CSR

Toyota · NHTSA safety record

2024 Toyota Highlander

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

39

Complaints

4

Crashes

0

Fires

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2024 Toyota Highlander have filed 39 safety complaints with NHTSA between March 2024 and June 2026. The most complained-about system is the brakes, named in 8 of them (21%). The typical failure was reported at 13,357 miles, the median across the 3 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 7 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (7)

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

26V128000 · March 5, 2026

The 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.
The risk
A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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, anticipated August 27, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 550,007 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:ANCHORAGE

25V872000 · December 17, 2025

The defect
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The third row center seat belt roof anchor may have been installed at an incorrect angle, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant.
The risk
A seat belt that does not properly restrain an occupant increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will reinstall the seat belt anchor with a new bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA16.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 39 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

25V744000 · October 30, 2025

The defect
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk
A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 1,024,407 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

25V595000 · September 11, 2025

The defect
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles. Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.
The risk
An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy
Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Additional letters will be sent, anticipated in May 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB08 and 25TA08. Lexus' numbers for this recall are 25LB05 and 25LA05.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 591,377 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

24V548000 · July 23, 2024

The defect
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia Hybrid, Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, Venza Hybrid, 2023-2025 Crown, and 2025 Camry Hybrid vehicles equipped with GST accessories. The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
The risk
A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
GST will mail new labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R2.

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. · up to 33,848 vehicles across all model years covered

TIRES

24V452000 · June 18, 2024

The defect
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander vehicles. The 20-inch accessory tires with an insufficient load rating for the vehicle's Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) were installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
The risk
Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
SET will inspect and replace the tires and information placard, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2024. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET24A.

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC · up to 4,763 vehicles across all model years covered

TIRES

24V419000 · June 6, 2024

The defect
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022-2024 model year Highlander L and Highlander LE vehicles equipped with the Blackout Package that includes 20" black alloy wheels and tires. The installed tires have an insufficient load rating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
The risk
Tires with an insufficient load rating may be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
GST will inspect and replace the tires as necessary, and install a new tire information label as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R1.

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. · up to 4,869 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 39.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 12 31%
SERVICE BRAKES 8 21%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6 15%
ENGINE 4 10%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4 10%
STRUCTURE 4 10%
POWER TRAIN 3 8%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 1 3%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 3%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 1 3%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 1 3%
Other/I am not sure 1 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 17.

2024 2025 2026
2024 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 injured · crash · towed

I was driving on road going speed limit during the day, came around a curve, vehicle was stopped, slammed on brakes and turned wheel but still hit rear of vehicle. No collision warning or auto brakes engaged.

NHTSA complaint 11641681. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

1 injured

The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while placing groceries in the trunk, the lift gate violently fell on her head. While in the trunk, the liftgate came down, and her cousin was able to stop the liftgate from closing on the contact. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had a continuous headache and dizziness, and it was determined that she had a concussion when medical attention was provided at the emergency room. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred her to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint 11586602. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 injured · 2,000 miles

The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle's cabin coming from the rear of the vehicle near the fuel tank. No warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vent valve remained open causing fuel to leak from the fuel tank and as a result the fuel cap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure persisted. The failure was intermittent. The contact stated that the odor was extremely strong, causing the driver to sustain headaches. The fire department issued a letter with a statement that there was a fume odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was

NHTSA complaint 11607256, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS

1 injured

Second row seats not latching when moved forward. Sliced up multiple finger when trying determine what was causing it not to latch. Put in a couple of stitches in 2 finger and bandage up the remaining 2 fingers

NHTSA complaint 11726926. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS
The third row seat belts in the 2024 Highlander are very difficult to latch. I had to bring my Highlander to the dealership twice over the seatbelt buckles in the third row. The buckle part does not lift up high enough to grab the buckle to latch it. Anytime a child old enough to be in the third row sits back there an adult has to Buckle them because they can’t get the seat belt to latch to the buckle. It’s supposed to be a family friendly vehicle but if a 7 year old can’t buckle themselves, that is an extremely unsafe design. It often takes me 10-15 minutes to get kids buckled in my third row because of how challenging it is to get the seat belts to latch as an adult. I have had to use a

NHTSA complaint 11745432, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
The trunk will not close using any of the buttons. This is an on going issue on so many newer highlanders.

NHTSA complaint 11742837. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
The vehicle started stalling out randomly on the highway even with it being automatic, after getting home and parking it , it would not back up or drive . Took it to Toyota dealership and they said it’s an internal failure of the transmission which is a UA80 model , it only has 92,000 miles on it they can’t figure out what caused it . There are lawsuits with this vehicle already from other people and Toyota is not fixing the issue and won’t help with mine even after they have known what it is. I took it to one shop before Toyota to get a diagnostic it shown two codes one being in the transmission but they fixed that part and the vehicle still did not drive nor back up and then Toyota got

NHTSA complaint 11736517, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I've been waiting for a recall repair based on a recall file nearly 8 months ago now. This recall still appears to have no remedy. I continue to get emails about this issue from my dealer, but when I call to schedule the appointment to fix it, they continue to tell me that no remedy is available yet.

NHTSA complaint 11735646. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE

155,590 miles

The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that there was a leak coming from the roof rack of the vehicle. The contact stated that previous model years since 2021 had experienced similar failures, which caused damage to the SRS air bag module. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,590.

NHTSA complaint 11734371. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKING SYSTEM WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, ESPECIALLY WHEN APPLYING DOWNHILL, TEMPORARILY RELEASES AND ACTS AS THOUGH BRAKES ARE NOT APPLIED ANY LONGER FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF A FEW SECONDS THEN REAPPLIES. IT DOES SO THAT IT IS VERY OBVIOUS WITHIN THE CAR. THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID BRAKING SYSTEM AND IT SEEMS THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED IN NEWER MODELS. ASKING NTHSA TO ADDRESS WITH TOYOTA AND GET IT FIXED.Technical Service Bulletin for 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Braking Issue. Some drivers reported a momentary transition from regenerative braking to hydraulic braking, particularly when driving downhill or turning with light brake pedal application. Toyota

NHTSA complaint 11733520, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Toyota Highlander

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 9 3
2023 172 9
2022 230 5 1
2021 488 4
2020 305 4
2019 472 3
2018 259 4
2017 262 3
2016 109 2
2015 189 1
2014 134 4 1
2013 205 3
2012 181 2
2011 181 5
2010 216 10

Other 2024 Toyota models

Every Toyota on this site — 272 vehicles, 370 recall campaigns and 3 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst