Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 12 | 5% | — |
| 2021 | 8 | 2% | 20,000 miles |
| 2019 | 4 | 1% | 14,000 miles |
| 2018 | 5 | 2% | 12,000 miles |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% | 20,000 miles |
| 2016 | 9 | 8% | 35,000 miles |
| 2015 | 10 | 5% | 46,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2013 | 5 | 2% | 16,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% | 1,000 miles |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% | 25,000 miles |
| 2010 | 12 | 6% | 54,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% | 150,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% | 97,000 miles |
| 2006 | 7 | 3% | 67,000 miles |
| 2005 | 9 | 4% | 53,000 miles |
| 2004 | 14 | 5% | 83,000 miles |
| 2003 | 15 | 6% | 124,000 miles |
| 2002 | 12 | 4% | 100,000 miles |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% | 126,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
At night, drivers frequently flash their bright lights at my vehicle, "complaining that my high beams are on." Sometimes, they turn on their brights at me and leave them on until our vehicles pass. My high beams are NOT on. This is a safety hazard from my vehicle if the low beams are adjusted too high, an increased hazard when the driver of the approaching vehicle flashes their lights at me, and an even more serious issue when they leave their lights on. This is a constant problem that has existed from the moment I drove the NEW vehicle off the dealer's lot. The dealer refuses to adjust the headlights under warranty repair. If a vehicle is improperly assembled from the factory, that should be corrected under warranty repair.
The headlights on this vehicle are not properly aimed and or poorly designed causing excessive glare to oncoming traffic. Even during broad daylight I could see the light scattered all around the headlight assembly appearing as though the high beams were shining directly at me. E Also excessively bright sparkly headlights like these are distracting impairing my situational awareness.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at night at approximately 35 MPH, the low-beam headlights appeared to shine directly into the eyes of drivers in the opposite lane. The contact stated that other drivers would flash their high-beam headlights. The contact stated that he had checked at night by observing the low beam lights aiming point and he saw that they appeared to be aimed high. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); 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 dealer was not made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. I am VERY concerned that Toyota hasn't taken this more seriously. I notice in the NTSB website it has injuries and fatalities listed to the left of the complains. Does someone have to be injured or killed before Toyota gets their act together??? Thinking we may need to trade this for another SAFER, RELIABLE vehicle. …
AHB, which is part of Toyota's TSS (total safety system) fails intermittently and because the system is run by a sensor, headlight may or may not be illuminated during periods of darkness. Given the intermittent nature of the failure, it seems like there should be something to indicate to the operator that the lights are either on or not on, but the green light indicator goes on and off without any warning, meaning lights are on or off, operator has no way to remedy the issue at highway speed, causing an extremely dangerous situation.
Driving along [redacted] in Alabama to Mississippi, the Highlander completely shut off - the dash & radio were blank. The steering wheel locked up. Luckily there was no vehicles behind or beside us when this happened. Within seconds, the truck came back on. 15 minutes prior, we were sitting in a parking lot to eat lunch & while in idle, the truck shuddered a few times, like the gas pedal was pressed.
Early today, 3/21/19, was alerted that my hatchback was open. The car had been locked for several hours, but when I came outside I was told by a friend that the hatch had just opened on it's own. About an hour later, I was driving after dark and received a blindside mirror alert--the closest car was at least two car lengths immediately behind me in the same lane. Shortly after, the caution light came on, beeped, the eco light came on, it beeped again and the eco light went off. About 40 minutes later, I had the bright headlights on with the auto dim enacted. The headlights went out, the dash lights went out, the radio stayed on, and the navigation screen got very bright. I had to return the light control on the signal switch away from the setting and then back to get the headlights and dash light to come back on. All events except hatch were when vehicle in motion. …
The low beams began to get dim after ~60K miles until it began to be difficult to see the right shoulder of the road. After a number of visits, the Toyota dealer said there was some kind of cloudiness on the internal surfaces of the low beam and that the only solution was to replace both headlight assemblies. By then I had also failed state inspection (because of the lights.) I paid the ~$1400 for the replacements and the lights work now. BUT, I can see inside the sealed low beam portion a few areas with a bit of cloudiness. The dealer said they could not explain and Toyota Engagement (the only way to contact the company), after I sent a long written explanation said, "contact an authorized Toyota service center. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Highlander years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (15), 2004 (14), 2002 (12), 2010 (12) and 2022 (12) model years. Headlight complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Toyota Highlander headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for any Toyota Highlander model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Toyota Highlander headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles; 43% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (13 mentions), followed by the tail lights (4).
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.