NHTSA Data Explorer

Toyota Highlander

Data refreshed August 27, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Toyota Highlander.

Complaints

6,438

Active records

Recalls

57

Active records

TSBs

1,369

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

58

Injuries

411

Crashes

528

Fires

75

Top reported issues — Toyota Highlander

Click a category to expand its values.

Operating state

2,209

Condition issue

1,332

Noise

1,145

Reporting mechanism

1,066

Braking behavior

770

Performance issue

681

Driver assistance issue

586

Engine behavior

498

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

414

Safety restraint issue

406

Fluid issue

394

Access/entry issue

315

Vibration/harshness

278

Electrified system issue

252

Steering behavior

222

Thermal issue

220

Safety restraint behavior

217

Electrical issue

155

Infotainment behavior

149

Lighting behavior

127

Starting behavior

114

Powering on/off behavior

89

HVAC behavior

86

Smell

78

Ride/handling behavior

62

Recent change

42

Wiper/washer behavior

18

Communication/network issue

12

Charging behavior

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Aug 25, 2026


Lift gate does not open. Hydraulic struts have failed and the lift gate will only open with significant manual effort. This means that the rear door cannot be opened from inside the car.

2023 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Aug 25, 2026


Transmission failure under 50k miles. Replaced under powertrain warranty. UA81E incurred a whine that was prevalent at light acceleration over 40 mph. This is a known issue that spans multiple years at some point someone has to admit this is a design flaw.

2023 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Aug 24, 2026


I own a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid LE, purchased new in 2023, with approximately 55,000 miles. My vehicle is affected by NHTSA Safety Recall 26V-128 concerning the second-row seat recliner assemblies/return springs. Toyota advised that the second-row seat backs may not properly lock into position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. I received Toyota’s recall notification in approximately April 2026 stating that a remedy was not yet available. Because I regularly transport my children…

2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Aug 24, 2026


The component that malfunctioned is the vehicle’s automatic transmission. The transmission developed a progressively worsening humming/whining noise during acceleration. The transmission is no longer available for inspection because the vehicle has been taken to an independent transmission repair shop for diagnosis and repair. The problem creates a safety concern because the transmission developed significant internal wear or damage and could potentially worsen or fail while the vehicle is…

2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Aug 23, 2026


My 2019 Toyota Highlander AWD vehicle started making a whining noise around 85,000 miles. This high pitched whining sound occurred while accelerating and became louder and louder with time. I researched the issue and found out that the same issue had occurred on 2018 Highlanders and Toyota issued a Customer Service Bulletin T-SB-0160-18, which addressed the repair and replacement of these UA80 transmissions regardless if the warranty had expired or not. After visiting my local Toyota dealer,…

2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Aug 23, 2026


Crash

The Pre-Collision System (PCS) failed to engage the automatic emergency braking during a stop-and-go traffic, thereby, resulting in rear-ending the vehicle ahead of our 2018 Highlander Limited vehicle. Our Highlander was at a complete stop, then when the traffic moved slowly forward, we too started moving forward but didn't realize the vehicle ahead of us had suddenly stopped again. Our Highlander alerted us with high-pitched beep-beep-beep sound, but it didn't stop before colliding with the…

2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Aug 22, 2026


My system information warning signal and chime indicates that an unbuckled passenger is present in my front passenger seat when nobody is there. Additionally, buckling the seat belt does not turn off the signal and chime. The sporadic signal and chime can continue for a very long time before eventually stopping. However, after another 30 seconds or so, it can start again. This cycle can continue for over an hour. It tends to occur more frequently above 35mph, but can also occur under that…

2022 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Aug 22, 2026


1 injured
Crash

Because I am not an expert, I cannot say with certainty what exact vehicle components contributed to this incident. On August 17, 2026, at approximately 12:40 PM, I was slowly driving my 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE in a parking garage where I park my car every week. I saw a parking space, so I slowed down and began pressing the break as I went into the parking space. All of a sudden, the engine revved up, and the vehicle lunged over the wheel stop and hit the cement wall, even though I…

2022 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Aug 22, 2026


1 injured
Crash

Because I am not an expert, I cannot say with certainty what exact vehicle components contributed to this incident. On August 17, 2026, at approximately 12:40 PM, I was slowly driving my 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE in a parking garage where I park my car every week. I saw a parking space, so I slowed down and began pressing the break as I went into the parking space. All of a sudden, the engine revved up, and the vehicle lunged over the wheel stop and hit the cement wall, even though I…

2023 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Aug 22, 2026


we had a recall on this car for so long and the dealership is not providing remedy date for this recall

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated August 27, 2026. Refreshed nightly.