Engine
2.7L 4-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 110 of 111 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 65 of 111 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Brakes
19 complaint records7 crash reports
"brakes did not work in January 13, 2023 when backing out of driveway. Have had numerous dealership look at it multiple times in last 4 years...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse brakes parts in the directory →
Electrical system
14 complaint records1 fire report1 crash report
"THE LIFTGATE HIT MY 73 YEAR OLD MOTHER IN THE HEAD KNOCKING HER BACKWARDS WITHOUT ANY SAFETY FEATURE STOPPING OR REVERSING THE DOOR AS IT CLOSED...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Engine & cooling
10 complaint records
"WHISTLING/SQUEAKING NOISE FROM ENGINE WHEN TURNED OFF AFTER DRIVING. TOOK A VIDEO AND SHOWED DEALER WHO THOUGHT IT WAS UNUSUAL BUT NO DIAGNOSIS ON MULTIPLE VISITS...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16V775000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Highlander vehicles manufactured May 26, 2016, to September 16, 2016. | Normally free |
| 16V420000 | Equipment | Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Camry and Highlander, 2015-2016 Toyota Tundra, Scion FR-S, and tC vehicles. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021723 2021-11-24 | Electrical | 55,683 | Issue: This recall is for certain block heater kits installed on certain vehicles or sold as accessories at Toyota or Lexus dealerships. |
| 2019428 2019-08-23 | Accessories | 327,373 | Issue: On certain vehicles, the hook and loop material used to attach the carpet to its underpadding may not be flame resistant. As a result, when it is tested alone, the loop fasteners do not meet the requirements of Canadian regulations. |
| 2017363 2017-07-20 | Electrical | 39,189 | On certain vehicles, the electrical power cords of some dealer installed block heaters may have been improperly manufactured, causing the wires to contact each other, resulting in a short circuit. |
| 2016518 2016-10-21 | Brakes | 601 | Certain vehicles may not comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 135 – Light Vehicle Brake Systems. The brake fluid level sensor may not have been connected during the manufacturing process. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 Jan 2026 | 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. | |
| T-TT-0790-25 Aug 2025 | Electrical System | Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free. This is caused by the phone Hands Free volume being too low. | |
| T-SB-0058-23 Rev1 Jun 2025 | SERVICE CAMPAIGN | Electrical System | The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks. |
| T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 Dec 2024 | Structure | Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. | |
| T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 Dec 2024 | Structure | To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. |
Show 55 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 Dec 2024 | Structure | The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. | |
| T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 Dec 2024 | Structure | Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. | |
| T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 Dec 2024 | Structure | Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. | |
| T-SB-0055-24 Rev1 Jul 2024 | Structure | Some 2005 – 2024 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. | |
| T-SB-0035-24 Rev1 Jul 2024 | Structure | Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. | |
| T-SB-0038-24 Rev1 Jul 2024 | Structure | To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. | |
| T-SB-0039-24 Rev1 Jul 2024 | Structure | The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. | |
| T-SB-0055-24 Jun 2024 | Structure | Some 2005 – 2024 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. | |
| T-SB-0103-20 Rev1 Jun 2024 | Engine | This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles. | |
| T-SB-0061-23 Rev1 May 2024 | Structure | Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. | |
| T-SB-0062-23 Rev1 May 2024 | Structure | Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. | |
| T-SB-0035-24 Apr 2024 | Structure | Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. | |
| T-SB-0038-24 Apr 2024 | Structure | To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. | |
| T-PANT-2024-004- Mar 2024 | Engine And Engine Cooling | This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) website. | |
| T-SB-0043-14 Jan 2024 | Equipment | OBSOLETE NOTICE January 22, 2024: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0057-18. | |
| TSB005823 Aug 2023 | Visibility | TSB: The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. Follow the procedures outlined in this service bulletin to aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks | |
| TSB003220 Aug 2023 | Vehicle Speed Control | TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? | |
| T-SB-0057-18 May 2023 | Electrical System | TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased. | |
| ZKG_Dealer_Lette Dec 2022 | Structure | DL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors. | |
| Z2G_Dealer_Lette Dec 2022 | Structure | DL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors. | |
| Z3G_Dealer_Lette Dec 2022 | Structure | DL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors. | |
| T-SB-0094-21 Rev Nov 2022 | Air Bags | TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. | |
| ZKG_Dealer_Lette Nov 2022 | Structure | DL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors. | |
| Z2G_Dealer_Lette Nov 2022 | Structure | DL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors. | |
| Z3G_Dealer_Lette Nov 2022 | Structure | DL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors. | |
| Z3G_Paint_Repair Nov 2022 | Structure | CSP: Customer Support Program ZKG ? Paint Repair Process | |
| Z3G_Technical_In Nov 2022 | Structure | TI: TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS Customer Support Program ZKG Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint | |
| TSB001221Rev2 Jun 2022 | Structure | TSB: Some 2010 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?. | |
| TSB004522Rev1 Jun 2022 | Electrical System | TSB: Some 2016 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 01013E), Entune? Audio Plus (version 010156 or 01015C), or Entune? | |
| TSB009421Rev1 May 2022 | Equipment | TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. | |
| Support Program May 2022 | Structure | DL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors. | |
| TSB000320 May 2022 | Equipment | OBSOLETE NOTICE May 02, 2022: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0045-22 | |
| T-SB-0045-22 Apr 2022 | Equipment | Some 2016 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 01013E), Entune? Audio Plus (version 010156 or 01015C), or Entune? | |
| ZKG_Paint_Repair Apr 2022 | Equipment | CSP: Customer Support Program ZKG - Paint Repair Process Operation Flow Chart | |
| ZKG_Technical_In Apr 2022 | Structure | TI: Technical Instructions Customer Support Program ZKG Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint | |
| ZKG_Dealer_Lette Apr 2022 | Equipment | DL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors. | |
| ZKG_Dealer_Daily Apr 2022 | Equipment | DD: Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint Toyota has added approximately 430,700 2008 ? | |
| TTT063620 Mar 2022 | Service Brakes | TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions | |
| T-SB-0012-21 Rev Feb 2022 | Seats | TSB: Some 2010 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?. | |
| T-SB-0003-22 Jan 2022 | Electrical System | TSB This Service Bulletin includes guidelines meant to help determine whether to repair or replace a wire harness assembly based on damage type. | |
| Toyota PRO19-02 Jan 2022 | Wheels | POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. | |
| T-SB-0094-21 Nov 2021 | Structure | TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. | |
| T-TT-0600-20 Rev Nov 2021 | Equipment | TT: Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free. This is caused by the phone Hands Free volume being too low. | |
| T-SB-0088-21 Oct 2021 | Back Over Prevention | TSB: For proper calibration of the millimeter wave radar sensor, the vehicle and radar target must be on a level surface with a consistent plane. | |
| T-TT-0578-19 Rev Oct 2021 | Equipment | TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. | |
| T-SB-0080-19 Rev Jul 2021 | Equipment | TSB: Some 2006 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles in particular geographic areas may exhibit a condition where the HVAC evaporator drain hose has become obstructed with an insect nest. | |
| T-TT-0659-21 Rev Jul 2021 | Power Train | TT: Some 2014-2021 model year vehicles equipped with Dynamic Torque Control AWD system may experience a ?Noise? or ?Abnormal Operation? condition from the rear differential front coupling. In some cases, even an ?AWD System Message? | |
| Toyota PRO21-UFR May 2021 | Equipment | UPDATES TO THE 2014-2021 TOYOTA UNIVERSAL FLAT RATE MANUAL | |
| T-SB-0044-16 Obs Mar 2021 | Equipment | OBSOLETE NOTICE March 08, 2021: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0012-21. | |
| Toyota Safety Re Mar 2021 | Air Bags | Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements | |
| T-TT-0636-20 Rev Mar 2021 | Back Over Prevention | TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions. | |
| T-SB-0012-21 Mar 2021 | Seats | TSB: Some 2010 ? 2021 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?. | |
| T-SB-0003-20 Rev Feb 2021 | Electrical System | TSB: Some 2016 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 01013E), Entune? Audio Plus (version 010156 or 01015C), or Entune? | |
| T-SB-0032-20 Rev Feb 2021 | Equipment | TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? | |
| T-TT-0636-20 Dec 2020 | Service Brakes | TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions. |
Showing 60 of 218 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 2 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Toyota Highlander →