YearToAvoid

2023 Toyota Highlander Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2023 Toyota Highlander has a complaint index of 75 out of 21 model years, ranking 6th worst, with 181 complaints, 9 recalls, and 12 crashes reported to NHTSA. It carries an Avoid verdict, driven mainly by Structure & Body complaints (28% of all complaints).

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
75/100
#6 of 21 Highlander years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
181
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
9
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
12
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
12
Top issue
Structure & Body
Best nearby year
2024
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24
21 city / 28 hwy
Injuries / deaths
12 / 0

Top 2023 Toyota Highlander problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Structure & Body50 (28%)
  2. Other40 (22%)
  3. Engine32 (18%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain20 (11%)
  5. Brakes18 (10%)
  6. Fuel System17 (9%)
  7. Airbags12 (7%)
  8. Electrical System12 (7%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (5%)
  10. Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some owners report front bumper covers detaching or being damaged after minor impacts, sometimes while the vehicle was parked.
  • Several owners describe airbags failing to deploy during moderate-speed crashes, including t-bone and tree-collision incidents.
  • One owner reported the vehicle losing traction and control on snow-covered roads before crashing.
  • Brake complaints include the pedal going to the floor with no response, and drivers having to lift off and slam the brakes again to get braking action.
  • One owner reported unintended acceleration while pulling into a driveway at low speed, resulting in a crash into a house.
2023 Toyota Highlander complaints: complaints filed per month9Feb 2023Sep 2023Mar 2024Sep 2024Mar 2025Sep 2025Mar 2026Sep 2026
181 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2023 to Sep 2026; peak Aug 2023 (9).

2023 Toyota Highlander recalls

9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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 Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 9 recalls for the 2023 Toyota Highlander →

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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2021Avoid100517423
2022Avoid85249523
2023Avoid75181924
2024Best2042724
2025Best010424

All Toyota Highlander years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Toyota Highlander reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2023 Highlander ranks 6th worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 75, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Highlander years.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Toyota Highlander?
Structure & Body complaints lead with 50 complaints (28% of the total), followed by Engine (32 complaints, 18%) and Transmission & Powertrain (20 complaints, 11%), according to NHTSA data.
Does the 2023 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2023 Highlander, covering areas including Structure & Body, Airbags, Electrical System, and Suspension, Wheels & Tires; none are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2023 Highlander compare to other model years?
Its complaint index of 75 is worse than most other years; only 2021 (100), 2019 (95), 2020 (90), 2022 (85), and 2008 (80) score higher, while 2025 and 2024 score far lower with Best verdicts.
What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Toyota Highlander?
EPA rates the 2023 Highlander at 24 mpg combined (21 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.