Toyota Highlander owners filed 2,616 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2015–2025 (see the Car Problem Index for all 60 models), and NHTSA lists 25 recall campaigns for the same years. The 2021 Toyota Highlander drew the most complaints (513); across all years, owners complain most about transmission / powertrain (29% of complaints).
Key findings
- Worst model year: 2021, with 513 complaints, led by transmission / powertrain (219) and 4 recalls.
- Complaints vs recalls: Transmission / powertrain drew 759 complaints but no recalls, so for most of these owners the repair falls to warranty or their own pocket, not a free recall fix.
- Spike years, compared with a typical model year: 2019 (1.9 times as many complaints), 2021 (2.1 times as many complaints).
- Earliest-failing area: fuel system complaints came at a median 6k mi.
- Fire and crash reports: 16 complaints mention a fire and 159 a crash, with 164 injuries and 1 death reported.
Toyota Highlander complaints and recalls by model year
| Model year | Complaints | Top problem areas |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 2 recalls | 190 | Electrical system (51), Body structure (31), Steering (25) median 31k mi · 17 crashes · 6 fires |
| 2016 3 recalls | 110 | Brakes (19), Electrical system (14), Air bags (10) median 25k mi · 14 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2017 4 recalls | 265 | Transmission / powertrain (72), Electrical system (46), Engine (46) median 20k mi · 18 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2018 5 recalls | 265 | Transmission / powertrain (65), Brakes (53), Engine (33) median 16k mi · 23 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2019 3 recalls | 480 | Transmission / powertrain (194), Fuel system (86), Engine (69) median 13k mi · 22 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2020 4 recalls | 315 | Transmission / powertrain (125), Brakes (37), Air bags (32) median 21k mi · 15 crashes |
| 2021 4 recalls | 513 | Transmission / powertrain (219), Brakes (66), Body structure (51) median 20k mi · 16 crashes · 4 fires |
| 2022 5 recalls | 247 | Transmission / powertrain (53), Body structure (42), Brakes (37) median 28k mi · 16 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2023 9 recalls | 180 | Body structure (32), Engine (28), Transmission / powertrain (20) median 34k mi · 12 crashes |
| 2024 7 recalls | 42 | Brakes (8), Fuel system (7), Electrical system (6) median 13k mi · 4 crashes |
| 2025 4 recalls | 9 | Speed control / acceleration (2), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (2), Seat belts (1) median 8k mi · 2 crashes |
One recall campaign often covers several model years, so the recall column adds up to 50, more than the 25 separate campaigns. Newer years have had less time to collect reports.
Most-reported Toyota Highlander problems, and what they cost to fix
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Recalls | Median mileage | Estimate the repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / powertrain | 759 | 29% | 0 | 56k mi | Transmission repair cost |
| Brakes | 300 | 11% | 1 | 15k mi | Brake repair cost |
| Electrical system | 272 | 10% | 3 | 31k mi | Alternator / electrical repair cost |
| Engine | 272 | 10% | 0 | 17k mi | Engine overhaul cost |
| Fuel system | 226 | 9% | 3 | 6k mi | Fuel pump repair cost |
| Body structure | 225 | 9% | 1 | 20k mi | — |
| Air bags | 169 | 6% | 2 | 21k mi | — |
| Speed control / acceleration | 88 | 3% | 0 | 12k mi | — |
Top problem areas only; one complaint can count twice.
What Toyota Highlander owners report
Owners’ own words; dollar figures are what they reported.
Transmission / powertrain
The transmission had a catastrophic failure at 73,000 miles and six years after purchase. There has been a service bulletin issued with known defects on this transmission yet Toyota corporate failed to acknowledge that they installed faulty transmissions in the 2020 Toyota highlander. The diagnosis was a failed pinion bearing which the dealer diagnosed to replace the transmission at nearly $10,000
2020 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11760192
Toyota has known that the UA80 transmissions are faulty & they have not issued a recall. Mine failed at 60,500 miles just outside of the warranty period. I paid over $5,000 to have it replaced & the dealer confirmed that it required replacement due to a faulty transmission assembly. Toyota refuses to issue a recall or cover full costs for replacement.
2021 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11760864
None of these 759 transmission / powertrain complaints is matched by a recall on these model years, so a repair is covered only by warranty or paid by the owner.
759 owners reported transmission / powertrain problems; the transmission repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Brakes
Approaching a stop light brakes didn’t work. The automatic system activated and the car stopped right before I rear-ended the car in front of me. I took it to a Toyota dealership and they diagnosed a faulty brake booster pump with a price of $2500 to replace.
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11464075
I only have 8500 miles on my car and when driving in when I hit the brakes it vibrates. I went to the dealership to get the brakes checked and they wanted charge an inspection fee when the car is under 36000 miles which should be bumper to bumper warranty. I decided to my car to my mechanic and he told me it was the rotors.
2022 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11502078
Related recalls: 18V211000 (2018): A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
300 owners reported brakes problems; the brake repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Electrical system
The battery failed after we owned the car for 2 yrs and 11 months (mileage ~44,000). The replacement battery cost about $450 including installation. This is excessively early failure, and we are out a large amount of money for something that should not have happened with this new of a vehicle. It took 1 month to get the replacement battery. Also excessive.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11300987
Intermittent extremely loud ear-piercing high pitched noise coming from speakers upon starting the vehicle. The volume of the sounds is extremely high, the loudest noise I've ever heard. The sound lasts about 5 seconds. I am concerned for the safety of our hearing, for my family, including our children. It has not been reproduced at the service center because it is intermittent.
2019 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11691043
Related recalls: 18E107000 (2015–2018): The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash. 25V595000 (2023–2025): An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury. 16V775000 (2016): If the brake fluid level is low and is not detected, the braking performance may be decreased, increasing the risk of a crash.
272 owners reported electrical system problems; the alternator / electrical repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Toyota Highlander recalls
Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for your car’s open recalls.
| Campaign | Announced | Model years | System | Risk (NHTSA's wording) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V128000 | 2026-03-05 | 2021–2025 | Seats | A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 25V872000 | 2025-12-17 | 2024–2025 | Seat belts | A seat belt that does not properly restrain an occupant increases the risk of injury during a crash. |
| 25V744000 | 2025-10-30 | 2023–2025 | Backup camera / rear sensors | A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 25V595000 | 2025-09-11 | 2023–2025 | Electrical system | An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury. |
| 25V040000 | 2025-01-29 | 2023 | Steering | A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. |
| 24V548000 | 2024-07-23 | 2023–2024 | Equipment / accessories | A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 24V452000 | 2024-06-18 | 2021–2024 | Tires | Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 24V419000 | 2024-06-06 | 2022–2024 | Tires | Tires with an insufficient load rating may be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 23V865000 | 2023-12-20 | 2020–2021 | Air bags | An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury. |
| 23V720000 | 2023-10-26 | 2020–2023 | Body structure | A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 23V480000 | 2023-07-12 | 2023 | Steering | A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash. |
| 22V310000 | 2022-05-06 | 2022 | Equipment / accessories | An illegible label may allow the vehicle to be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 20V682000 | 2020-11-04 | 2017–2019 | Fuel System, Gasoline | If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 20V633000 | 2020-10-14 | 2020 | Air bags | Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash. |
| 20V162000 | 2020-03-19 | 2020 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Improper fuel supply programming can result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 20V012000 | 2020-01-13 | 2018–2019 | Fuel System, Gasoline | If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 19V244000 | 2019-03-27 | 2019 | Equipment / accessories | If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 18E107000 | 2018-11-27 | 2015–2018 | Electrical system | The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 18V211000 | 2018-04-03 | 2018 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 17V831000 | 2017-12-20 | 2018 | Equipment / accessories | An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 17V520000 | 2017-08-23 | 2017 | Equipment / accessories | The roof rails may loosen and possibly detach from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 17V295000 | 2017-05-02 | 2017 | Tires | A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 16V775000 | 2016-10-24 | 2016 | Electrical system | If the brake fluid level is low and is not detected, the braking performance may be decreased, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 16V420000 | 2016-06-09 | 2016 | Equipment / accessories | An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 15V144000 | 2015-03-13 | 2015 | Steering | An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash. |
What this data can and can't tell you
2,616 unverified owner reports, not adjusted for sales. Method.
Other Toyota models in the index
- Toyota RAV4 (3,633)
- Toyota Camry (2,338)
- Toyota Tundra (1,778)
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation consumer complaint files (nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-25; NHTSA recalls database (nhtsa.gov/recalls), retrieved 2026-09-23. Model years 2015–2025. Free to cite with a link to this page.