RoadVitals

2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Jul 9, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest Mar 5, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, most frequently naming the body & structure, brakes and driver assistance categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 116 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure330.0%
  • Brakes110.0%
  • Driver assistance110.0%
  • Electrical110.0%
  • Interior & seats110.0%
  • Seat belts110.0%
  • Airbags110.0%
  • Steering110.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
26V128000

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

Mar 5, 2026
550,007 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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, anticipated August 27, 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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number 26TB06 / 26TA06View on NHTSA.gov
25V744000

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

Oct 30, 2025
1,024,407 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number 25TB13/25LB06/WRE25View on NHTSA.gov
25V040000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE; STEERING:COLUMN

Jan 29, 2025
1,716 units potentially affected
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk: A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 25LA02.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number 25TA02/25LA02View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 9
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 9, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID
11749311
Incident
Mar 5, 2026
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 29, 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle surged forward and accelerated before coming to a stop. The failure occurred intermittently; however, the failure seemed most pronounced while decelerating from highway speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was informed of the failure; however, the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.

NHTSA ID
11611594
Incident
Feb 29, 2024
Mileage
20,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesElectrical
Filed Aug 28, 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was a hesitation, and the vehicle surged forward before coming to a stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact became aware of TSB 0059/23, NHTSA ID Number: 10244133 (Electrical System, Air Bags, Service Brakes) for the 2021 - 2022 Toyota Highlander. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with brake failure. The contact was informed that the brake actuator needed to be replaced; however, the dealer confirmed that the year, make, and model were not included in the TSB. The dealer attempted to update the brake actuator module according to the TSB; however, the update failed due to the year the vehicle was manufactured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 6,000.

NHTSA ID
11611346
Incident
Jan 28, 2023
Mileage
6,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 15, 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle struck a bird and the lower front bumper assembly detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the lower bumper assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure). The VIN was included, and the parts were available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11602438
Incident
Jul 15, 2024
Body & structure
Filed May 14, 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11588773
Incident
Oct 26, 2023
Body & structure
Filed Apr 25, 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11585221
Incident
Apr 25, 2024
Seat belts
Filed Jan 4, 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the seat belt securely buckled, the seat belt strap failed to retract to secure the driver safely. The contact stated that the seat belt strap fell in between the seat and underneath driver. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11563625
Incident
Feb 28, 2023
Steering
Filed Oct 16, 2023

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V480000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11550266
Incident
Jul 12, 2023

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

T-SB-0040-24 Rev1

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2020 – 2026 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a water leak from the roof rack attachment clips. This may be caused by the sealant in the roof channel obstructing the proper seating position for the clip gasket.

22TE09

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing extended coverage under this Customer Support Program for repairs related to excessive corrosion to the wire harness connections at the Rear Motor Generator. Excessive corrosion can cause AM Radio Static during certain drive cycles, or the vehicle may not start.

T-SB-0021-26

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Some 2020 – 2024 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the air conditioner does not cool due to a leak and/or corrosion in the rear underbody air conditioner tube and accessory assembly. The anti-corrosion material has been updated to reduce the possibility of this condition.

T-SB-0104-21 Rev2

ENGINE

OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.

T-SB-0055-24 Rev2

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

22TE09

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing extended coverage under this Customer Support Program for repairs related to excessive corrosion to the wire harness connections at the Rear Motor Generator. Excessive corrosion can cause AM Radio Static during certain drive cycles, or the vehicle may not start.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Toyota Highlander Hybrid by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025020—
2024040—
2023Viewing960—
2022641—
2021154151.9
2020941—
2019601—
2018501—
2017321—
2016601—
2015401—
2014211—
2013503—
2012903—
2011513—
2010224352.6
2009404357.9
20081978559.8
20071102256.9
20063706362.1
2005111—
2004011—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.