Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
severe 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Of the 28 body complaints filed for the 2023 Toyota Highlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
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.
Among the 19 model years of Toyota Highlander in our records for body problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 ↗Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The dominant complaint centers on the front lower bumper cover detaching while driving or sitting parked. Several owners reported the bumper coming loose or falling off at highway speeds (60–75 MPH), with one hitting the hood and damaging the paint and front badge. Another owner's bumper detached during a low-speed collision with concrete, fracturing the mounting tabs. One owner reported the bumper came off twice in two years—first entirely while on the freeway, then again a year later despite a dealer visit for the recall.
All detachment complaints tie to NHTSA recall 23V720/23TA12, issued October 26, 2023. The critical problem: repair parts remain unavailable on most vehicles. Owners report dealers confirming no parts are in stock and putting them on waiting lists, with some waiting months without contact or remedy. A few dealers have completed partial repairs (replacing the lower bumper but leaving upper portions and badges unrepaired), while others declined work or refused to execute the recall, citing unsubstantiated prior damage. One owner reported Toyota initially requiring proof of reimbursement documentation before offering any compensation, then stating reimbursement would only happen once parts became available.
A separate complaint describes water intrusion through both A-pillar gaskets and roof rack clips during rain, occurring early in ownership. One owner also reported an unexplained rattling sound from the dashboard and rear door that started after recall service, which dealers could not diagnose.
Same Toyota Highlander body reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2021 · 2022
The front lower bumper cover assembly detaches from the vehicle while driving or parked, sometimes with mounting tabs failing. This is the primary failure mode affecting multiple owners.
When: Reported at mileage ranges from 1,500 to 211,000 miles; some owners report failures at highway speeds (60-75 MPH) and others at low speeds (5 MPH).
Symptoms owners cite: Bumper detaches or falls off while driving; Abnormal scraping sound from front of vehicle; Top part of bumper flipped up by slipstream and crashed onto hood; Mounting tabs separated or broken; Bumper partially or fully detached when parked and hit by another vehicle
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 23V720, Recall 23TB12, Safety Recall 23TA12
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced lower front bumper and mounting tabs. One owner reported replacement cost covered out-of-pocket at independent shop; dealer initially declined repair claiming they were not an auto body shop. Some dealers partially repaired vehicles (bottom bumper replaced but top part and front badge left unrepaired). Repair parts have been unavailable, delaying recall execution on most vehicles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 23V720000 issued October 26, 2023. Recall status listed as 'Remedy Not Available' as of complaint filing dates. Toyota advised owners to bring vehicles in once remedy available. Some owners reported Toyota refusing to execute recall citing prior damage (unsubstantiated by owners). Dealers reported putting owners on waiting lists. One owner stated Toyota informed them reimbursement could only occur once recall remedy became available.
Water entered the vehicle interior at both driver and passenger A-pillars during a rain storm. Toyota confirmed that gaskets and clips for the roof rack failed, allowing water intrusion.
When: Occurred within approximately 6 months of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Water intrusion in both driver and passenger A-pillars during rain; Water entering vehicle interior through roof area
Repairs/costs cited: Owner noted concern about potential mold growth behind interior panels if water intrusion occurred earlier but interior upholstery did not show signs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota confirmed the water intrusion and identified failed gaskets and clips for the roof rack as the cause.
Owner heard abnormal sounds appearing to come from behind dashboard and rear passenger-side door, sounding like something loose inside the vehicle.
When: Started after vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number 23V720000 (Structure) at approximately 15,700 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal sound from behind dashboard; Abnormal sound from rear passenger-side door; Sounds like something loose
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 23V720000
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer was unable to determine the cause. Vehicle was not repaired. Problem persisted.
Synthesized from 28 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from behind the dashboard and the rear passenger-side door. The contact stated that it sounded as if something was loose. No warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the abnormal sound started after the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA…
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure) 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms…
Water intrusion in the A pillars on both driver and passenger side during a rain storm. Toyota confirmed the water intrusion and stated that the gaskets and clips for the roof rack had failed, allowing water to get into the vehicle interior. I had owned the vehicle for approximately 6 months, and I'm not sure when these clips/gaskets failed. If this failure occured earlier, but there wasn't…
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The…
It's a meaningful issue. 28 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
Based on the 28 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 59,050 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover body issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.