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Toyota Highlander HybridModel year report

2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Problems

Complaints
15filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
27,300miles, 7 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
35 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl · hybrid AWD · 35 city / 35 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The part named most often is air bags, with 8 complaints (53% of the total), followed by body and structure (4) and brakes (1). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 71% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 27,300 miles. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 159 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the occupant classification and 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Body and structure complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the bumpers and 35 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Air bags: “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 contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the master warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer for routine service; however, the vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that after being informed by the local dealer that the vehicle was repaired, it was discovered that the master warning light was still illuminated. …”

NHTSA complaint #11630346, filed 2024-12, 31,000 miles

Body and structure: “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 informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11696325, filed 2025-10, 50,000 miles

Brakes: “The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the braking system experienced intermittent brake failures, causing the brakes to erroneously release while being depressed. During the failure, the vehicle unintendedly lurched forward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failures. The failure mileage was 6,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11668610, filed 2025-06, 6,000 miles

Electrical system: “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 low and needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced, and other unknown repairs for shifting failure were performed. The vehicle was driven back to the residence; however, the failure recurred upon starting the vehicle the following day. …”

NHTSA complaint #11720641, filed 2026-02, 77,900 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

71% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 6,000 and 31,000 miles.

43%0–100%10–2529%25–5014%50–7514%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (7 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 27,300 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

20202024920252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Highlander Hybrid · SUV AWD★★★★★4 / 4554 · 16.9% risk
Highlander Hybrid · SUV FWD★★★★★4 / 4554 · 16.4% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.

Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Highlander Hybrid FWD2.5L 4-cyl · hybridCVT363536$1,850
Highlander Hybrid AWD2.5L 4-cyl · hybridCVT353535$1,900
Highlander Hybrid AWD LTD/PLAT2.5L 4-cyl · hybridCVT353435$1,900

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 159 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 159 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2023913,0006535—Too new
2022632,5004535—Not enough data
20211527,3004535—Rising
2020928,5004535—Not enough data
201966,8000529—Not enough data
201858500529—Not enough data
2016647,0120528—Not enough data
2013547,6000—28—Not enough data
2012986,0000—28—Not enough data
2011572,0001—28—Not enough data
20102243,5004—26—Stable
20094063,1004—26Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
2008197110,0006—26Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
2007110105,0002—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200637093,5506—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have?

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 8 complaints (53% of the total), followed by body and structure with 4.

Has the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (Highlander Hybrid AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 35 mpg combined, 35 city and 35 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reported?

Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 27,300 miles and the middle half falls between 6,000 and 31,000 miles; 71% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.