2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
27,300 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 15 complaints (53.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 13.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 6.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 6.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Structure | 3 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Hybrid Propulsion System | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Air Bags: 8; Structure: 3; Electrical System: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Hybrid Propulsion System: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 8 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2020: 1; 2024: 9; 2025: 4; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11564106 · 2024-01-08 (January 8, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle continued to accelerate forward before coming to a stop. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions but no cause for the failure was found. The contact was informed that the vehicle operated normally due to the hybrid system. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 10.
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 11564106 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11668610 · 2025-06-23 (June 23, 2025)
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the braking system experienced intermittent brake failures, causing the brakes to erroneously release while being depressed. During the failure, the vehicle unintendedly lurched forward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failures. The failure mileage was 6,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11668610 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11720641 · 2026-02-26 (February 26, 2026)
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the instrument panel lights were flashing. The vehicle then independently turned off and restarted repeatedly. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the battery level was low and needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced, and other unknown repairs for shifting failure were performed. The vehicle was driven back to the residence; however, the failure recurred upon starting the vehicle the following day. Additiona…
Owner-reported narrative. 77,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11720641 at NHTSA ↗