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2023 Toyota Highlander

Hybrid Gas

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26

Safety Signal

62 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 5 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.

RecallsNHTSA campaigns 9

Complaints12 crash · 12 injured reported 198

Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★

Fuel economybest combined, EPA 36 mpg

2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016

The 2023 Toyota Highlander is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Highlander Hybrid, is EPA-rated at 36 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 198 complaints, most often about the structure. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Toyota Highlander — photograph via Wikimedia Commons — Toyota Highlander · Photo: Kevauto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Trims & pricing

Source: manufacturer press kitCompare a trim →

Trim	Powertrain	Drive	MSRP	HP	Torque	MPG comb	Seats	Cargo (2nd row)	Wheels
L	Gas	FWD	—	265 hp	310 lb-ft	25 mpg	8	48.4 cu-ft	18 in
L	Gas	AWD	—	265 hp	310 lb-ft	24 mpg	8	48.4 cu-ft	18 in
LE	Gas	FWD	—	265 hp	310 lb-ft	25 mpg	8	48.4 cu-ft	18 in
LE	Gas	AWD	—	265 hp	310 lb-ft	24 mpg	8	48.4 cu-ft	18 in
XLE	Gas	FWD	—	265 hp	310 lb-ft	25 mpg	7	48.4 cu-ft	18 in
XLE	Gas	AWD	—	265 hp	310 lb-ft	24 mpg	7	48.4 cu-ft	18 in
XSE	Gas	FWD	—	265 hp	310 lb-ft	25 mpg	7	48.4 cu-ft	20 in
XSE	Gas	AWD	—	265 hp	310 lb-ft	24 mpg	7	48.4 cu-ft	20 in
Limited	Gas	FWD	—	265 hp	310 lb-ft	25 mpg	7	48.4 cu-ft	20 in
Limited	Gas	AWD	—	265 hp	310 lb-ft	24 mpg	7	48.4 cu-ft	20 in
Platinum	Gas	FWD	—	265 hp	310 lb-ft	25 mpg	7	48.4 cu-ft	20 in
Platinum	Gas	AWD	—	265 hp	310 lb-ft	24 mpg	7	48.4 cu-ft	20 in
LE Hybrid	Hybrid	FWD	—	243 hp	175 lb-ft	36 mpg	8	48.4 cu-ft	18 in
LE Hybrid	Hybrid	AWD	—	243 hp	175 lb-ft	36 mpg	8	48.4 cu-ft	18 in
XLE Hybrid	Hybrid	FWD	—	243 hp	175 lb-ft	36 mpg	7	48.4 cu-ft	18 in
XLE Hybrid	Hybrid	AWD	—	243 hp	175 lb-ft	36 mpg	7	48.4 cu-ft	18 in
Bronze Edition Hybrid	Hybrid	FWD	—	243 hp	175 lb-ft	36 mpg	7	48.4 cu-ft	18 in
Bronze Edition Hybrid	Hybrid	AWD	—	243 hp	175 lb-ft	36 mpg	7	48.4 cu-ft	18 in
Limited Hybrid	Hybrid	FWD	—	243 hp	175 lb-ft	35 mpg	7	48.4 cu-ft	20 in
Limited Hybrid	Hybrid	AWD	—	243 hp	175 lb-ft	35 mpg	7	48.4 cu-ft	20 in
Platinum Hybrid	Hybrid	FWD	—	243 hp	175 lb-ft	35 mpg	7	48.4 cu-ft	20 in
Platinum Hybrid	Hybrid	AWD	—	243 hp	175 lb-ft	35 mpg	7	48.4 cu-ft	20 in

MSRP excludes destination. Open a trim for the complete spec sheet and standard/optional equipment. Have the car in front of you? Decode its VIN to see which of these trims it is and what it was priced at.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

Configuration	Powertrain	Drive	Engine / motor	City	Hwy	Comb	Annual fuel*
Highlander Hybrid	Hybrid	FWD	2.5L 4-cyl + 288V Ni-MH	36	35	36	$1,850
Highlander Hybrid AWD	Hybrid	AWD	2.5L 4-cyl + 288V Ni-MH	35	35	35	$1,900
Highlander Hybrid AWD LTD/PLAT	Hybrid	AWD	2.5L 4-cyl + 288V Ni-MH	35	34	35	$1,900
Highlander	Gas	FWD	2.4L 4-cyl turbo	22	29	25	$2,700
Highlander	Gas	FWD	2.4L 4-cyl turbo	21	28	24	$2,800
Highlander AWD	Gas	AWD	2.4L 4-cyl turbo	21	28	24	$2,800

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 46145, 46158, 46157, 46147, 46146, 46155.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates

Configuration	Smog rating	Emission standard	Where it can be sold new	SmartWay
Highlander Hybrid	7 / 10	Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 / California LEV-III SULEV30	All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards	SmartWay
Highlander Hybrid AWD, Highlander Hybrid AWD LTD/PLAT	7 / 10	California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30	All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards	SmartWay
Highlander	7 / 10	California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30	All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards	—
Highlander AWD	7 / 10	Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 / California LEV-III SULEV30	All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards	—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

New-vehicle warranty

Source: manufacturer press kits, make-level

Basic 3 yr / 36,000 mi Powertrain 5 yr / 60,000 mi Roadside 2 yr

As stated in Toyota's press kits for the 2022–2025 model years (65 kits, 50 agree); this model year's own kit states no warranty terms, so the make's are shown. Confirm the term for this car with the dealer.

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Recalls (9)

Source: NHTSA recall database

▲high

Seats

26TB06 / 26TA06

686,588 vehicles

Problem 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. Risk A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Fix Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 9, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.

Filed with NHTSADefect report PDF Owner letter PDF Remedy instructions PDF

NHTSA campaign 26V128000 reported Mar 5, 2026 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

●moderate

Back Over Prevention

25TB13/25LB06/WRE25

1,024,407 vehicles 81% reported repaired built Oct 11, 2022 – Oct 7, 2025

Problem 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." Risk A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.

Filed with NHTSADefect report PDF Owner letter PDF Remedy instructions PDF

NHTSA campaign 25V744000 reported Oct 30, 2025 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

●moderate

Electrical System

See Part 573 Report

591,377 vehicles 50% reported repaired

Problem 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. Risk An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury. Fix Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Additional letters will be sent, anticipated in May 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB08 and 25TA08. Lexus' numb

Filed with NHTSADefect report PDF Owner letter PDF Remedy instructions PDF

NHTSA campaign 25V595000 reported Sep 11, 2025 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

▲high

Steering

25TA02/25LA02

1,716 vehicles 81% reported repaired

Problem 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." Risk A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. Fix Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 25LA02.

Filed with NHTSADefect report PDF Owner letter PDF Remedy instructions PDF

NHTSA campaign 25V040000 reported Jan 29, 2025 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

○minor

Equipment

24R2

33,848 vehicles 99% reported repaired

Problem Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia Hybrid, Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, Venza Hybrid, 2023-2025 Crown, and 2025 Camry Hybrid vehicles equipped with GST accessories. The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." Risk A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash. Fix GST will mail new labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R2.

Filed with NHTSADefect report PDF Owner letter PDF

NHTSA campaign 24V548000 reported Jul 23, 2024 Gulf States Toyota, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

▲high

Tires

SET24A

4,763 vehicles 82% reported repaired built Jun 1, 2020 – Jun 12, 2024

Problem 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." Risk Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash. 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.

Filed with NHTSADefect report PDF Owner letter PDF

NHTSA campaign 24V452000 reported Jun 18, 2024 Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

▲high

Tires

24R1

4,869 vehicles 86% reported repaired built Feb 8, 2022 – May 6, 2024

Problem Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022-2024 model year Highlander L and Highlander LE vehicles equipped with the Blackout Package that includes 20" black alloy wheels and tires. The installed tires have an insufficient load rating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." Risk Tires with an insufficient load rating may be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix GST will inspect and replace the tires as necessary, and install a new tire information label as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R1.

Filed with NHTSADefect report PDF Owner letter PDF

NHTSA campaign 24V419000 reported Jun 6, 2024 Gulf States Toyota, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

▲high

Structure

23TB12 / 23TA12

750,795 vehicles 85% reported repaired

Problem 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. Risk A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. 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.

Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF Remedy instructions PDF

NHTSA campaign 23V720000 reported Oct 26, 2023 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

▲high

Steering

23TA08/ 23LA02

152,927 vehicles 93% reported repaired

Problem Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles. 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." Risk A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash. Fix Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TA08. Lexus' number for this recall is 23LA02.

Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF Remedy instructions PDF

NHTSA campaign 23V480000 reported Jul 12, 2023 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

Whether any of this applies to one specific Highlander

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2023 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Toyota publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Toyota’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2023 Toyota Highlander, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database

198complaints filed

12 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 12 injuries · 0 deaths reported

10 per 10,000 built · Toyota reported 197,920 Highlander built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2023: 37 · 2024: 64 · 2025: 32 · 2026: 65

Most-cited components

Unspecified 40

Structure 35

Engine 28

Seats 21

Service Brakes 20

Power Train 20

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

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.

Vehicle Speed Control at 20,000 miles Aug 29, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11611594

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was a hesitation, and the vehicle surged forward before coming to a stop. There were no warning lights illuminated.

Electrical System at 6,000 miles Aug 28, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11611346

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.

Seats Jul 9, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11749311

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.

Structure Jul 15, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11602438

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the seat belt securely buckled, the seat belt strap failed to retract to secure the driver safely. The contact stated that the seat belt strap fell in between the seat and underneath driver.

Seat Belts Jan 4, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11563625

23 Toyota Highlander was in for a routine 10K Mile Oil Change and additional key programming. When I was notified the vehicle was done and taking delivery the vehicle came into the delivery area with the drivers mirror folded away from the car damaged. I asked the delivery driver about it and she immediately called over a manager.

Visibility/Wiper Nov 28, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11557302

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Toyota itself: 91 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 142 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 46 per 100,000 built. Every Highlander model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 28k

miles, typically

Half the 22 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 16,000 and 50,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

Too few readings for a curve — the 22 on file: 5 under 10k, 1 10k–20k, 6 20k–30k, 2 30k–40k, 2 40k–50k, 2 50k–60k, 2 100k–150k, 2 150k +.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

Configuration	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	16%
SUV AWD	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	16%
SUV FWD	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	17%
SUV FWD	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	17%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications

Extended coverage on file 1 filing by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

Term not in NHTSA’s summary · Toyota warranty extension 22TE09Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about…

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Toyota warranty extension (10) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 247

Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-08-20

Kindsas classified by NHTSA 200 service bulletins, 24 others, 21 service campaigns

Most often about: Electrical System, Structure, Unknown Or Other, Engine, Equipment.

T-SB-0110-20 Rev2 Service bulletin
2026-08-20 · Engine
OBSOLETE NOTICE August 20, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0051-26.
T-SB-0040-24 Rev1 Service bulletin
2026-06-25 · Structure — Body
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.
22TE09 Warranty extension
2026-05-14 · Electrical System
Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing extended coverage under this Customer Support Program for repairs related to excessive corrosion to the wire harness connections at the Rear Mo
T-SB-0021-26 Service bulletin
2026-03-18 · Electrical System
Some 2020 – 2024 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the air conditioner does not cool due to a leak and/or corrosion in the rear underbody air conditioner tube and accessory assembly. The anti-corrosion material has been updated to reduce the possibility of this condition.
T-SB-0104-21 Rev2 Service bulletin
2026-02-27 · Engine
OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 Service bulletin
2026-01-07 · Unknown Or Other
Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interi
T-SB-0086-25 Service bulletin
2025-11-18 · Structure — Body
Some 2020 – 2023 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the Power Back Door (PBD) will not open or close and/or stops moving while opening or closing. A modified PBD unit assembly is available to address these conditions.
T-SB-0083-25 Service bulletin
2025-11-07 · Electrical System
A new head unit software update is available for 2022 – 2025 model year Tundra, and Tundra Hybrid; 2023 – 2025 model year Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Mirai, and Sequoia Hybrid vehicles equipped with Toyota Multimedia versions earlier than version 2230.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

New York inspections 0.76%

failed emissions

7,366 initial inspections of 7,235 vehicles.

Measure	The 2023 Highlander	Every 2023 vehicle	Behind it
Failed the emissions check	0.76%	1.6%	7,357
Failed the safety inspection	1.2%	1.1%	7,366
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit	0.16%	0.16%	7,366
Miles driven a year	11,540	10,038	odometer at inspection
Average odometer	37,591	32,673	odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2023 vehicle” is every 2023 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Highlander by model year

all years, side by side →

Year Safety Recalls Complaints

2026 A 0 4 35 mpg 2025 C 4 10 35 mpg 2024 D 7 43 36 mpg 2023 this page D 9 198 36 mpg 2022 C 6 270 36 mpg 2021 C 5 548 36 mpg 2020 C 5 330 36 mpg 2019 B 3 508 29 mpg 2018 C 4 274 29 mpg 2017 B 3 274 29 mpg 2016 B 2 117 28 mpg

Common questions about the 2023 Highlander

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2023 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 9 recall campaigns for the 2023 Toyota Highlander. The most serious on file is 26V128000, covering Seats. 2 campaigns are phased, so the repair reached some model years before others. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2023 Toyota Highlander?

NHTSA gave the 2023 Toyota Highlander 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it D (62/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Toyota Highlander?

Across the 6 EPA-rated configurations of the 2023 Toyota Highlander, the best EPA combined figure is 36 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What do owners complain about on the 2023 Toyota Highlander?

Owners have filed 198 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Toyota Highlander, most often about unspecified, structure, engine. Of those, 12 involved a crash, 12 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2023 Toyota Highlander?

The EPA smog rating for the 2023 Toyota Highlander is 7 out of 10. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III SULEV30, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2023 Toyota Highlander?

The manufacturer has filed 247 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2023 Toyota Highlander, most often covering electrical system, structure, unknown or other. The most recent is dated 2026-08-20. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2023 Toyota Highlander do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2023 Toyota Highlander failed the emissions check on 0.76% of first inspections — lower than the 1.6% for every 2023 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.2% (every 2023 vehicle: 1.1%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

Data	Held	Source	What it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations	6 configurations	EPA certification records	Every configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates	6 configurations	EPA emission certificates	Smog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls	9	NHTSA recall campaigns	A complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints	198	NHTSA complaint database	Also complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings	4 tested	NHTSA NCAP	Only the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins	247	NHTSA manufacturer communications	Everything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations	none	NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation	No defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reports	none	NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01	No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA	none	NHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patterns	We had no VIN pattern to decode for this model year, or the manufacturer filed nothing usable.
Trims, pricing & equipment	22 trims	Manufacturer press kit	Transcribed from the manufacturer's own press material, every value carrying the document it came from.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly. Trim-level specifications and pricing are transcribed from the manufacturer's official press kit; every value carries its source in the data file.

JSON for this page · API

2023 Toyota Highlander

Trims & pricing

Specs & fuel economy

Emissions & certification

New-vehicle warranty

Factory warranty running out?

Recalls (9)

Seats

Back Over Prevention

Electrical System

Steering

Equipment

Tires

Tires

Structure

Steering

Whether any of this applies to one specific Highlander

Hear about a recall before the letter does

Parts & accessories for the 2023 Toyota Highlander

Owner complaints

Most-cited components

In owners' own words

When owners reported it

miles, typically

Crash ratings

Service bulletins & campaigns

At the New York inspection station

failed emissions

Highlander by model year

Common questions about the 2023 Highlander

Does the 2023 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?

How safe is the 2023 Toyota Highlander?

What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Toyota Highlander?

What do owners complain about on the 2023 Toyota Highlander?

How clean is the 2023 Toyota Highlander?

Are there service bulletins for the 2023 Toyota Highlander?

How does the 2023 Toyota Highlander do at state inspection?

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Where to go next

Sources & method