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.
Power train, Feb 9, 2025
Transmission failure at 94k miles. Driving on I90 the truck started making very loud whining noise. TSB0008-21 was issued by Toyota Feb-21 and I bought my truck Apr-21. Toyota did NOT disclose this to me.Vehicle failure happened exactly like the TSB. Toyota takes no responsibility-extended warranty is 100% unethical as I am still waiting 4 weeks later for repair. Toyota has no new transmissions available either. Please look into issuing a recall- thousands of people are impacted- please investigate. Toyota is choosing profit over people and safety.
Air bags, Feb 9, 2025
This vehicles airbags have been under recall for over one year!! Toyota should’ve had a remedy for this issue by now. They also stated that they would have a fix for this by the third quarter of 2024. It is 2025! This issue needs fixed now!! We have young children that ride in this car every single day! This is completely unacceptable and needs reported and fixed now!
Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 29, 2025
Subject: Transmission Issue – 2021 Toyota Highlander Dear NHTSA, I am reporting a serious transmission issue with my 2021 Toyota Highlander (82,000 miles). I recently took it to the dealership for an unusual noise, and they diagnosed a transmission failure, quoting over $9,000 for replacement and service. After researching, I discovered Toyota has known about transmission issues in the 2021 Highlander since at least 2021. I have always serviced my vehicle at the same dealership, yet they never informed me of this known defect. Instead, they waited until my warranty expired to disclose the issue, despite my repeated maintenance visits where I reported the noise. I also found a 2021 Toyota document acknowledging transmission problems in this model, and many other owners have reported the same issue. It seems dealerships avoided addressing this until warranties expired, leaving owners with massive repair costs. This raises serious concerns about Toyota’s handling of known defects. I urge the NHTSA to investigate and take action to protect consumers from unfair repair costs and potential safety risks.
Air bags, Jan 23, 2025
It has been over a year of this recall and the manufacturer still has not repaired it or offered a solution
Power train, Jan 23, 2025
39,000 miles- Transmission starting to make a loud whining noise while driving. Dealership stated failed carrier bearing, unsafe to drive as this could cause the transmission to lock up at any moment. Toyota has a TSB out for this and has provided a loaner. My car does not fall within the TSB VIN range however still has same failure.
Power train, Jan 21, 2025
At 4 years of ownership and 45,723 miles our 2021 Toyota Highlander XLE experienced a Transfer Case Failure
Power train, Jan 16, 2025
Transmission make grinding noise scared to drive when I check online on Google it states that all 2021 toyota highlander make grinding noise and only solution is to replace it
Service brakes, Jan 15, 2025
While braking, the car often lurches forward (so much so that it will throw my head back against the headrest). It almost feels like the car accelerated even though I have my foot on the brake. It will "re-engage" but it is frightening and also unsafe if you are close behind another vehicle or object. I have also felt the car lurch forward while it was in park a few times. Again, completely scared me because I thought I was going to be pushed into my garage wall. These incidences do not happen every time but they shouldn't be happening at all. I understand the hybrid aspect of it with the brakes and expect a small sensation but to be lurched forward so much is completely unsafe. I initially told the dealership about the brake sensation shortly after punching the car in 2021 and was told there was nothing wrong. I now see hundreds of people posting on social media with the same problem. Toyota needs to do a recall and have this fixed. There are no warning lights or messages that appear when the problem takes place.
Air bags, Jan 9, 2025
The recall on the passenger airbags for Toyota cars has not been resolved for a few years now. We owned a 2013 Rav4 for a few years and that airbag was never fixed. Now we own a 2021 Toyota Highlander with the same problem. What's Toyota going to do about it? My husband drives the car so I'm the passenger and I don't feel like dying. ?"???
Air bags, Jan 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Other or unspecified, Dec 31, 2024
While pulling onto highway I heard a loud pop and scratching noise. Pulled off road and looked at vehicle from outside. When I looked on top I saw that the glass from sunroof had a hole and had shards like it had exploded from inside pressure.
Steering, Air bags, Dec 30, 2024, crash
Headed westbound on 285 in Georgia; hit on passenger side front door and vehicle swerved several lanes and hit a wall going 60 miles per hour. The airbags did not deploy. I was injured badly and the vehicle was totaled.
Air bags, Dec 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Power train, Dec 26, 2024
My transmission started to make whining noise took to the dealer to check they confirmed it was a transmission issue that it needed to be replaced. After doing some digging I came across a toyota service bulitin that claimed this issue only affected a batch of vehicles. ( T-SB-0008-21 ) I have searched on forums and found out that a lot of people are haveing the same issue and Toyota is not doing anything about it. PLEASE HELP !!!
Other or unspecified, Dec 24, 2024
Infotainment system, this system comes with talk to text abilities. However, the system will say it is not compatible with the device which isn’t true as this same device work from day one of owning this vechile. About a year after owning this vechile I began to start having issues with talk to text through Bluetooth. The only option now to respond to a text through the infotainment system is with a predefined group of messages. This is not the only case of this issue occurring as many models within the 2020-2021 Toyota have had the same issue.
Service brakes, Dec 19, 2024
My brakes seem to have an issue at times and I am happy to provide it for inspection if needed. When traveling downhill with a slight curve to a stop at slower speeds, the car lunges forward for a second just after the brakes have been engaged. It does not happen all the time, but when it does happen it feels like you could crash into a car in front of you. This issue happens 2-4 times a month and has been happening since I purchased the vehicle. I recently found a Toyota forum with many people stating they have the same problem. Toyota does not seem to be aware of the issue when I have asked them. There have not been any warning lights etc. at any time during this issue nor any recalls with the issue. I am requesting it to be looked at by the manufacturer at the next scheduled service.
Other or unspecified, Dec 17, 2024
The navigation has failed to perform properly since the car was new. I have complained about it/taking it in on more than one occasion. Now the car is three years old and has 23,000 miles on it. I am told I must pay to repair the navigation system which never worked properly in the first place. It directs me to roads that are closed;, finds the store I wish to go to, but then says I can’t navigate there;, sends me to a residential neighborhood when I have put in the address of a school;, changes the address I input while I am enroute. It is supposed to navigate to addresses in my contact list, but when I select a contact it then asks me to choose from a similar name in a different state than I have entered in my contacts. I am very curious to know if there have been other complaints or technical service bulletins.
Power train, Dec 17, 2024
I purchased my new 2021 Highlander in Sept. of 2021. At about 88K miles, my car started making a whining or buzzing noise when accelerating. I am scheduled to take my highlander to the dealership to be looked at, but in the meantime, research on multiple forums and NHTSA -this is found to be a common issue with the 2021 toyota highlander transmission. Upon further research, I discovered that prior to buying the car, Toyota was already aware of this problem as they issued a Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0008-21 in February of 2021 yet they did not inform me or hold the cars for sale to correct what could cause accidents when the transmission fails. Upon further investigation, there are numerous people with this problem in their 2021 Highlanders. This needs to be addressed immediately and deserves a recall, as most owners discover this issue after the 60K power train warranty has ended.
Power train, Dec 13, 2024
The Highlander only have 62000, miles and still has a new car smell ,but it need a transmission was told by service advisor that it could stop in the middle of the of traffic with no warning no engine light on dash nothing upon further research a lot of customers are having the same problem Please help Toyota has been my brand since 1996 and I’m sad that the don’t stand behind the brand for such a major issue
Power train, Dec 10, 2024
I purchased my new 2021 Highlander in Sept. of 2021. At about 70K miles, my car started making a whining or buzzing noise when accelerating. I took it to the Toyota dealership in Fort Collins, CO. They told me my transmission is failing. They stated I needed completely replaced for just a few dollars under $8000. They stated that the Highlander transmissions are on backorder for replacement. They said it could go completely in a year or a month, they didn't know but I couldn't get it fixed for months because of the backordered transmissions. There is no warning light or alert. This is very concerning since I commute at night alone long distances, or if the transmission goes while I'm on an interstate, etc...I did some research and found that prior to buying the car, Toyota was already aware of this problem as they issued a Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0008-21 in February of 2021 yet they did not inform me or hold the cars for sale to correct what could cause accidents when the transmission fails. Upon further investigation, there are numerous people with this problem in their 2021 Highlanders. This needs to be addressed immediately and deserves a recall.
Power train, Dec 10, 2024
Transmission went out at 94,000 mils. Loud whinning noise and vechicle very loud sounds like a disel truck once cranked.
Air bags, Dec 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated while operating the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Air bags, Dec 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000(Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and another dealer, Sport City Toyota(12650 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy, Dallas, TX 75228), were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train, Dec 2, 2024
Transmission is shifting roughly and whining. Has to be replaced, on backorder for a month. This is a safety issue as it could fail while driving. Online search finds a service bulletin (T-SB-0008-21) and many, many consumer complaints about the same issue.
Other or unspecified, Nov 27, 2024
On 2023, the bumper of my car fell while I was driving on the highway. At that time, I took my vehicle to the Toyota Dealership to get inspected and they inspected the vehicle and recommended me to take it to a Body Shop to get it repaired. I paid for the repairs from my pocket since they did not take any responsibility of the damages. On December 2023, I received a letter from Toyota telling me that my highlander has a recall due to bumpers felling off and needed to add some clips from the manufacturer. I opened a case and provided all the information requested by Toyota. At the end they asked me for a CCR document where none of the representatives I've spoke were able to explain what is this document. I provided receipts, Dealership inspection document, my car documents. Today 11.27.2024, I receive a letter telling me that they are not going to move forward with the reimbursement. The body shop that they recommended me does not provide a letter with the specific information they are asking me for. Toyota contacted them and confirmed they did the repairs and they still refused to pay for the manufacturer damages.