Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
NHTSA data on file today
The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 15 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #26V128000 Second-Row Seat Backs May Fail to Lock NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V865000 OCS Sensors May Short Circuit NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V720000 Front Bumper Assembly May Detach NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V239000 Stability Control Deactivated on Startup/FMVSS 126 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Air Bags 8 complaints
- Structure 4 complaints
- Electrical System 1 complaint
- Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
- Hybrid Propulsion System 1 complaint
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 1 complaint
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,200–$6,200AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid shows average reliability with several recalls. Key issues include airbag sensor failures and stability control software glitches. Most problems are manageable with regular maintenance.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Sensor | 30,000–50,000 miles | $350–$550 | common |
| Rear Seat Recliner | 30,000–50,000 miles | $150–$300 | common |
| Front Bumper | 40,000–60,000 miles | $200–$400 | occasional |
| Vehicle Stability Control | 50,000–70,000 miles | $500–$800 | occasional |
| Fuel System | 60,000–80,000 miles | $400–$600 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Tire rotations and alignment
- Hybrid system check
- Air filter replacement
- Battery inspections
- Coolant system flush
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unresponsive airbag light
- Unstable driving feel
- Loosened bumper parts
- Rear seat not locking
- Hybrid system warning light
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.