Toyota Highlander 2020–2025 problems by year and mileage
4th generation (XU70)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20261,392 complaints, 181 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2020 Toyota Highlander
Close- Median failure report
- 20,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 329
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2020
- Transmission and driveline126 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise44 reports
- Brakes39 reports
Recall areas Air bags — sensor · Structure — body · Electronic stability control (esc) — control module
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2021 Toyota Highlander
Close- Median failure report
- 27,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 546
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2021
- Transmission and driveline227 reports
- Brakes67 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise67 reports
Recall areas Seats — mid/rear assembly · Tires · Air bags — sensor
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2022 Toyota Highlander
Close- Median failure report
- 30,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 269
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2022
- Transmission and driveline54 reports
- Body structure44 reports
- Brakes39 reports
Recall areas Seats — mid/rear assembly · Tires · Structure — body
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2023 Toyota Highlander
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 195
- Recalls naming this year
- 9
Most reported on the 2023
- Problems owners could not categorise40 reports
- Body structure35 reports
- Engine28 reports
Recall areas Seats — mid/rear assembly · Back over prevention — display function · Electrical system — instrument cluster/panel
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2024 Toyota Highlander
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 43
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
Most reported on the 2024
- Problems owners could not categorise13 reports
- Brakes8 reports
- Fuel and propulsion system7 reports
Recall areas Seats — mid/rear assembly · Seat belts — rear/other · Back over prevention — display function
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2025 Toyota Highlander
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 10
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2025
- Throttle and speed control3 reports
- Forward collision avoidance2 reports
- Brakes2 reports
Recall areas Seats — mid/rear assembly · Seat belts — rear/other · Back over prevention — display function
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2022; earliest: the 2020, and the 2020 is 2 years older (part of the gap is age). 3 of these years carry fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and show no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2020–2025 Toyota Highlander reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 27,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 87,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 181
- Recalls
- 15
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints came after 2020, so its median likely runs low (why).
Most reported
- Transmission and driveline30.9% of complaints · median 70,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise14.7% of complaints
- Brakes12.6% of complaints · median 15,000 mi
Owners filed 1,392 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020–2025 Toyota Highlander; the transmission and driveline leads with 30.9% of them, and half of the 181 that record an odometer reading came by 27,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
35% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 1.3 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. On a generation this new that is expected: few examples have been driven further yet, so the timing says little about design or wear so far.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2020–2025 Toyota Highlander last?
The newest model years (2024–2025) are too young to have reached high mileage; most reports with an odometer reading come from the earlier years of the generation.
On the 2020–2025 Toyota Highlander, half of the 181 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 27,000 miles and 90% by 87,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
4 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 2 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Highlander reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Toyota Highlander 2020–2025 · 181 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
20,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 80 complaints
- First 12,000 miles — 35% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 2 complaints (1.1%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 1,000
- 25%
- 7,000
- Median
- 27,000
- 75%
- 57,000
- 90%
- 87,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20,000 | 80 | 44.2% |
| 20,000–40,000 | 33 | 18.2% |
| 40,000–60,000 | 29 | 16.0% |
| 60,000–80,000 | 17 | 9.4% |
| 80,000–100,000 | 8 | 4.4% |
| 100,000–120,000 | 3 | 1.7% |
| 120,000–140,000 | 5 | 2.8% |
| 140,000–160,000 | 4 | 2.2% |
| 200,000+ | 2 | 1.1% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Highlander problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Toyota Highlander 2020–2025
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Fuel and propulsion system84 reportsmedian 1,000middle half 473–5,000
- Brakes175 reportsmedian 15,000middle half 4,000–27,000
- Engine109 reportsmedian 17,000middle half 3,500–59,000
- Electrical system90 reportsmedian 28,000middle half 11,000–78,000
- Body structure170 reportsmedian 30,000middle half 10,000–51,000
- Airbag system130 reportsmedian 42,000middle half 31,000–67,000
- Transmission and driveline430 reportsmedian 70,000middle half 58,000–98,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 430 | 30.9% | 70,000 | 58,000–98,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 205 | 14.7% | — | — |
| Brakes | 175 | 12.6% | 15,000 | 4,000–27,000 |
| Body structure | 170 | 12.2% | 30,000 | 10,000–51,000 |
| Airbag system | 130 | 9.3% | 42,000 | 31,000–67,000 |
| Engine | 109 | 7.8% | 17,000 | 3,500–59,000 |
| Electrical system | 90 | 6.5% | 28,000 | 11,000–78,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 84 | 6.0% | 1,000 | 473–5,000 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 47 | 3.4% | — | — |
| Seats | 43 | 3.1% | — | — |
Known problems with the 2020–2025 Highlander
Fuel System 2020–2021
Denso low-pressure fuel pump recall extends into the early years of this generation.
Engine 2023–2025
The 2023 switch from the long-serving 2GR-FKS V6 to the T24A-FTS turbo four is a major mid-generation powertrain change; the turbo four has no established long-term failure record yet and should be tracked separately from the V6 years on the page.
Before you buy a 2020–2025 Highlander: the 3-minute check
Generated from 181 mileage-tagged complaints, 15 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 15 campaigns cover this generation.
- Ask for fuel and propulsion system repair records. Reports on this area come at a median of 1,000 miles — a newer example may not have reached that mileage yet, so ask what was repaired under warranty and what the warranty still covers.
- Check fuel system on 2020–2021 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check engine on 2023–2025 cars.
- Years differ here: from 10 to 546 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Highlander problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi78% below | At 90k mi91% below | At 120k mi94% below | At 150k mi98% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 58,000–98,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 4,000–27,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Body structure | 10,000–51,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 31,000–67,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 3,500–59,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 11,000–78,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 473–5,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Toyota Highlander 2020–2025 · 181 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 78% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 94% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2020–2025 Toyota Highlander recalls (15)
NHTSA records 15 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (3), seats (2), equipment (2) (why one area can repeat).
Mar 2026 · 2021–2025 · SeatsA seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 9, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota’s…
Dec 2025 · 2024–2025 · Seat BeltsA seat belt that does not properly restrain an occupant increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. A seat belt that does not properly restrain an occupant increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will reinstall the seat belt anchor with a new bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.…
Oct 2025 · 2023–2025 · Back Over PreventionA rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing…
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…
What can happen. 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 free fix. 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…
Sep 2025 · 2023–2025 · Electrical SystemAn instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or…
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…
What can happen. An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The free fix. 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…
Jan 2025 · 2023 · Air BagsA deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
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…
What can happen. A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Jul 2024 · 2023–2024 · EquipmentA vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a…
The defect. Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander…
What can happen. A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GST will mail new labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall…
Jun 2024 · 2021–2024 · TiresTires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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…
What can happen. Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Jun 2024 · 2022–2024 · TiresTires with an insufficient load rating may be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022-2024 model year Highlander L and Highlander LE vehicles equipped with the Blackout Package that includes 20" black alloy wheels and tires. The installed tires have an insufficient load rating. As such…
What can happen. Tires with an insufficient load rating may be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GST will inspect and replace the tires as necessary, and install a new tire information label as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2024. Owners may contact…
Dec 2023 · 2020–2021 · Air BagsAn air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The 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…
What can happen. An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The free fix. 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…
Oct 2023 · 2020–2023 · StructureA detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
What can happen. A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Jul 2023 · 2023 · Air BagsA deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid…
What can happen. A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at…
May 2022 · 2022 · EquipmentAn illegible label may allow the vehicle to be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022 4Runner, Tacoma, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification labels may not be permanent and can fade, becoming illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply…
What can happen. An illegible label may allow the vehicle to be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GST will notify owners by mail, including a replacement load carrying capacity modification label for their vehicle and detailed replacement instructions, free of charge. Owner notification letters…
Apr 2022 · 2020–2022 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid…
What can happen. Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number…
Oct 2020 · 2020 · SeatsImproper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander and Highlander hybrid vehicles. Incorrect seat trim covers on one or both of the front seats can prevent the seat-mounted side air bag from deploying properly.
What can happen. Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats and replace the seat trim covers as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota…
Mar 2020 · 2020 · EngineImproper fuel supply programming can result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander vehicles equipped with a 3.5 L, V6 (2GR-FKS) gasoline engine. Due to an Engine Control Unit (ECU) programming error, fuel may not be correctly supplied to the engine while…
What can happen. Improper fuel supply programming can result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECU, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 1,392 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 69 (5.0%)
- Fires
- 5
- Injury reports
- 48
- Fatality reports
- 1
Highlander problems by model year
The 2021 drew the most complaints of this generation, 546, most of them about the transmission and driveline, and the 2024 the fewest among the 5 years with at least 20 complaints, 43. A typical year drew about 269.
That makes the 2021 stand out at roughly 2.0 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 329 | 64 | 20,000 | Transmission and driveline (126) | 5 |
| 2021 | 546 | 51 | 27,000 | Transmission and driveline (227) | 5 |
| 2022 | 269 | 37 | 30,000 | Transmission and driveline (54) | 6 |
| 2023 | 195 | 22 | under 30 reports | Problems owners could not categorise (40) | 9 |
| 2024 | 43 | 4 | under 30 reports | Problems owners could not categorise (13) | 7 |
| 2025 | 10 | 3 | under 30 reports | Throttle and speed control (3) | 4 |
What Highlander owners reported
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brakes failed to respond causing the braking distances to be extended. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had occurred on several occasions almost causing a crash. The vehicle was taken to the…
2022 · 8,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud high-pitched whining sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while accelerating and the transmission was shifting rough. The contact stated that the vehicle…
2021 · 70,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
The contact owns a 2024 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 contact stated that while lowering the 2nd-row seat, the seats failed to remain locked in place as intended. The local dealer…
2024 · 10,000 miles · Seats
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while leaving the driveway at the doctor's office on a slope, the accelerator pedal was depressed while making a left turn, but the vehicle failed to move. The vehicle then rolled into traffic. The brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle was slow to…
2025 · 15,000 miles · Brakes
Built from 181 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Highlander generations
- Highlander 2001–2007 1,633 reports with mileage, most about throttle and speed control
- Highlander 2008–2013 1,267 reports with mileage, most about the brakes
- Highlander 2014–2019 688 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline