AI Damage2022 Toyota Highlander: common problems
Owners of the 2022 Toyota Highlander filed 264 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and structure. The maker issued 160 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 264
- involving a crash
- 19
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 160
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 21% of all complaints
- 2 Structure 16% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 15% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 12% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 6 Forward collision avoidance 8% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 6% of all complaints
- 8 Seats 5% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 55 complaints (21% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Structure: 43 complaints (16% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 31.
- Service brakes: 39 complaints (15% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Air bags: 31 complaints (12% of all), 11 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Electrical system: 21 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 50.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 2.5 L · hybrid · 4 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
- CVT
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 264 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 55 | 4 | 0 |
| Structure | 43 | 1 | 31 |
| Service brakes | 39 | 3 | 2 |
| Air bags | 31 | 11 | 5 |
| Electrical system | 21 | 0 | 50 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 21 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility | 17 | 0 | 4 |
| Seats | 14 | 0 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 11 | 0 | 2 |
| Engine | 10 | 0 | 6 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 10 | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| Backover prevention | 5 | 1 | 3 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Accident where Toyota Highlander was struck on the front driver’s side and airbags did not deploy. Driver and passenger were injured. Driver was hospitalized. Need to have car inspected before destruction.
The contact stated that the driver's and passenger's side front air bags and curtain air bags failed to deploy as expected. The driver and the passenger sustained injuries and were transported to the hospital by ambulance. The driver's chest struck the steering wheel, causing a mark and swelling.
While driving over a curve in the parking garage and applying the brakes to slow the vehicle and maneuver into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own despite the brakes being applied. The vehicle struck the metal wire safety fence and then came to a stop.
The seat belt restrained me, but the air bag did not activate. My chest is still sore, and I have some bruising on my left shoulder. I have reported the incident to my insurance agency. On August 20, 2026, I took the vehicle to a collision repair center recommended by the insurance claims agent.
My mother was involved in a motor vehicle collision while properly restrained by her seat belt. During the collision, the vehicle sustained a significant impact; however, the airbags did not deploy.
The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the backup camera would intermittently fail to operate as the screen would appear blank. The contact also stated that the warning chime would fail to alert the driver to people or objects in the vicinity of the vehicle while reversing.
As my wife had the wheels turned and was pulling up to the curb stop in a parking spot the car suddenly lurched forward without putting the accelerator on and went up and over the curb. Stop and hit a pole.
On June 26 2023 the vehicle didn't stop automatically when another car was in view in the intersection, the automatic breaking system didn't work and the air bags didn't deploy,
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 242 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 12% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Highlander has 229 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 264, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- 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.
- 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…
- 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…
- OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026
This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
- 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.
- 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…
- 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…
- 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’…
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air…
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and…
- To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to…
To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the data from the…
- 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…
- The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master…
The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased and can never be reused…
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix…
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and…
NHTSA lists 160 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 2022 Toyota Highlander?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, structure, service brakes. Total complaints: 264. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (13%), warning lights, check engine (12%), headlights and tail lights (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2022 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA lists 160 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 2022 Toyota Highlander 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 2022 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.