2021 Toyota Highlander engine problems
44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2021 Toyota Highlander — 9% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I own a 2021 Toyota Highlander with approximately 127k miles. The vehicle has developed a noticeable whining/whirring noise during acceleration. The noise appears to originate from the drivetrain/transmission area and has become increasingly noticeable over time. The condition occurs every-time…”
filed Jun 22, 2026
“My vehicle was parked for about an hr 30 min , and it started smoking from dashboard area and immediately went into flames .”
filed Apr 30, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Engine problems in other Highlander years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Highlander | 4 | 10% |
| 2023 Highlander | 27 | 16% |
| 2022 Highlander | 10 | 4% |
| 2020 Highlander | 16 | 5% |
| 2019 Highlander | 69 | 15% |
| 2018 Highlander | 33 | 13% |
| 2017 Highlander | 44 | 17% |
| 2016 Highlander | 9 | 8% |
| 2015 Highlander | 9 | 5% |
| 2014 Highlander | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 Highlander | 31 | 15% |
| 2012 Highlander | 17 | 9% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2021 Toyota Highlander
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.