2021 Toyota Highlander owner complaints

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 contact was informed that it was a known failure. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to work with the dealer to have the transmission repaired. The failure mileage was 66,000.

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

My transmission started to make whining noise took to the dealer to check they confirmed it was a transmission issue that it needed to be replaced. After doing some digging I came across a toyota service bulitin that claimed this issue only affected a batch of vehicles. ( T-SB-0008-21 ) I have searched on forums and found out that a lot of people are haveing the same issue and Toyota is not doing anything about it. PLEASE HELP !!!

I purchased my new 2021 Highlander in Sept. of 2021. At about 88K miles, my car started making a whining or buzzing noise when accelerating. I am scheduled to take my highlander to the dealership to be looked at, but in the meantime, research on multiple forums and NHTSA -this is found to be a common issue with the 2021 toyota highlander transmission. Upon further research, I discovered that prior to buying the car, Toyota was already aware of this problem as they issued a Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0008-21 in February of 2021 yet they did not inform me or hold the cars for sale to correct what could cause accidents when the transmission fails. Upon further investigation, there are numerous people with this problem in their 2021 Highlanders. This needs to be addressed immediately and

The transmission has developed a transmission whining noise which Toyota has released a TSB 0008-21. My vehicle has 104,000 miles and is now out of warranty. If this is a known defect on many Toyota vehicle models a transmission replacement should be free if no longer in warranty.

The Highlander only have 62000, miles and still has a new car smell ,but it need a transmission was told by service advisor that it could stop in the middle of the of traffic with no warning no engine light on dash nothing upon further research a lot of customers are having the same problem Please help Toyota has been my brand since 1996 and I’m sad that the don’t stand behind the brand for such a major issue

Transmission went out at 94,000 mils. Loud whinning noise and vechicle very loud sounds like a disel truck once cranked.

I purchased my new 2021 Highlander in Sept. of 2021. At about 70K miles, my car started making a whining or buzzing noise when accelerating. I took it to the Toyota dealership in Fort Collins, CO. They told me my transmission is failing. They stated I needed completely replaced for just a few dollars under $8000. They stated that the Highlander transmissions are on backorder for replacement. They said it could go completely in a year or a month, they didn't know but I couldn't get it fixed for months because of the backordered transmissions. There is no warning light or alert. This is very concerning since I commute at night alone long distances, or if the transmission goes while I'm on an interstate, etc...I did some research and found that prior to buying the car, Toyota was alrea

While pulling onto highway I heard a loud pop and scratching noise. Pulled off road and looked at vehicle from outside. When I looked on top I saw that the glass from sunroof had a hole and had shards like it had exploded from inside pressure.

Infotainment system, this system comes with talk to text abilities. However, the system will say it is not compatible with the device which isn’t true as this same device work from day one of owning this vechile. About a year after owning this vechile I began to start having issues with talk to text through Bluetooth. The only option now to respond to a text through the infotainment system is with a predefined group of messages. This is not the only case of this issue occurring as many models within the 2020-2021 Toyota have had the same issue.

The Forward Collision did not activate cause the vehicle to meet into a accident. the car didn't give a Warning, or try to stop itself. took it to the dealer and was told that the system was working properly. but I tested the system in the parking lot, with a cardboard box and the system still didn't activate.

The navigation has failed to perform properly since the car was new. I have complained about it/taking it in on more than one occasion. Now the car is three years old and has 23,000 miles on it. I am told I must pay to repair the navigation system which never worked properly in the first place. It directs me to roads that are closed;, finds the store I wish to go to, but then says I can’t navigate there;, sends me to a residential neighborhood when I have put in the address of a school;, changes the address I input while I am enroute. It is supposed to navigate to addresses in my contact list, but when I select a contact it then asks me to choose from a similar name in a different state than I have entered in my contacts. I am very curious to know if there have been other complaints or te

There is a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB-0059-23) issued for 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid models addressing a braking issue. It happens every day. There are a lot of issues Some drivers reported a momentary transition from regenerative braking to hydraulic braking, particularly when driving downhill or turning with light brake pedal application. Toyota has provided a software update for the brake actuator control module to improve brake feel. If you own one of these models and are experiencing this issue, you can visit a Toyota dealership and request this specific TSB repair. Addendum: There is no charge for this fix if your vehicle is within the warranty period. The repair procedure under Toyota’s Technical Service Bulletin (TSB-0059-23) is covered by Toyota’s warranty, me

My brakes seem to have an issue at times and I am happy to provide it for inspection if needed. When traveling downhill with a slight curve to a stop at slower speeds, the car lunges forward for a second just after the brakes have been engaged. It does not happen all the time, but when it does happen it feels like you could crash into a car in front of you. This issue happens 2-4 times a month and has been happening since I purchased the vehicle. I recently found a Toyota forum with many people stating they have the same problem. Toyota does not seem to be aware of the issue when I have asked them. There have not been any warning lights etc. at any time during this issue nor any recalls with the issue. I am requesting it to be looked at by the manufacturer at the next scheduled service.

I own a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The vehicle exhibits a dangerous braking surge defect. When braking during cornering or in stop-and-go traffic, the vehicle randomly surges forward even though the brake pedal is depressed. This creates a serious safety hazard and increases the risk of collision. On multiple occasions, this defect has nearly caused an accident. The last time it happened we were driving in stop and go traffic and the vehicle surged forward while depressing the brakes and the engine died leaving a red triangle on the dash. Toyota has acknowledged this condition through Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0059-23, which applies to my vehicle. The bulletin involves reprogramming the brake actuator assembly control module to address the braking transition between regenerativ

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer 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.

Air bag sensor malfunction alert on the dash. Toyota dealership maintenance determined the issue was sensor in the passenger seat was bad and is aware that the entire system will not work because of one sensor that would cost me almost $2000 to repair. Why would the entire system not work because of one sensor? This is not safe as the vehicle still needs to be driven and Toyota customer care does not care about the safety and well being of the consumer when contacted. Toyota Brand Engagement Center Reference # 230608000511

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

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.

Visibility for interior windows defroster/defogger is not functioning. Inside windows are fogging up and icing no matter what heating setting is used. This poses significant risk of visibility in all windows. I have had to try to defrost the inside of my windows just to see out of my side windows and see in my rearview mirror. I have not gone to the dealership, but do intent to. No warning messages present.