AI Damage2023 Toyota Highlander: common problems
Owners of the 2023 Toyota Highlander filed 189 complaints with NHTSA, most often about structure and engine. The maker issued 130 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 189
- involving a crash
- 12
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 130
What fails most often
- 1 Structure 17% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 15% of all complaints
- 3 Seats 11% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 8% of all complaints
- 7 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- Structure: 32 complaints (17% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 28.
- Engine: 28 complaints (15% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Seats: 21 complaints (11% of all).
- Service brakes: 20 complaints (11% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Powertrain: 20 complaints (11% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · hybrid · 4 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
- CVT
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 189 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 | 32 | 2 | 28 |
| Engine | 28 | 2 | 9 |
| Seats | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 20 | 2 | 1 |
| Powertrain | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 16 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 12 | 0 | 50 |
| Air bags | 12 | 8 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| Lane departure | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| Visibility | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 4 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The air bags did not deploy. In addition, the contact stated that it was a very hard impact on an older model vehicle. The contact stated that the older model vehicle was made of steel. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The contact was transported to the local medical center.
My car is now totaled and of course I got the ticket because I did not have control of my vehicle. I strongly believe this has to do with the brakes and how it switches from electric to gas in my hybrid vehicle. Toyota has recalled prior years 2020 to 2022 hybrids for this exact issue.
No warning lights were illuminated. No air bags deployed. The contact sustained injuries to his neck, chest, and shoulder. The contact sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed by the insurance provided for further investigation. The local dealer was contacted.
The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contacts insurance provider. A police report was filed and injuries were reported.
There was no air bag deployment, fire, or injury. The contact attached the bumper to the vehicle. At the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the bumper cover had detached. The vehicle was not repaired because the parts were not available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.
While depressing the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of braking force, followed by a momentary forward surge/lunge before the friction brakes engaged.
The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (Seats); however, the parts required for the recall repair were not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for another recall repair but was not serviced for the subject recall. The dealer confirmed that the parts were unavailable.
Brake lag with loss of brakes during transition from regenerative to hydraulic friction braking. The vehicle braking system cuts out causing the vehicle to freely move forward which has caused near rear-end collisions with other vehicles, and loss of brakes at stop signs and crosswalks.
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 348 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 17% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Highlander has 229 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 189, below average.
What to check before buying
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
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…
- 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…
- A new head unit software update is available for 2022 – 2025 model year Tundra, and Tundra Hybrid; 2023 –…
A new head unit software update is available for 2022 – 2025 model year Tundra, and Tundra Hybrid; 2023 – 2025 model year Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Mirai, and Sequoia Hybrid…
- 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’…
- A new head unit software update is available for 2023 model year Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid,…
A new head unit software update is available for 2023 model year Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, and Mirai vehicles equipped with Toyota Multimedia (earlier than version 2170). This…
- 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…
- 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…
- Some 2022 – 2024 model year Tundra and 2023 model year Highlander vehicles may exhibit a MIL ON condition…
Some 2022 – 2024 model year Tundra and 2023 model year Highlander vehicles may exhibit a MIL ON condition with Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P162B87 (Lost Communication with Battery Monitor Module Missing Message)…
- 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 130 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 2023 Toyota Highlander?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: structure, engine, seats. Total complaints: 189. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: hesitation when accelerating (12%), warning lights, check engine (9%), unintended acceleration (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2023 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA lists 130 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 2023 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 2023 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.