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1997-2025 · 27 model years

Toyota Highlander Problems by year

Owners have filed 5,650 complaints about the Toyota Highlander across 27 model years, and it has 54 recalls. The 2021 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (543), while 1997, 1998 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the transmission & drivetrain, followed by the brakes.

Share your Highlander experienceCompare years54 recalls
Most complaints for its age2021543 complaints · 4 recallsSee the 2021
Complaints
5,650
Recalls
54
Crashes
464
Fires
62
Injuries
386
Deaths
56

Highlander complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20250400-A
20240700-A
20230900-A
20222675201Transmission & drivetrainF
20215434174Transmission & drivetrainF
20203234160Transmission & drivetrainD
20195113221Transmission & drivetrainF
20182775231Transmission & drivetrainD
20172724182Transmission & drivetrainC
20161113141BrakesB
20151932176Electrical systemC
2014136551Electrical systemB
20132123260SteeringC
20121912163SteeringC
20111875140Visibility & wipersC
201023810192Electrical systemC
2009134965Engine & coolingB
2008406134414BrakesF
20071244111BrakesB
20062797294BrakesD
20052256354Transmission & drivetrainC
20042865323Transmission & drivetrainF
20032702341Engine & coolingC
20023272276Visibility & wipersD
20011363192Visibility & wipersB
19981000Electrical systemA
19971000Visibility & wipersA

Most common Highlander problems

Toyota Highlander recalls 54

Latest Highlander complaints

2021 Toyota HighlanderTransmission & drivetrain

At 92K miles, my transmission needs to be replaced. A $10,000 repair that per the mechanic, should not have to be done so soon on a 2021 Toyota Highlander. This is a well known issue with the transmissions on these cars. That's an expensive repair for just a 5 year old car.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11777365
2021 Toyota HighlanderTransmission & drivetrain

Car started making humming noise when I would put my foot on the gas. When I take my foot off the gas it stops making the noise. Called Toyota, they said there's no active recall. Upon further investigation (on my own) it is likely the transmission. Will take car in tomorrow for service. There is a known service bulliteb from Toyota for this issue. My car is 5 years old 73k miles. Serviced only at the dealer and on time. This is ridiculous and should be an official recall.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11777107
2021 Toyota HighlanderTransmission & drivetrain

2021 vehicle, 39.000 miles, 5 year/60.000 warranted expired 83 days prior to diagnosing transmission needs to be replaced at a cost of $11,000. Toyota gas issued a technical service bulletin, unclear how long ago, I get different answers. They know about this problem. It is widespread and in Canada as well. I was not notified that I have a vehicle that has this problem. Had Toyota let me know I would have asked it to be checked prior to my regular maintenance for oil change etc ( and BEFORE my warranty expired. they should pay for the transmission, they are hiding behind a technical service bulletin rather than issue a recall.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11777106
2021 Toyota HighlanderTransmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal whining and grinding sound. The contact associated the failure with Toyota TSB Number: 0008-21. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by telephone and referred the contact to the dealer for a diagnostic test to evaluate coverage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure was confirmed during a test drive. The dealer determined that the transmission failed and...

Read the full complaint

required replacement. The contact was advised that the manufacturer had covered out-of-warranty repairs for other vehicles under the TSB. The contact called back the manufacturer; however, coverage was denied. The failure mileage was approximately 69,900.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11776820
2018 Toyota HighlanderTransmission & drivetrain

My vehicle began making a faint whine noise at around 80k miles. The vehicle is now at around 112,000 miles and the whine is louder. On cold morning the vehicle is sluggish in lower gears when accelerating. After extensive research I've found that the associated whine is related to the Toyota UA80 transmission.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11776579

Questions about the Toyota Highlander

Which Toyota Highlander years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2021 (543), 2019 (511), 2008 (406). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2021 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which Toyota Highlander years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 1997, 1998, 2023 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other Highlander years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common Toyota Highlander problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the transmission & drivetrain (1,061), brakes (747), engine & cooling (698) most often.

How many recalls does the Toyota Highlander have?

NHTSA lists 54 recalls across all Toyota Highlander model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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