Body complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 9% | 156,000 miles |
| 2023 | 32 | 17% | 16,000 miles |
| 2022 | 43 | 16% | 33,000 miles |
| 2021 | 52 | 10% | 31,000 miles |
| 2020 | 30 | 9% | 30,000 miles |
| 2019 | 12 | 2% | 5,000 miles |
| 2018 | 12 | 4% | 23,000 miles |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% | 35,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 4% | 17,000 miles |
| 2015 | 32 | 17% | 17,000 miles |
| 2014 | 32 | 24% | 49,000 miles |
| 2013 | 18 | 9% | 41,000 miles |
| 2012 | 20 | 11% | 35,000 miles |
| 2011 | 27 | 15% | 46,000 miles |
| 2010 | 14 | 6% | 53,000 miles |
| 2009 | 15 | 11% | 53,000 miles |
| 2008 | 11 | 3% | 72,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 4% | 17,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% | 94,000 miles |
| 2005 | 8 | 4% | 94,000 miles |
| 2004 | 8 | 3% | 55,000 miles |
| 2003 | 18 | 7% | 36,000 miles |
| 2002 | 24 | 8% | 50,000 miles |
| 2001 | 13 | 9% | 105,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that there was a leak coming from the roof rack of the vehicle. The contact stated that previous model years since 2021 had experienced similar failures, which caused damage to the SRS air bag module. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,590.
UNKNOWN - 2024 Toyota Highlander makes a drumming or hooting sound when driving over normal to slightly rough roads. It is not related to expansion joints in the road. 1st dealer said it was a rt. wheel bearing, changed it and it did not work. He then said it was in all Toyota's with 20" wheels. I paid to change tires and wheel to no avail. 2nd dealer said it was normal even though mechanic heard the noise. His supervisor said it was fine and they would do nothing to try to isolate the noise. Noise is very obvious.
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, unattended an unknown vehicle crashed into the front bumper. A police report was not filed. There was no air bag deployment, fire, or injury. The contact attached the bumper to the vehicle. At the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the bumper cover had detached. The vehicle was not repaired because the parts were not available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 23V720000 (structure). The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, there was an abnormal scraping sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that simultaneously, the top part of the bumper was flipped up by the slipstream and crashed onto the hood. The contact pulled over but was unable to recover the lower part of the bumper, but was able to reattach the top part of the bumper. The contact stated that the bumper had scratched the paint on the hood and damaged the front badge. The contact was aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the bottom portion of the front bumper was replaced. The contact stated that the top part of the bumper was not repaired. The contact also stated that the dealer did not repair the front badge. The vehicle was partially repaired. …
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. …
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that on various occasions, water was leaking into the vehicle from the roof rack. The contact stated that there was a bad odor in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated, and the mechanic stated the smell was possibly from a spill. The failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was black mold in the air bags, floorboards, headliner, and various other areas and that the vehicle needed to be detailed to remove the mold. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact then stated that there was condensation seen in various areas inside the vehicle, windows were failing to operate, and the headliner was sagging. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer. …
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, an abnormal sound was coming from the front bumper. Upon inspection, the front bumper had partially detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, it was unknown if the vehicle was repaired. The contact also received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The vehicle had been with the dealer for over one year. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Related recalls (1)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Highlander years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2021 (52), 2022 (43), 2014 (32), 2015 (32) and 2023 (32) model years. Body complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 2021.
Is there a recall for Toyota Highlander body problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 23V-720 (bumpers, Oct 26, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Highlander body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles; 59% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (273 mentions), followed by the body › hatchback/liftgate (22).
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.