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Electrical system

Toyota Highlander Electrical problems by year

621 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Toyota Highlander's electrical system. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.

Electrical complaints by model year

YearElectrical complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20250001
20240001
20230001
202223110
202128000
202018220
201956330
201824001
201746121
201614112
201552021
201435002
201326000
201230000
201123000
201055120
200920000
200844200
200723100
200626000
200525130
200418000
200315000
200214110
20015100
19981000

Electrical recalls

Latest Highlander electrical complaints

2022 Toyota HighlanderElectrical systemBrakesEngine & coolingCrash1 injury

On October 22, 2026 at 7:55pm I was slowly pulling into a parking spot at our community building applying the brake when the engine started rapidly accelerating causing the car to jump over the curbing even as I continued to press on the brake pedal. I wasn't able to stop the vehicle before it crashed into the community building wall. The engine was still racing but the vehicle being lodged in the wall and corner support kept the vehicle from going further into the building. I was finally able to shut off the engine and luckily for me the airbag system didn't deploy.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11773397
2022 Toyota HighlanderElectrical systemAirbagsDriver assistance

Headlight system malfunction, pre-collision system malfunction, LTA malfunction, SRS airbag system malfunction and SRS malfunction lights came on after start up.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bags · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11773377
2021 Toyota HighlanderElectrical systemVisibility & wipers

On November 19, 2025, the 12.3-inch infotainment display in my 2021 Toyota Highlander Limited went black and never recovered. That screen is the only display for the rear-view backup camera. With it dead, there is no backup camera image when reversing. The failure started as an intermittent blank screen with the reverse camera still working, then progressed to a fully dead screen including the backup camera display. A replacement display unit did not fix it. Toyota has acknowledged this defect in Technical Service...

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Bulletin T-SB-0055-22, which identifies the integration control sub-assembly (part 840C2-48010) as the cause, but has not issued a recall. Toyota service repeatedly diagnosed the problem as a failed head unit. I replaced the head unit at my own expense and the screen still did not work. When I returned to the dealer, they refused to perform further diagnostics, stating the diagnostic cost would be as much as the head unit replacement.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11770380
2022 Toyota HighlanderElectrical systemBody, doors & structure

I am writing to formally express my dissatisfaction regarding a failure of the power liftgate on my Toyota Highlander and the fact that I was required to pay out of pocket to have it repaired. The liftgate is an important and frequently used component of the vehicle, and I did not expect it to fail under normal use. When the liftgate stopped functioning properly, I was faced with an unexpected and costly repair expense. I believe Toyota should take responsibility for this failure, particularly given the nature of...

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the component and the circumstances surrounding the repair. I purchased my Highlander with the expectation that Toyota's reputation for quality and reliability would be reflected in the vehicle. Having to pay for a repair resulting from a failed liftgate has been extremely disappointing and has diminished my confidence in the vehicle and the Toyota brand. I am requesting that Toyota review my situation and consider reimbursing me for the cost of the repair. I would also appreciate an explanation as to why this failure occurred and whether Toyota is aware of similar liftgate issues with this model. I am happy to provide my repair invoice, vehicle identification number, mileage, and any other documentation necessary for Toyota to investigate this matter. I hope Toyota will take this complaint seriously and work with me toward a fair resolution. I look forward to hearing from Toyota regarding reimbursement and what can be done to address this issue.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Structure · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11769632
2022 Toyota HighlanderElectrical systemDriver assistance

Front camera unavailable, PKSB malfunction, Pre-collision system malfunction and headlight system malfunction lights came on.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Back over prevention · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11767146
2008 Toyota HighlanderElectrical system

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Toyota Highlander. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. The contact stated that at the time of purchase the mileage was 106,000. After obtaining a Carfax report, the contact became aware that the mileage listed was 264,000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11765753
2020 Toyota HighlanderElectrical system

develop a high-pitched whine, shuddering, or harsh shifting between 25 and 45 mph, which can lead to premature wear or complete failure. Also, On/ Off from no where and stopped in the middle of the road

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11765107
2021 Toyota HighlanderBrakesElectrical systemEngine & cooling

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 a second restart, the message "See Dealer" was displayed with the check engine warning light illuminated. After a third restart, the vehicle was driving rough while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11764949
2022 Toyota HighlanderElectrical system

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed around an S-curb, the vehicle jerked into the nearby lane. The local dealer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11764306
2019 Toyota HighlanderTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

My 2019 Highlander was driving totally normal, when all of a sudden the transmission started slipping and then would no longer accelerate. I was on a windy back road in Alaska with no service, so after letting it sit for a bit I tried to drive it again. It then drove maybe 1/2 more miles before slipping completely and no longer accelerating. No check engine lights came up. I got it towed to my house where a mechanic took a quick scan and said there was a number of transmission codes popping up.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical systemNHTSA 11764218
2013 Toyota HighlanderElectrical system

The factory Blizzard Pearl paint on this vehicle is experiencing severe chemical delamination down to the bare primer and sheet metal on multiple body panels. This structural failure aligns exactly with Toyota Customer Support Program ZKG. Large sheets of brittle paint regularly flake and peel off while driving at highway speeds, creating a projectile and visibility hazard for following motorists. Despite this being a known manufacturing defect, the vehicle falls outside of Toyota's arbitrary 10-year secondary extension window, leaving a recognized factory flaw unremedied.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11761980
2021 Toyota HighlanderElectrical systemFire

On August 24, 2026, my vehicle was parked, turned off, and locked for more than 6 hours in a parking lot. Without warning, the vehicle experienced a spontaneous thermal event/self combustion. The fire and thermal damage were entirely localized to the dashboard area inside the passenger cabin. The engine compartment, battery area and front mechanical components remained completely unaffected by the fire. The vehicle was off, motor was cold and car was closed and parked for about 6 hours when this incident occurred.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11761851
2015 Toyota HighlanderElectrical systemEngine & cooling

The a/c condenser was damaged due to impact of road debris. This caused loss of proper system operation. The cost to repair was $1100+. The debris entered thru the front grill, which has nothing in place to prevent debris from entering the engine compartment.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11760154

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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