2021 Toyota Highlander Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 5%of 533 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,054miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Toyota Highlander, 5% of the 533 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,054 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle was driving at highway speed, transitioning to off ramp. Warning lights came on stating Braking Power low. Brakes proceeded to fail. Stepping on brakes did nothing but initiate a stuttering response. Vehicle would not slow down. Rolled into dealership that was luckily .5 miles away. It was diagnosed to be a wheel speed sensor. A sensor failing should not cause a vehicle to be unable to brake. Shocked and traumatized over the incident.”
NHTSA complaint #11470543, filed 2022-06, 27,109 miles“Both of the front door lock actuators went out, so the vehicle won’t lock at all & I can’t use my Toyota app that I pay for. The left back door/hatch rail that lifts up the door is making a loud sound upon opening & getting stuck when opening. Have to push the open button several times or open it manually to get it to open at all. Have taken it to the Toyota dealer to inspect both & both are costly to repair. Can’t find either of the parts anywhere, so I’m guessing a lot of others are having these issues as well.”
NHTSA complaint #11721587, filed 2026-03“I came to a stop sign in my neighborhood on Windy Drive and I heard what sounded like a gunshot. I immediately put my vehicle into park and got out and noticed that the sunroof glass was shattered. The best description I can give is the glass looked like a volcano where the broken pieces were facing upward. I then proceeded to my local Toyota dealership located in Alexandria, Louisiana. They told me my car was out of warranty and provided me with a quote of $1,450.00. …”
NHTSA complaint #11525562, filed 2023-06“The rear hatch of the vehicle started malfunctioning right when the three year manufacture's warranty was expiring on 08/2024 (very convenient). It would only open part way, barely or sometimes not open at all. One instance, my dog's tail got stuck in the hatch and it would not open. I had to force it open and thankfully I am able to do that. January of 2025 I took the car into Will's Toyota in Twin Falls, ID (where I purchased it new) and they told me that my option was to replace the hydraulic struts that were $1000 for the service. …”
NHTSA complaint #11695475, filed 2025-10“We rented this vehicle from Avis at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Tuesday, 11/22/22 at approx. 7:50 pm. It was raining, cold and temperature was dropping. We drove approx. 1/8 to 1/4 of a mile from the facility. As we turned left on to a major roadway (Goddard) southbound, I turned on the rear defroster. Suddenly, the engine went into limp mode. I tried to make a U-turn to drive back to the facility. Engine lights flashed (low oil pressure, check engine, etc) and then the engine stopped. …”
NHTSA complaint #11495378, filed 2022-11Related service bulletins
- 11031158Mar 18, 2026Some 2020 – 2024 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the air conditioner does not cool due to a leak and/or corrosion in the…
- 11028726Jan 30, 2026OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
- 11028722Jan 28, 2026Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map…
- 11024080Sep 17, 2025Although 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…
- 11020657Jun 13, 2025The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service…
- 11019332Apr 2, 2025To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on…
- 11018329Apr 2, 2025To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on…
- 11016786Feb 11, 2025Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map…
- 11015500Feb 11, 2025Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map…
- 11016781Feb 10, 2025The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 10% |
| 2024 | 6 | 14% |
| 2023 | 12 | 6% |
| 2022 | 23 | 9% |
| 2021 | 28 | 5% |
| 2020 | 18 | 6% |
| 2019 | 56 | 11% |
| 2018 | 24 | 9% |
| 2017 | 46 | 17% |
| 2016 | 14 | 13% |
| 2015 | 52 | 27% |
| 2014 | 35 | 26% |
| 2013 | 26 | 13% |
| 2012 | 29 | 16% |
| 2011 | 23 | 13% |
| 2010 | 53 | 25% |
| 2009 | 20 | 15% |
| 2008 | 44 | 11% |
| 2007 | 23 | 19% |
| 2006 | 26 | 9% |
| 2005 | 25 | 11% |
| 2004 | 18 | 6% |
| 2003 | 15 | 6% |
| 2002 | 13 | 4% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2021 Toyota Highlander
228 complaintsOther or unknown
70 complaintsBrakes
68 complaintsBody and structure
52 complaintsEngine
47 complaintsAir bags
42 complaintsFuel system
31 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsForward collision avoidance
12 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology