NHTSA Data Explorer

Toyota Highlander

Data refreshed July 19, 2026

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

Complaints

6,369

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

403

Crashes

519

Fires

75

Top reported issues — Toyota Highlander

Click a category to expand its values.

Operating state

2,185

Condition issue

1,322

Noise

1,121

Reporting mechanism

1,060

Braking behavior

760

Performance issue

672

Driver assistance issue

583

Engine behavior

497

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

402

Safety restraint issue

400

Fluid issue

394

Access/entry issue

311

Vibration/harshness

278

Electrified system issue

250

Steering behavior

222

Thermal issue

220

Safety restraint behavior

212

Electrical issue

155

Infotainment behavior

149

Lighting behavior

126

Starting behavior

114

Powering on/off behavior

89

HVAC behavior

86

Smell

76

Ride/handling behavior

62

Recent change

40

Wiper/washer behavior

18

Communication/network issue

12

Charging behavior

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2025 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Jul 16, 2026


1 injured
Crash

[XXX] was turning left onto [XXX] from [XXX]. Two lanes turn left. She was in the inside lane. The traffic light was red, and when it turned green, she started to turn. Partway through the turn, the steering became unresponsive. She couldn't get it to turn left, and she could not complete the turn, and crashed into the pole that holds the traffic signal. She traveled less than 100 ft total from the light to the pole. The accident was at 1:30 PM on a dry and clear day. The car has 8087…

2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Jul 16, 2026


While driving my 2018 Toyota Highlander Limited, the check engine light began flashing off and on. I was near an exit and drove off the freeway. I could feel the car (near the gas pedal) start shaking, then the power went down quickly... as I was trying to find a safe place to go. The farther I drove, there was less power until the car was going about 2 miles an hour. The check light continued flashing as I pulled into a parking lot. This was very scary as I'm sure the car would have just…

2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Jul 16, 2026


1 injured
Crash

I pushed the brake and swerved and the car kept going and a greater speed and surged into a house.

2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Jul 15, 2026


The radio keeps freezing up all the time along with the back tail light area going in and out. I keep smelling like burnt wire smell. Engine sound really rough.

2022 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Jul 14, 2026


2022 Toyota Highlander 8 speed transmission started making noise at highway speed. Vehicle has 61,000 miles on it. Also has erratic shifting. Toyota dealer said it needs a new transmission. Just out of warranty so Toyota only agreed to pay 25% of the bill.

2022 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Jul 14, 2026


Rear window on the tailgate spontaneously cracked and broke into small pieces. No warning and no one touched the glass. The glass crumbled into small pieces.

2022 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Jul 13, 2026


After multiple visits to a private mechanic, it has been determined that the transmission on this 2022 Highlander will need to be replaced. I have seen multiple reports stating this is a common issue with certain Toyotas.

2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Jul 13, 2026


My 2021 Toyota Highlander Platinum is experiencing a transmission issue consistent with a known problem affecting the UA80 eight-speed transmission used in 2020–2024 Highlander models. The vehicle is currently at Greentree Toyota in [XXX] for diagnosis. This failure is occurring at 63,913 miles, only about 3,900 miles past the vehicle's 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. I have opened a case with Toyota (Case #XXX) and am requesting this be documented as part of a broader pattern reported by…

2023 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Jul 12, 2026


Unknown. Toyota has recalled the recliner assembly in the second row seats. My car has been at the dealership for more than 60 days waiting for a remedy. There is still not one listed yet. I cannot safely drive my car as I have 2 children at home that must be with me as a sole parent.

2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Jul 11, 2026


The car is was a 2019 Toyota Highlander with approximately 125,000 miles. White Smoke started appearing in the exhaust. Quickly after that, the check engine light appeared and started blinking, meaning the engine was misfiring. We brought to the dealership, and they found that cylinder 4 of the engine was damaged (scoring on the inside of the cylinder wall). The engine was releasing metal particles in the oil. Further, the cylinder would not hold oil or coolant pressure, and was burning both…

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

Updated July 19, 2026. Refreshed nightly.