2021 Toyota Highlander Problems: 9 Known Issues
2021 model year · 920+ owner reports · Updated October 2026
According to Au7o's analysis of 920+ owner reports, the 2021 Toyota Highlander has 9 documented known issues, with 3 rated critical. The most serious are Occupant Classification System (OCS) Sensor Short Circuit — Front Passenger Air Bag Will Not Deploy (Recall 23V865000) ($0-$1,300 repair), Second-row seat back may fail to lock — recall 26V128 and 8-speed automatic whine or grind noise (owner reports). The most commonly reported issue is 8-speed automatic shudder or jerky take-off (owner reports) with 920 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $600 to $1,300. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
2021 · XLE · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
No email neededHow interest is saved
Interest applies to the selected vehicle and configuration; it is not a reservation. Voting stores a first-party identifier for up to 180 days to prevent repeat votes. No account or email is needed. Clearing cookies or using another device may count separately. Privacy
Visual coming soon
Your interest helps us choose what to build next.
Visual Known Issues · Coming soon
$4.99/month plus taxes at launch · No payment today
All 9 Known Issues
NHTSA Recalls12 recalls
TIRES
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022-2024 model year Highlander L and Highlander LE vehicles equipped with the Blackout Package that includes 20" black alloy wheels and tires. The installed tires have an insufficient load rating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
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."
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia Hybrid, Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, Venza Hybrid, 2023-2025 Crown, and 2025 Camry Hybrid vehicles equipped with GST accessories. The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles. Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
+ 7 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
Join 600+ people using Au7o to better understand their vehicles.
Don't see your problem? Describe your symptoms to get a diagnosis, or get a full repair guide.
Other Toyota Models
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Toyota Highlander problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 920+ owner reports, the 2021 Toyota Highlander has 9 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Occupant Classification System (OCS) Sensor Short Circuit — Front Passenger Air Bag Will Not Deploy (Recall 23V865000), Second-row seat back may fail to lock — recall 26V128, 8-speed automatic whine or grind noise (owner reports). Of these, 3 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Toyota Highlander reliable?
The 2021 Toyota Highlander has 9 known issues documented across 920+ owner reports. 3 issues are rated critical: Occupant Classification System (OCS) Sensor Short Circuit — Front Passenger Air Bag Will Not Deploy (Recall 23V865000) and Second-row seat back may fail to lock — recall 26V128 and 8-speed automatic whine or grind noise (owner reports). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Toyota Highlander problems?
Repair costs for known Toyota Highlander issues range from $0 to $1,300, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Occupant Classification System (OCS) Sensor Short Circuit — Front Passenger Air Bag Will Not Deploy (Recall 23V865000), typically costs $0-$1,300 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2020-2021 Toyota Highlander Occupant Classification System (OCS) Sensor Short Circuit — Front Passenger Air Bag Will Not Deploy (Recall 23V865000)?
The front passenger seat on 2020-2021 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles carries an Occupant Classification System sensor mat that weighs the occupant and tells the air bag control module whether — and how hard — to fire the passenger air bag. Improperly manufactured senso… Repairs typically run $0-$1,300. Severity: high.
What is the 2021-2025 Toyota Highlander Second-row seat back may fail to lock — recall 26V128?
On affected vehicles, a second-row seat back may not lock during adjustment. It may then fail to restrain an occupant properly in a crash, increasing injury risk. Applies to: Certain 2021–2025 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles covered by recall 26V128. The trim or… Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander 8-speed automatic whine or grind noise (owner reports)?
Owners of V6 Highlanders with the 8-speed automatic report a whine from the transmission that grows louder under acceleration, and some describe it later turning into grinding or harsh shifting. Owners report dealers replacing the whole transmission for this noise. Applies to: Ow… Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander 8-speed automatic shudder or jerky take-off (owner reports)?
Owners of V6 Highlanders from this generation describe a shudder or jerky feel from the 8-speed automatic, especially when pulling away from a stop or at light throttle. Toyota has not published a bulletin for this symptom on these model years that we could find, so the cause has… Severity: medium.
What is the 2014-2021 Toyota Highlander A/C Condenser Leak / Thin-Fin Failure (Rock-Strike Refrigerant Loss)?
The front-mounted A/C condenser on the Highlander is built with thin fins/tubes that owners say cannot survive a stray rock, so it develops small refrigerant leaks and loses cooling — and because the condenser sits low and forward, it gets struck more often than on many vehicles. Repairs typically run $600-$1,100. Severity: medium.
What is the 2021-2022 Toyota Highlander 12-volt battery goes flat after the vehicle sits (owner reports)?
Owners of 2021-2022 Highlanders report the 12-volt battery going dead and the vehicle not starting, in one report after two weeks parked and in another after a short stop. Owners suspect modules that stay awake, such as the connected-services (4G/telematics) unit or, on trims tha… Severity: medium.
What is the 2021-2022 Toyota Highlander Brake vibration from front rotors at low mileage (owner reports)?
Owners of 2021-2022 Highlanders report a vibration or shake through the steering wheel and brake pedal when braking from highway speed, which dealers have traced to the front rotors. Some owners describe it returning after the rotors were replaced. Toyota has not issued a bulleti… Severity: medium.
What is the 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Windshield chips and cracks, and forward-camera calibration after replacement (owner reports)?
Owners of this Highlander generation report windshields that chip or crack easily, sometimes with no clear impact point, and say small chips can spread in hot weather. Because the forward camera for the driver-assist features sits behind the windshield, a replacement windshield n… Severity: medium.
What is the 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Front-end whistle from grille bracket — T-SB-0048-22?
A whistle from the vehicle front above 35 mph can involve the radiator-grille bracket. This source does not diagnose roof rattle or mirror/A-pillar seal noise. Applies to: 2020–2022 Toyota Highlander (except XSE) and Highlander Hybrid with a whistle from the front of the vehicle… Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.