No Toyota Highlander model year rates as one to avoid in CarVitals data. The strongest years are 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2023, and 2024. Below is every year (2005–2024) ranked best to worst, with the owner-reported problems behind each verdict.
| Year | Verdict | Score | Top owner-reported problems | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Recommended | 7 | Brake feel can lurch or briefly lose pressure during the regenerative-to-friction braking transition, mostly on hybrid models.; Second-row seat-back latch concerns and inadequate seat support reported on early turbo-era builds.; Front bumper assembly and trim detachment reported by some owners. | Full report ↗ |
| 2023 | Recommended | 7 | Brake feel can lurch or briefly lose pressure during the regenerative-to-friction braking transition, mostly on hybrid models.; Second-row seat-back latch concerns and inadequate seat support reported on early turbo-era builds.; Front bumper assembly and trim detachment reported by some owners. | Full report ↗ |
| 2016 | Recommended | 7 | Power rear liftgate and strut failures preventing proper hatch operation.; Door-lock actuator failures and infotainment freezing or lag.; Clear-coat and paint peeling, especially on the white (Blizzard Pearl) finish. | Full report ↗ |
| 2015 | Recommended | 7 | Power rear liftgate and strut failures preventing proper hatch operation.; Door-lock actuator failures and infotainment freezing or lag.; Clear-coat and paint peeling, especially on the white (Blizzard Pearl) finish. | Full report ↗ |
| 2014 | Recommended | 7 | Power rear liftgate and strut failures preventing proper hatch operation.; Door-lock actuator failures and infotainment freezing or lag.; Clear-coat and paint peeling, especially on the white (Blizzard Pearl) finish. | Full report ↗ |
| 2013 | Recommended | 7 | The 3.5L V6 rubber oil-cooler line can rupture and dump oil suddenly, risking engine damage if not addressed; a known preventive replacement.; Some owners report elevated oil consumption on the V6.; Intermediate steering-shaft wear produces a clunk or pop when turning at low speed; the repair is relatively inexpensive. | Full report ↗ |
| 2012 | Recommended | 7 | The 3.5L V6 rubber oil-cooler line can rupture and dump oil suddenly, risking engine damage if not addressed; a known preventive replacement.; Some owners report elevated oil consumption on the V6.; Intermediate steering-shaft wear produces a clunk or pop when turning at low speed; the repair is relatively inexpensive. | Full report ↗ |
| 2011 | Recommended | 7 | The 3.5L V6 rubber oil-cooler line can rupture and dump oil suddenly, risking engine damage if not addressed; a known preventive replacement.; Some owners report elevated oil consumption on the V6.; Intermediate steering-shaft wear produces a clunk or pop when turning at low speed; the repair is relatively inexpensive. | Full report ↗ |
| 2007 | Recommended | 7 | Hybrid brake-actuator failure causes critical loss of assisted braking on Highlander Hybrid models; replacement is expensive once the warranty enhancement expires.; Driver-side sun visor will not stay up, drooping into the line of sight; a widely reported design nuisance.; Occasional automatic-transmission shift or jerk complaints, mostly on early (2005) builds. | Full report ↗ |
| 2006 | Recommended | 7 | Hybrid brake-actuator failure causes critical loss of assisted braking on Highlander Hybrid models; replacement is expensive once the warranty enhancement expires.; Driver-side sun visor will not stay up, drooping into the line of sight; a widely reported design nuisance.; Occasional automatic-transmission shift or jerk complaints, mostly on early (2005) builds. | Full report ↗ |
| 2005 | Recommended | 7 | Driver-side sun visor will not stay up, drooping into the line of sight; a widely reported design nuisance.; Occasional automatic-transmission shift or jerk complaints, mostly on early (2005) builds. | Full report ↗ |
| 2022 | Caution | 6 | UA80 8-speed automatic (paired with the V6) develops a high-pitched whine, harsh or erratic shifting, hesitation and premature failure, often just past the powertrain-warranty window; replacements are very expensive.; Owners report being unable to fill the fuel tank to its advertised capacity, with the pump shutting off early.; Brake surge or lurch during the regenerative-to-friction transition on hybrid models. | Full report ↗ |
| 2010 | Caution | 6 | Brake actuator and booster-pump assembly failure causes loss of braking assist (often diagnostic code C1391); repairs are costly once the Toyota support program lapsed.; The 3.5L V6 rubber oil-cooler line can rupture and lose oil pressure suddenly, risking engine damage.; Power rear liftgate and door-lock actuator failures, plus false door-ajar warnings. | Full report ↗ |
| 2009 | Caution | 6 | Brake actuator and booster-pump assembly failure causes loss of braking assist (often diagnostic code C1391); repairs are costly once the Toyota support program lapsed.; The 3.5L V6 rubber oil-cooler line can rupture and lose oil pressure suddenly, risking engine damage.; Power rear liftgate and door-lock actuator failures, plus false door-ajar warnings. | Full report ↗ |
| 2008 | Caution | 6 | Brake actuator and booster-pump assembly failure causes loss of braking assist (often diagnostic code C1391); repairs are costly once the Toyota support program lapsed.; The 3.5L V6 rubber oil-cooler line can rupture and lose oil pressure suddenly, risking engine damage.; Power rear liftgate and door-lock actuator failures, plus false door-ajar warnings. | Full report ↗ |
| 2021 | Caution | 5 | UA80 8-speed automatic (paired with the V6) develops a high-pitched whine, harsh or erratic shifting, hesitation and premature failure, often just past the powertrain-warranty window; replacements are very expensive.; Owners report being unable to fill the fuel tank to its advertised capacity, with the pump shutting off early.; Brake surge or lurch during the regenerative-to-friction transition on hybrid models. | Full report ↗ |
| 2020 | Caution | 5 | UA80 8-speed automatic (paired with the V6) develops a high-pitched whine, harsh or erratic shifting, hesitation and premature failure, often just past the powertrain-warranty window; replacements are very expensive.; Owners report being unable to fill the fuel tank to its advertised capacity, with the pump shutting off early.; Brake surge or lurch during the regenerative-to-friction transition on hybrid models. | Full report ↗ |
| 2019 | Caution | 5 | UA80 8-speed automatic (with the D-4S V6) suffers whining, harsh/delayed shifting and outright failure, frequently before 130,000 miles; Toyota program ZJC covers only a limited set of VINs.; Low-pressure fuel-pump failure can cause stalling and loss of power while driving (fuel-rail-pressure faults).; A "Braking Power Low" warning and brake-booster/vacuum-pump complaints appear without prior notice. | Full report ↗ |
| 2018 | Caution | 5 | UA80 8-speed automatic (with the D-4S V6) suffers whining, harsh/delayed shifting and outright failure, frequently before 130,000 miles; Toyota program ZJC covers only a limited set of VINs.; Low-pressure fuel-pump failure can cause stalling and loss of power while driving (fuel-rail-pressure faults).; A "Braking Power Low" warning and brake-booster/vacuum-pump complaints appear without prior notice. | Full report ↗ |
| 2017 | Caution | 5 | UA80 8-speed automatic (with the D-4S V6) suffers whining, harsh/delayed shifting and outright failure, frequently before 130,000 miles; Toyota program ZJC covers only a limited set of VINs.; A "Braking Power Low" warning and brake-booster/vacuum-pump complaints appear without prior notice.; Timing-cover and water-pump oil leaks reported on the D-4S V6. | Full report ↗ |
Mature gen4 with the 2.4L turbo-4 (no V6/UA80 8-speed): lowest complaint volume of any Highlander year, strong safety and resale, regular-fuel running costs.
First turbo-4 year drops the V6 and its UA80 8-speed; powertrain complaints fall sharply. Minor early-build seat-latch and bumper-trim niggles, otherwise a reliable, well-equipped three-row.
Final V6/UA80 8-speed year, still the documented whine/harsh-shift/failure risk, but lower complaint volume and a premium, very safe family SUV otherwise.
Gen4 V6 paired with the problematic UA80 8-speed automatic: peak complaint year, transmission failures reported near the warranty edge. Otherwise comfortable, safe and durable.
All-new gen4 but carries the V6 + UA80 8-speed transmission defect plus an early fuel-tank fill complaint; strong safety and refinement temper an otherwise solid Toyota.
Highest complaint count of any Highlander year, dominated by UA80 8-speed transmission failures plus a low-pressure fuel-pump stalling defect; the rest of the truck is durable.
Refreshed gen3 V6 with the UA80 8-speed: widespread transmission whine/failure (CSP ZJC covers only some VINs) and fuel-pump stalling weigh on an otherwise reliable SUV.
First year of the D-4S V6 + UA80 8-speed: the transmission defect begins here. Strong safety and longevity, but the powertrain risk warrants a careful check.
Last gen3 year before the troublesome 8-speed: dependable V6 and 6-speed automatic, top safety scores, low running costs, one of the safer used Highlander buys.
Gen3 with the proven V6/6-speed; only minor electrical, liftgate and paint complaints. Spacious, safe and long-lived.
Redesigned gen3 launch with the reliable V6/6-speed powertrain; some infotainment-freeze and liftgate niggles but strong overall durability.
Well-sorted final gen2 year: durable 3.5L V6, top reliability reputation. Watch the cheap intermediate-steering-shaft clunk and the V6 oil-cooler-line preventive fix.
Mature gen2 V6 with strong longevity; main blemishes are the steering-shaft clunk and the rubber oil-cooler-line that is worth replacing proactively.
Gen2 V6 with proven durability; steering-shaft clunk and V6 oil-cooler-line are the known, mostly inexpensive items to address.
Gen2 with the brake actuator/booster-pump failure (loss of braking assist, costly out of warranty) and V6 oil-cooler-line risk, offset by Toyota durability and strong safety.
Gen2 V6 carries the brake actuator/booster defect and oil-cooler-line risk; otherwise a roomy, dependable three-row.
Rocky gen2 launch (many recalls) with the brake actuator/booster-pump failure and V6 oil-cooler-line rupture risk; durable underneath but the most complaint-heavy gen2 year.
Final gen1 year: durable 3.3L V6, simple proven mechanicals and long life. Hybrid versions carry a brake-actuator caveat; the sun-visor droop is a known nuisance.
Gen1 with the strong 3.3L V6; very dependable. The new-for-2006 Hybrid adds a costly brake-actuator risk, and the driver sun visor tends to droop.
Gen1 Highlander with proven V6 durability and low running costs; minor early-build transmission-shift and sun-visor complaints are the main niggles.
Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Toyota models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.