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
520 reports, newest first.
Engine, May 25, 2025
My 2021 with 73000 miles is now at a dealershop 700 miles away from home. I didn't drive far while away but a week into my vacation, i started hearing a whining sound upon accelerating. Sound seemed to get louder on second day of hearing the sound. Took it to a dealership in the Leesburg Virginia area....they charged me 203.00 for diagnostics and indicated need new transmission for near $11,000. Each time I went to my dealership in my area for an oil change, they indicated that I needed a transmission fluid change. I read that when Toyota installed a "Sealed Transmission System" these changes would not be needed or at least limited.... Because the so call system is sealed, only dealership techs can check your fluid levels. How do you know if, when they check it, do they replace what they took out and if they do this regularly and don't refill what they took out, your fluid would eventually be pretty low...there is no way to check because "Sealed Transmission System" is only check by the dealerships (no transmission fluid dip stick on 2021 highlanders (and 2022, 2024, 2025). So you can't check it like an oil dip stick. We're [XXX].....INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, May 23, 2025
A whirring and grinding sound from transmission when put into gear. Intermittent sluggish when accelerating.
Power train, May 23, 2025
Routine maintenance was done 5000 miles ago. Routine maintenance. At 50,151 miles and routine 50,000 mile maintenance a whistling/whining sound was noted. I was told a new transmission is needed. PLEASE MAKE THIS A RECALL. PLEASE MAKE TOYOTA STOP CHANGING OUT TRANSMISSIONS AT 50,000 miles on the regular. There is a known TSB, but so many VIN's are outside of this range experiencing the exact same issue that it is inconceivable that Toyota doesn't know they have a problem. Having a warranty that covers it is a band-aid. The wear and tear on the overall engine and parts due to transmission failure means they are knowingly selling cars that will fail. Why isn't it told to every buyer to expect transmission failure at 30-50,000 miles at the time of purchase? TELL US AND THEN LET US DECIDE IF THAT IS HOW WE WANT TO INVEST OUR MONEY IN OUR CARS. My first Toyota and my last. AND what is worse, the NHTSA KNOWS about all these incidents and just lets it ride. We have lost the consumer in the values we hold as a country. Insurance doesn't mean insurance. Transmissions are only worth 30-50,000 miles when it should be 200,000+ by now. Quality standards are there for a reason. Having a powertrain warranty that protects the manufacturing IS NOT how it was intended. FORCE TOYOTA TO FIX THIS ISSUE. STOP SELLING CARS WITH FLAWED TRANSMISSIONS. I feel taken advantage of and am stuck with a car I no longer want, (because as the service advisor said, "if it happens again, you will still be covered at no cost to you?!") - this is not ethical or technically sound.
Power train, May 20, 2025
When accelerating there is a whining noise coming from the front of the vehicle. There was no warning lamp that came on just the noise is what prompted me to take it to Toyota of Hattiesburg to be diagnosed. The transmission is what malfunctioned. Yes Toyota confirmed the problem and said my transmission needs to be replaced. I am very disappointed because Toyota’s has the reputation to last forever. As this is my 3rd Toyota and I have been very happy until now because Toyota is not taken responsibility for this problem that is continuing to arise in the transmissions. I have attached the paperwork showing what Toyota said.
Power train, May 20, 2025
Transmission whine
Power train, May 16, 2025
I am filing this complaint due to a severe transmission failure in my 2021 Toyota Highlander XSE, which I believe poses a significant safety hazard. At approximately 70,000 miles, the vehicle’s 8-speed automatic transmission failed. Prior to this failure, I reported a persistent gear noise (described as a whining or grinding sound during acceleration and gear shifts) to my Toyota dealership [Shore Toyota] when the car had less than 60,000 while the vehicle was under the 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The dealership dismissed the noise as “normal” and did not perform diagnostics or repairs, despite my concerns. The gear noise worsened over time, leading to more frequent noise and shifting, jerking, issue failure in May 2025. The noise occurres while driving from 0 to at 35mph. I later learned that the 2021 Toyota Highlander’s 8-speed transmission (UA80E/UA80F) has known issues, as documented in Toyota Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) T-SB-0008-21 (issued February 2021). The TSB describes a whining noise identical to what I reported, requiring a full transmission replacement for affected vehicles. Numerous other owners have reported similar failures, with some experiencing delays of 3–6 months for replacement parts due to backorders. My vehicle’s symptoms match the TSB, and the dealership’s failure to address the noise during the warranty period likely allowed the defect to progress to catastrophic failure.
Power train, May 16, 2025
2021 Highlander has 103000 miles. Transmission started a whine that only presents under acceleration. It follows the speed of the car, not the engine speed and is getting louder. My [XXX] granddaughter asked today what is that loud whining noise. It was diagnosed by my mechanic as another bad Toyota transmission. They stated it could stop working at the most inoperative time. Could cause death. I have to wait for more than 2 months to hopefully get a new transmission. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, May 16, 2025
My 21 Highlander has a wine noise coming from the transmission. There is currently a bulletin out by Toyota T-SB-000821 confirming that the transmission in this model needs to be replaced. I took my car to two separate mechanics who confirmed the noise is coming from transmission. I called Toyota this morning. Spoke with a lady and she told me she cannot locate the bulletin on my VIN number so pretty much there’s nothing they can do to help. I’m having the issue with my car that Toyota is aware about and has put out a bulletin regarding the issue. I think Toyota needs to take care of this. This is not something that should be VIN specific if I’m having the issue then fix it! At least send me to a Toyota dealership for you guys to confirm the issue and fix it!
Power train, May 15, 2025
The transmission started making a whirring and grinding noise so I took it into the mechanic who notified me that Toyota put out a TSB on this issue in February 2021. I leased this vehicle in April 2021 and it was never disclosed to me that I would experience a transmission issue down the line. At the end of my lease, I purchased the vehicle and again it was never disclosed to me of this issue. I immediately took the car into the Toyota dealership where they heard the noise and confirmed it is the transmission defect that Toyota previously identified. I am ordered to bring my four minor children from Las Vegas to Los Angeles minimum once a month and my fear is getting stuck on the 15 freeway at 75 miles an hour in the heat of summer. This is a huge safety issue and this matter should have been a recall. I understand from the Toyota service manager that Toyota did not redesign the transmission so even if I get a new transmission it will experience this issue again. At $11,000 for a new transmission or $4500 for the extended warranty, it isn't right that the consumer is on the hook for a defect Toyota knew about and didn't disclose. This is auto fraud and negligent. A car is a hefty investment and Toyota took advantage of the public. They should be held accountable.
Power train, May 12, 2025
transmission failure at approximately 80,000 miles dealer has confirmed diagnosis and recommended replacement on-line forums indicate this is a recurring problem with this model engine noises began at approximately 78,000 miles
Power train, May 10, 2025
There is a known flaw with this car that the transmissions fail prematurely. There is a technical service bulletin (TSB0008-21) released 2 months before purchasing the car on this exact issue and we were not made aware before purchase. Toyota has not recalled these vehicles and this applies to a very select serial number range of transmissions implying a manufacturer defect even further. Now my car, with 68k miles, is expected to have a transmission replaced at full cost. There are many forums discussing this issue and I hope that more people come forward because this is clearly a defect in the design that Toyota should be responsible in fixing.
Structure, May 9, 2025
Roof rails leak and allow water to enter the head liner and the air bags in the support arms of the cabin. Toyota has a Toyota Service Bulletin related to this but they and their dealers will not fix this. It would seem to be an issue if the air bags do not function as intended due to Toyota ignoring a manufacturing defect on their vehicles.
Power train, May 6, 2025
Transmission was making a wine noise. Little grind but winey noise. Went away. Came back few min later at shifting and went away thank went home
Power train, May 3, 2025
Around 76k miles, a whining occurs upon accelerating. Hear ever so slightly in 1st gear. Gradually is more evident as the speed increases. At 78k I decided it was definitely getting louder and was concerned after researching and learning that MULTIPLE 2021 Highlanders have needed transmissions replaced. I brought it in to a mechanic who searched for every possible problem, but ultimately came back to tell me it is my transmission failing.
Power train, May 2, 2025
Engine/Transmission 'whining' noise upon acceleration. We cannot drive it, three places said we shouldn't - it will only get worse, and eventually fail. No one knows when. My wife was driving on interstate when it firsts occurred, she couldn't get to the side fast enough. My wife feels unsafe driving it alone and with our young son. We are receiving very high quotes - despite the fact that they don't seem to be doing any real diagnostics. It seems to be a well known problem that only Toyota can address, as their design seems to have caused this dangerous problem and their supply chain issues seem to be common knowledge to many in the industry. Toyota service tells us at least a two month wait for a new transmission to arrive. Then three of four days to install. My wife feels very unsafe driving this vehicle knowing it could just stop operation at any time.
Power train, Apr 30, 2025
While driving the vehicle will wobble, shake and make grinding noises at lower speeds and at higher speeds.
Power train, Apr 29, 2025
The transmission has a whining noise caused by the front carrier pinion shafts. There is a TSB out for the transmission issue. Transmission has been inspected by a technician. No warnings - the noise was a warning I suppose. It first appeared in March 2025.
Power train, Apr 28, 2025
The transmission started to make a higher pitch sound when accelerating. We brought the vehicle in for evaluation @ 70,500 miles. We were advised the vehicle needed a new transmission for $ 9,900.00 Not even 4 years old, and Toyota Warrantee department said past the 60K drive train warranty so no support from them.
Tires, Apr 24, 2025
P 235 / 55 R 20 This tire has developed a sidewall bulge. It has always been properly inflated. I currently have the tire but the manufacturer has requested that I send it to them.
Tires, Apr 24, 2025
P 235 / 55 R 20 The sidewall blew out on the highway. I did not hit any road hazards and the tires were properly inflated. I have the tire now but Continental has requested I ship it to them.
Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2025
MY TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE PROPERLY FAULTY SENSORS
Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 19, 2025
My SUV is having issues with the tires air and also the sensors are not working properly
Steering, Apr 16, 2025
Was driving and all of a sudden ‘steering power low’ came on and engine died, got stuck in a busy intersection and needed assistance from police officer until I could be towed. Steering did not work to push car to side of the road so I was stuck in the center of the traffic. There was absolutely no lights or warnings before the steering power low and it died. Could have been very dangerous, I am supposed to drive north through the mountains to go camping in 2 days, lucky it didn’t happen then. At the mechanic now and they jumped the battery and say it’s working fine and they can’t find the problem.
Power train, Apr 15, 2025
There is a whining noise that occurs when the car is accelerating. At times, there car will skip when accelerating. There is also a vibration. I was informed the issue is with the transmission. A bad transmission can make driving very difficult, potentially causing the vehicle to stall or become unresponsive, and can be a safety concern. I drive my child to school daily, over an hour from our home, and drive to homes to provide hospice care to terminally ill patients. This issue causes great concern, both financially and for safety.
Power train, Apr 15, 2025
There is a TSB about the transmission whine between certain serial numbers. My transmission was outside of the range but started whining. I took it to the Toyota dealership and they advised me that the transmission needs to be replaced.