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 threadsespecially in the 2003 modelwere 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?
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,
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 Toyota Highlander model year is the greatest used one?
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 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.
Does the Toyota Highlander AWD make sense?
The Highlander’s AWD improves its traction on slick roads, but it isn’t much of an off-roader. The steering and suspension offer a smooth, pleasant ride both in town and on the highway. The Highlander doesn’t have the athletic appeal or feel like a smaller vehicle like some SUVs in its class do.
Which SUV has the highest rating for dependability?
A dependable SUV, or sport utility vehicle, should be at the top of your list if you have any plans to grow your family or are simply searching for a car that can accommodate more luggage and cargo. The best part is that you don’t need a minivan for the extra seats because it has all the bells and whistles of a modern automobile and might provide you some fun off-roading. This means that you can have a little bit of automotive style while being a soccer parent.
A new type of vehicle called an SUV came onto the market to give its occupants more enclosed room and the adaptability of a pickup truck. SUVs have grown in popularity over the years and are currently among the most common types of vehicles.
You can feel a bit confused while deciding which SUV is best for you because of its rising popularity and the wide range of vehicle features and brands available.
Here is a list of the most dependable SUVs for 2021 to help you focus your search.
Toyota Sequoia
Although the Toyota Land Cruiser has been discontinued in the US, Toyota has not abandoned us without a sizable, dependable SUV. The Toyota Sequoia is known for exceeding 1,000,000 miles and has several mechanical components in common with the full-size Tundra truck. Despite the Sequoia’s inability to match the Land Cruiser’s off-road prowess, the TRD Pro model is no pushover when the pavement ends. The Toyota 4Runner, the Sequoia’s brother in the brand’s SUV series, is a good option for those seeking additional off-road capability.
There is ample space for up to eight persons inside the Sequoia, including a third-row that is surprisingly comfy. Although less opulent than competitors in the same category, interior materials are nevertheless strong and of great quality. For the 2021 model year, the infotainment system has a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android auto.
A 5.7-liter V8 engine with 381 horsepower powers this dependable SUV. Rear-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission are standard, with four-wheel drive being an option. The Sequoia has terrible fuel efficiency, getting only a maximum of 17 MPG on the interstate and 13 in the city. Automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control are all standard safety features.
Do Toyota Highlanders cost a lot to repair?
A Toyota Highlander will cost roughly $5,771 for maintenance and repairs throughout its first 10 years of service.
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. This is 5.42% better than similar vehicles in this segment. The following graph shows how these expenses and the likelihood of repairs will rise over time.
Is the Highlander being phased out by Toyota?
Unexpectedly, Toyota has dropped its most popular V6 engine from the Highlander lineup and added a second four-cylinder engine in its place.
Today, Toyota made the decision to stop producing the popular V6 engine for its Highlander SUV model in 2023. A four-cylinder engine with less power but, strangely, the same MPG rating will take its place. The new four-cylinder engine offers a little bit more engine-rated torque and is turbocharged (of course). We found the move strange because the V6 Highlander had plenty of torque.
How long do the transmissions on Toyota Highlanders last?
Even though the Toyota Highlander is made to last, most of its parts will ultimately need to be fixed. According to RepairPal, repairs might cost you $489 on average. Usually after three to six years, rust is the first issue that needs to be addressed.
However, corrosion could be visible sooner depending on the local climate. Typically, the Highlander’s doors, tailgate, and external handles get rust.
According to reports, the braking rotors and pads endure 30,000 to 70,000 kilometers. According to YourMechanic, replacing brake rotors costs $280 and replacing brake pads costs a minimum of $140. You’ll notice faster wear on these parts if you stop frequently from higher speeds.
Under ideal circumstances, the tires on the Toyota Highlander can last up to 60,000 miles. Each regular tire can cost up to $300, but each performance tire can cost up to $500. Every 100,000 miles, the spark plugs should be replaced. The transmission in the Highlander typically has the longest lifespan, lasting up to 200,000 miles, and has an average replacement cost of $3,500.
How durable are Highlander transmissions?
The Toyota Highlander features low maintenance expenses due to its outstanding dependability.
You will spend $489 a year on maintenance for your Toyota Highlander, according to statistics from RepairPal.
How Long Do the Brakes Last?
The Toyota Highlander’s brake pads have a lifespan of 30,000 to 70,000 kilometres.
Although the brake rotors nearly have the same lifespan, they need routine maintenance.
How Long Do the Tires Last?
Any Toyota Highlander’s tires have a lifespan of between 30,000 and 60,000 kilometers.
However, among other things, this is dependent on your driving habits and maintenance schedule.
For the Highlander, standard tires range in price from $150 to $350, while high-performance versions can cost more than $500 per.
How Long Do the Transmissions Last?
Your Toyota Highlander’s transmission has a lifespan of 100,000 to 200,000 miles.
The recommended intervals must be followed for changing or flushing the transmission fluid.
What About Insurance Cost?
Insuring a Toyota Highlander typically costs $227 per month, or $2,724 annually.
Keep in mind that this figure is subject to variations depending on things like driving history, annual mileage, and so forth.
Which Toyota has issues with its transmission?
Affected Toyota Models by Transmission Issues 2017-2020 Highlander by Toyota. Toyota Sienna, 20172020. Toyota Avalon from 2018 until 2020. Toyota RAV4 for 2019.
Cabin Space
Highlander: At 194.9 inches, the new 2020 Highlander is 4.7 inches longer than its more capable off-road sibling, the 4Runner. Even though their widths are nearly identical, the new Highlander sits three inches lower than the 4Runner. The Highlander is, it may be said, even more like a car than before. The Highlander makes better use of its interior space because it is built on the new TNGA unibody chassis.
The headroom is 39.9 inches without the panoramic moonroof and 39.4 inches with the optional glass roof. Without the sunroof, there is 37.1 inches of headroom in the second row and 38.4 inches with it. In any configuration, the third row offers 36.1 inches of headroom. In terms of legroom, the first two seats have enough of it. Even the tallest passengers can easily fit in the first two rows thanks to its 40.4 and 41.0 inch widths. However, the third row is a little congested at 27.7 inches.
4Runner: Despite standing a solid 71.5 inches tall and measuring 190 inches in length, the 4Runner lacks a tiny bit of headroom and shoulder room compared to its car-based predecessor. The truck-like structure, which utilizes robust but space-consuming suspension components, is partly to blame for this.
Comparing the 4Runner to its slightly bigger unibody sister, both vehicles offer comparable amounts of headroom. To be exact, 39.3 inches in the front and 38.6 inches in the back. Although it does manage to reclaim some space in the third row, which offers two inches more legroom than the Highlander, the legroom in the middle seat is noticeably shorter at 32.9 inches due to the body on frame structure.
Conclusion: The Toyota Highlander is larger than the 4Runner and has significantly more space inside for passengers. The way they are built is primarily to blame for this. The 4Runner is a body on frame, in contrast to the Highlander’s unibody design. As a result, the 4Runner sits on top of its frame as opposed to the Highlander, which means the cabin’s available area is immediately reduced.