2022 Toyota HIGHLANDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
238 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
23,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2022 model year. Data snapshot: . 28 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 50 of 238 complaints (21.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 49 | 20.6% |
| Braking behavior | 49 | 20.6% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 3.8% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 1.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 1.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 0.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 50 |
| Service Brakes | 35 |
| Unknown Or Other | 35 |
| Air Bags | 23 |
| Structure:Body | 18 |
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Structure | 14 |
| Seats | 12 |
Power Train: 50; Service Brakes: 35; Unknown Or Other: 35; Air Bags: 23; Structure:Body: 18; Electrical System: 16; Structure: 14; Seats: 12
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 210 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 35 |
| 2023 | 40 |
| 2024 | 45 |
| 2025 | 47 |
| 2026 | 70 |
2021: 1; 2022: 35; 2023: 40; 2024: 45; 2025: 47; 2026: 70
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 49 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 49 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 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 11470228 · 2022-06-21 (June 21, 2022)
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH and attempting to accelerate to enter the highway, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle responded sluggishly. The vehicle emitted abnormal sounds as though the transmission was in neutral. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal all the way to the floorboard and the vehicle responded as intended. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 40 MP…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11470228 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11486230 · 2022-09-24 (September 24, 2022)
When I'm cruising about 35 mph, let off the gas and decelerate, then give a slight bit of gas, I feel a "bump" in the drive train. It's more like slop in the transmission....sounds like a metal To metal noise...this happens after car is driving more then 30 min or 45 min.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11486230 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11460425 · 2022-04-11 (April 11, 2022)
When coming to a stop, intermittently the brakes feel like they disengage for a moment before kicking back in and lunging me forward. The first time it happened I thought my foot has slipped off the brake pedal. When I happened again, I knew something was wrong and started noting when it happens and the driving conditions. I have taken it in the dealer 4 times now, have opened a ticket with Toyota and have been told since they can’t reproduce the problem there isn’t much they can do to fix it. The service manager did advise that a scan of my ca…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11460425 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11462224 · 2022-04-26 (April 26, 2022)
When braking the car will start braking then stop slowing down for 1/2 to 1 second and resume braking. If you have ever braked when hitting an ice patch this is exactly how it feels. The obvious answer was an intermittent braking problem and I was delighted to hear about the recall for the stability control. We had it reprogrammed last week but when driving it home it happened twice again but for the first time when braking the car ACTUALLY ACCELERATED 3-4 MPH. This is clearly not a braking failure but a very brief intermittent acceleration o…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11462224 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11472443 · 2022-07-05 (July 5, 2022)
When braking, and going down a slight grade, and when there is a slight bump in the road, the brakes seem to cut out for a second or surge. This will only last for a second and then the brakes will engage again. This could cause an accident if the car in front of me stops suddenly. On the lane departure warning, if an on ramp is merging into lanes (truck by passenger lanes on I-5 in Portland), the lane departure gets confused by the merging lane markings and alters the steering. This could cause a crash
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11472443 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11499719 · 2023-01-02 (January 2, 2023)
The system designed to prevent lane departure has a particular issue with the dashed road markings that denote the entrance to tapered deceleration lanes or right-hand exit ramps on Oregon freeways. I have not noticed an issue when similar markings are on the driver's side. In particular, the in section 360, figure 360-A of the ODOT Traffic Line Manual (https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Engineering/Documents_TrafficStandards/Traffic-Line-Manual.pdf) the line marked "WD" is consistently able to fool the lane departure system and allow the vehicle to …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11499719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11483459 · 2022-09-08 (September 8, 2022)
1. The engine was on while the 'hold' feature was enabled. I've used this feature numerous times before. This time, the 'hold' feature was on for about 5+ minutes, I heard 3 consecutive beeps out of nowhere followed by the engine restarting on it's own as if the push start button was pressed. At that time, the vehicle lunged forward causing me to brake, missing the vehicle in front of me. This happened while waiting at the school drop off lane. Vehicle also lags during acceleration and stalls especially when getting up to speed on the freeway/h…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11483459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11678354 · 2025-08-04 (August 4, 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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11678354 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11526228 · 2023-06-09 (June 9, 2023)
The breaking system doesn’t take effect in speed and turn and when you leave the acceleration and the speed increase and loose control . Also the electrical system is damage not with seven month of brand new highlander hybrid . The rear cross traffic control and blind spot warning are coming . These is a serious electrical problem under 11,000 miles brand new vechile
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11526228 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11592076 · 2024-06-03 (June 3, 2024)
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH in the fast lane, the steering wheel failed to respond as needed while attempting to turn to the left or the right. Additionally, the brakes became inoperable and the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the shoulder, and the vehicle shut off. The contact called Roadside Assistance and was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an indep…
Owner-reported narrative. 17,781 miles reported. Look up ODI 11592076 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11451756 · 2022-02-13 (February 13, 2022)
The vehicle is advertised with a 17.9 gallon fuel tank. But I can only get about 14 gallons in the tank. Gauge reads full but my distance to empty is only showing 286 miles. It should read closer to 400.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11451756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11709788 · 2026-01-08 (January 8, 2026)
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 th…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11709788 at NHTSA ↗