2023 Toyota Highlander Problems: 6 Known Issues

On the 2021-2025 Toyota Highlander, 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 engine alone does not confirm inclusion; a Toyota dealer must check the VIN.

On the 2023 Toyota Highlander, an electrical connection inside the steering-column spiral cable (clock spring) assembly on certain 2023 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles was insufficiently welded at the supplier. Over time and with normal steering-wheel rotation the connection can separate, breaking the circuit to the driver's air bag inflator. The air bag is then deactivated and will not deploy in a crash. Toyota first addressed this under recall 23V480000; it later determined that some vehicles repaired under that campaign were incorrectly repaired and issued a second recall, 25V040000, covering roughly 1,700 vehicles across Corolla, Corolla Cross, Highlander, Tacoma and several Lexus lines. Owner letters for the follow-up campaign went out March 17, 2025. Because this is a fourth-generation-only (XU70) supplier defect it does not apply to earlier Highlanders.

On the 2023-2025 Toyota Highlander, nHTSA recall 25V744000 applies to 2023-2025 Toyota Highlander models equipped with the Panoramic View Monitor. Toyota reports a software error capable of freezing the rearview camera image or blanking the display entirely when the driver shifts into reverse. Since a required rear image is not shown, the Highlander does not comply with FMVSS 111, "Rear Visibility." Toyota's stated consequence is that a rearview camera failing to display an image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle and increases the risk of a crash - a real concern on a three-row family SUV with a long rear overhang. The 1,024,407 units NHTSA cites is the campaign-wide total across all makes and models involved.

On the 2023-2024 Toyota Highlander, certain 2023-2024 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid three-row SUVs distributed by Gulf States Toyota (GST) with GST-installed accessories left the distributor with a load carrying capacity modification label that may display inaccurate added weight values. That label exists to subtract the weight of dealer-added equipment from the vehicle's rated capacity, so an incorrect number means the Highlander does not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." NHTSA warns that a vehicle showing an incorrect maximum capacity weight may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash — a realistic concern in a family SUV routinely loaded with seven or eight occupants plus luggage. The 33,848-unit figure NHTSA lists is campaign-wide across every Toyota model in the recall.

On the 2023-2025 Toyota Highlander, 2023-2025 Highlanders are among the vehicles named in NHTSA recall 25V595000. Toyota reports an error in the instrument panel software that occurs at vehicle startup; when it happens, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed along with the brake system and tire pressure warning lights. For a family three-row like the Highlander this matters twice over: you lose your speed reference, and you also lose the two telltales that would warn you about a brake system fault or a low tire before a long drive. NHTSA's stated consequence is that a display not showing critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury. The 591,377-vehicle figure quoted for this recall is the total for the entire campaign across all affected Toyota and Lexus models, not a Highlander-specific count.

On the 2023-2025 Toyota Highlander T24A-FTS, the 2.4-litre turbocharged T24A-FTS that replaced the V6 in the 2023 Highlander produces a distinct low-speed driveability complaint that the 2GR-FKS cars do not have: the vehicle surges and bucks under light and part throttle, typically between about 20 and 45 mph and in the 1,200-2,000 rpm lugging range, with a hesitation on tip-in followed by an abrupt catch-up. It is the single largest owner-reported complaint on the fourth-generation turbo cars and fills multi-hundred-post threads on ToyotaNation. The root of it is calibration: the engine runs an 11:1 compression ratio and is tuned by Toyota for 87 octane regular fuel, where the same T24A-FTS in Lexus applications is specified on 91 octane and draws far fewer complaints. Toyota issued ECM reprogramming bulletin T-SB-0087-23 for 2023 Highlanders that hesitate when accelerating from a stop or show non-linear acceleration from a stop or rolling stop with steady throttle; owners consistently report the surging clears immediately after the reflash. Does not apply to the 2GR-FKS V6 or to the hybrid.