Toyota Highlander Complaints (2021)

550 consumer complaints on file.

#11738297May 16, 2026
POWER TRAIN
2021 Toyota Highlander XSE AWD with approximately 60,400 miles. Vehicle has developed a noticeable driveline/transmission humming/whining noise during acceleration, beginning at lower speeds and increasing with vehicle speed under throttle. Noise is most noticeable while pressing the accelerator and appears consistent with Toyota T-SB-0008-21 regarding transmission whine/grind concerns on UA80F transmissions.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737945May 14, 2026
POWER TRAIN
60k miles on the car and the transmission needs to be replaced out of pocket due to a gear pinon wearing down. This is a 10k dollar repair and just happens to be after the warranty has expired.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737540May 13, 2026
POWER TRAIN
My 2021 Toyota Highlander equipped with the UA80 transmission developed a whining/grinding noise under acceleration around 73,000 miles. Toyota diagnosed internal transmission failure and recommended full replacement costing approximately $9,000. Toyota issued TSB T-SB-0008-21 acknowledging defects involving the front carrier assembly pinion shafts in these transmissions. This defect creates a potential safety hazard due to possible loss of power or drivability during highway operation. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate the widespread transmission failures affecting 2021 Highlanders and related Toyota vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735875May 5, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
When applying the brakes when slowing down fro a traffic light or in traffic, the brkaes suddely stop workign for a few sseconds at a speed of 5-10 mph, causing car to lurch forward before the brakes reengage. This has existed for a couple of year but has gotten worse in thelast 6 month.s The risk is that the lurch occurs prior ot the full stop ,potentilly causing the car to run into the car directly in ftont of our car. Toyota is aware of the problem and issued a technical sevce bulletinT-SB -0059-23 whichidentified this and a software update helps in resolving the issue. The bulletin however states the cost needs ot be paid by th cusotmer if it is out of warrnaty. This does not makes snse as it is a potetnail safety issue that coudl casue a collisiion and wodul seem to rise to the level of a recall. There are many refermces to the issue on social media. It seems Toyota should be rqeuired to make this a recall item at no cost to the customer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735742May 5, 2026
POWER TRAIN
I noticed transmission whining shortly after purchasing on 3/12/24. Odometer reading at purchase 62,347. I justified whining to myself as luck of the draw. Until a few months ago I started hearing grinding noise coming from the transmission. Had transmission diagnosed at Lancaster Toyota on 4/22/2026. Approximate odometer reading, 78,700. Was told that a replacement transmission was needed. Cost 9,526.17 No warning lamps or messages appeared. Transmission type UA80F SN A4A20J O 4195
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735560May 4, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Car was making whining sound with acceleration at 62k miles. Dealer told me I need to spend 8k on a replacement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735494May 4, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission. My 2021 Toyota Highlander with approximately 94,500 miles developed a consistent whining noise during acceleration. The issue occurs daily during normal driving and appears to be worsening. A Toyota dealership diagnosed the problem and confirmed the noise is coming from the transmission and that the transmission requires replacement. This appears to be a premature failure of a major drivetrain component. The condition could lead to loss of power or transmission failure while driving, creating a potential safety risk. There was no prior warning, and the vehicle has been properly maintained.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735102May 1, 2026
SUSPENSION
Early failure of front struts on a 2021 Toyota Highlander XLE, leaking fluid at 29,000 miles. Manufacturer does not seem to have any reported issues with these components. Issue discovered just one month after warranty expiration. Given the low daily use and time, this might be a manufacturer defect/concern. Could potentially be a safety concern affecting the vehicle handling and maneuverability.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735002April 30, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
My vehicle was parked for about an hr 30 min , and it started smoking from dashboard area and immediately went into flames .
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11734639April 29, 2026
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
The rear hatchback of my Toyota Highlander fails to open. I tried resetting it and that did not correct the problem. The only way I’m able to open the trunk is by manually crawling into the trunk, removing the back panel on the hatch door and pressing an internal latch release. While no injuries have happened because of this problem, if someone was stuck in this car or if there were an accident and a passenger needed to be accessed through the rear trunk, this would create a problem as it is not accessible from the outside of the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11734132April 27, 2026
POWER TRAIN
2021 Toyota Highalnder UA80F Transmission Whine / Known Defect - Potential for Sudden Failure I own a 2021 Toyota Highlander Platinum V6 AWD (UA80F 8-speed automatic transmisstion) purchased in July 2021. Current milage is 78k. Starting 3 days ago I noticed a faint whine noise coming from the transmission. The pitch changes with speed and when the throttle is depressed (It's louder under load/acceleration). This matches the exact symptoms described in Toyota TSB T-SB-0008-21 for whine/grind noise caused by the front carrier assembly pinion shaft issues in 2021 Highlanders with UA80 transmissions. On April 27, I went to a Toyota dealer to confirm the source of the noise and diagnose. As per their diagnosis report "Tech took vehicle on road test to duplicate concern, after confirming complaint vehicle was then lifted up and inspected while under a load, tech as able to isolate noise to transmission at this time, fluid level and condition was inspected to ensure there were no signs of shavings or discoloration and after inspection tech found nothing abnormal during fluid level check. Tech then ran a health check to ensure there were no DTC present related to transmission concern and found no DTC present. Recommend replacing transmission and torque converter at this time". They provided a quote of $9,392. This condition represents a safety concern because the internal wear can progress to harsher shifting, loss of power, limp mode, or complete transmission failure while driving, potentially causing a crash or stranding the vehicle in traffic. I have audio/vehicle recordings of the whine and service records showing regular Toyota dealer maintenance. I am requesting the the NHTSA investigate this ongoing UA80 transmission issue as it appears to be a known manufacturing or design defect tat continues beyond the narrow TSB applicability and warranty limits.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733929April 27, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Car makes a high pitched whining noise at low speeds of approx. 10-30 mph
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733296April 23, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that there was an abnormal winding sound coming from the vehicle while accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called a transmission shop and was informed that the part to repair the vehicle was on back order. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, and referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732875April 21, 2026
POWER TRAIN
2021 Toyota Highlander transmission failure
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732621April 21, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
Rear power lift gate routinely malfunctions, stopping partway while opening or closing. Dealer recommends resetting the lift gate, which occasionally works to address the problem but is not a reliable fix. Issue has been ongoing for several years without remedy.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11731942April 17, 2026
POWER TRAIN
My automatic transmission failed per the dealership and is just outside of the warranty but is considered a premature failure based on the expected life of the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11731578April 16, 2026
POWER TRAIN
I am an owner of a 2021 Highlander XLE AWD (bought new). In October of 2024 around 34000 miles the transmission started to make a whining noise and seemed to be surging/bucking , hesitation and hunting for gears. Toyota determined it fit the criteria of a TSB to have the transmission replaced. The dealership had my car for two months and then eventually replaced the transmission with a remanufactured unit. This “new” unit still has the issues of surging/bucking , hesitation and hunting for gears. I fear that this “new” transmission is in the process of failing again with less than 10k on it. Of course I will be out of warranty when it does and I’ll be on the hook for a $10000 repair. I’m appalled that Toyota has not done a true fix for this issue and has not even put an extended warranty on it either. I purchased this vehicle from Toyota on good faith that it would last and be reliable. 34k one transmission died and I’m sure this one will follow suite. Ultimately UA80 transmission is ticking time bomb and Toyota needs to be held accountable for this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11731434April 15, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This appears to be a fuel pump or something with the fuel issue on a 2021 Toyota Highlander L series. While driving it would stop and switch off at stop lights and stop sign. The codes that come up have to do with fuel being lean. However this also affects the braking system and causes it to be very hard to steer with this issue. The problem I have is that it cuts off without even you knowing what's happening and I was almost rear-ended twice. My car is now sitting outside unable to start. It doesn't even have 85,000 miles on it with all these issues. I believe it also said something about my transmission but unsure because the codes were flashing off and on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11731278April 15, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
Transmission has failed as have many others of the same year make and model without acknowledgement of a manufacturer defect
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11731272April 14, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission Failure. Had to have it replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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