2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has 9 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls, giving it a Complaint Index of 70 and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst out of 21 model years. Structure & Body issues, mainly front bumper covers detaching, account for 44% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #7 of 21 Highlander Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 9
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 35
- 35 city / 35 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body4 (44%)
- Airbags1 (11%)
- Brakes1 (11%)
- Electrical System1 (11%)
- Engine1 (11%)
- Other1 (11%)
- Seat Belts1 (11%)
- Steering1 (11%)
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 front lower bumper covers detaching or coming loose, in some cases after minor impacts like striking a bird.
- Some drivers experienced the vehicle surge forward and briefly accelerate while braking, with no warning lights illuminated.
- A seat belt strap reportedly failed to retract, falling between the seat and the driver.
- Several owners said recall parts for structure/body and steering campaigns were unavailable, delaying repairs beyond a reasonable time.
- One owner reported a seat back recliner assembly recall (second-row seat) with parts also not yet available.
2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls
6 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 25V744000Oct 30, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,024,407 vehicles
Back over prevention:display function
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.
- NHTSA 25V040000Jan 29, 2025Airbags1,716 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver clockspring/spiral cassette
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 25LA02.
2023 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.
2023 compared with other Highlander Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?
- It has a Complaint Index of 70 and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst among 21 model years of the Highlander/Highlander Hybrid. Complaints are led by Structure & Body issues, at 44% of the total 9 complaints.
- What problems does the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have?
- NHTSA lists 9 complaints, most involving Structure & Body concerns such as front bumper cover detachment. Other single reports cover Airbags, Brakes, Electrical System, Engine, Seat Belts, and Steering.
- Does the 2023 Highlander Hybrid have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this year, covering seat back recliners, a panoramic view monitor camera system, airbag spiral cable assemblies, a labeling issue, bumper covers, and steering-related airbags. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2023 Highlander Hybrid compare to other years?
- Its Complaint Index of 70 is worse than years like 2019 (40, Good) and 2013 (30, Good), but better than 2006 (100, Avoid) and 2021 (75, Avoid). It ranks 7th worst out of 21 years tracked.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Highlander Hybrid?
- EPA rates it at 35 mpg combined (35 city/35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,850.