2021 Toyota Highlander · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 39owner reports
- 73,000median miles
- $9,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 6, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
286 of the 504 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 39 of those describe stalling.
Tick what matches of 39 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (4 reports) and the fuel pump (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2021 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Highlander
Unintended and uncontrolled acceleration. Closed mar 1, 2011, led to recall 11V-112.
NHTSA summary
Engine seizure. Closed jun 20, 2002.
NHTSA summary
None of these investigations covers the 2021 model year.
What owners paid
9 of the 39 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $8,000 to $9,995.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 50,000 and 94,500 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“My car start with a noise and just lost power in the middle of the road causing almost an accident. This was caused due to the manufacture issue for the transmissions with my car model and brand.”
Filed May 21, 2026
“Automatic transmission making humming noise while driving, can potentially fail without warning and leading to loss of power and potential crash.”
Filed Nov 7, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 39 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 98 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 66 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 42 reports