2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 Toyota Highlander. This model year has 425 NHTSA complaints β top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2021 Toyota Highlander Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Brake System
Uncategorized Issues
Considering a 2021 Toyota Highlander?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 Toyota Highlander. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 154 | 3 | β | β | |
| Brake System | 63 | 4 | β | β | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 54 | 3 | 1 | β | |
| Structural Problems | 46 | 1 | β | β | |
| Engine Problems | 41 | 3 | 1 | β | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 41 | 5 | β | β | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 30 | 2 | β | β | |
| Electrical Faults | 23 | β | 1 | β | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 11 | 2 | β | β | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 9 | β | β | β | |
| Steering Defects | 8 | 2 | β | β | |
| Tire Issues | 8 | 1 | β | β | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 8 | β | β | β | |
| Visibility | 7 | β | β | β | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 7 | β | β | β | |
| Lane Departure | 6 | β | β | β | |
| Back Over Prevention | 3 | β | β | β | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | β | β | β | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | 1 | β | β | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | β | β | β | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | β | β | β | |
| Insert | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Padding | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Chest Clip | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Buckle | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Harness | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Other/I Am Not Sure | 1 | β | β | β |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Toyota Highlander. Type a keyword (e.g. βtransmissionβ, βstallingβ, βbrakesβ) to filter.
Showing 400 most recent complaints of 425 total. View all on NHTSA β
Car makes a high pitched whining noise at low speeds of approx. 10-30 mph
2021 Toyota Highalnder UA80F Transmission Whine / Known Defect - Potential for Sudden Failure I own a 2021 Toyota Highlander Platinum V6 AWD (UA80F 8-speed automatic transmisstion) purchased in July 2021. Current milage is 78k. Starting 3 days ago I noticed a faint whine noise β¦
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that there was an abnormal winding sound coming from the vehicle while accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failureβ¦
Rear power lift gate routinely malfunctions, stopping partway while opening or closing. Dealer recommends resetting the lift gate, which occasionally works to address the problem but is not a reliable fix. Issue has been ongoing for several years without remedy.
2021 Toyota Highlander transmission failure
My automatic transmission failed per the dealership and is just outside of the warranty but is considered a premature failure based on the expected life of the vehicle.
I am an owner of a 2021 Highlander XLE AWD (bought new). In October of 2024 around 34000 miles the transmission started to make a whining noise and seemed to be surging/bucking , hesitation and hunting for gears. Toyota determined it fit the criteria of a TSB to have the transmisβ¦
Transmission has failed as have many others of the same year make and model without acknowledgement of a manufacturer defect
This appears to be a fuel pump or something with the fuel issue on a 2021 Toyota Highlander L series. While driving it would stop and switch off at stop lights and stop sign. The codes that come up have to do with fuel being lean. However this also affects the braking system and β¦
Transmission Failure. Had to have it replaced.
Rear lift gate doesn't fully open or close sometimes. I have to manually assist in opening or closing after trying the key fob, inside push button and rear switch above the license plate. I have attempted to reset the height adjustment thinking it would fix it, with no success. Iβ¦
The vehicle experienced a transmission failure at approximately 62,000 miles, which required a transmission replacement. Toyota replaced the transmission with a rebuilt transmission. Immediately after the repair, the vehicle began experiencing multiple issues that were not preseβ¦
When accelerating at all, the engine emits a whining noise. The only time the whine stops is when the foot is removed from the pedal. It does not whine at idle. I believe it is the transmission going bad. The problem has been confirmed by a local service center. No warning lamps β¦
A whining noise was observed at around 78k miles. Brought to the dealer and they indicated parts in the transmission are failing and it requires replacement. They said this has been happening more frequently on 2021 Highlanders (also see T-SB-0008-21). It's also a well-documentedβ¦
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced transmission failure while driving. There was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle while accelerating, and the sound increased in volume while driving. There was no warning ligβ¦
The vehicle experiences intermittent power steering malfunction while driving. Warning messages including βPower Steering Malfunctionβ and βLow Voltage Abnormalityβ appear, and the steering wheel becomes stiff and difficult to turn. This has occurred multiple times during normalβ¦
Transmission has started to whine, my understanding is this is common for the transmission I have. I have had this verified by 2 different garages. There are no engine lights showing. The noise started around 90K.
My 2021 Toyota Highlander was my first car I purchased that I saved up for and has had a sudden issue accrue with a winning sound out of now where. I took it to the dealer ship and they told me I need a new transmission. My vechile only has 73k miles and I noticed this sound is gβ¦
Upon inspection at my local Toyota dealership, the UA80F 8-speed transmission on my 2021 Toyota Highlander has a known whining noise attributed to a failed transmission pump. The whining noise occurs when the car accelerates from 0 to around 50 miles per hour. When it gets to higβ¦
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
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2021 Toyota Highlander.
Recalls for 2021 Toyota Highlander
4 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2021 Toyota Highlander. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2021 Toyota Highlander β FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander reliable?βΎ
Severe Issues. The 2021 Toyota Highlander has 425 NHTSA owner complaints, 16 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Transmission / Drivetrain (154 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Highlander?βΎ
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (154 complaints). #2: Brake System (63 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (54 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Toyota Highlander?βΎ
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2021 Toyota Highlander?βΎ
The 2021 Toyota Highlander has 16 crash-related complaints and 2 fire reports out of 425 total NHTSA complaints. 17 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2021 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?βΎ
Yes β 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2021 Toyota Highlander. The largest issue: STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2021 Toyota Highlander?βΎ
The 2021 Toyota Highlander has severe issues β review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Transmission / Drivetrain issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Highlander reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2021 Toyota Highlander
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.