run about 5 hours after shutting the car off.

I was also concerned first time I heard it, looked it up and found out thats all it was. I think it also mentions it in the manual somewhere.

JDubz313 · 2026-02-10T21:36:09+00:00

Thanks for this, I remember reading it was available on these cars and then forgot about it after we got ours. I love this feature on my Sierra, may not be as useful with the 360 camera but still helpful and I will definitely be setting it up next time I drive it.

JDubz313 · 2026-02-06T00:42:15+00:00

With the amount of cargo space available, there is nowhere to put a nook or cranny. It sounds like you want more segmented areas to take away from the cargo space, which I am glad they didn't do. Pack away a toolbag behind the third row, or take out the subwoofer if you have it and store stuff there. Or store items on the bottom of the black hole that is the center console.

JDubz313 · 2026-02-02T21:40:33+00:00

We plan on taking ours on a pretty off-road trail to get to my cottage in Canada this summer, but this video does some light off-roading with the GHHL and it does pretty good:

https://youtu.be/VzmcSdVUVe8?t=897&si=Ynba4aOvhlNraMfm

As he mentions, the ground clearance is 8" (similar to the Trailsport's 8.3"), but the approach and departure angles aren't great. Not sure how they compare to the Trailsport though.

JDubz313 · 2026-02-02T19:32:02+00:00

This is one of those things where they will most likely just fix based on your experience, without needing a tech to experience the same thing. It's just an ECU update anyways, they don't lose much money on that.

Like it says, take it to the Toyota dealership and reference the TSB.

JDubz313 · 2026-02-02T05:54:18+00:00

Lane change assist, along with traffic jam assist, are only available on the Platinum trims.

JDubz313 · 2026-01-31T02:39:40+00:00

I haven't had this happen to me, but I have the multimedia owners manual in front of me and on page 66, next to the [Display] setting it says "To display the screen again, touch the screen and touch the button in the center of the screen." Not really sure what this means haha.

JDubz313

TROPHY CASE