Complaint volume
443 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2021 Toyota Highlander Complaints
443 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Toyota Highlander, grouped by component category.
443 Total complaints
16 Crash reports
3 Fire reports
11 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are power train, service brakes, unknown or other. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 16 crash reports, 3 fire reports, 11 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 38 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 26,599 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to power train, service brakes, unknown or other?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2021 Toyota Highlander?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2021 Toyota Highlander
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2021 Toyota Highlander complaints?
16 Crash
3 Fire
11 Injury
0 Fatality
9 Towed
8 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Toyota Highlander complaint categories?
POWER TRAIN 147
SERVICE BRAKES 41
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 34
STRUCTURE 33
AIR BAGS 28
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 22
ENGINE 13
TIRES 8
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 7
VISIBILITY/WIPER 7
443 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | AIR BAGS | 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I had been driving for about 20 minutes at approximately 50-55 MPH when the check engine light came on. Seconds later, the red hybrid malfunction message displayed and I lost the ability to accelerate. I was able to pull over and I saw grayish smoke and flames coming from under the hood on the right side. I exited the vehicle and called 911. It took moments from the start to being completely engulfed in flames. Several loud pops or explosions happened during this period. The police and fire department arrived and extinguished it. | Crash: No Fire: Yes | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | We were driving across the Texas panhandle at the posted speed limit of 75 mph. It was about noon, the outside temperature was about 60 fahrenheit & there was a cross wind of about 30 mph. There were no vehicles in front of me & the closest approaching vehicle was a good half mile away. No vehicles had recently driven past us from the approaching lane. There was a sudden explosion above us & through the 1-2" gap in the motorized retractable sunshade of our moonroof, I could see broken glass. Through that gap, some glass fragments fell in on us. I pulled over to stop, got out & inspected the roof, & the front glass panel was completely shattered & 75% gone. Many of the fragments were on the sunshade & I removed those. Going at about 40 mph we went to the closest small town where a mechanic removed some residual loose glass, vacuumed as much off the shade as he could, & patched the hole with cardboard held in place by duct tape so we could get home for a repair. If the shade had not been almost closed, we would have been showered with glass with risk of bodily & eye injury. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure) and 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I have noticed that my vehicle tends to jolt forward as I’m applying the brakes to come to a complete stop. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | STRUCTURE | light impact caused bumper to disconnect from my 2021 highlander. The bumper retainer clips came off. The lower valence clips are stuck and cannot be detached without damaging the lower valence. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V720000 (Structure) and 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the lower end of the front bumper had become loosened, and the contact was concerned that the lower part of the bumper might detach. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 55,000 |
| Mar 2024 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at night at approximately 35 MPH, the low-beam headlights appeared to shine directly into the eyes of drivers in the opposite lane. The contact stated that other drivers would flash their high-beam headlights. The contact stated that he had checked at night by observing the low beam lights aiming point and he saw that they appeared to be aimed high. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 20,000 |
| Mar 2024 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | STRUCTURE | Recall has been open for a long time and I am preparing for a military PCS move and must have this fixed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | STRUCTURE | Front lower and upper bumper covers. While driving the covers become detached from each other placing the vehicle at risk and other drivers at risk as the components will separate from the car potentially causing damage to the vehicle/tires/etc. or other vehicles in proximity to the car. The dealer has acknowledged this is a known issue but indicates they have no solution. The vehicle was purchase from Pat Lobb Toyota of McKinney Texas on 1/22/2024 and delivery taken on 1/23/2024. They indicate that they inspected the vehicle and found no risk. There are no warnings when this is happening. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Driving back from lunch with a friend we heard a pop and loud shattering sound as my sunroof glass exploded for no apparent reason. I called the dealer where I purchased the car 40 days ago with every extended warranty that I could. Toyota denied the claim stating that there was not any bulletins stating material defect and that the glass was not part of any warranty and I will have to file an insurance claim. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The headlights of the Toyota Highlander are too bright for other drivers. When driving at night, I am constantly flashed because the drivers think the highbeams are turned on when in fact, the lights are too bright for their visibility. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, there was a flat tire sound coming from the vehicle The vehicle was steered to the side of the road where the contact observed the undercarriage sticking out from under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the undercarriage and additional unknown parts needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 4,000 |
| Jan 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES | I’ve had brakes inspected and was told my brakes look great. However there is major chattering coming off highway to slow on off ramp sometimes they don’t grab as they should and I have to be extra proactive. Sometimes steering back and forth quickly to slow vehicle until the brakes will work properly bringing vehicle to a stop or before a collision could occur | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | 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 | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 2 | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | AIR BAGS | Air bag sensor malfunction alert on the dash. Toyota dealership maintenance determined the issue was sensor in the passenger seat was bad and is aware that the entire system will not work because of one sensor that would cost me almost $2000 to repair. Why would the entire system not work because of one sensor? This is not safe as the vehicle still needs to be driven and Toyota customer care does not care about the safety and well being of the consumer when contacted. Toyota Brand Engagement Center Reference # 230608000511 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES | My 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid braking system has, since about 18 months ago, been intermittently failing. When coming to a stop, with my foot on the break, the break releases (or at least feels like it does) before coming to a full stop and then re-engages a moment later once I press harder. Such, gives one a start and is quit disconcerting. There have been times when I was sure the car was going to drift into an intersection. Also I am concerned that such breaking behavior may put pedestrians, cyclists, etc., at risk. I have on two occations reported this to the dealer. They have not been able to reproduce the problem, which is typical of intermittent problems. Tomorrow, December 11, 2023, they are looking at it again. No warning lights or messages have occured. Neither the manufacturer, insurance company, nor the police have inspected the vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES | Electronic parking brake not always disengaging and sending error. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | While slowing and braking to stops (approximately less than 20 mph), the vehicle will lurch/lunge forward. It feels like you took your foot off the brake pedal but you did not. This occurs randomly. It does not happen every time. There are no warning lamps, messages, etc., prior to or during this issue. The vehicle has ~39000 miles. This has been occurring for at least 20000 miles. Risk: If this occurs when close to pedestrians, other vehicles, intersections, etc., it could result in an impact. The dealer could not reproduce but did find online message forums that reported the same issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE | The steering technology in this vehicle reads lines on the road that are not correct or valid lanes and almost caused several accidents during the 2 years I had the vehicle. Luckily, I was paying attention and had to jerk the wheel to the correct lane but the steering wheel will force itself to the other false lane. This is extremely dangerous and this is a huge safety issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | LANE DEPARTURE | The lane assist will not stay turned off, even when it is done manually each time I get in the car. The steering pulls me back when I'm trying to change lanes, making it unsafe. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | The vehicle has accelerated suddenly when I apply the brakes. It has happened on multiple occasions in different circumstances. I was heading up a hill into a slow stop at a stop sign and once I applied the brakes it suddenly jolted forward for a second until I slammed on the brakes more over riding it. I have had the car for a week and thought it could be just happen stance but it has happened multiple times. The first time there was a car in front of me as I applied the breaks and it is terrifying as I almost crashed into them. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |