2022 Toyota Highlander Problems & Owner Complaints

Power Train 47 1 crash 1 fire

“Car fire (total loss of vehicle) after hybrid malfunction. My family and I were traveling west bound on [XXX] near Crawfordsville Indiana on [XXX]. Trooper Chelsey Smith from the Indiana State Police (CAD # [XXX] ) came to the scene. Our car was traveling westbound at about 70 mph when I got a notification of "a malfunction in the electronic control of the engine, throttle, or automatic transmission has been detected. Contact your Toyota dealer to have your vehicle inspected" - I acknowledged the alert and kept driving, then it showed again 30 seconds later and acknowledged again. About 3…”
NHTSA complaint #11595662, 2024 · fire

“As my wife had the wheels turned and was pulling up to the curb stop in a parking spot the car suddenly lurched forward without putting the accelerator on and went up and over the curb. Stop and hit a pole. my thoughts are is that the engine possibly changed from hybrid to gas or vice versa and as my wife’s foot was let off on the brake to inch forward to the curb stop it suddenly lunged forward as previously stated.”
NHTSA complaint #11616208, 2024 · crash

“loud noise when accelerating. noise is gone when let go of gas pedal. noise like internal gears from transmission”
NHTSA complaint #11751046, 2026

Structure 42 1 crash 4 injury

“r 2022 Toyota Highlander was involved in a motor vehicle incident wherein the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and front airbags may not have functioned as expected.”
NHTSA complaint #11648263, 2024 · crash · 4 injury(ies)

“In the past 3 days, the trunk of the vehicle has opened on its own even though it was locked. This has also happened 3 additional times in the past since I have taken it to the Toyota service center in Fairlawn, NJ. I am concerned because yesterday, I was at a supermarket and was inside for about 15 minutes and when I came out, the back was opened. This has not happened while I was driving but I was fortunate that nothing was taken from the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11751740, 2026

“The fender liner detached and was getting caught up in the tire, I had to pull it out and then it was dragging on the ground. It was hard to turn because it was getting under the tire. Finally, one was pulling into my driveway and I felt a bump. I thought I’d ran over something, it was the fender liner underneath the truck. These liners are made of terrible materials. I never had a problem with one until this truck.”
NHTSA complaint #11750894, 2026

Service Brakes 35 3 crash 1 death

“My mother was killed on 5/27/22 by her brand new 2022 Highlander Platnum with about 2000 miles on it. There wasn’t anyone inside her car at the time of her wrongful death. No person’s car should kill it’s owner in her own driveway at anytime especially when the car was empty. The Police report has not been completed by the local Police department yet. The day before the accident she took her car to her dealership Hansel Toyota Petaluma at 9am where she bought her car only a few weeks earlier bc her front bumper had fallen off on the freeway to ask them to put her bumper back on but Hansel T…”
NHTSA complaint #11499811, 2022 · crash · 1 death(s)

“On June 26 2023 the vehicle didn't stop automatically when another car was in view in the intersection, the automatic breaking system didn't work and the air bags didn't deploy,”
NHTSA complaint #11529595, 2023 · crash

“WHEN PARKED FOR 15 TO 20 MINUTES WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING THEN MOVING FORWARD THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK. ACCORDING TO SAN MARCOS TOYOTA THIS IS NORMAL. SPEED OD VECHILE IS LESS THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR NO BRAKES AND THIS CAUSED A VERY MINOR REAR END COLLUISN. ACCORDING TO SERVICE THE BRAKE BOOSTER SHUTS 0FF.”
NHTSA complaint #11468032, 2022 · crash

Unknown Or Other 32 1 crash 4 injury

“r 2022 Toyota Highlander was involved in a motor vehicle incident wherein the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and front airbags may not have functioned as expected.”
NHTSA complaint #11648263, 2024 · crash · 4 injury(ies)

“I was parking the car. Car in park. Foot on brake. Carr violently lunged forward. Hitting, and tilting, concrete pole. Put car in reverse. Lunged forward then backward. Someone could have been killed. Thank God no person was near. I could have lunged through a storefront if Parked by shop.”
NHTSA complaint #11751310, 2026

“During start up Headlight system malfunction and Pre-Collision system failure lights and waring came on.”
NHTSA complaint #11732193, 2026

Air Bags 22 8 crash 10 injury

“r 2022 Toyota Highlander was involved in a motor vehicle incident wherein the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and front airbags may not have functioned as expected.”
NHTSA complaint #11648263, 2024 · crash · 4 injury(ies)

“The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's vehicle was involved in a crash. The contact stated that the other vehicle that crashed into the contact stated the vehicle's speed was about 75 MPH. The contact stated that when the contact's vehicle was impacted, the contact's vehicle air bags failed to deploy. The contact stated that after the crash, the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact's vehicle was occupied by the contact's husband, who was seated in the front passenger's seat. The contact's two children, ag…”
NHTSA complaint #11596425, 2024 · crash · 4 injury(ies)

“Was in collision - front impact- vehicle was a total loss, airbags did not deploy for driver or passenger side”
NHTSA complaint #11753127, 2026 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

Electrical System 16 1 fire

“Car fire (total loss of vehicle) after hybrid malfunction. My family and I were traveling west bound on [XXX] near Crawfordsville Indiana on [XXX]. Trooper Chelsey Smith from the Indiana State Police (CAD # [XXX] ) came to the scene. Our car was traveling westbound at about 70 mph when I got a notification of "a malfunction in the electronic control of the engine, throttle, or automatic transmission has been detected. Contact your Toyota dealer to have your vehicle inspected" - I acknowledged the alert and kept driving, then it showed again 30 seconds later and acknowledged again. About 3…”
NHTSA complaint #11595662, 2024 · fire

“The only door that will lock or unlock using the fab key or the master lock button on the drivers armrest is the drivers side rear door. My vehicle is not able to be locked unless I do it manually and can not be unlocked unless i use the rear drivers side door. This has been reproduced by the dealership. There were no warning lamps or messages and no other symptoms. This has been going on for a month. I am being told by the dealership service department that 3 actuators failed at the same time. My lift gate also malfunctioned this year. Dealership diagnosed it with needing new struts. Not su…”
NHTSA complaint #11741832, 2026

“Motorized struts to lift and close the rear lift gate have failed. The struts do work to open the lift gate but they do not work to close it. Manually closing the lift gate is extremely difficult because of the electric motors inside of the struts. A known problem by Toyota as they have issued a TSB. Toyota’s solution is to replace the struts at a cost of $1200. My concern about this being a safety issue: Closing the lift gate after accessing the spare tire is extremely difficult. If my wife would inadvertently open the lift gate, which does work, after leaving the grocery store to put…”
NHTSA complaint #11738117, 2026

Forward Collision Avoidance 16 4 crash 1 death

“My mother was killed on 5/27/22 by her brand new 2022 Highlander Platnum with about 2000 miles on it. There wasn’t anyone inside her car at the time of her wrongful death. No person’s car should kill it’s owner in her own driveway at anytime especially when the car was empty. The Police report has not been completed by the local Police department yet. The day before the accident she took her car to her dealership Hansel Toyota Petaluma at 9am where she bought her car only a few weeks earlier bc her front bumper had fallen off on the freeway to ask them to put her bumper back on but Hansel T…”
NHTSA complaint #11499811, 2022 · crash · 1 death(s)

“My father in law drove my highlander car and got into an accident on 8/27/2024. Front of the car was damaged but did not deploy the airbags. And as far I know it is equipped with automatic braking system but the damaged looks really bad.”
NHTSA complaint #11611843, 2024 · crash

“Was in a frontal collision air bags failed to deploy and forward collision system did not work. Received error messages from both systems that they failed”
NHTSA complaint #11563583, 2023 · crash

Engine 10

“Goodwill Repair for my 2022 Highlander transmission whine, referencing TSB T-SB-0008-21。””
NHTSA complaint #11733925, 2026

“The grill of the vehicle is too big. There is nothing to stop the condenser from being damaged. There should be a plate for airflow but also stop the damage being done to the condenser. Shouldn't have to file an insurance claim, pay out of pocket and warranty doesn't cover. Recurring problem something should be done.”
NHTSA complaint #11678899, 2025

“Two weeks ago, I had my 2022 Toyota Highlander serviced at Romano Toyota for my state inspection and regular maintenance. The dealership passed the inspection and did not mention any problems with my vehicle. However, just two days after the maintenance, the check engine light came on unexpectedly. The vehicle began to hesitate and shift roughly, with noticeable jerking during acceleration and delayed gear engagement. This created a safety hazard, especially when merging into traffic or crossing intersections, because the SUV would not respond quickly when pressing the accelerator. A diagnos…”
NHTSA complaint #11678354, 2025

Seats 9

“The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (Seats); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were unavailable. The contact stated that the second-row seats could not be occupied due to the unrepaired recall. The manufacturer was contacted and a case was filed, but the contact was informed that the parts remained unavailable. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
NHTSA complaint #11749042, 2026

“The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experience a failure.”
NHTSA complaint #11746249, 2026

“The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH with a child seated in the rear passenger’s side seat with the seat back adjusted, while going around a roundabout, the vehicle was cut off by another vehicle, and the contact depressed the brake pedal aggressively to stop the vehicle. There was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the passenger’s side second-row seat, and the seat back moved or readjusted from the previous position. The contact slowed down to approximately 5 MPH to avoid the crash. The child remained secured in the car seat. There was no…”
NHTSA complaint #11744521, 2026

Visibility/Wiper 9

“Rear window on the tailgate spontaneously cracked and broke into small pieces. No warning and no one touched the glass. The glass crumbled into small pieces.”
NHTSA complaint #11750185, 2026

“The windshield is chipping extremely easily, and long crack lines have developed as well no extreme weather has occurred.”
NHTSA complaint #11517344, 2023

“Drivers side mirror vibrates during car operation and limits visibility. This is extremely hazardous during lane changes on multiple lane roads. I have reached out to Toyota multiple times about a resolution but their continued response is that they are aware of the issue but do not seem to be concerned.”
NHTSA complaint #11633596, 2022

Fuel/Propulsion System 8 1 crash

“As my wife had the wheels turned and was pulling up to the curb stop in a parking spot the car suddenly lurched forward without putting the accelerator on and went up and over the curb. Stop and hit a pole. my thoughts are is that the engine possibly changed from hybrid to gas or vice versa and as my wife’s foot was let off on the brake to inch forward to the curb stop it suddenly lunged forward as previously stated.”
NHTSA complaint #11616208, 2024 · crash

“I had been driving my 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE with 46k miles that I just got for about two weeks, so about 10 days out of the 14 i actually drove it from home to work and back home. Within those 10 days driving the SUV, 8 mornings and one afternoon the highlander engine had issues accelerating and shifting gears. Basically when pulling out on to a highway from a side street coming down a hill when pressing the gas to enter the highway and flow of traffic the engine stuttered from zero to 20mph causing the entire SUV to jerk repeatedly and the gears would have issues shifting from first to s…”
NHTSA complaint #11709788, 2025

“I am writing to express my concerns regarding my 2022 Highlander. As a loyal Toyota family, with this being my fourth Toyota, my husband’s second, and my parents’ fifth, we have consistently valued the Toyota brand and our dealership in Bryan, TX. Recently, I brought my Highlander with (73,000 miles) to Family Toyota in Arlington due to a whining sound during acceleration. I was informed that the transmission requires replacement, at an estimated cost of $8,291. Furthermore, the transmissions are currently on back order, which would leave me without my vehicle for several months. While I have…”
NHTSA complaint #11685112, 2025

Lane Departure 8

“Headlight system malfunction, Pre-collision system malfunction and LTA malfunction”
NHTSA complaint #11735085, 2026

“During start up LTA malfunction, Pre-Collision system malfunction and Headlight system malfunction lights and warning indicators came on.”
NHTSA complaint #11732194, 2026

“During start up SRS airbag system malfunction, front camera unavailable, pre-collision system malfunction and LTA malfunction lights and warnings came on.”
NHTSA complaint #11732195, 2026

Vehicle Speed Control 8 1 crash

“The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while her partner was reversing out of a driveway, the vehicle independently surged backward up a hill as her partner applied the brake pedal. Her partner was able to place the vehicle into drive which sent the vehicle forward. The vehicle hit a tree which stopped the acceleration. The contact heard screaming from inside her home and called 911 for assistance. The air bags did not deploy. Her partner was taken to the hospital for an examination and suffered no injuries. A police report was not filed. No property damage was repo…”
NHTSA complaint #11475871, 2022 · crash

“The screen is going out. The back tailgate hangs up and doesn’t go down.”
NHTSA complaint #11688250, 2025

“Component or system that malfunctioned: The braking system on my 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, specifically the transition between regenerative braking and hydraulic friction braking, appears to malfunction intermittently. During braking, the vehicle sometimes lurches or surges forward instead of slowing smoothly, especially at low speeds or when braking downhill. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How safety was put at risk: The unexpected forward surge while braking increases stopping distance and creates uncertainty about braking performance, particularly in traffic or…”
NHTSA complaint #11718753, 2023

Exterior Lighting 7

“PKSB malfunction, LTA system malfunction, SRS system malfunction, Per-Collision system malfunction, Headlight system malfunction and Front camera unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #11735084, 2026

“Headlight system malfunction, Pre-collision system malfunction and LTA malfunction”
NHTSA complaint #11735085, 2026

“When starting up the vehicle, the headlight system malfunctioned light came on and a pre-collision system light came on. After shutting it off and restarting the vehicle. The lights were off.”
NHTSA complaint #11701324, 2025

Visibility 6

“During very cold tempratures 25 F and below all windows fog up. Defroster is turned on but windows remain fogged. I can turn on rear defroster (electric grid) and clears back window. All windows fog so you cannot see out. With front defroster fan on high it will after a time (starting from the bottm) clear. Side windows on drivers and passenger side will some times clear. Not back passenger windows. Taken to dealer several times. Replaced thermostat. After more complaints dealer said there was no mechanical problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11733272, 2025

“The part that failed is the driver side mirror cover. It has never been struck by anything and just flew off the side of the car while driving on the highway. This part flying off the car could cause an accident if striking a motorist, motorcycle, pedestrian. I do not have the part that flew off because I can't go back and pick it up off the highway. This just happened today. I have called a body shop to order a new part. The plastic part can only be replaced by purchasing the whole $1500 side mirror assembly. There was no sign that it was going fly off the car as there has never been struck b…”
NHTSA complaint #11684033, 2025

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11564486, 2022

Back Over Prevention 4 1 crash

“The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the backup camera would intermittently fail to operate as the screen would appear blank. The contact also stated that the warning chime would fail to alert the driver to people or objects in the vicinity of the vehicle while reversing. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was given an estimate for a diagnostic. After negotiating with the dealer, they agreed to reset the vehicle's sensors; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was inf…”
NHTSA complaint #11674960, 2022 · crash

“Parked in sun and the SRS system malfunctioned, after power reset the system reset ok. Front camera malfunction, RSA malfunction & Pre-collision malfunction.”
NHTSA complaint #11713582, 2025

“When starting up the vehicle, the headlight system malfunctioned light came on and a pre-collision system light came on. After shutting it off and restarting the vehicle. The lights were off.”
NHTSA complaint #11701324, 2025

Tires 4

“The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V419000 (Tires); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the TPMS warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side wheel was deflating. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 33,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”
NHTSA complaint #11624202, 2024

“The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Alenza Sport A/S, Tire Size: 235/55/R20, DOT Number: 1W28AALA12522. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22T021000 (Tires) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. Several unknown dealers were contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and the contact was advised to take the veh…”
NHTSA complaint #11525045, 2022

“The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22T021000 (Tires). The Toyota dealer was initially notified of the failure and referred her to the Bridgestone manufacturer for assistance. The tire manufacturer referred her to a Bridgestone service center; however, she was informed that the tire needed for repair was on backorder. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
NHTSA complaint #11504768, 2022

Latches/Locks/Linkages 3

“The only door that will lock or unlock using the fab key or the master lock button on the drivers armrest is the drivers side rear door. My vehicle is not able to be locked unless I do it manually and can not be unlocked unless i use the rear drivers side door. This has been reproduced by the dealership. There were no warning lamps or messages and no other symptoms. This has been going on for a month. I am being told by the dealership service department that 3 actuators failed at the same time. My lift gate also malfunctioned this year. Dealership diagnosed it with needing new struts. Not su…”
NHTSA complaint #11741832, 2026

“I was driving around a corner and the driver's door popped open into the ajar position (not fully open, just ajar) and safety alarms went off. Confirmed that the doors were locked at the time this happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11657006, 2025

“The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the trunk was opened, and the contact was storing items in the trunk space and the trunk lid fell on the contact's back. The contact stated that the failure occurred two or three times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,732.”
NHTSA complaint #11572219, 2023

Seat Belts 3

“The 3rd row seat belt buckle is imbedded too deep in the seat. This makes it very difficult for a child to buckle themselves and in several attempts the parent or another adult was required to insert the seat belt into the locking device. What is more concerning is the difficulty a child has when trying to release the seat belt. While this may be an annoyance that requires adult intervention it is of particular concern when a child, in an emergency is required to release the seat belt.”
NHTSA complaint #11560784, 2023

“The 2022 Toyota Hybrid Highlander is advertised as a family vehicle that safely fits 7 passengers with the captain chairs. We purchased a brand new 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid for our family of 5. However, you cannot safely install a booster car seat in the third row as advertised in any position. In every position of the third row the booster car seat covers the buckle not allowing you to secure the seat belt/booster seat. The car manual show on page 58-59 to install the booster seat on the passenger side of the third row but there is not enough space. The second picture shows a car seat in…”
NHTSA complaint #11479480, 2022

“The Toyota highlander was advertised as a family vehicle that safely fits 7 passengers with the captain chairs. We purchased a brand new 2022 Toyota Highlander for our family of 5. However, you cannot safely install a booster car seat in the third flow as advertised in ANY position. In every position of the third row the booster car seat covers the buckle not allowing you to secure the seat belt/booster seat. The car manual show on page 58-59 to install the booster seat on the passenger side of the third row but there is not enough space. The second picture shows a car seat in the middle using…”
NHTSA complaint #11448511, 2022

Chest Clip 2

“Inside ped cheep off and child hurt arm not safe we have this car seat for less than few months”
NHTSA complaint #11478269, 2022

“When the child is buckled in and the straps are all tight, they can be pulled loose without using the release button at the bottom. This is incredibly unsafe and would make this car seat useless if we were to be in a car accident. My car seat has not been inspected but the manufacturer has been notified.”
NHTSA complaint #11473917, 2022

Child Seat 1

“The contact owns an Evenflo Car Seat, Model Number: 368124708, Model Type: Revolve 360 Slim, Manufactured Date: July 11, 2024. The car seat was being used in a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25C010000 (Child Seat). The contact stated that the head rest foam was exposed on the left and right sides of the headrest and that the child was picking out the foam as described in the recall. The manufacturer was contacted and provided pictures of the failure. The contact was advised by a representative from the manufacturer that a repair kit would be…”
NHTSA complaint #11711498, 2026

Equipment 1

“The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander equipped with a Kuat Transfer V2 Bike Rack. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the contact noticed that the bicycle was lowering from the rear windshield. The contact inspected the bike rack attached to the vehicle and noticed that the shorter tray where the second wheel had turned in a vertical direction had caused the bike's wheel to drop. Additionally, the bike rack's second tray did not have any screws to secure the tray in an horizontal position. The contact also noticed that the second tray was significantly shorter tha…”
NHTSA complaint #11606705, 2023

Insert 1

“Inside ped cheep off and child hurt arm not safe we have this car seat for less than few months”
NHTSA complaint #11478269, 2022

Steering 1

“This type of steering wheel cover on the steering wheel will wear out by 50,000 miles poor engineered”
NHTSA complaint #11691598, 2025