IllustrationThe 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.
2021 Toyota Highlander
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Highlander years
Owner complaints for the 2021 Toyota Highlander are substantially higher than the model-year median of 186.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Highlander years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 42 of 512 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 219 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports4 fire reports12 injury reports
Forward Collision Avoidance complaints
12 reportsWE ARE EXPERIENCING PCS IS NOT WORKING, WE WERE DRIVING ON FREEWAY WHEN CARS STOPPED SUDDENLY AND NOT EVEN DISPLAYING ANY WARNING SIGNAL OF 'BRAKE' ON THAT MOMENT, WE WERE SO CLOSE TO IMPACT A TRAILER, SECOND TIME SIMILAR SITUATION THE NEXT DAY AFTER THE FIRST APPT AT SERVICE WHERE THEY STATED THAT PCS WAS WORKING PROPERLY , C…
Read full complaint
WE ARE EXPERIENCING PCS IS NOT WORKING, WE WERE DRIVING ON FREEWAY WHEN CARS STOPPED SUDDENLY AND NOT EVEN DISPLAYING ANY WARNING SIGNAL OF 'BRAKE' ON THAT MOMENT, WE WERE SO CLOSE TO IMPACT A TRAILER, SECOND TIME SIMILAR SITUATION THE NEXT DAY AFTER THE FIRST APPT AT SERVICE WHERE THEY STATED THAT PCS WAS WORKING PROPERLY , CARS STOPPED SUDDENLY AND NOT EVEN WITH THE WARNING TIMING SET UP IN TO THE 'EARLY TIME', WARNING US TO USE THE BRAKE. THE EXPLANATION FROM SECOND APPT IT WAS 'IT WORKED WITH CRUISE ON', ON MY PREVIOUS CARS NEVER NEEDED TO TURN ON CRUISE, HAVE A 3TH APPOINTMENT COMING THIS WEEK, BUT ON ELECTRICIAN OPINION IS WORKING FINE WITHOUT HE EVEN KNOWING YOU COULD SET THE WARNING TIMING ON THE MENU BY YOURSELF.
Official recalls
426V128000 · Seats:mid/rear Assembly:recliner
Mar 5, 2026
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 9, 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.
24V452000 · Tires
Jun 18, 2024
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
23V865000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
Dec 20, 2023
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
23V720000 · Structure:body:bumpers
Oct 26, 2023
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 22, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.