Toyota Highlander Structure Problems
Owners have filed 446 complaints with NHTSA about structure problems on the Toyota Highlander across 24 model years. The 2021 model year has the most (52). The words owners use most often: “front bumper” (9% of reports).
- 446structure complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 40mention a crash
- 19mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $1,850typical repair cost reported by owners
- 55%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.
- Front bumper: mentioned in 38 of 446 complaints (9%)
- Lift gate: mentioned in 23 of 446 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical structure repair on the Toyota Highlander at $1,850, and half of them between $1,150 and $4,200.
Based on 18 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2007–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do structure problems happen?
Based on 241 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 446 complaints, 40 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 19 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
Model years: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
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 bumper detached from the vehicle on two separate occasions on the freeway. I learned about he bumper recall and brought it to Right Toyota Scottsdale (AZ), my local dealer. Right Toyota failed to follow Toyota's explicit recall protocol to replace the damaged bumper and only installed the…
I am writing to formally express my dissatisfaction regarding a failure of the power liftgate on my Toyota Highlander and the fact that I was required to pay out of pocket to have it repaired. The liftgate is an important and frequently used component of the vehicle, and I did not expect it to fail…
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…
The paint is severely peeling on the outside. This can likely flake off and damages other vehicles, property, and roadway infrastructure. This is the factory coat of paint. Color is Toyota Blizzard Pearl (070)
Blizzard White color - Car paint peeling on multiple areas.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota Highlanders have structure problems?
No. NHTSA has 446 owner complaints about structure for the Toyota Highlander. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 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.
How much does it cost to fix structure problems on the Toyota Highlander?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,850 (half paid between $1,150 and $4,200), from 18 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about structure problems on the Toyota Highlander?
The most frequent phrase is “front bumper”, in 38 of 446 complaints, followed by “lift gate” (23).
Other Toyota Highlander problems
- Power Train problems (1,041)
- Electrical System problems (634)
- Service Brakes problems (589)
- Engine problems (536)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (444)
- Steering problems (365)
- Air Bags problems (356)
- Visibility problems (318)
See all Toyota Highlander problems.