Toyota Highlander Complaints

958 consumer complaints on file.

#11752018July 22, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The transmission has failed due to a defect within the transmission. Toyota is aware of the defect but refusing to assist owners claiming warranty expiration despite the transmission failure occurring due to a defect and not normal wear and tear. Toyota service bulletin accepting the defect. T-SB-0008-21
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
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
#11751494July 20, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for oil filter maintenance and a spark plug change, and after the maintenance, the vehicle made an abnormal sound each time while accelerating. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751353July 19, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
Tailgate stays open; sensors seem to fail. It will work one day and not work on another day. My wife is short and handicapped and she can’t close it manually.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751310July 18, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was parking the car. Car in park. Foot on brake. Carr violently lunged forward. Hitting, and tilting, concrete pole. Put car in reverse. Lunged forward then backward. Someone could have been killed. Thank God no person was near. I could have lunged through a storefront if Parked by shop.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751046July 17, 2026
POWER TRAIN
loud noise when accelerating. noise is gone when let go of gas pedal. noise like internal gears from transmission
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751011July 17, 2026
POWER TRAIN
I bought the vehicle used from a Cadillac dealer in Orlando with 72700 miles on it. At approximately 75000 miles my wife and I noticed a faint whine coming from somewhere. As it worsened, I researched the issue to find that Toyota has a TSB for a manufacturing defect in the transmission. As I understand it, the transmission can fail suddenly causing a serious safety concern. I need to fix this problem as soon as possible for my family’s safety but since I am out of the warrantee period and there are class action law suits in progress I am starting here. The cost of the repair, I am told will be $9000 a $11000. There should be a safety recall for this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750944July 16, 2026
STEERING
[XXX] was turning left onto [XXX] from [XXX]. Two lanes turn left. She was in the inside lane. The traffic light was red, and when it turned green, she started to turn. Partway through the turn, the steering became unresponsive. She couldn't get it to turn left, and she could not complete the turn, and crashed into the pole that holds the traffic signal. She traveled less than 100 ft total from the light to the pole. The accident was at 1:30 PM on a dry and clear day. The car has 8087 miles on it. There were no observed indications of warning lights and no symptoms of a problem. The vehicle was towed to a salvage lot, the Insurance company inspected it and declared it a total loss. All the airbags went off. I mentioned to the adjuster that there was a mechanical problem, and he said they would not investigate that. [XXX] suffered a broken rib on her left side and has some serious cuts from the airbag below the dash, and of course, the seatbelt soreness. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11750894July 16, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
The fender liner detached and was getting caught up in the tire, I had to pull it out and then it was dragging on the ground. It was hard to turn because it was getting under the tire. Finally, one was pulling into my driveway and I felt a bump. I thought I’d ran over something, it was the fender liner underneath the truck. These liners are made of terrible materials. I never had a problem with one until this truck.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750432July 14, 2026
POWER TRAIN
2022 Toyota Highlander 8 speed transmission started making noise at highway speed. Vehicle has 61,000 miles on it. Also has erratic shifting. Toyota dealer said it needs a new transmission. Just out of warranty so Toyota only agreed to pay 25% of the bill.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750185July 14, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Rear window on the tailgate spontaneously cracked and broke into small pieces. No warning and no one touched the glass. The glass crumbled into small pieces.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750030July 13, 2026
POWER TRAIN
After multiple visits to a private mechanic, it has been determined that the transmission on this 2022 Highlander will need to be replaced. I have seen multiple reports stating this is a common issue with certain Toyotas.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750009July 13, 2026
POWER TRAIN
My 2021 Toyota Highlander Platinum is experiencing a transmission issue consistent with a known problem affecting the UA80 eight-speed transmission used in 2020–2024 Highlander models. The vehicle is currently at Greentree Toyota in [XXX] for diagnosis. This failure is occurring at 63,913 miles, only about 3,900 miles past the vehicle's 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. I have opened a case with Toyota (Case #XXX) and am requesting this be documented as part of a broader pattern reported by other 2020–2024 Highlander owners, including other 2021 Platinum trim owners 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
#11749845July 12, 2026
SEATS
Unknown. Toyota has recalled the recliner assembly in the second row seats. My car has been at the dealership for more than 60 days waiting for a remedy. There is still not one listed yet. I cannot safely drive my car as I have 2 children at home that must be with me as a sole parent.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749759July 11, 2026
SEATS
2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid – Safety Recall Number : 26V128 My vehicle has been officially grounded since XXX due to a severe safety recall that renders it unsafe to drive. A permanent remedy or repair part is currently unavailable from the manufacturer, forcing me to drive a loaner vehicle for over two months now. My car sits in uncovered parking lot of the Dealership ( Toyota Rockwall Texas) since XXX under the hot summer temperature of Texas which can cause cumulative damage to my car. . This prolonged delay creates an ongoing safety risk. The manufacturer's inability to provide a timely fix leaves me with no choice but to transport my [XXX] son in a temporary vehicle daily. I am also pregnant with my second child who is due to arrive in 3 weeks who will also be transported using the loaner vehicle if problem is not fixed yet. This situation exposes my family to unpredictable risks, as the safety history, structural integrity, and child seat compatibility of the long-term loaner are not equivalent to my personal vehicle. The manufacturer is failing to resolve a critical safety defect within a reasonable timeframe. I am filing this complaint to urge NHTSA to investigate the manufacturer's unreasonable delay in providing a final remedy for this safety recall. 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
#11749504July 10, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Our Transmission is failing on our 2021 Highlander. It has a little over 76,000 miles on the vehicle. 2021 and 2022 seem to have many issues with the transmission failing. The dealership's estimate is almost $11,000! We only buy Toyotas and never had this issue with our Sequoia, sienna, avalon, Rav 4 with lots of miles and never needed a new transmission!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749339July 9, 2026
POWER TRAIN
A known issue with this transmission. It started whining and had to be replaced at around 40,000 miles. Was replaced with a rebuilt transmission instead of a new one.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749252July 9, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The Automatic transmission is making a whining noise when you press the accelerator. I took it to the dealer and they confirmed it needs a new transmission. the vehicle started making noise at 58,000 miles. When I was able to bring it in it had 60,200 miles on it. They would not cover it under warranty because the 5-year portion of the warranty was up a few month prior. I filed for a goodwill replacement with Toyota and they denied me. Dealer estimate for a replacement was over $8,100 dollars. No warning lights, the problem started with a gentle hum or whine much like a bad pulley bearing then got progressively worse.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749172July 8, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission was replaced at 62,000 miles, along with the passenger headlight. Transmission had the dreaded "whine" at 60k miles. Headlight led lights were dead at 61K miles. All service work was completed at the local Toyota dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749042July 8, 2026
SEATS
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (Seats); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were unavailable. The contact stated that the second-row seats could not be occupied due to the unrepaired recall. The manufacturer was contacted and a case was filed, but the contact was informed that the parts remained unavailable. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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