2021 Toyota Highlander body and structure problems
55 of the 537 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota Highlander name the body and structure (NHTSA’s “Structure” heading — body panels, frame, roof rails, trim and glass as fitted). Filed under the same heading: 72 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the body and structure
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 of the 55 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 3 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2021: 4 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 18 · 2025: 15 · 2026: 12
Too few of these complaints carry an odometer reading to say when the problem shows up.
537 complaints in all about the 2021 Toyota Highlander, 12 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Structure” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Toyota Highlander body and structure problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the body and structure. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that the hatchback failed to open completely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer recommended that the hatchback motor be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V720000 (Structure) and 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted.
The contact's mother owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH out of town, another driver informed the contact that the front bumper had detached. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The contact continued driving to the destination.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure) 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.
Front lower and upper bumper covers. While driving the covers become detached from each other placing the vehicle at risk and other drivers at risk as the components will separate from the car potentially causing damage to the vehicle/tires/etc. or other vehicles in proximity to the car.
What is on file about the body and structure
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 23V720000 HighOct 26, 2023 · 750,795 vehicles
- 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.
72 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- T-SB-0040-24 Rev1 Service bulletinJun 25, 2026
- Some 2020 – 2026 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a water leak from the roof rack attachment clips. This may be caused by the sealant in the roof channel obstructing the proper seating position for the clip gasket.
The 1 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the 2021 Toyota Highlander
Source: the same files- airbag problems 50 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre body and structure problems common on the 2021 Toyota Highlander?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 55 owner complaints naming the body and structure on this model year (10% of everything owners filed about it), and 72 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the body and structure on the 2021 Toyota Highlander?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 23V720000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do body and structure problems show up on the 2021 Toyota Highlander?
Too few of the complaints carry an odometer reading to say. The model year's page shows the mileage curve across every system where it can.
What does NHTSA's "Structure" heading cover?
Body panels, frame, roof rails, trim and glass as fitted. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.