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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2024 Toyota HighlanderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 43 owner complaints for the 2024 Toyota Highlander. Most complaints involve service brakes (8) and fuel/propulsion system (7). The EPA rates it 24–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
24–25mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Mar 2026
Owner complaints
43
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 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

Seat belts: rear

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The third row center seat belt roof anchor may have been installed at an incorrect angle, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant.

Seat beltsReported Dec 17, 2025NHTSA 25V872000

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
See all 7 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

43 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2024 – Oct 2026
  1. Service brakes8
  2. Fuel/propulsion system7
  3. Electrical system6
  4. Engine5
  5. Structure4
  6. Power train3
  7. Seats2
  8. Seat belts1
  9. Other/i am not sure1

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
2011187
2012191
2013212
2014138
2015193
2016111
2017271
2018273
2019508
2020323
2021535
2022266
2023189
202443
202510
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
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

Service brakes

8 reports2 crashes
“BRAKING SYSTEM WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, ESPECIALLY WHEN APPLYING DOWNHILL, TEMPORARILY RELEASES AND ACTS AS THOUGH BRAKES ARE NOT APPLIED ANY LONGER FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF A FEW SECONDS THEN REAPPLIES. IT DOES SO THAT IT IS VERY OBVIOUS WITHIN THE CAR. THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID BRAKING SYSTEM AND IT SEEMS THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED IN NEWER MODELS. ASKING NTHSA TO ADDRESS WITH TOYOTA AND GET IT FIXED.Technical Service Bulletin for 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Braking Issue. Some drivers reported a momentary transition from regenerative braking to hydraulic braking, particularly when driving downhill or turning with light brake pedal application. Toyota has provided a software update for the brake actuator control module to improve brake feel.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 24, 2026Service brakesODI 11733520

Fuel/propulsion system

7 reports
“I have been experiencing a gas smell issue with my Toyota Highlander near the rear of the car by gas cap area upon putting in gas and driving. The smell starts typically when it’s a hot day outside and I only usually get half a tank worth of gas. After getting gas and driving about 15-30 mins. Is when the smell of gas starts. I recently took my car it to the local Toyota dealership and they checked the purge valve, fuel canister and EVAP system. The technician did state that the fuel rail failed slightly. But overall, they stated there no codes after testing and the technician did state he smelled the gas faintly. But that since there are no codes to pinpoint an issue they cannot fix or figure out the issue. Please figure out this issue, as this is a real concern to have this issue and drive this car with myself and family in it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 1, 2026Unknown or other, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11761388

Electrical system

6 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the instrument cluster was blinking. The contact expressed that she was concerned that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact received the recall notices of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V744000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V595000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V595000 (Electrical System) was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and filed a claim. The failure mileage was approximately 13,357.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 23, 2025Electrical system, Back over preventionODI 11706841
All 2024 Highlander problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
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.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
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 19451Vehicle 19450
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

2024 Highlander questions

How many recalls does the 2024 Toyota Highlander have?

7 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 2024 Toyota Highlander problems?

Owners filed 43 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (8), fuel/propulsion system (7), electrical system (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2024 Toyota Highlander get?

The EPA rates the 2024 Toyota Highlander at 24–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2024 Toyota Highlander?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2024 Toyota Highlander 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026