Fourth generation (XU70)
2021 Toyota Highlander
The most reported problem on the 2021 Toyota Highlander is transmission failure, with 103 complaints, usually around 72,000 miles.
- 521owner complaints
- 4recalls
- 16involved a crash
- 61,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Highlander doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2021 model year.
Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander reliable?
The 2021 Toyota Highlander has 521 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 2.4 times the median of 216 for 2021 SUVs on this site. Of the 12 Highlander model years since 2014, it has the most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2020 and 2022
- The 2021 stands out from the model years on either side. It draws 87 complaints for each year on the road, while the 2020 draws 45 and the 2022 51.
- Top problem
- No problem dominates. The largest, transmission failure, covers 103 of the 521 complaints (20%), and brake wear is next with 67 (one complaint can fall under more than one problem, so these overlap). A quarter of the 64 owners who gave a mileage for transmission failure saw it by about 60,000 miles, and half by about 72,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 27 of the 521 complaints (5%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, about the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 16 reports mention a crash, 4 mention a fire and 18 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 5 of 16, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Airbag has a recall on the same system (23V-865). Transmission failure and brake wear have none. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 152, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 159 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: transmission fails or needs replacement, 103 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
521 complaints is 2.7 times the median 2021 model on this site and 2.4 times the median 2021 SUV. Among the 11 Highlander model years here it ranks 1st for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2021 Toyota Highlander
Toyota filed 180 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 Toyota Highlander. 21 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Airbag warning light or recall 1 bulletin · 42 complaints
Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition.
Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power 4 bulletins · 17 complaints
Some drivers of 2020 ? 2022 model year Highlander Hybrid vehicles may be sensitive to the momentary transition from regenerative braking to hydraulic braking under certain driving conditions, such as while driving downhill, or turning with light brake pedal ...
Some 2020 ? 2023 model year Highlander Hybrid and 2021 ? 2023 model year RAV4 Hybrid, RAV4 Prime, Sienna Hybrid, and Venza Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a MIL ON condition with one or both of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) present: ?P24517F ? ...
2 more on this problem
Some 2020 ? 2022 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid and 2021 ? 2022 Sienna Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a MIL ON condition with Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P0087 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure ? Too Low) and/or P107A2A (Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor (Low) Signal ...
Some 2020 ? 2022 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, and 2021 ? 2022 model year Venza Hybrid vehicles equipped with the 12.3-in.
Windshield cracks or distorts 1 bulletin · 11 complaints
Some 2018 model year Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2019 model year Avalon and Avalon Hybrid, 2020 ? 2021 model year Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, and Corolla, and 2021 model year Sienna Hybrid vehicles may exhibit decreased front windshield defroster performance ...
Battery dies or the car will not start 2 bulletins · 10 complaints
TT: When customers have a concern about a discharged battery, no start, or general battery concern, the DCA-8000 is the only appropriate tool to use for diagnosis
A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and service life. These conditions include storage period, temperature, parasitic drain, and battery load.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 7 bulletins · 10 complaints
Some 2018 ? 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, M20A-FKS, or M20A-FXS engine may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Milky/discolored engine oil.
TT: Vehicles listed above equipped with a Denso Ten radio (Entune Audio Plus or Premium Audio) may exhibit a condition in which the radio screen continues to show a Bluetooth phone call in progress after the call has ended.
5 more on this problem
Some 2020 model year vehicles equipped with Audio Plus (version 1060) or Premium Audio (version 1060) or earlier may exhibit the following condition: ?Distorted screen when using Apple CarPlay® while making a hands-free phone call.
Some 2018 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Milky/Discolored engine oil.
TT: Some vehicles equipped with Premium Audio systems may experience an inoperative condition that consists of displaying a ?Loading?? then a blank screen when pressing the MAP button.
Some 2020 ? 2021 model year vehicles equipped with Audio, Audio Plus, or Premium Audio (versions 1784) or earlier may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Intermittent blank screen. ?Navigation map update fails. ?Album art inoperative.
Some 2020 model year vehicles equipped with Audio Plus (version 1060) or Premium Audio (version 1060) or earlier may exhibit the following concern: ?Distorted screen when using Apple CarPlay® while making a hands-free phone call.
Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 1 bulletin · 10 complaints
TSB During the manufacturing process, tires are mounted on the vehicle as matched sets to help reduce conditions such as pulling or drifting.
A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 3 bulletins · 8 complaints
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. Follow the procedures outlined in this service bulletin to aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks
1 more on this problem
Some 2020 ? 2022 model year Highlander and RAV4 vehicles, and 2022 model year Tundra vehicles equipped with a start/stop switch may exhibit water entry to the vehicle from the HVAC drain hose being disconnected from the air conditioning radiator assembly ...
Seat belt or seat problems 2 bulletins · 7 complaints
Some 2010 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?.
Some 2010 ? 2021 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?.
Complaints filed by year
159 complaints came in 2026. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2021 Toyota Highlander
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 9, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.
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."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: SET will inspect and replace the tires and information placard, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2024. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET24A.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 22, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.
All 4 recalls on the 2021 Toyota Highlander, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2021 Toyota Highlander?
Transmission failure, with 103 of the 521 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 72,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2021 Toyota Highlander problems start?
Of the 170 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 36,000 miles and half by about 61,000.
Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?
Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has more complaints than both the 2020 and the 2022: 87 a year against 45 and 51.
How many 2021 Toyota Highlander complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
27 of them (5%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for transmission failure on the 2021 Toyota Highlander?
No recall on file for the 2021 Toyota Highlander is on the same system as transmission failure. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.