Toyota Highlander engine problems, 2016–2026
270 of the 2,522 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Toyota Highlander 2016–2026 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2019 (74), 2017 (51), 2021 (47). Filed under the same heading across these years: 6 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Toyota Highlander engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 50% | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 1 | 10% | — | 11 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 5 | 12% | — | 30 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 28 | 15% | — | 35 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% | — | 55 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 47 | 9% | — | 71 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 17 | 5% | — | 70 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 74 | 15% | 13k | 52 TSBs | the record → |
| 2018 | 34 | 13% | 14k | 61 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 in depth | 51 | 19% | 21k | 60 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 | 10 | 9% | — | 25 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 1 · 2017: 7 · 2018: 9 · 2019: 18 · 2020: 32 · 2021: 31 · 2022: 22 · 2023: 30 · 2024: 38 · 2025: 39 · 2026: 43
Across the model years, half of the 101 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 5,000 and 46,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an oil leak coming from the upper oil pan. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the dealer attempted to repair the leak with a seal. The failure reoccurred.
I received a recall alert early in the year. There is not yet a fix for the low-pressure fuel pump. I have driven the car only a few miles since the notice and the description of the possible failure. I drive I-68 in maryland, much of it with 3 lanes and all up and down mountains.
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving various speeds. The coffee cup icon displayed on the instrument panel during the failure. The failure was experienced numerous times. The dealer inspected the vehicle, replaced the engine oil, replaced the filters, and rotated the tires.
On sunday oct 21 2018, the driver had just left the olin rest area in north carolina, heading northbound on rt 77. After driving for a little bit the car suddenly acceleration unintentionally by itself. And the car started to zig zag across the highway lanes without the driver turning the steering wheel.
My car out of no where once it hit 60k miles (which makes it fall off warranty) I start having transmission problems. It’s a 2021 which is very weird for that to happen. Bought it brand new. I was driving with my kids in the car on the highway and the car decelerates and I freaked out.
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications6 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Aug 20, 2026
- OBSOLETE NOTICE August 20, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0051-26.
- Aug 11, 2026
- Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak.
- Feb 27, 2026
- OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- Feb 13, 2026
- This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Repair Manual while performing a rescue charge. The GRX-5100 should be used wherever the Repair Manual references the Toyota Hybrid System (THS) charger.
- Feb 13, 2026
- OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
- Feb 10, 2025
- Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix procedures described in individual Service Bulletins. This bulletin details the Global Techstream+ (GTS+) ECU flash reprogramming procedures and outlines use of the Technical Information System (TIS) and
Every one filed under the heading is listed. 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 Toyota Highlander
Source: the same files- body and structure problems
- airbag problems
- fuel system problems
- electrical problems
- transmission and drivetrain problems
- brake problems
Every system, every model year: Toyota Highlander problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Toyota Highlander years have the most engine complaints?
2019, 74; 2017, 51; 2021, 47. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2026 (50%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Toyota Highlander?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do engine problems show up on the Toyota Highlander?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 16,500 miles across the model years; half of them between 5,000 and 46,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.