Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 11/01/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Power Train (26.6% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Power Train complaints here are 3.1× the median for that category across the 2409 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 73 · 26.6% | No official action | — |
| Service Brakes | 53 · 19.3% | Recalled | Recall 18V211000 |
| Engine | 36 · 13.1% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 24 · 8.8% | Recalled | Recall 18E107000 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 22 · 8% | Recalled | Recall 20V682000 · Recall 20V012000 |
| Air Bags | 19 · 6.9% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 274 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 20V682000 · 2020 · reported 11/04/2020
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 20V012000 · 2020 · reported 01/13/2020
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 18E107000 · 2018 · reported 11/27/2018
The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 17V831000 · 2017 · reported 12/20/2017
An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 18V211000 · 2018 · reported 04/03/2018
A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“AS OF THIS DATE, MY 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS DELAYED ACCELERATION, HESITATION, JERKING, LURCHING, ERRATIC THROTTLE RESPONSES, ETC. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THIS HAS…”NHTSA complaint 11360211 — filed 09/21/2020 · POWER TRAIN
“STEERING WHEEL LEATHER IS PEELING AND CAUSING ISSUES WITH GRIP. HAVE A 5 YEAR OLD AND FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING OUR HIGHLANDER WITH 20K ON…”NHTSA complaint 11242252 — filed 08/07/2019 · POWER TRAIN
“APON ACCESLARATION , CAR HESITATE FOR A FEW SECOND, RPM GOES TO 5000 UNTIL VEHICLE SLOWLY START TO MOVE. FEELS LIKEW THER IS NO PROPER…”NHTSA complaint 11210159 — filed 05/27/2019 · POWER TRAIN
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 73 of 274 NHTSA complaints (26.6%), followed by service brakes (53), unspecified/other issues (46), engine (36). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
274 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 11/01/2026. Of those, 23 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 25 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 20V682000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
