2023 Toyota Highlander Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
80/100
#4 most-complained of 16 Highlander years
The 2023 Toyota Highlander ranks 4th worst out of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 80 and 181 NHTSA complaints, 9 recalls, and 12 crashes tied to reports. Compared to other Highlander years, it earns an Avoid rating, driven mainly by Structure & Body complaints (28% share).
- Complaints
- 181
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes / fires
- 12 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 28 hwy
Top 2023 Toyota Highlander problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body50 (28%)
- Other40 (22%)
- Engine32 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain20 (11%)
- Brakes18 (10%)
- Fuel System17 (9%)
- Airbags12 (7%)
- Electrical System12 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (4%)
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during moderate-to-severe crashes, including a multi-vehicle highway collision.
- Owners report unintended acceleration at low speed, including one case crashing into a house after the vehicle sped up unexpectedly.
- Front bumper covers have detached or come loose after minor impacts, tied to a structure and body recall.
- Brake pedal reportedly offered no response during a low-speed stop, with automatic braking failing to engage.
- Electrical system glitches caused the vehicle to lag, stutter, and hesitate on acceleration, with one report of the car nearly dying in park.
2023 Toyota Highlander recalls
9 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 25V595000Sep 11, 2025Electrical System591,377 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles. Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.
Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Additional letters will be sent, anticipated in May 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB08 and 25TA08. Lexus' numbers for this recall are 25LB05 and 25LA05.
2023 Toyota Highlander fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2023 Toyota Highlander reliable?
- Relative to other Highlander model years, the 2023 ranks 4th worst out of 16 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 80 and 181 NHTSA complaints, giving it an Avoid rating.
- What problems does the 2023 Toyota Highlander have?
- Structure & Body issues make up 28% of complaints, followed by Engine (18%) and Transmission & Powertrain (11%). NHTSA also logged 12 crashes and 12 injuries tied to reported problems.
- Does the 2023 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2023 Highlander, covering areas including Structure & Body, Airbags, Electrical System, and Suspension, Wheels & Tires. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What is the median mileage for reported failures on the 2023 Highlander?
- Across all reported problems, the median mileage at failure was 31,812.5 miles, though this varies by component, from 15,700 miles for Structure & Body issues to 120,000 miles for Electrical System issues.
- How does the 2023 Highlander compare to other years?
- The 2023 model's Complaint Index of 80 is higher than most other Highlander years except 2021 (100) and 2019 (93), both also rated Avoid, while years like 2025, 2014, and 2016 rank as Best.