2021 Toyota Highlander Problems: 12 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 12 documented known issues, with 4 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, 8-speed automatic whine or grind noise (owner reports) and Stability control may stay off after restart — Highlander Hybrid software recall 22V-239. 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.
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All 12 Known Issues
NHTSA Recalls12 recalls
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."
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:ANCHORAGE
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The third row center seat belt roof anchor may have been installed at an incorrect angle, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant.
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.
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.
+ 7 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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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 12 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, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Toyota Highlander reliable?
The 2021 Toyota Highlander has 12 known issues documented across 920+ owner reports. 4 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) and Stability control may stay off after restart — Highlander Hybrid software recall 22V-239. 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 Stability control may stay off after restart — Highlander Hybrid software recall 22V-239?
On affected Highlander Hybrid vehicles, if the driver switches Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) off, the Skid Control ECU software may not turn VSC back on when the vehicle is restarted. That does not meet the federal stability-control standard (FMVSS 126), and NHTSA states that d… 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 2020-2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Fuel Tank Venting Defect — Tank Cannot Be Filled to Capacity?
On 2020-2021 Highlander Hybrids a fuel-tank venting/charcoal-canister defect causes the gas pump's automatic shut-off to trigger prematurely. The advertised 17.1-gallon tank typically accepts only ~12-14 gallons from empty before the nozzle clicks off, and forcing more fuel can c… Repairs typically run $0-$1,200. 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 2020-2023 Toyota Highlander Panoramic glass roof rattle or creak over bumps (owner reports)?
Owners of Highlander Platinum models with the panoramic glass roof report a rattle or creak from the roof over bumps, especially when driving up a driveway at an angle, and one owner describes a noise when the roof opens. Owners on ToyotaNation attribute the bump noise to the gla… Severity: low.
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.