2021 Toyota Highlander fuel/propulsion system problems
31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the fuel/propulsion system on the 2021 Toyota Highlander — 6% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“On July 25, 2026, while driving my 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at high speeds on the freeway, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of drive power accompanied by a check engine light and a severe hybrid system error warning. The failure occurred without any prior warning or degradation in…”
filed Jul 30, 2026
“This appears to be a fuel pump or something with the fuel issue on a 2021 Toyota Highlander L series. While driving it would stop and switch off at stop lights and stop sign. The codes that come up have to do with fuel being lean. However this also affects the braking system and causes it to be…”
filed Apr 15, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Fuel/propulsion System problems in other Highlander years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Highlander | 4 | 10% |
| 2023 Highlander | 16 | 9% |
| 2022 Highlander | 8 | 4% |
| 2020 Highlander | 18 | 6% |
| 2019 Highlander | 86 | 18% |
| 2018 Highlander | 22 | 9% |
| 2017 Highlander | 28 | 11% |
| 2016 Highlander | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 Highlander | 4 | 2% |
| 2013 Highlander | 12 | 6% |
| 2012 Highlander | 3 | 2% |
| 2011 Highlander | 1 | 1% |
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.