Toyota Highlander Complaints

958 consumer complaints on file.

#11646656March 6, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The dictation had stopped working, can not longer send messages while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11646431March 5, 2025
POWER TRAIN
2021 Vehicle has 105,000 miles, purchased certified used in 2023 from dealership. Whining noise with acceleration began so we brought to dealership to get the recalls fixed and asked about the whine on acceleration. Vehicle inspected at the Toyota dealership and service advisor stated that the transmission needed a full replacement and would have catastrophic failure if we keep driving. Advised that a new transmission is needed and cost of replacement is $10,000. The warranty no longer applies as the vehicle has over 100,000 miles. However we purchased with 66000. Technical service bulletin (T-SB-0008-21) notes that transmission issue recognized by Toyota since 2021. Hundreds of posts and complaints by Toyota Highlander owners with 2021 models can be found online. The dealership tried their third party warranty and the claim was denied. There should be more support from Toyota in supporting customers in replacing the transmission as it is clear this is a known issue. A recall is needed and a remedy in place. There is no reason a transmission should fail this early. Toyota needs to provide more support for this safety issue and replace the faulty transmission.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11646035March 3, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The navigation display unit failed in my 21 Toyota Highlander. It randomly flashes causing a driving distraction as it attempts to reboot, but then fails to turn on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11645587February 28, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle has 84,000 miles, purchased new in 2021. Started to experience whining noise with acceleration and irregular shifting of gears. Knew it was a transmission problem. Vehicle inspected at the Toyota dealership and service advisor stated that metal shavings are seen in the transmission oil. Advised that a new transmission is needed but may take several months before it is available. Cost of replacement >$9000. The extended warranty that I purchased previously no longer applies as the vehicle has more than 72,000 miles. Technical service bulletin (T-SB-0008-21) notes that transmission issue recognized by Toyota since 2021. There should be more support from Toyota in supporting customers in replacing the transmission. There appears to be many other owners who have experienced similar issues. Due to well recognized safety issue related to transmission failures, a recall should/need to be pursued. Please help.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11645528February 28, 2025
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
Driver's side mirror has been vibrating since vehicle purchase. The issues causes vibration / shaking of the driver's side rearview mirror creating blurry traffic (in the mirror) at highway speed and is a serious safety concern. Dealership claims it is due to attachment of a blind spot mirror on my vehicle. However there are hundreds of posts online of other people discussing / complaining about this exact same issue on Toyota Highlanders and Rav4. Other people are also reporting dealers claiming there is no fix. The issue can be fixed quiet easily by using a glue / tacky adhesive (or double sided tape) between the rearview mirror glass assembly and the backing plate of the mirror motor. Toyota should issue a recall since the issue is obviously prevalent and poses a safety hazard. Here are some links to other people complaining about the same issue since 2020: [XXX] [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
#11645366February 27, 2025
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that rainwater leaked into the roof panel into the front driver’s and passenger’s side door panels, causing a mildew odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who discovered mold was present inside the panels of the vehicle. The contact was informed that the interior headliner and headliner clips needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 5.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11645339February 27, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Since I got his vehicle i satated to the Toyota that having the breaks problem and dash is not working properly and blind spot is not working on time
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11645259February 27, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
On February 16, 2025 the vehicle was parked. The temperatures that day were in single digits. After approximately 1 1/2 hours the 12V system was drained. The driver panel was blank and the vehicle did not respond to any attempt to start. This vehicle had a similar incident the prior year, also in extreme cold conditions. During that incident the vehicle was towed to the dealership. They recharge the 12V system and did not find any problems once the faults were cleared. For the February incident, an attempt was made to jump start the vehicle. After the jump start the driver panel was active, but the vehicle reported a hybrid system malfunction and would not start the engine. The vehicle was then towed to the dealership. Attached is the report from service team. Problem #1. Under cold weather conditions this vehicle will drain the 12V system leaving the driver stranded in dangerous weather. Problem #2. The jump start procedure leaves the ECU exposed to severe damage. This leaves the vehicle inoperable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11645249February 27, 2025
POWER TRAIN
My transmission has a whining noise and is just over warranty. It is likely to fail soon. Toyota knows the transmission has had issues and has only recalled a select number of them but the issues are all over the board. The issues is consistent across all makes that use the UA80 trans mission (Sennia, Highlander, Camry, etc). In fact, these transmissions (new and remanufactured) all out of stock across the country because the issue is so bad. Research verifies this issue. Please see actual customer experiences below. There are way more out there when you research. [XXX] [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
#11644399February 23, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The rear hatch has been causing me issues for quite a while. Last year, I would have to hit the close button once or twice for it to close. It would close a few inches, beep, and then stop. It has become much worse the last six months. I have to manually close the hatch myself because it won't go down all the way using the button. We took it to Cedar Rapids Toyota and they said this is a very common issue in this vehicle. They adjusted the hatch and lubricated it. Once they were done, they said it doesn't work any better. It costs over $1,000 to replace the parts and they can't get the parts until June because so many people are having the same issue. This vehicle needs to be recalled. Thanks,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11642069February 11, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Internal failure (dealer indicated a bearing as cause) on transmission leading to entire transmission replacement required. Happened just outside warranty. Problem confirmed by dealership. Warning signs are whining/revving noise when accelerating (starts at about 20mph).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11641681February 10, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I was driving on road going speed limit during the day, came around a curve, vehicle was stopped, slammed on brakes and turned wheel but still hit rear of vehicle. No collision warning or auto brakes engaged.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11641562February 9, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Transmission failure at 94k miles. Driving on I90 the truck started making very loud whining noise. TSB0008-21 was issued by Toyota Feb-21 and I bought my truck Apr-21. Toyota did NOT disclose this to me.Vehicle failure happened exactly like the TSB. Toyota takes no responsibility-extended warranty is 100% unethical as I am still waiting 4 weeks later for repair. Toyota has no new transmissions available either. Please look into issuing a recall- thousands of people are impacted- please investigate. Toyota is choosing profit over people and safety.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11641555February 9, 2025
AIR BAGS
This vehicles airbags have been under recall for over one year!! Toyota should’ve had a remedy for this issue by now. They also stated that they would have a fix for this by the third quarter of 2024. It is 2025! This issue needs fixed now!! We have young children that ride in this car every single day! This is completely unacceptable and needs reported and fixed now! 😡😡😡
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11639473January 29, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Subject: Transmission Issue – 2021 Toyota Highlander Dear NHTSA, I am reporting a serious transmission issue with my 2021 Toyota Highlander (82,000 miles). I recently took it to the dealership for an unusual noise, and they diagnosed a transmission failure, quoting over $9,000 for replacement and service. After researching, I discovered Toyota has known about transmission issues in the 2021 Highlander since at least 2021. I have always serviced my vehicle at the same dealership, yet they never informed me of this known defect. Instead, they waited until my warranty expired to disclose the issue, despite my repeated maintenance visits where I reported the noise. I also found a 2021 Toyota document acknowledging transmission problems in this model, and many other owners have reported the same issue. It seems dealerships avoided addressing this until warranties expired, leaving owners with massive repair costs. This raises serious concerns about Toyota’s handling of known defects. I urge the NHTSA to investigate and take action to protect consumers from unfair repair costs and potential safety risks.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11638153January 23, 2025
AIR BAGS
It has been over a year of this recall and the manufacturer still has not repaired it or offered a solution
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11637857January 23, 2025
POWER TRAIN
39,000 miles- Transmission starting to make a loud whining noise while driving. Dealership stated failed carrier bearing, unsafe to drive as this could cause the transmission to lock up at any moment. Toyota has a TSB out for this and has provided a loaner. My car does not fall within the TSB VIN range however still has same failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11637393January 21, 2025
POWER TRAIN
At 4 years of ownership and 45,723 miles our 2021 Toyota Highlander XLE experienced a Transfer Case Failure
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11636348January 16, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Transmission make grinding noise scared to drive when I check online on Google it states that all 2021 toyota highlander make grinding noise and only solution is to replace it
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11636049January 15, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
While braking, the car often lurches forward (so much so that it will throw my head back against the headrest). It almost feels like the car accelerated even though I have my foot on the brake. It will "re-engage" but it is frightening and also unsafe if you are close behind another vehicle or object. I have also felt the car lurch forward while it was in park a few times. Again, completely scared me because I thought I was going to be pushed into my garage wall. These incidences do not happen every time but they shouldn't be happening at all. I understand the hybrid aspect of it with the brakes and expect a small sensation but to be lurched forward so much is completely unsafe. I initially told the dealership about the brake sensation shortly after punching the car in 2021 and was told there was nothing wrong. I now see hundreds of people posting on social media with the same problem. Toyota needs to do a recall and have this fixed. There are no warning lights or messages that appear when the problem takes place.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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