Model year record

2021 Toyota Highlander

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 999 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 26V128000

Seats: mid/rear assembly: recliner

Component
Seats: mid/rear assembly: recliner
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected
686,588
Reported to NHTSA
2026-03-05
Owners notified
2026-09-04

Defect description

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.

Safety risk

A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 9, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.

Recall campaignNHTSA 24V452000

Tires

Component
Tires
Manufacturer
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
Vehicles affected
4,763
Reported to NHTSA
2024-06-18
Owners notified
2024-08-16

Defect description

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander vehicles. The 20-inch accessory tires with an insufficient load rating for the vehicle's Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) were installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Safety risk

Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

SET will inspect and replace the tires and information placard, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2024. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET24A.

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V865000

Air bags: sensor: occupant classification

Component
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected
999,901
Reported to NHTSA
2023-12-20
Owners notified
2024-10-31

Defect description

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.

Safety risk

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V720000

Structure: body: bumpers

Component
Structure: body: bumpers
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected
750,795
Reported to NHTSA
2023-10-26
Owners notified
2024-04-22

Defect description

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.

Safety risk

A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 22, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train40460,347 mi
Unknown or other91
Service brakes852,600 mi
Engine673,400 mi
Air bags6131,000 mi
Structure: body534,000 mi
Electrical system4127,109 mi
Fuel/propulsion system38600 mi
Structure1415,000 mi
Steering12
Visibility/wiper10
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking9
Vehicle speed control9
Exterior lighting820,000 mi
Seats858,900 mi
Forward collision avoidance: warnings62,600 mi
Power train: automatic transmission649,729 mi
Suspension6
Tires680,000 mi
Back over prevention: warnings5
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control5
Lane departure: assist5
Lane departure: blind spot detection4
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut4
Tires: sidewall4
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system445,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers347,330 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields3
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior338,000 mi
Wheels3
Back over prevention: display function245,000 mi
Insert, padding2
Lane departure: warning2
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock2
Seat belts2
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly27,500 mi
Visibility: windshield2
Back over prevention: rearview system braking1
Chest clip, buckle, harness1
Lane departure: lane keep: automatic steering15,000 mi
Lane departure: lane keep: steering assist15,000 mi
Other/i am not sure1
Tires: markings1
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal112,000 mi

The 2020 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 2022 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.