2023 Toyota Highlander

● Typical for this model
2023 Toyota Highlander
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:51:38.093Z

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Highlander Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2023 highlighted. 1997: 1 complaints 1997 1998: 1 complaints 1999: 0 complaints 2000: 0 complaints 2001: 137 complaints 2001 2002: 301 complaints 2003: 258 complaints 2004: 286 complaints 2005: 224 complaints 2005 2006: 274 complaints 2007: 123 complaints 2008: 403 complaints 2009: 134 complaints 2009 2010: 216 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2012: 181 complaints 2013: 205 complaints 2013 2014: 133 complaints 2015: 186 complaints 2016: 109 complaints 2017: 260 complaints 2017 2018: 254 complaints 2019: 463 complaints 2020: 298 complaints 2021: 471 complaints 2021 2022: 219 complaints 2023: 162 complaints 2023 2024: 39 complaints 2025: 7 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaints 2026
2023: 162 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19971
19981
19990
20000
2001137
2002301
2003258
2004286
2005224
2006274
2007123
2008403
2009134
2010216
2011181
2012181
2013205
2014133
2015186
2016109
2017260
2018254
2019463
2020298
2021471
2022219
2023162
202439
20257
20261

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 17%

17% of complaints: engine — 27 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES 10%

10% of complaints: service brakes — 16 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20230214

STRUCTURE 9%

9% of complaints: structure — 15 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
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, 20240307

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 15 distinct reports on file.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 15 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20230908 — air bags, steering

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.

Campaign 23V480000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20240422 — structure

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.

Campaign 23V720000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20240808 — 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.

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.

Campaign 24V419000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20240816 — 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.

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.

Campaign 24V452000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20240916 — equipment

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.

Campaign 24V548000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20250317 — air bags, steering

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.

Campaign 25V040000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20251205 — back over prevention

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.

Campaign 25V744000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20251205 — electrical system

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.

Campaign 25V595000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — seats

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.

Campaign 26V128000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2023 Toyota Highlander — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (27 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 26V128000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V480000 (air bags, steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V720000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V419000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V452000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V548000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 25V040000 (air bags, steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 25V744000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 25V595000 (electrical system) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 2016 ▲ 2007

WORST YEARS

■ 2021 ■ 2019 ◆ 2008

See all years ranked →

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 engine, 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 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.