NHTSA lists 542 complaints for the 2021 Toyota Highlander, 16 of them mention a crash and 4 mention a fire. 12 complaints mention an injury, with 18 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-08.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as TOYOTA HIGHLANDER.
Model-generated complaint tags
These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.
Failure modes| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| mechanical failure | 219 | 40.4% | 0.82 |
|---|
| loss of control | 83 | 15.3% | 0.87 |
|---|
| noise or comfort | 76 | 14.0% | 0.76 |
|---|
| electrical electronic | 47 | 8.7% | 0.83 |
|---|
| restraint or airbag | 43 | 7.9% | 0.86 |
|---|
| unclear | 22 | 4.1% | 0.86 |
|---|
| visibility or lighting | 19 | 3.5% | 0.96 |
|---|
| structural or corrosion | 17 | 3.1% | 0.59 |
|---|
| fluid or fuel leak | 10 | 1.8% | 0.68 |
|---|
| fire or overheating | 6 | 1.1% | 0.92 |
|---|
Severities| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| low | 266 | 49.1% | 0.80 |
|---|
| moderate | 245 | 45.2% | 0.82 |
|---|
| high | 24 | 4.4% | 0.89 |
|---|
| none | 5 | 0.9% | 0.85 |
|---|
| critical | 2 | 0.4% | 0.83 |
|---|
Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 542 tagged complaints of 542 complaints (100.0%).
Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.
Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
5 recalls.
Date: 2026-03-05. Systems: SEATS.
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.
Consequence: A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 9, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyotaa s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2024-06-18. Systems: TIRES.
Defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander vehicles. The 20-inch accessory tires with an insufficient load rating for the vehicle's Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) were installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will inspect and replace the tires and information placard, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2024. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET24A.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2023-12-20. Systems: AIR BAGS.
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger (excerpt)
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury. (excerpt)
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Le (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2023-10-26. Systems: STRUCTURE.
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.
Consequence: A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 22, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2022-04-13. Systems: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC).
Defect: Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled (excerpt)
Consequence: Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
Remedy: Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Manufacturer communications
231 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 67 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 57 |
|---|
| STRUCTURE | 39 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 31 |
|---|
| ENGINE | 30 |
|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 12 |
|---|
| AIR BAGS | 7 |
|---|
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 6 |
|---|
11037202
Date: 2026-08-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.
OBSOLETE NOTICE August 20, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0051-26.
11037186
Date: 2026-08-11. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ENGINE.
Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyotaa s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customersa ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak.
11034823
Date: 2026-06-25. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
Some 2020 a 2026 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a water leak from the roof rack attachment clips. This may be caused by the sealant in the roof channel obstructing the proper seating position for the clip gasket.
11033412
Date: 2026-05-14. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyotaa s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customersa ownership experience. Toyota is providing extended coverage under this Customer S
11031158
Date: 2026-03-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Some 2020 a 2024 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the air conditioner does not cool due to a leak and/or corrosion in the rear underbody air conditioner tube and accessory assembly. The anti-corrosion material has been updated to reduce the poss
11029896
Date: 2026-02-27. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.
OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
11028726
Date: 2026-01-30. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
11028722
Date: 2026-01-28. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Some 2018 a 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.
11028712
Date: 2026-01-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Some 2005 a 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedur
11028711
Date: 2026-01-06. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyotaa s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customersa ownership experience. Toyota is providing extended coverage under this Customer S