Most common 2022 Toyota Highlander problems
Share of the 263 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Highlander complaints by model year
Best Highlander years: 2025, 2016, 2014. Years to avoid: 2021, 2019, 2023, 2022, 2020. Compare all years →
2022 Toyota Highlander recalls (5)
Seats › Mid/rear assembly › Recliner
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.
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.
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. The installed tires have an insufficient load rating.
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.
Structure › Body › Bumpers
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.
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.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022 4Runner, Tacoma, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification labels may not be permanent and can fade, becoming illegible.
Remedy: GST will notify owners by mail, including a replacement load carrying capacity modification label for their vehicle and detailed replacement instructions, free of charge.
What 2022 Toyota Highlander owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 54 →
Car fire (total loss of vehicle) after hybrid malfunction. My family and I were traveling west bound on [redacted] near Crawfordsville Indiana on [redacted]. Trooper Chelsey Smith from the Indiana State Police (CAD # [redacted] ) came to the scene. Our car was traveling westbound at about 70 mph when I got a notification of "a malfunction in the electronic control of the engine, throttle, or automatic transmission has been detected. Contact your Toyota dealer to have your vehicle inspected" - I acknowledged the alert and kept driving, then it showed again 30 seconds later and acknowledged again. About 30 seconds later I received a "Hybrid System Alert" stating "A malfunction in the Hybrid System has been detected. Stop in a save location and contact your Toyota dealer to have your vehicle inspected". …
On September 23, 2026, at approximately 7:30 AM, I was driving the vehicle in a parking garage at an estimated speed of approximately 10 mph. While driving over a curve in the parking garage and applying the brakes to slow the vehicle and maneuver into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own despite the brakes being applied. The vehicle struck the metal wire safety fence and then came to a stop. Prior to this incident, over the preceding 2-3 months, I had experienced intermittent problems with the transmission. Specifically, when shifting from neutral to reverse, the transmission would occasionally become temporarily stuck or fail to engage properly. It would then begin functioning after a small tap. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? …
Body & structure all 43 →
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle vibrated, and the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from underneath the front end of the vehicle. The contact had driven over a bump or an object on the roadway. The contact looked in her rear-view mirror and saw a plastic object on the road behind the vehicle. The contact later observed that the lower portion of the front bumper had detached from the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the front lower bumper cover had detached. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the front lower bumper cover separated, flew underneath the vehicle and into traffic, causing the contact to temporarily lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the contact was informed that there was a cost for the repair of the front lower bumper prior to the recall repair. The contact declined to pay for the repair because it was a minor bump. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. …
Brakes all 39 →
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, causing the vehicle to shudder and the steering wheel was vibrating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with warped rotors. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 0072-18 (Front Brake), however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brakes failed to respond causing the braking distances to be extended. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had occurred on several occasions almost causing a crash. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions, but the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,000.
2022 Toyota Highlander engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | FWD | 36 / 35 / 36 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | AWD | 35 / 34 / 35 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 20 / 27 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2022 Toyota Highlander a good car?
Based on 263 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2022 Highlander rates avoid: 2.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the Highlander at the same age. It is one of the Highlander years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2022 Toyota Highlander?
The transmission & drivetrain — 54 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the body & structure (43) and brakes (39).
How many recalls does the 2022 Toyota Highlander have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2022 Toyota Highlander, the most recent from March 5, 2026 (recliner). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Highlander?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2025, 2016 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2021, 2019, 2023, 2022 and 2020. See the full Toyota Highlander years comparison.
At what mileage do 2022 Toyota Highlander problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 28,000 miles; 71% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.