If you are shopping for a used Highlander, the recall history is a useful first filter, because every one of these is a free dealer repair that may or may not have been done. This page lists every campaign NHTSA returned for the Highlander, with the model years it covers and what the dealer does. The newer 2024 to 2026 trucks are in the 2024–2026 recall guide.
How this list is built. On October 21, 2026 we queried NHTSA's recalls-by-vehicle service for the Toyota Highlander, one model year at a time from 2008 to 2023, merged campaigns that appeared under several years, and read each campaign's summary and remedy. The model years shown are those NHTSA returned for the Highlander lookup. Many campaigns are shared with other Toyota and Lexus models, and some NHTSA summaries list wider model years than the Highlander lookup returned, so only your VIN confirms whether a recall applies to your truck. We did not check the Highlander Hybrid under a separate model name.
Recalls by Area
| AREA | CAMPAIGNS | MODEL YEARS |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags and occupant sensors | 11V245, 13V014, 14V168, 14V272, 20V633, 23V865 | 2008–2014, 2020–2021 |
| Seats and seat belts | 08V181, 14V051, 14V148, 14V274, 26V128 | 2008, 2013–2014, 2021–2023 |
| Fuel system | 14V576, 20V012, 20V162, 20V682 | 2014, 2017–2020 |
| Accelerator pedal | 10V017, 10V023 | 2008–2010 |
| Steering | 15V144, 23V480, 25V040 | 2015, 2023 |
| Brakes | 16V775, 18V211 | 2016, 2018 |
| Windows and electrical | 12V491, 15V689, 25V595, 25V744 | 2008–2011, 2023 |
| Tires | 17V295, 24V419, 24V452 | 2017, 2021–2023 |
| Body | 23V720 | 2020–2023 |
| Accessories and aftermarket | 09E022, 09E028, 14V743, 16V396, 17V520, 18E107 | various |
| Label corrections | 09V223, 10V035, 10V036, 13V123, 16V420, 17V831, 19V244, 22V310, 24V548 | various |
Every Campaign, Oldest First
| CAMPAIGN | FILED | MODEL YEARS | WHAT IT IS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08V181 | Apr 2008 | 2008 | Third-row seat belt component did not meet occupant protection standard. Dealers install a newly designed seat belt component |
| 10V017 | Jan 2010 | 2010 | Accelerator pedal can operate roughly or stick. Dealers install a reinforcement bar in the pedal |
| 10V023 | Jan 2010 | 2008–2010 | Accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide-open position, trapped by an unsecured floor mat. Dealers modify or replace pedals and modify the floor surface |
| 11V245 | Apr 2011 | 2008 | Curtain shield air bag roll-rate sensors. Dealers replace the air bag sensor assembly |
| 12V491 | Oct 2012 | 2008 | Power window master switch can overheat. Dealers inspect and apply special grease |
| 13V014 | Jan 2013 | 2009–2013 | Occupant detection sensors (passenger air bag). Dealers test sensitivity and replace as needed. Filed by Southeast Toyota |
| 14V051 | Feb 2014 | 2014 | Third-row middle seat belt may not be secured to the floor anchorage. Dealers inspect and secure |
| 14V148 | Mar 2014 | 2013 | Second-row left seat may not lock in place. Dealers modify the seat |
| 14V168 | Apr 2014 | 2008–2010 | Steering column assembly affecting the driver-side frontal air bag. Dealers inspect and repair |
| 14V272 | May 2014 | 2014 | Improper software in the air bag electronic control unit. Dealers install a software update |
| 14V274 | May 2014 | 2014 | Second-row right seat assembly built improperly. Dealers inspect and replace if necessary |
| 14V576 | Sep 2014 | 2014 | Fuel may leak from a fuel delivery pipe. Dealers replace suspect pipes |
| 14V743 | Nov 2014 | 2008–2011 | Dealer-installed seat heaters with copper strand elements. Dealers disconnect the heaters and refund the purchase price. Filed by Southeast Toyota |
| 15V144 | Mar 2015 | 2015 | Electric power steering ECU component. Dealers inspect the serial number and replace as needed |
| 15V689 | Oct 2015 | 2008–2011 | Power window master switch. Dealers inspect and apply lubricant if no abnormality is found |
| 16V396 | Jun 2016 | 2008–2011 | Dealer-installed seat heaters. Dealers disconnect the heaters and refund the purchase price. Filed by Southeast Toyota |
| 16V775 | Oct 2016 | 2016 | Brake fluid level sensor may not be connected to the wire harness. Dealers inspect and connect |
| 17V295 | May 2017 | 2017 | Spare tire pressure. Dealers inspect and adjust pressure |
| 17V520 | Aug 2017 | 2017 | Accessory roof rail cross bars fasteners may not be torqued properly. Dealers torque them |
| 18V211 | Apr 2018 | 2018 | Brake booster vacuum pump oil gallery issue. Dealers replace the pump |
| 18E107 | Nov 2018 | 2014–2018 | Aftermarket replacement windshields with an attached wire harness that water may leak into. Filed by Wanda, not Toyota |
| 20V012 | Jan 2020 | 2018–2019 | Low-pressure fuel pump failure. Dealers replace the fuel pump |
| 20V162 | Mar 2020 | 2020 | 3.5L V6 (2GR-FKS) ECU programming error affecting fuel delivery. Dealers reprogram the ECU |
| 20V633 | Oct 2020 | 2020 | Incorrect seat trim covers can prevent the side air bag from deploying. Dealers replace the covers |
| 20V682 | Nov 2020 | 2017–2019 | Fuel pump assembly. Dealers replace with an improved pump |
| 23V480 | Jul 2023 | 2023 | Steering column spiral cable. Dealers inspect and replace if necessary |
| 23V720 | Oct 2023 | 2020–2023 | Front bumper cover can loosen or detach. Dealers repair or replace the upper and lower covers |
| 23V865 | Dec 2023 | 2020–2021 | Occupant classification sensor. Dealers inspect and replace the sensor as necessary |
| 24V419 | Jun 2024 | 2022–2023 | 20-inch tires with insufficient load rating (Blackout Package) |
| 24V452 | Jun 2024 | 2021–2023 | 20-inch accessory tires with insufficient load rating |
| 25V040 | Jan 2025 | 2023 | Spiral cable that may have been incorrectly repaired under the earlier recall. Dealers inspect and replace |
| 25V595 | Sep 2025 | 2023 | Instrument panel display software. Over-the-air update |
| 25V744 | Oct 2025 | 2023 | Rearview camera may freeze or go blank. Software update |
| 26V128 | Mar 2026 | 2021–2023 | Second-row seat back recliner return springs. Dealers replace the springs. Phased recall |
Nine label-correction campaigns (09V223, 10V035, 10V036, 13V123, 16V420, 17V831, 19V244, 22V310, 24V548) fix tire and capacity labels. Two exhaust tip accessory recalls (09E022, 09E028) cover optional stainless tips on 2008 trucks and replace a clamp.
The Ones That Matter Most When Shopping
The 2010 accelerator pedal recalls. 10V023 covers 2008 to 2010 trucks for a pedal that can be trapped by an unsecured floor mat. The fix is on the pedal and the floor surface. Ask for the service record or run the VIN.
The fuel pump recalls on 2017 to 2020 trucks. 20V012 (2018–2019), 20V682 (2017–2019) and 20V162 (2020 V6 ECU) all involve fuel delivery. Confirm that the pump or ECU work is done on any V6 truck from these years.
Air bag recalls on 2008 to 2014 trucks. 11V245, 13V014 and 14V168 cover curtain air bag sensors, occupant detection sensors and the steering column assembly. If the air bag light is on, check the VIN.
Spiral cable on 2023 trucks. 23V480 and 25V040 are the same issue (spiral cable) twice, because some trucks were incorrectly repaired the first time.
What to Do
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or toyota.com/recall. A recall only applies to trucks Toyota has identified by VIN.
- Call a Toyota dealer for any open recall. Recall repairs are free.
- Ask for repair records when buying used. A closed recall should show on the VIN lookup.
- Check what owners complain about in the complaints by year guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the Toyota Highlander have?
NHTSA lists 45 campaigns across model years 2008 to 2023, including 9 label corrections and 3 accessory or aftermarket recalls.
Which Highlander years have the most recalls?
2008 is the heaviest, with recalls on the seat belt, air bags, accelerator pedal, window switch and seat heaters. The 2014 model year is also busy, with four recalls on seats, air bag software and the fuel delivery pipe.
Did the Highlander have a fuel pump recall?
Yes. 20V012 and 20V682 replace the fuel pump on 2017 to 2019 trucks, and 20V162 reprograms the engine computer on 2020 V6 trucks.
Are Highlander recalls free?
Yes. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer, whatever the mileage.
Related Guides
- Toyota Highlander Complaints by Year: 2008–2023
- Toyota Highlander MPG by Year: 2008–2023
- Toyota Highlander Recalls: Every Recall 2024–2026
- Toyota Highlander Problems: NHTSA Complaints 2024–2026
- Toyota Highlander MPG: Gas and Hybrid 2024–2026
- Toyota Grand Highlander Recalls: Every Recall 2024–2026
- Toyota RAV4 Known Issues: NHTSA Complaints by Year
Sources: NHTSA, recalls by vehicle (Toyota Highlander, model years 2008–2023), queried October 21, 2026.
Keep reading
Toyota Highlander Complaints by Year: 2008–2023
NHTSA holds 4,142 owner complaints on the Toyota Highlander for model years 2008 to 2023. The most complaints are on 2021 (531), 2019 (498) and 2008 (404). The fewest are on 2016 (111), 2009 (134) and 2014 (136). Power train is the most-named component overall (864 mentions), then service brakes (505), electrical system (504) and engine (437). Across all years complaints report 287 crashes, 41 fires, 266 injuries and 4 deaths. Complaint counts are voluntary, unverified and not adjusted for sales, so they point at where to look rather than which year is worst.
Toyota Highlander MPG by Year: 2008–2023
The Toyota Highlander's EPA combined mpg runs from 19 (2008 to 2013 V6 AWD) to 36 (2020 to 2023 Hybrid FWD). The gas V6 improved from 19–20 mpg in 2008 to 23–24 mpg by 2020. The hybrid went from 26 mpg (2008 to 2010) to 28–29 mpg (2011 to 2019) and then jumped to 35–36 mpg with the 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid in 2020. In 2023 the gas truck changed to a 2.4L turbo four rated 24 to 25 mpg. The newer 2024 to 2026 ratings are in the 2024–2026 mpg guide.
Toyota Highlander MPG: Gas and Hybrid 2024–2026
The gas Highlander is rated 24 to 25 mpg combined and the Highlander Hybrid 35 to 36 mpg. The EPA's 2024 front-wheel-drive gas truck is 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined (24 on the other label), the AWD gas truck 21 / 28 / 24, the Hybrid FWD 36 / 35 / 36 and the Hybrid AWD 35 / 35 / 35. Over 15,000 miles at EPA combined, the hybrid AWD burns about 429 gallons against 625 for the gas AWD, a gap of about 196 gallons a year.
Toyota Highlander Problems: NHTSA Complaints 2024–2026
NHTSA holds 53 complaints on the Toyota Highlander for model years 2024 to 2026: 43 for 2024, 10 for 2025 and none for 2026. After a general "other" bucket (15 mentions), the most-named components are service brakes (10), fuel/propulsion system (8), electrical system (7) and engine (6). Six complaints report a crash and six report an injury. None report a fire or a death. Complaints are voluntary and unverified, and the numbers are small, so treat them as a pointer, not a failure rate.