2021 Toyota Highlander recalls and problems

The 2021 Toyota Highlander has 4 recalls and 539 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is power train.

How the 2021 compares

Highest

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 26 Highlander model years — the most of any year.

4recalls

539complaints

17crashes

4fires

19injuries

27,109median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

4 recalls

Seats

Mar 5, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V128000 · 686,588 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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 Toyotaâs customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.

Tires

Jun 18, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V452000 · 4,763 vehicles

Problem: 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."

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

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Air Bags

Dec 20, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V865000 · 999,901 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Structure

Oct 26, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V720000 · 750,795 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Power Train233

Unknown or other67

Engine47

Forward Collision Avoidance12

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2021 vs. other Toyota Highlander years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2021. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2021 Toyota Highlander have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns covering the 2021 Toyota Highlander, the latest from Mar 5, 2026 (seats). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Highlander?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention power train (233), service brakes (68), unknown or other (67). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.