Every 2021 Toyota Highlander recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Seats · NHTSA 26V128000
Mar 5, 2026Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly:Recliner
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 26V128000 →Tires · NHTSA 24V452000
Jun 18, 2024Tires
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 24V452000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 23V865000
Dec 20, 2023Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 23V865000 →Structure · NHTSA 23V720000
Oct 26, 2023Structure:Body:Bumpers
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 23V720000 →Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · NHTSA 22V239000
Apr 13, 2022Electronic Stability Control (Esc):Control Module:Software
- Problem
- Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
- Risk
- Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.
Full recall details for 22V239000 →
2021 Toyota Highlander complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 544 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota Highlander, reporting 16 crashes, 4 fires, 18 injuries. Toyota has issued at least 180 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Power Train226
- Service Brakes67
- Unknown Or Other67
- Structure56
- Air Bags50
- Engine47
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (98)
- Equipment (87)
- Structure (72)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (36)
- Engine (33)
- Unknown Or Other (23)
Read Toyota Highlander owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 544 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota Highlander. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“On August 24, 2026, my vehicle was parked, turned off, and locked for more than 6 hours in a parking lot. Without warning, the vehicle experienced a spontaneous thermal event/self combustion. The fire and thermal damage were entirely localized to the dashboard area inside the passenger cabin.”
2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERSep 3, 2026 · FL
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11761851
“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the instrument panel lights were flashing. The vehicle then independently turned off and restarted repeatedly.”
2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRIDFeb 26, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11720641
Fire
“My vehicle was parked for about an hr 30 min , and it started smoking from dashboard area and immediately went into flames .”
2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERApr 30, 2026 · CA
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11735002
“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that the hatchback failed to open completely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer recommended that the hatchback motor be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.”
2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRIDOct 29, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11696325
Injury reportedCrash
“Vehicle had a very loud high pitch whining noise the rapid accelerated I was braking and brakes were not working vehicle screen was flashing Vehicle Malfunction. yes vehicle is available.”
2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERNov 10, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11698619
Check your Highlander by VIN
Not every 2021 Toyota Highlander is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Toyota dealer.
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