2024 Toyota Highlander Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 7, 2026 · 43 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Highlander years
Far fewer complaints than other years 24th of 30 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
5 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2024 Toyota Highlander. That ranks 24th out of 30 Highlander model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is unknown or other (13 complaints, 30%). Complaints mention 4 crashes, 5 injuries. There are 7 safety recalls covering this model year.

Toyota Highlander
A 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE AWD photographed in Wantagh, New York, USA. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2024 Toyota Highlander problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Unknown or Other13
Service Brakes8
Fuel/propulsion System7
Electrical System6 · ~13,357 mi
Engine5
Structure4 · ~155,590 mi
Power Train3
Seats2 · ~10,000 mi
Back Over Prevention1 · ~13,357 mi
Forward Collision Avoidance1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Unknown or Other1330%———
Service Brakes819%———
Fuel/propulsion System716%———
Electrical System614%13,357——
Engine512%———
Structure49%155,590——
Power Train37%———
Seats25%10,000——
Back Over Prevention12%13,357——
Forward Collision Avoidance12%———
Fuel System, Gasoline12%2,000——
Latches/locks/linkages12%———
Other/i Am Not Sure12%———
Seat Belts12%———
Suspension12%———
Tires12%———
Vehicle Speed Control12%———
Visibility12%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2026, with 19 complaints
2024: 7202472025: 172025172026: 19202619

n = 43 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2024 Toyota Highlander recalls (7)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Seats:mid/rear assembly:reclinerMar 5, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V128000 · 686,588 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Seat belts:rear/other:anchorageDec 17, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V872000 · 39 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Back over prevention:display functionOct 30, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V744000 · 1,024,407 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panelSep 11, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V595000 · 591,377 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Equipment:other:labelsJul 23, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V548000 · 33,848 vehicles

Problem: Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia Hybrid, Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, Venza Hybrid, 2023-2025 Crown, and 2025 Camry Hybrid vehicles equipped with GST accessories. The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Risk: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

TiresJun 18, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V452000 · 4,763 vehicles

Problem: 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Risk: Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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. SET's number for this recall is SET24A.

TiresJun 6, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V419000 · 4,869 vehicles

Problem: 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. The installed tires have an insufficient load rating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Risk: Tires with an insufficient load rating may be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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. GST's number for this recall is 24R1.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while lowering the 2nd-row seat, the seats failed to remain locked in place as intended…

Seats · received Oct 7, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11769657

I have been experiencing a gas smell issue with my Toyota Highlander near the rear of the car by gas cap area upon putting in gas and driving. The smell starts typically when it’s a hot day outside and I only usually get half a tank worth of gas. After getting gas and driving about 15-30 mins. Is…

Fuel/propulsion System · received Sep 1, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11761388

Driving the vehicle a strong smell of fuel vapor is noticeable coming from rear driver side of vehicle by rear door and fuel cap area. This happens when car is driven for long periods of time or on hot days. I drive my car daily and it happens every day. Smell gets so bad it gets in to the cabin…

Fuel/propulsion System · received Aug 27, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11760159

There is a strong odor of gasoline coming from the car, to the point where the fumes are so strong they’re entering our home and making it very unsafe. We brought the vehicle to the Toyota dealership, and they said they couldn’t do anything about it. Keep in mind the car is still under…

Fuel/propulsion System · received Aug 18, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11757582

The third row seat belts in the 2024 Highlander are very difficult to latch. I had to bring my Highlander to the dealership twice over the seatbelt buckles in the third row. The buckle part does not lift up high enough to grab the buckle to latch it. Anytime a child old enough to be in the third…

Seat Belts · received Jun 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11745432

Other Toyota Highlander years

← 2023 Highlander · 2025 Highlander →

See all Toyota Highlander problems by year, every Toyota model, or the Toyota VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2024 Toyota Highlander?

Owners most often report unknown or other, service brakes, fuel/propulsion system problems. The top one, unknown or other, accounts for 13 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2024 Toyota Highlander?

Yes, 7 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2024 Toyota Highlander a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Highlander model years, the 2024 has far fewer complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.