2021 Toyota Highlander Safety Report
2021 Toyota Highlander Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Toyota Highlander
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Toyota Highlander. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (406) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Toyota Highlander with 29 complaints and 7 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Toyota Highlander before buying across this generation. |
Toyota Highlander Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Toyota Highlander years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Toyota Highlander | 187 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Toyota Highlander | 266 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2023 Toyota Highlander | 139 | 9 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Toyota Highlander | 428 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Toyota Highlander | 29 | 7 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Toyota Highlander | 242 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2021 Toyota Highlander Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Toyota Highlander, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Power Train
123 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Toyota onlyService Brakes
40 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Toyota onlyUnknown Or Other
34 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Toyota onlyStructure
31 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Toyota onlyAir Bags
28 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Toyota onlyFuel/Propulsion System
21 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Toyota onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Toyota Highlander
Reliability Score
The 2021 Toyota Highlander receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Toyota Highlander
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2021 Toyota Highlander
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Toyota Highlander:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission Failure Transmission issues are common, with a known failure rate of 12%. Unusual sounds and whining are reported, especially after 60,000 miles. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brake Failure Service brakes, particularly in the rear, may fail during braking, posing a safety risk. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Airbag Misclassification Airbag sensors may misclassify occupants, leading to potential safety concerns. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Structural Issues Structural issues, particularly with bumpers, have been reported. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Toyota Highlander:
Transmission issues, including unusual sounds and whining, are common.
Service brakes, particularly in the rear, may fail during braking.
Airbag sensors may misclassify occupants.
Structural issues, particularly with bumpers, have been reported.
Recall Details for the 2021 Toyota Highlander
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Toyota Highlander by NHTSA:
Summary: 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. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 20, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.
Summary: 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 Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
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.
Summary: 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 in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
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 customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Le...
Summary: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Toyota Highlander
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Toyota Highlander with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Transmission failure @110,000miles and a $9000.00 replacement cost. Service advisor at Toyota Dealership indicated they have seen other similar failures on this Highlander Platinum Model at their dealership but unit is out of warranty by a few thousand miles
2021 Toyota Highlander xse all-wheel drive model. Transmission failure: unusual sounds started just after 60,000 miles. Transmission began to whine mid-70,000 miles. Repair costs $8,000. Transmission business recommends rebuilding the Transmissions due to poor design and known issues.
My 2021 Toyota Highlander is experiencing a transmission issue causing a high pitched whining. It has the problematic UA80F. Toyota has declined to remedy the problem even with it being a known issue.
During acceleration above 25 mph a noticeable whining sound is heard from the transmission. When not acceleration the sound goes away. The vehicle only has 72300 miles
The transmission began making a wheezing sound. The dealership looked at the vehicle and determined it needed a new transmission. This is a known problem. Toyota issued a service bulletin on the issue in February 2021. I purchased the vehicle a few months after that. T-SB-0008-21
When slowing down to stop and the brake is depressed, multiple occasions where the brakes don’t catch. The car jerks forward and I am unable to engage the brakes. I have ended up in the middle of an intersection due to this. It happens frequently, and Toyota continues to brush me off.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander equipped with Bridgestone Tires, Tire Line: Alenza Sport, Tire Size: 255/50/R20, DOT Number: 276100C2R. The contact stated the vehicle was inspected by the dealer, where it was discovered that all four tires were prematurely worn quickly and showed defects. The tires were replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V452000 (Tires). The dealer informed the cont...
*Component/System:** The **Fuel Pump / Fuel Delivery System** failed. The vehicle and the replaced spark plugs/coils are available for inspection upon request. **Safety Risk:** The vehicle **stalls abruptly while in motion (at speed)**, causing an immediate loss of motive power in traffic. This creates an extreme risk of rear-end collisions and leaves the driver stranded in active lanes of travel...
My vehicle is experiencing a transmission safety issue that has been diagnosed by the authorized Toyota dealer service center (Toyota of Scranton). During my most recent service visit on 3/2/26, the dealer reported that the transmission is “failing and whining” and recommended full transmission replacement. This condition creates unsafe driving behavior, including abnormal whining noise during acc...
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a whining sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. After the vehicle was parke...
While driving westbound on I-8 at approximately 70 MPH in the left lane, a warning message suddenly appeared on my dashboard stating that a malfunction in the hybrid system had been detected. Immediately after the alert, the vehicle lost power and stopped accelerating. I was forced to quickly maneuver across multiple lanes of traffic and barely made it to the narrow right shoulder. Because I had b...
Both of the front door lock actuators went out, so the vehicle won’t lock at all & I can’t use my Toyota app that I pay for. The left back door/hatch rail that lifts up the door is making a loud sound upon opening & getting stuck when opening. Have to push the open button several times or open it manually to get it to open at all. Have taken it to the Toyota dealer to inspect both & both are costl...
At around 70,000 mi the transmission started making noises and at the 80,000 mile marker I took it in for its maintenance they found debris in the transmission fluid and I was just told it's either a replace it now or replace it when it falls out of the vehicle. A vehicle with less than 100,000 mi and I am the only owner, for the transmission to go out or start going out and Toyota not solve probl...
I bought this vehicle used on 04/23/2024 with 18,596 miles on the odometer. When I was inspecting the vehicle prior to delivery at the dealership, I noticed a crack low on the windshield. The dealership replace the windshield prior to my taking delivery of the vehicle. In the spring of 2025 I had a crack develop in the windshield and had to have it replaced. Another crack has since developed (it i...
I was driving to a stop light when I heard a Raddle. Pull over and all the oil came out the engine. When I took it to the dealer they told me that the engine blew up. 14k repair that Toyota would not cover the repair.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the transmission. The contact was concerned about the sound and contacted a dealer. The vehicle was driven to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The ...
I am reaching out regarding our 2021 Toyota Highlander which currently has $65 K miles and is just out of warranty. Recently we noticed a wining noise during acceleration. We took the vehicle to the dealer who told us that the transmission will need to be REPLACED. $9500 repair. This is a known issue with Toyota and they will not work with us on this. We are stuck! No customer goodwill! Tha...
I purchased my brand new Highlander on January 31, 2021 and was told today that I need a transmission replacement. My vehicle started about two month ago with a whining sound while accelerating. My vehicle currently has 78,000 miles and is out of the extended warranty of 60,000/5 year. I learned that Toyota released a bulletin on February 9, 2021 stating transmission issues for particular Toyot...
Power Back Door (PBD) will not open or close and/or stops moving while opening or closing. Problem seems to be in the motor controls of the strut assemblies on both sides of rear hatch. Vehicle is off warranty, but should be covered by Toyota due to faulty factory installed equipment... Instead, they want to charge us $1600 to repair. On the Toyota forums, many people are complaining of the same e...
2021 toyota highlander AWD limited - Car started making a whirling (whirring, whining) noise upon acceleration. It ramps up as accelerating. There are no warning lights showing. It stops when you take foot off of gas. Problem had been confirmed by 2 toyota dealers as needing a new transmission. One said it was in last gear, the other simply said noise was coming from the transmission and based on ...
Showing 20 of 406 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Toyota Highlander
Has the 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER have?
The 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER has 406 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. 17 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
The 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER involve power train (123 complaints), service brakes (40 complaints), unknown or other (34 complaints). Other affected components include structure, air bags, fuel/propulsion system.
How many crash reports does the 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
17 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 406 complaints, 4 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER are: 1. POWER TRAIN (123 complaints), 2. SERVICE BRAKES (40 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (34 complaints), 4. STRUCTURE (31 complaints), 5. AIR BAGS (28 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 123 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
Be cautious of transmission and service brake issues, and ensure regular maintenance to avoid potential safety risks. The 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER has 406 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
The 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 406 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Transmission Failure and Service Brake Failure.
What are the known issues with the 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
Known issues with the 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER include: Transmission Failure, Service Brake Failure, Airbag Misclassification, Structural Issues. These are based on patterns found across 406 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common transmission issues in the 2021 Toyota Highlander?
Common issues include unusual sounds and whining, especially after 60,000 miles.
Are there any known structural issues with the 2021 Toyota Highlander?
Yes, structural issues, particularly with bumpers, have been reported.
What should I do if I experience transmission issues in my 2021 Toyota Highlander?
Take the vehicle to an authorized Toyota dealer for diagnosis and repair.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of transmission and service brake issues, and ensure regular maintenance to avoid potential safety risks.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Toyota Highlander
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Toyota Highlander. The data includes 406 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 17 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Toyota Highlander an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16