2022 Toyota HIGHLANDER
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2022 Toyota HIGHLANDER has 289 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.6x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is transmission problems (15% of all complaints), specifically: when i'm cruising about 35 mph, let off the gas and decelerate, then give a slight bit of gas, i feel a "bump" in the drive train. it's more like slop in the transmission....sounds like a metal to metal noise...this happens after car is driving more then 30 min or 45 min.. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
289
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
3.6x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
TRANSMISSION
42 complaints- • When I'm cruising about 35 mph, let off the gas and decelerate, then give a slight bit of gas, I feel a "bump" in the drive train. It's more like slop in the transmission....sounds like a metal To metal noise...this happens after car is driving more then 30 min or 45 min.
- • Highlander with approximately 650 miles on it had a transmission failure while on interstate 69 north of Evansville Indiana. The car seemed to shift into passing gear a few times while the cruise was set and we bumped it off cruise and coasted to a stop . The car would not move after we stopped . T
- • While having the eco system on, with the active system present by firmly pressing the brake hard at a stoplight, the light turned green. while taking my foot off the brake and the engine turning back on, attempting to accelerate the transmission would not allow me to get through the intersection tur
“When I'm cruising about 35 mph, let off the gas and decelerate, then give a slight bit of gas, I feel a "bump" in the drive train. It's more like slop in the transmission....sounds like a metal To metal noise...this happens after car is driving more then 30 min or 45 min.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
BODY/STRUCTURE
41 complaints- • When cruising on a highway at around 70MPH my driver side mirror started shaking. The visibility through that mirror is getting worse. The left side mirror is fine no issue with vibration.
- • The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was a whistling sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that suddenly the bumper detached from the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the front valance panel attach
- • The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was a whistling sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that suddenly the bumper detached from the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the front valance panel attach
“When cruising on a highway at around 70MPH my driver side mirror started shaking. The visibility through that mirror is getting worse. The left side mirror is fine no issue with vibration.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
36 complaints- • When driving down interstate, ticking came from above followed by a loud bang. Moon roof busted out and glass shattered out while on interstate.
- • We were driving and heard a loud boom. After the initial shock we saw that the moonroof had shattered.
- • When braking the car will start braking then stop slowing down for 1/2 to 1 second and resume braking. If you have ever braked when hitting an ice patch this is exactly how it feels. The obvious answer was an intermittent braking problem and I was delighted to hear about the recall for the stability
“When driving down interstate, ticking came from above followed by a loud bang. Moon roof busted out and glass shattered out while on interstate.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
BRAKES
35 complaints- • When coming to a stop, intermittently the brakes feel like they disengage for a moment before kicking back in and lunging me forward. The first time it happened I thought my foot has slipped off the brake pedal. When I happened again, I knew something was wrong and started noting when it happens and
- • WHEN PARKED FOR 15 TO 20 MINUTES WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING THEN MOVING FORWARD THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK. ACCORDING TO SAN MARCOS TOYOTA THIS IS NORMAL. SPEED OD VECHILE IS LESS THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR NO BRAKES AND THIS CAUSED A VERY MINOR REAR END COLLUISN. ACCORDING TO SERVICE THE BRAKE BOOSTER SHUTS 0
- • The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH and attempting to accelerate to enter the highway, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle responded sluggishly. The vehicle emitted abnormal sounds as though the transmission was in neutral. The
“When coming to a stop, intermittently the brakes feel like they disengage for a moment before kicking back in and lunging me forward. The first time it happened I thought my foot has slipped off the brake pedal. When I happened again, I knew something was wrong and started noting when it happens and”
— NHTSA complaint filing
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS
32 complaints- • When braking, and going down a slight grade, and when there is a slight bump in the road, the brakes seem to cut out for a second or surge. This will only last for a second and then the brakes will engage again. This could cause an accident if the car in front of me stops suddenly. On the lane dep
- • While driving on the highway the entire dashboard warning system came on all the ADAS and messages saying braking failure to loss of control. This vehicle is not even three months old and is a platinum AWD vehicle fully loaded version. Toyota Dealership never mentions or stated this vehicle had a
- • The system designed to prevent lane departure has a particular issue with the dashed road markings that denote the entrance to tapered deceleration lanes or right-hand exit ramps on Oregon freeways. I have not noticed an issue when similar markings are on the driver's side. In particular, the in se
“When braking, and going down a slight grade, and when there is a slight bump in the road, the brakes seem to cut out for a second or surge. This will only last for a second and then the brakes will engage again. This could cause an accident if the car in front of me stops suddenly. On the lane dep”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 289 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: When I'm cruising about 35 mph, let off the gas and decelerate, then give a slight bit of gas, I feel a "bump" in the drive train. It's more like slop in the transmission....sounds like a metal To metal noise...this happens after car is driving more then 30 min or 45 min.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BODY/STRUCTURE: When cruising on a highway at around 70MPH my driver side mirror started shaking. The visibility through that mirror is getting worse. The left side mirror is fine no issue with vibration.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: When driving down interstate, ticking came from above followed by a loud bang. Moon roof busted out and glass shattered out while on interstate.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: When coming to a stop, intermittently the brakes feel like they disengage for a moment before kicking back in and lunging me forward. The first time it happened I thought my foot has slipped off the brake pedal. When I happened again, I knew something was wrong and started noting when it happens and
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Toyota HIGHLANDER — Year Comparison
How does 2022 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 289
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 20
- Injury reports
- 16
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2022 Toyota HIGHLANDER