Toyota Highlander Complaints

958 consumer complaints on file.

#11701505November 25, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
Rear liftgate motors no longer functioning.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701324November 24, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
When starting up the vehicle, the headlight system malfunctioned light came on and a pre-collision system light came on. After shutting it off and restarting the vehicle. The lights were off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701321November 24, 2025
AIR BAGS
When the vehicle is parked in the sun for 30 minutes or more. After pushing the start button, the SRS airbag system malfunction light came on. After restarting the vehicle, the airbag light was out.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701318November 24, 2025
AIR BAGS
Vehicle is parked in the sun for over 30 minutes and when the start button is pushed the Air Bag System Malfunction light is on. After restarting the light goes away.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701289November 24, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Failed seals on roof rack that allowed water to enter the A pillars. Unknown potential damage to air bag system, and electrical wiring. Smaller leaks can go undetected and damage components over time without owners knowledge. Dealer confirmed water intrusion, Toyota refused to repair the defect. Toyota is aware of the problem and had issued a service bulletin on April 22, 2024 (T-SB-0040-24) with a range of 2020-2023 Highlander vehicles affected. This defect may also affect components within the B pillars, and more.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701016November 22, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My gas tank does not fill up to 17 gallons like it claimed it would when I purchased the vehicle, It also keeps automatically shutting off after filling up a little bit 8-10 gallons and it is not full, I have to hold the handle and fuel manually and constantly worried its going to over fill.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700698November 20, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Almost caused high speed accident merging onto toll road! The vehicle is experiencing a severe transmission slippage, shudder, and grinding noise, consistent with TSB-0008-21 (UA80 transmission failure). This defect causes hesitant acceleration and erratic shifting, creating a safety hazard when merging onto highways or crossing intersections. I am concerned the transmission will fail completely while driving, resulting in a sudden loss of motive power and increasing the risk of a crash. Toyota has covered this exact safety defect in 2017–2019 models (CSP ZJC) but has failed to recall the 2021 models despite identical symptoms. First reared it's head as slipping when putting vehicle in reverse, 25k+ ago. Was told by Toyota Certified mechanics it was an operator error. Morphed into larger issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700687November 20, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, WHEELS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am reporting a serious safety defect involving the rear brake system of my 2021 Toyota Highlander, purchased from Penn Toyota (Glen Cove, NY). The dealership represented the vehicle as “Toyota Certified” and indicated that it passed all safety inspections. On November 15, 2025, I discovered that the rear brake rotors and pads were in extremely unsafe condition, showing severe corrosion, deep pitting, uneven pad wear, and structural deterioration. This damage clearly developed over a long period of time and indicates that the vehicle could not have passed a legitimate safety inspection at the time of sale. The rear brakes had to be replaced immediately to prevent potential brake failure. After replacing the rear rotors and pads, the vehicle passed the New York State Inspection on the same day, proving that the previous brake condition was unsafe and improperly inspected. This raises concerns of: Brake safety failure Improper or falsified dealership inspection Risk of reduced stopping power Potential loss of vehicle control I am submitting photos, the repair invoice, and the inspection result that confirmed the brakes were unsafe prior to repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700460November 19, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Four days ago, engine started making a whining noise when accelerating, especially in lower gears. No warning signs. 2022 Highlander Platinum is 3 years old, 80K miles, out of warranty; no extended warranty purchased due to historical, stellar Toyota reliability. Toyota service department at Toyota dealership today said whining is due to a bearing issue within the transmission (my personal mechanic inspected and said that is also likely) and cannot be repaired. Transmission could last another 10K-20K miles they said, before it becomes undrivable or just drops, causing a potential safety issue. Net, the entire transmission needs to be replaced to the tune of $9186. Just shocking.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700421November 19, 2025
POWER TRAIN
To whom it may concern I hope I've chosen the proper avenue for my problem. I purchased and new 2021 Toyota Highlander. I chose Toyota for it reputation of high standards of dependability. However I took the vehicle in at 20,611 miles (9/22/2021) into the dealership for multiple transmission issues. When passing it would kick down into a lower gear and race the motor. There was also chunky shifting and a small whining noise. (service Ref #XXX). The service manager only wrote down the first symptom. Upon doing a computer diagnostic without driving the vehicle the service manager told me to just drive it more that it probably needed more breaking in. The downshifting and chunky shifting did go away for the most part, but the whining persistently got worse. Finally at 115,000 miles it got much worse and I took it back to the dealership. They informed me that the transmission needed replaced at over $9,000. I reached out to Toyota upon finding out there was a in company TSB alert for this very symptom (Case #XXX). Toyota informed me there was nothing they were willing to do since it was out of warranty even though I reported the problem with no resolution when it was in warranty. My wife and I are in our [XXX] and don't have cash like that. we don't feel we should be responsible for the repair, especially when the issue was report properly before the warranty expired. How can you help? Thank you for your attention. [XXX] [XXX] [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
#11699948November 17, 2025
POWER TRAIN
I brought my 2021 Highlander L in for some regular maintenance and reported that within the last 2 weeks I have been hearing a whining sound when the vehicle is decelerating. I was informed at the end of the day that the transmission is bad and needs to be replaced. My vehicle is just outside of warranty (69k miles). I have always ensured my Highlander got an oil change on time, had all recommended maintenance done at that appropriate time/milage, and brought it in for safety recalls promptly. This vehicle has never been in an accident, and while I have owned it (and according to Carfax when I purchased it) I have always brought it to a Toyota dealership for any and all work. There have never been any warning messages, and even though my vehicle has been into Toyota regularly for oil changes and regular maintenance, I was never notified of any other issues. I also use this vehicle at least once a year for road trips (over 200 miles) and before every trip bring it in to have it checked. I'm being told it'll be about $10K to fix. Based on my research I have discovered this is a problem MANY people with a 2021 Highlander are having, also a class action lawsuit was filed due to transmission issues but only covered Highlanders up to 2020. This seems to be the same issues those vehicles had but I'm being told it's not covered or a recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699809November 17, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
My 2023 Toyota Highlander has had an issue where the steering wheel and brake pedal vibrate when braking at around 25 mph and higher. The car will also vibrate. This happens on the highway mainly but also on 25+ speed zones in residential areas. I have taken my car for regular maintenance and the brakes have always checked out fine. There has never been a service report stating anything is wrong with the rotors. I have purchased new tires and have had them aligned and balanced and the issues still persist. When I reported this to Toyota Service I was told that my brakes were good. The problem still persists.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699558November 15, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Whining sound upon acceleration. Occasional hesitation when shifting gears or rough shifting when going from complete stop to accelerating. Dealership says need new transmission. Warranty company test drove and agreed with dealership findings. 60,000 miles .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699457November 14, 2025
Insert, Padding
The EPS foam has come detached when removing my child from the seat and will not reattach even with the cover
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699061November 12, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Tailgate struts failed within 2k miles of the 3/36k warranty. Even with the power back door feature "off", the struts are not simply converted to normal manual hydraulics. To lift the gate and close the gate it takes significant effort and I injured my shoulder while trying to lift it while holding items I didn't want to get wet on the ground during a rain event.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699050November 12, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
When I apply my foot to the brake pedal the car slows, but just as I am about to reach the final part it feels like the brake is let go and the vehicle goes forward and I have to push harder on the brake to stop the vehicle. This issue can cause me to run into a vehicle that is stopped. I have not taken it to a dealer yet. No warning signs on the dash. This has been going on for about a year now.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698714November 11, 2025
POWER TRAIN
About 4 weeks a go i started hearing a whining noise from my Highlander. Thinking it was a belt we replaced. Whining continued to get worse only on acceleration. We are at 88,000 miles and it is now at Toyota getting a new transmission. Is there not something that can be done about this? I have read thousands of articles that show the UA 80E/F transmissions that are in the 2021-2022 models are junk. Luckily we bought a Toyota VSA and it is covering it. What about after 100,000 miles. Whats to say after another 80,000 it won't go out again which will cost me the $10,000. When the dealers put new transmissions in these vehicles are they using the same parts for the UA 80 E/F or the upgrade parts that fixed the 2023? If we have a VSA it should extended a year past the 100,000 mile mark because of the issue or they should have to replace them completely to match the 2023 models.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698619November 10, 2025
STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN
Vehicle had a very loud high pitch whining noise the rapid accelerated I was braking and brakes were not working vehicle screen was flashing Vehicle Malfunction. yes vehicle is available. I could not stop the vehicle I struck three signs and a lady fell down as i was approaching the the building very fast, hit a wrought iron black fence and it fell on a park vehicle and then i hit a park vehicle and it stop i threw it in park. i am not sure. Insurance company After the vehicle accelerated there was a message saying VEHICLE MALFUNCTION, not before the accident.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#11698282November 7, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Automatic transmission making humming noise while driving, can potentially fail without warning and leading to loss of power and potential crash.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698198November 7, 2025
AIR BAGS, SEATS
Recall has been active since 2023. Delarship states there is no fix for issue at time time 2 years later
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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