Owners have reported 16 crashes, 2 fires and 17 injuries to NHTSA for the 2021 Toyota Highlander. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints127
POWER TRAIN
Owners report recurring transmission issues with the 2021 Toyota Highlander, frequently mentioning a whining or whirring noise during acceleration. Complaints often indicate this noise intensifies over time, with many citing the need for full transmission replacement. Symptoms typically emerge around 60,000 to 78,000 miles, just beyond the standard warranty period. Affected owners express concerns about potential safety risks, including sudden transmission failure and loss of power while driving, although specific crash details are not widely reported. This pattern of transmission problems, particularly with the UA80F transmission, is a key consideration for potential buyers of used models.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints46
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2021 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues with the braking system, particularly with the hybrid models. Common symptoms include a momentary surge or lurch forward when transitioning from regenerative to hydraulic braking, often occurring during downhill driving or light braking. Some owners experience this issue consistently, while others find it intermittent. Complaints also mention an electronic parking brake that occasionally fails to disengage. Safety implications are noted, with two incidents involving crashes due to unexpected acceleration and loss of braking control. These issues appear to persist beyond the basic warranty period, and some owners express concerns over the cost of repairs and the potential for accidents.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints43
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2021 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues related to unresolved airbag recalls, specifically NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000. Complaints often highlight the unavailability of parts for the recall repair, leading to prolonged delays, sometimes over two years, without resolution. Symptoms described include illuminated airbag warning lights and messages indicating airbag system malfunctions. There are reports of airbag non-deployment during crashes, with four incidents involving crashes and four injuries noted. The issues typically arise around 15,000 to 51,000 miles, posing safety implications for potential buyers concerned about airbag functionality in the event of a collision.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints41
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2021 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues with the transmission, often describing symptoms such as whining, grinding noises, and jerking movements. Transmission problems are noted at various mileages, with some reports indicating failure around 82,000 miles. Additionally, there are multiple complaints about sunroof glass shattering unexpectedly, sometimes while driving, posing potential safety risks from flying glass. Other reported issues include malfunctioning rear hatches and air conditioning system leaks. These patterns suggest potential reliability concerns for prospective buyers, particularly regarding transmission and sunroof integrity.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints39
STRUCTURE
Owners of the 2021 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues with the power back door (liftgate) and roof leaks. The liftgate often fails to open or close properly, particularly in colder weather, and may remain ajar while driving, posing potential safety risks. Roof leaks are commonly mentioned, with water intrusion occurring through faulty seals in the roof rails, potentially affecting airbags and causing mold. These issues are noted at various mileage points, with some occurring as early as 5 miles. Additionally, there are complaints about the front bumper detaching, which has led to at least one crash and poses a risk of further incidents. Buyers should be aware of these recurring structural issues when considering a used model.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints20
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners report persistent issues with the fuel system of the 2021 Toyota Highlander, particularly the inability to fill the gas tank to its advertised 17.1-gallon capacity. Complaints frequently mention that the tank only accepts 12 to 14 gallons, leading to a reduced driving range of approximately 420 to 450 miles, compared to the expected 600 miles. Multiple owners describe problems with inaccurate fuel gauges and distance-to-empty indicators, which can lead to uncertainty about the remaining fuel, though no direct safety incidents such as crashes or fires are reported. These issues are noted from the time of purchase and continue despite attempts at dealer intervention, with some owners drawing parallels to similar problems in other Toyota models. Potential buyers should be aware of these reported limitations in fuel capacity and range accuracy.
Owner complaints18
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2021 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, notably with the rear hatch malfunctioning, which often requires manual intervention to open or close. Complaints also mention problems with the navigation display unit failing and causing distractions, as well as sporadic electrical failures following rain exposure, potentially linked to water intrusion. Some owners describe severe incidents, such as a vehicle fire during a dealership test drive and sudden vehicle shutdowns, raising safety concerns. These issues appear across varying mileages, with some occurring shortly after purchase and others as warranties expire, suggesting a need for thorough inspection, especially in wet climates.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints13
ENGINE
Owners report frequent transmission issues with the 2021 Toyota Highlander, often describing a whining noise, unreliable acceleration, and hesitation, with some needing complete transmission replacements. Complaints commonly indicate these problems arise around or just after the 60,000-mile mark, coinciding with the end of the manufacturer warranty. Additionally, some owners experience engine stalling, sometimes accompanied by a check engine light, which poses safety risks, particularly when occurring in traffic or at highway speeds. These patterns suggest that potential buyers should be cautious of transmission and engine performance issues in vehicles with similar mileage.
Owner complaints7
STEERING
Owners of the 2021 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues related to steering, including sudden loss of steering power and alignment problems. Symptoms described include a high-pitched whining noise, unexpected vehicle acceleration, and messages indicating "Vehicle Malfunction" or "Steering Power Low." Complaints often involve steering difficulties at various mileages, with one owner needing three wheel alignments within 35,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as two reports involve crashes with a total of four injuries. Buyers should be aware of these potential steering issues and the associated safety risks.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2021 Toyota Highlander report issues primarily related to unexpected power loss and unintended acceleration. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle losing power while accelerating, particularly on freeways, and instances where the vehicle continues to accelerate despite brake application. These issues are reported at various mileages, with some occurring as early as 5,000 miles and others around 35,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of near misses and two injuries attributed to these failures. Buyers should be aware of these patterns, as multiple owners describe difficulty in replicating the issues during service visits, leading to unresolved problems.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
