Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 10% | 8,000 miles |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2023 | 5 | 3% | 28,000 miles |
| 2022 | 16 | 6% | 10,000 miles |
| 2021 | 15 | 3% | 19,000 miles |
| 2020 | 5 | 2% | 30,000 miles |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% | 60,000 miles |
| 2018 | 6 | 2% | 38,000 miles |
| 2017 | 15 | 6% | 6,000 miles |
| 2016 | 9 | 8% | 20,000 miles |
| 2015 | 13 | 7% | 36,000 miles |
| 2014 | 10 | 7% | 99,000 miles |
| 2013 | 8 | 4% | 1,000 miles |
| 2012 | 19 | 10% | 51,000 miles |
| 2011 | 35 | 19% | 50,000 miles |
| 2010 | 42 | 19% | 50,000 miles |
| 2009 | 7 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
| 2008 | 14 | 3% | 76,000 miles |
| 2007 | 15 | 12% | 62,000 miles |
| 2006 | 24 | 9% | 70,000 miles |
| 2005 | 24 | 11% | 82,000 miles |
| 2004 | 25 | 9% | 67,000 miles |
| 2003 | 28 | 11% | 95,000 miles |
| 2002 | 133 | 44% | 61,000 miles |
| 2001 | 25 | 18% | 85,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the driver's and passenger's side mirrors moved downward independently, causing the contact to manually adjust the side mirrors. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,000.
23 Toyota Highlander was in for a routine 10K Mile Oil Change and additional key programming. When I was notified the vehicle was done and taking delivery the vehicle came into the delivery area with the drivers mirror folded away from the car damaged. I asked the delivery driver about it and she immediately called over a manager. Mike Moffitt, Service Quality Control Specialist, came out and greeted me. He acknowledged the damage and documented the damage and said he would arrange a fix for in the next few days. The damage done causes my mirror to shake and vibrate while driving down the road. It makes it impossible to see out of the mirror while driving down the freeway or on moderately bumpy roads. The dealership tried to repair the mirror by first replacing the mirror and then having a Toyota Specialist. …
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof glass exploded unexpectedly. There was no impact on the sunroof that could have caused it to shatter. The contact and her daughter did not sustain any injuries. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for inspection. The vehicle was repaired and was covered under warranty. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,050.
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that there was an obscuring and milky pattern on the windshield while driving under certain weather conditions; significantly reducing the visibility of the roadway while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.
The contact owned a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH with a passenger in the rear passenger seat, she heard an abnormal popping sound and the sunroof exploded from the inside-out without warning or impact. The shattered pieces of glass were propelled outside the vehicle. The occupant in the rear passenger seat sustained a cut on the finger but did not seek medical assistance. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the sunroof glass panel needed to be replaced and it was confirmed that the failure was not due to an impact to the sunroof. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that she was concerned about a potential reoccurrence of the failure. As a result, she traded the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 7,500.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 65 MPH, she heard a loud abnormally horrific sound coming from the roof of the vehicle. The contact's wife immediately pulled over and upon inspection, she discovered that the sunroof had shattered without incident. The contact's wife drove the vehicle to the dealer and the vehicle was left in their possession. Days later, the dealer informed the contact that it appeared to be previous damage to the sunroof had caused the failure and that the damage would not be covered under warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle has been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, there was a sudden explosion and the passenger's side mirror casing dislodged from the vehicle causing damage to the passenger's side window trim and the hood of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 55 mph the sunroof exploded without warning or impact. There were no reported injuries. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 15,600.
Related recalls (2)
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge.
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles.
Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Highlander years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (133), 2010 (42), 2011 (35), 2003 (28) and 2001 (25) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 44% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Toyota Highlander window & wiper problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 15V-689 (power window devices and controls, Oct 22, 2015); 12V-491 (power window devices and controls, Oct 10, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Highlander window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles; 42% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the sun/moon roof assembly (25 mentions), followed by the power window devices and controls (19).
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.