TroubleCAR
66
Trouble

2021 Toyota Highlander

Complaints: 412Avg mileage: 24,453 miSince: Jan 2021
CrashFire17 injured

Problem Areas

Power Train
144
Service Brakes
63
Unknown or Other
54
Air Bags
41
Engine
37
Fuel/Propulsion System
29
Structure:Body
29
Electrical System
22
Structure
10
Visibility/Wiper
9

Complaints Over Time

Recent Complaints

STEERING
Nov 10, 2025Charlotte, NC
Crash3 injured

Vehicle had a very loud high pitch whining noise the rapid accelerated I was braking and brakes were not working vehicle screen was flashing Vehicle Malfunction. yes vehicle is available. I could not stop the vehicle I struck three signs and a lady fell down as i was approaching the the building very fast, hit a wrought iron black fence and it fell on a park vehicle and then i hit a park vehicle and it stop i threw it in park. i am not sure. Insurance company After the vehicle accelerated there was a message saying VEHICLE MALFUNCTION, not before the accident.

AIR BAGS
51,000 miOct 2, 2025Charleston, SC
Crash1 injured

The contact owned a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed low speed and in the process of merging into the highway, the vehicle was suddenly rear-ended in the rear quarter panel area, near the rear tire, causing the vehicle to face oncoming traffic. The driver-side and passenger-side air bags did not deploy. The message "Park Brake Malfunction" was displayed. The contact transported his wife to an urgent care clinic the evening of the incident for a medical check-up because the contact's wife was pregnant and was starting to feel pain. The contact's wife sustained neck injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The insurance company was notified of the incident and towed the vehicle to Copart to be inspected. The vehicle was totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.

AIR BAGS
Dec 30, 2024Atlanta, GA
Crash1 injured

Headed westbound on 285 in Georgia; hit on passenger side front door and vehicle swerved several lanes and hit a wall going 60 miles per hour. The airbags did not deploy. I was injured badly and the vehicle was totaled.

AIR BAGS
Aug 16, 2024Tucson, AZ
Crash1 injured

Unknown

AIR BAGS
May 24, 2021melbourne, FL
Crash2 injured

Traveling south bound on SC11 (in Seneca South Carolina) a vehicle that was traveling east bound, failed to stop and traveled across my path. The front end of my vehicle impacted the drivers side / passenger door area of the other vehicle. The momentum of the crash, caused the other vehicle to spin counter clock wise and impact me again...on the drovers side passenger door. Our 2021 Toyota Highlander was 4 weeks old with 2K miles on it. Weather conditions were excellent. I immediately stepped on the brakes when I realized the other person was not even slowing down. Our anti lock brakes worked good, but none of the air bags deployed. The drivers side passenger door and pillar is being numerous items to be replaced. Not sure if this is correct information... the Body shop employee stated that air bag sensors are located in the pillar and from end / bumper area? I have photos. I have never been in an accident. I'm surprised the air bags did not deploy! I'll be glad to talk to Toyota folks at some point...thought it my civic duty to report to you folks first. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

AIR BAGS
Sep 20, 2025Lakewood, CA
Crash

The airbags did not deploy when I was involved in an accident on the freeway July 2025. During the collision, there was a message on the driver dashboard that read "SRS Airbag System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer". When I took my Highlander into the collision autobody shop, they notified me that my car had an open recall and that I needed to get in touch with manufacturer or schedule an appointment with a local Toyota dealership to see if they could remedy the recall as soon as possible. When I called Toyota, they confirmed that there was a recall on the Highlander's that opened in 2023 and that there was supposed to be a remedy in 2024, but unfortunately there is still no remedy available. They let me know that I would not be able to bring the vehicle in for service and that the collision center would not be able to remedy the situation on Toyota's behalf. This safety issue put myself and my family that includes multiple children that were in the vehicle at the time of the accident, in a very unsettling situation. We were afraid to drive the car any further than 5 miles or on the freeway, wondering if the airbags would deploy at any minute. There was little to no information provided whether the airbags were in fact supposed to deploy upon impact compared to if it was just a sensor mishap. There were no prior warnings, message, symptoms or mailers sent out notifying us that there were any recalls on the car.

SERVICE BRAKES
Jun 14, 2025San Rafael, CA
Crash

Yesterday, as I do a couple times a month, I went to switch parking places, putting my 2021 Toyota Highlander where my 2007 Mazda was parked, in order to drive it and keep the battery from dying. After starting both cars I first moved the Mazda to make room for the Toyota. As I was slowly steering the Toyota at (idle speed) into the now vacant parking spot, the car accelerated on it's own, prompting me to hit the brakes, but to no avail. The car jumped the curb hitting, knocking over and and damaging a large ceramic planter and small tree in my neighbor's yard. My split second reaction upon having no brakes and a run away car was to push it out of drive, which ended up putting the car into reverse, causing a harsh jolt, followed by the car accelerating again on it's own, in reverse towards another neighbor's garage. I live in a condo complex, so all of this took place within about 30 feet of forward/backward/forward motion. My second split second decision (with no brakes) to avoid smashing into the garage was throwing it back into drive, which sent it accelerating back towards the parking place again. This time I had the presence of mind to push the power button on the dash, allowing me to barely come to stop before jumping the curb again. Whole thing lasted about 15 seconds. I had an appointment to attend, so after a brief conversation explaining to my (now outside) neighbor what happened, I left in the older car. Returning later in the day I found damage to the front of my Toyota and wonder if my transmission is damaged as well. I'm reimbursing my neighbor today. I've not attempted to drive the Toyota since, and am seeking your advice on how best to proceed, whether I should initiate contact with Toyota regarding this incident, or is that something you should initiate? Please advise. Thank you.

SEATS
Oct 26, 2024TOWNSEND, DE
Crash

My vehicle was rear-ended while stopped by a 2014 Toyota Corolla that was estimated to be traveling between 60-70 miles per hour. During the crash, the driver seat failed, resulting in the partially reclining into the second row passenger. The failure mechanism appears to be internal to the seatback, as the seat twisted during the failure, causing me to lean more towards the passenger side of the vehicle.

STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
Mar 28, 2024Atlanta, GA
Crash

light impact caused bumper to disconnect from my 2021 highlander. The bumper retainer clips came off. The lower valence clips are stuck and cannot be detached without damaging the lower valence.

TIRES
Mar 21, 2023Cupertino, CA
Crash

In just two years, the four original tires were severely worn and had a mileage of 35Kmiles, which greatly affected safe driving.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 16, 2022Lakewood, NJ
Crash

Several minutes after leaving my vehicle once I parked and shut the engine routinely, it rolls back a hundred feet and crashes into another vehicle. When I come back I became aware of this as I noticed the back of the driver side of my vehicle is lodged into the side of another vehicle. This caused damage to both vehicles.

SERVICE BRAKES
May 27, 2022Key West, FL
Crash

On May 24th I was driving back to work form my lunch break, had to make an additional stop before going back and in the moment I was to make a right suddenly the car would not stop or turn, no light were on at the moment, now the car is a total loss and I went trough the scariest time of my life after running into mangroves

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Dec 21, 2021queens village, NY
Crash

The Forward Collision did not activate cause the vehicle to meet into a accident. the car didn't give a Warning, or try to stop itself. took it to the dealer and was told that the system was working properly. but I tested the system in the parking lot, with a cardboard box and the system still didn't activate.

POWER TRAIN
2,000 miNov 4, 2021Great Neck, NY
Crash

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated his wife pulled into a parking spot and turned off the engine while the vehicle was in reverse. The vehicle then switched gears to neutral on its own, started reversing, and slightly crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The warning message "Put Transmission Into park Illuminated". The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 2000.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sep 4, 2021Pleasant Grove, AL
Crash

While driving a piece popped off of the passenger door mirror. It flew off and hit the passenger door causing scuff marks before flying into traffic and causing the car behind me to swerve in traffic to avoid it from hitting their car or driving over it, which could have caused an accident. I wasn't able to recover the piece due to the incident occurring on the interstate. I did take the vehicle to the dealership (Serra Toyota - Birmingham, AL) in July and was told by the service technician that they had three other cars to come in with the same issue within the last month. Also, I was told that the entire mirror would have to be replaced since the manufacturer didn't make the piece alone. I was told that it would cost me $800 to replace the entire mirror. I should not be responsible for a faulty piece on the vehicle that was just purchased at the end of April. The technician told me that he would put in a ticket with the manufacturer, but I have not received a response.

SERVICE BRAKES
Jun 2, 2021Chandler, AZ
Crash

Upon attempting to engage the brakes, it was found that they did not work. Immediately thereafter, the car began an uncommanded full acceleration. The insurance company has totaled the car. Our safety as occupants was obviously at serious risk. The driver chose to take the car off the road rather than jeopardize the lives of others on the same road. The car plowed through boulders and trees, coming to rest upside down wedged between an earthen berm and a tree......suspended about 2 feet above the ground. There were no warnings prior to the incident. The car has been inspected by the insurance company, and has been authorized for inspection by the manufacturer. There were no serious injuries as a result of the accident. We were VERY lucky! Uncommanded acceleration without any control is a frightening event any time....but definitely in the vicinity of other vehicles full of families.

ENGINE
Nov 18, 2024Los Angeles, CA
Fire

The Check Engine light came on and I took it into Toyota of Downtown dealership where I was receiving periodic maintenance. After 2 days, they said the light was out but they hadn't found the cause. I could either leave if for a few more days or take it and bring it back if the light came on again. This was early August. I chose to take the car & when the Check Engine warning light came on again, I took it in on Aug 15, 2024 before I left to Portland to give them more time. I returned on Monday & couldn't reach them. The next day they informed me that while on a test drive, there was a loud bang, it started smoking and by the time 911 arrived it was on fire. After a 2 month investigation by Toyota's Engineering Analysis fire inspection, they concluded Toyota was not involved. The dealership has not provided me with the report although I've requested it but they aren't accepting responsibility either although it was in their possession when the fire occurred.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apr 18, 2024Davrnport, FL
Fire

I had been driving for about 20 minutes at approximately 50-55 MPH when the check engine light came on. Seconds later, the red hybrid malfunction message displayed and I lost the ability to accelerate. I was able to pull over and I saw grayish smoke and flames coming from under the hood on the right side. I exited the vehicle and called 911. It took moments from the start to being completely engulfed in flames. Several loud pops or explosions happened during this period. The police and fire department arrived and extinguished it.

ENGINE
Jan 4, 2024Hackensack, NJ
2 injured

Varias veces mientras conduzco en la ruta la velocidad permitida, el carro frena, pierde potencia el motor, el sistema de aceleración no responde, esas veces me salve de accidentes mortales junto a mi familia, reclame a toyota corporación indicar eso y para ellos no paso nada nunca tomaron en serio, mientras que el carro para reparar eso, paso más de 25 días en las veces que se daño xq prácticamente el carro no es seguro para manejar

STRUCTURE
10,000 miMay 19, 2023Rochester, MA
3 injured

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that on various occasions, water was leaking into the vehicle from the roof rack. The contact stated that there was a bad odor in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated, and the mechanic stated the smell was possibly from a spill. The failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was black mold in the air bags, floorboards, headliner, and various other areas and that the vehicle needed to be detailed to remove the mold. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact then stated that there was condensation seen in various areas inside the vehicle, windows were failing to operate, and the headliner was sagging. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer. The contact stated that after seeking medical attention for herself and her children for ongoing unknown symptoms, they needed to be prescribed asthma and allergy medication, and she sought legal advice. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

Other Highlander Years

Other Toyota Models