{"id":"2021_toyota_highlander","make":"Toyota","make_slug":"toyota","model":"Highlander","model_slug":"highlander","year":2021,"url":"/toyota/highlander/2021/","pts":["hev","gas"],"configs":[{"id":43130,"model":"Highlander Hybrid","pt":"hev","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (AV-S6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.5,"eng":"SIDI & PFI; Hybrid","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":true,"city":36,"hwy":35,"comb":36,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"288V Ni-MH","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD","co2":245,"fe_score":8,"ghg_score":8,"fuel_cost":1750,"save_spend":2500,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"TYX","modified":"Mon Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2021"},{"id":43141,"model":"Highlander Hybrid AWD","pt":"hev","drive":"All-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (AV-S6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.5,"eng":"SIDI & PFI; Hybrid","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":true,"city":35,"hwy":35,"comb":35,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"288V Ni-MH","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD","co2":254,"fe_score":7,"ghg_score":7,"fuel_cost":1800,"save_spend":2250,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"TYX","modified":"Mon Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2021"},{"id":43142,"model":"Highlander Hybrid AWD LTD/PLAT","pt":"hev","drive":"All-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (AV-S6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.5,"eng":"SIDI & PFI; Hybrid","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":true,"city":35,"hwy":34,"comb":35,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"288V Ni-MH","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD","co2":251,"fe_score":7,"ghg_score":7,"fuel_cost":1800,"save_spend":2250,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"TYX","modified":"Mon Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2021"},{"id":43129,"model":"Highlander","pt":"gas","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S8)","cyl":6,"displ":3.5,"eng":"SIDI & PFI; Stop-Start","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":true,"city":21,"hwy":29,"comb":24,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD","co2":372,"fe_score":5,"ghg_score":5,"fuel_cost":2600,"save_spend":-1750,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"TYX","modified":"Mon Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2021"},{"id":43128,"model":"Highlander","pt":"gas","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S8)","cyl":6,"displ":3.5,"eng":"SIDI & PFI","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":false,"city":20,"hwy":28,"comb":23,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD","co2":389,"fe_score":5,"ghg_score":5,"fuel_cost":2700,"save_spend":-2250,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"TYX","modified":"Mon Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2021"},{"id":43137,"model":"Highlander AWD","pt":"gas","drive":"All-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S8)","cyl":6,"displ":3.5,"eng":"SIDI & PFI","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":true,"city":20,"hwy":27,"comb":23,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD","co2":387,"fe_score":5,"ghg_score":5,"fuel_cost":2700,"save_spend":-2250,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"TYX","modified":"Mon Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2021"}],"vclass":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD","segment":"Compact SUV","recalls":[{"campaign":"26V128000","component":"SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY:RECLINER","mfr":"Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing","reported":"2026-03-05","owner_notified":"","units":550007,"summary":"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.","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. 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\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.","notes":"","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"26TB06 / 26TA06","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"24V452000","component":"TIRES","mfr":"Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC","reported":"2024-06-18","owner_notified":"2024-08-16","units":4763,"summary":"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":"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.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"SET24A","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"23V865000","component":"AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION","mfr":"Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing","reported":"2023-12-20","owner_notified":"2024-10-31","units":999901,"summary":"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":"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.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"23TA15, 23LA03","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"23V720000","component":"STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS","mfr":"Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing","reported":"2023-10-26","owner_notified":"2024-04-22","units":750795,"summary":"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":"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.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"23TB12 / 23TA12","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"22V239000","component":"ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE","mfr":"Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing","reported":"2022-04-13","owner_notified":"2022-05-27","units":458110,"summary":"Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles.  The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, \"Electronic Stability Control Systems.\"","consequence":"Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.","remedy":"Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge.  Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022.  Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.  Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03.  Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"22TA03, 22LA01","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":["hev"],"severity":"minor"}],"recall_count":5,"critical_count":0,"park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"score":65,"grade":"D","complaints":{"count":520,"crash":16,"fire":4,"injured":18,"deaths":0,"comps":[["Power Train",212],["Service Brakes",66],["Unspecified",62],["Structure",55],["Air Bags",50],["Engine",44]],"by_year":{"2020":1,"2021":48,"2022":36,"2023":41,"2024":94,"2025":156,"2026":144},"excerpts":[["2026-02-26","Electrical System","The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the instrument panel lights were flashing. The vehicle then independently turned off and restarted repeatedly. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the battery level was low and needed to be\u2026"],["2025-10-29","Structure","The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that the hatchback failed to open completely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer recommended that the hatchback motor be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact tha\u2026"],["2025-06-24","Air Bags","The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the r\u2026"]]},"investigations":[{"action":"DP22005","component":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM","opened":"2023-01-27","closed":"2023-08-07","campaign":"22V063000","subject":"Pedestrian alert sounds","summary":"NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt"}],"ncap":[{"desc":"SUV AWD","overall":5,"frontal":4,"side":5,"rollover":4,"rollover_risk":0.164,"seats":null,"fcw":"Standard","ldw":"Standard","aeb":"Standard","esc":"","backup_cam":"","variant":null},{"desc":"SUV AWD","overall":5,"frontal":4,"side":5,"rollover":4,"rollover_risk":0.169,"seats":null,"fcw":"Standard","ldw":"Standard","aeb":"Standard","esc":"","backup_cam":"","variant":"hev"},{"desc":"SUV FWD","overall":5,"frontal":4,"side":5,"rollover":4,"rollover_risk":0.169,"seats":null,"fcw":"Standard","ldw":"Standard","aeb":"Standard","esc":"","backup_cam":"","variant":null},{"desc":"SUV FWD","overall":5,"frontal":4,"side":5,"rollover":4,"rollover_risk":0.164,"seats":null,"fcw":"Standard","ldw":"Standard","aeb":"Standard","esc":"","backup_cam":"","variant":"hev"}],"popularity":15,"headline":{"range":null,"mpg":36,"ncap":5,"complaints":520},"presskit_trims":[],"generated_at":"2026-09-11 05:01 UTC","sources":["EPA fueleconomy.gov","NHTSA recalls","NHTSA complaints","NHTSA NCAP","NHTSA investigations"]}