Toyota Highlander Hybrid Problems by Year

We compared every Toyota Highlander Hybrid model year from 2006–2025 using 817 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 25 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2021, 2010, 2006, 2008 and 2007, which drew far more complaints than other Highlander Hybrid years at the same age. The best years are 2017, 2011 and 2013.

18model years
817complaints
25recalls
2021, 2010worst years
2017, 2011best years

Complaints by model year

’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’253701101974022595635691569
Owner complaints per model year, Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20250−33%3—Few
20240−50%4—Few
202391.7×6BodyAverage
20226typical4BrakeAverage
2021152.1×4AirbagCaution
202091.4×4AirbagAverage
20196−27%—EngineAverage
20185−55%—Fuel SystemGood
20173−78%2EngineGood
20166−65%—BrakeGood
20135−70%—AirbagGood
20129−52%—Fuel SystemGood
20115−70%1AccelerationGood
2010222.1×4BrakeCaution
2009403.4×4BrakeAvoid
200819711.5×6BrakeAvoid
20071108.0×2BrakeAvoid
200637025.7×6BrakeAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median Highlander Hybrid year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems

Latest Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls

Seats › Mid/rear assembly › Recliner

NHTSA recall 26V-128 · Mar 5, 2026 · 686,588 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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.

Seat belts › Rear/other › Anchorage

NHTSA recall 25V-872 · Dec 17, 2025 · 39 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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.

Back over prevention › Display function

NHTSA recall 25V-744 · Oct 30, 2025 · 1,024,407 vehicles

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.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette

NHTSA recall 25V-040 · Jan 29, 2025 · 1,716 vehicles

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 repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480.

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.

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 24V-548 · Jul 23, 2024 · 33,848 vehicles

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…

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.

All 25 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid should you avoid?

2021, 2010, 2006, 2008, 2007 and 2009 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Highlander Hybrid years at the same age, led by air bags problems in the 2021.

What is the best year for the Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

2017 has the fewest complaints compared with other Highlander Hybrid years at the same age, followed by 2011 and 2013. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (345), electrical system (148) and fuel & propulsion system (104). Brake complaints peak in the 2006 model year.

How many recalls has the Toyota Highlander Hybrid had?

25 recalls across 2006–2025. The model year with the most is 2006. See all Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.