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Toyota · NHTSA safety record

2024 Toyota Highlander

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

Owners have filed 42 safety complaints about the 2024 Toyota Highlander with the US government. Of those, 4 describe a crash, 5 people were injured and no death is recorded. 7 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the brakes, named in 8 complaints, 19% of the total.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers March 2024 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

42 complaints on file

42

Complaints

4

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

5

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 13 · 31%
SERVICE BRAKES 8 · 19%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 7 · 17%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6 · 14%
ENGINE 5 · 12%
STRUCTURE 4 · 10%
POWER TRAIN 3 · 7%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 1 · 2%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 · 2%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 1 · 2%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 1 · 2%
Other/I am not sure 1 · 2%
0 8 15

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 42.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2026 at 18.

20 15 10 5
24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2024 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2024 Toyota HIGHLANDER, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 16.4% 16.9%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

7 on file

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

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

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.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I have been experiencing a gas smell issue with my Toyota Highlander near the rear of the car by gas cap area upon putting in gas and driving. The smell starts typically when it’s a hot day outside and I only usually get half a tank worth of gas. After getting gas and driving about 15-30 mins. Is when the smell of gas starts. I recently took my car it to the local Toyota dealership and they checked the purge valve, fuel canister and EVAP system. The technician did state that the fuel rail failed slightly. But overall, they stated there no codes after testing and the technician did state he smelled the gas faintly. But that since there are no codes to pinpoint an issue they cannot fix or

NHTSA complaint 11761388, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Driving the vehicle a strong smell of fuel vapor is noticeable coming from rear driver side of vehicle by rear door and fuel cap area. This happens when car is driven for long periods of time or on hot days. I drive my car daily and it happens every day. Smell gets so bad it gets in to the cabin area. Causing me to get headaches or light headed feeling making it unsafe to drive. I have taken vehicle to the dealership but nothing was done. The only thing they said they could do is clean and disinfect my AC vents. This issue has been on going since I bought the vehicle brand new 0 miles when I purchased it. There are no warning lamps or messages that appear when the issue starts. After

NHTSA complaint 11760159, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
There is a strong odor of gasoline coming from the car, to the point where the fumes are so strong they’re entering our home and making it very unsafe. We brought the vehicle to the Toyota dealership, and they said they couldn’t do anything about it. Keep in mind the car is still under warranty. Upon doing further research from Reddit, this seems to be a common issue with 2023+ Highlander and Grand Highlander models; however, Toyota is refusing to correct these issues. This is a hazard to say the least and something needs to be done asap!

NHTSA complaint 11757582. 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.

Compare

Other years of the Toyota Highlander

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 10 3 —
2023 182 9 —
2022 259 5 1
2021 522 4 —
2020 317 4 —
2019 486 3 —
2018 266 4 —
2017 267 3 —
2016 110 2 —
2015 192 1 —
2014 136 4 1
2013 207 3 —
2012 182 2 —
2011 181 5 —
2010 216 10 —

Other 2024 Toyota models

Every Toyota on this site — 281 vehicles.

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. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

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