Reliable Auto DB

2022 Toyota Highlander reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 248 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 Toyota Highlander over 5 years — 40 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 5 recalls on file, including Recliner, Tires, and Bumpers.

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

248

Per year

40

Recalls

5

Years on the road

5

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (53 of 248), then Structure (42) and Service brakes (37). Those filings include 16 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, 6 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Next to 2021 and 2023

The 2021 Highlander has 514 complaints, 42 per year, and the 2023 has 180 complaints, 42 per year. The 2022 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2021. The 2022 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2023.

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 2022 Toyota Highlander. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (5)

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 Tires 2024-06-06 · NHTSA campaign 24V419000
Summary Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022-2024 model year Highlander L and Highlander LE vehicles equipped with the Blackout Package that includes 20" black alloy wheels and tires. The installed tires have an insufficient load rating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Remedy GST will inspect and replace the tires as necessary, and install a new tire information label as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R1.
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.
Recall Labels 2022-05-06 · NHTSA campaign 22V310000
Summary Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022 4Runner, Tacoma, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification labels may not be permanent and can fade, becoming illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Remedy GST will notify owners by mail, including a replacement load carrying capacity modification label for their vehicle and detailed replacement instructions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 22R1.

Complaints by component (248 total)

Powertrain
53
Structure
42
Service brakes
37
Air bags
23
Electrical system
17
Forward collision avoidance
16
Seats
14
Engine
10
Fuel and propulsion system
10
Visibility and wipers
10
Exterior lighting
8
Lane departure
8
Speed control
8
Visibility
6
Tires
5
Back-over prevention
4
Latches, locks, and linkages
3
Seat belts
3
Chest clip, buckle, and harness
2
Air brakes
1
Child seat
1
Equipment
1
Insert and padding
1
Steering
1
Wheels
1
Show 17 more Show less
Crash-flagged

16

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

6

Death reports

1

Complaints filed per year

12021352022402023452024472025802026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "This complaint concerns the administration of an EXISTING federal safety recall, NHTSA 24V-419 / Gulf States Toyota 24R1, not a new defect. My 2022 Toyota Highlander was equipped with tires later recalled because they…"
    Tires, Wheels · filed 2026-09-21
  • "Vehicle begin making grinding noises, and stalling during accelerating and also fuel smell. Took vehicle into Toyota Waldorf, MD dealership for diagnostic. At 58,000 miles, 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE stalls to…"
    Powertrain, Unknown or other · filed 2026-09-20
  • "Vehicle begin making grinding noises, and stalling during accelerating and also fuel smell. Took vehicle into Toyota Waldorf, MD dealership for diagnostic. At 58,000 miles, 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE stalls to…"
    Powertrain, Unknown or other · filed 2026-09-20
  • "UNKNOWN CONCERNED THE SAFETY WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED SINCE 3/5/26. AS OF TODAY (9/13/26), THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED"
    Seats · filed 2026-09-16
  • "The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed around an S-curb, the vehicle jerked into the nearby lane. The local dealer was contacted. The failure mileage was…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-09-15

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2022 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUV AWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2022 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUV FWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2022 Toyota HIGHLANDER SUV AWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2022 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 2021 Toyota Highlander Next year 2023 Toyota Highlander See every Toyota Highlander model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Toyota Highlander reliable?

Owners have filed 248 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 Toyota Highlander over 5 years — 40 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 5 recalls on file, including Recliner, Tires, and Bumpers.

What are common problems with a 2022 Toyota Highlander?

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (53 of 248), then Structure (42) and Service brakes (37). Those filings include 16 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, 6 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Is the 2022 Toyota Highlander more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2021 Highlander has 514 complaints, 42 per year, and the 2023 has 180 complaints, 42 per year. The 2022 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2021. The 2022 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2023.

Has the 2022 Toyota Highlander been recalled?

The 2022 Toyota Highlander has 5 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 2022 Toyota Highlander?

Owners have filed 248 complaints about the 2022 Toyota Highlander with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2022 Toyota Highlander get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2022 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.