try.vin
Log in

NHTSA vehicle safety data

2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 15 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Toyota dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid owner complaints

Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, describing incidents dated November 1, 2020 to February 23, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Air Bags 8 complaints
  • Structure 4 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
  • Electrical System 1 complaint
  • Service Brakes 1 complaint
  • Vehicle Speed Control 1 complaint

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11720641 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the instrument panel lights were flashing. The vehicle then independently turned off and restarted repeatedly. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the battery level was…

  • ODI #11696325 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that the hatchback failed to open completely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer recommended that the hatchback motor be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and…

  • ODI #11669012 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); 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…

Read all 15 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Second-Row Seat Backs May Fail to Lock

NHTSA #26V128000 · Seats — Mid/Rear Assembly — Recliner · NHTSA notice

Reported March 5, 2026 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 686,588 vehicles

Repair completion: 3.52% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Toyota campaign 26TB06 / 26TA06 · Owners notified September 4, 2026 · Vehicles built starting March 31, 2021 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.

Safety consequence

A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 9, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.

OCS Sensors May Short Circuit

NHTSA #23V865000 · Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification · NHTSA notice

Reported December 20, 2023 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 999,901 vehicles

Repair completion: 61.97% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Toyota campaign 23TA15, 23LA03 · Owners notified October 31, 2024

Defect description

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.

Safety consequence

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Front Bumper Assembly May Detach

NHTSA #23V720000 · Structure — Body — Bumpers · NHTSA notice

Reported October 26, 2023 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 750,795 vehicles

Repair completion: 84.79% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Toyota campaign 23TB12 / 23TA12 · Owners notified April 22, 2024

Defect description

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.

Safety consequence

A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 22, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Stability Control Deactivated on Startup/FMVSS 126

NHTSA #22V239000 · Electronic Stability Control (ESC) — Control Module — Software · NHTSA notice

Reported April 13, 2022 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 458,110 vehicles

Repair completion: 97.66% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Toyota campaign 22TA03, 22LA01 · Owners notified May 27, 2022

Defect description

Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Safety consequence

Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Other Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years

Check your 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Toyota Highlander Hybrid at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Toyota VIN