2021 Toyota Highlander: problems, recalls and reliability

“In my Toyota Highlander 2021 XLE model ,on 9/18 I hear a whinning noise when gas pedals is pressed. Took it to the Toyota TriCounty dealer in Limrick,PA for diagnosis. It was reported it is due to a transmission issue and it would cost around 10,600$ to repair. I haave been taking this vechile to same dealer to servie for last 5 years and this problem did not surface. I was told the car can be driven but would the car would stop when the transmission actually fails. Opened a case”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2026

“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. While driving 20 MPH uphill, the messages "Engine Failure," "Brake Failure," and "Pull Over to A Safe Place, See Owner's Manual" were displayed, and several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the failure persisted. After a second restart, the message "See Dealer" was displayed with the check engine warning light illuminated. After a third restart, the vehicle was driving rough while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2026

“Tech: SCOTT RICHART test drove vehicle performed inspection. Noise hear is coming from transmission internally. condition present is similar to condition described in T-SB-0008-21 for whine noise from transmission. Transmission would need replaced to remedy the noise. Vehicle is out of warranty, DOFU is 04/14/21. Transmission is not in the serial number range described in the TSB. Transmission serial # is A3A21C08858. QUOTED $8574.50 TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION WITH REMANUFACTURED TOYOTA TRANSMISSION.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2026

“I bought a vehicle in cash three weeks ago at Universal Toyota located at [XXX] . Two days later, I called the sellers [XXX] and [XXX] to have a noise fix /checked. It turns out the transmission is bad/damaged and of course it's not safe to drive. Universal Toyota don't want to fix it (expensive) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2026

“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 22 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2026

“It's about the problem with the automatic transmission UA80 already has the buzz That many customers are complaining sometimes it has jerks too.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2026

“On August 24, 2026, my vehicle was parked, turned off, and locked for more than 6 hours in a parking lot. Without warning, the vehicle experienced a spontaneous thermal event/self combustion. The fire and thermal damage were entirely localized to the dashboard area inside the passenger cabin. The engine compartment, battery area and front mechanical components remained completely unaffected by the fire. The vehicle was off, motor was cold and car was closed and parked for about 6 hours when this incident occurred.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2026