ToyotaHighlander2021Overview/toyota/highlander/2021/base/

2021 Toyota Highlander

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Highlander.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 Toyota Highlander pairs an eight-speed automatic transmission with a powertrain that requires 4.8 quarts of 0W-16 oil and delivers EPA-estimated fuel economy of 20 city, 28 highway, and 23 combined mpg. Owner-reported complaints for the model year total 475, the highest count recorded across the 1997‑2026 history of the Highlander, and the power train emerges as the top complaint area. Four recalls were issued for the 2021 Highlander, underscoring the breadth of issues reported. As the peak complaint year in the model's nearly three-decade record, the 2021 Highlander represents a distinct reliability low point that researchers should weigh heavily when evaluating this generation.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-16OEM · verified
Lug nut torque76.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/28/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Battery is vented to outside of the vehicle: 47 · 345 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZN1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Battery is vented to outside of the vehicle: 47 · 345 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnRELAYOEM · verified
Tire size235/65R18 106VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1 alt 9030179006
Engine air filter17801F0050 alt 17801F0020
Spark plug9091901289 alt 9091901263
Front wiper blades852220E090 alt 852120E090
Serpentine belt90916A2026
Thermostat1632631050 alt 1632647020
Cabin air filter8713958010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length194.9 in
Overall width76 in
Overall height68.1 in
Wheelbase112.2 in
Curb weight4123 lb
Track (front / rear)65.4 / 65.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 28 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Highlander of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.8–6.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.80 sec — 2021 XLE
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021XLE 3.5L V66.80 sec15.30 sec295 hpAWD
2021XSE 3.5L V66.80 sec15.40 sec295 hpAWD
2021XSE 3.5L V66.90 sec15.40 sec295 hpAWD
2020Platinum 3.5L V66.70 sec15.30 sec295 hpAWD
2020XLE 3.5L V67.20 sec15.60 sec295 hpAWD
2020Hybrid Platinum 2.5L I-4 + Elec7.30 sec16.00 sec243 hpAWD
2020Platinum 3.5L V67.40 sec15.70 sec295 hpAWD
2020Hybrid Platinum 2.5L I-4 + Elec8.40 sec16.30 sec243 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 0W-16 engine oil, Toyota Genuine Differential Gear Oil LX in the differential, SAE J1703 · Dot 3 · SAE J1704 · Dot 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 76.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.5 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid CapacityP810
Brake FluidSAE J1703 · Dot 3 · SAE J1704 · Dot 4
Differential Gear OilToyota Genuine Differential Gear Oil LX
Engine CoolantToyota Super Long Life Coolant
Engine CoolantToyota Super Long Life Coolant

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.5 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs12.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts192.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)32.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)15.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts76.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain PlugP810: 37.0; Q610: 29.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)1,000 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)±50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 Transaxle in Park or Neutral rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)±50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug TypeFK20HBR8
Spark Plug GapNew: 0.0276-0.0315 in.; Used: 0.0433 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.91-2.05 lbs
Oil TypeND-11 or equivalent
RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.96-2.09 lbs
Oil TypeND-12 or equivalent
Standard BCI Cranking Performance345 cca
Standard BCI Group Number48

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure MinimumStandard: 43.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure MaximumStandard: 121.0 psi
Residual Pressure14.2
Fuel Pump Pressure MinimumStandard: 28.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure MaximumStandard: 121.0 psi
Residual Pressure14.2
Engine Compression102
Engine Compression152

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.0394; Rear: 0.0394 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 127 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°18 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Step 128 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
166.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 90°66 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
145.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°45 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Hybrid Battery Compartment Air Filter (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miBrake Vacuum Pump (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander recorded 475 complaints and 4 recalls, marking the highest volume of complaints of any year in the provided federal record. This represents a sharp increase over the 2020 model year's 298 complaints, followed by a significant drop to 223 complaints in 2022. The most frequent complaint areas for 2021 were the power train (170), service brakes (41), and structure (34), although the data does not specify the root causes. While recall numbers have remained relatively consistent across the recent generation, the 2021 model year stands as a peak in the complaint trend, including 16 crash and 3 fire complaints. Because this year exhibits the highest level of reported issues in the dataset, it is not a recommended year to buy.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
180
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
475
Owner complaints
16 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 475 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train170
Service Brakes41
Unknown Or Other36
Structure34
Air Bags28
Fuel/Propulsion System22
Engine14
Power Train,Engine8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

23V720000Structure:Body:BumpersReported 26/10/2023

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… 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…

23V865000Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant ClassificationReported 20/12/2023

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna… Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 180 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0040-24 Rev12026-06-25StructureSome 2020 – 2026 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a water…
T-SB-0021-262026-03-18Electrical SystemSome 2020 – 2024 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a…
T-SB-0106-22 Rev22026-01-30Electrical SystemOBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
T-SB-0001-262026-01-28Electrical SystemSome 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic…
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Highlander. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Highlander take?

4.8 qt of 0W-16, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Highlander have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Highlander get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined mpg.