2024 Toyota Highlander Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2024 Toyota Highlander ranks 17th out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 20 and earns a Best verdict relative to other Highlander years. It has 42 complaints, 7 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, with Brakes and Fuel System tied as the top problem areas at 19% share each.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 20/100
- #17 of 21 Highlander years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 42
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2024 Toyota Highlander problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other14 (33%)
- Brakes8 (19%)
- Fuel System8 (19%)
- Electrical System6 (14%)
- Engine6 (14%)
- Structure & Body6 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (5%)
- Seat Belts1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe brakes that go soft or drop toward the floor, sometimes failing to slow the vehicle at low speed.
- Some report the brake pedal briefly 'letting go' for a second, causing a momentary surge of speed.
- A fuel odor was reported inside the cabin, especially in hot weather, traced by a dealer to a vent valve that stayed open and let fuel leak from the tank.
- One owner reported the liftgate closing unexpectedly while loading groceries, striking them and causing head injury.
- A driver-side mirror was reported to shake or vibrate at highway speeds above 40 mph, reducing visibility.
- One owner described an unintended forward surge while exiting a highway that led to a crash into another vehicle.
2024 Toyota Highlander recalls
7 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 25V872000Dec 17, 2025Seat Belts39 vehicles
Seat belts:rear/other:anchorage
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The third row center seat belt roof anchor may have been installed at an incorrect angle, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant.
Risk: A seat belt that does not properly restrain an occupant increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reinstall the seat belt anchor with a new bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA16.
- 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.
2024 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.
2024 compared with other Highlander years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2024 Toyota Highlander reliable?
- Relative to other Highlander model years, the 2024 has a complaint index of 20, one of the lowest of the 21 years with data, and earns a Best verdict. It ranks 17th worst out of 21 years, meaning most other years score worse.
- What are the most common problems with the 2024 Toyota Highlander?
- NHTSA complaints point to Brakes and Fuel System as the top problem areas, each accounting for 19% of complaints, followed by Electrical System, Engine, and Structure & Body at 14% each.
- Does the 2024 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2024 Highlander, covering seat back locks, third-row seat belt anchors, the panoramic view monitor software, instrument panel software, labeling, and two tire load-rating issues. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2024 Highlander compare to the worst Highlander years?
- The worst-rated years, 2019 and 2021, have complaint indexes of 95 and 100 with Avoid verdicts, far higher than the 2024's index of 20.
- Has anyone been hurt in a 2024 Highlander due to reported problems?
- NHTSA records 5 injuries and 4 crashes tied to 2024 Highlander complaints, with no reported fires or deaths.