The 2021 Toyota Highlander has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,305,466 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 593 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEATS26V1280002026-03-05550,007 affected
Defect
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.
Consequence
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. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed April 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's…
TIRES24V4520002024-06-184,763 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
AIR BAGS23V8650002023-12-20999,901 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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…
STRUCTURE23V7200002023-10-26750,795 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Vehicle started making a high pitched noise when accelerating at around 98,000mi. I took the vehicle in for the 100,000mi service at 100,854mi and had them also look at this issue. I was told that there was a failure in the front carrier pinion shafts and they recommended replacing the transaxle…”
“2021 toyota highlander ua80 transmission failed at 100,000 miles. Codes p2808, p0741. Matches toyota tsb-0160-18 and t-sb-0008-21. Dealer alexander toyota and tms brand engagement denied goodwill. Tms rep stated "tsbs don't matter" despite pending class action pallaya v toyota, case 2:25-cv-10458,…”
“2021 toyota highlander ua80 transmission failed at 100,000 miles. Codes p2808, p0741. Matches toyota tsb-0160-18 and t-sb-0008-21. Dealer alexander toyota and tms brand engagement denied goodwill. Tms rep stated "tsbs don't matter" despite pending class action pallaya v toyota, case 2:25-cv-10458,…”
“2021 toyota highlander ua80 transmission failed at 100,000 miles. Codes p2808, p0741. Matches toyota tsb-0160-18 and t-sb-0008-21. Dealer alexander toyota and tms brand engagement denied goodwill. Tms rep stated "tsbs don't matter" despite pending class action pallaya v toyota, case 2:25-cv-10458,…”
“My 2021 toyota highlander is experiencing the documented transmission issue impacting vehicles with the ua80e transmission. Our transmission whines and experiences a hesitation or jerks the vehicle. Especially under acceleration. My vehicle was purchased brand new from toyota. Serviced at a toyota…”
“The transmission is in the whining stage of transmission failure. It has been confirmed by cumberland toyota in cookeville, tn. There were no warning lamps, etc. However toyota did post a technical service bulletin (tsb) on february 09, 2021 that my vehicle would have transmission issues. My…”
“Transmission started to whine and act erratically during driving. These effects put safety of those in the vehicle at risk by causing distractions to whomever was driving the vehicle, taking their focus off driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed the transmission needed to be…”
“The transmission in my 2021 toyota highlander began producing a whining noise during acceleration between approximately 15-50 mph at around 80,000 miles. The noise stops when the accelerator is released and has progressively become louder. The vehicle was inspected by a toyota dealership. I was…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2021 Toyota Highlander as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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