| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Highlander Hybrid Hybrid | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 36 MPG | 35 MPG | 36 MPG | — | $1,700 / yr |
| Highlander Hybrid AWD Hybrid | 2.5L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 35 MPG | 35 MPG | 35 MPG | — | $1,750 / yr |
| Highlander Hybrid AWD LTD/PLAT Hybrid | 2.5L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 35 MPG | 34 MPG | 35 MPG | — | $1,750 / yr |
| Highlander | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 21 MPG | 29 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $2,550 / yr |
| Highlander | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 20 MPG | 28 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Highlander AWD | 3.5L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 20 MPG | 27 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV FWD | | | | | 16.900000000000002% |
| HYBRID SUV FWD | | | | | 16.400000000000002% |
| SUV AWD | | | | | 16.400000000000002% |
| HYBRID SUV AWD | | | | | 16.900000000000002% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Standard and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Standard in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 Toyota Highlander models.
View complete 2021 Toyota Highlander crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2021 Toyota Highlander problems & component breakdown (84 categories) →
Affected Component: SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Defect Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed April 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated August 27, 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.
Affected Component: TIRES
Defect Summary: 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."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: SET will inspect and replace the tires and information placard, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2024. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET24A.
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
Defect Summary: 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.
Free 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.
View all 2021 Toyota Highlander recalls & campaign history (5 campaigns) →
