2022 TOYOTA Highlander

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
ℹ️Average Safety Profile

This 2022 model shows average reliability, primarily driven by 4 recalls affecting the tires system.

Key Factor:tires recalls

πŸ“‹Why This Matters

Understanding recall history helps predict future ownership costs. Each unaddressed issue represents potential repair expenses.

Insurance companies review vehicle reliability data when setting premiums. Models with elevated recall rates often see adjusted pricing.

Focus Area:general reliability
πŸ“Š

Expert Analysis

  • πŸ“ˆ
    Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
  • ⚠️
    Primary Risk Area:Acceleration Issues
  • βš–οΈ
    Vs Brand: Worse than avg (1.5)
    πŸ“
    Summary:

Safety & Reliability Score

58/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-32
Complaint Impact-5
Investigation Impact-5

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2022 TOYOTA Highlander

Model Year2022
MakeTOYOTA
ModelHighlander
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Scroll for more β†’
Jan22
NEWProduction
Jan22
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan22
RECALLRecall Issued
Jun22
RECALLRecall Issued
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Sep23
ISSUEFirst Report
Jun24
RECALLRecall Issued

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

18 complaints (18% of total)
➑️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data
βœ…

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 100 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟠High
2(2%)
🟑Medium
23(23%)
🟒Low
75(75%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

βš™οΈEngineering Insight

Based on consumer reports, issues for this vehicle tend to peak around the 60k-80k mileage range. The average reported failure mileage is 45,639 miles.

πŸ“Š Mileage data extracted from 28 of 100 complaints (28% coverage)
0-20k
6 reports (21%)
20k-40k
6 reports (21%)
40k-60k
4 reports (14%)
60k-80k
9 reports (32%)
80k-100k
3 reports (11%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

πŸ› οΈ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

EQUIPMENTSTRUCTURETIRES

Official Safety Recalls (4)

Campaign: 22V310000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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."

Consequence

An illegible label may allow the vehicle to be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Gulf States Toyota, Inc.

Campaign: 23V720000

STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

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.

Consequence

A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Campaign: 24V419000

TIRES

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."

Consequence

Tires with an insufficient load rating may be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Gulf States Toyota, Inc.

Campaign: 24V452000

TIRES

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."

Consequence

Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

NHTSA Investigations

1 investigation

Official NHTSA safety investigations for 2022 Highlander.

INV-2022-1000🟒 Closed

NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Highlander performance issues.

Opened: Affected Units: 53,054

Consumer Complaints

100 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2022 Highlander.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Acceleration Issues18%
Warning16%
Noise10%
Accident9%
Surge6%
Crash/Accident6%
Engine/PowertrainπŸ”΅ Low
POWER TRAIN

early transmission failure and whining at 40,000 miles

Engine/PowertrainπŸ”΅ Low
POWER TRAIN

Car developed a whining noise coming from transmission at 63,000 miles. Known manufacturing defect that will lead to transmission failure. No recall issued and Toyota would not extend warranty. I do not feel safe driving the car pending a transmission failure. Toyota’s solution is to replace the transmission at a cost of $9000.

Engine/PowertrainπŸ”΅ Low
POWER TRAIN

Premature transmission failure

Engine/PowertrainπŸ”΅ Low
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE WHINING FROM 35MPH-45MPH ACCELERATION. Needs to be replaced this is the third vehicle this week the dealership said had the same issue.

Safety SystemsπŸ”΅ Low
AIR BAGS

Vehicle is parked in the sun for over 30 minutes and when the start button is pushed the Air Bag System Malfunction light is on. After restarting the light goes away.

Safety SystemsπŸ”΅ Low
AIR BAGS

When the vehicle is parked in the sun for 30 minutes or more. After pushing the start button, the SRS airbag system malfunction light came on. After restarting the vehicle, the airbag light was out.

ElectricalπŸ”Ά Medium
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,BACK OVER PREVENTION

When starting up the vehicle, the headlight system malfunctioned light came on and a pre-collision system light came on. After shutting it off and restarting the vehicle. The lights were off.

Engine/PowertrainπŸ”΅ Low
POWER TRAIN

Four days ago, engine started making a whining noise when accelerating, especially in lower gears. No warning signs. 2022 Highlander Platinum is 3 years old, 80K miles, out of warranty; no extended warranty purchased due to historical, stellar Toyota reliability. Toyota service department at Toyota dealership today said whining is due to a bearing issue within the transmission (my personal mechanic inspected and said that is also likely) and cannot be repaired. Transmission could last another 10K-20K miles they said, before it becomes undrivable or just drops, causing a potential safety issue. Net, the entire transmission needs to be replaced to the tune of $9186. Just shocking.

Engine/PowertrainπŸ”΅ Low
POWER TRAIN

About 4 weeks a go i started hearing a whining noise from my Highlander. Thinking it was a belt we replaced. Whining continued to get worse only on acceleration. We are at 88,000 miles and it is now at Toyota getting a new transmission. Is there not something that can be done about this? I have read thousands of articles that show the UA 80E/F transmissions that are in the 2021-2022 models are junk. Luckily we bought a Toyota VSA and it is covering it. What about after 100,000 miles. Whats to say after another 80,000 it won't go out again which will cost me the $10,000. When the dealers put new transmissions in these vehicles are they using the same parts for the UA 80 E/F or the upgrade parts that fixed the 2023? If we have a VSA it should extended a year past the 100,000 mile mark because of the issue or they should have to replace them completely to match the 2023 models.

VisibilityπŸ”΅ Low
LANE DEPARTURE,VISIBILITY

See attached document for complaint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any recalls for the 2022 TOYOTA Highlander?

Yes, the 2022 TOYOTA Highlander has 4 recorded recalls from NHTSA. These recalls cover various components including EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS, TIRES.

Is the 2022 TOYOTA Highlander safe to drive?

The 2022 TOYOTA Highlander has 4 recalls. If you own this vehicle, check with your dealer to ensure all recall repairs have been completed. Most recalls have free remedies available.

Where can I check if my 2022 TOYOTA Highlander has open recalls?

You can check for open recalls by visiting NHTSA.gov and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or by contacting your local TOYOTA dealer.

πŸ“ŠYear-over-Year Context

➑️Stable Pattern

Compared to earlier years, the 2022 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Tires

Issue: increases crash or loss-of-control risk

βœ…

If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm tires recalls are complete. Recall repairs are always free.

πŸ”

If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all tires recalls are completed before purchase.

Campaigns:24V41900024V452000
2

Equipment

Issue: increases crash or loss-of-control risk

βœ…

If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm equipment recall is complete. Recall repairs are always free.

πŸ”

If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all equipment recalls are completed before purchase.

Campaign:22V310000
3

Structure

Issue: increases crash or loss-of-control risk

βœ…

If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm structure recall is complete. Recall repairs are always free.

πŸ”

If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all structure recalls are completed before purchase.

Campaign:23V720000
πŸ’‘Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your TOYOTA dealer to verify recall completion status.

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

πŸ”‘

If You Own This Vehicle

  • Verify all 4 recalls have been completed using your VIN at NHTSA.gov or through your TOYOTA dealer.
  • If any recalls are open, schedule service immediatelyβ€”recall repairs are always free.
  • Consider setting up VIN-specific alerts to receive notification of future recalls.
πŸ›’

If You're Buying Used

  • Request documentation proving all recalls were addressed before finalizing purchase.
  • Factor potential recall-related service time into your ownership cost estimates.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: January 10, 2026.