2021 Toyota Highlander problems
The 2021 Toyota Highlander has 478 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2021 Toyota Highlander has 478 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 192 complaints, typically surfacing around 58,620 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Highlander | 256 | 3 |
| 2019 Highlander | 467 | 0 |
| 2020 Highlander | 300 | 2 |
| 2021 Highlander (this page) | 478 | 0 |
| 2022 Highlander | 227 | 1 |
| 2023 Highlander | 166 | 1 |
| 2024 Highlander | 39 | 3 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Body: 40 complaints, classified severe
- Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2021 Toyota Highlander? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 192 owner reports · tends to show around 58,620 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- brakes — 47 owner reports · tends to show around 2,600 mi · ~$450 to fix
- body — 40 owner reports · tends to show around 30,333 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
- airbags — 35 owner reports · tends to show around 38,000 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: body is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 30,333 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2021 Toyota Highlander
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
While I was driving the vehicle on December 30, 2025 emerging on to the highway I heard a loud popping sound which I thought was one of the tires going flat when the plastic barrier underneath the car became unattached
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the contact heard an abnormal whining sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the…
Headed westbound on 285 in Georgia; hit on passenger side front door and vehicle swerved several lanes and hit a wall going 60 miles per hour. The airbags did not deploy. I was injured badly and the vehicle was totaled.
I have a faulty transmission that is now widely known. 2021 Highlander with the UA80 transmission. Out of warranty and Toyota wants to provide no help even know this is an ongoing issue with so many owners
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 478 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Toyota Highlander is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2021 Toyota Highlander?
The 2021 Toyota Highlander is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Body: 40 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Toyota Highlander?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 192 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 58,620 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 478 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 58,620 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2021 Toyota Highlander?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 192 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 58,620 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 58,620 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Highlander has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Toyota Highlander?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 478 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.