2021 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 520 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 16 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 18 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Seats, mid/rear assembly, reclinerMar 5, 2026
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.
A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 9, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.
Campaign 26V128000 on NHTSA.gov
TiresJun 18, 2024
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 Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
SET will inspect and replace the tires and information placard, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2024. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET24A.
Campaign 24V452000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationDec 20, 2023
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 circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Campaign 23V865000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, bumpersOct 26, 2023
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.
A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 22, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.
Campaign 23V720000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: fuel/propulsion system
31 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 4, 2021
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE PER SE BUT ONE OF FALSE ADVERTISING. TOYOTA ADVERTISES THE RANGE OF MY HYBRID HIGHLANDER AS 600 MILES ON 17.1 GAL TANK AT 35 MPG. I DO GET 35 MPG (WHICH IS QUITE COMMENDABLE FOR A VEHICLE THIS SIZE) BUT I CANNOT FILL THE FUEL TANK MORE THAN 12-13 GAL EVEN WHEN NEARLY BONE-DRY EMPTY. IN TURN I CANNOT DRIVE ANY FURTHER THAN 450 MILES WITHOUT FILLING UP. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH EITHER THE DESIGN OF FUEL TANK SUCH THAT NOT ALL THE FUEL CAN BE ACCESSED OR THE DESIGN OF THE FUEL FILLER HOSE SUCH THAT ONE CANNOT FILL THE TANK COMPLETELY. ANOTHER OPTION IS PERHAPS THE FUEL TANK IS NOT TRULY 17.1 GALLONS AS DOCUMENTED. TOYOTA SHOULD NOT ADVERTISE A RANGE OF 600 MILES WHEN THIS IS NOT REALISTIC EVEN WHEN ACHIEVING 35 MPG.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 31, 2021
THE 2021 HIGHLANDER HYBRID IS NOT TAKING MORE THAN 10-11GALLONS PER FILL UP AND THE DISTANCE TO EMPTY INDICATOR ONLY STATES APPROX. 420MILES NOT THE 590-615MILES BASED ON THE STATED 34/35 MPG PER TOYOTA ON THE HYBRID MODEL. WE HAVE FILLED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AND AT MULTIPLE GAS STATIONS AND EACH TIME THE TANK WILL NOT ACCEPT MORE THAN 10-11GALLONS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 29, 2021
THE 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID GAS TANK IS EXACTLY 17.1 US GALLONS IN SIZE BUT EVEN WHEN THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT TURN ON AND THE THE FUEL GAUGE IS AT NEAR EMPTY IT WILL ONLY ACCEPT A MAXIMUM OF 12.9 TO 13.8 GALLONS. TOYOTA STATES THAT THE MAXIMUM RANGE ON A FULL TANK OF THE VEHICLE IS 615 MILES BUT WHEN FULL THE MAX-RANGE ALWAYS FALLS BETWEEN 460 TO 490 MILES GIVEN MY MPG OF 34.5 TO 36.5. THERE IS AN ISSUES WITH THE FUELING SYSTEM THAT DOES NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO BE PROPERLY FUELED OR THE SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. OTHER DRIVERS HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME ISSUES TRYING TO FILL THEIR GAS TANKS TO THE INDICATED AMOUNT AFTER THE FUEL INDICATOR COME ON AND HAVING LOW RAGE LEFT OF ABOUT 25 MILES. THIS IS AN ISSUES THAT HAPPENS AT VARIOUS GAS STATIONS SO THE ISSUE IS NOT THE PUMP BUT THE VEHICLE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 15, 2021
THE VEHICLE EV DOES NOT ENGAGE WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE FOR AT LEAST 10-15 MINUTES OF DRIVING. THIS DRASTICALLY ALTERS THE FUEL ECONOMY.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 12, 2021
THE DTE INDICATOR ON THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING INCORRECTLY. I FILLED THE HIGHLANDER UP WITH 10 MILES DTE AND IT ONLY TOOK 13.2 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE DTE INDICATOR WAS 425 MILES AFTER FILL UP. TOYOTA ADVERTISES 600 MILES PER TANK. MY HIGHLANDER IS 175 MILES OFF OF THE MANUFACTURES ADVERTISED EXPECTATION. I DON'T KNOW IF I AM OUT OF FUEL AT 0 DTE OR IF I CAN DRIVE ANOTHER 175 MILES BEFORE EMPTY. I AVERAGED 35.6 MPG ON THIS FILL UP BUT EVERY TIME I FILL THE TANK I GET SIMILAR RESULTS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 25, 2021
MY 2021 HIGHLANDER HYBRID PLATINUM IS EXPERIENCING A FUEL FILLING ISSUE. OVER THE FIRST 2,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TAKE MORE THAN 13.5 GALLONS AT FILL UP ' NO TOPPING OFF. THE CAR HAS A 17.1 GALLON TANK. THE CAR HAS GONE AS LOW AS 2 MILES TO EMPTY ACCORDING TO THE CAR ESTIMATE. AT EACH FILL UP IT TAKES BETWEEN 12.5 AND 13.5 GALLONS. IT IS NOT CLEAR IF THE TANK IS FILLING UP COMPLETELY AND THERE ARE 4-5 GALLONS LEFT AT 'EMPTY' OR THE TANK IS NOT ABLE TO FILL COMPLETELY. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR IT'S FUEL ECONOMY AND RANGE WHILE TRAVELING WITH MY FAMILY. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW IF THE TANK IS ACTUALLY EMPTY OR STILL HAS SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF FUEL REMAINING SO MY FAMILY IS NOT STRANDED OUT OF FUEL.