Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2023 Toyota HighlanderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 189 owner complaints for the 2023 Toyota Highlander. Most complaints involve structure (32) and engine (28). The EPA rates it 24–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
24–25mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Mar 2026
Owner complaints
189
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 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

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles. Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.

Electrical systemReported Sep 11, 2025NHTSA 25V595000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

189 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2023 – Oct 2026
  1. Structure32
  2. Engine28
  3. Seats21
  4. Service brakes20
  5. Power train20
  6. Fuel/propulsion system16
  7. Air bags12
  8. Electrical system12
  9. Vehicle speed control9

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2001136
2002327
2003270
2004286
2005225
2006278
2007124
2008406
2009134
2010238
2011186
2012191
2013212
2014138
2015193
2016111
2017271
2018273
2019508
2020323
2021535
2022266
2023189
202443
202510
Crashes reported
12
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
12
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

32 reports2 crashes
“Rear Power Lift Gate Struts continue to malfunction. Sometimes works, Sometimes Partially Works. My vehicle currently has 40,000 miles and according to Social Media and AI this has become a large Problem for a large number of People.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2026StructureODI 11763629

Engine

28 reports2 crashes
“Ongoing severe engine surge after coasting while braking lightly during moderate downhill drives on pavement. It happens consistently with different drivers at speeds between 25 to 45 mph. The surge can cause the vehicle to lurch forward enough to move the vehicle forward suddenly, and rapidly to other cars ahead. This is an unpredictable issue, but occurs multiple times daily. Very concerning for everyone at risk in the vehicle. This issue was presented to several Toyota dealers in the San Diego (Carlbad, CA) and Temecula, CA areas during routine servicing during new car regular servicing up to 36k mi. It was documented at those dealers 4 times. They could not reproduce it until the 4th service appt at Temecula, CA Toyota. Toyota has a remedy for previous years' models of Highlander Hybrid, which was a software upgrade to the hybrid braking/engine system. But not the 2023 year. Yet.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2026Service brakes, EngineODI 11763643

Seats

21 reports
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (Seats); however, the parts required for the recall repair were not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for another recall repair but was not serviced for the subject recall. The dealer confirmed that the parts were unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide a remedy for the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2026SeatsODI 11771686
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
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 3, 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
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-start · Front-Wheel Drive
222925$2,550359
Highlander
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI · Front-Wheel Drive
212824$2,700370
Highlander AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
212824$2,700371
  • Highlander
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-start
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Highlander
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI
    21 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Highlander AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo
    21 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 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 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 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 3, 2026Vehicle 18606Vehicle 18605
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 questions

How many recalls does the 2023 Toyota Highlander have?

9 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 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 problems?

Owners filed 189 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (32), engine (28), seats (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2023 Toyota Highlander get?

The EPA rates the 2023 Toyota Highlander at 24–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2023 Toyota Highlander?

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

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026