Toyota Highlander Complaints (2022)

272 consumer complaints on file.

#11765724September 20, 2026
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle begin making grinding noises, and stalling during accelerating and also fuel smell. Took vehicle into Toyota Waldorf, MD dealership for diagnostic. At 58,000 miles, 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE stalls to accelerate due to front differentials failing, causing large chunks of metal on the drain plug indicating internal failure. Vehicle needs transmission and front differential replaced. I have 4 children, 3 of them still small, and driving with the fuel smell would impact them greatly as 1 of my children has asthma. It's also a hazard to be on the road with this vehicle as it can stall at any moment, causing a traffic incident. The problem has been reproduced by dealer, who is refusing to approve the fix under the 60,000 mile Power Train Warranty. There were no other warning signs, no check engine light came on, no issues prior to me hearing this grinding noise and stalling.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764748September 16, 2026
SEATS
UNKNOWN CONCERNED THE SAFETY WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED SINCE 3/5/26. AS OF TODAY (9/13/26), THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764306September 15, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed around an S-curb, the vehicle jerked into the nearby lane. The local dealer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764432September 15, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
I would like to file a complaint regarding Toyota’s known brake surge issue addressed in Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0059-23. I believe this is a serious safety issue because the unexpected braking or brake surge when stopping can potentially cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle or contribute to an accident. I contacted a Toyota dealership near me about the issue, but they were unwilling to provide any assistance. I then contacted another Toyota dealership, which informed me that they could perform the repair but would charge approximately $400. I am concerned that Toyota has identified and documented this issue through T-SB-0059-23 but does not provide the repair free of charge unless the vehicle is still within the 36,000-mile warranty period. A known safety-related defect should not necessarily become the customer’s financial responsibility simply because the vehicle has exceeded the mileage limitation of the basic warranty. I am requesting that Toyota review this matter and consider providing the repair at no cost, particularly given the safety implications of the brake surge issue and the fact that Toyota has already acknowledged the condition through its technical service bulletin.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764141September 14, 2026
POWER TRAIN
While accelerating, the vehicle produces a loud whining noise from the transmission area underneath the vehicle. I took the vehicle to Modern Toyota in [XXX] on XXX at 103,287 miles. The dealer diagnosed the condition and their invoice states the vehicle "needs the transmission replaced due to a gear whine." The estimated repair cost is approximately $10,498. This vehicle is equipped with the UA80E 8-speed automatic transmission. Toyota documented this same condition in Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0008-21, which describes a whine or grind noise from the transmission caused by the front carrier assembly pinion shafts, and prescribes transaxle replacement as the repair. My vehicle exhibits the identical symptom and requires the identical repair. The vehicle is the original purchase, bought new on XXX. The failure occurred outside the 60,000-mile powertrain warranty limit, leaving the full repair cost to the owner. This appears to be a widespread defect affecting UA80-equipped Toyota vehicles across multiple model years, and I am reporting it so it is on record. 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
#11764200September 14, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Wind shield seemed to crack spontaneously and it continued to grow over several days until the crack went from one edge to another.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11763440September 10, 2026
SEATS
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11763515September 10, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
When I’m driving with the A/C on when I start to decelerate to a stop at a stop sign or light, my car lurches forward. It feels like I’m going to crash into the car in front of me, but I’m not sure how far it actually moves. It happens more in the summer months (more than once per week) when the A/C is on. In the winter it does happen less often. I purchased the car in 2021 and it has done this for at least the last 3 years if not longer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11762878September 8, 2026
SEATS
My 2022 Toyota Highlander XSE is subject to Toyota safety recall involving the second-row seat recliner assemblies. Toyota states that the recliner assemblies may not fully lock after seatback adjustment, which could result in the seatback failing to properly restrain an occupant and increase the risk of injury in a crash. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Toyota notified me of the recall on April 30, 2026 and specifically recommended that no one sit in or use the second-row seats while the vehicle is moving until the remedy is performed. My children routinely occupy these seats, so Toyota’s instruction prevents me from safely using the vehicle for its intended purpose as a family vehicle. I presented the vehicle to an authorized Toyota dealership on May 1, 2026, immediately after receiving the recall notice. The dealership confirmed that my vehicle is affected by the recall but was unable to perform the repair because Toyota did not have a remedy/parts available. I left the vehicle with the dealership, where it has remained while awaiting the recall remedy. As of September 8, 2026, more than four months after I presented the vehicle, Toyota has still been unable to perform the safety recall repair or provide me with an estimated date when the repair will be available. I have also contacted Toyota directly multiple times regarding the unresolved recall. I have not personally experienced a seatback failure, warning lamp, or warning message. My safety concern is based on Toyota’s confirmed safety recall and Toyota’s instruction not to allow occupants to use the affected second-row seats while the vehicle is moving. I am filing this complaint because Toyota has been unable to remedy this acknowledged safety recall for my vehicle for more than four months despite my making the vehicle available for repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11762285September 4, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Car started to have a whining noise only when accelerating at 122,000 miles took it to the Toyota dealer where I bought it from. They did a diagnostics and told me it was the transmission and that it cost almost 10,000 to fix it. Car did not have no check engine light at all.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761642September 2, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
The cars brakes will release and car will lurch forward forcing you to hit the brakes again to avoid colliding with car in front of you. This is a KNOWN problem called "HYBRID REGENERATIVE BRAKE TRANSITION FEELING IMPROVEMENT" PER Toyota's TSB-0059-23. They know of the problem, but do not tell people about it upon bringing car in. My car is starting to do it more now, and they will not cover because it is "beyond 36,000 miles or 3 year manufacturer warranty" This is NOT a minor safety problem. I have had this happen being first car to stop at red light and brake will release and lurch forward almost causing me to go into cross traffic! It has happened multiple times almost making me hit the car in front of me (rear ending the car stopped in front of me). This is not a warranty issue like the weatherstriping on window is bad! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE INVOLVING 100,000 OF CARS. DO NOT WAIT for someone to get seriously injured by this or killed because of it (think kid in crosswalk walking and Suv stops, then lurch forward into them!) who is going to sue whom? Also, the injury or death could of been prevented. Now they charge over $350 to fix. This is with 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrids. Make Toyota know that this is unacceptable and a SAFETY hazard NOT a non injury causing type event. Thank you
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761280September 1, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
According to Toyota service department in Bozeman front pump or input bearing failed causing whine noise with transmission
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759745August 26, 2026
SEATS
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (Seats); 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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758750August 22, 2026
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Because I am not an expert, I cannot say with certainty what exact vehicle components contributed to this incident. On August 17, 2026, at approximately 12:40 PM, I was slowly driving my 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE in a parking garage where I park my car every week. I saw a parking space, so I slowed down and began pressing the break as I went into the parking space. All of a sudden, the engine revved up, and the vehicle lunged over the wheel stop and hit the cement wall, even though I continued pressing on the break. I then shifted the gear into "Park" and turned off the ignition. It all happened so fast and was quite frightening. I, subsequently, inspected the damage; among other things, the hood, front bumper, fender, and some of the trim around the lights were damaged. The seat belt restrained me, but the air bag did not activate. My chest is still sore, and I have some bruising on my left shoulder. I have reported the incident to my insurance agency. On August 20, 2026, I took the vehicle to a collision repair center recommended by the insurance claims agent. I have another appointment on August 24th to have a different repair center inspect and asses the damages and give me a quote on the repairs needed. The experience was shocking, and I would not want this to happen to anyone, which is why I am reporting the incident. This kind of malfunction could have resulted in an injury to another human, so I am thankful that only my vehicle and I were affected. This unfortunate and alarming experience has definitely made me hesitant to drive the vehicle for fear of it malfunctioning again.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11758749August 22, 2026
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Because I am not an expert, I cannot say with certainty what exact vehicle components contributed to this incident. On August 17, 2026, at approximately 12:40 PM, I was slowly driving my 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE in a parking garage where I park my car every week. I saw a parking space, so I slowed down and began pressing the break as I went into the parking space. All of a sudden, the engine revved up, and the vehicle lunged over the wheel stop and hit the cement wall, even though I continued pressing on the break. I then shifted the gear into "Park" and turned off the ignition. It all happened so fast and was quite frightening. I, subsequently, inspected the damage; among other things, the hood, front bumper, fender, and some of the trim around the lights were damaged. The seat belt restrained me, but the air bag did not activate. My chest is still sore, and I have some bruising on my left shoulder. I have reported the incident to my insurance agency. On August 20, 2026, I took the vehicle to a collision repair center recommended by the insurance claims agent. I have another appointment on August 24th to have a different repair center inspect and asses the damages and give me a quote on the repairs needed. The experience was shocking, and I would not want this to happen to anyone, which is why I am reporting the incident. This kind of malfunction could have resulted in an injury to another human, so I am thankful that only my vehicle and I were affected. This unfortunate and alarming experience has definitely made me hesitant to drive the vehicle for fear of it malfunctioning again.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11757826August 18, 2026
AIR BAGS
My mother was involved in a motor vehicle collision while properly restrained by her seat belt. During the collision, the vehicle sustained a significant impact; however, the airbags did not deploy. Following the accident, my mother went to the ER with significant bruising and injuries consistent with the force of the collision and seat-belt restraint. She has a fractured sternum, cardiac contusion and bad bruising. We are concerned that the airbags did not deploy and would like the airbag/restraint system investigated to determine whether it functioned as designed during the crash. We are reporting this incident to NHTSA so that the airbag non-deployment can be documented and reviewed as a potential vehicle safety issue.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11757420August 17, 2026
SEATS
Seat Back Recliner Assembly May Not Securely Lock Toyota opened this recall on March 5th. They have not provided a remedy within a timely manner and my car is not usable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755225August 6, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The headlights on this vehicle are not properly aimed and or poorly designed causing excessive glare to oncoming traffic. Even during broad daylight I could see the light scattered all around the headlight assembly appearing as though the high beams were shining directly at me. E Also excessively bright sparkly headlights like these are distracting impairing my situational awareness.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753127July 27, 2026
AIR BAGS
Was in collision - front impact- vehicle was a total loss, airbags did not deploy for driver or passenger side
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11751740July 21, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
In the past 3 days, the trunk of the vehicle has opened on its own even though it was locked. This has also happened 3 additional times in the past since I have taken it to the Toyota service center in Fairlawn, NJ. I am concerned because yesterday, I was at a supermarket and was inside for about 15 minutes and when I came out, the back was opened. This has not happened while I was driving but I was fortunate that nothing was taken from the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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