2021 Toyota Highlander Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 50 engine-area complaints for the 2021 Toyota Highlander, 10% of its 517 total complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 12,000 miles. No related recall is listed for this engine issue.
- Engine complaints
- 50
- 10% of 517
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 12,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners report transmission shudder, grinding noise, and slippage consistent with what several describe as a UA80 transmission defect, causing hesitant acceleration when merging or crossing intersections.
- Drivers describe the vehicle jolting or lurching forward unexpectedly when slowing down or backing up, sometimes nearly causing a collision with the vehicle ahead.
- Some owners report unwanted acceleration while attempting to slow down on highway exit ramps, with dealerships unable to duplicate the issue during inspection.
- A few owners had the transmission fail and replaced with a rebuilt unit, after which new problems appeared, including failure to engage reverse and battery drain.
- One owner reported a check engine light coming on with the dealership unable to identify the cause after multiple days of diagnosis.
When 2021 Toyota Highlander engine complaints were filed
First complaint May 10, 2021, latest Sep 24, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2021 Toyota Highlander
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Engine complaints by Highlander model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many engine complaints does the 2021 Toyota Highlander have?
- NHTSA lists 50 complaints in the engine area for the 2021 Highlander, which is 10% of the 517 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2021 Toyota Highlander engine or transmission issues?
- No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this engine/transmission complaint area on the 2021 Highlander.
- At what mileage do 2021 Highlander engine problems typically appear?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this engine-area complaint group is 12,000 miles.
- Are the 2021 Highlander engine complaints linked to crashes or fires?
- Among the complaints in this area, NHTSA records 3 crashes, 2 fires, and 2 injuries.
- How does 2021 compare to other Highlander years for engine complaints?
- The 2021 Highlander's 10% share of complaints tied to the engine area is lower than years like 2013 (28%) and 2017 (22%), based on NHTSA data.