Reliable Auto DB

2021 Toyota Highlander reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2021 Toyota Highlander has 514 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 42 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Highlander years here — over the median of the other years, which is 26. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Recliner, Tires, and Occupant classification.

2020 Toyota Highlander LE
Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

514

Per year

42

Recalls

4

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (220 of 514), then Service brakes (66) and Structure (51). Those filings include 16 that report a crash, 4 that report a fire, and 12 that report an injury.

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 Highlander has 315 complaints, 22 per year, and the 2022 has 248 complaints, 40 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2022.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 Toyota Highlander. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (4)

Recall seats, middle or rear assembly, recliner 2026-03-05 · NHTSA campaign 26V128000
Summary Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.
Remedy Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 9, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.
Recall Tires 2024-06-18 · NHTSA campaign 24V452000
Summary 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 comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Remedy 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 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET24A.
Recall air bags, sensor, occupant classification 2023-12-20 · NHTSA campaign 23V865000
Summary 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 Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Remedy 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 mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Recall structure, body, bumpers 2023-10-26 · NHTSA campaign 23V720000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.

Complaints by component (514 total)

Powertrain
220
Service brakes
66
Structure
51
Engine
45
Air bags
42
Fuel and propulsion system
31
Electrical system
27
Forward collision avoidance
12
Visibility and wipers
9
Lane departure
8
Speed control
8
Steering
8
Tires
8
Exterior lighting
7
Visibility
7
Seats
5
Back-over prevention
4
Suspension
4
Seat belts
2
Wheels
2
Chest clip, buckle, and harness
1
Hydraulic brakes
1
Insert and padding
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Other or not sure
1
Show 17 more Show less
Crash-flagged

16

Fire-flagged

4

Injury reports

12

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

48202136202241202385202415220251522026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "In my Toyota Highlander 2021 XLE model ,on 9/18 I hear a whinning noise when gas pedals is pressed. Took it to the Toyota TriCounty dealer in Limrick,PA for diagnosis. It was reported it is due to a transmission issue…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-09-21
  • "The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. While driving 20 MPH uphill, the messages "Engine Failure," "Brake Failure," and "Pull Over to A Safe Place, See Owner's Manual" were displayed, and several unknown warning…"
    Hydraulic brakes, Electrical system, Engine · filed 2026-09-17
  • "Transmission Failure Yes TSB No Warning Lights"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-09-14
  • "The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 22 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-09-14
  • "Tech: SCOTT RICHART test drove vehicle performed inspection. Noise hear is coming from transmission internally. condition present is similar to condition described in T-SB-0008-21 for whine noise from transmission.…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-09-14

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUV AWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUV FWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER SUV AWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER SUV FWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Highlander 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (8-speed) Front-wheel drive 20 28 23 MPG $2800
Highlander 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (8-speed) Front-wheel drive 21 29 24 MPG $2700
Highlander all-wheel drive 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (8-speed) All-wheel drive 20 27 23 MPG $2800
Highlander hybrid 2.5L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S6) Front-wheel drive 36 35 36 MPG $1800
Highlander hybrid all-wheel drive 2.5L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S6) All-wheel drive 35 35 35 MPG $1850
Highlander hybrid all-wheel drive LTD/PLAT 2.5L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S6) All-wheel drive 35 34 35 MPG $1850

Specs and fitment

5th generation, 2020–present
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 (SAE 5W-20 may be used; 0W-20 preferred) , 5.8 qt capacity
Tire size 235/65R18, 235/55R20
Towing capacity 5,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

Recall 20V-162 covers certain 2020 Highlander vehicles with the 3.5 L V6 gasoline engine where an engine control unit programming error may fail to supply fuel correctly while the stop-and-restart feature is active, which can stall the engine; dealers reprogram the ECU, free of charge. Recall 20V-633 covers certain 2020 Highlander and Highlander hybrid vehicles where incorrect front seat trim covers can prevent the seat-mounted side air bag from deploying properly; dealers inspect and replace the trim covers as necessary. Recall 23V-720 covers certain 2020-2023 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles where minor front bumper impacts may leave the lower front bumper cover loose or detached; dealers repair or replace the bumper covers. Recall 23V-865 covers certain 2020-2021 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles (among other Toyota and Lexus models) where a short circuit in the Occupant Classification System sensor may prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying; dealers inspect and replace the sensor as necessary. Recall 26V-128 covers certain 2021-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles whose second-row seat backs may fail to lock during adjustment; dealers replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies as necessary.

Compare

Previous year 2020 Toyota Highlander Next year 2022 Toyota Highlander See every Toyota Highlander model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander reliable?

The 2021 Toyota Highlander has 514 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 42 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Highlander years here — over the median of the other years, which is 26. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Recliner, Tires, and Occupant classification.

What are common problems with a 2021 Toyota Highlander?

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (220 of 514), then Service brakes (66) and Structure (51). Those filings include 16 that report a crash, 4 that report a fire, and 12 that report an injury.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2020 Highlander has 315 complaints, 22 per year, and the 2022 has 248 complaints, 40 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2022.

Has the 2021 Toyota Highlander been recalled?

The 2021 Toyota Highlander has 4 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Toyota Highlander?

Owners have filed 514 complaints about the 2021 Toyota Highlander with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 Toyota Highlander get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 Toyota Highlander is 29.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Toyota Highlander take?

US gasoline Highlanders in these generations prefer 0W-20 (5W-20 may be used temporarily). Approx. capacities with filter: ~6.4 qt (2012-2013 3.5L), ~5.8 qt (2014+ 3.5L V6).

Does recall 20V-162 cover the Toyota Highlander?

It covers certain 2020 Highlander vehicles with the 3.5L V6: an ECU programming error may fail to supply fuel correctly during stop-and-restart; dealers update the ECU software.

What generation is the 2020 Toyota Highlander?

5th generation (2020 onward). 2014-2019 are 4th generation; 2012-2013 are late 3rd generation in this catalog.