2024 Toyota Highlander Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 12%of 43 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2024 Toyota Highlander, 12% of the 43 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My car was parked in the driveway with the engine running. The engine was then turned off from outside the vehicle using the start/stop button. Once the engine stopped, the car moved backward down the sloped driveway and struck a pickup truck that was parallel parked on the street. I then entered the vehicle and attempted to shift into drive, but a warning appeared indicating the hybrid system was off and instructing me to put the car in park. Multiple attempts were made to drive the car forward, but instead, it was driving in reverse. …”
NHTSA complaint #11659903, filed 2025-05“Vehicle smells like fuel after engine toggles on and off between the hybrid system. This issue is intermittent, but when it is taken to the dealership they smell the fuel, with no luck duplicating the issue. I have also noticed when the smell is present the vehicle seems to run rough.”
NHTSA complaint #11732318, filed 2026-04“The vehicle started stalling out randomly on the highway even with it being automatic, after getting home and parking it , it would not back up or drive . Took it to Toyota dealership and they said it’s an internal failure of the transmission which is a UA80 model , it only has 92,000 miles on it they can’t figure out what caused it . There are lawsuits with this vehicle already from other people and Toyota is not fixing the issue and won’t help with mine even after they have known what it is. …”
NHTSA complaint #11736517, filed 2026-05“When the AC system is turned on, the idle increases from 740rpm to 760rpm. It engages the torque converter in the automatic transmission causing the car to move forward on its own. This makes it difficult, whether you are in traffic or at a stop light where there are vehicles stopped infront of you. The driver has to press hard on the brake pedal to keep it from moving forward. The local Toyota dealership (Hendrick service manager and two service technicians) said it was fine. Toyota Brand Engagement sent Eric who is their corporate regional engineer to inspect the car. He said it was fine. …”
NHTSA complaint #11704547, filed 2025-12Related service bulletins
- 11015882Feb 12, 2025OBSOLETE NOTICE February 11, 2025: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0021-25.
- 11016782Feb 10, 2025Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are…
- 11015496Feb 10, 2025Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are…
- 11010087Sep 19, 2024The Engine Control Computer software has a programing error which can cause the exhaust variable valve timing (VVT) locking pin to temporarily get stuck. When this happens, an…
- 11010086Sep 19, 2024SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN 24TC05 Frequently Asked Questions
- 11010076Sep 18, 2024Technical instructions for special service campaign 24tc05 malfunction indicator lamp (mil) is on with dtc p05ce00 software update certain 2023 & 2024 highlander vehicles certain…
- 11010075Sep 18, 2024The Engine Control Computer software has a programing error which can cause the exhaust variable valve timing (VVT) locking pin to temporarily get stuck. When this happens, an…
- 11010074Sep 17, 2024The Engine Control Computer software has a programing error which can cause the exhaust variable valve timing (VVT) locking pin to temporarily get stuck. When this happens, an…
- 11010073Sep 17, 2024Frequently Asked Questions Original Publication Date: September 19, 2024
- 11005119Jun 19, 2024This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 12% |
| 2023 | 28 | 15% |
| 2022 | 11 | 4% |
| 2021 | 47 | 9% |
| 2020 | 17 | 5% |
| 2019 | 71 | 14% |
| 2018 | 35 | 13% |
| 2017 | 47 | 17% |
| 2016 | 9 | 8% |
| 2015 | 10 | 5% |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 32 | 15% |
| 2012 | 17 | 9% |
| 2011 | 17 | 9% |
| 2010 | 12 | 6% |
| 2009 | 23 | 17% |
| 2008 | 58 | 14% |
| 2007 | 7 | 6% |
| 2006 | 19 | 7% |
| 2005 | 6 | 3% |
| 2004 | 16 | 6% |
| 2003 | 41 | 16% |
| 2002 | 7 | 2% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2024 Toyota Highlander
14 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2024 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