Complaint volume
475 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
475 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Toyota Highlander, grouped by component category.
475 Total complaints
16 Crash reports
3 Fire reports
12 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, 12 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
12 Injury
0 Fatality
9 Towed
8 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Toyota Highlander complaint categories?
POWER TRAIN 170
SERVICE BRAKES 41
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 36
STRUCTURE 34
AIR BAGS 28
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 22
ENGINE 14
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 8
TIRES 8
VISIBILITY/WIPER 7
475 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | Almost caused high speed accident merging onto toll road! The vehicle is experiencing a severe transmission slippage, shudder, and grinding noise, consistent with TSB-0008-21 (UA80 transmission failure). This defect causes hesitant acceleration and erratic shifting, creating a safety hazard when merging onto highways or crossing intersections. I am concerned the transmission will fail completely while driving, resulting in a sudden loss of motive power and increasing the risk of a crash. Toyota has covered this exact safety defect in 2017–2019 models (CSP ZJC) but has failed to recall the 2021 models despite identical symptoms. First reared it's head as slipping when putting vehicle in reverse, 25k ago. Was told by Toyota Certified mechanics it was an operator error. Morphed into larger issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | POWER TRAIN | To whom it may concern I hope I've chosen the proper avenue for my problem. I purchased and new 2021 Toyota Highlander. I chose Toyota for it reputation of high standards of dependability. However I took the vehicle in at 20,611 miles (9/22/2021) into the dealership for multiple transmission issues. When passing it would kick down into a lower gear and race the motor. There was also chunky shifting and a small whining noise. (service Ref #XXX). The service manager only wrote down the first symptom. Upon doing a computer diagnostic without driving the vehicle the service manager told me to just drive it more that it probably needed more breaking in. The downshifting and chunky shifting did go away for the most part, but the whining persistently got worse. Finally at 115,000 miles it got much worse and I took it back to the dealership. They informed me that the transmission needed replaced at over $9,000. I reached out to Toyota upon finding out there was a in company TSB alert for this very symptom (Case #XXX). Toyota informed me there was nothing they were willing to do since it was out of warranty even though I reported the problem with no resolution when it was in warranty. My wife and I are in our [XXX] and don't have cash like that. we don't feel we should be responsible for the repair, especially when the issue was report properly before the warranty expired. How can you help? Thank you for your attention. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | POWER TRAIN | I brought my 2021 Highlander L in for some regular maintenance and reported that within the last 2 weeks I have been hearing a whining sound when the vehicle is decelerating. I was informed at the end of the day that the transmission is bad and needs to be replaced. My vehicle is just outside of warranty (69k miles). I have always ensured my Highlander got an oil change on time, had all recommended maintenance done at that appropriate time/milage, and brought it in for safety recalls promptly. This vehicle has never been in an accident, and while I have owned it (and according to Carfax when I purchased it) I have always brought it to a Toyota dealership for any and all work. There have never been any warning messages, and even though my vehicle has been into Toyota regularly for oil changes and regular maintenance, I was never notified of any other issues. I also use this vehicle at least once a year for road trips (over 200 miles) and before every trip bring it in to have it checked. I'm being told it'll be about $10K to fix. Based on my research I have discovered this is a problem MANY people with a 2021 Highlander are having, also a class action lawsuit was filed due to transmission issues but only covered Highlanders up to 2020. This seems to be the same issues those vehicles had but I'm being told it's not covered or a recall. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Whining sound upon acceleration. Occasional hesitation when shifting gears or rough shifting when going from complete stop to accelerating. Dealership says need new transmission. Warranty company test drove and agreed with dealership findings. 60,000 miles . | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | Insert, Padding | The EPS foam has come detached when removing my child from the seat and will not reattach even with the cover | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | SERVICE BRAKES | When I apply my foot to the brake pedal the car slows, but just as I am about to reach the final part it feels like the brake is let go and the vehicle goes forward and I have to push harder on the brake to stop the vehicle. This issue can cause me to run into a vehicle that is stopped. I have not taken it to a dealer yet. No warning signs on the dash. This has been going on for about a year now. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | STEERING,POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES | Vehicle had a very loud high pitch whining noise the rapid accelerated I was braking and brakes were not working vehicle screen was flashing Vehicle Malfunction. yes vehicle is available. I could not stop the vehicle I struck three signs and a lady fell down as i was approaching the the building very fast, hit a wrought iron black fence and it fell on a park vehicle and then i hit a park vehicle and it stop i threw it in park. i am not sure. Insurance company After the vehicle accelerated there was a message saying VEHICLE MALFUNCTION, not before the accident. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 3 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Automatic transmission making humming noise while driving, can potentially fail without warning and leading to loss of power and potential crash. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | AIR BAGS,SEATS | Recall has been active since 2023. Delarship states there is no fix for issue at time time 2 years later | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Started with a transmission whining. Now is setting check engine light and jerking. Toyota knows there is a manufacturing defect in the UA80 transmission in these vehicles, but continued to sell them even after the released TSB# T-SB-0008-21, and refuses to repair this under warranty. Toyota is the only company offering replacement transmissions and therefore can set there own price to scam consumers. Please help us get a resolution. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission is making a loud whine when accelerating. Dealer says the transmission cannot be repaired and must be replaced | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission is making a loud whine when accelerating. Dealer says the transmission cannot be repaired and must be replaced | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The rear hatch of the vehicle started malfunctioning right when the three year manufacture's warranty was expiring on 08/2024 (very convenient). It would only open part way, barely or sometimes not open at all. One instance, my dog's tail got stuck in the hatch and it would not open. I had to force it open and thankfully I am able to do that. January of 2025 I took the car into Will's Toyota in Twin Falls, ID (where I purchased it new) and they told me that my option was to replace the hydraulic struts that were $1000 for the service. I took the car in on 10/23/25 due to the issue getting worse to have them replace the hydraulic struts. The dealership said they've had a lot of cars with the same issue. I just do not understand how a company can sell a car and a major part of the car fail conveniently when the warranty is to expire. Oh and I called Toyota customer service to complain and they said they don't keep track of this kind of thing... | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | 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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | SERVICE BRAKES | My 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a braking issue identified in Toyota Service Bulletin T-SB-0059-23, Hybrid Regenerative Brake Transition Feeling Improvement. When going downhill and applying the brake, the vehicle lurches forward temporarily as the braking system transitions from regenerative to hydraulic braking. The first time my vehicle did this, it was very alarming and I had to take additional measures to slow my vehicle as I was driving downhill. My vehicle frequently demonstrates this problem, however, I did not report it to my local Toyota dealer because I read in an online chat group that it was a characteristic of this vehicle. Although the TSB recommends a Reprogram of the Brake Actuator Assembly Control Module, the repair is only covered under the Toyota Basic Warranty which is in effect for 36 months or 36k miles, whichever occurs first. My vehicle is past the warranty limit, and because I did not report it to my dealer previously, this repair is not covered under the TSB or the Toyota Basic Warranty. Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years 2020-2022 are affected. The Technical Service Bulletin was issued August 29, 2023, so if a 2020 model Highlander Hybrid has this problem, 2020 models would have already passed the warranty limit by the time the TSB was issued and thus would not be covered. This is a safety risk as drivers can lose control of the vehicle when braking, particularly when going downhill. The Warranty should be extended, or this problem should be elevated to a RECALL so that older affected vehicles, or those with higher mileage can be covered under warranty. Drivers should not have to pay for a recognized problem that affects the safety of this vehicle and has been identified in a Technical Service Bulletin. This problem puts drivers at risk of losing control of the vehicle and the problem can be mediated with a software reprogram. T-SB-0059.23 should be elevated to a RECALL, or extended regardless of age or mileage. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | POWER TRAIN | 2021 Highlander XLE started making a whining noise when accelerating. Noise stops when you let off the gas. Took it to Toyota who said the transmission needed to be replaced. Although everywhere you look this is apparently a known problem, Toyota has yet to cover it or recall the part making the owners have to pay 9k to replace a transmission. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Slipping and Whining transmission while driving in the Ozark mountains on [xxx]. I didn't feel I had full control of the vehicle. No warnings of any kind. Took the vehicle to Saint Charles Toyota service department on 10/2/25 where a bad transmission diagnosis was confirmed. Regards, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission began producing a whine sound at 58k and slipped several times.. A transmission that slips could cause a wreck involving all passengers. Requires replacement. No warning lamps. Show some integrity Toyota and stand behind your products. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | POWER TRAIN | There is a known transmission issue with some 2021 Toyota Highlanders, Avalons, and Camrys. Toyota Bulletin T-SB-008-21 from February of 2021 states 'Some 2021 model year Avalon, Highlander, and Camry vehicles equipped with UA80E or UA80F transmissions may exhibit a whine or grind noise from the transmission. This condition may be caused by an issue with the front carrier assembly pinion shafts'. I have a 2021 Highlander with 127,000 miles that started to show this whine noise. Local transmission shop confirms that a new transmission is needed. I am taking it to a local Toyota Dealer next week to confirm. I started a case online with Toyota USA, and since I'm over Warranty, they started that will not assist with reimbursement. My complaint is how came a recall was not done on this? Why did Toyota do nothing and now many of their customers with these vehicles face costly repairs ($7,000 - $12,000)? Toyota should at least reimburse their customers for some of the cost of the repair needed for this, even if out of warranty. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | POWER TRAIN | 66,564 Miles, Transmission slipped and caused a delay in power, now it has a big high pitched whine and continues to do it. This looks to be a big problem across the board for 2021 Highlanders. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Hearing a whining noise when I step on the gas pedal. The toyota dealership informed me I need a new transmission on a 4 year old vehicle with about 88,000 miles on it. Toyota said because there is no recall, they will not cover the replacement | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Winning sound coming from the transmission - upon seeking information online I was able to find a service bulletin from 2021 that addresses the issue - I see a large number of posts online with people having the same issue - the only solution is a transmission replacement - Toyota should be made to do a recall on these vehicles | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | AIR BAGS | The contact owned a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed low speed and in the process of merging into the highway, the vehicle was suddenly rear-ended in the rear quarter panel area, near the rear tire, causing the vehicle to face oncoming traffic. The driver-side and passenger-side air bags did not deploy. The message "Park Brake Malfunction" was displayed. The contact transported his wife to an urgent care clinic the evening of the incident for a medical check-up because the contact's wife was pregnant and was starting to feel pain. The contact's wife sustained neck injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The insurance company was notified of the incident and towed the vehicle to Copart to be inspected. The vehicle was totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | 51,000 |
| Sep 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Noticed 2021 Toyota highlander start whining around 85000 miles. Did some research on the sound and found that Toyota UA80F transmissions have all had the same issue and issued a tsb to their dealerships but not people who purchased the car. Warranty runs out and now you are on the hook for an 10k transmission replacement or risk your car breaking down at any point on the road. Car was inspected today by Toyota to receive the quote to fix at 10400 with no discussion of possible remedies for their defective transmissions. The exact quote would be "that's not our problem, you have to take it up with Toyota office, bud". So now we have a ticking time bomb on the road with the only remedy to pay 10400 to replace a defected transmission that was covered in other recalls by the same company. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | During rain, the A-pillar and headliner show evidence of a leak. Open source research found this is likely due to faulty or poor quality components used in the roof rail system. My vehicle is completely stock with no additions or installations on the roof, just the factory rails. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |