Some 2020 – 2026 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a water leak from the roof rack attachment clips. This may be caused by the sealant in the roof channel obstructing the proper seating position for the clip gasket.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2022 Toyota Highlander body problems
moderate Owners of the 2022 Toyota Highlander have filed 38 NHTSA complaints about the body, typically surfacing around 32,827 miles at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
38
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Highlander | 8 |
| 2019 Highlander | 11 |
| 2020 Highlander | 27 |
| 2021 Highlander | 40 |
| 2022 Highlander (this page) | 38 |
| 2023 Highlander | 29 |
When does it fail?
Of the 38 body complaints filed for the 2022 Toyota Highlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 38 body complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 19 model years of Toyota Highlander in our records for body problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2020 – 2023 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the Power Back Door (PBD) will not open or close and/or stops moving while opening or closing. A modified PBD unit assembly is available to address these conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2022 Highlander body complaints cluster heavily around front bumper detachment tied to NHTSA Campaign 23V720000. Multiple owners report the lower front bumper cover or entire front bumper assembly coming loose or fully detaching during highway driving—speeds from 40 mph to 75 mph. The detached parts drag underneath or fly into traffic, creating hazards and causing temporary loss of vehicle control in some cases. Owners describe minimal or no prior impact, pointing to the plastic push-pin mounting tabs as inadequate. Several cite wind force from passing semi-trucks as a trigger; the recall was issued because minor bumper impacts can cause mounting tabs to detach. A critical problem: many owners received recall notices but dealers report parts remain unavailable months after the recall was issued, leaving vehicles unrepaired. Some dealers blame owners for prior damage and refuse warranty coverage.
Driver-side mirror vibration during highway speeds (50–75 mph) is reported separately by multiple owners. The mirror shakes in its housing, creating visual distraction that owners say endangers lane-changing maneuvers by forcing prolonged focus away from the road ahead.
Rear liftgate strut failures prevent the tailgate from opening or closing reliably; some owners report warranty denial because dealers cannot duplicate the failure during service visits. Roof rack clip/sunroof sealing issues also appear in the data—water intrusion into the headliner and console area on the driver's side. One sunroof shattering at highway speed without impact is reported. Grille design lacks condenser protection, leading to repeated damage claims.
Same Toyota Highlander body reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Front bumper cover/lower bumper assembly detachment
Lower front bumper cover or entire front bumper assembly separates from mounting tabs during normal driving or highway speeds. Parts detach, drag under vehicle, or become road hazards. Owners cite inadequate plastic push-pin retention and report minimal or no impact prior to failure. Wind force from passing trucks cited in some cases.
When: Highway speeds 40–75 mph; mileage range 7,000–85,000 miles; some occur after car wash or minor contact
Symptoms owners cite: Bumper visibly loose or hanging; Abnormal dragging or popping sounds from front end; Part missing from underneath vehicle; Temporary loss of vehicle control when detachment occurs
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers confirm replacement parts unavailable for extended periods post-recall notification. Some dealers deny warranty, attributing failure to prior accident damage despite no visible impact marks. Replacement of lower bumper cover assembly or entire front bumper required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 23V720000 (Structure) issued for 2020–2023 Highlander and Hybrid models; approximately 751,000 vehicles involved. Campaign acknowledges resin bumper cover mounting tabs can detach from minor impacts. Parts distribution disconnect: dealers unable to source replacement components months after recall issued.
Driver-side mirror vibration
Driver-side mirror shakes in its housing during highway driving speeds, creating visual distraction that endangers safe mirror use. Mirror vibration forces prolonged focus on the mirror frame rather than road image, pulling driver attention away from road during critical lane-change moments.
When: Highway speeds 50–75 mph; affects visual safety intermittently
Symptoms owners cite: Visible shaking in mirror housing at speeds above 20 mph; Distorted or blurred reflection; Noise from vibrating mirror frame; Passenger-side mirror does not exhibit same vibration
Repairs/costs cited: No repair information provided in narratives. Issue remains unresolved in reported cases.
Rear liftgate/tailgate power strut failure
Rear liftgate power struts fail intermittently, preventing reliable opening or closing. Liftgate makes beeping sound and stops mid-cycle; manual force required to operate. Dealers unable to duplicate failure during service visits and refuse warranty coverage.
When: Occurs intermittently; mileage approximately 48,000 miles in one report
Symptoms owners cite: Liftgate fails to raise or close properly; Beeping sound followed by failure to complete cycle; Excessive weight/difficulty in manual operation; Intermittent nature prevents diagnostic replication
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer recommended replacement of both liftgate pistons but repair not completed. No parts costs cited.
Roof rack clip fracture and water intrusion
Driver-side roof rack attachment clip fractures or sealant fails, allowing water to leak into overhead console (sunglasses holder) and stain headliner above rear third-row seats.
When: Inclement weather exposure; mileage approximately 56,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Water leaking from overhead console; Water stains on headliner; Visible crack in roof rack attachment clip
Repairs/costs cited: Repaired with Part Number 90467-08235 (roof rack clip assembly replacement).
Sunroof detachment at highway speed
Sunroof shattered and detached from vehicle at highway speed without any reported impact or accident. Creates immediate hazard and loss of roof structural integrity.
When: Highway speed; cause unknown, no impact reported
Symptoms owners cite: Sunroof shatters; Sunroof detaches from vehicle; No audible warning or prior damage noted
Repairs/costs cited: No repair information provided.
Grille design insufficient condenser protection
Grille opening is oversized without protective plate, allowing debris or road hazards to damage radiator condenser. Recurring damage requires owner out-of-pocket repair or insurance claim; warranty does not cover.
When: Recurring; no specific mileage noted
Symptoms owners cite: Condenser damage from debris; Repeated failures in same area
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs required at owner expense; warranty exclusion noted.
Synthesized from 38 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Sunroof shattered and detached at highway speed without impact
In November 2023, I received a notification about TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2022 OPEN SAFETY RECALL WITH NO REMEDIES. I went to the local DeLuca Toyota (www.delucatoyota.com ) Dealership. The address is 1719 SW College Rd, Ocala, FL 34471, (352) 732-0770. I bought this car from this dealership. I was talking with service manager about these issues about safety recall WITH NO REMEDIES. He said they cannot…
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal popping and dragging sound coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The contact stated that the driver’s side bumper had detached, and the…
Had body trouble with your 2022 Toyota Highlander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2022 Toyota Highlander?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 38 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 15,000 and 49,000 miles, with the median around 32,827. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,000; a quarter make it past 49,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2022/Toyota/Highlander.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.