NHTSA Data Explorer

Toyota Highlander

Data refreshed July 24, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Toyota Highlander.

Complaints

6,379

Active records

Recalls

57

Active records

TSBs

1,369

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

58

Injuries

403

Crashes

519

Fires

75

Top reported issues — Toyota Highlander

Click a category to expand its values.

Operating state

2,189

Condition issue

1,325

Noise

1,125

Reporting mechanism

1,060

Braking behavior

760

Performance issue

673

Driver assistance issue

583

Engine behavior

498

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

405

Safety restraint issue

400

Fluid issue

394

Access/entry issue

314

Vibration/harshness

278

Electrified system issue

250

Steering behavior

222

Thermal issue

220

Safety restraint behavior

212

Electrical issue

155

Infotainment behavior

149

Lighting behavior

126

Starting behavior

114

Powering on/off behavior

89

HVAC behavior

86

Smell

76

Ride/handling behavior

62

Recent change

40

Wiper/washer behavior

18

Communication/network issue

12

Charging behavior

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Jul 21, 2026


The paint is severely peeling on the outside. This can likely flake off and damages other vehicles, property, and roadway infrastructure. This is the factory coat of paint. Color is Toyota Blizzard Pearl (070)

2022 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Jul 21, 2026


In the past 3 days, the trunk of the vehicle has opened on its own even though it was locked. This has also happened 3 additional times in the past since I have taken it to the Toyota service center in Fairlawn, NJ. I am concerned because yesterday, I was at a supermarket and was inside for about 15 minutes and when I came out, the back was opened. This has not happened while I was driving but I was fortunate that nothing was taken from the vehicle.

2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Jul 20, 2026


The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for oil filter maintenance and a spark plug change, and after the maintenance, the vehicle made an abnormal sound each time while accelerating. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

2023 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Jul 19, 2026


Tailgate stays open; sensors seem to fail. It will work one day and not work on another day. My wife is short and handicapped and she can’t close it manually.

2022 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Jul 18, 2026


I was parking the car. Car in park. Foot on brake. Carr violently lunged forward. Hitting, and tilting, concrete pole. Put car in reverse. Lunged forward then backward. Someone could have been killed. Thank God no person was near. I could have lunged through a storefront if Parked by shop.

2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Jul 17, 2026


I am writing to formally document a series of unresolved mechanical issues with my vehicle, culminating in a complete transmission failure, and to request assistance in resolving this matter. The timeline of events is detailed below: *Winter 2024: I first noticed a persistent buzzing sound originating from the engine compartment. Because this symptom primarily occurred during low ambient temperatures, I initially attributed it to the cold weather. The mileage on this vehicle was around 50k…

2022 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Jul 17, 2026


loud noise when accelerating. noise is gone when let go of gas pedal. noise like internal gears from transmission

2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Jul 17, 2026


I bought the vehicle used from a Cadillac dealer in Orlando with 72700 miles on it. At approximately 75000 miles my wife and I noticed a faint whine coming from somewhere. As it worsened, I researched the issue to find that Toyota has a TSB for a manufacturing defect in the transmission. As I understand it, the transmission can fail suddenly causing a serious safety concern. I need to fix this problem as soon as possible for my family’s safety but since I am out of the warrantee period and…

2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Jul 17, 2026


The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the power liftgate consistently failed halfway through while opening and closing the liftgate. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact became aware of information online about Technical Service Bulletin: SB0023/16, NHTSA ID Number: 10134306 (Structure, Electrical System); and associated the failure with the TSB. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed…

2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Filed Jul 16, 2026


1 injured
Crash

I pushed the brake and swerved and the car kept going and a greater speed and surged into a house.

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated July 24, 2026. Refreshed nightly.