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2021 Toyota Highlander

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Highlander years

Owner complaints for the 2021 Toyota Highlander are substantially higher than the model-year median of 186.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 42 of 512 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 219 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports4 fire reports12 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

8 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2026
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

- The vehicle has been experiencing shifting issues (its an automatic vehicle) when driving in all instances and at all speeds that has progressively gotten worse over the past 4-8 weeks. - As it seems to be a transmission issue (and a known one pending litigation) the safety issue is if the transmission fails during operation …

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- The vehicle has been experiencing shifting issues (its an automatic vehicle) when driving in all instances and at all speeds that has progressively gotten worse over the past 4-8 weeks. - As it seems to be a transmission issue (and a known one pending litigation) the safety issue is if the transmission fails during operation of the car. - It was brought to a dealership to be inspected after it was initially felt as more of a vibration than the more harsh shifting/engine sounds and issues that it is currently experiencing. The dealership thought it to be the front hub assembly/bearing that was the issue. I had the front driver side replaced and the issue still remains and has continued to worsen. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representative. - There have been no warning lamps or messages at all. - Through research it appears this is a known issue with ongoing litigation (2 class action lawsuits currently in litigation related to UA80F transmissions of which it appears that our VIN is in the affected group).

NHTSA ODI #11713495

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2026
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked abnormally and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact pulled to the side of the road. The vehicle failed, then failed to respond while in drive or reverse. No …

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The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked abnormally and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact pulled to the side of the road. The vehicle failed, then failed to respond while in drive or reverse. No warning light was illuminated. The contact called for Roadside Assistance and had the vehicle towed to a safe location. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11712736

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2024
EngineVehicle Speed Control

While accelerating onto the freeway the vehicle suddenly loses power creating a serious safety issue. A check-engine light comes on but the safefy issue is that the vehicle goes into a power loss mode ON THE FREEWAY. A truck nearly rear-ended me the first time it happened. Toyota Service was unable to duplicate and so said Nati…

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While accelerating onto the freeway the vehicle suddenly loses power creating a serious safety issue. A check-engine light comes on but the safefy issue is that the vehicle goes into a power loss mode ON THE FREEWAY. A truck nearly rear-ended me the first time it happened. Toyota Service was unable to duplicate and so said National Toyota advised them to release the vehicle back to me. The same issue happened to my boyfriend and his son - total loss of power while accelerating onto the freeway. Then a mechanic recreated the issue 5 additional times (usually in the dawn hours when traffic was light due to safety concerns). Was unable to find the cause of the issue but a loss of power in a vehicle is as serious a concern as an unwanted acceleration. I am frustrated that Toyota is not taking this seriously.

NHTSA ODI #11589082

Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2024
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

While depressing the brake pedal the vehicle continues to accelerate before finally slowing to a stop. This happens on bumpy road surfaces as well as level road surfaces. There were no warning lights, alarms or messages prior to or during the failure. This issue started around 35,000 mileage and has progressively gotten worse to…

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While depressing the brake pedal the vehicle continues to accelerate before finally slowing to a stop. This happens on bumpy road surfaces as well as level road surfaces. There were no warning lights, alarms or messages prior to or during the failure. This issue started around 35,000 mileage and has progressively gotten worse to current day. (Current mileage as of 1/29/2024 is 54,346.) This issue would cause the vehicle to potentially rear end a vehicle you are following or propel the vehicle into an intersection typically controlled by a traffic signal or device. Local dealer has said there is nothing wrong as they could not replicate the issue.

NHTSA ODI #11568711

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2024
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlInjury

Varias veces mientras conduzco en la ruta la velocidad permitida, el carro frena, pierde potencia el motor, el sistema de aceleración no responde, esas veces me salve de accidentes mortales junto a mi familia, reclame a toyota corporación indicar eso y para ellos no paso nada nunca tomaron en serio, mientras que el carro para re…

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Varias veces mientras conduzco en la ruta la velocidad permitida, el carro frena, pierde potencia el motor, el sistema de aceleración no responde, esas veces me salve de accidentes mortales junto a mi familia, reclame a toyota corporación indicar eso y para ellos no paso nada nunca tomaron en serio, mientras que el carro para reparar eso, paso más de 25 días en las veces que se daño xq prácticamente el carro no es seguro para manejar

NHTSA ODI #11563517

12,000 miles · Mar 1, 2023
Vehicle Speed Control

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 3 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle surged over the curb and sidewalk. The contact was able to release the brake pedal, stopped the vehicle, reversed, and parked the vehicle. While driving on a hill with the acce…

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The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 3 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle surged over the curb and sidewalk. The contact was able to release the brake pedal, stopped the vehicle, reversed, and parked the vehicle. While driving on a hill with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle hesitated and failed to properly drive forward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Germain Toyota of Naples (13315 Tamiami Trail N, Naples, FL 34110), who informed the contact about a brake issue and provided an unintended acceleration form; but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the original dealer who informed her about brake calibration. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the tailgate failed to open, and the seat heaters became inoperable. The remote start failed to turn off. The windshield wipers randomly came on for five minutes but self-corrected. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.

NHTSA ODI #11509671

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2023
EngineVehicle Speed Control

Unwanted acceleration happen more the 5 to 6 times. While driving in highway exit ramp my vehicle lurched forward while I was trying to slowdown. Dealership had the vehicle for more than 2 days and unable to duplicate the issue. Currently Toyota dealership informed they don't any know issues or condition like this. I am not ver…

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Unwanted acceleration happen more the 5 to 6 times. While driving in highway exit ramp my vehicle lurched forward while I was trying to slowdown. Dealership had the vehicle for more than 2 days and unable to duplicate the issue. Currently Toyota dealership informed they don't any know issues or condition like this. I am not very confident in driving this vehicle due to this experience.

NHTSA ODI #11506579

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2021
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

I have a 2021 FWD Highlander Hybrid, running in ECO mode with just over 5K miles. I just had this problem happen this afternoon. Pulling into a parking spot at the grocery store. I was going pretty slow, almost stopped, and then the car engine revs and lurches forward. Thank goodness I had my foot on the brake, otherwise the car…

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I have a 2021 FWD Highlander Hybrid, running in ECO mode with just over 5K miles. I just had this problem happen this afternoon. Pulling into a parking spot at the grocery store. I was going pretty slow, almost stopped, and then the car engine revs and lurches forward. Thank goodness I had my foot on the brake, otherwise the car would of jumped the curb/parking block. Also, happened to me previously coming out of our neighborhood on to a busy street. I'm stopping at the stop sign, going pretty slow, and then all of a sudden the car engine revs and lurches forward. Quite frankly I consider this a huge safety concern. If my foot was not already on the brake the car would of moved forward into on coming traffic The car was just in for its 5K mile service at the Toyota Dealership, and there are no warning lamps or messages displayed when the problem occurs

NHTSA ODI #11434865

Official recalls

4

26V128000 · Seats:mid/rear Assembly:recliner

Mar 5, 2026

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

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.

24V452000 · Tires

Jun 18, 2024

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."

Consequence & remedy

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

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.

23V865000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Dec 20, 2023

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

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.

23V720000 · Structure:body:bumpers

Oct 26, 2023

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.