CarModelProblems.com

2021 Toyota Highlander Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train — runs 4.7× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
475Complaints
4Recalls
16Crashes
3Fires
18Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train (39.8% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Power Train complaints here are 4.7× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train189 · 39.8%No official action
Service Brakes64 · 13.5%No official action
Engine44 · 9.3%No official action
Air Bags42 · 8.8%RecalledRecall 23V865000
Structure:body32 · 6.7%RecalledRecall 23V720000
Fuel/propulsion System30 · 6.3%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN189 · 39.8%
SERVICE BRAKES64 · 13.5%
Unspecified / other58 · 12.2%
ENGINE44 · 9.3%
AIR BAGS42 · 8.8%
STRUCTURE:BODY32 · 6.7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM30 · 6.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM25 · 5.3%
STRUCTURE10 · 2.1%
VISIBILITY/WIPER9 · 1.9%

Percentages are the share of the 475 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 4 campaigns

Structure:body:bumpers

NHTSA campaign 23V720000 · 2023 · reported 10/26/2023

A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

NHTSA campaign 23V865000 · 2023 · reported 12/20/2023

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Tires

NHTSA campaign 24V452000 · 2024 · reported 06/18/2024

Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seats:mid/rear Assembly:recliner

NHTSA campaign 26V128000 · 2026 · reported 03/05/2026

A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“While parking, the shifter was inadvertently left in reverse. The engine was turned off while foot was still on the brake. After preparing to exit…”NHTSA complaint 11521620 — filed 05/11/2023 · POWER TRAIN
“Vehicle self drained 12 volt battery, causing hybrid drive system to not start up, leaving vehicle stranded, wife stranded alone at night. Dealership installed new…”NHTSA complaint 11500835 — filed 01/09/2023 · POWER TRAIN
“On July 19, the car was parked and refused to start. Tried Jump start and the gas was at more than half a tank. The…”NHTSA complaint 11475898 — filed 07/26/2022 · POWER TRAIN

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

632021512022602023105202418120251392026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Highlander?

Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 189 of 475 NHTSA complaints (39.8%), followed by service brakes (64), unspecified/other issues (58), engine (44). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2021 Toyota Highlander have?

475 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 16 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 18 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2021 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?

Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 23V720000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2021 Toyota Highlander's reported problems?

2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.