Toyota Highlander Complaints

958 consumer complaints on file.

#11654176April 11, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Windshield side beveled trim driver’s side snapped and flew off on the highway into oncoming traffic and the passenger side is also loss and almost coming off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653870April 10, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The transmission is whining at medium speeds of 30-35 mph. The transmission started making the noise about 3 weeks ago. It appears that Toyota was aware of the potential defect in the transmission as Toyota issued a technical service bulletin (T-SB-008-21 and NHTSA # 10188917) on February 9, 2021. The TSB was sent to dealerships 17 days before we purchased the vehicle. Toyota took no steps to notify the owners or to prevent the sale of the vehicle with a know defective transmission. The TSB said the only cure to the defect was a transmission replacement. Toyota offered no extension for this drivetrain defect beyond the standard 60 month/60,000 mile warranty. Our vehicle is just outside of these parameters at 70k miles. The vehicle should not have been sold with know defects in the transmission and Toyota at the very least should offer to extend the standard warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653064April 6, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The seat belt alarm goes off for no reason while driving, is loud and distracting and the only way to reset it is to turn off the car and restart it. Luckily, I was on a local street and was able to safely pull over. I've had this vehicle for 18 months and the alarm has gone off over 6 times now. P.S. I'm not the only one. [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
#11652968April 5, 2025
AIR BAGS
I am reporting that the fix for NHTSA recall #23V-865, Toyota recall #23TA15 has not been done in a timely manner & I am concerned for the safety of my passengers. The recall info came out December 2023 & Toyota was supposed to have a fix 3rd quarter 2024. We are now in 2nd quarter 2025 & there is still no fix. This is unacceptable. Again, I am concerned for the safety of my passengers, one of which is my elderly mother-in-law who has difficulty getting in & out of the back seat.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652936April 5, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Transmission is producing a whining noise during acceleration. Very common with this model transmission.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652631April 3, 2025
ENGINE
TRANSMISSION, Jolts when backing up, and hesitates in traffic. The dealership confirmed it's the transmission. No warning lights, just running poorly with hesitation, afraid of breakdown. First appear a month ago after my warranty expired. I have a 2021 Highlander with 80,000 miles and still owe $22,992.84 on the vehicle. My warranty 60/60,000 is of is not any good. The issues is the transmission. The dealership is telling me it's not covered even though this is an issue with this model. For a another $11,000 they can install a new transmission. Toyota you are better then this, my Camry I had almost 300,000 on it. I had another highlander before this one. Very disappointed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652408April 2, 2025
POWER TRAIN
I purchased a new 2021 Toyota Highlander and began to experience a clicking noise coming from under the vehicle which grew in intensity. The vehicle has 76,000 miles. I regularly took the vehicle to a Toyota dealership for service where they never mentioned any needed service for the transmission. I informed the dealership of the clicking noise where I was told by a Service Technician that they have seen a large number of newer Toyota Highlanders experience transmission failures. I asked the Technician if a recall was issued and he simply shrugged his shoulders and walked away. This is a serious issue affecting a major component of a vehicle and safety, it is unconscionable that a major reputable manufacturer such as Toyota would be aware of a major defect and refuse to address the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651847March 31, 2025
STEERING, POWER TRAIN
- transmission has a whine sound. - steering while start in to peel off after 25k miles driving
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651686March 31, 2025
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH on a heavy snow weather condition, the vehicle lost traction, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a tree, where the vehicle came to a stop. No warning lights were illuminated. No air bags deployed. The contact sustained injuries to his neck, chest, and shoulder. The contact sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed by the insurance provided for further investigation. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11650706March 26, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The power liftgate does not close. This is an intermittent problem that is increasing in frequency to the point that I can hear internal components in the strut that are failing. This was reported to Toyota within the warranty period, and they claim that parts are on backorder. It has been over three months, and the problem is still not corrected. Toyota appears to be refusing to honor its warranty on this vehicle. The concern is that this failure occurs during a road trip or in an inconvenient location leaving us stranded with no ability to move the vehicle or obtain assistance.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649738March 21, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The transmission began to do a whining noise at 70K which is a signal of soon deterioration and failure. Toyota acknowledged the widespread issue but for only a very small portion in the T-SB-0008-21, though covered only under the standard 60K warranty. My car doesn't fall in the range of transmission mentioned in the TSB, though it is the same UA80 transmission model, and the symptoms and the problem is exactly the same as verified by the dealer. I have learned that many Highlander owners with UA80 transmissions are having the exact same issue around or right after the 60K miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649388March 20, 2025
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the display screen malfunctioned and displayed a solid black screen. During the failure, several functions and features could not be accessed or activated, including the front and rear defrosters. The contact was unable to clear the front and rear windshields, which created a visibility hazard for the driver. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the display screen unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649302March 19, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Car need. New transmission with only 44,000 miles. Toyota is going to replace but not sure if will happen again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649261March 19, 2025
STRUCTURE, AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, an abnormal sound was coming from the front bumper. Upon inspection, the front bumper had partially detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, it was unknown if the vehicle was repaired. The contact also received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. 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 vehicle had been with the dealer for over one year. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649229March 19, 2025
POWER TRAIN, AIR BAGS
Vehicle transmission has a whining sound Dealer stated needs new transmission Parts not available continue driving local only Would not state car is safe to drive and told not to take on long trips. No rental provided Also there is a airbag recall for this model and have not been notified
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648565March 16, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Transmission starting whining at 65k miles. Toyota corporate will do nothing since its technically out of warranty. Transmission in a Toyota should not fail at 60k miles. This is huge problem with this year vehicle. The only solution seems to be NEW transmission which is $8-10k.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648263March 14, 2025
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
r 2022 Toyota Highlander was involved in a motor vehicle incident wherein the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and front airbags may not have functioned as expected.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
4
Deaths:
0
#11647075March 7, 2025
AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Toyota continues to knowingly not remedy an airbag sensor issue. My vehicle has the light on indicating it is suffering from the same recall. I bought this car from them in 2024 and they sold it to me with the knowledge that there was a safety issue. I’ve tried to find a solution as this is a major safety issue. Toyota took my money in full for the car, yet can only offer me a loaner for 25 days. They said in CA, it most likely won’t get fixed until the end of 2026. I don’t have money. I have one car and I need a vehicle to transport to work and kids to school. This is not right and this is not safe. A remedy for people in CA that won’t be fixed for two more years that is an ACTUAL SAFETY issue , is not right. This is to document the safety complaint as the dealership continues to ignore the issue, and the 1-800 Toyota line continues to ignore it. All BBB complaints shows I’m not the only one. I can’t take a rental because they won’t pay me back, it’s not guaranteed, and I’m out another $40,000. They put people in impossible situations. The manager at the service center it’s your fault if you walk out of here without taking a loaner. You’re choosing to put your family at risk. And I said no, you’re offering me a loaner and you can’t guarantee a vehicle that will fit my family. I don’t know what to do.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647068March 7, 2025
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the driver’s side mirror was vibrating abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the vehicle was diagnosed and it was determined that the screw securing the mirror had loosened. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11646847March 6, 2025
TIRES
2023 Toyota Highlander XLE, Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S 235/65R18. This is the 2nd time we had a side wall tire blow out. First incident 08/2023 and today 03/06/2025 happened again with 3 slit/cracks/holes(not sure how describe it, attached picture) in the side wall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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