2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: common problems

The maker issued 159 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Technical service bulletins (TSB): 159

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Electrical system	0	0	48
Structure	0	0	35
Equipment	0	0	34
Engine	0	0	24
Engine and cooling	0	0	15
Fuel/propulsion system	0	0	4
Fuel system	0	0	3
Lane departure	0	0	3
Air bags	0	0	2
Communication	0	0	2
Tires	0	0	2
Visibility	0	0	2
Wheels	0	0	2
Hybrid propulsion system	0	0	1

Comparison

What to check before buying

Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.

Manufacturer service bulletins

Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.

received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11037202 · Engine OBSOLETE NOTICE August 20, 2026
This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0051-26.
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11037186 (+5 with the same text) · Engine Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or…
Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11034823 · Structure Some 2020 – 2026 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a water leak from the…
Some 2020 – 2026 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a water leak from the roof rack attachment clips. This may be caused by the sealant in the roof channel obstructing the proper seating…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11033412 (+1 with the same text) · Electrical system Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle…
Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11031158 · Electrical system Some 2020 – 2024 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the…
Some 2020 – 2024 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the air conditioner does not cool due to a leak and/or corrosion in the rear underbody air conditioner tube and…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11029896 · Engine OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026
This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11028726 · Electrical system OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026
This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11028722 · Electrical system Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System…
Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11028712 · Other Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11026318 · Structure Some 2020 – 2023 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the…
Some 2020 – 2023 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the Power Back Door (PBD) will not open or close and/or stops moving while opening or closing. A modified PBD unit…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11024098 (+2 with the same text) · Electrical system The subject vehicles are equipped with a rear motor unit and an HV Floor Under Wire that provide high…
The subject vehicles are equipped with a rear motor unit and an HV Floor Under Wire that provide high voltage to operate the motor. Mud, water, or road salt could potentially enter the HV Floor Underwire connector…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11024097 · Electrical system TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR 25TD01 REAR TRACTION MOTOR CABLE CORROSION CERTAIN 2019 - 2024 RAV4 HV (AWD),…
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR 25TD01 REAR TRACTION MOTOR CABLE CORROSION CERTAIN 2019 - 2024 RAV4 HV (AWD), 2021- 2024 RAV4 PRIME, 2020-2024 HIGHLANDER HV (AWD), 2021-2024 VENZA HV, 2023-2024 CROWN HV VEHICLES

NHTSA lists 159 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.

Other years of this model

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

There are no owner complaints in the NHTSA data for this year; the data comes from 159 manufacturer service bulletins.

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

NHTSA lists 159 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 2021 models

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.