Complaints about the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid peaked in 2024, with 9 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
SUV, hybrid, 4x2, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Dec 30, 2020 to Feb 26, 2026.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V-128 | Mar 5, 2026 | Second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment | Seats | 686,588 | Part replacement |
| 23V-865 | Dec 20, 2023 | Short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying | Airbags | 999,901 | Part replacement |
| 23V-720 | Oct 26, 2023 | During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching | Structure | 750,795 | Part replacement |
| 22V-239 | Apr 13, 2022 | Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled… | Stability and traction control | 458,110 | Software update |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
15 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the instrument panel lights were flashing. The vehicle then independently turned off and restarted repeatedly. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the battery level was low and needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced, and other unknown repairs for shifting failure were performed. The vehicle was driven back to the residence; however, the failure recurred upon starting the vehicle the following day. Additionally, the seat belt chime reminders engaged even though the seat belts were securely fastened, and the tailgate had failed to open. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in TSB Number: T-SB-0019-21. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact requested a trade-in or buy-back assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 77,900.
NHTSA complaint 11720641The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that the hatchback failed to open completely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer recommended that the hatchback motor be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
NHTSA complaint 11696325The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint 11669012The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the braking system experienced intermittent brake failures, causing the brakes to erroneously release while being depressed. During the failure, the vehicle unintendedly lurched forward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failures. The failure mileage was 6,000.
NHTSA complaint 11668610The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint 11635679The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the master warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer for routine service; however, the vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that after being informed by the local dealer that the vehicle was repaired, it was discovered that the master warning light was still illuminated. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint 11630346The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); and the vehicle was partially repaired. Additionally, the contact was informed that the air bag sensor had been deactivated until the recall repair was completed. The contact stated that after calling the dealer for two weeks, the recall repair still had not been completed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the dealer for assistance. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool showed no open recall.
NHTSA complaint 11623068The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint 11621526The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint 11619112The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V720000 (Structure) and 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint 11615432The contact's mother owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH out of town, another driver informed the contact that the front bumper had detached. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The contact continued driving to the destination. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was referred to an autobody repair shop. The vehicle was taken to the autobody repair shop, where the repair was performed ineffectively. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair was performed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and denied reimbursement for the repairs performed by the autobody repair shop because the failure occurred prior to the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 27,300.
NHTSA complaint 11614292The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint 11587925The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint 11570995The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle continued to accelerate forward before coming to a stop. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions but no cause for the failure was found. The contact was informed that the vehicle operated normally due to the hybrid system. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 10.
NHTSA complaint 115641062 ISSUES- THE DISTANCE TO EMPTY ONLY READS 425 MILES. WITH A FULL 17 GALLON TANK IT SHOULD BE AROUND 600. WHEN YOU FILL IT, IT CLICKS OFF 3-4 GALLONS SHORT OF FULL, ONLY HOLDING ABOUT 14 GALLONS. THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS FULL. I THEN HAD TO TRICKLE IN THE REMAINING 3.5 GALLONS. HOW COULD IT SHOW FULL WITH 3.5 MORE GALLONS GOING IN? WHY IS THE TANK NOT ABLE TO TAKE THE FULL AMMOUNT OF FUEL?
NHTSA complaint 11385688Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.