What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2023 Toyota Highlander

Typical pattern

26.4% of complaints about the 2023 Toyota Highlander came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2023 vehicle — around the middle of the 177 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 1.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is other (39 complaints), typically at 1.4 yr.

Complaints
239
Median age at failure
1.8 yr
Median mileage
34,125 n=24
Crash / fire / tow
9.6% of reports
Safety recalls
9

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Other
39 reports
1.4 yr
0%
Structure
32 reports · 15,700 mi
1.4 yr
6.2%
Engine
28 reports · 59,000 mi
11 mo
7.1%
Power train
20 reports
2.1 yr
0%
Service brakes
18 reports
2.7 yr
11.1%
Fuel / propulsion
16 reports
1.5 yr
6.2%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

26V128000 2026-03-05
Seats:mid/rear assembly:recliner

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.

A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

25V744000 2025-10-30
Back over prevention:display function

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

25V595000 2025-09-11
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles. Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.

An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

25V040000 2025-01-29
Steering:column

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occu

A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

24V548000 2024-07-23
Equipment:other:labels

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia Hybrid, Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, Venza Hybrid, 2023-2025 Crown, and 2025 Camry Hybrid vehicles equipped with GST accessories. The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicl

A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.

24V452000 2024-06-18
Tires

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."

Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

24V419000 2024-06-06
Tires

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."

Tires with an insufficient load rating may be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

23V720000 2023-10-26
Structure:body:bumpers

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.

A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

23V480000 2023-07-12
Steering:column

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.

In owners’ own words

Service brakes mileage not reported 5 mo in service
The vehicle brakes stop working suddenly requiring lift the pedal and slam the brakes to make it work correctly. I almost have a bad accident for this problem. I did my research and learned this is a problem that Toyota need to fix. The situation was very scary.
Service brakes mileage not reported 8 mo in service
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
Service brakes mileage not reported 1.9 yr in service
the car surges forward when braking, as if the brakes are momentarily released. it almost caused be to hit the car in front of me. the brakes released in the middle of braking
Other mileage not reported 5 mo in service
The vehicle brakes stop working suddenly requiring lift the pedal and slam the brakes to make it work correctly. I almost have a bad accident for this problem. I did my research and learned this is a problem that Toyota need to fix. The situation was very scary.

Other Highlander model years

20232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001

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