Toyota Highlander Complaints (2021)

550 consumer complaints on file.

#11702314December 1, 2025
AIR BAGS
Recall remedy is not a available in timely manner. Recall # 23ta15
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701942November 28, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The doors lock and sometimes don't lock with the key
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701505November 25, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
Rear liftgate motors no longer functioning.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701289November 24, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Failed seals on roof rack that allowed water to enter the A pillars. Unknown potential damage to air bag system, and electrical wiring. Smaller leaks can go undetected and damage components over time without owners knowledge. Dealer confirmed water intrusion, Toyota refused to repair the defect. Toyota is aware of the problem and had issued a service bulletin on April 22, 2024 (T-SB-0040-24) with a range of 2020-2023 Highlander vehicles affected. This defect may also affect components within the B pillars, and more.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701016November 22, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My gas tank does not fill up to 17 gallons like it claimed it would when I purchased the vehicle, It also keeps automatically shutting off after filling up a little bit 8-10 gallons and it is not full, I have to hold the handle and fuel manually and constantly worried its going to over fill.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700698November 20, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Almost caused high speed accident merging onto toll road! The vehicle is experiencing a severe transmission slippage, shudder, and grinding noise, consistent with TSB-0008-21 (UA80 transmission failure). This defect causes hesitant acceleration and erratic shifting, creating a safety hazard when merging onto highways or crossing intersections. I am concerned the transmission will fail completely while driving, resulting in a sudden loss of motive power and increasing the risk of a crash. Toyota has covered this exact safety defect in 2017–2019 models (CSP ZJC) but has failed to recall the 2021 models despite identical symptoms. First reared it's head as slipping when putting vehicle in reverse, 25k+ ago. Was told by Toyota Certified mechanics it was an operator error. Morphed into larger issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700687November 20, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, WHEELS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am reporting a serious safety defect involving the rear brake system of my 2021 Toyota Highlander, purchased from Penn Toyota (Glen Cove, NY). The dealership represented the vehicle as “Toyota Certified” and indicated that it passed all safety inspections. On November 15, 2025, I discovered that the rear brake rotors and pads were in extremely unsafe condition, showing severe corrosion, deep pitting, uneven pad wear, and structural deterioration. This damage clearly developed over a long period of time and indicates that the vehicle could not have passed a legitimate safety inspection at the time of sale. The rear brakes had to be replaced immediately to prevent potential brake failure. After replacing the rear rotors and pads, the vehicle passed the New York State Inspection on the same day, proving that the previous brake condition was unsafe and improperly inspected. This raises concerns of: Brake safety failure Improper or falsified dealership inspection Risk of reduced stopping power Potential loss of vehicle control I am submitting photos, the repair invoice, and the inspection result that confirmed the brakes were unsafe prior to repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700421November 19, 2025
POWER TRAIN
To whom it may concern I hope I've chosen the proper avenue for my problem. I purchased and new 2021 Toyota Highlander. I chose Toyota for it reputation of high standards of dependability. However I took the vehicle in at 20,611 miles (9/22/2021) into the dealership for multiple transmission issues. When passing it would kick down into a lower gear and race the motor. There was also chunky shifting and a small whining noise. (service Ref #XXX). The service manager only wrote down the first symptom. Upon doing a computer diagnostic without driving the vehicle the service manager told me to just drive it more that it probably needed more breaking in. The downshifting and chunky shifting did go away for the most part, but the whining persistently got worse. Finally at 115,000 miles it got much worse and I took it back to the dealership. They informed me that the transmission needed replaced at over $9,000. I reached out to Toyota upon finding out there was a in company TSB alert for this very symptom (Case #XXX). Toyota informed me there was nothing they were willing to do since it was out of warranty even though I reported the problem with no resolution when it was in warranty. My wife and I are in our [XXX] and don't have cash like that. we don't feel we should be responsible for the repair, especially when the issue was report properly before the warranty expired. How can you help? Thank you for your attention. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699948November 17, 2025
POWER TRAIN
I brought my 2021 Highlander L in for some regular maintenance and reported that within the last 2 weeks I have been hearing a whining sound when the vehicle is decelerating. I was informed at the end of the day that the transmission is bad and needs to be replaced. My vehicle is just outside of warranty (69k miles). I have always ensured my Highlander got an oil change on time, had all recommended maintenance done at that appropriate time/milage, and brought it in for safety recalls promptly. This vehicle has never been in an accident, and while I have owned it (and according to Carfax when I purchased it) I have always brought it to a Toyota dealership for any and all work. There have never been any warning messages, and even though my vehicle has been into Toyota regularly for oil changes and regular maintenance, I was never notified of any other issues. I also use this vehicle at least once a year for road trips (over 200 miles) and before every trip bring it in to have it checked. I'm being told it'll be about $10K to fix. Based on my research I have discovered this is a problem MANY people with a 2021 Highlander are having, also a class action lawsuit was filed due to transmission issues but only covered Highlanders up to 2020. This seems to be the same issues those vehicles had but I'm being told it's not covered or a recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699558November 15, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Whining sound upon acceleration. Occasional hesitation when shifting gears or rough shifting when going from complete stop to accelerating. Dealership says need new transmission. Warranty company test drove and agreed with dealership findings. 60,000 miles .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699457November 14, 2025
Insert, Padding
The EPS foam has come detached when removing my child from the seat and will not reattach even with the cover
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699050November 12, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
When I apply my foot to the brake pedal the car slows, but just as I am about to reach the final part it feels like the brake is let go and the vehicle goes forward and I have to push harder on the brake to stop the vehicle. This issue can cause me to run into a vehicle that is stopped. I have not taken it to a dealer yet. No warning signs on the dash. This has been going on for about a year now.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698619November 10, 2025
STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN
Vehicle had a very loud high pitch whining noise the rapid accelerated I was braking and brakes were not working vehicle screen was flashing Vehicle Malfunction. yes vehicle is available. I could not stop the vehicle I struck three signs and a lady fell down as i was approaching the the building very fast, hit a wrought iron black fence and it fell on a park vehicle and then i hit a park vehicle and it stop i threw it in park. i am not sure. Insurance company After the vehicle accelerated there was a message saying VEHICLE MALFUNCTION, not before the accident.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#11698282November 7, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Automatic transmission making humming noise while driving, can potentially fail without warning and leading to loss of power and potential crash.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698198November 7, 2025
AIR BAGS, SEATS
Recall has been active since 2023. Delarship states there is no fix for issue at time time 2 years later
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697299November 3, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Started with a transmission whining. Now is setting check engine light and jerking. Toyota knows there is a manufacturing defect in the UA80 transmission in these vehicles, but continued to sell them even after the released TSB# T-SB-0008-21, and refuses to repair this under warranty. Toyota is the only company offering replacement transmissions and therefore can set there own price to scam consumers. Please help us get a resolution.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696325October 29, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that the hatchback failed to open completely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer recommended that the hatchback motor be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695804October 27, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Transmission is making a loud whine when accelerating. Dealer says the transmission cannot be repaired and must be replaced
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695803October 27, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Transmission is making a loud whine when accelerating. Dealer says the transmission cannot be repaired and must be replaced
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695475October 24, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The rear hatch of the vehicle started malfunctioning right when the three year manufacture's warranty was expiring on 08/2024 (very convenient). It would only open part way, barely or sometimes not open at all. One instance, my dog's tail got stuck in the hatch and it would not open. I had to force it open and thankfully I am able to do that. January of 2025 I took the car into Will's Toyota in Twin Falls, ID (where I purchased it new) and they told me that my option was to replace the hydraulic struts that were $1000 for the service. I took the car in on 10/23/25 due to the issue getting worse to have them replace the hydraulic struts. The dealership said they've had a lot of cars with the same issue. I just do not understand how a company can sell a car and a major part of the car fail conveniently when the warranty is to expire. Oh and I called Toyota customer service to complain and they said they don't keep track of this kind of thing...
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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