The bulk of consumer complaints, according to Car Complaints, were caused by engine problems, which frequently led to complete engine failure. Although a number of problems could be the cause of engine failure, stripped engine bolt threads—especially in the 2003 model—were the main culprit.
There are 30 complaints that have been reported on the website, with an average vehicle mileage of 123,000 miles. While some mechanics were able to replace the bolts using a repair kit, others needed to replace the entire engine. The typical price of fixing this problem is $3,200.
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Do Toyota Highlanders frequently experience issues?
Toyota Highlander Typical Issues This generation of Highlanders has received comparatively few complaints from owners. However, some owners report concerns with the motorized tailgate becoming caught in the open or closed position, a musty odor coming from the air conditioning system, and excessive wind noise when traveling at highway speeds.
What are the Toyota Highlander’s primary issues?
Knowing what kind of performance to anticipate from each model year is crucial if you’re thinking about purchasing a Toyota Highlander. Although Toyota is a reliable brand and the Highlander is a well-liked and sturdy SUV, not every year for the Highlander was successful. If you want to be sure you get a dependable car that will endure through years of regular use, you must be aware of the Toyota Highlander years to stay away from.
Some buyers love experimental cars, but nobody wants to purchase one they believe won’t be a dependable daily driver.
We’ll also touch on the Highlander model years that have received the best ratings and reviews, as well as any other factors you might want to take into account before purchasing a Toyota Highlander.
Here are a few of the Toyota Highlander’s most frequent issues to stay away from.
- Engine bolts are ripping out.
- Engine malfunction
- Using Engine Oil More Rapidly than Normal.
- Issues with the AC condenser and fuel tank.
- faulty oxygen sensor and head gasket.
- Get a Handpicked List of the Top Used Cars in Your Area.
Are Toyota Highlanders dependable?
The Toyota Highlander has a 4.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating, placing it seventh out of 26 midsize SUVs. It has cheaper ownership costs than the national average due to the $489 average annual repair cost. When compared to all other vehicles, the frequency and severity of repairs are both about average.
Do Toyota Highlanders have issues with their transmissions?
Both the lawsuit and consumer complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explain the issues. It claims that there has been a loss of force or acceleration. Transmissions getting stuck in one gear is another problem. The 2017–2020 Highlander and Sienna, the 2018–2020 Avalon sedan, and the 2019 RAV4 have all received concerns.
Other concerns relate to jerky, sluggish, or abrupt shifting, inability to accelerate quickly from a standstill, shuddering, rapid power loss, and early transmission failures. Some Sienna owners claim that when in Eco mode, the vehicle decelerates when turning into a corner. Vehicle History claims that owners have not been able to disable the Eco mode.
which is more trustworthy Toyota Highlander or a Honda Pilot?
The information above makes it evident that the Toyota Highlander outperforms the Honda Pilot in every category, including safety features and fuel efficiency. The Highlander is a much better choice if you’re searching for a three-row SUV that is incredibly dependable in this situation.
How long is Highlander going to run?
How many miles can a Toyota Highlander travel on average? When you inquire with a Toyota dealer, they will give you the high-end estimate, which is approximately 300,000 miles.
This figure is approximately 50–100,000 miles higher than you would generally anticipate in this price range and size class.
Although 300,000 miles is certainly not unheard of, if you take care of your Highlander, you shouldn’t be surprised to see it go far beyond that number.
However, this is the best-case situation and presupposes that you are most likely the first owner and haven’t been putting off any oil or fluid changes.
A typical used Highlander will likely travel at least 250,000 miles with its original engine and transmission if you’re the third or fourth owner. From then, everything will depend on you.
According to Kelley Blue Book, the typical American logs 14,000 miles a year on their vehicles. Therefore, if you can keep it clear of rust and prevent collisions, your Highlander might live over 20 years, assuming ordinary mileage.
The majority of Highlanders are built on the same Toyota K platform as the Avalon, which has been known to travel more than 500,000 kilometers.
All things considered, driving a Highlander into Guinness World Record zone is possible if you really know how to maintain an SUV.
What is the Highlander’s Lexus equivalent?
The Lexus RX 350L and Toyota Highlander are two of the most well-liked SUVs on the market. The Lexus RX 350 has far more expensive materials and a sportier ride, but the Highlander is one of the best options for a three-row SUV. These cars are somewhat different from one another.
Do Toyota Highlanders handle snow well?
Can a Toyota Highlander Handle Snow Well? The Toyota Highlander performs exceptionally well in snow because to its raised and commanding ride height. This elevates it above many other cars in terms of drivability in snow, along with its assortment of safety measures from the Toyota Star Safety system.
On a full tank, how far can a Toyota Highlander travel?
How far can a tank of gas in a Highlander take it? On a full tank of gas, the Toyota Highlander can go a maximum distance of more than 510 miles. They deliver 29 highway MPG and 21 city MPG for each trim level that has FWD.
What year is ideal for purchasing a Toyota Highlander?
In 2001, the Highlander’s first version, which included a five-seat SUV, was introduced. The Highlander, in contrast to other SUVs of the era, placed more emphasis on road performance than off-road capability. Toyota was able to accomplish this thanks to their vehicles’ unibody design and 4-wheel independent suspension. A 2.4L I4 engine on the Highlander developed 155 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque. At its top speed, the car could tow 3,000 pounds. The Highlander was only offered with a four-speed automatic transmission and a “snow mode.”
On the Highlander, 3.0L V6 engines were an option. The towing capacity rose to 3,500 lbs with this V6. It generated 222 pound-feet of torque and 220 horsepower. While the smaller I4 achieved 18 mpg, the larger V6 achieved 22 mpg, using three more mpg overall. All-wheel drive and front-wheel drive options were also available to customers. The Highlander made up for its lackluster off-road performance with a number of options, including as an available all-wheel drive system and a snow setting on the transmission. AWD models offered an extra 4 inches of ground clearance and an optional skid control system with traction control and selective braking.
The IIHS rated the safety of Highlander as “excellent.” According to NHTSA, the Toyota Highlander received about 100 complaints a year on average. The sun visors of the 2001–2002 versions were the subject of the majority of complaints. Thus, the driver can have obstruction when operating a vehicle.
The 2003 Highlanders experienced a more serious and costly issue. The automobile overheated due to cooling system leaks. The entire engine could need to be replaced by the buyer, which would cost about $3,200. The transmissions of the 2004–2005 models were also flawed, which added to the cost. The 2006-2007 Highlanders are the greatest option because they are less reliable, have more standard features, and come with airbags as part of the package.
How to Choose the Right One for You?
Over time, the Highlander has shown to be a very safe SUV. However, some reported dependability problems exist. For the first generation of the Highlander, stay away from the 2001 and 2005 model years (2001-2007). According to reports, these cars frequently need to replace their engines or transmissions due to expensive issues. The best option for a used Highlander as of 2020 is probably one from the model years 2017–2019.
Do Toyota Highlanders cost a lot to repair?
During its first ten years of use, a Toyota Highlander will need roughly $5,771 in maintenance and repairs.
This is $3,362 less than the industry average for popular SUV models. Additionally, there is a 16.08% likelihood that a Highlander will need a significant repair at that time. Compared to competing automobiles in this sector, this is 5.42% better. The following graph shows how these expenses and the likelihood of repairs will rise over time.
Is the Highlander being phased out by Toyota?
The choice to reduce the motor size in the upcoming 2023 Toyota Highlander SUV by Toyota will have a significant impact. For the past six years, it has been the best-selling midsize SUV. Toyota will replace the Highlander’s V6 engine in 2023 with a new, four-cylinder turbocharged engine for the first time. The engine change is one of many that Toyota will be implementing in 2023 SUVs. For instance, the new 2023 Toyota Sequoia and 2023 Tundra receive new i-FORCE MAX hybrid engines in place of V8s.
Highlander or Sienna, which is larger?
Which Toyota vehicle, the 2022 Highlander or the 2022 Sienna, is larger? Both models have a standard seating capacity of eight passengers, with the choice of seven passengers in second-row captain’s chairs. However, the Sienna provides more passenger room due to its larger total passenger volume of 162.5 cu ft as opposed to the Highlander’s 141.3 cu ft.
The advantage for cargo space belongs to the Sienna. It can hold 101.0 cu ft of cargo at its full capacity as opposed to the Highlander’s 84.3 cu ft.
Which Toyota has issues with its transmission?
Affected Toyota Models by Transmission Issues 2017-2020 Highlander by Toyota. Toyota Sienna, 2017–2020. Toyota Avalon from 2018 until 2020. Toyota RAV4 for 2019.
How much does a Toyota Highlander transmission replacement cost?
Depending on the car, a new 2020 Toyota Highlander transmission could cost over $3,500. In contrast, transmission services like fluid changes and fluid flushes are significantly less expensive, sometimes costing less than $150.
Do Highlanders continue to be valuable?
The Highlander received higher ratings than other well-liked cars like the Honda Pilot and Subaru Ascent. KBB data indicates that the Highlander keeps 60.2% of its value 36 months after purchase. It still retains 46.3% of its value after 60 months.
The Toyota Highlander is manufactured where?
However, the Corolla was produced there instead, and starting with the 2010 model year for the majority of North America, Tundra manufacture was moved to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton, Indiana.