Model year guide

2021 Toyota Highlander

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2021 Toyota Highlander is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 12 on record.

2021 Toyota Highlander — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2021 Toyota Highlander at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints464
Combined24 mpg
Typical price$43,503

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2021 Toyota Highlander recalls 4

Structure:body:bumpers NHTSA Campaign #23V720000 · 26/10/2023

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.

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.

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification NHTSA Campaign #23V865000 · 20/12/2023

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 air bag from deploy…

Fix: 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 co…

Tires NHTSA Campaign #24V452000 · 18/06/2024

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."

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.

Seats:mid/rear Assembly:recliner NHTSA Campaign #26V128000 · 05/03/2026

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.

Fix: Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed April 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2021 Toyota Highlander common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 464 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine
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.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

2021 Toyota Highlander MPG & running costs

Combined24 mpg
City21 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,600

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2021 Toyota Highlander worth?

Low
$38,803
Typical price
$43,503
High
$49,217

From 12 comparable 2021 Toyota Highlander listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2021 Toyota Highlander costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,000
Depreciation (5 yrs)$17,900
Total$30,900
Per mile$0.41

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.

2021 Toyota Highlander trims & engines on record

Trims
LE · XLE Nav · XSE Nav & JBL · XLE · Limited · Platinum
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl 295 hp · 2.5L 4-cyl 186 hp

2021 Toyota Highlander vehicles on record

Other Toyota Highlander model years

2021 Toyota Highlander — frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Toyota Highlander have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2021 Toyota Highlander. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Highlander?

Based on 464 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, engine, structure.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Toyota Highlander get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2021 Toyota Highlander at about 24 mpg combined (21 city / 29 highway).

How much is a 2021 Toyota Highlander worth?

Comparable 2021 Toyota Highlander listings run roughly $38,803–$49,217, typically around $43,503 (from 12 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.