RoadVitals

2023 Toyota Highlander

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.
172
+8 complaints in 30 days
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.
9
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.
12
12 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 172 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2023 Toyota Highlander, most frequently naming the body & structure, engine and driver assistance categories. 9 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 130 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

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

9 campaigns cover this model year

View all 9

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
25V595000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Sep 11, 2025
591,377 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Additional letters will be sent, anticipated in May 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 25TB08 and 25TA08. Lexus' numbers for this recall are 25LB05 and 25LA05.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number See Part 573 ReportView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 172
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 10, 2026

I have a 2023 Toyota Highlander XSE with 77,015 miles on it. Last week we noticed that when pushing on the gas pedel to accelerate that the car started making a terrible whinning noise that did not go away. i scheduled a service call with dealership i purchased it from and where i take it for all of its scheduled service and they canfirmed that the transmission was failing and needed to be replaced so the problem has been confirmed by the dealership. In addition i contacted the toyota help line and asked for a Goodwill Warranty Assisstance case to be opened which is now under review. prior to the noise there were no indication of an issue such as warning lights messages or other symptons. To date there was no harm done to me or other individuals

NHTSA ID
11755981
Incident
Aug 5, 2026
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 7, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 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 local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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 stated that the second-row seat failed to lock in position as designed. The failure mileage was 39,000.

NHTSA ID
11755412
Incident
Aug 7, 2026
Mileage
39,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 5, 2026

2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Regenerative Brake Transition loss of brake pad pressure resulting in acceleration of the vehicle under downhill conditions. Have momentarily experienced the loss of braking frequently during braking when going downhill. This results in the vehicle gaining speed during this 1 or 2 second period before braking returns. In one case it allowed our car to get dangerously close to the vehicle ahead of us but fortunately I was able to push the brakes harder to prevent an accident but did require aggressive braking. Luckily no one was behind us which may have resulted in the person following us braking hard or possible hitting us. This was a known issue for previous year Toyota Highlander models and Toyota issued service bulletin T-SB-0059-23 which is stated to only be for model years 2020 - 2022. So, Toyota dealers say they do not have a fix that applies to the 2023 model. It has been indicated that the dealer is unaware if any action is being taken by Toyota to address this issue in the 2023 and later models. We have multiple people driving this vehicle and this sudden loss of braking power is very concerning. The loss of braking force occurs upon the transition from regenerative braking to standard hydraulic breaking. Below are words from the Toyota Technical Service notice concerning the problem. "Highlander Hybrid vehicles may be sensitive to the momentary transition from regenerative braking to hydraulic braking under certain driving conditions, such as while driving downhill, or turning with light brake pedal application. The brake actuator control module can be updated to improve brake feeling for this condition. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition."

NHTSA ID
11754929
Incident
Aug 2, 2026
Visibility
Filed Jul 31, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the driver’s and passenger’s side mirrors moved downward independently, causing the contact to manually adjust the side mirrors. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,000.

NHTSA ID
11753982
Incident
Jan 15, 2024
Mileage
28,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 30, 2026

Vehicle has strong gas smell and has gas vapor streaming out from under rear driver side wheel well and gas cap area.

NHTSA ID
11753830
Incident
Jun 18, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 30, 2026

The transmission developed hesitations at take off, a whine at low speeds and over time got louder. Diagnosis by the dealer confirmed yet another bad eight speed transmission failure. This vehicle has 41K miles.

NHTSA ID
11753668
Incident
Jul 29, 2026
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jul 22, 2026
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND SEAT BELT DIDN'T HOLD ME IN PLACE AND AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ID
11752111
Incident
Jun 11, 2026
Body & structure
Filed Jul 19, 2026

Tailgate stays open; sensors seem to fail. It will work one day and not work on another day. My wife is short and handicapped and she can’t close it manually.

NHTSA ID
11751353
Incident
Jul 1, 2025

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.

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-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.

T-SB-0086-25

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2020 – 2023 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the Power Back Door (PBD) will not open or close and/or stops moving while opening or closing. A modified PBD unit assembly is available to address these conditions.

T-SB-0083-25

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

A new head unit software update is available for 2022 – 2025 model year Tundra, and Tundra Hybrid; 2023 – 2025 model year Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Mirai, and Sequoia Hybrid vehicles equipped with Toyota Multimedia versions earlier than version 2230.

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 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026100—
2025930—
2024397065.5
2023Viewing1729060.8
20222295059.6
20214874060.2
20203044060.6
20194713060.7
20182585061.7
20172614061.2
20161093056.6
20151892055.2
20141345052.1
20132053260.5
20121812257.3
20111815258.5
201021610260.9
20091349258.0
200840313263.7
20071234051.3
20062757263.4
20052246161.7
20042865158.4
20032582050.7
20023012051.2
20011373053.4
2000001—
1999001—
1998101—
1997101—

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.