2022 Toyota Highlander Problems & Recalls
Comprehensive defect analysis based on official US Federal safety databases.
2022 Toyota Highlander Top Failure Categories
Distribution of driver complaints across vehicle components according to federal taxonomy.
Official Safety Recalls for 2022 Toyota Highlander (5)
Defect Summary: Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022 4Runner, Tacoma, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification labels may not be permanent and can fade, becoming illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Safety Hazard: An illegible label may allow the vehicle to be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Free Remedy: GST will notify owners by mail, including a replacement load carrying capacity modification label for their vehicle and detailed replacement instructions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 22R1.
Defect Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.
Safety Hazard: A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Free Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 22, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.
Defect Summary: Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022-2024 model year Highlander L and Highlander LE vehicles equipped with the Blackout Package that includes 20" black alloy wheels and tires. The installed tires have an insufficient load rating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Safety Hazard: Tires with an insufficient load rating may be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Free Remedy: GST will inspect and replace the tires as necessary, and install a new tire information label as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R1.
Defect Summary: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander vehicles. The 20-inch accessory tires with an insufficient load rating for the vehicle's Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) were installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Safety Hazard: Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Free Remedy: SET will inspect and replace the tires and information placard, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2024. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET24A.
Defect Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.
Safety Hazard: A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Free Remedy: Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 9, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.
Verified NHTSA Owner Complaints
Excerpts of actual incident reports submitted to the federal Office of Defects Investigation (ODI).
"Headlight system malfunction, pre-collision system malfunction, LTA malfunction, SRS airbag system malfunction and SRS malfunction lights came on after start up."
"On October 22, 2026 at 7:55pm I was slowly pulling into a parking spot at our community building applying the brake when the engine started rapidly accelerating causing the car to jump over the curbing even as I continued to press on the brake pedal. I wasn’t able to stop the vehicle before it crashed into the community building wall. The engine wa..."
"The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that the transmission was shuddering however, the vehicle was able to be driven to the residence. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure...."
"Accident where Toyota Highlander was struck on the front driver’s side and airbags did not deploy. Driver and passenger were injured. Driver was hospitalized. Need to have car inspected before destruction."
"The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brakes failed to respond causing the braking distances to be extended. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had occurred on several occasions almost causing a crash. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasi..."