2021 Toyota Highlander Problems: 8 Known Issues
2021 model year · 920+ owner reports · Updated November 2026
According to Au7o's analysis of 920+ owner reports, the 2021 Toyota Highlander has 8 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical. The most serious are Second-row seat back may fail to lock — recall 26V128 and 8-speed automatic whine or grind noise (owner reports). The most commonly reported issue is 8-speed automatic shudder or jerky take-off (owner reports) with 920 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $600 to $1,100. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
2021 · XLE · 3.5L V6
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All 8 Known Issues
NHTSA Recalls12 recalls
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.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
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."
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.
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.
+ 7 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Toyota Highlander problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 920+ owner reports, the 2021 Toyota Highlander has 8 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Second-row seat back may fail to lock — recall 26V128, 8-speed automatic whine or grind noise (owner reports), 8-speed automatic shudder or jerky take-off (owner reports). Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Toyota Highlander reliable?
The 2021 Toyota Highlander has 8 known issues documented across 920+ owner reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Second-row seat back may fail to lock — recall 26V128 and 8-speed automatic whine or grind noise (owner reports). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Toyota Highlander problems?
Repair costs for known Toyota Highlander issues range from $600 to $1,100, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2021-2025 Toyota Highlander Second-row seat back may fail to lock — recall 26V128?
On affected vehicles, a second-row seat back may not lock during adjustment. It may then fail to restrain an occupant properly in a crash, increasing injury risk. It affects certain 2021–2025 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles covered by recall 26V128. Trim or engin… Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander 8-speed automatic whine or grind noise (owner reports)?
Owners of V6 Highlanders with the 8-speed automatic report a whine from the transmission that grows louder under acceleration, and some describe it later turning into grinding or harsh shifting. Owners report dealers replacing the whole transmission for this noise. Owner reports… Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander 8-speed automatic shudder or jerky take-off (owner reports)?
Owners of V6 Highlanders from this generation describe a shudder or jerky feel from the 8-speed automatic, especially when pulling away from a stop or at light throttle. Toyota has not published a bulletin for this symptom on these model years that we could find, so the cause has… Severity: medium.
What is the 2014-2021 Toyota Highlander A/C Condenser Leak / Thin-Fin Failure (Rock-Strike Refrigerant Loss)?
The front-mounted A/C condenser on the Highlander is built with thin fins/tubes that owners say cannot survive a stray rock, so it develops small refrigerant leaks and loses cooling — and because the condenser sits low and forward, it gets struck more often than on many vehicles. Repairs typically run $600-$1,100. Severity: medium.
What is the 2021-2022 Toyota Highlander 12-volt battery goes flat after the vehicle sits (owner reports)?
Owners of 2021-2022 Highlanders report the 12-volt battery going dead and the vehicle not starting, in one report after two weeks parked and in another after a short stop. Owners suspect modules that stay awake, such as the connected-services (4G/telematics) unit or, on trims tha… Severity: medium.
What is the 2021-2022 Toyota Highlander Brake vibration from front rotors at low mileage (owner reports)?
Owners of 2021-2022 Highlanders report a vibration or shake through the steering wheel and brake pedal when braking from highway speed, which dealers have traced to the front rotors. Some owners describe it returning after the rotors were replaced. Toyota has not issued a bulleti… Severity: medium.
What is the 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Windshield chips and cracks, and forward-camera calibration after replacement (owner reports)?
Owners of this Highlander generation report windshields that chip or crack easily, sometimes with no clear impact point, and say small chips can spread in hot weather. Because the forward camera for the driver-assist features sits behind the windshield, a replacement windshield n… Severity: medium.
What is the 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Front-end whistle from grille bracket — T-SB-0048-22?
A whistle from the front of the vehicle above 35 mph can come from the radiator grille bracket. Toyota bulletin T-SB-0048-22 covers 2020–2022 Highlander (except XSE) and Highlander Hybrid models with this whistle. It does not cover roof, moonroof, mirror or A-pillar noises. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.