2021 Toyota Highlander: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

Known problems on the 2021 Toyota Highlander

No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.

2021 Toyota Highlander recalls

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2021 Toyota Highlander. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

• Seats

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

  Details 26V128000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Tires & wheels

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

  Details 24V452000

  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."

  Fix: 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.

• Body structure

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

  Details 23V720000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Airbags

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

  Details 23V865000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

2021 Toyota Highlander safety investigations and free repairs

No open safety investigations.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

• Corrosion: Toyota is providing extended coverage under this Customer Support Program for repairs related to excessive corrosion to the wire harness connections at the Rear Motor Generator.
• Fuel system: 22TD02 expired on 2/7/2025 A seam near the fuel inlet may not have been properly sealed during manufacturing.
• Warranty extension: SSC: Toyota Over-The- Air (OTA) Pilot Program Team Members SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN 22TC01
• Warranty extension: Ssc: special service campaign 22tc01 over-the-air (ota) pilot program.

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2021 Toyota Highlander safety and fuel

From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

514 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.

Other Toyota Highlander years

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2022 2023 2024