Toyota Highlander problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 2,757 owner complaints and 44 recalls on file for the Toyota Highlander (2005–2026). The 2021 Highlander has the most serious complaints, most often about transmission & drivetrain.

Complaints
2,757
Recalls
44
Model years
22
Worst year
2021

Complaints by model year

1020056630200783292009413220114444201342742015451872017216465201931952920212611852023431020252
NHTSA complaints per Toyota Highlander model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Toyota Highlander years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2021 Toyota Highlander — 529 complaints, 16 crashes, 4 fires; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
  2. 2019 Toyota Highlander — 465 complaints, 17 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
  3. 2020 Toyota Highlander — 319 complaints, 16 crashes; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
  4. 2018 Toyota Highlander — 216 complaints, 18 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
  5. 2022 Toyota Highlander — 261 complaints, 18 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2007 (30 complaints).

Every Toyota Highlander model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2026 Highlander20000Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2025 Highlander102014Acceleration & Cruise Control
2024 Highlander434057Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
2023 Highlander185120129Body & Structure
2022 Highlander261181135Transmission & Drivetrain
2021 Highlander529164184Transmission & Drivetrain
2020 Highlander319160204Transmission & Drivetrain
2019 Highlander465171133Transmission & Drivetrain
2018 Highlander216181234Transmission & Drivetrain
2017 Highlander1876293Transmission & Drivetrain
2016 Highlander456142Electrical System
2015 Highlander746491Electrical System
2014 Highlander420104Body & Structure
2013 Highlander444033Engine
2012 Highlander441002Steering
2011 Highlander323045Engine
2010 Highlander4131410Brakes
2009 Highlander291008Brakes
2008 Highlander834559Brakes
2007 Highlander300004Brakes
2006 Highlander664056Brakes
2005 Highlander103025Seats & Seat Belts

Most common Toyota Highlander problem areas (all years)

  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    776 complaints
  • Brakes
    429 complaints
  • Engine
    317 complaints
  • Electrical System
    286 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    273 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    240 complaints
  • Airbags
    173 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    138 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    93 complaints
  • Steering
    86 complaints

Complaint trend

2020202120222023202420252026
Complaints about the Toyota Highlander received by NHTSA each month.

Toyota Highlander recalls

  • Recall 26V128000Mar 5, 2026686,588 vehiclesModel years 2021–2025

    Risk: A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 25V872000Dec 17, 202539 vehiclesModel years 2024–2025

    Risk: A seat belt that does not properly restrain an occupant increases the risk of injury during a crash.

  • Recall 25V744000Oct 30, 20251,024,407 vehiclesModel years 2023–2025

    Risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V595000Sep 11, 2025591,377 vehiclesModel years 2023–2025

    Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

  • Recall 25V040000Jan 29, 20251,716 vehiclesModel years 2023

    Risk: A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

  • Recall 24V548000Jul 23, 202433,848 vehiclesModel years 2023–2024

    Risk: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 24V452000Jun 18, 20244,763 vehiclesModel years 2021–2024

    Risk: Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 24V419000Jun 6, 20244,869 vehiclesModel years 2022–2024

    Risk: Tires with an insufficient load rating may be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 23V865000Dec 20, 2023999,901 vehiclesModel years 2020–2021

    Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

  • Recall 23V720000Oct 26, 2023750,795 vehiclesModel years 2020–2023

    Risk: A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 23V480000Jul 12, 2023152,927 vehiclesModel years 2023

    Risk: A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.

  • Recall 22V310000May 6, 2022661 vehiclesModel years 2022

    Risk: An illegible label may allow the vehicle to be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 20V682000Nov 4, 20201,525,742 vehiclesModel years 2017–2019

    Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 20V633000Oct 14, 20203,121 vehiclesModel years 2020

    Risk: Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

  • Recall 20V162000Mar 19, 202038,810 vehiclesModel years 2020

    Risk: Improper fuel supply programming can result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 20V012000Jan 13, 20201,830,752 vehiclesModel years 2018–2019

    Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 19V244000Mar 27, 20193,634 vehiclesModel years 2019

    Risk: If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 18V211000Apr 3, 20186,046 vehiclesModel years 2018

    Risk: A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 17V831000Dec 20, 2017649 vehiclesModel years 2018

    Risk: An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 17V520000Aug 23, 20171,121 vehiclesModel years 2017

    Risk: The roof rails may loosen and possibly detach from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 17V295000May 2, 2017409 vehiclesModel years 2017

    Risk: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 16V775000Oct 24, 20167,056 vehiclesModel years 2016

    Risk: If the brake fluid level is low and is not detected, the braking performance may be decreased, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 16V420000Jun 9, 20164,253 vehiclesModel years 2016

    Risk: An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 16V396000Jun 2, 20167,749 vehiclesModel years 2005–2011

    Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 15V689000Oct 22, 20151,814,284 vehiclesModel years 2008–2011

    Risk: If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

Other Toyota models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology