VehicleVerdict

2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 17 complaints on file for the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

17

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other Highlander Hybrid years?

See all Highlander Hybrid years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags847%
Body & Structure424%
Fuel System212%
Brakes16%
Electrical System16%
Speed Control16%

Does the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V128000SeatsMarch 5, 2026 · 550,007 units

Defect

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. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed April 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.

23V865000AirbagsDecember 20, 2023 · 999,901 units

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 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 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

23V720000Body & StructureOctober 26, 2023 · 750,795 units

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.

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.

22V239000Electrical SystemApril 13, 2022 · 458,110 units

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 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."

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 13, 2025

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 29, 2024

2 ISSUES- THE DISTANCE TO EMPTY ONLY READS 425 MILES. WITH A FULL 17 GALLON TANK IT SHOULD BE AROUND 600. WHEN YOU FILL IT, IT CLICKS OFF 3-4 GALLONS SHORT OF FULL, ONLY HOLDING ABOUT 14 GALLONS. THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS FULL. I THEN HAD TO TRICKLE IN THE REMAINING 3.5 GALLONS. HOW COULD IT SHOW FULL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 30, 2020

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle continued to accelerate forward before coming to a stop. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions but no cause for the failure was found. The contact was informed…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 1, 2020

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 23, 2026

2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid — common questions

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?

The record is thin — 17 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2021 Highlander Hybrid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (8 complaints), body & structure (4 complaints), fuel system (2 complaints).

Does the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Highlander Hybrid years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Highlander Hybrid years to avoid are 2006, 2008, 2007, 2009. The cleanest record among Highlander Hybrid years belongs to 2025.

How safe is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.