Toyota Highlander Complaints (2022)

272 consumer complaints on file.

#11707698December 30, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When turning on the heated steering wheel and about 5-10 minutes, it seems there is smoke coming from the steering wheel leather and it’s very hot that almost burnt my hand and forced me to take my left hand off. I immediately turned the heated steering wheel and stopped. There is a burning spot left on the steering wheel also. The heating option still can be enabled and the same situation repeats (like no fuse was broken)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707647December 29, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving, the vehicle’s moonroof glass spontaneously shattered/exploded without impact. It sounded like a gunshot, which caused an immediate and dangerous distraction. There was no object strike that I am aware of and no prior warning. The sudden loud noise and breaking glass created a safety hazard due to distraction and potential glass intrusion.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707457December 29, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and made an unusual whining sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact's husband, a certified mechanic, diagnosed that the transmission had failed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact related the failure to several unknown TSBs. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. In addition, the contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706624December 22, 2025
POWER TRAIN
early transmission failure and whining at 40,000 miles
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705362December 16, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Premature transmission failure
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705248December 16, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Car developed a whining noise coming from transmission at 63,000 miles. Known manufacturing defect that will lead to transmission failure. No recall issued and Toyota would not extend warranty. I do not feel safe driving the car pending a transmission failure. Toyota’s solution is to replace the transmission at a cost of $9000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703973December 9, 2025
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE WHINING FROM 35MPH-45MPH ACCELERATION. Needs to be replaced this is the third vehicle this week the dealership said had the same issue.
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
#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
#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
#11696328October 29, 2025
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
See attached document for complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696163October 28, 2025
POWER TRAIN
2022 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TRANSMISSION IS MAKING A HIGH PITCH WHINING SOUND AND IS GETTING WORSE. MY WIFE DRIVES 20 MILES A DAY, 6 DAYS A WEEK AT 65 MPH TO WORK AND THE TRANSMISSION NOISE IS GETTING LOUDER. IF THE TRANSMISSION FAILS AND LOCKS UP, IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO FINDLAY TOYOTA IN PRESCOTT AZ. AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION IS DEFINITELY FAILING BUT WOULD NOT WARRANTY THE ISSUE BECAUSE SHE WAS 2500 MILES PAST THE 60K WARRANTY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696000October 28, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
When I am slowing down and coming to a stop, my car will surge forward. It feels like my brakes stop working for a second and that I pressed the accelerator. It has happened on flat road, hills and turns.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695508October 24, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car was parked at work and noticed the shattered panoramic moonroof when I got into leave.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693589October 15, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I reported twice to Tustin Toyota that my car seemed to have a strange braking issue. It felt like the car lurched/lunged forward as I was braking. Every time I brought it into service, I verbally mentioned it to the technician checking my vehicle in. I was repeatedly told there was no issue. Turns out there is an active bulletin (T-SB-0059-23) that came out but now my vehicle is out of warranty and they won't fix it unless I pay out of pocket. Why was the dealership not aware. Why is this not a recall for all affected years regardless of warranty? There have been multiple reports online with people have the same issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11691598October 6, 2025
STEERING
This type of steering wheel cover on the steering wheel will wear out by 50,000 miles poor engineered
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689386September 24, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Ua80f/e transmission in the 2018-2022 Toyota Highlander are defective. Mine has a loud whistle while accelerating. Problems have been acknowledged by Toyota however they’re refusing to fix.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11688250September 18, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The screen is going out. The back tailgate hangs up and doesn’t go down.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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