2024 Toyota HIGHLANDER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2024 Toyota HIGHLANDER has 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is other problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: driving the interstate at 75 mph, my sunroof spontaneously shattered covering us with shards of glass. toyota dealership and insurance said a rock must have hit but there were no other vehicles near us. was not covered under warranty, so insurance adjuster approved new sunroof install and repaint .

9 crash reports 7 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

OTHER

13 complaints

24%

• Driving the interstate at 75 mph, my sunroof spontaneously shattered covering us with shards of glass. Toyota dealership and insurance said a rock must have hit but there were no other vehicles near us. Was not covered under warranty, so insurance adjuster approved new sunroof install and repaint
• I was in the drive thru at a fast food restaurant and after I placed my order I was about 5 cars from the pay window. As I went forward where there was a curve I stopped and then when the car in front of me moved forward to the pay window I let up on the brake and accelated slowly. When I put my f
• I was driving on the highway when I heard a very loud bang. I felt like the car had been hit by something and immediately looked for a large truck around me. With such a loud noise I figured something that loud had to be kicked up by something large. No trucks were around me of any size. Just a few

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“Driving the interstate at 75 mph, my sunroof spontaneously shattered covering us with shards of glass. Toyota dealership and insurance said a rock must have hit but there were no other vehicles near us. Was not covered under warranty, so insurance adjuster approved new sunroof install and repaint ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

8 complaints

15%

• I was in the drive thru at a fast food restaurant and after I placed my order I was about 5 cars from the pay window. As I went forward where there was a curve I stopped and then when the car in front of me moved forward to the pay window I let up on the brake and accelated slowly. When I put my f
• My car was parked in the driveway with the engine running. The engine was then turned off from outside the vehicle using the start/stop button. Once the engine stopped, the car moved backward down the sloped driveway and struck a pickup truck that was parallel parked on the street. I then entered t
• Brakes do not engage sometimes until brake is almost to floor. This has happened to the 3 people who have driven it and almost caused an accident. In fact the warning flashes on dashboard. Brakes have almost failed and yes, it is available upon request. Our safety was at risk because all 3 of us a

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“I was in the drive thru at a fast food restaurant and after I placed my order I was about 5 cars from the pay window. As I went forward where there was a curve I stopped and then when the car in front of me moved forward to the pay window I let up on the brake and accelated slowly. When I put my f”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

6 complaints

11%

• My car has integrated CarPlay installed for mapping. When used wirelessly with all mapping services (Apple Maps, Waze, Goole Maps) my car will appear in fields, the wrong streets, in houses. I will be given directions to turn on streets that are not where I physically am. First I worked with Apple
• >While exiting a highway my vehicle surged forward crashing into the vehicle in front of me.Engaging the brake, my car smashed into the van again. I had no control over the forward momentum of the car. >Both the driver & I were in danger of injury >The problem has not been addressed as my damaged ca
• On or about Oct, 3rd, 2025 , my vehicle experienced the 'Check Engine' light and all the warning lights lit up, the hybrid system failed to engage, the vehicle would say “park somewhere safe /take to dealer” . I immediately took the vehicle to the authorized Toyota dealership, Wonderies Toyota Alh

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“My car has integrated CarPlay installed for mapping. When used wirelessly with all mapping services (Apple Maps, Waze, Goole Maps) my car will appear in fields, the wrong streets, in houses. I will be given directions to turn on streets that are not where I physically am. First I worked with Apple”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

5 complaints

• The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle's cabin coming from the rear of the vehicle near the fuel tank. No warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vent valve remained open
• Strong smell of fuel after a hot day. This is a new vehicle purchased new on 2024. No warning lights On dashboard. After reading a few threads about the same situation on newer highlanders it seems like it's being ignored.
• What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? THE CAR SMELLS OF GASOLINE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. THE SMELL TRAVELS IN THE CAR AND MAKES ME SMELL LIKE GAS AND ALSO THROUGH THE AIRV ENTS WHEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE. I DO NOT OVERFILL THE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle's cabin coming from the rear of the vehicle near the fuel tank. No warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vent valve remained open ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

5 complaints

• My driver side rear door handle comes off when I open the door. I am having the dealership look into this on 8/28/2025.
• My driver side rear door handle comes off when I open the door. I am having the dealership look into this on 8/28/2025.
• UNKNOWN - 2024 Toyota Highlander makes a drumming or hooting sound when driving over normal to slightly rough roads. It is not related to expansion joints in the road. 1st dealer said it was a rt. wheel bearing, changed it and it did not work. He then said it was in all Toyota's with 20" wheels. I

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“My driver side rear door handle comes off when I open the door. I am having the dealership look into this on 8/28/2025.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 54 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: Driving the interstate at 75 mph, my sunroof spontaneously shattered covering us with shards of glass. Toyota dealership and insurance said a rock must have hit but there were no other vehicles near us. Was not covered under warranty, so insurance adjuster approved new sunroof install and repaint
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: I was in the drive thru at a fast food restaurant and after I placed my order I was about 5 cars from the pay window. As I went forward where there was a curve I stopped and then when the car in front of me moved forward to the pay window I let up on the brake and accelated slowly. When I put my f
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: My car has integrated CarPlay installed for mapping. When used wirelessly with all mapping services (Apple Maps, Waze, Goole Maps) my car will appear in fields, the wrong streets, in houses. I will be given directions to turn on streets that are not where I physically am. First I worked with Apple
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle's cabin coming from the rear of the vehicle near the fuel tank. No warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vent valve remained open
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)