NHTSA data · free2021 Toyota HighlanderProblems: Top Complaints, Recalls & Failures (NHTSA)
Every owner complaint and safety recall the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has on file for the 2021 Toyota Highlander, ranked by the component that failed most.
Complaints on file
531
Recalls issued
4
Crashes reported
16
Fires reported
4
What breaks most
- Power Train227 complaints · 42.7%
- Service Brakes68 complaints · 12.8%
- Structure52 complaints · 9.8%
- Engine47 complaints · 8.9%
- Air Bags42 complaints · 7.9%
Recalls on this model year
- Structure › Body › Bumpers
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.
Campaign 23V720000 · reported 26/10/2023 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir
Campaign 23V865000 · reported 20/12/2023 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Tires
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander vehicles. The 20-inch accessory tires with an insufficient load rating for the vehicle's Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) were installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor
Campaign 24V452000 · reported 18/06/2024 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly › Recliner
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.
Campaign 26V128000 · reported 05/03/2026 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
What owners report
Power Train
- The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud high-pitched whining sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that t
- Noticed a whine noise slowly progressing over a couple of weeks. Researched the sound and took it for diagnostic eval. with Holman Toyota in Mt. Laurel, NJ on 10/3/2026. As suspected, the transmission
- We bought a 2021 Toyota Tacoma Platinum in November 2020. In February 2021, Toyota issued a Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0008-21. The bulletin say transmissions may exhibit a whine or grind noise f
Service Brakes
- When traveling at slower speeds and applying the brakes on a slight decline, my 2021 Toyota Highlander HYBRID lurches forward with alarming force. On probably 5 separate occasions, this has nearly res
- The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. While driving 20 MPH uphill, the messages "Engine Failure," "Brake Failure," and "Pull Over to A Safe Place, See Owner's Manual" were displayed, and several
- While driving and applying the brakes to come to a complete stop at low speed (approximately 5–15 mph), the vehicle intermittently loses brake responsiveness for a brief moment during the transition f
Structure
- My 2021 Toyota Highlander is experiencing the exact bumper/under-cover detachment detailed in NHTSA Recall 23V720. In August 2025, an authorized dealer performed the interim 23TA12 clip remedy. That r
- 1. The car makes a squeaky sound when I accelerate. The faster I go the louder the noise becomes. I took the car to the Toyota dealership and was told that the transmission needs to be replaced. The c
- 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.
Engine
- I own a 2021 Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD equipped with the 3\.5L V6 and approximately 77,000 miles\. The vehicle developed a humming/whining, airplane\-like noise from the front drivetrain while a
- I bought a vehicle in cash three weeks ago at Universal Toyota located at [XXX] . Two days later, I called the sellers [XXX] and [XXX] to have a noise fix /checked. It turns out the transmission is
- The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. While driving 20 MPH uphill, the messages "Engine Failure," "Brake Failure," and "Pull Over to A Safe Place, See Owner's Manual" were displayed, and several
Air Bags
- Four days after I took delivery of this used vehicle (April 25, 2026), multiple warning lights appeared at once: BRAKE, ABS, PARK, Check Engine, Blind Spot Monitor Unavailable, and RCTA OFF. An indepe
- Recall remedy is not a available in timely manner. Recall # 23ta15
- Recall has been active since 2023. Delarship states there is no fix for issue at time time 2 years later
Excerpts are anonymized owner complaints as filed with NHTSA, trimmed to 200 characters.
Check your own VIN
This page covers the 2021 Toyota Highlander in general. Enter your VIN for the recalls, complaints and crash ratings specific to your exact vehicle.
Buying a used 2021 Toyota Highlander?
A detailed vehicle history report can check for title brands, available accident records, and reported odometer readings for the specific VIN — none of which government complaint or recall data typically cover.
Run a vehicle history report Detailed Vehicle History, 10% offOther model years
Disclosure: some links on this page (vehicle history reports, warranty options) are affiliate links. They fund the free checker, and your price never changes. Recall, complaint, rating and fuel-economy data are official U.S. government records for the year, make and model and are not a substitute for an inspection or a title history report on the specific vehicle. Not affiliated with any government agency.