Complaint volume
154 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
2023 Toyota Highlander Complaints
154 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2023 Toyota Highlander, grouped by component category.
154 Total complaints
11 Crash reports
0 Fire reports
9 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 unknown or other, structure, service brakes. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 11 crash reports, 0 fire reports, 9 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 18 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 58,486 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to unknown or other, structure, service brakes?
- 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 2023 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.
2023 Toyota Highlander
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2023 Toyota Highlander complaints?
11 Crash
0 Fire
9 Injury
0 Fatality
9 Towed
9 Medical attention
What are the most common 2023 Toyota Highlander complaint categories?
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 27
STRUCTURE 25
SERVICE BRAKES 9
ENGINE 8
AIR BAGS 6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6
SEATS 5
TIRES 5
POWER TRAIN 4
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4
154 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | The car lags, stutters, and hesitates on acceleration and in consistent speed situations. Sometimes doesn't respond quickly to gas pedal and sometimes it does. It is very unpredictable and unsafe. I never know which response I will get. Has also almost completely died after putting the car in park. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | While driving in rain, I noticed drops of water coming into the car near the sunroof. I immediately drove to Jim Norton Toyota. The service technician told me that sunroofs are not waterproof. I went to Bob Howard Toyota for another inspection/more details. They informed me that it was a new design flaw. The sunroof sealant and gasket to do not align with the sunroof perfectly as older models do. Small drops of water will occur when it is raining. The "drip pain" underneath the back part of the sunroof will catch the water and the drain tubes will remove those from the car. They said drain tube cleanings are needed to not damage car from leaks. I had a 2009 Highlander Hybrid - same car, different year. It NEVER leaked or had water droplets anywhere. The seal and gasket met tightly against the car. I have never had any car that leaked. I would not have purchased a vehicle that purposely leaks water into a car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | Picked up my Toyota Highlander in April 2023 I have had to return it to the dealer on two occasions for check engine light and secondary Break failure I'm at the fourth check engine light and secondary brake failure report now it has been inspected by the dealer and tried to remedy it too times already currently getting ready to return to the dealer with the third check engine light secondary brake failure message | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I've had the car for 6 months. After a few months we noticed a "bucking" during acceleration and a "hesitation" when pressing the accelerator. Under medium to hard acceleration the car will exhibit these traits almost consistantly and now after 3500 miles it has become so noticeable that it is dangerous! The hesitation is "off the line" from a dead stop. There is at least a couple second delay sometimes when leaving a stop. And then as the car climbs in RPM's you can feel the engine struggling almost like a car with bad spark plug wires. It tends to "spit and buck" as it is accelerating. We have tried different fuels, fuel cleaners, different octanes, and nothing seems to curb the problem. We took the car to our local dealer and they confirm the problem but have stated that there is nothing they can do as it appears to be a software issue with the car. I have requested from Toyota using their "Brand engagement center" to provide an engineer to evaluate the car and so far have not heard back from them in almost a week. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | ENGINE | The vehicle hesitates and stutters upon light to moderate acceleration. This can happen either from a dead stop or while moving in traffic. The concern was present when vehicle was purchased new in Feb 2023. Initially the dealership thought the symptoms were related to the transmission learning algorithm, but this was later determined not to be the case and the dealership was able to reproduce the drivability concern. The dealership was also advised that running 91 octane fuel eliminated the symptoms, however the engine is designed to run on 87 octane. Subsequently, the dealership was advised by Toyota to replace several parts associated with the VVT (variable valve timing) on the exhaust camshaft which did not resolve the concern. Toyota subsequently agreed to replace the vehicle after filing a lemon law complaint with NCDS. This drivability concern is a safety concern as the hesitation and stutter could occur during a traffic maneuver and cause an accident due to the engine not properly responding to driver input. No check engine or other warning lamps present when this occurs, which is most of the time though more pronounced when ambient temperatures are above 75F degrees. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Upon acceleration, car hesitates then surges. Started after approximately 2000 miles. Occurs most frequently from a dead start. However, continues upon acceleration up to 50 mph. Took to Toyota Dealer, but they were unable to diagnose. Others report similar problems on Toyota Nation Form. Concerned about pulling out into traffic safely | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | My new Highlander has had issues that I can describe as "power surging" when accelerating from a stop. The car frequently does not respond to accelerator being pushed down for a second or two and then surges from a stop to accelerating with very inconsistent results. The acceleration is not consistent and unreliable. When crossing traffic from a stop I need to think twice and do not have confidence the car will do what I want. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | ENGINE | Vehicle hesitates when accelerating. Very noticable when accelerating from stop. Also when passing a vehicle and accelerating to pass there is hesitation and the vehicle stutters at times also. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | At about 3500 miles the car has started lagging really bad. I have almost been hit in stop and go traffic and have almost hit the car in front of me because I never know if when I put my foot on the gas if I’m going to go or not. When pulling out into on coming traffic I have to make sure the cars are really far away because again I never know if the car is going to actually get up and go. It lags, shakes like of it has no power. Once you get going it ok but to actually get going it’s awful. I’m really nervous the almost getting hit or hitting someone is actually going to happen because you have to floor it to get it to actually go and randomly sometimes it actually does get power that when it does take off it’s to much. There is no smooth to this car. Dealership says nothing wrong. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I purchased a 2023 Toyota Highlander 2.5 turbo in June of 2023. This car was bought for my wife so I had not noticed a operation issue until I had a opportunity to drive it, at about 1,500 miles on the odometer. Upon accelerating from a stop, the car slightly hesitates then surges followed by slight bucking. My wife acknowledged the issue when I mentioned it. I have to state that the problem does not exist from every acceleration from a stop. I took the car to the dealer where I bought the car to investigate the issue. They said the mechanic did not experience the issue. I've read of many like minded comments from owners on toyotanation.com. I do believe this issue if not resolved may eventually lead to a accident. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My 2023 highlander limited hesitates and lags when pulling out into the roads and highways! I almost have gotten hit several times. It has so called been inspected three times and they all tell me it doesn’t show on our computer so it’s fine ! No messages or warnings ever come up. This is so very dangerous and I could be killed along with others | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | There is a significant hesitation / stuttering when the gas pedal is pressed (i.e. the vehicle doesn't move properly when the gas pedal is pressed). This is especially dangerous when pulling out into traffic, making turns, etc. This appears to be a known problem with this model and Toyota is working on a TSB (supposedly). Doing a Google search for this problem shows that a number of consumers are having a similar issue. A few people have documented the issue here: https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/2023-highlander-2-4-turbo-surging-and-bucking-under-acceleration.1751952/ This is an ongoing problem. It hasn't resulted in an accident yet, but the lag / stutter in accelerating is putting consumers at risk. I just picked one random date below, but it has been ongoing since the vehicle was purchased new and appears to be happening to numerous other people as well as is evidenced by an internet search. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | ENGINE | Sudden engine coolant temperature high warning comes on. Temperature jumps from normal to maximum on gage. Needle hunts from normal to high. Sometimes needle stays at high. Outside air temperature was 97 degrees Fahrenheit. Similar incident happened on 7/5/2023 when temperature was in the 90s.. Toyota dealer could find nothing wrong with the vehicle. This time I took a picture of the panel with the warning showing. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. While depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated and the engine misfired. The secondary collision, braking system malfunction, brake ligation malfunction, and throttle control system advanced warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was sludge in the engine. The oil was changed, and the warning lights reset. Additionally, the contact was informed that the DTC exhaust cam shaft sensor and oil pan assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 2,000 |
| Aug 2023 | ENGINE | Pulled out of intersection and vehicle hesitated and surged upon acceleration causing bear miss from oncoming traffic vehicle consistently hesitates and surges from stop to 35-40 mph | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | POWER TRAIN | Almost since purchase this vehicle has emitted a shudder when driving. The loss of power has affected ability to evade when making turns, acceleration on highways, and has caused safety concerns while driving with children in the vehicle-this is a brand new vehicle purchased with approximately 7 miles on the odometer. Vehicle has been in the shop at least 3 times, 4 with today's visit. ToyotaNation forum shows that there are MANY vehicles with this issue and that Toyota Master Technicians are aware of the issues. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2023 Toyota Highlander XLE with 2.4 Turbo hesitates for an unacceptable period of time when accelerating from a stop. This could pose a huge safety risk when merging into traffic from a stop sign. The lag / hesitation is present on all eco / normal / sport drive modes. The issue has been occurring since the vehicle was purchased at 70 miles and currently has about 5200 miles. Toyota needs to look into this issue and address it as soon as possible. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | ENGINE | The "turbo lag" as the dealership calls it is horrendous. Vehicle has extremely poor acceleration from a stop. It is very dangerous when pulling out into traffic as acceleration falls flat for a second or two until it eventually responds and accelerates. I try to be very cognizant of the poor performance of the vehicle, but I feel it is a matter of time until something bad happens. I took the vehicle to the dealership and was told the vehicle drives as designed. Since there are no faults, the dealership has washed their hands. Contacted Toyota HQ and open a case but was told "sorry we do not have anything to offer". The complaints are all over the internet from a simple Google search and I believe Toyota will eventually release updated software as this really negatively impacts the performance of a 50K vehicle. Right now they seem to be in a state of denial and I am really disappointed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Vehicle unpredictably hesitates during light to moderate acceleration in all driving modes (Sport, Normal, and Eco). This is especially dangerous when crossing in front of oncoming traffic from a stop or slow speed. Had a certified mechanic drive the car and verify the problem, but the car's systems don't report that there is a problem, so he had no answers. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | The vehicle hesitates when accelerating from a stop. Dealership Technician says he noticed the hesitation when accelerating, but since there are no DTC’s and No Data found saying that there is a malfunction | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | While driving from Detroit to Chicago I was in a single lane traffic due to construction. I started getting message "Engine coolant temperature high, pull over when safe to do and contact dealer". The coolant temperature needle will jump to high then go back to normal. I stopped 5 different times before I could get the car to the dealer. Only once during this ordeal the gage temperature stayed at high for couple of minutes. The Toyota dealer ran all the tests and couldn't find anything wrong other than the coolant level was a little below full. The outside temperature was 90 degrees Fahrenheit, Air conditioning was on high and speed was between 40 and 60 MPH. This Hybrid car had just gone past the 5000 miles mark when this started happening. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | ENGINE | When I hit the gas the car doesn’t go anywhere and almost got into an accident. Turbo lag maybe or something really really wrong. This is going to cause a huge accident | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | WHEELS | Unknown | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I bought toyota 2023 highlander in january. But I found water damage on roof of interior. so I went to dealership service center ( Midland toyota ). and they told to me . sun roof glass angle had wrong angle. and fixed it. ater 3 monthes same problem was appeared in this morning. so I went to Jim hudson toyota to fix it. but Jim hudson toyota PIC told to me. reason is that I parked my car angled location. I asked to him again Is that reason? he told to me. yes !!! you should go. I don't believe this. I think that toyota must explain that toyota car can't be parked on angled location | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | SEAT BELTS | I took delivery of the new vehicle without testing all the seatbelts. The third row passenger side seat belt is fully retracted as it should be, but it's locked in that position. It came from the dealer that way, and it cannot be used. If I hadn't noticed while testing out the seats, I might incorrectly assume that it is functioning while inviting 6 passengers into my vehicle. This could lead to somebody taking a ride without a seatbelt. Third rows of these mid-size SUV's aren't commonly used, so I imagine it could be a long time (years) before somebody notices that their seat belt doesn't work, unless they happened to check them all. I have a service appointment in 2 days at my local dealer to have the seatbelt inspected and fixed or replaced. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |