2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a complaint index of 75, ranking 6th worst out of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 15 complaints and 4 recalls, with airbags as the top problem area at 53% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #6 of 21 Highlander Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 15
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 35
- 35 city / 35 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags8 (53%)
- Structure & Body4 (27%)
- Fuel System2 (13%)
- Brakes1 (7%)
- Electrical System1 (7%)
- Engine1 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the fuel gauge shows full while the tank still accepts several more gallons and distance-to-empty readings fall well short of expected range.
- Some drivers say the vehicle kept moving forward briefly after they pressed the brake pedal, with dealers unable to find a cause and attributing it to normal hybrid system behavior.
- Multiple owners describe waiting for parts under the airbag sensor recall (23V865000), with repairs only partially completed and the airbag sensor deactivated in the meantime.
- Owners waiting on the structure recall (23V720000) report the front bumper cover detaching or coming loose while driving, in one case at highway speed.
- A brake complaint describes intermittent brake release at slower speeds that caused the vehicle to lurch forward, a failure the dealer could not reproduce.
2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V128000Mar 5, 2026Structure & Body686,588 vehicles
Seats:mid/rear assembly:recliner
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.
Risk: A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 9, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyotaâs customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.
- NHTSA 23V865000Dec 20, 2023Airbags999,901 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
- NHTSA 23V720000Oct 26, 2023Structure & Body750,795 vehicles
Structure:body:bumpers
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.
Risk: A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 22, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.
2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 35 MPG
- Highway
- 35 MPG
- Combined
- 35 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,850
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Highlander Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 model ranks 6th worst among 21 model years with a complaint index of 75 and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Highlander Hybrid years.
- What are the main problems with the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
- Airbags account for 53% of complaints, followed by structure and body issues at 27% and fuel system issues at 13%, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2021 Highlander Hybrid have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Highlander Hybrid, covering airbag sensors, a front bumper structure issue, seat back locking, and a skid control ECU software update.
- At what mileage do problems typically show up on the 2021 Highlander Hybrid?
- Median mileage at failure across complaints is 27,300 miles, though airbag complaints have a median of 31,000 miles and structure complaints 38,650 miles.
- Were there any crashes or injuries reported for the 2021 Highlander Hybrid?
- NHTSA data shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported for this model year.