Everything NHTSA's vPIC database knows about this exact vehicle:
Decoding from NHTSA…
Vehicle history — accidents, title & owners
The decode above is what this vehicle is. For what it's been through — accidents, title brands, odometer, theft/total-loss and previous owners — pull a full history report.
NHTSA publishes the first 11 characters of the VIN with every complaint — that identifies the plant, model year, body and engine. So these are reports from cars built exactly like this one, not an average across the whole model.
5TDEBRCH5MS••••••2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER
This build draws 1.7× more complaints than the average 2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER build (4 vs 2).
4on this build
470on the model
194builds in total
Most reportedFuel/propulsion System 2Engine 1Service Brakes 1Structure 1
What owners of this build wrote
StructureMay 2025
I purchased a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid brand new. This vehicle was manufactured during COVID (production date of 10/2020) with significant mfg defects that have surfaced after several years of ownership. Both the passenger and driver’s side doors have growing cracks/defects…
Service BrakesAug 2024
The vehicle is a hybrid. While traveling downhill at a speed around 35 mph with light brake pressure, the vehicle feels like it lurches forward a second or so before returning to braking. It has occurred since we purchased the vehicle new in 2021. It has happened multiple times…
EngineNov 2021
Advertisement say make 35 mpg Is lie Car make 16 to 24 mpg ave not more than that I decide buy this car for save gas, and spend more that any v6, Toyota still a lot money and fake advertisement, and also the dealer charge $3,000 more of the price because they say there are not…
Fuel/propulsion SystemMar 2021
The 2021 highlander hybrid is not taking more than 10-11gallons per fill up and the distance to empty indicator only states approx. 420miles not the 590-615miles based on the stated 34/35 MPG per toyota on the hybrid model. We have filled the vehicle several times and at…
Owner complaints…
Now the whole model — all 194 builds of it, not just this build. Same NHTSA reports, wider net:
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Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
The original window sticker and factory options
Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
Decoded via NHTSA vPIC. Recalls, complaints and safety from NHTSA; MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Full history reports from our partner. VIN 5TDEBRCH5MS048991 · decoded Aug 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.