Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2023 Toyota Highlander HybridRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 9 owner complaints for the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Most complaints involve structure (3) and seats (1). The EPA rates it 35–36 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
35–36mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Mar 2026
Owner complaints
9
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$1,750est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seats: mid

Free remedy

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.

SeatsReported Mar 5, 2026NHTSA 26V128000

Back over prevention: display function

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Back over preventionReported Oct 30, 2025NHTSA 25V744000

Steering: column

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

SteeringReported Jan 29, 2025NHTSA 25V040000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

9 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2023 – Jul 2026
  1. Structure3
  2. Seats1
  3. Vehicle speed control1
  4. Electrical system1
  5. Air bags1
  6. Service brakes1
  7. Seat belts1
  8. Steering1
  9. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Highlander Hybrid model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2006650
2007234
2008603
2009174
2010238
2015182
2016108
2017224
20185
20196
20209
202115
20226
20239
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

3 reports
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle struck a bird and the lower front bumper assembly detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the lower bumper assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure). The VIN was included, and the parts were available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2024StructureODI 11602438

Seats

1 report
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 9, 2026SeatsODI 11749311

Vehicle speed control

1 report
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle surged forward and accelerated before coming to a stop. The failure occurred intermittently; however, the failure seemed most pronounced while decelerating from highway speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was informed of the failure; however, the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2024Vehicle speed controlODI 11611594
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Highlander Hybrid
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
363536$1,750245
Highlander Hybrid AWD
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
353535$1,800254
Highlander Hybrid AWD LTD/PLAT
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
353435$1,800253
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Overall
5 / 5
Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 18608Vehicle 18607
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2023 Highlander Hybrid questions

How many recalls does the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems?

Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (3), seats (1), vehicle speed control (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 35–36 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026