The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the instrument panel lights were flashing. The vehicle then independently turned off and restarted repeatedly. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the battery level was low and needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced, and other unknown repairs for shifting failure were performed. The vehicle was driven back to the residence; however, the failure recurred upon starting the vehicle the following day. Additionally, the seat belt chime reminders engaged even though the seat belts were securely fastened, and the tailgate had failed to open. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in TSB Number: T-SB-0019-21. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact requested a trade-in or buy-back assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 77,900.
The worst 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags8
- Body4
- Fuel system2
- Acceleration1
- Brakes1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags8
- Body4
- Fuel system2
- Acceleration1
- Brakes1
- Electrical1
Recalls 4
Seats: mid/rear assembly: recliner
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 letters were mailed September 9, 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.
Recall number 26V128000 · Recall details
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Recall number 23V865000 · Recall details
Structure: body: bumpers
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 23V720000 · Recall details
Electronic stability control (ESC): control module: software
- What is wrong
- 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 Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
- Risk
- Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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 for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.
Recall number 22V239000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
the federal safety agency received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, the federal safety agency opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified the federal safety agency he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22005
Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 159
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or...
- Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle...
- Customer support program 24TE04
- Engine
- Frequently Asked Questions CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM 24TE04 Multiple Model & Model Year Toyota Vehicles...
- This Customer Support Program provides coverage as it applies to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak on...
- Obsolete notice
- Water leak from the roof rack attachment clips
- Condition in which the air conditioner does not cool due to a leak and/or corrosion in the rear underbody...
- Obsolete notice
2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4‑cyl Hybrid | FWD | 36 | 35 | 36 |
What 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that the hatchback failed to open completely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer recommended that the hatchback motor be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the braking system experienced intermittent brake failures, causing the brakes to erroneously release while being depressed. During the failure, the vehicle unintendedly lurched forward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failures. The failure mileage was 6,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the master warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer for routine service; however, the vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that after being informed by the local dealer that the vehicle was repaired, it was discovered that the master warning light was still illuminated. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); and the vehicle was partially repaired. Additionally, the contact was informed that the air bag sensor had been deactivated until the recall repair was completed. The contact stated that after calling the dealer for two weeks, the recall repair still had not been completed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the dealer for assistance. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool showed no open recall.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); 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 manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 23V720000 (Structure) and 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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 had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Compare the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Other model years
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Questions about the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?
Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 2.5 times a typical Highlander Hybrid model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
Airbags, with 8 complaints. Next is body (4).
How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have?
4 recalls, covering seats, air bags and structure.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 23V865000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid get?
Official estimates for the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid range from 36 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, FWD) gets 36 city and 35 highway.
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