2023 Toyota Highlander: Structure complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 35 owner complaints for the 2023 Toyota Highlander that list the structure component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11763629 (filed 09/11/2026): “Rear power lift gate struts continue to malfunction. sometimes works, sometimes partially works. my vehicle currently has 40,000 miles and according to social media and ai this has become a large problem for a large number of people.…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11751353 (filed 07/19/2026): “Tailgate stays open; sensors seem to fail. it will work one day and not work on another day. my wife is short and handicapped and she can’t close it manually.…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11736855 (filed 05/10/2026): “The lift gate will not close, especially during temperatures below 35 degrees. the litigate will go down a few inches, beep, then go back up. in colder temperatures below 25 degrees the lift gate will not open.…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Varies
Depends on the specific failure; get a diagnosis first. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
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Sources
Page last updated .