2023 Toyota Highlander Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 09/08/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 177 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2023 Toyota Highlander overview page.
What owners report
“Acceleration Issues, engine lag, poor response time and bucking when accelerated is pressed. Dangerous to drive not enough power to merge with traffic and hesitates…”NHTSA complaint 11623355 — filed 11/03/2024
“On 10/21 the vehicle accelerated on its own. At a stoplight behind another automobile, when I only slightly lifted my foot from the brake, the…”NHTSA complaint 11623015 — filed 10/31/2024
“From a stop or slow roll (0-10 mph), significant hesitation is experienced after pushing the gas. The engine will not respond for a few moments…”NHTSA complaint 11608712 — filed 08/15/2024
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2023 Toyota Highlander have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2023 Toyota Highlander: 20 of 177 complaints on file (11.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2023 Toyota Highlander have in total?
177 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 09/08/2026. Across all categories, 12 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, 12 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
