Toyota Grand Highlander Dash Cam Adapter — Dongar Technologies

New for 2024-2026

Toyota Grand Highlander Dash Cam Adapter

Plug & play dash cam power for every Grand Highlander trim — 2024 to 2026
<5 min
Install time
0
Tools required
18W
True USB-C output
11
Submodels covered

The Toyota Grand Highlander is Toyota's newest 3-row family SUV — bigger than the standard Highlander, with a stretched wheelbase and third-row legroom that actually works for adults. Whether you have a gas, hybrid, or Hybrid Max powertrain, there's a Dongar adapter that fits your Grand Highlander. Multiple connection points, trim-specific options, and the cleanest dash cam install you can get for protecting your family on every drive.

Why not just hardwire? Hardwiring means tapping into the fuse box, running wire through trim panels, and hoping your dealer doesn't flag it during warranty service. Dongar's plug & play adapters connect directly to existing OEM connectors — no cutting, no tools, and everything hides behind the mirror shroud or inside the domelight cavity. Install and remove in minutes.

Which Adapter Fits Your Grand Highlander?

The Grand Highlander launched in 2024 with up to four compatible Dongar products depending on your model year and trim. Here's the full breakdown across all 11 submodels:

2024 Grand Highlander

Trim Mirror (DCA-10B) TSS (DCA-16T) Domelight (DCA-5A) PRO (PMA-01)
XLE ✓ (Harness 10B)
XLE Hybrid ✓ (Harness 10B)
Limited ✓ (Harness 10B)
Limited Hybrid ✓ (Harness 10B)
Platinum ✓ (Harness 10B)
Platinum Hybrid ✓ (Harness 10B)

2025 Grand Highlander

Trim Mirror (DCA-10B) TSS (DCA-16T) Domelight (DCA-5A) PRO (PMA-01)
All trims (XLE, Limited, Platinum, Hybrid variants) ✓ (Harness 10B)

2026 Grand Highlander

Trim Mirror (DCA-10B) TSS (DCA-16T) Domelight (DCA-5A) PRO (PMA-01)
XLE / Limited / Platinum (gas & hybrid) ✓ (Harness 10B)
LE
Hybrid LE
2026 LE / Hybrid LE owners: The new base-trim LE does not have an auto-dimming mirror, so the DCA-10B will not fit. The DCA-16T (TSS computer) is your adapter — it works on every Grand Highlander trim regardless of mirror type.
PRO uses Harness 10B: All Grand Highlander trims with Homelink (XLE and above) use the 10-pin Harness 10B included in the Dongar PRO box. This is the same harness used on other modern Toyotas with the 10-pin auto-dimming mirror connector.

Connection Points Explained

Rearview Mirror

DCA-10B (10-Pin Type B)

Plugs into the auto-dimming mirror connector underneath the plastic mirror shroud. USB-C output mounts on the windshield near the mirror — easy to access and disconnect. Requires auto-dimming mirror (not available on 2026 LE/Hybrid LE).

Domelight Cavity

DCA-5A (5-Pin Type A)

Plugs into the OEM dashcam connector inside the overhead console. This is the same port Toyota provisions for their dealer-installed dashcam. Lives entirely hidden in the ceiling. Available on 2025+ Grand Highlander (most trims).

TSS Computer

DCA-16T (16-Pin Type T)

Shares power from the Toyota Safety Sense lane-trace assist computer near the mirror base. Does NOT connect to the mirror itself. Works on every Grand Highlander trim, including the 2026 LE — making it the universal option.

Don't confuse the connectors! Behind the mirror shroud, you'll see both the mirror connector (10-pin) and the TSS computer connector (16-pin). They look similar but are different products for different connectors. The DCA-10B pamphlet warns: "Most Toyotas have a 12-Pin Safety Sense Connector that can easily be confused with your rearview mirror connection: DO NOT UNPLUG THIS." Use the Compatibility Finder to confirm which adapter you need.
A note on dealer-blame and the blindspot monitor: In a Grand Highlander forum discussion, an owner reported that their dealer blamed an aftermarket accessory for a blindspot monitor warning light. While the Dongar adapter was not the cause, this highlights why the DCA-5A (domelight) is the safest option from a dealer-blame perspective — it connects to a completely separate OEM dashcam connector on its own dedicated fuse, with no electrical relationship to the mirror, BSM, or any ADAS system. If your dealer is the type to question accessories, the DCA-5A gives you the cleanest story.

How to Install

Mirror Install (DCA-10B)

  1. Tilt your rearview mirror down and remove the plastic mirror shroud (it pops off with gentle pressure)
  2. Locate the 10-pin mirror connector underneath the plastic mirror shroud — NOT the nearby TSS connector
  3. Unplug the mirror harness
  4. Plug the Dongar adapter inline between the harness and mirror
  5. Route the USB-C cable behind the headliner to your dash cam
  6. Replace the shroud — done

Domelight Install (DCA-5A)

  1. Pull the overhead console / domelight assembly straight down (requires firm force — it clips in with red clips)
  2. Locate the white 5-pin connector on the driver's side, usually taped up from the factory
  3. Plug the Dongar adapter into the connector
  4. Route the USB-C cable to your dash cam
  5. Push the domelight assembly back into place — done

TSS Install (DCA-16T)

  1. Remove the plastic mirror shroud to expose the TSS module area
  2. Locate the 16-pin TSS connector near the mirror base (different from the mirror connector)
  3. Unplug the TSS harness
  4. Plug the Dongar adapter inline between the harness and TSS module
  5. Route the USB-C cable behind the headliner to your dash cam
  6. Replace the shroud — done
Pro tip: The 5-pin domelight connector (DCA-5A) is the same one Toyota uses for their dealer-installed OEM dashcam accessory. It's on its own dedicated fuse — meaning no interaction with your mirror, ADAS sensors, or any other electrical system. For Grand Highlander owners concerned about dealer warranty scrutiny, this is the safest install point.

Parking Mode

Want your dash cam recording while your Grand Highlander is parked at soccer practice, the grocery store, or overnight? You have options:

A word about parking mode: It sounds great on paper — your dash cam watches your car 24/7. In reality, memory cards fill up quickly with motion-triggered clips (especially in busy parking lots), and most front-only or front+rear cameras won't capture a side-impact hit-and-run anyway. Repeated charge/discharge cycles can also wear on your vehicle battery over time. That said, if you do want parking mode, the Dongar approach gives you more flexibility than generic hardwire kits — easy install, easy removal, and built-in voltage cutoff to protect your battery. That's why we invented these products: to give you more options, not fewer.

Dongar PRO PMA-01

3-position switch:
• IGN — on with engine only
• Timed — 4 hours after parking
• Continuous — up to 36 hrs, 11.8V cutoff

Includes 5A + 5C + 10B harnesses in one box. Use Harness 10B for Grand Highlander.

Dongar PRO+ PRS-01

OLED display + one-button menu:
• Custom voltage cutoff (0.01V precision)
• Custom timer (hrs + mins, default 8hr)
• Energy Budget mode (Eco/Normal/Heavy)
• 5V always-on + Parking Mode CC for Viofo/RedTiger

Same harnesses as PRO. Swap module & mount if upgrading.

Grand Highlander Hybrid owners: Your hybrid doesn't use the 12V battery to start the engine — the high-voltage hybrid system handles that. This means extended parking mode is even less of a concern for your battery. The PRO's low-voltage cutoff provides an extra safety net regardless.
Using a Viofo or RedTiger dash cam? These cameras have non-standard USB-C implementations. The Dongar PRO+ has dedicated "5V Output Always-On" and "Parking Mode CC" settings that bypass the USB-C handshake, letting these cameras properly enter and exit parking mode. The PRO will keep them recording continuously, but they won't enter their low-power standby state.

What Grand Highlander Owners Are Saying

Installed the Dongar mirror adapter on my 2024 Grand Highlander Limited — took about 5 minutes. The USB-C cable tucks perfectly behind the headliner. Clean as factory.

— Grand Highlander owner, verified purchase

With three kids and a brand-new Grand Highlander, having a dash cam running at all times was non-negotiable. The Dongar PRO with the 10B harness was the easiest install I've done on any car.

— Amazon Review, 2025 Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid

I love the Dongar. After years of dumb cigarette lighter cables that are impractical to run from a center console up to the windshield, the Dongar makes it really easy.

— u/AlpacaNeb, r/ToyotaTacoma (Dongar multi-vehicle owner)

Dongar vs. Hardwire Kits for Grand Highlander

Feature Dongar Adapter Traditional Hardwire Kit
Install time <5 minutes 30-60+ minutes
Tools required None Trim tools, wire strippers, test light
Fuse box access Not needed Required — must remove panels
Wire cutting None Add-a-fuse or splice
Dealer warranty risk Minimal — OEM connectors Higher — modified fuse box
Removability 30 seconds, no trace Difficult to fully reverse
Parking mode PRO/PRO+ with smart cutoff Depends on kit — many lack cutoff
USB-C output 18W true USB-C PD Varies — often micro-USB only

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Dongar adapter do I need for my Grand Highlander?

2024 (all trims): DCA-10B (mirror) or DCA-16T (TSS computer). 2025 (all trims): DCA-10B, DCA-16T, or DCA-5A (domelight). 2026 XLE/Limited/Platinum: DCA-10B, DCA-16T, or DCA-5A. 2026 LE/Hybrid LE: DCA-16T only — no auto-dimming mirror on the base LE trim. For parking mode, add the Dongar PRO (PMA-01) with the included Harness 10B. Use the Compatibility Finder to confirm your exact trim.

Will installing a Dongar adapter void my Grand Highlander warranty?

No. Dongar adapters are plug & play — they connect inline to existing OEM connectors without cutting, splicing, or modifying anything. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a dealer cannot void your warranty simply because an aftermarket accessory is installed. They would have to prove the accessory caused the specific failure. The DCA-5A (domelight) is especially clean from a dealer-blame perspective because it connects to a dedicated OEM dashcam port on its own fuse — completely separate from your mirror, blindspot monitor, and all ADAS systems.

I saw a forum post about the blindspot monitor light coming on after installing accessories. Should I be worried?

There's a well-known Grand Highlander forum discussion where a dealer blamed an aftermarket accessory for a blindspot monitor warning. In that case, the root cause was unrelated to the accessory. However, if you want maximum peace of mind, the DCA-5A (domelight) is your best bet — it plugs into a completely separate OEM dashcam connector on its own dedicated fuse. It has zero electrical relationship to the mirror, BSM, or any ADAS system. You could also use the DCA-16T, which connects to the TSS computer and is also electrically separate from the BSM.

What's the difference between DCA-10B, DCA-16T, and DCA-5A?

Three different adapters for three different connection points — all providing the same 18W USB-C power:

  • DCA-10B (Mirror): Plugs into the 10-pin auto-dimming mirror connector underneath the plastic mirror shroud. Easiest to access. Requires auto-dimming mirror.
  • DCA-16T (TSS): Plugs into the 16-pin Toyota Safety Sense computer near the mirror base. Works on ALL trims, including 2026 LE. Universal option.
  • DCA-5A (Domelight): Plugs into the 5-pin OEM dashcam connector in the overhead console. Hidden in the ceiling. On its own fuse — safest from dealer-blame perspective. Available on 2025+ trims.

For the Dongar PRO, all harnesses come in one box — you choose which connection point to use.

Can I run two Dongar adapters at the same time for a dash cam and radar detector?

Yes — on 2025+ Grand Highlander trims with the auto-dimming mirror, you can run one Dongar on the 10-pin mirror (DCA-10B) and another on the 5-pin domelight (DCA-5A) simultaneously. They're on different fuses. Perfect for powering a dash cam and a radar detector separately. For RJ11 radar detectors (Uniden, Escort, Valentine), pair with the USB-C to RJ11 converter cable.

Installation Resources

Product Install Pamphlet (PDF)
DCA-10B (10-Pin Mirror) Download PDF
DCA-5A (5-Pin Domelight) Download PDF
DCA-16T (16-Pin TSS 3.0) Download PDF
Dongar PRO (PMA-01) Download PDF
Dongar PRO+ (PRS-01) Download PDF

As Featured In

TechRadar: "This ingenious adapter is the dash cam installation hack I've been waiting for"

autoevolution: "Dongar Dashcam Adapters Are the Automotive Accessory You Didn't Know You Needed"

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