Highlander (XU70)
Verdict Choose a 2023 to 2025 2.4L turbo, the cleanest data of the generation. If you need the V6, target a 2022 and verify the spiral-cable airbag recall and its 25V040000 follow-up.
Data covers 2 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
2GR-FKS
3.5L 6-cyl / 295 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
A25A-FXS, 5NM+4NM
2.5L 4-cyl / 185 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
T24A-FTS
2.4L 4-cyl / 265 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Toyota Highlander Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Reliability Overview
The Highlander XU70 carries 1,385 NHTSA complaints across six model years. Those complaints do not distribute evenly across engines. The 2020-2022 3.5L V6 (2GR-FKS) carries 801 of them by itself, while the 2.5L hybrid four-cylinder and the newer 2.4L turbo each show their own problem patterns. This is not a one-flavor reliability picture.
The 2.4L turbo (2023-2025) is the cleanest data signature in the lineup, with 157 complaints over three model years. Per-year complaint rate works out to 52, well below the V6's 267. The turbo also benefits from a wider deployment footprint, sharing the T24A-FTS engine with Lexus RX, NX, and Toyota's Tacoma and Land Cruiser. More cars on the road accelerates field feedback to Toyota's engineering teams.
The dominant complaint category is transmission, with 429 incidents concentrated on the 2020-2022 V6 paired to Toyota's eight-speed automatic (395 of the 429). Owners report harsh shifts, hesitation, and torque-converter shudder. Safety systems generate another 190 complaints across the generation, much of it tracking back to recall-level defects: airbag occupant classification (campaign 23V865000), spiral-cable airbag deactivation (campaigns 23V480000 and the 25V040000 re-recall), and the instrument-panel software fault that can blank speed and TPMS warnings (25V595000). The hybrid's 138 brake complaints sit in a different bucket, with regen-to-friction handoff and pedal feel cited repeatedly across model years. Body and trim accounts for another 178 complaints, with the lower-bumper-cover detachment defect (recall 23V720000) driving a meaningful share.
The XU70 introduced Toyota's TNGA-K platform to the Highlander line in 2020 with a powertrain swap mid-cycle. The 2GR-FKS V6 carried over from earlier applications but produced complaint volume in this chassis that the same engine did not generate in the Camry, Sienna, or Avalon. Toyota dropped the V6 for 2023 in favor of the 2.4L turbo. The powertrain change registers as a measurable improvement in NHTSA data so far, though three model years is a short window for confident comparisons.
Used-market shoppers eyeing a 2020-2022 V6 should price in the transmission risk and verify the FMVSS 208 spiral-cable airbag recall was performed correctly. A 2025 follow-up campaign (25V040000) re-recalled cars whose first repair was insufficiently welded, so first-fix completion is not by itself sufficient evidence the airbag system is wired. Buyers cross-shopping new should weigh the 2024-2025 turbo Highlander against the Grand Highlander, which uses the same T24A-FTS engine in a larger body.
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Hybrid (HEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2020-2025 Toyota Highlander
That's near the typical rate for hybrids in this dataset (median 7.0 per year). Within the normal range for the category.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 41 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Regen brake feel, one-pedal driving, B-mode complaints.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Low-voltage battery deaths, common on EVs and hybrids that use a 12V for accessories.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Sample complaint excerpts
Regenerative Braking
- [2020] My 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a braking issue identified in Toyota Service Bulletin T-SB-0059-23, Hybrid Regenerative Brake Transition Feeling Improvement. When going downhill and applying the brake, the vehicle lurches forward temporarily as the braking system transitions from regenerative to hydraulic braking. The first time my vehicle did this, it was very alarming and I had to take addi
- [2020] Sensation of loss of braking, especially at low/crawling speeds, when braking on a downhill, or when braking on bumpy road surfaces. Dealer described it as "INCONSISTENT APPLICATION OF BRAKES WITH CONSISTENT PRESSURE ON PEDAL ON LOW SPEEDS". A very noticeable moment between regenerative braking disengaging and traditional brakes engaging. It was a very unsettling feeling when pulling into a garage
- [2020] Random loss of braking feeling and jolting forward when stopping due to regenerative braking letting off. Happened randomly since purchase. Happens around 20mph mark
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2020] On September 2, 2025, the vehicle’s Hybrid System shut down on cold start and the vehicle would not start. A dealer inspection reported coolant had entered cylinder #4, allegedly causing the engine block to warp, the cylinder head to crack, and the head gasket to fail. This was a sudden catastrophic engine failure on a five-year-old vehicle with no prior overheating warnings, no dashboard alerts,
- [2020] On several occasions the brakes will get very weak and you have to apply normal than normal pressure. There’s a second where it feels like the brakes have failed. All occasions have been on dry flat roads. This last occasion I was turning into a grocery store driveway and in the turn the brakes failed and I had to press hard and turn harder or I would have ran into the car leaving the driveway. I
- [2021] On July 25, 2026, while driving my 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at high speeds on the freeway, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of drive power accompanied by a check engine light and a severe hybrid system error warning. The failure occurred without any prior warning or degradation in performance, forcing an immediate emergency maneuver through traffic to reach the shoulder. The vehicle was
Electric Propulsion
- [2021] Four days after I took delivery of this used vehicle (April 25, 2026), multiple warning lights appeared at once: BRAKE, ABS, PARK, Check Engine, Blind Spot Monitor Unavailable, and RCTA OFF. An independent Toyota dealership diagnosed the vehicle April 27-28, 2026 (approx. 109,000 miles) and found (1) water leaking into the rear hybrid battery area through a sunroof drain "installed incorrectly," c
- [2021] While driving westbound on I-8 at approximately 70 MPH in the left lane, a warning message suddenly appeared on my dashboard stating that a malfunction in the hybrid system had been detected. Immediately after the alert, the vehicle lost power and stopped accelerating. I was forced to quickly maneuver across multiple lanes of traffic and barely made it to the narrow right shoulder. Because I had b
- [2021] The rear hatch has been causing me issues for quite a while. Last year, I would have to hit the close button once or twice for it to close. It would close a few inches, beep, and then stop. It has become much worse the last six months. I have to manually close the hatch myself because it won't go down all the way using the button. We took it to Cedar Rapids Toyota and they said this is a very comm
12V Auxiliary Battery
- [2021] Vehicle self drained 12 volt battery, causing hybrid drive system to not start up, leaving vehicle stranded, wife stranded alone at night. Dealership installed new software, 2 days later the hybrid drive system glitched again and this time the 12 volt battery was not drained but the vehicle hybrid system would not go into the ready mode and left the vehicle stranded, again with wife alone at nigh
High-Voltage Battery
- [2023] My 2023 Toyota Highlander was grounded by the dealership on 4/30/26 due to safety recall 26TB06 (NHTSA Campaign 26V128) regarding a defective 2nd row seat back latch. The vehicle has been sitting un-remedied on the dealer lot for over 47 consecutive days. The dealership state they can't return the vehicle due to safety liabilities but have no estimated date for a remedy. leaving me stranded with
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Battery: Toyota Hybrid Gen4 NiMH
Pack overview
Known issues
How this pack ages (industry context)
Industry fleet aggregates: 2.3% average annual capacity loss across 22,700 EVs / 21 models (Geotab, 2026), and 95% range retention at 5 years on average across 30,000+ vehicles (Recurrent, 2026).
OEM warranty floor on this pack: 10 yr / 150k mi.
Public per-pack degradation curves are not available for most models. Individual results vary materially with climate, charging behavior, and DC fast-charge frequency.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Toyota Highlander, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
Buyer's Guide
The 2.4L turbo cars (2023-2025) show the cleanest reliability data of the generation so far, with 52 complaints per year against the 3.5L V6's 267. If V6 power or towing capacity is non-negotiable, target 2022 cars where the ECU stop-start fuel-delivery recall (20V162000) and the structural lower-bumper recall (23V720000) have had years of dealer compliance behind them.
On the 2020-2022 V6, ask for a transmission test that covers 30-to-50 mph rolling acceleration, light throttle off-and-on at highway speed (looking for torque-converter shudder), and a full cold-start sequence. On hybrid cars, focus on brake pedal feel during regen-to-friction handoff at low speeds, and check NHTSA recall status on 22V239000 (Vehicle Stability Control software) and 23V865000 (passenger airbag occupant sensor). On any XU70, verify campaign 23V480000 (spiral-cable airbag) was performed and that the car was not later swept into the 25V040000 follow-up for incorrect prior repairs.
Late-2024 and 2025 cars carry two recent recalls worth tracking through dealer compliance: the third-row center seatbelt roof-anchor angle issue (25V872000) and the instrument-panel software fault that can blank speed and TPMS warnings (25V595000). The 2026-03 seatback latch recall (26V128000) covers 2021-2024 cars and is brand-new at the time of writing, so older-vintage buyers should check VIN status before signing.
What to check on a used 2020-2025 Toyota Highlander
On a used 2020-2025 Toyota Highlander, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (429), the airbags and driver-assist systems (190) and the brakes (180). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 429 owner complaints on the 2020-2025 Toyota Highlander about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 190 owner complaints on the 2020-2025 Toyota Highlander about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 180 owner complaints on the 2020-2025 Toyota Highlander about the brakes.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 178 owner complaints on the 2020-2025 Toyota Highlander about the body and structure.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 110 owner complaints on the 2020-2025 Toyota Highlander about the engine, all engines combined.
- Lift off the accelerator at 40 mph in the strongest regeneration setting, then brake to a stop.Safety. NHTSA has 22 owner complaints on the 2020-2025 Toyota Highlander (hybrid and electric versions only) about regenerative braking.
Recalls (15)
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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The third row center seat belt roof anchor may have been installed at an incorrect angle, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant.
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."
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.
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."
Show 10 older recalls
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."
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."
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."
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
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.
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."
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander and Highlander hybrid vehicles. Incorrect seat trim covers on one or both of the front seats can prevent the seat-mounted side air bag from deploying properly.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander vehicles equipped with a 3.5 L, V6 (2GR-FKS) gasoline engine. Due to an Engine Control Unit (ECU) programming error, fuel may not be correctly supplied to the engine while using the stop and restart feature.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
All Generations
Alternatives in Midsize SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2020-2025 Toyota Highlander complaints?
Owners have filed 1,385 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020-2025 Toyota Highlander. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the safety systems and the brakes.
Is the 2020-2025 Toyota Highlander a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 1,385 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020-2025 Toyota Highlander. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2020-2025 Toyota Highlander have?
NHTSA has 1,385 owner complaints on file for the 2020-2025 Toyota Highlander as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2020-2025 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA lists 15 recalls covering some 2020-2025 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Toyota Highlander?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the transmission, the safety systems and the brakes, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Highlander?
The 2025 Toyota Highlander received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (16.4% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,385 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.