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.
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In A Hurry? Here Are The Toyota Highlander Years To Avoid
Here are the primary Toyota Highlander model years to stay away from if you want a vehicle that will last.
- 2003
- 2008
- 2014
- 2015
That’s a relatively short list of trouble years for a car that has been in regular production since 2001, in all honesty. Consumers today should steer clear of those four years because they had the most serious issues.
Additionally, there was a rocky time between 2010 and 2012, and those model years nearly made this list. The 2010 and 2012 models aren’t quite as reliable or useful as the model years prior to or beyond 2015, despite the few complaints.
On the other hand, a 2010 or 2012 Highlander can still be a wise purchase if it’s priced reasonably and has a decent maintenance history. However, if you are interested in any of the models we’ve already discussed, you should probably conduct some investigation. Some of the frequent issues with the Toyota Highlander are simple to fix. If you use the car as your main mode of transportation, other problems can be far more serious and a major inconvenience.
The CoPilot app isn’t just for purchasing a car; it can also be used to keep track of recalls and receive recommendations on which regular maintenance activities are most crucial.
Engine Bolts Becoming Stripped
If you don’t identify the problem right away, it could become quite serious. Unfortunately, coolant leaks and overheated engines are the most typical first signs that your engine bolts are stripped.
When necessary, the bolts can be changed, and the bolt holes can be redrilled, but only if your engine hasn’t already suffered other harm as a result of overheating. That means that for many customers who experienced this problem, a complete engine replacement was the only option.
The 130k mile mark is the problem’s peak frequency, however once it occurs once, it may happen again.
Engine Failure
One of the more serious problems with Toyota Highlanders is often engine failure. Engine failure can be caused by a variety of factors, but those failures are likely connected to the engine bolts being stripped and contributing to overheating issues.
In light of these factors, purchasing a Toyota Highlander from one of their problematic years puts you at a significantly higher risk of needing an engine replacement.
It’s also important to think about whether you have the funds to replace your engine or if you would probably need a new car if your engine failed, as engine failure is an issue that only certain car owners are prepared to fix.
Engine failure tends to occur around 120k miles, while it can occasionally occur significantly earlier. Many Highlanders will run above 120k miles without any problems, but they could develop issues afterwards.
Using Engine Oil Faster Than Average
Unfortunately, the Toyota Highlander is one of those cars infamous for using oil. Although this issue can affect practically any model of Highlander, it tends to be more prevalent in older models.
Interestingly, despite being a good automobile overall, the 2002 model year has the worst oil burn rate. So, on a 2002 Highlander, we wouldn’t worry about this issue too much if you’re okay with spending a bit more money on oil. However, it can be a bigger issue if you’re thinking about a different model year with other documented problems.
Fuel Tank and AC Condenser Problems
Although both buyers and critics gave the 2020 Highlander redesign a generally positive review, it had a few dependability issues. There have been rumors that the gasoline tank on the 2020 model is defective.
In particular, reports stated that they were unable to fill the tank to its 17.1 gallon maximum capacity. Instead, they were only able to fill approximately 12 to 14 gallons.
Additionally, a number of complaints claimed that the Highlander’s air conditioning system might or might not work. The AC apparently ceased delivering chilly air since the condenser was prone to damage. Condenser replacement, which can cost anywhere from $60 to $150 including labor, is a straightforward remedy.
Faulty Head Gasket and Oxygen Sensor
Models of the Highlander from 2001 to 2007 frequently experience engine overheating. Owners who have experienced engine overheating have reported that a blown head gasket is to blame. A closer look reveals that the head bolts frequently pull the engine block’s threads out, which eventually results in a ruptured head gasket.
Meanwhile, it was claimed that the oxygen sensors in a number of Highlander models were defective. This flaw results in the engine misfiring and harsh idling.
These are the ideal vehicles for college students since they can transport you, your friends, and your belongings everywhere you need to go, whether you need to squeeze into a small campus parking space or transport ten loads of laundry home.
Toyota Highlander Years To Buy
Naturally, now that we’ve covered the model years to stay away from, it’s time to discuss the most reliable and cost-effective model years.
All cars run the danger of something going wrong, and parts break in all kinds of vehicles, so these models aren’t ideal. However, these cars are frequently reliable, robust, and enjoyable to drive.
The best Highlander seasons are:
- 2001
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2009
- 2013
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
From 2016 on, Highlander models have all been more reliable and have received far fewer issues or complaints overall than earlier models. The 2021 model appears to be excellent so far, but it is a fairly recent model, so it’s possible that customers haven’t driven the car far enough to experience problems. However, based on Highlanders’ recent performance, we anticipate that the 2021 model will be a strong long-term performer.
You might not be particularly knowledgeable about your car’s brakes unless you’re a mechanic or a super-committed auto enthusiast. How much time do they usually last? How frequently should brakes be replaced? We have solutions.
Which Models Of Toyota Highlander Are Great To Buy Used?
The majority of the models we mentioned in the section above are good choices for secondhand purchases, but some are superior to others. We’d suggest the 2010 model if you’re searching for a decent deal and want a model that’s a little roomier and bigger than others. They have a few more problem reports than other models, but other models from 2009 to 2011 are also an excellent option.
The 2016, 2017, and 2018 versions are all excellent values and provide exceptional performance for the price if you’re searching for a more recent model and don’t mind the price. Although we haven’t had a chance to endorse the 2019 and 2020 models as used cars just yet, they are already demonstrating symptoms of being a decent alternative.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The simplest way to purchase a car is using the CoPilot auto shopping app. You may create a customized list of the top car listings in your area by telling us what you’re looking for, and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area.
Just seeking for more recent models? The search engine for virtually new vehicles is CoPilot Compare. only observe recentfive years or lessautos with little mileage. The greatest place to look for off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO vehicles is CoPilot Compare.
What’s best? We have more information on each vehicle than our rivals since CoPilot was developed using the same technologies that dealerships use to acquire and sell their inventories. Since CoPilot doesn’t partner with automakers, there aren’t any sponsored posts or other dubious tacticsjust the most information about the best vehicles. To learn more about CoPilot’s operation, see our About Us page.
The Toyota Highlander is a dependable car, right?
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 retain their value?
KBB data indicates that the Highlander keeps 60.2 percent of its value 36 months after purchase. It still has 46.3 percent of its worth after 60 months.
How far can a Toyota Highlander go?
One of the most durable midsize SUVs on the market, the Toyota Highlander can keep going for up to 300,000 miles after you drive it off the lot.
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.
Which Highlander model is the best?
The 20082013 edition is most likely the best option. You get more interior room, more features, a more potent engine lineup, better safety ratings, and better crash test results with this generation.
What issues do Toyota Highlanders from 2021 have?
Customers were enraged by the Highlander’s frequent fuel pump problems in prior years. Sadly, the 2021 Toyota Highlander doesn’t seem to have undergone much changes.
“My 2021 Highlander Hybrid Platinum is experiencing a fuel filling difficulty,” reads one NHTSA complaint. The vehicle won’t need more than 13.5 gallons at fill-up for the first 2,000 kilometers. Nothing to top off. The car’s fuel tank holds 17.1 gallons. According to the car’s estimation, the distance to empty has only been 2 miles. It uses between 12.5 and 13.5 gallons per fill up. It’s unclear whether the tank is unable to fill completely because there are still 4-5 gallons at the empty level or whether it is filling partially. I bought this automobile so I could travel with my family and take advantage of its fuel efficiency and range. In order to prevent my family from becoming stuck without fuel, it is crucial to know if the tank is actually empty or still has a significant amount of petrol.
Another complaint reads, “The gas tank only holds 12.513 gallons with a range of 425-450 at most, in contrast to Toyota’s statements in their advertising and specifications that the tank holds 17.1 gallons and the car has a range of 598 miles. I confirmed this is out of specification with Toyota, and they claimed the tank will only hold 14 gallons and the range will make the decision on its own. I worry that I will run out of gas because I use the car for long distances and bought it because of the tank capacity and range.
Toyota has not yet commented on this issue or any other fuel-related problems. Given the numerous class action cases involving malfunctioning fuel pumps that were improperly serviced on other models, it makes sense that the firm would like to remain silent. On the current course of events, it won’t be long before this “improved model encounters the same kind of litigation.
Do Toyota Highlanders have issues with their transmissions?
In order to enable you to drive at the correct speed, the gearbox transfers power from the motor to your wheels.
Given that the transmission must convert the exact quantity of power for the required speed,
The Highlander from Toyota is quiet.
The Toyota Highlander has always been a great option because it is all-around nice.
It comes with a V6 or four-cylinder engine and either front- or all-wheel drive.
The 2004 models improved the V6 engine and introduced a third row seat that was available.
The Highlander is a quiet, spacious, and enjoyable vehicle to drive. It also features simple controls and a very pleasant ride.
For the 2006 model year, a hybrid variant made its debut, offering faster acceleration and 22 mpg overall.
Which SUVs remain in demand the longest?
One of our all-time favorite small crossovers is the Honda CR-V; in fact, it bested other models in its class in a five-way comparison test. Any trim level is enjoyable to drive, and its roomy interior is packed with creative packaging ideas. Because of this SUV’s many great qualities, we can overlook its small infotainment screen and ugly rear appearance. The CR-V lineup consistently retains 53.41 percent of its value, placing it rightfully in tenth place among SUVs with the highest resale values.
What midsize SUV maintains its value the best?
- Mazda CX-5 from 2018.
- Kia Sorrento from 2018.
- Toyota RAV4 for 2019.
- Tucson, a 2018 Hyundai.
- Equinox 2016 Chevrolet.
- Jeep Grand Cherokee, year 2019.
- CR-V 2019 Honda.
- Toyota RAV4 from 2018.
Why are Toyota engines more durable?
Toyota cars last a very long time and feature some of the most dependable engines available. This is a result of the business’ thorough attention to production and design. Before the car is supplied to the consumer, any flaws are found and fixed thanks to the quality management systems.