2021 Toyota Highlander Problems, Recalls & Reliability
612 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2021 Toyota Highlander, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 92/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Transmission & drivetrain leads the reports, typically around 59,674 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2021 Toyota Highlander sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings.
Avoid
Where 2021 sits among all Highlander years
What owners report
“My 2021 Toyota Highlander makes a whining sound when driving. Took vehicle to dealership and was told it is a $10,000 repair and repair is critical.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2021 Highlander
“When slowing down to stop and the brake is depressed, multiple occasions where the brakes don’t catch. The car jerks forward and I am unable to engage the brakes. I have ended up in the middle of an intersection due to this. It happens frequently, and Toyota continues to brush me off.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2021 Highlander
“Sunroof shattered while vehicle was parked. Nothing touched the vehicle. We were just sitting in the car when it happened.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2021 Highlander
“The front bumper, with the lower bumper cover, detached from the car while driving in the highway.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2021 Highlander
“Vehicle makes a loud noise when under 65mph. Car shakes when breaking. Transmission needs to be replaced.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2021 Highlander
“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2021 Highlander
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 44 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 27,109 miles. Half of those reports fall between 4,000 and 55,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2024 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. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed April 27, 2026. Additional letters will…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander reliable?
The 2021 Toyota Highlander drew 612 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 92/100, scored against the model's worst year (2008).
What are the most common 2021 Toyota Highlander problems?
The top reported problems for the 2021 Toyota Highlander are transmission & drivetrain (199 complaints), brakes & stability (65), and other (63).
At what mileage do 2021 Toyota Highlander problems show up?
Owners most often report 2021 Toyota Highlander problems around 27,109 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 4,000 and 55,000 miles.
Does the 2021 Toyota Highlander have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 2021 Toyota Highlander. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.