2023 Toyota Highlander recalls and problems

The 2023 Toyota Highlander has 9 safety recalls and 193 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer.

Recalls
9
Complaints
193
Crashes / fires
12 / 0
Injuries / deaths
12 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2023 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2023 Toyota Highlander recalls

Recall 26V-128: Seats

Reported Mar 5, 2026 · 686,588 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

Risk: A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall 25V-744: Back Over Prevention

Reported Oct 30, 2025 · 1,024,407 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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."

Risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 25V-595: Electrical System

Reported Sep 11, 2025 · 591,377 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall 25V-040: Air Bags, Steering

Reported Jan 29, 2025 · 1,716 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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."

Risk: A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 24V-548: Equipment

Reported Jul 23, 2024 · 33,848 vehicles affected · Gulf States Toyota, Inc.

Problem: 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."

Risk: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 24V-452: Tires

Reported Jun 18, 2024 · 4,763 vehicles affected · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Problem: 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."

Risk: Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 24V-419: Tires

Reported Jun 6, 2024 · 4,869 vehicles affected · Gulf States Toyota, Inc.

Problem: 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."

Risk: Tires with an insufficient load rating may be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 23V-720: Structure

Reported Oct 26, 2023 · 750,795 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

Risk: A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 23V-480: Air Bags, Steering

Reported Jul 12, 2023 · 152,927 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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."

Risk: A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: 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.

2023 Toyota Highlander problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Unknown or Other39
Structure32
Engine28
Seats23
Service Brakes21
Power Train20
Fuel/Propulsion System16
Electrical System14
Air Bags12
Vehicle Speed Control9
Lane Departure6
Tires5

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 14
  • Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection — 3
  • Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior — 3
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 3
  • Lane Departure › Assist — 2
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch — 2
  • Structure › Body › Bumpers — 2
  • Tires › Sidewall — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 34,125 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2023 Toyota Highlander complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Electrical System · at 172,000 miles · reported Nov 9, 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact stated that while in the process of purchasing a 2023 Toyota Highlander, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. The vehicle was advertised for sale with 33,000 miles. However, a Carfax report obtained prior to purchase revealed that the mileage was listed as 172,000 on March 14, 2025, and three weeks later, the reported mileage was 17,652 while the advertised mileage was 33,000.
Seats · reported Nov 8, 2026
I am submitting this complaint regarding NHTSA Safety Recall 26V128 involving my 2023 Toyota Highlander Limited. The recall concerns the second-row seat recliner assemblies, which may not fully lock after adjustment. Toyota states that an unsecured seatback may fail to properly restrain occupants in a crash and that dealers will replace the return springs with improved ones at no cost. I brought my vehicle to Larry H. Miller Toyota on June 12, 2026 specifically for this safety recall. The dealership has had possession of my vehicle continuously since that date. As of November 8, 2026, nearly…
Electrical System · reported Nov 6, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V595000 (Electrical System) and 26V128000 (Seats); however, the parts to complete the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the recall repairs. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that parts were not yet available for the recall repairs. The vehicle remained at the dealer for approximately six months. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that parts were…
Service Brakes · reported Nov 4, 2026
During the past three years, I have experienced approximately 4–5 incidents in which the vehicle unexpectedly surged forward while I was lightly pressing the brake pedal to slow down, particularly when driving downhill or approaching a stop sign. During these incidents: •The vehicle unexpectedly increased speed instead of slowing down. •A red BRAKE warning light appeared on the dashboard. •I had to apply substantially greater pressure to the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. Fortunately, no accident has occurred, but this is a serious and recurring safety concern. I requested that…
Service Brakes · reported Oct 20, 2026
While depressing the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of braking force, followed by a momentary forward surge/lunge before the friction brakes engaged.

Other Toyota Highlander years

Compare all Toyota Highlander years · All Toyota models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2023 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2023 Toyota Highlander: 26V-128 (seats), 25V-744 (back over prevention), 25V-595 (electrical system), 25V-040 (air bags, steering), 24V-548 (equipment) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2023 Toyota Highlander?

Owners report unknown or other problems most often (39 reports), followed by structure (32). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 34,125 miles.

Are Toyota recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Toyota dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.