Which Years Of Used Toyota Highlanders Are Most Reliable?
We evaluate Toyota Highlander's roster of generations to determine which years are most reliable so you can make an purchasing decision.
The midsize SUV segment is undoubtedly one of the most competitive in the automotive market. If you’re looking for a used midsize SUV that offers plenty of utility, longevity, and reliability, it’s hard to go wrong with the Toyota Highlander.
You’ll hear from many Highlander owners that they can easily reach 200k miles with their SUV. We’ve even read people boasting that their Highlander clocked in at 350k-500k with some parts replaced. Combined with Toyota’s legendary reputation for reliability and durability, it’s hard to be a Highlander skeptic.
What if you want to buy a used Toyota Highlander? What year Toyota Highlander is most reliable?
For today’s post, we go through some of the recent generations of the Highlander and determine which model years are worth buying used. Let’s get to it!
What Year Toyota Highlander Is Most Reliable?
Below, we walk you through the many generations of the Toyota Highlander from 2001 to the present and pick out the best models to buy as used and ones to avoid.
2001-2007 Toyota Highlander
The first generation Toyota Highlander is remembered fondly as the SUV that focused on the on-road experience instead of off-road chops like other SUVs. Toyota achieved this with the Highlander’s four-wheel independent suspension and classic unibody construction.
This Highlander generation is a long-time favorite for offering a well-rounded and pleasant experience. According to Consumer Reports (CR), the first-gen Highlander was roomier and less expensive than its luxury counterpart, the Lexus RX. Out of the seven SUVs from this generation, CR recommends four Highlander model years: 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2007.
The 2003 Highlander is still a solid midsize SUV package despite its glaring issues. However, according to CarComplaints.com, the 2003 Highlander is the worst model year for its numerous engine issues like stripped engine bolts and the dreaded engine failure. In some cases, owners were forced to purchase a new engine. If you’re going to avoid one model from this generation, the 2003 Highlander is arguably the worst.
As for the most reliable first-gen Highlanders, we recommend the 2004 and 2005 model years. Both have reliability scores of 4 out of 5 and a perfect owner satisfaction rating of 5 out of 5 – reasonable indications that you’re dealing with reliable vehicles. On a related note, the 2007 Highlander is also an excellent choice for a used midsize SUV. It has earned CarComplaints’ “Seal of Awesome” award due to its top-notch reliability record.
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2008-2013 Toyota Highlander
The second generation Highlander started with the 2008 model, which was another redesign year. With its second generation, the Highlander grew in size and sported a more midsize SUV look rather than an oversized station wagon. This generation was also known for refinements in ride quality, particularly with their comfortable ride.
The 2nd-gen Highlander was an improvement across the board. CR recommends all second-generation models, but some years are more problematic than the rest. Specifically, the 2008 Highlander had a rough start and racked up 13 recalls and more than 300 NHTSA complaints. In fact, the 2008 Highlander had to be recalled three times due to issues with the airbags and incorrect labels. For this reason, we recommend avoiding the 2008 Highlander.
In fairness, Toyota was committed to addressing the issues with the 2008 Highlander SUV. As a result, the rest of the lineup had fewer complaints and recalls. One of the standouts of this generation is the 2009 Highlander, which received positive feedback from critics and owners alike. It received the “Seal of Awesome” award from Car Complaints, and many of its mechanical issues were minor and easily fixed.
Another model with top-notch reliability from this generation is the 2013 Highlander. The 2013 enjoyed high reliability and dependability scores from many journalists. According to CR, the 2013 Highlander had very few trouble spots, primarily with its body integrity, like roof trims and rubber moldings. At this point, Toyota was able to iron out the kinks with the second-generation lineup, and it showed.
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2014-2019 Toyota Highlander
In its third generation, the Highlander grew in size again and had a significant styling update. Apart from that, the third-generation Highlander shared many similar qualities with the previous generation.
Like the previous lineup, the third-generation Highlander received the coveted recommendation from CR. All models from 2014 to 2019 received a reliability score of 5 out of 5. Meanwhile, owner satisfaction was 4 out of 5 for models from 2014 to 2018, while the 2019 model only received 3 out of 5 in owner satisfaction.
Over at CarComplaints.com, the 2015 model received the most complaints from this generation. Many owners complained about highly uncomfortable seats and excessive wind noise, but these are hardly deal-breaking issues. Regardless, it did receive a lot of complaints from NHTSA users, so if you’re going to avoid one model from this generation, the 2015 is definitely it.
That said, the rest of the lineup is excellent, especially regarding reliability, utility, fuel economy, and value proposition. However, if we have to pick the most reliable Highlander years for this generation, it’s the 2017-2019 models.
THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER YEARS TO AVOID
We’ve explored Toyota Highlander years to avoid so you know exactly what to expect for each model and how their problems impact the vehicles prior to purchasing.
2020-Present Toyota Highlander
The fourth generation Highlander launched with the 2020 version and came with the GA-K platform–the new innovative platform designed to improve ride quality and handling. As you might expect, the Highlander grew again in both length and width.
Based on what we saw about the current-gen, these Highlander SUVs have solid reliability with little to no complaints and major recalls. In addition, CR also recommends all the existing models for this generation. All fourth-gen models received a reliability score of 4 out of 5 from CR, so feel free to buy them used from your favorite dealer.
The only problem reported for the fourth-generation Highlander is that the fuel tank won’t fill up correctly. However, this seems to be a Toyota-wide issue, and we expect the Japanese automaker to address it if it hasn’t already.
So, what year Toyota Highlander is most reliable? As you can see, Highlanders have many reliable models; even the older generations have years that you can safely buy as used.
Common Toyota Highlander Reliability Problems
The Toyota Highlander, known for its reliability, has experienced some common issues across various model years:
- Defective Airbags (2013, 2016, and 2020 Models): Some Highlanders had airbags that failed to deploy upon collision. Particularly, over 3,300 Highlander and Highlander Hybrids from 2020 were recalled due to faulty trim covers that could hinder seat-mounted side airbag deployment.
- Head Gasket and Oxygen Sensor Failure (2001-2007 Models): Overheating engines due to blown head gaskets and faulty oxygen sensors were reported, causing engine misfire and rough idling.
- Interior Problems (2015 and 2008 Models): The 2015 Highlander had complaints about uncomfortable seats causing back pain during long drives and a malfunctioning audio system. The 2008 model had issues with a randomly activating panic alarm and a defective CD player.
- Oil Leaks and Loss of Oil Pressure (2005-2013 Models): Drivers noticed puddles of engine oil and smelled burning oil inside the cabin, often caused by a faulty variable valve timing-intelligent (VVT-i) gear and ruptured oil cooler line.
- Ruptured Oil Lines (2005-2013 Models): This issue led to engine failure due to a lack of oil, often requiring expensive repair.
- Disconnected Air Filter Housing Hose (2001-2011 Models): This issue affected the vehicle’s air-fuel ratio and caused the engine to hesitate, stall, or rough idle.
FAQs: Most Reliable Toyota Highlander Year
Q: Which year of Highlanders are best?
A: The best years for the Toyota Highlander, according to the above guide, include the 2004, 2005, and 2007 models from the first generation and the 2017-2019 models from the third generation. These years have shown high reliability, minimal complaints, and good owner satisfaction ratings.
Q: Are older Toyota Highlanders good cars?
A: Yes, older Toyota Highlanders, especially from the first generation (2001-2007), are considered good cars. They are known for offering a comfortable and reliable driving experience. However, it is advised to avoid the 2003 model due to its major engine issues.
Q: Which is more reliable, Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander?
A: Both the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander are known for their reliability. However, specific model years can vary in dependability. The Toyota Highlander generally has a slight edge in reliability ratings, especially in the years recommended above.
Q: Were there any significant recalls for the second-generation Highlanders?
A: Yes, the 2008 Highlander, marking the beginning of the second generation, experienced a rocky start with 13 recalls and numerous complaints, particularly related to airbag issues and incorrect labeling.
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