2021 Toyota Highlander Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 475 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2021 Toyota Highlander overview page.
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
“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
“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
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2021 Toyota Highlander have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the most-reported problem area on the 2021 Toyota Highlander: 189 of 475 complaints on file (39.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2021 Toyota Highlander have in total?
475 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 16 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 18 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
