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
Condition issue
Noise
Reporting mechanism
Braking behavior
Performance issue
Driver assistance issue
Engine behavior
Transmission/drivetrain behavior
Safety restraint issue
Fluid issue
Access/entry issue
Vibration/harshness
Electrified system issue
Steering behavior
Thermal issue
Safety restraint behavior
Electrical issue
Infotainment behavior
Lighting behavior
Starting behavior
Powering on/off behavior
HVAC behavior
Smell
Ride/handling behavior
Recent change
Wiper/washer behavior
Communication/network issue
Charging behavior
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
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
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
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