2021 Toyota Highlander · recalls
2021 Toyota Highlander recalls
NHTSA lists 4 recalls that include the 2021 Toyota Highlander. The newest, 26V-128, was filed Mar 5, 2026 for the seats.
- 4recalls
- 4systems
- 513owner complaints
Newest recall or investigation Mar 5, 2026 · checked Sep 22, 2026
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN, and a finished repair drops it off the list. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Every recall, newest first
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.
Risk: A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
5 of the 513 owner complaints on this car cite the seats.
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."
Risk: Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
8 of the 513 owner complaints on this car cite the tires.
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.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
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.
42 of the 513 owner complaints on this car cite the airbags. Symptom sheets that include this system: Airbag warning light or recall (42) · Takata airbag inflator recall (34).
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.
Risk: A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
51 of the 513 owner complaints on this car cite the structure, 37 of them the same part of it (Structure:Body:Bumpers).
What owners wrote about bumpers
“light impact caused bumper to disconnect from my 2021 highlander. The bumper retainer clips came off. The lower valence clips are stuck and cannot be detached without damaging the lower valence.”
Filed Mar 28, 2024
“Recall has been open for a long time and I am preparing for a military PCS move and must have this fixed.”
Filed Feb 6, 2024
A complaint on the same system is not proof of the recalled defect.
Complaints with no recall behind them
The systems owners of the 2021 Toyota Highlander complain about most that none of these recalls covers, as of Sep 22, 2026. A problem can be widespread without being a safety defect NHTSA can order fixed.
- Transmission and drivetrain: 219 complaints, no recalltransmission failure · stalling
- Brakes: 66 complaints, no recallbrake wear
- Engine: 45 complaints, no recallstalling
- Fuel and propulsion: 31 complaints, no recallstalling
- Electrical: 27 complaints, no recallstalling
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