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2021 Toyota Highlander Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 531 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota Highlander, most often about the transmission (43% of complaints, typically around 59,500 miles). It is the most complained-about Highlander model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2021 Toyota Highlander problems
Transmission
227 complaints · 43%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for oil filter maintenance and a spark plug change, and after the maintenance, the vehicle made an abnormal sound each time while accelerating. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The…
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the transmission. The contact was concerned about the sound and contacted a dealer. The vehicle was driven to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure.…
Brakes
68 complaints · 13%We are experiencing pcs is not working, we were driving on freeway when cars stopped suddenly and not even displaying any warning signal of 'brake' on that moment, we were so close to impact a trailer, second time similar situation the next day after the first appt at service where they stated that pcs was working…
Vehicle was driving at highway speed, transitioning to off ramp. Warning lights came on stating braking power low. Brakes proceeded to fail. Stepping on brakes did nothing but initiate a stuttering response. Vehicle would not slow down. Rolled into dealership that was luckily .5 miles away. It was diagnosed to be a…
Other or unspecified
67 complaints · 13%Body and structure
52 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 23,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 23v720000 (structure) and 23v865000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.…
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v720000 (structure). The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, an abnormal sound was coming from the front bumper. Upon inspection, the front bumper had partially detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was…
Engine
47 complaints · 9%Vehicle has 3400 miles and starting having longer than normal cranking when starting the vehicle. Shortly after that occurred the vehicle began to stall while pulling into traffic. Vehicle was repaired where they installed some fuel sensors. 2 days later the vehicle stalled again while pulling into traffic. Both…
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a whining sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer stated that the…
Air bags
42 complaints · 8%The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 23v720000 (structure) and 23v865000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 23v720000 (structure) and 23v865000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.…
Fuel system
31 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 1,000 miles.
The dte indicator on the vehicle is operating incorrectly. I filled the Highlander up with 10 miles dte and it only took 13.2 gallons of fuel. The dte indicator was 425 miles after fill up. Toyota advertises 600 miles per tank. My Highlander is 175 miles off of the manufactures advertised expectation. I don't know if…
Highlander has same issue as the 2019-2020 Toyota rav4 fuel issue identified by the NHTSA: vehicle fuel gauges displaying less than full and/or total fuel dispensed is less than expected, when the fuel nozzle automatically clicks off. Noted the 'distance to empty' shown on the multi-information display is less than…
Electrical
28 complaints · 5%Vehicle was driving at highway speed, transitioning to off ramp. Warning lights came on stating braking power low. Brakes proceeded to fail. Stepping on brakes did nothing but initiate a stuttering response. Vehicle would not slow down. Rolled into dealership that was luckily .5 miles away. It was diagnosed to be a…
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. While driving 20 MPH uphill, the messages "engine failure," "brake failure," and "pull over to a safe place, see owner's manual" were displayed, and several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the failure persisted. After…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 Toyota Highlander recalls
Seats: recliner
Risk: A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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 toyotaâs customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26tb06 and 26ta06.
Full defect summary
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.
Wheels and tires: tires
Risk: Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: bumpers
Risk: A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2021 Toyota Highlander
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Highlander?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (227 complaints, typically around 59,500 miles); brakes (68 complaints); other or unspecified (67 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota Highlander have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 5, 2026 (seats). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2021 a bad year for the Toyota Highlander?
- It is the most complained-about Highlander model year since 2000, with 531 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.