UsedScore

2023 Toyota Highlander: Too new to judge

The 2023 Toyota Highlander has been on the road for 47 months, short of the five years we need to rate it. Owners have filed 190 complaints with NHTSA so far. That's 1.8× the rate other Highlander years drew in their first 47 months, per vehicle sold.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the air bags (7% of complaints).

Complaint index
1.8×
partial: first 47 months
Rank
Not ranked
rated after five years
Complaints
190
in 47 months so far
Recalls
9
campaigns
4th generation, 2020–2026 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2020 Toyota Highlander XLE AWD

Photo: 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE AWD · Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Air bags7% · 13 complaints
  2. Engine15% · 28 complaints
  3. Body and structure18% · 35 complaints
  4. Brakes10% · 19 complaints
  5. Driver assistance6% · 11 complaints
  6. Fuel and propulsion9% · 17 complaints
  7. Seats and belts11% · 21 complaints
  8. Powertrain11% · 20 complaints
  9. Electrical7% · 13 complaints · median 75,000 miles
  10. Speed control5% · 10 complaints

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Air bags

Owners describe air bags that did not deploy during various collisions, including side impacts, head-on crashes, and animal strikes, sometimes resulting in injuries. Several report their vehicles were towed and totaled, with a few noting the manufacturer found no fault or recall coverage for their specific case.

Warning signs:
Some owners report the vehicle briefly hesitated or surged before braking issues occurred, though most describe no warning lights before the crash.
What shops did:
Some owners report the vehicle was towed and totaled without inspection, or that the manufacturer reviewed data and found no failure was recorded.

“I was in a head on collision and seat belt didn't hold me in place and airbag did not deploy. I hit the steering wheel.”

“My wife was hit from the driver side, causing car to deviate and have a head on collision with a fire hydrant. No airbags deployed.”

Body and structure

Many owners of this Highlander report the front bumper cover coming loose or falling off, sometimes while driving on the highway. Dealers frequently told them a recall repair existed but that parts were not yet available, leaving the issue unresolved for months.

Warning signs:
Owners report scraping or grinding noises, a visible gap or hanging piece at the front bumper before it came loose.
What shops did:
Dealers often said recall repair parts were not yet available, so vehicles went unrepaired; some independent shops replaced the bumper and tabs.

“the lower front bumper assembly came off and detached from the vehicle and lodged under the car causing an emergency stop”

“Driving vehicle and front lower bumper cover assembly fell off on highway.”

Engine

Owners of this Highlander report the engine hesitating or bucking when accelerating from a stop, sometimes followed by a sudden surge of power. Many say dealers could not find a cause or fix, leaving them uneasy about pulling into traffic.

Warning signs:
Owners notice a delay of a second or more after pressing the accelerator, followed by sudden jerking, bucking, RPM jumps, or sudden surges of power.
What shops did:
Dealers often could not reproduce or find diagnostic codes for the issue, told owners the vehicle was normal, or replaced camshaft-related parts without resolving it.

“The vehicle hesitates and stutters upon light to moderate acceleration. This can happen either from a dead stop or while moving in traffic.”

“The engine will not respond for a few moments and then all of a sudden it will take off in a jerking manner.”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (9)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 26V128000March 2026686,588 vehicles

    Seats: mid/rear assembly: recliner

    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.

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

    Fix: Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 25V744000October 20251,024,407 vehicles

    Back over prevention: display function

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 25V595000September 2025591,377 vehicles

    Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles. Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.

    Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

    Fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 25V040000January 20251,716 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassette · Steering: column

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Risk: A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 24V548000July 202433,848 vehicles

    Equipment: other: labels

    Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia Hybrid, Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, Venza Hybrid, 2023-2025 Crown, and 2025 Camry Hybrid vehicles equipped with GST accessories. The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

    Risk: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: GST will mail new labels to owners, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 24V452000June 20244,763 vehicles

    Tires

    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander vehicles. The 20-inch accessory tires with an insufficient load rating for the vehicle's Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) were installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

    Risk: Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: SET will inspect and replace the tires and information placard, as necessary free of charge.

  • NHTSA 24V419000June 20244,869 vehicles

    Tires

    Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022-2024 model year Highlander L and Highlander LE vehicles equipped with the Blackout Package that includes 20" black alloy wheels and tires. The installed tires have an insufficient load rating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

    Risk: Tires with an insufficient load rating may be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: GST will inspect and replace the tires as necessary, and install a new tire information label as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 23V720000October 2023750,795 vehicles

    Structure: body: bumpers

    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.

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

    Fix: Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 23V480000July 2023152,927 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassette · Steering: column

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Risk: A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly, if necessary, free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Toyota sent NHTSA 150 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2023 Highlander. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • 22TE09 · May 2026 · Warranty extensionAlthough 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…
  • T-SB-0110-20 Rev2 · August 2026OBSOLETE NOTICE August 20, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete.
  • T-SB-0040-24 Rev1 · June 2026Some 2020 – 2026 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a water leak from the roof rack attachment clips.
  • T-SB-0104-21 Rev2 · February 2026OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
  • T-SB-0086-25 · November 2025Some 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.
  • T-TT-0771-25 · January 2025Some 2021-2025 MY Highlander HV, Sienna HV, RAV4, and RAV4 HV, may exhibit an oil leak from the area where the camshaft cover, camshaft housing, and the timing chain covers meet.
  • LSB006523 · December 2024TT: Engine Oil Leak between the Lower Oil Pan and Crank Case
  • T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · December 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere.

All 2023 Highlander bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2023 Toyota Highlander reliable?
The 2023 Toyota Highlander has been on the road for 47 months, short of the five years we need to rate it. Owners have filed 190 complaints with NHTSA so far. That's 1.8× the rate other Highlander years drew in their first 47 months, per vehicle sold. Ratings compare Highlander years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2023 Highlander problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the air bags (7%), the engine (15%) and the body and structure (18%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2023 Toyota Highlander been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2023 Toyota Highlander, the most recent in March 2026 (seats). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Toyota. The 2023 Toyota Highlander on NHTSA.gov · How we rate