RoadVitals

2022 Toyota Highlander Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
257
Latest Sep 26, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
15
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.
17

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2022 Toyota Highlander, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

53
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Vehicle begin making grinding noises, and stalling during accelerating and also fuel smell. Took vehicle into Toyota Waldorf, MD dealership for diagnostic. At 58,000 miles, 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE stalls to accelerate due to front differentials failing, causing large chunks of metal on the drain plug indicating internal failure. Vehicle needs transmission and front differential replaced. I have 4 children, 3 of them still small, and driving with the fuel smell would impact them greatly as 1 of my children has asthma. It's also a hazard to be on the road with this vehicle as it can stall at any moment, causing a traffic incident. The problem has been reproduced by dealer, who is refusing to approve the fix under the 60,000 mile Power Train Warranty. There were no other warning signs, no check engine light came on, no issues prior to me hearing this grinding noise and stalling.

NHTSA ID 11765724 · filed Sep 20, 2026

Vehicle begin making grinding noises, and stalling during accelerating and also fuel smell. Took vehicle into Toyota Waldorf, MD dealership for diagnostic. At 58,000 miles, 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE stalls to accelerate due to front differentials failing, causing large chunks of metal on the drain plug indicating internal failure. Vehicle needs transmission and front differential replaced. I have 4 children, 3 of them still small, and driving with the fuel smell would impact them greatly as 1 of my children has asthma. It's also a hazard to be on the road with this vehicle as it can stall at any moment, causing a traffic incident. The problem has been reproduced by dealer, who is refusing to approve the fix under the 60,000 mile Power Train Warranty. There were no other warning signs, no check engine light came on, no issues prior to me hearing this grinding noise and stalling.

NHTSA ID 11765723 · filed Sep 20, 2026
All 53 reports naming powertrain (other) →

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

42
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

In the past 3 days, the trunk of the vehicle has opened on its own even though it was locked. This has also happened 3 additional times in the past since I have taken it to the Toyota service center in Fairlawn, NJ. I am concerned because yesterday, I was at a supermarket and was inside for about 15 minutes and when I came out, the back was opened. This has not happened while I was driving but I was fortunate that nothing was taken from the vehicle.

NHTSA ID 11751740 · filed Jul 21, 2026

The fender liner detached and was getting caught up in the tire, I had to pull it out and then it was dragging on the ground. It was hard to turn because it was getting under the tire. Finally, one was pulling into my driveway and I felt a bump. I thought I’d ran over something, it was the fender liner underneath the truck. These liners are made of terrible materials. I never had a problem with one until this truck.

NHTSA ID 11750894 · filed Jul 16, 2026
All 42 reports naming body & structure →

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

39
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

LTA malfunction, SRS airbag system malfunction, pre-collision system malfunction and headlight system malfunction lights came on.

NHTSA ID 11767160 · filed Sep 26, 2026

SRS air bag system malfunction, front camera unavailable, RSA malfunction, pre-collision system malfunction, headlight system malfunction and LTA malfunction lights came on.

NHTSA ID 11767158 · filed Sep 26, 2026
All 39 reports naming driver assistance →

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

38
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I would like to file a complaint regarding Toyota’s known brake surge issue addressed in Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0059-23. I believe this is a serious safety issue because the unexpected braking or brake surge when stopping can potentially cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle or contribute to an accident. I contacted a Toyota dealership near me about the issue, but they were unwilling to provide any assistance. I then contacted another Toyota dealership, which informed me that they could perform the repair but would charge approximately $400. I am concerned that Toyota has identified and documented this issue through T-SB-0059-23 but does not provide the repair free of charge unless the vehicle is still within the 36,000-mile warranty period. A known safety-related defect should not necessarily become the customer’s financial responsibility simply because the vehicle has exceeded the mileage limitation of the basic warranty. I am requesting that Toyota review this matter and consider providing the repair at no cost, particularly given the safety implications of the brake surge issue and the fact that Toyota has already acknowledged the condition through its technical service bulletin.

NHTSA ID 11764432 · filed Sep 15, 2026

When I’m driving with the A/C on when I start to decelerate to a stop at a stop sign or light, my car lurches forward. It feels like I’m going to crash into the car in front of me, but I’m not sure how far it actually moves. It happens more in the summer months (more than once per week) when the A/C is on. In the winter it does happen less often. I purchased the car in 2021 and it has done this for at least the last 3 years if not longer.

NHTSA ID 11763515 · filed Sep 10, 2026
All 38 reports naming brakes →

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

28
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

LTA malfunction, SRS airbag system malfunction, pre-collision system malfunction and headlight system malfunction lights came on.

NHTSA ID 11767160 · filed Sep 26, 2026

SRS air bag system malfunction, front camera unavailable, RSA malfunction, pre-collision system malfunction, headlight system malfunction and LTA malfunction lights came on.

NHTSA ID 11767158 · filed Sep 26, 2026
All 28 reports naming airbags →

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

20
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

LTA malfunction, SRS airbag system malfunction, pre-collision system malfunction and headlight system malfunction lights came on.

NHTSA ID 11767160 · filed Sep 26, 2026

Pre-collision system malfunction and headlight system malfunction lights came on.

NHTSA ID 11767148 · filed Sep 26, 2026
All 20 reports naming electrical →

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

17
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the tailgate glass exploded due to the heat and fell inside the vehicle. The Toyota manufacturer corporate office was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The glass was replaced by Safelite. The approximate failure mileage was 55,656.

NHTSA ID 11765766 · filed Sep 21, 2026

Wind shield seemed to crack spontaneously and it continued to grow over several days until the crack went from one edge to another.

NHTSA ID 11764200 · filed Sep 14, 2026
All 17 reports naming visibility →

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

17
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

UNKNOWN CONCERNED THE SAFETY WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED SINCE 3/5/26. AS OF TODAY (9/13/26), THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED

NHTSA ID 11764748 · filed Sep 16, 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.

NHTSA ID 11763440 · filed Sep 10, 2026
All 17 reports naming interior & seats →

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SRS air bag system malfunction, front camera unavailable, RSA malfunction, pre-collision system malfunction, headlight system malfunction and LTA malfunction lights came on.

NHTSA ID 11767158 · filed Sep 26, 2026

Pre-collision system malfunction, headlight system malfunction, LTA malfunction and SRS airbag system malfunction lights came on.

NHTSA ID 11767155 · filed Sep 26, 2026
All 12 reports naming exterior lighting →

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Goodwill Repair for my 2022 Highlander transmission whine, referencing TSB T-SB-0008-21。”

NHTSA ID 11733925 · filed Apr 27, 2026

The grill of the vehicle is too big. There is nothing to stop the condenser from being damaged. There should be a plate for airflow but also stop the damage being done to the condenser. Shouldn't have to file an insurance claim, pay out of pocket and warranty doesn't cover. Recurring problem something should be done.

NHTSA ID 11678899 · filed Aug 6, 2025
All 10 reports naming engine →

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Because I am not an expert, I cannot say with certainty what exact vehicle components contributed to this incident. On August 17, 2026, at approximately 12:40 PM, I was slowly driving my 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE in a parking garage where I park my car every week. I saw a parking space, so I slowed down and began pressing the break as I went into the parking space. All of a sudden, the engine revved up, and the vehicle lunged over the wheel stop and hit the cement wall, even though I continued pressing on the break. I then shifted the gear into "Park" and turned off the ignition. It all happened so fast and was quite frightening. I, subsequently, inspected the damage; among other things, the hood, front bumper, fender, and some of the trim around the lights were damaged. The seat belt restrained me, but the air bag did not activate. My chest is still sore, and I have some bruising on my left shoulder. I have reported the incident to my insurance agency. On August 20, 2026, I took the vehicle to a collision repair center recommended by the insurance claims agent. I have another appointment on August 24th to have a different repair center inspect and asses the damages and give me a quote on the repairs needed. The experience was shocking, and I would not want this to happen to anyone, which is why I am reporting the incident. This kind of malfunction could have resulted in an injury to another human, so I am thankful that only my vehicle and I were affected. This unfortunate and alarming experience has definitely made me hesitant to drive the vehicle for fear of it malfunctioning again.

NHTSA ID 11758750 · filed Aug 22, 2026

Because I am not an expert, I cannot say with certainty what exact vehicle components contributed to this incident. On August 17, 2026, at approximately 12:40 PM, I was slowly driving my 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE in a parking garage where I park my car every week. I saw a parking space, so I slowed down and began pressing the break as I went into the parking space. All of a sudden, the engine revved up, and the vehicle lunged over the wheel stop and hit the cement wall, even though I continued pressing on the break. I then shifted the gear into "Park" and turned off the ignition. It all happened so fast and was quite frightening. I, subsequently, inspected the damage; among other things, the hood, front bumper, fender, and some of the trim around the lights were damaged. The seat belt restrained me, but the air bag did not activate. My chest is still sore, and I have some bruising on my left shoulder. I have reported the incident to my insurance agency. On August 20, 2026, I took the vehicle to a collision repair center recommended by the insurance claims agent. I have another appointment on August 24th to have a different repair center inspect and asses the damages and give me a quote on the repairs needed. The experience was shocking, and I would not want this to happen to anyone, which is why I am reporting the incident. This kind of malfunction could have resulted in an injury to another human, so I am thankful that only my vehicle and I were affected. This unfortunate and alarming experience has definitely made me hesitant to drive the vehicle for fear of it malfunctioning again.

NHTSA ID 11758749 · filed Aug 22, 2026
All 10 reports naming fuel system →

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

This complaint concerns the administration of an EXISTING federal safety recall, NHTSA 24V-419 / Gulf States Toyota 24R1, not a new defect. My 2022 Toyota Highlander was equipped with tires later recalled because they had an insufficient load rating. I experienced premature tire wear and, on June 8, 2024 at approximately 41,300 miles, I paid $1,225.50 out of pocket to replace all four tires. At that time I had not received any recall notice. Gulf States Toyota later required the tires on my vehicle to be replaced again under Recall 24V-419 because the vehicle was covered by the recall and the tire configuration had to be corrected. The original tires are no longer available for inspection because they were replaced. The safety issue was the insufficient tire load rating identified by the recall, which could increase the risk of tire failure. There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages before the tire wear. I submitted a reimbursement claim to Gulf States Toyota for the June 8, 2024 tire replacement. GST denied it with the statement: “Repair Did Not Remedy Recall Condition: The repairs performed on your vehicle did not remedy the specific condition outlined in the recall notice.” My concern is that GST did not substantively address my pre-notification reimbursement claim or explain why the expense does not qualify under its recall reimbursement plan. The tire replacement occurred before I received notice, and GST later replaced the tires again because it was required to perform the recall remedy. I am asking NHTSA to review Gulf States Toyota’s administration of Recall 24V-419 and its handling of pre-notification reimbursement claims under 49 CFR § 573.13. Please document this as a recall-administration/reimbursement issue associated with existing Recall 24V-419.

NHTSA ID 11765890 · filed Sep 21, 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V419000 (Tires); 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 contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the TPMS warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side wheel was deflating. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 33,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID 11624202 · filed Nov 8, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns an Evenflo Car Seat, Model Number: 368124708, Model Type: Revolve 360 Slim, Manufactured Date: July 11, 2024. The car seat was being used in a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25C010000 (Child Seat). The contact stated that the head rest foam was exposed on the left and right sides of the headrest and that the child was picking out the foam as described in the recall. The manufacturer was contacted and provided pictures of the failure. The contact was advised by a representative from the manufacturer that a repair kit would be sent in the mail to repair the car seat. The contact received the repair kit and found an 8-inch-long by 3/12-inch-wide strip of tape. The contact stated that the repair kit was inadequate to complete the repair on the head rest. The contact had not attempted to call the manufacturer back about the repair kit.

NHTSA ID 11711498 · filed Jan 16, 2026

The 3rd row seat belt buckle is imbedded too deep in the seat. This makes it very difficult for a child to buckle themselves and in several attempts the parent or another adult was required to insert the seat belt into the locking device. What is more concerning is the difficulty a child has when trying to release the seat belt. While this may be an annoyance that requires adult intervention it is of particular concern when a child, in an emergency is required to release the seat belt.

NHTSA ID 11560784 · filed Dec 18, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

This complaint concerns the administration of an EXISTING federal safety recall, NHTSA 24V-419 / Gulf States Toyota 24R1, not a new defect. My 2022 Toyota Highlander was equipped with tires later recalled because they had an insufficient load rating. I experienced premature tire wear and, on June 8, 2024 at approximately 41,300 miles, I paid $1,225.50 out of pocket to replace all four tires. At that time I had not received any recall notice. Gulf States Toyota later required the tires on my vehicle to be replaced again under Recall 24V-419 because the vehicle was covered by the recall and the tire configuration had to be corrected. The original tires are no longer available for inspection because they were replaced. The safety issue was the insufficient tire load rating identified by the recall, which could increase the risk of tire failure. There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages before the tire wear. I submitted a reimbursement claim to Gulf States Toyota for the June 8, 2024 tire replacement. GST denied it with the statement: “Repair Did Not Remedy Recall Condition: The repairs performed on your vehicle did not remedy the specific condition outlined in the recall notice.” My concern is that GST did not substantively address my pre-notification reimbursement claim or explain why the expense does not qualify under its recall reimbursement plan. The tire replacement occurred before I received notice, and GST later replaced the tires again because it was required to perform the recall remedy. I am asking NHTSA to review Gulf States Toyota’s administration of Recall 24V-419 and its handling of pre-notification reimbursement claims under 49 CFR § 573.13. Please document this as a recall-administration/reimbursement issue associated with existing Recall 24V-419.

NHTSA ID 11765890 · filed Sep 21, 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander equipped with a Kuat Transfer V2 Bike Rack. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the contact noticed that the bicycle was lowering from the rear windshield. The contact inspected the bike rack attached to the vehicle and noticed that the shorter tray where the second wheel had turned in a vertical direction had caused the bike's wheel to drop. Additionally, the bike rack's second tray did not have any screws to secure the tray in an horizontal position. The contact also noticed that the second tray was significantly shorter than the first tray, resulting in less space for the bike tire to rest appropriately. The contact was unable to secure the second tray after several attempts. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact with a new second tray. No further information was provided. The vehicle mileage was 15,000.

NHTSA ID 11606705 · filed Aug 6, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

This type of steering wheel cover on the steering wheel will wear out by 50,000 miles poor engineered

NHTSA ID 11691598 · filed Oct 6, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .