2021 Toyota Highlander Structure Problems
Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about structure problems on the 2021 Toyota Highlander, 10% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 23,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “lower bumper” (15% of reports).
- 52structure complaints
- 23,000median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 75%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Lower bumper: mentioned in 8 of 52 complaints (15%)
At what mileage do structure problems happen?
Based on 8 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 52 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 1 an injury.
Toyota Highlander structure complaints by model year
| Model year | Structure complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Highlander | 4 | 9% | 155,590 |
| 2023 Highlander | 32 | 17% | 11,850 |
| 2022 Highlander | 43 | 16% | 32,827 |
| 2021 Highlander | 52 | 10% | 23,000 |
| 2020 Highlander | 30 | 9% | 21,150 |
| 2019 Highlander | 12 | 2% | 5,000 |
| 2018 Highlander | 12 | 4% | 22,581 |
| 2017 Highlander | 8 | 3% | 27,690 |
| 2016 Highlander | 4 | 4% | 15,750 |
| 2015 Highlander | 32 | 17% | 17,000 |
| 2014 Highlander | 32 | 24% | 48,000 |
| 2013 Highlander | 18 | 9% | 41,490 |
| 2012 Highlander | 20 | 11% | 35,000 |
| 2011 Highlander | 27 | 15% | 44,663 |
| 2010 Highlander | 14 | 6% | 49,605 |
| 2009 Highlander | 15 | 11% | 53,275 |
| 2008 Highlander | 11 | 3% | 65,125 |
| 2007 Highlander | 5 | 4% | 11,000 |
| 2006 Highlander | 4 | 1% | 54,655 |
| 2005 Highlander | 8 | 4% | 94,000 |
| 2004 Highlander | 8 | 3% | 42,500 |
| 2003 Highlander | 18 | 7% | 36,100 |
| 2002 Highlander | 24 | 8% | 50,000 |
| 2001 Highlander | 13 | 9% | 77,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Structure:body:bumpers
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.
Risk: A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
My 2021 Toyota Highlander is experiencing the exact bumper/under-cover detachment detailed in NHTSA Recall 23V720. In August 2025, an authorized dealer performed the interim 23TA12 clip remedy. That remedy has completely failed. The lower bumper and engine splash shields are unzipping and actively…
1. The car makes a squeaky sound when I accelerate. The faster I go the louder the noise becomes. I took the car to the Toyota dealership and was told that the transmission needs to be replaced. The car is only 5 years old. I checked online and noticed a lot of other people are also complaining…
Lift gate does not open. Hydraulic struts have failed and the lift gate will only open with significant manual effort. This means that the rear door cannot be opened from inside the car.
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2021 Toyota Highlanders have structure problems?
No. NHTSA has 52 owner complaints about structure for the 2021 Toyota Highlander (10% of the 531 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Toyota Highlander structure?
Yes: 1 safety recall list structure. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do structure problems start?
The median reported mileage is 23,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about structure problems on the 2021 Toyota Highlander?
The most frequent phrase is “lower bumper”, in 8 of 52 complaints.
Other 2021 Toyota Highlander problems
- Power Train problems (227)
- Service Brakes problems (67)
See all 2021 Toyota Highlander problems or structure problems across all Highlander years.