Complaint volume
205 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
205 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2022 Toyota Highlander, grouped by component category.
Buyer interpretation
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
205 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
The most common categories are structure, power train, service brakes. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Enriched records include 12 crash reports, 1 fire report, 2 injury reports, and 1 fatality report. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage is available on 27 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 33,895 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
205 total complaints on record
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2022 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | While having the eco system on, with the active system present by firmly pressing the brake hard at a stoplight, the light turned green. while taking my foot off the brake and the engine turning back on, attempting to accelerate the transmission would not allow me to get through the intersection turning left. I pulled to the far left/slow lane to stay out of other traffic. The vehicle would not allow me to go past 40mph, and the rpm’s would rev between 2000-3000 at low speeds between 10-25 mph. I had my 1 1/2 year old with me in his car seat, and it would have been tragic should this happen on the freeway and this kind of situation happened. Attempting to take it to the dealership, the truck even had trouble going over some railroad tracks with a small mound present. The dealership checked out the vehicle and called it operator error, after inspecting the reported malfunctions and finding nothing. This will not be operator error when someone is seriously injured, or if it happens to be one of their family members driving a similar vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Driver side window spontaneously shattered while driving down highway at 65 mph. It sounded like a pressure explosion. My wife was driving and glass flew from f9nrt to passenger side and to the rear of the vehicle. Luckily my wife was wearing sun glasses. My duaghyers were in the rear with my youngest daugthers eyes being protected by a book she was reading. Glass struck me on the passenger side on the left side of my face. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | POWER TRAIN | Highlander with approximately 650 miles on it had a transmission failure while on interstate 69 north of Evansville Indiana. The car seemed to shift into passing gear a few times while the cruise was set and we bumped it off cruise and coasted to a stop . The car would not move after we stopped . There was transmission fluid all over the drivers side and rear of the car and a puddle under it . We called Toyota roadside assistance and had the car towed to the nearest dealer . | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | POWER TRAIN | When I'm cruising about 35 mph, let off the gas and decelerate, then give a slight bit of gas, I feel a "bump" in the drive train. It's more like slop in the transmission....sounds like a metal To metal noise...this happens after car is driving more then 30 min or 45 min. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | STRUCTURE | driver side mirror vibrates above 20mph which makes it harder to focus on the image, can lead to accidents. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | 1. The engine was on while the 'hold' feature was enabled. I've used this feature numerous times before. This time, the 'hold' feature was on for about 5+ minutes, I heard 3 consecutive beeps out of nowhere followed by the engine restarting on it's own as if the push start button was pressed. At that time, the vehicle lunged forward causing me to brake, missing the vehicle in front of me. This happened while waiting at the school drop off lane. Vehicle also lags during acceleration and stalls especially when getting up to speed on the freeway/highway. 2. My children and I could have rear ended the vehicle in front of us which in turn, could have caused a chain reaction with thr vehicles all in front of us (at least 15+ vehicles before mine). We could have been seriously injured, families / staff walking in and out of the parking lot could have been hurt. Regarding the acceleration lag and stalling, we could potentially be at risk of getting hit waiting for the vehicle to pick up speed. 3. My vehicle is at the dealership currently, waiting to hear back from them as there are other numerous reoccurring issues with this vehicle which the dealership I purchased from failed to fix three times prior. 4. The issues have only been 'looked' by the dealership only. The initial dealership failed to have the Regional Engineer come onsite to investigate. I was told my issues were non concerning. 5. Regarding the vehicle lunging, in that instance, the only warning were the three consecutive beeps, no error lights or errors were observed. Regarding acceleration problems, there are no errors or sounds indicating problems thus far when the issue takes place. I have a list documenting the various issues I have experienced thus far with the first problem starting after owning the vehicle for about 3 months. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was a whistling sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that suddenly the bumper detached from the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the front valance panel attached to the bumper and attached to the fender had detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that the fender was also detached and dragged underneath the vehicle. The contact pulled over and placed the parts in the trunk of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 15,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 15,000 |
| Aug 2022 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | I'm reporting this problem as follows. Drivers side mirror (glass) at speed exceeding 20 miles an hour vibrates causing issues with me seeing traffic coming up beside me on the drivers side. This problem with vibration only gets worse at highway speeds. This is a known problem to Toyota. When I took my new Toyota to the dealership I was told that both the dealership and Toyota were aware of the problem with the mirror but could do nothing to correct the issue. My conversation was with Clyde Sanders Service Manager at Riverside Toyota. I was told this issue goes back about two years starting with the 2020 year model. There are numerous post on Toyotas forum talking of this issue. This is not a one off issue but is tied to ALL Toyota Highlanders. I'm reporting this issue because I believe it is a safety issue that needs to be corrected. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Drivers side mirror shakes causing visibility to be blurred. The shaking makes me dizzy when trying to change lanes. Toyota has this same issue on their RAV4 model and there is actually a fix. They need to make the car safe and not have mirrors that shake while driving. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | SEAT BELTS | The 2022 Toyota Hybrid Highlander is advertised as a family vehicle that safely fits 7 passengers with the captain chairs. We purchased a brand new 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid for our family of 5. However, you cannot safely install a booster car seat in the third row as advertised in any position. In every position of the third row the booster car seat covers the buckle not allowing you to secure the seat belt/booster seat. The car manual show on page 58-59 to install the booster seat on the passenger side of the third row but there is not enough space. The second picture shows a car seat in the middle using an anchor bracket that does not work for a booster seat and thus would also obsure other seat buckles thus not allowing the two other seats to be used. The seatbelts are deep in the seat and cannot be brought up to be safely buckled. Now 2 of the 3 seatbelts in the back stopped working. I’ve been upset about not being able to properly use the seatbelts since I purchased the vehicle. I had to buy a device you put around the buckle in order to lift it a little so that my children can buckle their seatbelts. This is a huge safety concern. The third row seat is useless. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, an acorn fell from a tree impacting the front glass windshield causing the glass windshield to become cracked. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the incident but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 10,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 10,000 |
| Aug 2022 | Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness,Insert, Padding | Inside ped cheep off and child hurt arm not safe we have this car seat for less than few months | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | AIR BAGS,ENGINE | The airbag malfunction alert message has been displayed for more than two months. The vehicle was taken to Toyota of Newnan (GA) dealership four times for repair; they kept my vehicle for an entire week at their facility the latest time (fourth). The problem still exists! It seems they have not taken this problem seriously because they have not called me regarding the problem. I called them so many times ... I need help from the your office because I have to use this vehicle for my three kids to go to and from schools every day. Please please please help me! Thank you. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while her partner was reversing out of a driveway, the vehicle independently surged backward up a hill as her partner applied the brake pedal. Her partner was able to place the vehicle into drive which sent the vehicle forward. The vehicle hit a tree which stopped the acceleration. The contact heard screaming from inside her home and called 911 for assistance. The air bags did not deploy. Her partner was taken to the hospital for an examination and suffered no injuries. A police report was not filed. No property damage was reported. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified about the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer for an impending investigation. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | SEATS | The left rear seat on my 2022 Highlander doesn't stay locked in the first 3 detents. you think it is locked but when you lean back in the seat it slides through the next couple of detents. Toyota mechanic said he couldn't find anything wrong with the seat. I see this as a problem when using child safety seats. Parent's could think the seat is safely locked in position until they get rear ended and the seat slips through the next couple positions. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness | When the child is buckled in and the straps are all tight, they can be pulled loose without using the release button at the bottom. This is incredibly unsafe and would make this car seat useless if we were to be in a car accident. My car seat has not been inspected but the manufacturer has been notified. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | AIR BAGS,ENGINE | 1. The SRS airbag malfunction alert message has been displayed for more than a month. The vehicle was brought to the Toyota dealer where it was purchased for being diagnosed and repaired TWICE, but the problem still exists now. [The alert message is always displayed and keeps the driver from seeing any other information on the instrument panel. This is annoying and very dangerous.] 2. The engine sometimes automatically turned off while the vehicle stopped and was waiting for green lights at intersections or yielding to other vehicles at stop signs. The driver had to start the engine again before continuing driving. The vehicle was also brought to the dealer where it was purchase for repair, but the technicians were unable to find the problem. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,LANE DEPARTURE | When braking, and going down a slight grade, and when there is a slight bump in the road, the brakes seem to cut out for a second or surge. This will only last for a second and then the brakes will engage again. This could cause an accident if the car in front of me stops suddenly. On the lane departure warning, if an on ramp is merging into lanes (truck by passenger lanes on I-5 in Portland), the lane departure gets confused by the merging lane markings and alters the steering. This could cause a crash | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES | The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH and attempting to accelerate to enter the highway, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle responded sluggishly. The vehicle emitted abnormal sounds as though the transmission was in neutral. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal all the way to the floorboard and the vehicle responded as intended. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but hesitated to respond, causing 20 feet stopping distance delay. The contact stated that the failure mainly occurred in wet conditions, snowy conditions while driving approximately 60 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and test driven. The dealer informed the contact that though the vehicle was sluggish, it was not concerning. However, the failure reoccurred increasingly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a second and third time. The dealer test drove the vehicle and informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a strong burning wire coating smell coming from grill radiator while driving approximately 60 MPH. The contact stated that there was a metallic rotating sound coming from the air conditioning vent while using the heat. The contact stated that the sound persisted after turning off the vehicle. The contact also stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear passenger’s side subframe while reversing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was awaiting a call back. The failure mileage was approximately 1,800. | Crash: No Fire: No | 1,800 |
| Jun 2022 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | On the driver side windshield, there is an inside crack/defect that keeps spreading causing glare while driving. The Toyota dealer has been notified and they are working on paperwork to fix it. It appears to be in between the glass windshield. Pictures cannot show because of the glare from the reflection. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | WHEN PARKED FOR 15 TO 20 MINUTES WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING THEN MOVING FORWARD THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK. ACCORDING TO SAN MARCOS TOYOTA THIS IS NORMAL. SPEED OD VECHILE IS LESS THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR NO BRAKES AND THIS CAUSED A VERY MINOR REAR END COLLUISN. ACCORDING TO SERVICE THE BRAKE BOOSTER SHUTS 0FF. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | STRUCTURE | When cruising on a highway at around 70MPH my driver side mirror started shaking. The visibility through that mirror is getting worse. The left side mirror is fine no issue with vibration. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | When braking the car will start braking then stop slowing down for 1/2 to 1 second and resume braking. If you have ever braked when hitting an ice patch this is exactly how it feels. The obvious answer was an intermittent braking problem and I was delighted to hear about the recall for the stability control. We had it reprogrammed last week but when driving it home it happened twice again but for the first time when braking the car ACTUALLY ACCELERATED 3-4 MPH. This is clearly not a braking failure but a very brief intermittent acceleration of the electric motor when braking. When it occurs it is almost exclusively when making a moving right hand turn onto another road or entrance ramp. The starting speed is approx 35-45 MPH when applying the brake so when into the turn the speed is 20-25 mph and your foot is still on the brake when the sensation of the car not braking occurs and lasts approx. 1/2 to 1 second before the car starts to slow again. So the sensation is that of an intermittent braking problem but it is actually a very brief acceleration of the electric motor. Not being able to slow the car at 30 MPH for even 1/2 to 1 second the car will travel an additional 22-44 feet before braking resumes. This is dangerous and very difficult to diagnose. This is intermittent but we experience it on average every other day and on that day it can occur 2-3 times. Present since we got it new and now has 2,100 miles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | When coming to a stop, intermittently the brakes feel like they disengage for a moment before kicking back in and lunging me forward. The first time it happened I thought my foot has slipped off the brake pedal. When I happened again, I knew something was wrong and started noting when it happens and the driving conditions. I have taken it in the dealer 4 times now, have opened a ticket with Toyota and have been told since they can’t reproduce the problem there isn’t much they can do to fix it. The service manager did advise that a scan of my car revealed my ABS/skid kicked in at one of the times I noted, but that was it. This malfunction is typically at low speeds and when apply the brake on a curve. There is no reason the abs to kick as as this doesn’t occur when slamming on brakes, but normal braking. No warning lights have been noted on my car and confirmed by the dealership. I believe this could be a problem either causing a rear-ended or possibly a pedestrian crossing in the right conditions. The sensation is very unnerving and since it’s intermittent, I believe something is not right. I have also found an online forum with multiple users reporting the same problem. https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/2021-highlander-hybrid-platinum-not-braking-properly.1694783/page-5#post-14619325 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | We were driving and heard a loud boom. After the initial shock we saw that the moonroof had shattered. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |