2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV Problems And Complaints

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Rating7.8

Ranked #2 in 

Midsize Hybrid SUV
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$38,735 - $50,640
Starting Price 

2021 Toyota Highlander hybrid SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and Which Year to Avoid

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

13

Complaints
Overall Safety Rating
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on August 6, 2024

Facing rivalries from a few opponents in the segment, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a steadfast hybrid SUV in the segment. The 2021 iteration of the Highlander Hybrid lives up to Toyota’s reputation of reliability with an impeccable and almost scot-free scorecard. The SUV has faced only a single complaint and zero recalls to date and the previous model years of the vehicle also have almost a similar track record as well. The regular version of the Highlander did face more complaints than the Hybrid version where a majority of the reports were regarding the V6 powertrain propelling the vehicle. Hence, the overall reliability department of the Highlander is remarkable. With a starting price of $38,410, the Highlander Hybrid competes with the Ford Explorer Hybrid, the Kia Sorento Hybrid, and the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid user complaints and problems

Miscellaneous problems

  • Fuel tank capacity issue: A single owner complained about the maximum fuel capacity of the gasoline tank. The report mentioned a couple of issues where the owner was only able to fill about 14 gallons of gas instead of 17.5 gallons. Following this, the owner filled the remaining amount of fuel by guesswork despite the fuel filler clicking off and the fuel gauge reading full.

2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls

The 2021 Toyota Highlander has not faced any recalls to date.

Should you buy a used Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

Definitely! The Toyota Highlander is a capable and fuel-efficient hybrid offering in the segment that gets a lot of things right. Starting with an impressive set of safety techs as standard, the Highlander doubles up as a dependable highway cruiser too and its excellent reliability department does justice. If you’re planning to go for a older, used model, you can rest easy if you’re concerned about the reliability aspect of the vehicle. However, it will be better to skip the 2017 model year due to the number of complaints and recalls it faced.

  • Complaints
  • Recalls
  • Investigations
  • Manufacturer Communications

June 24, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11669012

Components: 140000 AIR BAGS

NHTSA ID Number:
11669012

Incident Date:
June 24, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
5TDEBRCHXMS

Consumer Location:
GOODYEAR, AZ

Summary
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Num...

June 23, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11668610

Components: 030000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

NHTSA ID Number:
11668610

Incident Date:
June 23, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
5TDEBRCH9MS

Consumer Location:
CANONSBURG, PA

Summary
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds,...

January 13, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11635679

Components: 140000 AIR BAGS

NHTSA ID Number:
11635679

Incident Date:
January 13, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
5TDHARAH1MS

Consumer Location:
SCOTTSDALE, AZ

Summary
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Num...

December 12, 2024, NHTSA ID Number: 11630346

Components: 140000 AIR BAGS

NHTSA ID Number:
11630346

Incident Date:
December 12, 2024

Vehicle Identification Number:
5TDGBRCH5MS

Consumer Location:
PARSIPPANY, NJ

Summary
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Num...

November 1, 2024, NHTSA ID Number: 11623068

Components: 140000 AIR BAGS

NHTSA ID Number:
11623068

Incident Date:
November 1, 2024

Vehicle Identification Number:
5TDFARAH9MS

Consumer Location:
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL

Summary
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the de...

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