2021 Toyota Highlander complaints

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at night at approximately 35 MPH, the low-beam headlights appeared to shine directly into the eyes of drivers in the opposite lane. The contact stated that other drivers would flash their high-beam headlights. The contact stated that he had checked at night by observing the low beam lights aiming point and he saw that they appeared to be aimed high. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure); 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Recall has been open for a long time and I am preparing for a military PCS move and must have this fixed.

Front lower and upper bumper covers. While driving the covers become detached from each other placing the vehicle at risk and other drivers at risk as the components will separate from the car potentially causing damage to the vehicle/tires/etc. or other vehicles in proximity to the car. The dealer has acknowledged this is a known issue but indicates they have no solution. The vehicle was purchase from Pat Lobb Toyota of McKinney Texas on 1/22/2024 and delivery taken on 1/23/2024. They indicate that they inspected the vehicle and found no risk. There are no warnings when this is happening.

Driving back from lunch with a friend we heard a pop and loud shattering sound as my sunroof glass exploded for no apparent reason. I called the dealer where I purchased the car 40 days ago with every extended warranty that I could. Toyota denied the claim stating that there was not any bulletins stating material defect and that the glass was not part of any warranty and I will have to file an insurance claim.

While depressing the brake pedal the vehicle continues to accelerate before finally slowing to a stop. This happens on bumpy road surfaces as well as level road surfaces. There were no warning lights, alarms or messages prior to or during the failure. This issue started around 35,000 mileage and has progressively gotten worse to current day. (Current mileage as of 1/29/2024 is 54,346.) This issue would cause the vehicle to potentially rear end a vehicle you are following or propel the vehicle into an intersection typically controlled by a traffic signal or device. Local dealer has said there is nothing wrong as they could not replicate the issue.

The headlights of the Toyota Highlander are too bright for other drivers. When driving at night, I am constantly flashed because the drivers think the highbeams are turned on when in fact, the lights are too bright for their visibility.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, there was a flat tire sound coming from the vehicle The vehicle was steered to the side of the road where the contact observed the undercarriage sticking out from under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the undercarriage and additional unknown parts needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.

I’ve had brakes inspected and was told my brakes look great. However there is major chattering coming off highway to slow on off ramp sometimes they don’t grab as they should and I have to be extra proactive. Sometimes steering back and forth quickly to slow vehicle until the brakes will work properly bringing vehicle to a stop or before a collision could occur

Varias veces mientras conduzco en la ruta la velocidad permitida, el carro frena, pierde potencia el motor, el sistema de aceleración no responde, esas veces me salve de accidentes mortales junto a mi familia, reclame a toyota corporación indicar eso y para ellos no paso nada nunca tomaron en serio, mientras que el carro para reparar eso, paso más de 25 días en las veces que se daño xq prácticamente el carro no es seguro para manejar

Air bag sensor malfunction alert on the dash. Toyota dealership maintenance determined the issue was sensor in the passenger seat was bad and is aware that the entire system will not work because of one sensor that would cost me almost $2000 to repair. Why would the entire system not work because of one sensor? This is not safe as the vehicle still needs to be driven and Toyota customer care does not care about the safety and well being of the consumer when contacted. Toyota Brand Engagement Center Reference # 230608000511

My 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid braking system has, since about 18 months ago, been intermittently failing. When coming to a stop, with my foot on the break, the break releases (or at least feels like it does) before coming to a full stop and then re-engages a moment later once I press harder. Such, gives one a start and is quit disconcerting. There have been times when I was sure the car was going to drift into an intersection. Also I am concerned that such breaking behavior may put pedestrians, cyclists, etc., at risk. I have on two occations reported this to the dealer. They have not been able to reproduce the problem, which is typical of intermittent problems. Tomorrow, December 11, 2023, they are looking at it again. No warning lights or messages have occured. Neither the manufacturer, insurance company, nor the police have inspected the vehicle.

Electronic parking brake not always disengaging and sending error.

While slowing and braking to stops (approximately less than 20 mph), the vehicle will lurch/lunge forward. It feels like you took your foot off the brake pedal but you did not. This occurs randomly. It does not happen every time. There are no warning lamps, messages, etc., prior to or during this issue. The vehicle has ~39000 miles. This has been occurring for at least 20000 miles. Risk: If this occurs when close to pedestrians, other vehicles, intersections, etc., it could result in an impact. The dealer could not reproduce but did find online message forums that reported the same issue.

The steering technology in this vehicle reads lines on the road that are not correct or valid lanes and almost caused several accidents during the 2 years I had the vehicle. Luckily, I was paying attention and had to jerk the wheel to the correct lane but the steering wheel will force itself to the other false lane. This is extremely dangerous and this is a huge safety issue.

The lane assist will not stay turned off, even when it is done manually each time I get in the car. The steering pulls me back when I'm trying to change lanes, making it unsafe.

My 2021 Toyota highlander hybrid is having seemingly random issues when braking. I notice it most of the time when the vehicle is going downhill. The vehicle will lose braking briefly, and I have to depress the brake harder to slow the vehicle. In that moment when it loses the brake, the vehicle gives the feeling it is lurching forward, which can cause unpredictable stopping distance. It creates a hazard for the driver, the vehicles in front, and the vehicles behind.

The vehicle has accelerated suddenly when I apply the brakes. It has happened on multiple occasions in different circumstances. I was heading up a hill into a slow stop at a stop sign and once I applied the brakes it suddenly jolted forward for a second until I slammed on the brakes more over riding it. I have had the car for a week and thought it could be just happen stance but it has happened multiple times. The first time there was a car in front of me as I applied the breaks and it is terrifying as I almost crashed into them.

The Passenger rear tire burst automatically today around 8 AM morning. Unsure if this automatic burst is part of any recall or not but it was a scary burst with big noise with no warnings of low air pressure. A lot of time was wasted today and spent money to fix a new tire.

Vehicle windshield glass has a distorted and wavy quality that impacts visibility for the driver. I have contacted the dealership about this issue and there is not a current recall for the windshield. The windshield says Toyota Pilkington laminated acoustic heated [XXX] , DOT15. I purchased this vehicle in the last week and did not notice the distortion on the short test drive. At first, I thought it was a reflection issue from the dash, but it is not. This should be investigated and remedied. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The sunroof on my 2021 Toyota Highlander spontaneously exploded. I was merging onto a highway but just started to accelerate normally - was going approximately 20-30 mph. The entrance ramp was a merge lane, and there was a semi truck with no load, so intentionally accelerated slowly to allow the truck driver easy access to the highway. The temperature outside was approximately 80 degrees, clear skies, no construction around me. No object from the truck in front flew backwards to hit my Highlander. It sounded like a gunshot, but felt no impact to the Highlander. I slightly opened the sunroof liner, because the loud noise seem to come from directly overhead. I saw that the sunroof was shattered, so quickly closed the sunroof liner to prevent any glass from falling down. I exited the first exit and drove to the dealership. Ironically, I already had an appointment for routine maintenance. When I arrived at the dealer - I saw that an approximate 6" x 2" section of glass was missing, and the rest of the sunroof was completely shattered. There is no visible damage to any other part of the Highlander. The service advisor looked and it looked like the glass looked like it was pushed up, in his words "looked like it was pressure induced from the inside". My friend searched - and found this is a common problem in 2020-2021 Toyota Highlanders.

I was driving on the highway when suddenly I heard a terrible sound like a shot, I thought that we were shot or had an accident. But the sunroof glass was broken. there wasn't anything causing impact I you can see this incident is outward like something exploded from inside via stress

When slowing down with steady brake pressure, sometimes there is a short pause, 1-2 seconds where it feels like you just lost the brakes. Sometimes this happens when turning and braking too. It isn’t something I can recreate and Toyota opened a case, looked at the car, and said it is normal. Not my 1st hybrid and this is not normal. This has happened many times over the last year and Toyota has looked at the brakes at least 3 or 4 times.

Tire Size 235/65R18 Tires are under 40,000 miles and especially passenger right tread is gone. Tire’s already need to be replaced. The tire won’t hold air. No puncture anywhere, went to dealership and they couldn’t believe that the tires are so worn down already with such low mileage. I tried contacting Bridgstone they dismissed any concerns. I've been trying to get some help. These tires seem defective.

ON OCCASSION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BREAK IN TRAFFIC OR SLOW DOWN AT A YIELD OR STOP SIGN THE BREAKS SEEM TO "FADE". THE CAR DOES NOT STOP UNTIL I PRESS HARDER ON THE BREAKS. I FEEL THAT THE CAR SEEMS TO MOVE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH I HAVE PRESSED ON BRAKE. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO OCCUR MOST FREQUENTLY DURING STOPING AT THE BOTTOM OF A SLOPE, DURING TURNING OR TRYING TO STOP ON A ROUGH SURFACE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON 2 OCCASSIONS AND HAS APPARENTLY BEEN RECALIBRATED, WITH THE PROBLEM ONLY TO REOCCUR. THE DEALER DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE A PERMANENT FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. WHERE THIS PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITENTLY THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A TSB0017-21 TO RECALIBRATE. ON OCCASSION I FELT I WAS GOING TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME OR DRIFT INTO THE INTERSECTION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. BREAKING HARD TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM COULD CAUSE MY VEHICLE TO BE REAR ENDED. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THERE WERE NO WARNING LAMPS, MESSAGES OR OTHER SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE "FAILURE"

While braking at random times, at any speed, the vehicle surges forward. This makes you have to break harder to get the vehicle to stop. It seems as if the breaks do not work at all for a brief period. I have brought it into the dealer, my car is no longer under warranty, they found nothing wrong.

Driver side mirror glass started shaking all the time. The mirror frame is stable, but the mirror glass is shaking when car is idling and driving. Makes it almost impossible to use that mirror when driving

With increasing frequency, we have noticed what feels like the brakes releasing after being applied. This has happened at low speeds 5-10mph and mid speeds of 20-30's mph. It seems to happen more often when cornering or coming to full stop at low speeds. When the brakes let up it seems almost to accelerate the vehicle. So far we have been able to avoid a collision, but we are fearful that we may hit and injure someone as a pedestrian or in another vehicle. We have complained to Toyota twice now and had the car looked at. They can't find anything wrong and tell us it is normal for hybrid cars?

3 wheel alignments in same vehicle needed in less than 30 months: <5,000, 30,000 and 35,000 odometer readings It’s not from pot holes; I have owned about 14 cars in family fleet and have never had 1 vehicle need more than 1 alignment during it’s time of ownership of over 1,000,000 miles driven Something is wrong with vehicle design or mechanical components to go out of alignment so frequently

My vehicle showing break power low and indicating all safty feature malfunction

When braking, often it feels like the brakes are not engaged, not right away, but during the braking process. This causes the vehicle to surge forward like there are no brakes. Immediately you feel like the brakes failed, then you push them again, they work. It is very random with no reference to different speeds, inclines, never know when it may happen. It has caused many near misses for our family whenever this happens.

While in the process of slowing down, especially through roundabouts, the car braking systems seem to fail for a few seconds and actually surge/accelerate forward. It is sporadic but has happened to me more than 10 times in the last 6 month but I worry that it will jet forward into another car. I have notified my Dealer Ed Martin of Noblesville and they have stated this is the hybrid braking system (part of how it works). I understand this system but it should fail while braking. I was dismissed and wanted to report it as I did see on-line of other complaints.

I came to a stop sign in my neighborhood on Windy Drive and I heard what sounded like a gunshot. I immediately put my vehicle into park and got out and noticed that the sunroof glass was shattered. The best description I can give is the glass looked like a volcano where the broken pieces were facing upward. I then proceeded to my local Toyota dealership located in Alexandria, Louisiana. They told me my car was out of warranty and provided me with a quote of $1,450.00. I believe that this occurred due to a defect from the manufacturing process and I don't think the consumer should be responsible for the cost to fix the sunroof. After researching on the internet, I see several complaints from other Toyota owners that have experienced the same incident and I feel this should be a recall on Toyota's part. I am frustrated that I have to pay $1,450.00 for damage that I know was a manufacturing defect after I researched and found hundreds of other consumers with the same experience.

I was driving 50 mph on 28 E in Pineville, Louisiana when I heard what sound like a gunshot. I pulled over and realized my sunroof exploded.

Driver side view mirror shakes a lot making it impossible to make things out in your mirror while driving. Very dangerous to see what is in your mirror.

We purchased 2021 highlander in March 2021. Since the day we experienced some vibration in the driver side mirror and we first notice bad vibrations when we drove above 40 to 50 mph. We never bought this up with Toyota or the dealer untill May 5th 2023. When we created a case with Toyota, they directed us to the dealer. Once we scheduled the service they confirmed the vibration and replaced Part Number: 879400E351. After the replacement we noticed that the vibrations are getting bad even during lower speeds now. The mirror is vibrating during idle and any speed higher than 30/ 40mph. We scheduled another appointment with the dealer and the manager did test drive another highlander 2022 model and confirmed that it is also vibrating. It was surprising to see that all the highlanders have these mirror vibrations. They said eventhough theres is vibration, it'd be considered normal. I rive mostly during night. The driver side mirror is blurry, vibrating and is extremly difficult to drive the car and is scary that the image on the mirror is not steady and create confusions to the driver. Changing lanes or entering to highway is really challenging as the mirros are vibrating too much and extremely hard to concentrate. This may even can cause major accidents as the image is not clear. The vibrations (humps, dips, rumble strips) are even translated to driver side vibrations and is very hard to see. The dealer even agreed to it but said that it’s a Toyota flaw in design because all Hig

When coming to a stop, when I apply the brakes, they stop working and I have to press harder on the petal to stop the car. It feels like the brakes "let go" , it is scary since the brakes stop working. I have searched the web and found the Manufacturer has been sited with an issue on another model. Toyota Camry- NHTSA 21V890 - bad vacuum pumps- "van cap" - many break causes the break to lose brake assist . I am planned to see my dealer for its 35000 mile checkup and plan to report to the dealer this issue- 5/19/2023

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that on various occasions, water was leaking into the vehicle from the roof rack. The contact stated that there was a bad odor in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated, and the mechanic stated the smell was possibly from a spill. The failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was black mold in the air bags, floorboards, headliner, and various other areas and that the vehicle needed to be detailed to remove the mold. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact then stated that there was condensation seen in various areas inside the vehicle, windows were failing to operate, and the headliner was sagging. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer. The contact stated that after seeking medical attention for herself and her children for ongoing unknown symptoms, they needed to be prescribed asthma and allergy medication, and she sought legal advice. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

This occurs occasionally when I brake. I have my foot softly on the brake and the brakes cut out. The car feels like it accelerates/surges forward rather than slowing down. I need to apply the brakes hard to then stop the vehicle. I never know when it will happen. When it occurs and a car is in front of me, I have had near miss accidents. The issue seems to be worse on bumpy roads or downhill road when I tried to hit break to slow down or stop the car. I brought the car into dealer on 5/17 which they connected with diagnostic tool. However it showed everything is normal. The service agent told me there is one case just reported few days ago with same issue. Toyota sent expert to dealer to investigate the issue so I need to come back on same day for further investigation.

The driver side mirror wiggles at highway speed or with strong wind and the image in the mirror is not clear which causes the driver to do a double take on where and how far the car is. This is a safety issue that needs to be addressed and fixed by Toyota. I’m not the only one experiencing this issue, see other reports. Thanks for your quick action on this matter.

While parking, the shifter was inadvertently left in reverse. The engine was turned off while foot was still on the brake. After preparing to exit the car and removing my foot from the brake, the car began rolling forward until I noticed and slammed on the foot brake. We are used to the vehicle parking brake engaging automatically as there is no way to do so manually, that we know of. There was no warning that the shifter was not in park and no audible or noticeable visual notification that the vehicle was not in park. In some cases, on a flat surface when the vehicle wasn't in park, it didn't allow me to shut off or arm the security system. In this case, I was able to stop the vehicle and fortunately there was nothing in front of the vehicle. Since the vehicle was powered off, anti-collision likely would not have stopped a collision.

While driving my 2021 highlander on the road my Driver side mirror shakes alot. It makes my visibility shaky when im trying to switch lanes. I took the car to toyota and newer models are having same issue the toyota dealer told me

In just two years, the four original tires were severely worn and had a mileage of 35Kmiles, which greatly affected safe driving.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 3 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle surged over the curb and sidewalk. The contact was able to release the brake pedal, stopped the vehicle, reversed, and parked the vehicle. While driving on a hill with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle hesitated and failed to properly drive forward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Germain Toyota of Naples (13315 Tamiami Trail N, Naples, FL 34110), who informed the contact about a brake issue and provided an unintended acceleration form; but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the original dealer who informed her about brake calibration. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the tailgate failed to open, and the seat heaters became inoperable. The remote start failed to turn off. The windshield wipers randomly came on for five minutes but self-corrected. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Braking system How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Vehicle braking is unpredictable. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? We can not get the issue to be reproduced, braking variables seem random Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Inspected by Toyota Dealership Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lights or computer codes go off Assessment of the incident: When applying the brakes to stop or slow, the brakes will slip for a second then re-engage. This can happen when coming to a slow stop or an abrupt stop. The exact parameters to cause this issue are unknown at this time and is unpredictable. My dealership is aware and has documented the issue but has been unable to reproduce the issue. Never experienced this before with other Toyota hybrids I have owned.

My car experiences intermittent acceleration when applying the breaks. It lunges forward for some reason. It has also not stopped when hitting the breaks hard but lunges as well. I am using the last date that this happened.

Warning lights appeared while driving on city streets.

Unwanted acceleration happen more the 5 to 6 times. While driving in highway exit ramp my vehicle lurched forward while I was trying to slowdown. Dealership had the vehicle for more than 2 days and unable to duplicate the issue. Currently Toyota dealership informed they don't any know issues or condition like this. I am not very confident in driving this vehicle due to this experience.

On Saturday Jan 21, 2023 while driving 70 mph on I75 between Naples and Ft. Lauderdale Florida the lower bumper fell off. We didn't hit anything on the road. I was driving and my wife was in the car and witnessed the incident. We pulled off onto the shoulder of the highway. Our quick response saved not only the lower front bumper from going under the front tires but also avoided a major accident. We had to tie the bumper to the grill and went to the nearest Toyota dealer. He put it up on the lift, showed us how Plastic plugs securing the lower bumper had failed. He secured the bumper with zip ties so we could proceed on our journey.

Brakes temporarily fail at low speed when regenative brakes switch to hydraulic brakes.