2021 Toyota highlander LE
5TDZZRAH5MS055598
Vehicle history report for the 2021 Toyota highlander (VIN 5TDZZRAH5MS055598). Title: Clean. 733 mi reported. Registered in Tx. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
![2021 Toyota highlander LE, Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV] — representative vehicle photo for VIN 5TDZZRAH5MS055598](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d0/2021_Toyota_Highlander_XSE%2C_front_8.28.21.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=original)
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
🧾 Window sticker / build sheet → All 2021 Toyota highlander data →
What's a 2021 Toyota highlander worth?
What comparable 2021 Toyota highlander vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.
Is the seller's price fair? Get this exact VIN's current market value — retail, trade-in & loan value — in the full report.
See this car's exact value →MPG & running costs
Official U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2021 Toyota highlander.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. EPA estimates for this year/make/model; actual mileage varies by trim and driving conditions.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2021 Toyota highlander costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($43,503) with the same model 5 model-years older ($25,628), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN 5TDZZRAH5MS055598
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 4
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Campaign #23V720000 · 26/10/2023AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger …
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may con
NHTSA Campaign #23V865000 · 20/12/2023TIRES
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."
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Campaign #24V452000 · 18/06/2024SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Campaign #26V128000 · 05/03/2026We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 521 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Toyota highlander, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
🔍 Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
🔍 Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 521
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2021 Toyota highlander.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The transmission has failed. Per review of available documents, this is a very common issue with this and other Toyotas.
NHTSA ODI #11767841UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Beep alert went off first then on dash board it notified me not to press on gas pedal & sensory collision 2. Parked the car for three days after the 3 days when starting the car the beep notification was still there on dash board still same notification. Then my neighbor came looked at it and said the all Toyota have same issue with the AC. He advised me no…
NHTSA ODI #11767443UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apple CarPlay: The touchscreen occasionally loses connection or fails to pair with Apple CarPlay and Android. I changed my chargers so many times thinking it was wire issue.
NHTSA ODI #11767447EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Head lights for newer vehicles are coming very bright and are pointing higher than normal safety levels causing on coming traffic feels like these lights are on high beam, which causes blinding issues for on coming traffic.
NHTSA ODI #11767217STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
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 INFORMATI…
NHTSA ODI #11766575POWER TRAIN
Toyota refuses to issue a recall for a well known issue with the UA80 transmission that fails around 5 years on many Highlanders. I follow [XXX] and there are countless posts about this issue. Mine failed at one month before my warranty was up and replacement was covered but it was replaced with the same transmission which I assume will also fail after 5 yea…
NHTSA ODI #11766307POWER TRAIN
Transmission developed a whine at 61k miles. Needed to be replaced.
NHTSA ODI #11766567POWER TRAIN
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…
NHTSA ODI #11765895+ 513 more complaints on record.
Recently searched vehicles
Frequently asked questions
Can I find out who owns this vehicle from the VIN?
No — and no legitimate service can. Linking a VIN or plate to a named owner is restricted by the U.S. Driver's Privacy Protection Act, the EU GDPR and equivalent laws. CarLogs shows the vehicle only — specs, recalls, problems and value — never the person.
Is the VIN 5TDZZRAH5MS055598 valid?
5TDZZRAH5MS055598 is a structurally valid 17-character VIN with a correct ISO 3779 check digit, assigned to a manufacturer in United States. It decodes to the 2021 Toyota highlander.
Does the 2021 Toyota highlander have any open safety recalls?
Yes — 4 open NHTSA safety recalls are on record for the 2021 Toyota highlander. Recall repairs are carried out free by any franchised dealer; see the recall details above.
What is a fair price for a 2021 Toyota highlander?
Comparable 2021 Toyota highlander listings run roughly $38,803–$49,217, typically around $43,503 (from 12 comparable vehicles). The full report shows this exact VIN's valuation.
What fuel economy does the 2021 Toyota highlander get?
The U.S. EPA rates the 2021 Toyota highlander at about 24 mpg combined (21 city / 29 highway).
Data last checked 1 Oct 2026 · Sources: NHTSA (recalls & complaints), U.S. EPA (fuel economy), NHTSA vPIC (specifications). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.