Diagsheet

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

18
4
19
4
3
1

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

RQ10-003opened Feb 16, 2010
Electrical · model years 2004 to 2006

Unintended and uncontrolled acceleration. Closed mar 1, 2011, led to recall 11V-112.

NHTSA summary
On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I. Pedal Interference from Floor mats, Carpet Covers and Plastic Pads in Carpets.During the RQ10-003 investigation, ODI reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.Following the agency's analysis, NHTSA requested that Toyota recall additional vehicles.Toyota complied with the agency's request.The details of these recalls are set forth more fully in Toyota's reports to NHTSA pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573.These recalls are as follows:Recall 11V-112: (1) model year (MY) 2004-2006 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid; and, (2) MY 2004-2007 Lexus RX330,RX350, and RX400h (hybrid model). The total estimated population under this recall is 769,379 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by a loose floor carpet cover (trim panel). Recall 11V-113: (1) MY 2003-2009 through 2009 Toyota 4Runner; (2) MY 2006-2010 Toyota RAV4; and, (3) MY 2008-2011 Lexus LX570.The total estimated population under this recall is 1,381,000 vehicles.This recall supplements recall 09V-388 and remedies potential accele
DP02-004opened Apr 30, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 1997 to 2000

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.

$8,000$9,000$9,995
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 50,000 and 94,500 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.

321
422
223
324
925
1826

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.

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