Model year
2021 Toyota Highlander
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 531 complaints for the 2021 Toyota Highlander (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 4 recalls and 15 complaints under HIGHLANDER HYBRID. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN (224), SERVICE BRAKES (67), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (67). NHTSA rated 4 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 23–36 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $1,850–$2,900, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2001 137 complaints
- 2002 301 complaints
- 2003 258 complaints
- 2004 286 complaints
- 2005 224 complaints
- 2006 278 complaints
- 2007 124 complaints
- 2008 405 complaints
- 2009 134 complaints
- 2010 216 complaints
- 2011 181 complaints
- 2012 182 complaints
- 2013 207 complaints
- 2014 136 complaints
- 2015 192 complaints
- 2016 111 complaints
- 2017 271 complaints
- 2018 269 complaints
- 2019 502 complaints
- 2020 321 complaints
- 2021 531 complaints
- 2022 263 complaints
- 2023 189 complaints
- 2024 43 complaints
- 2025 10 complaints
- 2026 4 complaints
Recalls
26V128000 · Mar 5, 2026
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
24V452000 · Jun 18, 2024
TIRES
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…
23V865000 · Dec 20, 2023
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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…
23V720000 · Oct 26, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
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.
Complaints
531 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 16, fire flag on 4, injury field 18, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| HIGHLANDER HYBRID | 4 | 15 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HYBRID SUV AWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.169 | NHTSA photo |
| HYBRID SUV FWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.164 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV AWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.164 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV FWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.169 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander · 3.5L · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 28 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Highlander · 3.5L · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 29 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Highlander Hybrid · 2.5L · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 36 | 35 | 36 | — | — | $1,850 |
| Highlander AWD · 3.5L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Highlander Hybrid AWD · 2.5L · Automatic (AV-S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 35 | 35 | 35 | — | — | $1,900 |
| Highlander Hybrid AWD LTD/PLAT · 2.5L · Automatic (AV-S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 35 | 34 | 35 | — | — | $1,900 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2021 Toyota Highlander at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.