2021 Toyota Highlander visibility problems

Filed Oct 11, 2026 · Electrical, Visibility · UT

On November 19, 2025, the 12.3-inch infotainment display in my 2021 Toyota Highlander Limited went black and never recovered. That screen is the only display for the rear-view backup camera. With it dead, there is no backup camera image when reversing. The failure started as an intermittent blank screen with the reverse camera still working, then progressed to a fully dead screen including the backup camera display. A replacement display unit did not fix it. Toyota has acknowledged this defect in Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0055-22, which identifies the integration control sub-assembly (part 840C2-48010) as the cause, but has not issued a recall. Toyota service repeatedly diagnosed the problem as a failed head unit. I replaced the head unit at my own expense and the screen still did not work. When I returned to the dealer, they refused to perform further diagnostics, stating the diagnostic cost would be as much as the head unit replacement.

Filed Jun 4, 2025 · Body, Visibility · NY

This is a supplemental complaint to add more detail to a prior submission. I am the original owner of a 2021 Toyota Highlander with 10,000 miles at the time of the issue worsening to the point that I finally broke down and was forced to pay the Toyota dealership's hefty diagnostic fee. The air conditioning system has failed due to a refrigerant leak in the rear A/C lines, specifically near the exhaust area under the vehicle. The dealership diagnosed the issue and quoted me over $3,000 to replace “all necessary components in the rear.” They offered no coverage or goodwill repair despite the vehicle’s age and mileage. Upon researching the issue for longer than a year at this point, I discovered far too many similar complaints from other Highlander owners (years 2019–2021) describing identical failures — typically rear A/C lines corroding, cracking, or leaking prematurely. In some cases, customers were told Toyota is aware of the issue but not issuing a TSB or recall. In other cases, dealers said no permanent fix exists. These repairs are prohibitively expensive and, in some reports, recurring due to poor line placement or dissimilar metal corrosion near heat sources. This significantly impacts safety in several ways: Impaired Visibility: The AC system is integral to effective defogging and defrosting of the windshield, especially in humid or cold conditions. Without it, visibility is severely compromised, increasing the risk of an accident. Driver Impairment: In extreme temperatures, lack of climate control can lead to driver fatigue, distraction, and reduced concentration, posing an indirect safety risk. I am reporting it to request the federal safety agency monitor the trend. This seems to reflect a possible engineering or design flaw, and the number of similar owner reports suggests it may warrant further review by Toyota and the federal safety agency. Customers should not be facing multi-thousand-dollar repairs on near-new vehicles with basic systems failing. Thank you for tracking this issue.

Filed Jun 4, 2025 · Visibility · NY

Premature AC refrigerant leak and failure in system in the 2021 Toyota Highlander due to corroded/defective rear AC lines located near the exhaust/spare tire, observed at very low mileage and upon official inspection at the nearest Toyota dealership. Noticed early in ownership and decided to have the vehicle scanned when air being released only continued to grow warmer in the sweltering summer months. Reporting due to advice from friends and owners in my exact situation with the very same issue as well as the pricey three-thousand dollars and upwards quote to have this work done from Curry Toyota, 3026 E Main St, Cortlandt, NY 10567. Vehicle purchased new to avoid these very issues.

Filed Apr 11, 2025 · Body, Visibility · GA

Windshield side beveled trim driver’s side snapped and flew off on the highway into oncoming traffic and the passenger side is also loss and almost coming off.

Filed Mar 20, 2025 · Driver assistance, Visibility · 45,000 miles · NH

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the display screen malfunctioned and displayed a solid black screen. During the failure, several functions and features could not be accessed or activated, including the front and rear defrosters. The contact was unable to clear the front and rear windshields, which created a visibility hazard for the driver. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the display screen unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 45,000.

Filed Mar 7, 2025 · Visibility · 38,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the driver’s side mirror was vibrating abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the vehicle was diagnosed and it was determined that the screw securing the mirror had loosened. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

Filed Sep 12, 2024 · Visibility · KY

I just bought this 2021 Highlander XSE & the drivers side mirror vibrates above 30mph. I feel this makes it very hard to see properly especially on the interstate traveling 70mph & trying to get a clear view of the roadway & cars around me. I took the car to my local Toyota dealer & was told this is a common problem among the new design with the Highlander’s. I do not feel safe not being able to see properly.

Filed Sep 27, 2023 · Visibility · CA

Vehicle windshield glass has a distorted and wavy quality that impacts visibility for the driver. I have contacted the dealership about this issue and there is not a current recall for the windshield. The windshield says Toyota Pilkington laminated acoustic heated [XXX] , DOT15. I purchased this vehicle in the last week and did not notice the distortion on the short test drive. At first, I thought it was a reflection issue from the dash, but it is not. This should be investigated and remedied. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 20, 2023 · Body, Visibility · TX

We purchased 2021 highlander in March 2021. Since the day we experienced some vibration in the driver side mirror and we first notice bad vibrations when we drove above 40 to 50 mph. We never bought this up with Toyota or the dealer untill May 5th 2023. When we created a case with Toyota, they directed us to the dealer. Once we scheduled the service they confirmed the vibration and replaced Part Number: 879400E351. After the replacement we noticed that the vibrations are getting bad even during lower speeds now. The mirror is vibrating during idle and any speed higher than 30/ 40mph. We scheduled another appointment with the dealer and the manager did test drive another highlander 2022 model and confirmed that it is also vibrating. It was surprising to see that all the highlanders have these mirror vibrations. They said eventhough theres is vibration, it'd be considered normal. I rive mostly during night. The driver side mirror is blurry, vibrating and is extremly difficult to drive the car and is scary that the image on the mirror is not steady and create confusions to the driver. Changing lanes or entering to highway is really challenging as the mirros are vibrating too much and extremely hard to concentrate. This may even can cause major accidents as the image is not clear. The vibrations (humps, dips, rumble strips) are even translated to driver side vibrations and is very hard to see. The dealer even agreed to it but said that it’s a Toyota flaw in design because all Highlanders have this… and after talking to them, they said the only way Toyota would even look at this issue or have an engineer take a look in to it is if they get enough complaints or see a pattern. This is why I am reporting this to the federal safety agency. I want to keep Americans road safe and sound to all my fellow humans. They also said Toyota RAV4 also had these issue and Toyota issued a TSB however there is nothing on Highlander. I humbly request the federal safety agency to seriously look in to this and assist us.

Filed May 15, 2023 · Visibility · FL

The driver side mirror wiggles at highway speed or with strong wind and the image in the mirror is not clear which causes the driver to do a double take on where and how far the car is. This is a safety issue that needs to be addressed and fixed by Toyota. I’m not the only one experiencing this issue, see other reports. Thanks for your quick action on this matter.