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: power train
222 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Oct 8, 2025
Transmission began producing a whine sound at 58k and slipped several times.. A transmission that slips could cause a wreck involving all passengers. Requires replacement. No warning lamps. Show some integrity Toyota and stand behind your products.
Power train, Oct 7, 2025
66,564 Miles, Transmission slipped and caused a delay in power, now it has a big high pitched whine and continues to do it. This looks to be a big problem across the board for 2021 Highlanders.
Power train, Oct 6, 2025
Winning sound coming from the transmission - upon seeking information online I was able to find a service bulletin from 2021 that addresses the issue - I see a large number of posts online with people having the same issue - the only solution is a transmission replacement - Toyota should be made to do a recall on these vehicles
Power train, Oct 6, 2025
Hearing a whining noise when I step on the gas pedal. The toyota dealership informed me I need a new transmission on a 4 year old vehicle with about 88,000 miles on it. Toyota said because there is no recall, they will not cover the replacement
Power train, Sep 24, 2025
Noticed 2021 Toyota highlander start whining around 85000 miles. Did some research on the sound and found that Toyota UA80F transmissions have all had the same issue and issued a tsb to their dealerships but not people who purchased the car. Warranty runs out and now you are on the hook for an 10k transmission replacement or risk your car breaking down at any point on the road. Car was inspected today by Toyota to receive the quote to fix at 10400 with no discussion of possible remedies for their defective transmissions. The exact quote would be "that's not our problem, you have to take it up with Toyota office, bud". So now we have a ticking time bomb on the road with the only remedy to pay 10400 to replace a defected transmission that was covered in other recalls by the same company.
Power train, Sep 15, 2025
Making a whinnig noise while accelerating
Power train, Sep 10, 2025
Transmisson started whining and slipping at 61000 miles. 1k miles out of warrenty. Even though toyota has a service bulletin about knowing my exact year and serial number transmisson will go bad. No recall issued and they want 9k for a repair. Rick McGill toyota on alcoa highway knoxville tennensse diagnosed it.
Power train, Sep 7, 2025
Transmision is whining and stuttering or slipping gears
Power train, Sep 2, 2025
2021 Toyota Highlander 87000 miles began making humming noise when stepping on gas and goes away when foot off gas. Toyota said metal shavings in transmission fluid and we need new transmission. We have made appointment to replace. No warning lights. No incident just filing complaint
Power train, Aug 29, 2025
at 65,000 miles, the transmission has developed a "whining" sound consistent with TSB T-SB-0008-21.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 29, 2025
Entering the freeway a mile from home the car would not properly excellerate, only reachind 40 mph before exiting the freeway in favor backroads to my appointment. Shaking back and forth while driving, exacerbated when braking and coming to stop, I needed to put the car into neutral to calm down the shaking while waiting for the light to change. I just went through experiencing a brake failure and reporting of that to this Agency and now see another of many defects associated with the 2020-2022 Toyota Highlanders and Siennas Toyota is not addressing through Recalls as they should be, and further frustrated this Agency has or chooses to have no means by which to enforce Toyota's responsibility to the public
Power train, Aug 26, 2025
Transmission in our 2021 Toyota Highlander required a full replacement due to a known part defect (front carrier assembly front pinion shaft). Toyota will not cover any portion of the $8k cost. In looking into the issue, this is very widespread with even our dealership confirming four transmission replacements by customers in a short period of time. The transmission is also back ordered (ours took 3 months), but the dealership has seen up to six months. I am guessing this is do to the high demand.
Power train, Aug 25, 2025
At 119,000 miles, the UA80F transmission in our 2021 Toyota Highlander XSE started making a whining noise. A dealer confirms the transmission needs to be replaced. After much research, this is apparently a known issue and Toyota will not warranty the repair after the 60,000 mile warranty expires. Estimated repair cost is $11,000.
Power train, Aug 22, 2025
Complete failure of transmission at approximately 53k miles. No warnings. No lights. Car had just had its 50k miles service appointment. My safety and that of my family was jeopardized when I unknowingly took this car to/from our family vacation out of state- the gears started jumping a few days after we returned, quickly followed by the grinding, whining noises. Come to find out there is a service bulletin that has been out for 4 years! T-SB- 0008-21 issued on February 9, 2021, for select 2021 Highlander models equipped with a UA80E or UA8OF.8-speed automatic transmission. Why wasn't this a recall? How is this not a safety issue? Why wasn't this disclosed by Toyota when I was sold a car with 30k miles on it for $35k miles?
Power train, Aug 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the front of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,729.
Power train, Aug 20, 2025
My Highlander is making a whine noise due to the issue described in T-SB-0008-21. I was never made aware that this was a potential issue. My car is making the whine noise, but Toyota Of Capistrano refuses to cover the cost of fixing it because my car has 86,000 miles. I would have taken the car in sooner had I known of this issue.
Power train, Aug 14, 2025
Started hearing a whining noise when I would accelerate and then my car bucked a couple of times. I brought it into Toyota on 8/07/25 to be checked out and I was told that my transmission would need to be replaced. My car is 4 years old, bought brand new in April of 2021 and have kept up on regular maintenance. In researching this I am finding out that there is a large number of people who are experiencing this same thing with their Highlanders. I have also come to find out that in February of 2021 there was a TSB put out with regards to this same issue. This was 2 months before I even purchased my car. It for some reason does not include every vehicle and only some vehicles are included leaving others with this problem out of luck. I do not understand how that can be. If I have that UA80F transmission in my car and that is what is being named as one of the transmissions that have this problem then why is that certain vehicles are not being taken care of and why is Toyota not issuing a recall? My warranty has expired so I am being expected to pay out of pocket $8,000 (not including labor) and on top of that they do not even have the parts as they are on back order. We have to hold Toyota responsible for this.
Power train, Aug 11, 2025
Transmission failed and makes whining noise
Power train, Aug 10, 2025
Vehicle starts to produce humming and whining sounds as speed picks up from underneath the vehicle, likely from the transmission/final drive gear area. This problem is consistent and persistent. The whining noise stops when the throttle is released and will resume as throttle is engaged. More reported cases of transmission failure, sudden lost of propulsion and grinding noise are found on public forums. Toyota issued a service bulletin about this problem. Toyota issued extended warranty to prior model years from 2016 to 2017 of the same issue. This will affects millions of Toyota sold with the UA80, UA80E and UA80F transmissions in the US.
Power train, Aug 1, 2025
whine when accelerating. toyota has released a tsb 0008-21 indicating to replace transmission due to incorrect installation of a retaining clip on a nut securing differential in place. Nut can Become loose and stuck in gears of internals of transmission causing transmission to lock up while driving. this will cause loss of power and could result in an accident. Toyota is aware of the issue but refuses to make repairs due to vehicle being outside of powertrain warranty. Toyota has extended warranty to 10 years on 2017 and 208 model years however the problem still exist in 2017-2024 model years with the same transmission UA80E/UA80F
Power train, Jul 25, 2025
When our vehicle reached about 70,500 miles (10,000 miles past when the powertrain warranty expired), the vehicle started making high-pitched whining noises when the gas pedal was depressed. We brought it to the Toyota dealership and were advised that the vehicle's transmission needed to be replaced and were quoted $9,700. This is for a vehicle that was only 4 years old!! We do not feel that this is a repair/issue that a consumer must bear the cost of! When we shared this with the Toyota technician, he stated that unfortunately, the Highlander's powertrain warranty expired at 60,000 miles. We understand that Toyota was aware of this issue and this should have been escalated as a NHTSA recall where the manufacturer should be responsible for the cost of repair and/or replacement, not the consumer. Please assist us with obtaining a satisfactory resolution with this.
Power train, Jul 15, 2025
Our vehicle has 72k miles at normal use- no towing or off roading. Due to a whining noise we took in the vehicle at a Toyota dealer and after a $200 diagnostic fee concluded we need a new transmission priced at $10,800. There was no explanation/diagnosis summary- just we need a new transmission.
Power train, Jul 7, 2025
I purchased a 2021 Toyota Highlander in June of 2024 with about 45k miles. The transmission completely failed at 67k miles, when I brought it in to have checked in April of 2024. This is not covered under warranty and is costing 7-8k in repairs and over 3k in rental vehicles. I'm told the transmissions are on back order for 3-6 months. No lights went off in the car warning me of this. I smelled burning fumes on and off and reported it to the service dept around 59k (January 2024) miles. I did feel a jump at times, but didn't report that. After my routine oil change at the end of March of 2025, I heard a whining noise only when accelerating and would immediately stop when I released my foot. Two Toyota Service departments diagnosed my car with a failed transmission. I haven't been able to drive my car for 2 months now. My family's safety has been at risk while this issue with this transmission failure has been known and not reported to the consumers prior to my purchase in June of 2024. Potential consequences to a failed transmission while driving are as follows: -Sudden Stop or Coast to a Stop: The car might stop moving entirely, especially if internal components seize or it just loses power and I coast to a stop. -No Response to Acceleration -Pressing the gas has no effect, which is dangerous if I'd be in traffic or on a highway. -Locked-Up Transmission -Rare but possible, especially in catastrophic mechanical failure which could cause wheels to lock briefly. -Stranded
Power train, Jun 25, 2025
[XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Vin # [XXX] 2021 Toyota Highlander 4DR AWD XLE I am writing to report a potentially dangerous transmission defect in my 2021 Toyota Highlander XLE, at approx. 60-70k miles. The vehicle recently developed a high-pitched whining noise while accelerating, which a certified Toyota service technician suspects is internal to the transmission. This exact issue is outlined in Toyota Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0008-21, issued February 9, 2021, for 2021 Highlanders equipped with the UA80E or UA80F 8-speed automatic transmission. According to the TSB, the cause is worn pinion shafts in the front carrier assembly, and the prescribed repair is complete transmission replacement. Unfortunately, my vehicle was just outside the 60,000-mile powertrain warranty window, despite experiencing the failure consistent with a known manufacturer defect. Numerous other owners have reported identical symptoms between 60,000–80,000 miles, often facing repair costs over $8,000 and multi-week delays due to part availability. This is not a typical wear-and-tear issue. A failure of the transmission at highway speeds or during critical maneuvers could lead to loss of power or control, posing a real safety risk to drivers and passengers. I respectfully urge the NHTSA to investigate this issue further. I am happy to provide: Thank you for your commitment to driver safety. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Jun 25, 2025
I have a high pitched whine noise during acceleration from the transmission area. The noise gets louder with acceleration but goes away immediately when I take my foot off the gas pedal and starts again when you press the gas pedal again.