2023 Toyota Highlander
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Body, Seats & Latches
Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 51 of 186 complaints (27%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (9) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 245 in 2022 to 186 in 2023.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | vs. 2023 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,750–2,700 | 1,750–2,700 | 1,750–2,600 | 1,750–2,600 | 1,800–2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 23–36 | 23–36 | 24–36 | 24–36 | 24–35 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–36 / 27–35 | 20–36 / 27–35 | 21–36 / 28–35 | 21–36 / 28–35 | 21–35 / 28–35 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 245–389 | 245–389 | 245–371 | 245–371 | 253–371 | |
| Complaints filed | 523 | 245 | 186 | 42 | 9 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 16 | 16 | 12 | 4 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 18 | 13 | 12 | 5 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2023 Toyota Highlander have?
9 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2023 Toyota Highlander?
Body, Seats & Latches: 51 of 186 NHTSA complaints (27%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Toyota Highlander get?
EPA rates it 24–36 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2023 Toyota Highlander?
EPA estimates $1,750–$2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 36 mpg (high) | 35 mpg (high) | 36 mpg (high) | $1,750 (low) | 245 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 21 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg | 29 mpg | 25 mpg | $2,500 | 359 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 371 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 35 mpg | 34 mpg | 35 mpg | $1,800 | 253 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 35 mpg | 35 mpg (high) | 35 mpg | $1,800 | 254 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 27 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 17 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 18 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 18 | 8 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 21 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 51 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (9)
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY:RECLINER · Campaign 26V128000 · Mar 5, 2026
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.
Consequence: A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION · Campaign 25V744000 · Oct 30, 2025
Defect: 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. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL · Campaign 25V595000 · Sep 12, 2025
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles. Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.
Consequence: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Additional letters will be sent, anticipated in May 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB08 and 25TA08. Lexus' numbers for this recall are 25LB05 and 25LA05.
STEERING:COLUMN; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE · Campaign 25V040000 · Jan 30, 2025
Defect: 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. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
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. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 25LA02.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 24V548000 · Jul 23, 2024
Defect: 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 Hybrid, Venza Hybrid, 2023-2025 Crown, and 2025 Camry Hybrid vehicles equipped with GST accessories. The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
TIRES · Campaign 24V452000 · Jun 20, 2024
Defect: 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. SET's number for this recall is SET24A.
TIRES · Campaign 24V419000 · Jun 7, 2024
Defect: 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: Tires with an insufficient load rating may be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R1.
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS · Campaign 23V720000 · Oct 26, 2023
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.
STEERING:COLUMN; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE · Campaign 23V480000 · Jul 13, 2023
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TA08. Lexus' number for this recall is 23LA02.