2023 Toyota Highlander

● Typical for this model
2023 Toyota Highlander
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:50:17.925Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
184
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 2023

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Structure

17% of complaints

Complaints per year

1997: 1 complaint 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1999: 0 complaints 2000: 0 complaints 2001: 137 complaints 2001 2002: 301 complaints 2003: 258 complaints 2004: 286 complaints 2005: 224 complaints 2005 2006: 278 complaints 2007: 124 complaints 2008: 404 complaints 2009: 134 complaints 2009 2010: 216 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2012: 182 complaints 2013: 207 complaints 2013 2014: 136 complaints 2015: 193 complaints 2016: 111 complaints 2017: 271 complaints 2017 2018: 272 complaints 2019: 505 complaints 2020: 320 complaints 2021: 531 complaints 2022: 260 complaints 2023: 184 complaints 2023 184 2024: 42 complaints 2025: 9 complaints 2026: 3 complaints
1997: 1 complaint 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 0 complaints 2001: 137 complaints 2001 2002: 301 complaints 2003: 258 complaints 2003 2004: 286 complaints 2005: 224 complaints 2005 2006: 278 complaints 2007: 124 complaints 2007 2008: 404 complaints 2009: 134 complaints 2009 2010: 216 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2011 2012: 182 complaints 2013: 207 complaints 2013 2014: 136 complaints 2015: 193 complaints 2015 2016: 111 complaints 2017: 271 complaints 2017 2018: 272 complaints 2019: 505 complaints 2019 2020: 320 complaints 2021: 531 complaints 2021 2022: 260 complaints 2023: 184 complaints 2023 184 2024: 42 complaints 2025: 9 complaints 2025 2026: 3 complaints
1997: 1 complaint 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 0 complaints 2001: 137 complaints 2001 2002: 301 complaints 2003: 258 complaints 2003 2004: 286 complaints 2005: 224 complaints 2005 2006: 278 complaints 2007: 124 complaints 2007 2008: 404 complaints 2009: 134 complaints 2009 2010: 216 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2011 2012: 182 complaints 2013: 207 complaints 2013 2014: 136 complaints 2015: 193 complaints 2015 2016: 111 complaints 2017: 271 complaints 2017 2018: 272 complaints 2019: 505 complaints 2019 2020: 320 complaints 2021: 531 complaints 2021 2022: 260 complaints 2023: 184 complaints 2023 184 2024: 42 complaints 2025: 9 complaints 2025 2026: 3 complaints

2023: 184 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19971
19981
19990
20000
2001137
2002301
2003258
2004286
2005224
2006278
2007124
2008404
2009134
2010216
2011181
2012182
2013207
2014136
2015193
2016111
2017271
2018272
2019505
2020320
2021531
2022260
2023184
202442
20259
20263

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Structure

17% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing body and bumpers.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked,  unattended an unknown vehicle crashed into the front bumper. A police report was not filed. There was no air bag deployment, fire, or injury.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-03-07

Tailgate stays open; sensors seem to fail. It will work one day and not work on another day. My wife is short and handicapped and she can’t close it manually.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-19

Engine

15% · 28 reports
CRASHINJURY

Service brakes

11% · 20 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle brakes stop working suddenly requiring lift the pedal and slam the brakes to make it work correctly. I almost have a bad accident for this problem. I did my research and learned this is a problem that Toyota need to fix.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-02-14

Power train

11% · 20 reports

Seats

9% · 16 reports
INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Unknown. Toyota has recalled the recliner assembly in the second row seats. My car has been at the dealership for more than 60 days waiting for a remedy. There is still not one listed yet.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-12

2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid – Safety Recall Number : 26V128 My vehicle has been officially grounded since XXX due to a severe safety recall that renders it unsafe to drive.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-11

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2023-09-08Air bags, steering23V480000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350...

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

  2. R
    2024-04-22Structure23V720000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles.

    Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 22, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

  3. R
    2024-08-08Tires24V419000 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.

    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.

  4. R
    2024-08-16Tires24V452000 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.

    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.

  5. R
    2024-09-16Equipment24V548000 Gulf States Toyota, Inc.

    Remedy: GST will mail new labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R2.

  6. R
    2025-03-17Air bags, steering25V040000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly...

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

  7. R
    2025-12-05Back over prevention25V744000 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.

    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.

  8. R
    2025-12-05Electrical system25V595000 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...

    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.

  9. R
    Date not on fileSeats26V128000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed April 27, 2026.

Buy-smart checklist

2023 Toyota Highlander — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 32 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 28 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 20 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 26V128000 · Seats
  • Recall 23V480000 · Air bags, steering
  • Recall 23V720000 · Structure
  • Recall 24V419000 · Tires
  • Recall 24V452000 · Tires
  • Recall 24V548000 · Equipment
  • Recall 25V040000 · Air bags, steering
  • Recall 25V744000 · Back over prevention
  • Recall 25V595000 · Electrical system

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2023 Toyota Highlander reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2023 Toyota Highlander is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Toyota Highlander?
The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2023 Toyota Highlander have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.