2021 Toyota Highlander problems, complaints & recalls

2021 Toyota Highlander recalls (4)

• Recall 26V128000Mar 5, 2026686,588 vehicles
  SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

  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.

  Risk: 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 Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.

• Recall 24V452000Jun 18, 20244,763 vehicles
  TIRES

  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."

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 23V865000Dec 20, 2023999,901 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

  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 air bag from deploying.

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

  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 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

• Recall 23V720000Oct 26, 2023750,795 vehicles
  STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

  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.

  Risk: 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.

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

Recent 2021 Toyota Highlander complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Oct 6, 2026NJTransmission & Drivetrain

   Noticed a whine noise slowly progressing over a couple of weeks. Researched the sound and took it for diagnostic eval. with Holman Toyota in Mt. Laurel, NJ on 10/3/2026. As suspected, the transmission is failing. Mechanic documented via video the fluid sample containing suspended metallic particles with discoloration and burnt odor. They also verified the whining sound coming from the transmission. This is a known failure for the 2021 highlander with a TSB bulletin. Although…

   NHTSA complaint #11769405 · source
2. Filed Oct 5, 2026OHBrakes

   When traveling at slower speeds and applying the brakes on a slight decline, my 2021 Toyota Highlander HYBRID lurches forward with alarming force. On probably 5 separate occasions, this has nearly resulted in me lurching into traffic running perpendicular to me. I have come within 2-3 feet of lunging into oncoming traffic and I am probably the poster child for defensive driving. I had to push the brake petal forcefully to stop. I have not allowed my daughter to drive my car…

   NHTSA complaint #11769154 · source
3. Filed Oct 4, 2026NETransmission & Drivetrain

   65K miles on the vehicle and have started to get a whining noise from the transmission during acceleration. UA80F transmission installed with multiple class action lawsuits against Toyota for this issue as it leads to catastrophic failure with high replacement cost. Stopped driving the vehicle and looking into transmission replacement options. Toyota needs to be held liable for mechanical defects.

   NHTSA complaint #11768883 · source
4. Filed Oct 4, 2026MOTransmission & Drivetrain

   We bought a 2021 Toyota Tacoma Platinum in November 2020. In February 2021, Toyota issued a Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0008-21. The bulletin say transmissions may exhibit a whine or grind noise from the transmission. This condition may be caused by an issue with the front carrier assembly pinion shafts. This bulletin says repair is covered under the Toyota Powertrain Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 60 months or 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the…

   NHTSA complaint #11768861 · source
5. Filed Oct 3, 2026SCTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission jerks and shutters at low speeds on acceleration 0-20 mph. Vehicle has low milage 25518 at which time the dealer re-flashed the software on july 29th 2026.The vehicle was fine for two months , then on October 3rd the problem came back on October 3rd 2026 hesitating like a premature upshift from 1st to 2nd gear at 5 mph with a shutter. The current mileage is 28000 on the vehicle and the problem is intermittent.

   NHTSA complaint #11768772 · source
6. Filed Oct 2, 2026TXBody & Structure

   My 2021 Toyota Highlander is experiencing the exact bumper/under-cover detachment detailed in NHTSA Recall 23V720. In August 2025, an authorized dealer performed the interim 23TA12 clip remedy. That remedy has completely failed. The lower bumper and engine splash shields are unzipping and actively dragging on the ground, creating a severe road hazard. Fred Haas Toyota World on I-45N and Toyota Brand Engagement are both refusing to inspect this failed safety remedy unless I…

   NHTSA complaint #11768575 · source
7. Filed Oct 1, 2026VAOther / Unknown

   Toyota issued a safety bulletin in reference the issue with front carrier assembly pinion shaft in the UA80E and UA80F transmissions. They know there is an issue with the transmission and have known since 2/9/2021 when the vehicles were manufactured. But refuse to issue a recall. Toyota Safety Bulletin Ref # T-SB-0008-21

   NHTSA complaint #11768252 · source
8. Filed Sep 30, 2026KYEngine

   I own a 2021 Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD equipped with the 3\.5L V6 and approximately 77,000 miles\. The vehicle developed a humming/whining, airplane\-like noise from the front drivetrain while accelerating\. The noise increases with vehicle speed and stops when the accelerator is released\. There is no vibration, and the vehicle makes the same noise while traveling straight\. I took the vehicle to an authorized Toyota dealer, Kerry Toyota, and the dealer diagnosed the…

   NHTSA complaint #11768091 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology