Toyota · Known Issues
2023 Toyota Highlander Problems: 12 Known Issues
2023 model year · 920+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2023 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2023 model year · 920+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2023 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 920+ owner reports, the 2023 Toyota Highlander has 12 documented known issues, with 4 rated critical. The most serious are UA80 8-Speed Transmission Whine/Grind — Front Carrier Pinion Shaft Failure ($0-$12,000 repair), Cluster Fails to Show Speedometer and Brake/Tire Pressure Warnings After Start (Recall 25V595000), Second-Row Seat Back May Fail to Lock (Recall 26V-128) ($0-$0 repair) and Steering Column Spiral Cable Weld Separation — Driver's Air Bag Deactivated (Recalls 23V480000 and 25V040000) ($0-$900 repair). The most commonly reported issue is 8-Speed Automatic Transmission Shudder and Hesitation with 920 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $100 to $12,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
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.
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."
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:ANCHORAGE
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The third row center seat belt roof anchor may have been installed at an incorrect angle, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant.
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.
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."
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According to Au7o's analysis of 920+ owner reports, the 2023 Toyota Highlander has 12 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: UA80 8-Speed Transmission Whine/Grind — Front Carrier Pinion Shaft Failure, Cluster Fails to Show Speedometer and Brake/Tire Pressure Warnings After Start (Recall 25V595000), Second-Row Seat Back May Fail to Lock (Recall 26V-128). Of these, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2023 Toyota Highlander has 12 known issues documented across 920+ owner reports. 4 issues are rated critical: UA80 8-Speed Transmission Whine/Grind — Front Carrier Pinion Shaft Failure and Cluster Fails to Show Speedometer and Brake/Tire Pressure Warnings After Start (Recall 25V595000) and Second-Row Seat Back May Fail to Lock (Recall 26V-128) and Steering Column Spiral Cable Weld Separation — Driver's Air Bag Deactivated (Recalls 23V480000 and 25V040000). 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.
Repair costs for known Toyota Highlander issues range from $0 to $12,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, UA80 8-Speed Transmission Whine/Grind — Front Carrier Pinion Shaft Failure, typically costs $0-$12,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
The UA80E/UA80F 8-speed automatic in V6 Highlanders can develop a whine or grind noise traced to defective front carrier assembly pinion shafts/bearings. As the bearings delaminate they shed metal debris through the fluid, which can progressively damage the torque converter and t… Repairs typically run $0-$12,000. Severity: high.
2023-2025 Highlanders are among the vehicles named in NHTSA recall 25V595000. Toyota reports an error in the instrument panel software that occurs at vehicle startup; when it happens, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed along with the brake system and tire pres… Severity: high.
Toyota recalled approximately 550,007 model-year 2021-2024 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVs (NHTSA 26V-128) because the second-row seat-back recliner teeth may not fully engage when the seat back is adjusted, due to a supplier design change to the recliner guide/ratchet comb… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
An electrical connection inside the steering-column spiral cable (clock spring) assembly on certain 2023 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles was insufficiently welded at the supplier. Over time and with normal steering-wheel rotation the connection can separate, breaking th… Repairs typically run $0-$900. Severity: high.
The Direct Shift 8AT transmission in 4th-gen Highlanders exhibits shudder, hesitation on acceleration, and rough downshifts. The torque converter lockup clutch causes vibration at low speeds, particularly between 25-45 mph. Repairs typically run $0-$2,500. Severity: medium.
NHTSA recall 25V744000 applies to 2023-2025 Toyota Highlander models equipped with the Panoramic View Monitor. Toyota reports a software error capable of freezing the rearview camera image or blanking the display entirely when the driver shifts into reverse. Since a required rear… Severity: medium.
The 2.4-litre turbocharged T24A-FTS that replaced the V6 in the 2023 Highlander produces a distinct low-speed driveability complaint that the 2GR-FKS cars do not have: the vehicle surges and bucks under light and part throttle, typically between about 20 and 45 mph and in the 1,2… Repairs typically run $0-$250. Severity: medium.
Fourth-generation Highlanders and Highlander Hybrids repeatedly kill their 12V battery while parked, sometimes over just a few days and often with a battery only weeks old. Owners on ToyotaNation trace it to modules that never go to sleep: the Data Communication Module (the telem… Repairs typically run $100-$700. Severity: medium.
Owners of Toyota Safety Sense-equipped Highlanders frequently report the windshield cracking easily from minor stone chips, and the replacement is far more involved and expensive than a traditional windshield because the forward camera below the rearview mirror (used for pre-coll… Repairs typically run $350-$1,100. Severity: medium.
Certain 2023-2024 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid three-row SUVs distributed by Gulf States Toyota (GST) with GST-installed accessories left the distributor with a load carrying capacity modification label that may display inaccurate added weight values. That label exists… Severity: low.
Fourth-generation (XU70) Highlanders with the panoramic/twin-panel moonroof are widely reported to develop a rattle or creaking noise over bumps and on angled driveway approaches, caused by the glass and seal rubbing against the folded sheet-metal roof edge. A separate but relate… Repairs typically run $0-$600. Severity: low.
Fourth-generation Highlander owners widely report excessive wind noise that intensifies at highway speed (typically 40 mph and up) — a whistle near the windshield/upper A-pillar or sunroof area and noise off the exterior mirror housings — which Toyota has acknowledged as a poor-s… Repairs typically run $0-$250. 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.