AI DamageToyota Highlander Hybrid: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Toyota Highlander Hybrid across 11 model years: 9 owner complaints and 386 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Structure 33% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 11% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 11% of all complaints
- 6 Seat belts 11% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 11% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 11% of all complaints
- Structure: 3 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 285.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 251.
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 22.
- Air bags: 1 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 11.
- Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 9 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 285 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 251 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 22 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 11 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 192 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 97 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 74 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 27 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Communication | 0 | 0 | 12 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (Seats); 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 contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle surged forward and accelerated before coming to a stop. The failure occurred intermittently; however, the failure seemed most pronounced while decelerating from highway speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated.
The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was a hesitation, and the vehicle surged forward before coming to a stop. There were no warning lights illuminated.
The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the lower bumper assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure). The VIN was included, and the parts were available.
The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure) 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 recall repair.
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the seat belt securely buckled, the seat belt strap failed to retract to secure the driver safely. The contact stated that the seat belt strap fell in between the seat and underneath driver. No warning lights were illuminated.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- OBSOLETE NOTICE August 20, 2026
- Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or…
- 2026 model year Toyota vehicles are equipped with driver side floor mat retainers to secure the floor mat…
- Some 2020 – 2026 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a water leak from the…
- During the manufacturing process, tires are mounted on the vehicle as matched sets to help reduce…
- A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and service life
- Long-term or off-site storage requires special care to maintain vehicle condition
- Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle…
- Some 2020 – 2024 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the…
- OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026
- This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries
- OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.