Toyota Highlander reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 3,604 complaints about the Toyota Highlander with NHTSA since 2010, most often about transmission and drivetrain and other or unspecified. Toyota has filed 9 warranty extensions and 24 service campaigns for it, and there are 39 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Toyota Highlander? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Highlander a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 3,604
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 9
- Filed by Toyota
- Service campaigns
- 24
- Filed by Toyota
- Safety recalls
- 39
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Highlander with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | Backup camera and rear sensors (50%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 10 | Cruise control and speed control (30%) | 4 | 1 |
| 2024 | 43 | Other or unspecified (30%) | 7 | 3 |
| 2023 | 185 | Other or unspecified (21%) | 9 | 5 |
| 2022 | 261 | Transmission and drivetrain (21%) | 5 | 6 |
| 2021 | 529 | Transmission and drivetrain (43%) | 4 | 10 |
| 2020 | 319 | Transmission and drivetrain (39%) | 4 | 5 |
| 2019 | 492 | Transmission and drivetrain (41%) | 3 | 5 |
| 2018 | 268 | Transmission and drivetrain (25%) | 4 | 12 |
| 2017 | 270 | Transmission and drivetrain (28%) | 3 | 9 |
| 2016 | 111 | Other or unspecified (19%) | 2 | 4 |
| 2015 | 192 | Electrical system (27%) | 1 | 4 |
| 2014 | 136 | Electrical system (26%) | 4 | 5 |
| 2013 | 207 | Steering (22%) | 3 | 6 |
| 2012 | 182 | Steering (25%) | 2 | 7 |
| 2011 | 181 | Steering (19%) | 5 | 8 |
| 2010 | 216 | Electrical system (25%) | 10 | 11 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Highlander model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Toyota
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Toyota filed with NHTSA for the Highlander, in its own words. A warranty extension means Toyota pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionSep 2025· Electrical system· model years 2020–2024
Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2023· Brakes· model years 2017–2019
On December 20, 2022, a settlement of claims for certain low pressure fuel pumps was approved by the federal court.
- Warranty extensionNov 2022· Body and structure· model years 2010–2018
TI: TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS Customer Support Program ZKG Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint
- Warranty extensionFeb 2020· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2018
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS Customer Support Program ZKG Phase 2 ? Customer Renotification and Repair Phase Repair is Now Available Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint
- Warranty extensionMay 2019· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2017–2018
Customer Support Program Bulletin: Toyota has received reports indicating potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced power, and master warning light/check engine light illumination, in the subject vehicles that are…
- Warranty extensionApr 2019· Mobility equipment· model years 2017–2018
Customer Support Program Bulletin: Toyota has received reports indicating potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced power, and master warning light/check engine light illumination, in the subject vehicles that are…
- Warranty extensionMar 2017· Body and structure· model years 2010–2013
Dealer Email: Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for the Power Back Door on certain 2008 - 2013 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles.
- Warranty extensionJun 2015· Mobility equipment· model years 2010–2013
RL: In our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for Sun Visor Assemblies on Certain 2010 to 2013 Model Year Highlander vehicles.
- Warranty extensionJul 2014· Engine and cooling· model years 2010–2011
Region Letter: In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for repairs related a leaking or seeping Engine Oil Cooler Pipe.
- Service campaignJun 2025· Electrical system· model years 2013–2025
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
- Service campaignOct 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2022–2023
The subject vehicles were delivered with only one (1) Smart Key on select models since October 2022 due to a global semiconductor shortage impacting certain microchips. The affected vehicles were delivered with one (1) Smart Key and a second mechanical key.
- Service campaignOct 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2021
Service Campaign completion is an important part of our commitment to customer satisfaction of Toyota products. Toyota will be conducting follow-up notifications to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had the Service Campaign repair completed in the campaign listed
- Service campaignSep 2024· Engine· model years 2023–2024
Technical instructions for special service campaign 24TC05 malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is on with DTC P05CE00 software update certain 2023 & 2024 Highlander vehicles certain 2024 Grand highlander vehicles
- Service campaignJun 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2021–2022
Safety Recall and Service Campaign completion is an important part of our commitment to customer satisfaction of Toyota products.
- Service campaignJun 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2021–2022
Toyota plans to conduct Safety Recall and Service Campaign follow-up notifications to owners whose vehicles have not yet had the following Safety Recall and/or Service Campaign repairs completed
- Service campaignJun 2024· Electrical system· model years 2023
Technical instructions for special service campaign 24TC03 data communicaton module (dcm) update certain 2023 Corolla, corolla cross, corolla hatchback, corolla HV, gr corolla, crown, highlander, highlander HV, prius, RAV4, RAV4 prime, RAV4 HV, venza HV
- Service campaignApr 2022· Body and structure· model years 2021
Ti: Technical instructions limited service campaign 22TD02FUEL inlet housing certain 2021 Model year highlander certain 2021 Model year highlander hybrid
Manufacturer reference Limited Service: quote it to a dealer to check whether a car is covered.
- Service campaignApr 2022· Body and structure· model years 2021
Ti: Technical instructions limited service campaign 22LD01 optional body-colored rear spoiler designed for: Certain 2021 Model year is highlander and highlander hybrid vehicles
- Service campaignApr 2022· Equipment and accessories· model years 2021–2022
SSC: Toyota Over-The- Air (OTA) Pilot Program Team Members SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN 22TC01
- Service campaignSep 2021· Electrical system· model years 2020–2021
TT: Special Service Campaign 21TC05 applies to the following condition: The fuel gauge needle and the ?distance to empty?
- Service campaignMar 2021· Airbags· model years 2010–2021
Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- Service campaignFeb 2020· Equipment and accessories· model years 2020
Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- Service campaignJan 2020· Engine· model years 2017–2019
Technical instructions: Technical instructions for special service campaign 19TC04 oil cooler pipe certain 2017–2019 Highlander HV
- Service campaignJan 2020· Engine and cooling· model years 2017–2019
Technical instructions: Technical instructions for special service campaign 19TC04 oil cooler pipe certain 2017–2019 Highlander HV
- Service campaignOct 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2018
Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- Service campaignAug 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2018
Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- Service campaignJan 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2018
Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements.
- Service campaignOct 2016· Equipment and accessories· model years 2011–2012
This Limited Service Campaign has expired as of October 31, 2016.
- Service campaignSep 2016· Electrical system· model years 2010
Region Letter email: In our continuing effort to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota has converted Limited Service Campaign (LSC) BST into Special Service Campaign (SSC) BST with no expiration date.
- Service campaignSep 2016· Electrical system· model years 2010
In our continuing effort to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota has converted Limited Service Campaign (LSC) BST into Special Service Campaign (SSC) BST with no expiration date.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Highlander model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Transmission and drivetrain803 (22%)
- Other or unspecified551 (15%)
- Electrical system442 (12%)
- Brakes369 (10%)
- Engine332 (9%)
- Body and structure303 (8%)
- Fuel and propulsion210 (6%)
- Airbags178 (5%)
Safety recalls
39 recalls cover at least one Highlander model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.
The third row center seat belt roof anchor may have been installed at an incorrect angle, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant.
Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse.
Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.
An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag.
The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values.
The 20-inch accessory tires with an insufficient load rating for the vehicle's Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) were installed.
The installed tires have an insufficient load rating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims.
A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.
An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag.
The load carrying capacity modification labels may not be permanent and can fade, becoming illegible.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Incorrect seat trim covers on one or both of the front seats can prevent the seat-mounted side air bag from deploying properly.
Due to an Engine Control Unit (ECU) programming error, fuel may not be correctly supplied to the engine while using the stop and restart feature.
And 24 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- EA18006Engineering analysis· opened Nov 2018, closed Apr 2024· Steering· model years 2010–2013
Steering Column Separation
- PE18005Preliminary evaluation· opened May 2018, closed Nov 2018· Steering· model years 2010–2013
Upper Steering Column Separation
NHTSA's own page for the 2026 Toyota Highlander has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Toyota Highlander reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 3,604 owner complaints, 9 warranty extensions and 24 service campaigns Toyota filed, and 39 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2021 (529), 2019 (492), 2020 (319). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Toyota Highlander?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name transmission and drivetrain (22%), other or unspecified (15%), electrical system (12%). Toyota has filed 9 warranty extensions covering the Highlander, listed on this page.
Which Highlander model years have the most complaints?
2021 (529), 2019 (492), 2020 (319). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Highlander with each other rather than with other models.
Has Toyota extended the warranty on the Highlander?
Yes: electrical system (model years 2020–2024); brakes (model years 2017–2019); body and structure (model years 2010–2018), and 6 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Highlander?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 39 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.