Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2021 Toyota Highlander has 4 recalls, 434 complaints, and a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
4
Recalls
434
Complaints
★★★★★
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated May 19, 2026
23V720000
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle opera...
23V865000
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, ...
24V452000
TIRES
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander vehicles. The 20-inch accessory tires with an insufficient load ra...
26V128000
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs ...
Overall
★★★★★
Front Crash
★★★★★
Side Crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rating for: 2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER SUV AWD
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| May 2, 2026 | SERVICE BRAKES | When applying the brakes when slowing down fro a traffic light or in traffic, the brkaes suddely st... |
| May 1, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission. My 2021 Toyota Highlander with approximately 94,500 miles developed a consistent whi... |
| Apr 30, 2026 | SUSPENSION | Early failure of front struts on a 2021 Toyota Highlander XLE, leaking fluid at 29,000 miles. Manufa... |
| Apr 29, 2026 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The rear hatchback of my Toyota Highlander fails to open. I tried resetting it and that did not corr... |
| Apr 28, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | My vehicle was parked for about an hr 30 min , and it started smoking from dashboard area and immedi... |
| Apr 26, 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | Car makes a high pitched whining noise at low speeds of approx. 10-30 mph |
| Apr 24, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | 2021 Toyota Highalnder UA80F Transmission Whine / Known Defect - Potential for Sudden Failure I own... |
| Apr 17, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | My automatic transmission failed per the dealership and is just outside of the warranty but is consi... |
| Apr 15, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | My 2021 Toyota Highlander equipped with the UA80 transmission developed a whining/grinding noise und... |
| Apr 7, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | A whining noise was observed at around 78k miles. Brought to the dealer and they indicated parts in ... |
| Apr 3, 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | Transmission has failed as have many others of the same year make and model without acknowledgement ... |
| Mar 30, 2026 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | This appears to be a fuel pump or something with the fuel issue on a 2021 Toyota Highlander L series... |
| Mar 28, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | My 2021 Toyota Highlander was my first car I purchased that I saved up for and has had a sudden issu... |
| Mar 23, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission failure @110,000miles and a $9000.00 replacement cost. Service advisor at Toyota Deale... |
| Mar 17, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | Car was making whining sound with acceleration at 62k miles. Dealer told me I need to spend 8k on a ... |
| Mar 16, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | During acceleration above 25 mph a noticeable whining sound is heard from the transmission. When no... |
| Mar 16, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | The transmission began making a wheezing sound. The dealership looked at the vehicle and determined ... |
| Mar 14, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | 60k miles on the car and the transmission needs to be replaced out of pocket due to a gear pinon wea... |
| Mar 3, 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed s... |
| Mar 1, 2026 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | While driving westbound on I-8 at approximately 70 MPH in the left lane, a warning message suddenly ... |