I Bought a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, It’s a $60,000 Car and My Navigation Doesn’t Work, Now Toyota Says I Have To Pay More For Their App For It To Work

That Toyota is subjecting their customers to this after paying all the money for the features up front is disappointing to say the least. I have owned a Toyota since 1985 and given this policy I am not at all comfortable with buying another one. I know that I don’t even look beyond their brand when purchasing vehicles but that will definitely change. If all of the manufacturers are engaging in this practice I will give every consideration to forgoing these enhancements all together when I replace my Highlander. Greed gets to the point that it rules actions and customers be dammed!

Yes I found out the same way. Mine also has a dash cam I think needs a subscription too. I haven’t really looked into it.

As an employee of a Toyota dealership I can tell you this complaint is rubbish. The Nav or Remote Start will not work if you do not download the app for free and opt into data consent. Toyota makes it very clear what trial subscriptions the vehicle comes with and what the terms are for each service. Simply use your Nav with Apple Carplay for free and stop your complaining.

Rich people get to read the fine print along with the rest of us.
That said, this sounds something like up and coming VP's, also known as newly minted master degrees, making mistakes at the highest level. Think in terms of the CEO for Target retiring, the new guy destroying a decades-old couponing marketing system, only to have Target bring the retired CEO back. Toyota has been grinding up it's reputation for reliability in favor of walking around looking for pocket change on the sidewalk.

Or you can just plug your phone into the USB port & use your phone’s music and navigation apps.

Also bought a ‘24 Grand Highlander and found out I have to pay for the map to show up. Lame. Also frustrating is the gas tank isn’t as advertised and neither is the gas mileage unless you drive like a super grandma.

I bought 2023 Nissan Pathfinder and they were clear that

I bought 2023 Nissan Pathfinder and they were clear that after months I need to subscribe for remote start. I have never subscribe, the GPS works without subscription, and remote keys works. I only need subscription to use my phone to start the car. I can use the key why subscribe to use the phone. Only advantage with phone the distance doesn't matter.

In 2024, Titus-Will Toyota makes you sign electronically that you understand how Toyota connect works (the trial is 3-months for ATT Hotspot and likely 1 yr for the rest) and the agent has to help you sign up for the service before you leave the lot. It doesn’t matter what you paid for the car. Bluetooth works for your Apple music and Google maps-you need to know how to set it up. The $15/month is for the ATT wifi.

It looks like you have quite a bit to learn about Toyota don't you? 🤣

I have a 2022 Highlander Hybrid and the fact that the trial ends after a year is in all of the owners paperwork. There were two trifold pamphlets that came with my car that discussed the Toyota connect app, remote start from app anywhere you are. Distance never an issue. And the other was about the emergency connect, their on star. Nothing was hidden. I as the owner was responsible for reading the information.

I bought a used 2022 Tundra, last year, and I have the same problem. A vehicle that costs over $60,000 and the map feature that doesn't work. I wanted it ALSO for the Heads up display which I absolutely loved in my 2001 Pontiac Aztek (underrated vehicle). I'm very sad that I HAVE to use Android auto for the maps and then I have to do SEVERAL button touches to get back to using my usb music if I want to change from IHeart music.

I am not not sure why she's so shocked. They tell you that when you buy the the car. I purchase 2023 highlander as well they told me that after a year i would have to pay to use the navi and the phone app which allows to control the car from anywhere. Both of them have seperate charge you can buy together or individually. Most of the people use phone navi anyway. All the cars are coming like this now.

Just get a aftermarket remote starter should run about $300 and u never have to pay for it again. U can get it to work off factory remote or get separate remotes for longer distance. Yea u shouldn’t have to go through all that but it’s either that or pay another monthly fee on top of vehicle payment. And as for navigation all newer vehicles should have Apple car play and android auto which once connected u can use ur navigation on ur phone and it mirrors on to the radio.

Um this isn't just Toyota. Consumers should take note many auto makers are doing this now. For all their problems right now, it was a reason I bought my Nissan Titan, loaded plus no monthly none sense or over complex infotainment. Much more basic while still having features

The infotainment system is junk in my 2023 Highlander Toyota. The screen goes blank at times and a request to enter your code keeps popping up. Taken to the dealer three times for this repair but after updates it still doesn't work properly. The service person quit returning my calls after telling me Toyota would have a software update in the future. When? I finally contacted another service person who right away told me he had a customer with the same problems but didn't expect a software fix until after the first of the year (2025). This has ruined my experience with a really good vehicle except for this. Considering trading it in for a Subaru Ascent.

I bought a new 2021 Rav 4 from the dealer and loved it. Was never told about the subscription to power the navigation or the remote start or the call for help button . I was pissed when I received a notification that it would cost me to continue these features. It would have looked much better if the salesman would have mentioned that it was going to happen. Very deceptive. Needless to say, I use my iPhone for navigation and do not remote start the car.

Fell for this one as well, and after getting in the habit of remote locking and using my phone as a key I find myself basically lied to but still paying the app fee for my wife as it makes her feel safer to know she can check car status remotely. At least offer discount for yearly. Horrible way to make pennies off loyalty but customers remember these jabs and will remember next time we buy a new car!

Yes, same thing on both of our vehicles...
2000 Kia Telluride
2021 Mazda CX-5
It's the way of the world today.

I have a 2024 Grand Highlander and the same thing just happened. Had no idea about this.

Don't mind paying for services that maintenance and updates (Nav, streaming, internet), but remote start should be free. Come on sync the fob to the car and forget it, no need for a subscription.

Welcome to the club… Imagine how mad were people who bought 2018 - 2019 Lexuses only to discover that Toyota was using 3g modules and when couple years later it was phased out your premium vehicle lost all connectivity and not an option to upgrade!
Their new gen of management should go to hell.

I bought a 2024 Rav 4. I specifically asked if I would lose navigation and was told not for 10 years. I asked about it multiple times and different ways. Same answer 10 years. Imagine my surprise when 1 year to the day navigation is gone. Getting ready to buy a new Toyota Tacoma at same dealership but not that salesman.

I bought a used 2021 Toyota Sienna in August 2024. After three months the remote start suddenly stopped working. After a ton of hassle and confusion, I was ultimately told the same thing, that I now have to pay monthly for it. I called the dealership and told them what I thought about that. Of course the salesperson didn’t say anything when I bought it. The remote start and heated seats were the top two features my wife wanted with the car. I got the dealership to agree to splitting the cost of installing a third party remote start in the car. Cheap bastards, they misled me during the purchase and now can’t muster the full $400 to make it right. Awful, sleazy, cowardly, and incompetent behavior on Toyota’s part. The dollars don’t matter, this is fully about the principle, I just don’t know why they can’t see that. The message I’m getting is they don't really care about me as a customer. They sort of care, since they’re paying half, but only because I twisted their arm. Imagine negotiating to save yourself $200 when you were fully in the wrong. Despicable.

I have been complaining about this for years. Bought a Toyota Venza hybrid. Love the car. Salesman never talked about subscriptions. Get the notice I now need to pay to keep remote start and their connected services.

You are told how great the car is, you buy for a new car and its features and then find out you have to start paying annually to keep these features.

This is deceptive to the point of fraud. We need to start a class action against this.

My subscription ran out last month...I am still shocked this is my family's 8th or 9th Toyota. This scheme is so underhanded and childish that it will be my last Toyota! My 2014 avalon remote start still works as does the nav. So bye Toyota enjoy pulling your surprises on the unsuspecting potential customers

My story is equally frustrating but it’s not about a subscription it’s about new technology after buying a newer car and that it’s ok for the technology to just not work at all after purchasing over a year ago. My 2020 Outlander Sport SUV has the infrotainment technology and after only being 4 years old it’s going to cost me $500 to fix even though it’s a common issue with that particular vehicle. Things that cost thousands of dollars should last longer than a couple years!