Toyota Highlander Complaints (2021)

497 consumer complaints on file.

#11744777June 17, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
The front lower bumper detached while driving on the PA turnpike. The vehicle was traveling in the left lane approximately 75 MPH and was bumping on the road until we were able to pull over all the way to the right lane for approximately 1-2 miles. This hanging bumper dragging on the floor causing some damage to upper bumper as well. This was extremely unsafe for everyone in our vehicle and put the safety of all other driver around us at risk of accidents. No warning lights were present before bumper detached. Toyota dealership looked at it and refused to do anything about it, saying that they see damage to upper bumper and that is not part of recall. I told them the damage to upper bumper was caused by lower bumper falling off and being dragged at speeds of 75MPH until we could safely pull over. They stated that the recal only offered a repair kit to lower bumper. I will include a picture of bumper after lower bumper detached and upper bumper still firmly attached. I had no option and had the bumper repaired by a auto body repair shop. This should have been fixed by toyota and i would like to be reimbursed by toyota. There should be punishment to toyota corp for endagering the public and not keeping their word to correct recalls when they are known about. On June 8, 2026 i received a text message from toyota informing me that there was a recall on my vehicle for front bumper detaching. I responded that is exactly what happened to my vehicle. Needless to say they did not respond to that.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744703June 17, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission makes a metallic whining sound when you accelerate. Associated and confirmed to be transmission failure. Vehicle has 65,000 miles on it and failure is considered premature. The specific transmission, UA80, is known to have manufacturing defects that cause this problem
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744339June 15, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The vehicle transmission has a distinct whine noise as previous models have had. This is a known issue with these transmissions.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743952June 14, 2026
SEATS
On XXX, I was driving my 2021 Toyota Highlander at approximately 55 mph when a deer entered the roadway and I had to brake suddenly to avoid a collision. My [XXX] daughter was properly seated in the second-row seat and was properly restrained by her seatbelt. During the braking event, the second-row seat unexpectedly folded forward while she was seated in it. As a result, my daughter experienced rib pain and soreness that lasted several days. After the incident, the seat was returned to the upright position and appeared to latch normally. The vehicle is subject to a recall involving the second-row seat. I contacted Toyota Customer Care on XXX, and Toyota provided a rental vehicle on XXX, while the recall issue is being addressed. I am reporting this incident because the recalled seat failed during an emergency braking event and resulted in injury to a child passenger. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11743904June 13, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Right after the manufacture warranty of 60K miles, the car began to make a humming noise. I took the car into the dealership with 65K miles on 13 Jun 2026, and the Toyota dealership stated that the humming is caused by the transmission and we will need to replace the entire transmission. The cost would be $9,447.29. This issue is known by Toyota and Toyota put out Toyota Service Bulletin (T-SB-008-21) but failed to issue recall for this defective transmission.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743749June 12, 2026
POWER TRAIN
On two separate occasions I was traveling approx. five to ten miles an hours and had to change lanes. Traffic was heavy and I had to accelerate quickly to do the lane change. The vehicle engine started to rev high and I was barely moving. It was like the transmission didn't know what to do. I had to let my foot completely off the gas for fearing I was going to blow something up. I advised Toyota On Nicholasville several times and they totally ignored me. Also occasionally the transmission will make a clunking noise when shifting in reverse. While this isn't as much of a safety concern as needing your vehicle to respond in traffic and it doesn't. It's very difficult to get Toyota dealers even to document what your concerns are. The way they see it, if wasn't documented, then it didn't happen. The transmission in this vehicle is not safe. You can't rely on the transmission to respond if you are put in a dangerous situation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743547June 11, 2026
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
My vehicle has 67,100 miles. A whining/whistling noise recently started and the dealer has diagnosed that a new transmission is needed at a cost of $6,000-$8,000 and it is out of warranty. Researching this shows that this is a known manufacturing defect referred to under T-SB-0008-21. I am concerned that my transmission will fail while I am operating the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743525June 11, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission makes whining noise
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743384June 11, 2026
AIR BAGS, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Four days after I took delivery of this used vehicle (April 25, 2026), multiple warning lights appeared at once: BRAKE, ABS, PARK, Check Engine, Blind Spot Monitor Unavailable, and RCTA OFF. An independent Toyota dealership diagnosed the vehicle April 27-28, 2026 (approx. 109,000 miles) and found (1) water leaking into the rear hybrid battery area through a sunroof drain "installed incorrectly," causing a Brake System Control Module low-voltage code, starting issues, a headlight only partially functioning on one side, possible air in the brake system, and a musty HVAC odor; and (2) blind spot monitor fault code C1AC2 (Slave Module Horizontal Axis Misalignment) - the blind spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring systems do not function reliably. At a second visit on May 4, 2026, recalibration was unsuccessful; per Toyota procedure the only remaining option is replacing the right-rear blind spot sensor. The technician wrote the cause is a mystery, "whether it be body damage related or electrical short." Toyota service records show the same C1AC2 code was documented during the selling dealer's own pre-sale inspection, and that in December 2024 another Toyota dealership pulled the rear bumper and found the RR blind spot sensor bracket bent, causing incorrect readings - a recurring safety defect that prior calibrations and repairs have not resolved. Separately, federal safety recall 23V865 (occupant classification sensors; the passenger airbag may not deploy as designed) was open and incomplete when I purchased the vehicle and remains incomplete, and Toyota service campaign 25TD01 (rear traction motor cable corrosion) is also outstanding. The defect has been reproduced and confirmed by two Toyota dealerships, reported to the selling dealer in writing, and reported to Toyota's customer-care center. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. No crash, fire, or injury.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742853June 8, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Our transmission is whining during acceleration.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742503June 6, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car has stopped while pumping gas seems to be specifically after rain. There was a heavy rain and immediately after while pumping gas car was not able to start. Received message steering power low. Happened 3 times after first incident while pumping gas. Car was checked by a mechanic and believe it might be a defect with a part called purge flow ? After part was inspected all check engine lights and alerts on cars went away for a few weeks. Once again we had light rain and the same issue restarted , with unable to power car after pumping gas
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742367June 5, 2026
POWER TRAIN
2021 Highlander began with whining noise around May 15, 2026 and just outside the warranty. Had the vehicle inspected at the Toyota dealer for repair. They informed me the transmission failed and needs replaced for a price of $9600. Found on the internet that many folks are having the same transmission issue on several Toyotas made in 2021 with a UA80E or UA80F transmission. Toyota issued a Technical service bulletin (T-SB-0008-21) on FEBRUARY 9, 2021! We received no warning until the whining noise. We attempted a “goodwill case” to get Toyota to help pay but were denied for the simple reason we used our own mechanic. This has absolutely no effect on this transmission failure. Since Toyota was always aware of this issue I feel they should be held accountable. This is a major faulty product.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742152June 4, 2026
ENGINE
Transmission leak requiring torque converter replacement
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741801June 3, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The transmission on the 2021 Toyota Highlander failed at only 5 1/2 years old (66,000 miles). This is a known issue from Toyota and they should be held responsible to cover items just barely out of warranty for well maintained vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741319June 1, 2026
POWER TRAIN
We purchased our 2021 Highlander XLE in the spring of 2024. It came with a powertrain warranty up to 60,000 miles. Unfortunately for us, we're at 65,000 miles and recently started hearing a high-pitched, whining noise when we accelerate. We took it to the Toyota dealership and they told us we need the transmission replaced. A new transmission is around $9,000, before taxes and service fees. We haven't had any other issues and haven't had an accident. There's already a class-action lawsuit against Toyota regarding their Highlander models having UA80 transmission issues. Because of this, we called corporate in hopes they will pay for it under their Goodwill Assistance program. However, because we never had the Highlander serviced at a Toyota dealership before, they told us they won't cover anything. We've routinely serviced this vehicle. We happened to purchase it at a Nissan dealership, so getting maintenance at Toyota didn't cross our minds. Regardless of where we got the car serviced, it's obvious there's a recurring problem with the Highlander's transmission that Toyota has refused to acknowledge, which is costing consumers around $9,000 apiece. We feel cheated by Toyota, and we hope they eventually have to make things right.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741117May 31, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Subtle issues showed early when trying to accelerate to get on the freeway, the transmission would stall. It was intermittent so, difficult to show at the dealership. At around 50,000 miles I began feeling a drag in the transmission, like it was put in downhill mode. Again, it happened intermittently. At 60,000 it would lunge slightly forward when I put it in park. At 63,000 I started hearing a whining sound at acceleration. The dealership did not address my concerns until it was out of warranty and then they said I needed a new transmission.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740232May 26, 2026
POWER TRAIN
I own a 2021 Toyota Highlander with approximately 100,500 miles. The vehicle has developed a noticeable whining noise coming from the transmission/drivetrain area that continues to worsen over time. The noise is most noticeable during acceleration and while driving at highway speeds. I brought the vehicle to Toyota for inspection and was informed that the issue is related to the transmission. However, Toyota denied repair assistance because the vehicle is outside the powertrain warranty period. After researching the issue, I discovered multiple similar complaints involving 2021 Toyota Highlanders equipped with the UA80 transmission, including Toyota Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0008-21 regarding “Whine or Grind Noise From the Transmission.” The symptoms described in the bulletin closely match the symptoms my vehicle is experiencing. Toyota appears aware of this transmission-related issue, yet many owners outside the warranty period are being denied coverage despite similar failures and complaints. I am concerned this may represent a broader transmission defect that could lead to premature transmission failure, unsafe driving conditions, hesitation, loss of power, or expensive repairs for consumers. I believe this issue should be investigated further by NHTSA due to the growing number of similar complaints involving whining transmission noises and transmission failures in Toyota Highlander vehicles. At this time, the vehicle has not yet experienced a complete transmission failure, but the condition is worsening and raises significant concerns regarding reliability and safety.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740214May 26, 2026
POWER TRAIN
My 2021 Toyota Highlander was making a high pitched whine sound upon acceleration with the sound level holding steady at a consistent speed. We took the vehicle to a Toyota dealership to have it looked at and were told the transmission needs to be replaced. No other warnings were received. We are concerned about our safety if the transmission goes out while on the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739665May 23, 2026
POWER TRAIN
My 2021 Toyota Highlander makes a whining sound when driving. Took vehicle to dealership and was told it is a $10,000 repair and repair is critical.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739373May 21, 2026
POWER TRAIN
My car start with a noise and just lost power in the middle of the road causing almost an accident. This was caused due to the manufacture issue for the transmissions with my car model and brand.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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