2022 Toyota Highlander Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2022 Highlander most often describe two very different kinds of trouble: front bumper covers and liftgate/moonroof glass problems that show up early, and transmission whining that tends to appear later, often past 70,000 miles, and sometimes leads to a replacement. Brake complaints are the other recurring theme, with reports of shudder, extended stopping distances, and unexpected surges described as intermittent and hard for dealers to reproduce.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Front bumper cover detaching

   • 25 complaints (9%)
   • median 30,000 mi at 2.5 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe the front lower bumper cover or front upper bumper assembly coming loose, hanging down, or separating from the fender or headlight while driving at highway speeds, sometimes with a popping or dragging sound. In several cases the cover came off entirely and was run over or thrown into traffic; one owner noticed separation after a car wash. Many owners mention having received notice of the bumper recall but being told the repair parts were not yet available, and some were told their vehicle was not covered by the recall. Reported from roughly 7,000 to 85,000 miles, often at highway speeds.

   Recall 23V720000

   What to check: Inspect the front bumper cover and valance for gaps, loose clips, or rubbing against the fender, and ask whether the front bumper recall repair has been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11608040, filed 2024-08, 85,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the mounting pad on the driver's side front bumper had detached and fallen off the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11669022, filed 2025-06, 50,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission whine and failure

   • 49 complaints (18%)
   • median 88,000 mi at 4.3 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $9,400 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners report a whining or unusual sound while accelerating, often between about 35 and 45 mph, with no warning lights, followed by a dealer diagnosis that the transmission needs replacement. Several describe sluggish response or shuddering when the accelerator is pressed, and some mention the replacement part being on back order. A few complaints also describe a transfer case replacement recommended for a grinding noise. Mostly reported between roughly 55,000 and 125,000 miles, with some reports near 70,000 miles.

   What to check: Listen for a whine or drone on a test drive while accelerating through 35-45 mph, and ask for transmission service records or any prior diagnosis.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The transmission on this vehicle has failed - I’ve been told by Toyota Dealer Maintenance that I need the transmission replaced on this vehicle with under 70,000 miles and just over three years old. I began hearing a whining noise while accelerating, and brought it in for service. No system warnings.”

   NHTSA complaint #11686665, filed 2025-09

   “I am writing to express my concerns regarding my 2022 Highlander. As a loyal Toyota family, with this being my fourth Toyota, my husband’s second, and my parents’ fifth, we have consistently valued the Toyota brand and our dealership in Bryan, TX. Recently, I brought my Highlander with (73,000 miles) to Family Toyota in Arlington due to a whining sound during acceleration. I was informed that the transmission requires replacement, at an estimated cost of $8,291. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11685112, filed 2025-09
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Liftgate and tailgate glass problems

   • 15 complaints (6%)
   • median 51,828 mi at 3.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe the power liftgate failing to open or close properly, stopping partway with a beeping sound, and dealers recommending replacement of the liftgate struts or pistons; some say the failure is intermittent and not covered when it cannot be reproduced. Others report the tailgate opening by itself while the vehicle is parked and locked, or the tailgate glass cracking or shattering without impact, including in hot weather. Reported from low mileage up to about 56,000 miles, in parked and stationary situations as well as during use.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Cycle the power liftgate several times and check for hesitation or a beep-and-stop, and inspect the tailgate glass for chips or prior replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In the past 3 days, the trunk of the vehicle has opened on its own even though it was locked. This has also happened 3 additional times in the past since I have taken it to the Toyota service center in Fairlawn, NJ. I am concerned because yesterday, I was at a supermarket and was inside for about 15 minutes and when I came out, the back was opened. This has not happened while I was driving but I was fortunate that nothing was taken from the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #11751740, filed 2026-07

   “The struts for the tailgate appear to be a problem for these cars. Mine are failing intermittently and so if the technicians don’t witness it, they refuse to cover it under warranty. If I crash and the trunk is the only way out, I willl die. The trunk gets stuck and won’t open or close unless forced. This is a disaster and should be recalled. I see multiple complaints all over the internet about this issue and the dealers are NO help. I have gone 4 separate times and they have wasted my time because there was no resolution.”

   NHTSA complaint #11729993, filed 2026-04
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake shudder, long pedal, or surge

   • 48 complaints (18%)
   • median 12,500 mi at 1.4 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Complaints describe the brake pedal feeling like it slips or surges when slowing to a stop, requiring a harder press, and of extended stopping distances. Others report shuddering and steering wheel vibration under braking, diagnosed by a dealer as warped rotors. Owners say the behavior is intermittent and that dealers were sometimes unable to reproduce it or found the brakes within specification. Reported across a wide range, from about 8,000 to 12,000 miles up to higher mileage, usually during normal stopping.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test braking from highway speed for vibration or a long pedal, and ask whether any brake-related service bulletin work has already been performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I would like to file a complaint regarding Toyota’s known brake surge issue addressed in Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0059-23. I believe this is a serious safety issue because the unexpected braking or brake surge when stopping can potentially cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle or contribute to an accident. I contacted a Toyota dealership near me about the issue, but they were unwilling to provide any assistance. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11764432, filed 2026-09

   “Occasionally when slowing to a stop, the brakes feel like they slip and i begin to speed up suddenly. Pressing hard on the brakes stops the car again. This is a safety issue if for example you were braking for someone in a crosswalk or a car in front of you. The dealer was unable to reproduce the issue. It happens maybe once a week, for the last several months. They examined the brakes and said they are fine. No warning lights.”

   NHTSA complaint #11561547, filed 2023-12

Buying note. Check the front bumper attachment and roof rack area carefully, confirm any open recalls have been completed, and drive the vehicle at highway speed to listen for transmission whine and to feel for brake vibration before deciding.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.