2025 Toyota Highlander recalls, problems & safety ratings
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2025 Toyota Highlander and 10 owner complaints. The most-reported problem areas are vehicle speed control (3), service brakes (2), forward collision avoidance (2). It earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating. EPA-rated fuel economy is 24–25 mpg combined, depending on engine.
The 2025 has the fewest owner complaints of any Highlander model year from 2012 to 2025. It has 4 recalls vs. an average of 4.3 per model year.
Recalls 4
Every recall NHTSA lists for the 2025 Toyota Highlander. Not every recall applies to every vehicle, so check your VIN. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
Seats · mid/rear assembly · recliner
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.
Risk: A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 9, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.
Seat belts · rear/other · anchorage
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The third row center seat belt roof anchor may have been installed at an incorrect angle, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant.
Risk: A seat belt that does not properly restrain an occupant increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reinstall the seat belt anchor with a new bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA16.
Back over prevention · display function
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.
Electrical system · instrument cluster/panel
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles. Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.
Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Additional letters will be sent, anticipated in May 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB08 and 25TA08. Lexus' numbers for this recall are 25LB05 and 25LA05.
Common problems
From complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Complaints aren't verified, but patterns across hundreds of owners point to known weak spots.
Most-reported problem areas
By the numbers
Recent owner reports
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while leaving the driveway at the doctor's office on a slope, the accelerator pedal was depressed while making a left turn, but the vehicle failed to move. The vehicle then rolled into traffic. The brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle was slow to respond. The dealer informed the contact that her foot was o…
I was backing up the vechial accelerated the steering wheel was turning rapid & a grinding noise causing me too hit another vechial about a month before my husband was driving & the vechial accelerated going toward also we had had some issues with back camera not doing a warning signal with a object behind vechial when the accident happened my vechial has braking system that st…
[XXX] was turning left onto [XXX] from [XXX]. Two lanes turn left. She was in the inside lane. The traffic light was red, and when it turned green, she started to turn. Partway through the turn, the steering became unresponsive. She couldn't get it to turn left, and she could not complete the turn, and crashed into the pole that holds the traffic signal. She traveled less…
Safety ratings
2025 Toyota HIGHLANDER SUV AWD
2025 Toyota HIGHLANDER SUV FWD
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for common configurations of the 2025 Toyota Highlander.
Highlander
Auto (S8) · 4 cyl · 2.4 L · Turbo · SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start
Regular
Highlander
Auto (S8) · 4 cyl · 2.4 L · Turbo · SIDI & PFI
Regular
Highlander AWD
Auto (S8) · 4 cyl · 2.4 L · Turbo
Regular
Other model years
Questions
How many recalls does the 2025 Toyota Highlander have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2025 Toyota Highlander, most recently for seats · mid/rear assembly · recliner (03/05/2026). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN to check whether a recall applies to your vehicle.
What are the most common problems with the 2025 Toyota Highlander?
Based on 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are vehicle speed control (3), service brakes (2), forward collision avoidance (2).
Is the 2025 Toyota Highlander safe?
The 2025 Toyota Highlander earned a 5-star overall rating in NHTSA's 5-star safety ratings.
Is the 2025 a good year for the Toyota Highlander?
The 2025 has the fewest owner complaints of any Highlander model year from 2012 to 2025. It has 4 recalls vs. an average of 4.3 per model year.
What gas mileage does the 2025 Toyota Highlander get?
EPA ratings for the 2025 Toyota Highlander range from 24 to 25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
Own a 2025 Toyota Highlander in South Carolina?
Our mobile mechanics diagnose and fix the problems above at your home, office or fleet lot in Lexington, Columbia and the Midlands, with dealer-grade scan tools.
Related vehicles
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings APIs; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data retrieved October 21, 2026. NHTSA model names used: HIGHLANDER, Highlander.