The Toyota Highlander is one of the most reliable 4WD SUVs on the market. While it has seen a few different generations since its debut, there is no doubt that it delivers on its price, no matter the model.
However, some model years are more problematic than others. And no, this does not mean you will end up with a lemon. But you are still better off picking some model years over others. So keep reading to learn the best model years and the Toyota Highlander hybrid years to avoid.
Best Toyota Highlander model years and trims
Below is a comprehensive list of the Toyota Highlander’s reliability by year;
2001 Toyota Highlander
Despite being the first-generation model, the 2001 Toyota Highlander is held in high regard. However, this model only came in 2 trims and was a basic five-seat capacity SUV. This model tried to sell itself as an SUV, minivan, and passenger car hybrid.
However, it managed to deliver the positives of all cars without falling into any major problems or issues. The car’s mileage is great, and the engine can push out 220 horsepower with ease.
2006 Toyota Highlander
Before the success of the 2007 Highlander, the previous model, the 2006 Toyota Highlander, was also making waves in the SUV industry. This model of the Highlander came with slight design changes to the license plate garnish, grille, and a new integrated bumper. Its offering laid the foundation of the 2007 model by also offering three trims with hybrid models and available AWD.
Other notable features included the V6 and 4-cylinder options. This was all packaged into a five-passenger capacity vehicle with a decent amount of cargo space for its seating capacity. It is easy to drive, comfortable to ride in, and handles like a beauty making it one of the top cars on this list.
2007 Toyota Highlander
Despite nearing a decade since its debut as the last model of the first generation, the 2007 Toyota Highlander is regarded as one of the best Highlander models on the market. This is because it has seen the errors of its previous models and has improved upon them.
The seven-seat capacity was well received along with the available AWD and hybrid model. In addition, the car came in 3 different trims and featured the choice between a V6 or a 4-cylinder engine. It has a huge amount of cargo space, 2 cup holders on each rear door, and an optional touch screen navigation system that is easy to use and understand.
2017 Toyota Highlander
The 2017 Toyota Highlander debuted in the middle of the 3rd generation of the lineup, and it established the remaining generation, with future models following the trend this model would set up.
This is yet another eight-seater SUV with excellent handling and respectable gas mileage, which is all possible due to the V6 engine being used by the car. However, the car’s interior is what truly makes this product shine. The car’s cabin is roomy and well built. And it stays consistent in the first and second rows of the car.
The dashboard also features many convenient buttons and a device tray. There is also a huge storage space between the front seats.
2018 Toyota Highlander
While it would not surpass the 2019 model or its predecessor, the 2018 Toyota Highlander was still a great car in its own right, especially when compared to its competitors. Despite no major changes from the previous model, the car is still worthy of being on this list and features unmatched quality and safety.
In addition, it offers the same quality interior as the models before and after and features the powered, length adjusting cushion for the driver seat. The driving and handling are also top tiers as the product features automatic emergency braking systems, which will keep you protected and secure in case of sudden brakes.
2019 Toyota Highlander
The 2019 Toyota Highlander is another great 3-row SUV that has a seating capacity of 8 passengers. As I mentioned above, the models after 2017 would follow a similar trend. That holds with the 2019 Highlander, which features another great quality interior that stays consistent throughout the first and second rows of the car.
This model also features enhanced storage space between the first two seats and has great cargo storage overall. In addition, the interior allows for comfortability since the vehicle features a powered, length adjustable cushion seat for the driver, which is a positive.
2020 Toyota Highlander
The 2020 Toyota Highlander started the 4th and latest lineup generation and knocked its debut right out of the park. This model flaunts a new array of technology and quality unmatched by its competitors. The model’s new design featured five trims and, across them, used high-end technologies.
The car also featured a luxurious cabin that could easily rival its competitors on the market. In addition, this 4th generation also featured an overhaul of the cargo system, which was complained about in previous models, and improved upon it quite a bit. The powerful dual-engine pushes 295 horsepower and provides the car with smooth and sufficient revving power.
2021 Toyota Highlander
Unlike the previous model on my list, if you are looking for something modern and want the latest and advanced, then the 2021 Toyota Highlander is perfect. Being fairly new on the market, it has not faced major criticism.
However, it has provided many more upgrades than its predecessors. Chief among them being the additional seat which has made the passenger count rise to 8. This is complemented by the car’s smooth V6 engine, high-quality interior, and massive cargo storage capacity, making it an overall great model for the Highlander. The technology used in the car is also up to date and completely advanced, which is a great plus.
Worst Toyota Highlander years to avoid
Here are the main Toyota Highlander years to avoid;
2003 Toyota Highlander
The 2003 Toyota Highlander holds the record for having the most problems. Out of all the models that have ever been released. There were problems with pretty much every aspect of the vehicle. Users faced major engine and interior problems.
Some reports even state that the engine light came on within a week of purchasing the car. In addition, there were problems like extensive fuel consumption and oil leakage, and the engine also made a lot of noise while driving. Other than that, there were many interior problems with the vehicle.
Add together the brake failures, cooling system problems, air conditioning problems, transmission problems, and even paint problems, and you get the abomination that was the 2003 model of the Toyota Highlander.
2005 Toyota Highlander
Although the 2005 model of the Toyota Highlander was a step up from the 2003 model, it still had a lot of issues that were left unaddressed. Things like excessive fuel consumption were addressed, which was a step up. However, there were still some major problems in the vehicle.
This model still faced oil leakage problems. This means that the money you would have to spend on regular oil changes was still too high. Due to this frequent oil change, this model also faced the problem of sludge buildup in the car’s engine. This was another thing that you had to spend money on getting fixed.
2008 Toyota Highlander
After a few years of producing some good models, Toyota dropped the ball again with 2008’s model of the Toyota Highlander. Although the number of problems was fewer than in the previous models, the model did receive quite a high number of complaints.
Most of these were related to the engine light going off despite properly maintaining the engine. This problem was because of the car’s oxygen sensor component failure. This component does not necessarily need to be replaced as it does not pose any major threat. However, it may hide a potential major problem in the engine.
This problem could also, in some cases, cause the engine to misfire. Along with that, it was also a rather expensive piece of equipment to replace in your vehicle.
2010 Toyota Highlander
Ever heard the saying “there is nothing new under the sun”? Unfortunately, the 2010 model of the Toyota Highlander is perfectly analogous to this phrase when it comes to the kind of problems it had. Mostly because the problem this model showed was already there in some previous models. This model had some serious oil leakage problems.
This led to the loss of oil pressure requiring much more frequent oil change sessions than you would normally expect from a vehicle of this size. That, in turn, led to sludge buildup in the engine. Other than that, the ignition coil would usually fail at around 100,000 miles of usage. So, again, adding another problem to the list of repairs you were looking at.
2012 Toyota Highlander
The 2012 model of the Toyota Highlander was an improvement from some of the previous models in terms of problems. However, some problems remained. And some new ones are seen in this vehicle for the first time in a long time.
This model had similar oil leaking issues as its predecessors. However, they were not as extreme as them. The one new problem faced by users of the 2012 model was the problem with steering the vehicle. Some reported that the car was unbalanced since they bought it. This added serious steering problems and suspension problems to the vehicle as well.
Since getting your car repaired right after you bought it is not something people look forward to, these problems are left and usually end up causing more problems in the future.
2013 Toyota Highlander
2013’s model of the Toyota Highlander and a few years following were met with heavy criticism because of the large number of problems they faced. The vehicle faced a large number of complaints due to these problems.
One of the major ones was the problem with the vehicle’s body and paint. Most of the complaints about this problem were about bubbling in the paint. This problem is usually caused by using low-quality paint.
Along with that, the model also faced problems with the air conditioning and heating. Also, there have been several complaints regarding the transmission of this year’s model, which can cost a lot to get repaired or replaced.
2014 Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander model released in 2014 faced more problems than its predecessor. As a result, the vehicle felt like a step down from the 2013 model. This is because not only did the problems from that model carry over, but this model brought even more problems with it.
Along with the air conditioning/heating and the transmission problems, this model had several problems with its interior. The vehicle’s entertainment system did not work properly and had poor reception on the radio. In addition, the seats were not well designed and were made with poor material, which made them uncomfortable.
After a long usage time, the driver or other passengers have reported having experienced back pains because of these seats.
2015 Toyota Highlander
The 2015 model of the Toyota Highlander is known for being the model that received the largest number of complaints. Most of these complaints were about the same issues from previous years, and users grew frustrated with major problems not being looked into.
This model had much the same problems with the vehicle’s interior, including the uncomfortably designed seats. It also had similar paint bubbling and flaking problems as the 2013 model and the air conditioning and heating problems as the 2014 model.
In a sense, this model took the worst from its predecessors and did not fix them as it should have, which explains the high number of complaints that this model received.
Common Issues with The Toyota Highlander
Here are some of the most common problems with Toyota highlanders;
Engine Bolts Becoming Stripped
This can be a severe problem, especially if you don’t catch the issue early. Unfortunately, the most common first sign that your engine bolts are stripped is coolant leakage and overheated engines.
The bolts can be replaced and the bolt holes re-drilled when needed, but only if overheating hasn’t already caused other damage to your engine. Unfortunately, a total engine replacement was the only solution for many people who encountered this issue.
This problem is most common around 130k miles but can recur after the first time it’s happened.
Engine Failure
Engine failure, more generally, is also one of the more significant issues with Toyota Highlanders. Those failures are probably related to the engine bolts being stripped and causing overheating issues, but other problems can also lead to engine failure.
That combination means that you’re more likely to need to replace your engine if you buy a Toyota Highlander from one of their problem years. Since engine failure is a problem only some car owners are willing to fix, it’s also worth considering if you have the resources to replace your engine or if you would likely need a new car if your engine failed.
Engine failure is most common around 120k miles but can happen slightly before that in some cases. Some Highlanders will get past 120k miles without an issue but may have problems later.
Using Engine Oil Faster Than Average
Some vehicles are known to use oil, and unfortunately, the Toyota Highlander is one of them. While this is a problem that can happen with almost any model of Highlander, it’s more familiar with the problem years.
Interestingly, the worst model year for burning through engine oil is 2002—otherwise, a solid car. So, if you’re alright with paying a little extra for oil, we wouldn’t worry about this problem too much in a 2002 Highlander. But if you’re considering a different model year with other known issues, it may be more of a problem.
Fuel Tank and AC Condenser Problems
While 2020 redesigned Highlander had a reasonably good reception from critics and consumers alike, it had a couple of reliability woes. The 2020 model was reported to have issues with its fuel tank.
In particular, reports claimed they could not fill the tank to its advertised maximum capacity of 17.1 gallons. Instead, they only managed to fill up about 12-14 gallons of gas.
Additionally, several reports stated that the Highlander’s AC system could be a hit or miss. The AC condenser was prone to damage, and as a result, the AC stopped blowing cool air. A simple fix is to replace the condenser, which may cost between $60 to $150, including labor.
Defective Airbags
This is probably one of the most dangerous problems for Toyota Highlander. The problem was most prevalent among the older 2013 to 2016 models.
The airbags in these vehicles would not deploy upon collision. Furthermore, they did not deploy even during the testing of the models, so it’s a surprise that this vehicle even made it to the market with such a serious issue.
This significantly increases the risk of the occupants receiving some serious injuries. Among these older models, no recalls were made for this problem. However, when this issue showed up in one of the latest 2020 models, Toyota recalled over 3000 vehicles to fix the issue.
Interior Problems
This is a problem that was quite common among the third generation of this vehicle. One of the major things that caused this problem was the poor design of the vehicle’s seats. These seats were not shaped ergonomically and caused back pains for riders after long journeys in the vehicle.
Along with this, the vehicle’s entertainment system was a mess in these years. The reception on the radio was extremely poor and inconsistent. Some reports stated that the radio changed channels on its own.
Lastly, the panic alarm featured in these vehicles would randomly go off even without any need.
Oil Leaks and Loss Of Oil Pressure
The Toyota Highlander has been notorious for its oil leaking problems since. However, this problem has somewhat properly begun to be addressed in recent models.
There have been reports of puddles of oil under the vehicle. Or even the smell of oil inside the vehicle. The constant oil change also caused sludging in the engine of the vehicle.
This problem was caused specifically by poor engineering. The variable valve timing-intelligent gear, more commonly known as the VVT-i gear, in these vehicles was mostly faulty. This led to the loss of oil pressure and leakage.
Faulty Head Gasket and Oxygen Sensor Failure
In most of the models among the second and the third generation of the Toyota Highlander, there were problems with the oxygen sensor and head gasket failures.
The engine overheating is relatively common with 2001-2007 Highlander models. According to the reports of frustrated owners, the engine overheats due to a blown head gasket. Upon closer inspection, the head bolts tend to pull the threads out of the engine block, eventually leading to a blown head gasket.
Meanwhile, several Highlander models were reported to have faulty oxygen sensors. This defect causes the engine to misfire and results in rough idling.
These in and of themselves were not that serious of problems as the vehicle can work fine for years without them. However, they are important components for monitoring the state of the engine.
First of all, whenever one of these things is malfunctioning, the engine light is on. This can hide some other problems that might be more serious than them. Other than that, these components are quite expensive to replace.
Why are Toyota highlanders used so expensive?
The Toyota Highlander is one of the best and most popular mid-size SUVs on the market. It offers great value for money due to its reputation, reliability, safety ratings, and inexpensive maintenance, amongst other reasons.
Below are 4 Reasons Why Land Cruisers Are So Expensive;
1. They Hold Their Value
Both new and used Toyota Highlanders are expensive because they hold their value so well. However, according to CarEdge, the Toyota Highlander will depreciate roughly 35% after five years of ownership.
After five years, Highlander ranked 4th (out of 200 cars) for the best resale value. Only the Chevrolet Corvette, Jeep Wrangler, and Toyota Tacoma have better resale values than the Highlander.
2. They Are Ultra-Reliable
Toyota Highlanders are extremely reliable SUVs. JD Power regularly ranks the Toyota Highlander in the top 3 most reliable SUVs. In addition, they consistently rate the Highlander over 80/100 for reliability, which they class as “great.”
RepairPal gives Highlander 4/5 stars for reliability, ranking it 7th out of 26 mid-size SUVs.
3. They Cost Relatively Little To Maintain
People usually think that the bigger the vehicle, the bigger the cost to maintain it. However, that’s not the case with the Toyota Highlander. According to RepairPal, the Highlander costs $489 annually to maintain each year.
That’s below the average of $573 for all mid-size SUVs and far lower than the average for all vehicles ($652). It’s well known that potential future repair costs are factored into the sale of a high mileage vehicle (we’re looking at you, BMW), so naturally, when a car has low maintenance costs, it retains its value better.
4. They Are Super Safe
The Toyota Highlander gets excellent safety ratings. It is consistently awarded the top safety pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which conducts crash tests to determine the safety of a vehicle.
The Highlander consistently ranks among the safest mid-size SUVs. This impressive safety rating provides another reason why Highlanders are in high demand. As a result, many people turn to the mid-size SUV market to find a family vehicle to buy. However, while there are plenty of options to choose from, not all of them are created equal.
Only one stands out. The Toyota Highlander might have been around for quite a few years, but it’s done the one thing that few other vehicles have. It’s remained consistent with its high-reliability rankings with Consumer Reports. So let’s look at its meager beginnings and see how well it’s stood up and whether going used is a good option.
Why you should consider buying used instead of new
When you look at the price point for a brand-new Highlander, a base model alone will run you approximately $34,600. If you’re looking to get a hybrid model, it could cost you $38,000.
They’re not cheap by any means. Going used is the better option since we know these vehicles can last a long time, and you can get them for a relatively low price.
The Toyota Highlander is one of the most reliable mid-size SUVs on the market that’s unlikely to steer you wrong if you purchase one used. Take good care of it with regular maintenance, and it should be around for many more years down the road.
Which Models of Toyota Highlander Are Great to Buy Used?
If you’re looking for a good deal and want a model that’s a little larger and more spacious than others, the best year for used Toyota Highlander is the 2010 model. Most models are good options to buy used, but some are better than others.
Other models between 2009 and 2011 are also good, but they have a few more problem reports than others. If you’re looking for a more recent model and don’t mind the price, the 2016, 2017, and 2018 models are great value and offer good performance for the price.
More recent models of Highlander, from 2016 on, are all more consistent and have much fewer problems or complaints on average than the older models. Unfortunately, the 2019 and 2020 models are a little too untested as used vehicles for us to recommend them quite yet but are showing signs of being a well-used vehicle option.
2021 looks like a great model so far, but it’s a very new model, so it may just be that consumers haven’t driven the car enough to have issues. But, given the recent track record of Highlanders, we expect that the 2021 model will be an excellent long-term performer.
The best Highlander model years that are most consistent and worth your money are;
- 2001
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2009
- 2010
- 2013
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
Note: These models aren’t perfect, all cars risk going wrong, and part failure happens with all vehicles. But these models are usually consistent, durable, and good options to drive.
Toyota Highlander consumer reports rankings
From 2001 to 2019, Highlander has consistently received high marks from Consumer Reports for its reliability. Starting at the 2001 model and continuing to 2005, it received a four out of five scores for the issues that plagued them during those years.
By 2006, Toyota had resolved those problems and its scores increased to five out of five for reliability rankings. That score continued through the 2018 model year, rarely seen with any other vehicle.
Once 2019 came around, Toyota had issues with some of the electronics in the car, which turned out to be the fuel pump acting up. As a result, the vehicle would stall at lower speeds for no apparent reason. A recall came out, and they addressed the problem quickly.
But, overall, the Highlander has proven itself time and time again to be the most reliable SUV on the market.
How many miles should a Toyota Highlander last?
According to statistics, any Toyota Highlander model can run in good condition up to 300,000 miles or more. So if you drive the typical 15,000 to 20,000 miles, you can use a Toyota Highlander for 15 to 20 years.