2022 Toyota Highlander Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2022 Toyota Highlander ranks 4th worst out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 85 and an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 249 complaints, 5 recalls, 16 crashes, and 1 death tied to this model year, led by Structure & Body and Transmission & Powertrain issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #4 of 21 Highlander years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 249
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 16
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 13
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 1
Top 2022 Toyota Highlander problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body59 (24%)
- Transmission & Powertrain53 (21%)
- Other41 (16%)
- Brakes38 (15%)
- Electrical System25 (10%)
- Airbags23 (9%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras19 (8%)
- Engine17 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers16 (6%)
- Fuel System10 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags and forward collision systems failed to activate during frontal or intersection crashes, with owners reporting no deployment despite significant impact.
- The backup camera intermittently went blank and the proximity warning chime failed to sound while reversing.
- Owners described the brakes not engaging at very low speed after the vehicle sat idling for 15 to 20 minutes, leading to a minor rear-end collision.
- One owner reported the vehicle surging backward unexpectedly while reversing out of a driveway, then lurching forward into a tree.
- Another owner reported the vehicle lurching forward on its own while creeping toward a curb, resulting in a collision with a pole.
- A parent reported that no position in the third row allows a booster seat to be installed because the seat covers the seatbelt buckle.
2022 Toyota Highlander recalls
5 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 24V452000Jun 18, 2024Suspension, Wheels & Tires4,763 vehicles
Tires
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander vehicles. The 20-inch accessory tires with an insufficient load rating for the vehicle's Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) were installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will inspect and replace the tires and information placard, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2024. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET24A.
- NHTSA 24V419000Jun 6, 2024Suspension, Wheels & Tires4,869 vehicles
Tires
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022-2024 model year Highlander L and Highlander LE vehicles equipped with the Blackout Package that includes 20" black alloy wheels and tires. The installed tires have an insufficient load rating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: Tires with an insufficient load rating may be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GST will inspect and replace the tires as necessary, and install a new tire information label as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R1.
2022 Toyota Highlander fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 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.
2022 compared with other Highlander years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2022 Toyota Highlander reliable?
- Among 21 model years of the Highlander, 2022 ranks 4th worst with a complaint index of 85 and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA recorded 249 complaints, 16 crashes, 13 injuries, and 1 death for this year.
- What are the most common problems with the 2022 Toyota Highlander?
- NHTSA complaint data shows Structure & Body issues lead at 24% of complaints, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 21% and Brakes at 15%. Airbag complaints account for 9% of reports but are linked to 9 of the model year's crashes.
- Does the 2022 Toyota Highlander have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2022 Highlander, covering structure/body issues, tire load rating problems, and a mislabeling issue on load carrying capacity labels. None of these are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2022 Highlander compare to other model years?
- The 2022 Highlander's complaint index of 85 is worse than most other years; only 2021 (100), 2019 (95), and 2020 (90) score higher. Years like 2024 and 2025 score much lower, at 20 and 0.
- What mileage do 2022 Highlander problems typically show up at?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: Brakes issues appeared around 6,900 miles, Structure & Body around 32,827 miles, and Transmission & Powertrain around 98,000 miles.