2022 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 257 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2022 reports, 16 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 13 people were injured and 1 person died.
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
TiresJun 6, 2024
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022-2024 model year Highlander L and Highlander LE vehicles equipped with the Blackout Package that includes 20" black alloy wheels and tires. The installed tires have an insufficient load rating. 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 may be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
GST will inspect and replace the tires as necessary, and install a new tire information label as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R1.
Campaign 24V419000 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
Equipment, other, labelsMay 6, 2022
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022 4Runner, Tacoma, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification labels may not be permanent and can fade, becoming illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
An illegible label may allow the vehicle to be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
GST will notify owners by mail, including a replacement load carrying capacity modification label for their vehicle and detailed replacement instructions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 22R1.
Campaign 22V310000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
257 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Feb 12, 2024
Brakes vibrate at highway speeds above 60 mph. Car does stop but steering wheel and seat noticeably shake. Car only 1 year old and started during winter. Seems to be related to TSB-0072-18 but does not cover my vehicle year.
Structure, Feb 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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.
Structure, Jan 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair 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 while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle vibrated, and the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from underneath the front end of the vehicle. The contact had driven over a bump or an object on the roadway. The contact looked in her rear-view mirror and saw a plastic object on the road behind the vehicle. The contact later observed that the lower portion of the front bumper had detached from the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer who advised her that the damage was from an accident and to contact her insurance provider. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that she related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,206. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Visibility, Jan 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that there was an obscuring and milky pattern on the windshield while driving under certain weather conditions; significantly reducing the visibility of the roadway while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.
Air bags, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 4, 2024, crash
Was in a frontal collision air bags failed to deploy and forward collision system did not work. Received error messages from both systems that they failed
Structure, Jan 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. 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.
Service brakes, Dec 22, 2023
Occasionally when slowing to a stop, the brakes feel like they slip and i begin to speed up suddenly. Pressing hard on the brakes stops the car again. This is a safety issue if for example you were braking for someone in a crosswalk or a car in front of you. The dealer was unable to reproduce the issue. It happens maybe once a week, for the last several months. They examined the brakes and said they are fine. No warning lights.
Seat belts, Dec 18, 2023
The 3rd row seat belt buckle is imbedded too deep in the seat. This makes it very difficult for a child to buckle themselves and in several attempts the parent or another adult was required to insert the seat belt into the locking device. What is more concerning is the difficulty a child has when trying to release the seat belt. While this may be an annoyance that requires adult intervention it is of particular concern when a child, in an emergency is required to release the seat belt.
Structure, Dec 18, 2023
Sunroof shattered and detached at highway speed without impact
Other or unspecified, Dec 16, 2023
The hood is latched, but not sealing flush. There is approximately a half inch gap. While driving the wind catches. I can see the hood moving up and down while driving. Especially if I am on the interstate.
Structure, Dec 6, 2023
In November 2023, I received a notification about TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2022 OPEN SAFETY RECALL WITH NO REMEDIES. I went to the local DeLuca Toyota (www.delucatoyota.com ) Dealership. The address is 1719 SW College Rd, Ocala, FL 34471, (352) 732-0770. I bought this car from this dealership. I was talking with service manager about these issues about safety recall WITH NO REMEDIES. He said they cannot do anything about. They offered a different car as a rental solution. The first problem with rental car is an additional cost. I must pay for the rental vehicle. Another problem is limit of the mileages per day. I am working in Gainesville, FL, which is 49 miles away (one way) from my home. I will use this limit in one week, and then I must pay for the mileage excess in addition to rental cost, monthly payments for Highlander and additional rental car insurance. Dealers do not know when the remedy is going to be and try to push/refer to the “LOW RISK” issue. LAW RISK cannot be measured yet should not be discussed. Risk is the risk that is why an open safety recall was issued. I discussed with repair service department and seller’s department to provide me with either of these options: repair, replacement, or refund. All these remedies were denied. I mention that I carry “A CAP INSURANCE”. The associates stated that the cap insurance, is not suitable for this situation. I think, if there are no remedies available for safety recall available for 0ver 45 days, and I aren’t provided with any of remedies, I am intitle by law, my consumer’s rights have been violated.
Other or unspecified, Dec 5, 2023
Driver side mirror shakes in its housing at varying speeds and on non-smooth roads. It becomes a distraction of focus when you are looking at the mirror to then switch back to front. The mirror vibration almost caused an accident while overcorrecting a turn.
Air bags, Nov 8, 2023, crash
I got hit by a full size van at the red light and pushed to the traffic. Van is totaled and airbags deployed. I and my passenger got a whiplash, yet airbags deploy.
Power train, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Oct 25, 2023
The highlander has been having starting issue where the dash reads that the hybrid system is not functioning and won’t turn over. There is a consumer report program instead of a recall. This is deceiving. This morning the TPMS was reading that all tired were at 32 pounds of air when in fact the right front passenger was complete flat to the rim. Clearly the computer was malfunctioning with not just one aspect of the car but multiple. The local dealership isn’t helpful in that they charge $185 for diagnostic tests.
Structure, Oct 1, 2023
The Front bumper came loose on the interstate, creating a loud noise as it slid under the tires. Once safely pulled over on the side of the road the car appeared to have spontaneously dropped the front bumper, we did not encounter any debris in the road, the weather is good and clear, there was no prior damage to the vehicle. The clips that hold the bumper in place seemed to be broken.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 17, 2023
Toyota 2022 Highlander XLE AWD has a safety issue with the drivers side mirror. The issue is that the mirror vibrates when driving over small bumps or imperfections in the road. It is especially hazardous when driving at night and the following vehicles headlights flicker the reflection back in your face. It is very distracting to the driver. Toyota has similar vehicles (Rav4) that have TSB's for the same problem. Also many Lexus vehicles have similar TSB. I hope NHSTA will convince Toyota that the Highlander with mirror vibration problems need to be addressed similar to the Rav4 and Lexus models.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Sep 11, 2023
Unexpected brake failure; While driving at a slow 20 to 30 mph speed lightly braking anticipating a stop at a stop sign my car will unexpectedly surge and jolt the car forward while I'm applying maximum brake force to the peddle. I took it to the local Toyota dealer they checked it out and couldn't find or replicate the problem. I was told that possibly my driving habits or I may have my foot on the brake while still on the accelerator?? When this happens there are NO warning indicators or audible sounds either lit on the instrument panel prior to or after the event. This event on this day propelled my car approximately 6 ft past the crosswalk into the intersection of a four way stop.
Other or unspecified, Sep 4, 2023
No problem with my car
Other or unspecified, Lane departure, Sep 4, 2023
No
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 11, 2023
Vehicle does not fill above 14 gallons of gas. It says 10 miles until empty, but when you fill it and try to force as much gas in as it will take, it only fills to 14 gallons not the capacity of 17.8 that is advertised.
Other or unspecified, Aug 4, 2023
The side mirrors on the vehicle are melting and deforming. This happened with the vehicle being less than 1 year old. Nowhere else on the vehicle is melted but the dealership claims it’s “solar convergence” however none of this damage is happening to older model Toyotas that have been exposed much longer to the elements/sun. I have read online numerous people’s vehicles from Toyota suffering this same issue
Service brakes, Aug 2, 2023
A few months after the winter of 2022/2023 the car started making noise and shaking while breaking, the car was taken for regular maintenance at the dealer and I was told everything was fine on April/2023, it just got worse over time and the breaks are now failing and not stopping properly due to huge clusters of rust in the rotors. Car was taken again to the Toyota dealership and they said the warranty does not cover the rotors as they are considered wear and tear parts, rotor isn't worn but has increased in thickness in the areas were the clusters of rust are. After speaking to another mechanic I was told it happened because of the low quality steel of the rotors used by Toyota, which do not perform well in a climate where salt and other chemicals are used to treat the roads. The breaking quality has reduced so much the vehicle is taking twice as long to stop putting myself and others at risk.
Service brakes, Jul 10, 2023
The brake system on the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid malfunctioned momentarily this weekend (7/8/23 was date of incident) in North Kington, RI. While coming to a gradual stop at a stop light, the brakes momentarily stopped working and felt like the car lunged forward before the auto braking system activated since there was a stopped vehicle in front of us. My foot was on the brake pedal but the brakes just stopped working for a moment. I've read in other toyota forums that this has happened to others with 2022 hybrid highlander models. The same issue happens when applying the brakes going down hill and going over a bump. I'm bringing the vehicle to the toyota dealer this week. No warning lights ahead of the problem.
Service brakes, Jul 8, 2023
While driving on the highway at an average speed of 40-60 mph and applying the brakes, I experience a noticeable shaking in the whole car and can also feel the tires shaking. I took my car to the Toyota dealer, and they confirmed that the rotors and brake pads are in good condition. However, I still do not feel safe driving my car at this point.
Air bags, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jun 29, 2023, crash
On June 26 2023 the vehicle didn't stop automatically when another car was in view in the intersection, the automatic breaking system didn't work and the air bags didn't deploy,