The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also subjects automobiles to a battery of rigorous tests. The resulting scores run the gamut from 1 to 5. The Toyota Highlander scored a flawless 5-Star Overall Safety Rating in 2021.
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What issues do Toyota Highlanders have?
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.
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.
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.
Is buying a Toyota Highlander worthwhile?
The Highlander is an excellent SUV, yes. It has plenty of basic safety technology, comfortable seats for adults in the first two rows, and decent cabin materials. The Highlander’s powerful, fuel-efficient V6 engine, balanced handling, and comfortable ride also make for a great driving experience.
What is the safety rating of the Toyota Highlander?
The Highlander received four stars from the NHTSA for its performance in the organization’s front driver side and front passenger side crashworthiness tests and five stars for its performance in the side barrier and pole tests.
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.
What is the Toyota Highlander’s lifespan?
With regular maintenance and cautious driving, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid should last at least 200,000 miles and possibly even over 300,000 miles. Your Highlander should provide 20 years of dependable service if you travel 15,000 miles each year before the expense of repairs becomes prohibitive.
How long is Highlander going to run?
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 Toyota Highlander is the best to purchase?
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.
How quiet is the Toyota Highlander to drive?
The Highlander is a quiet, spacious, and enjoyable vehicle to drive. It also features simple controls and a very pleasant ride. Access is simple, and external visibility is superb.
Do Toyota Highlanders 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.
Is the Toyota Highlander subject to a recall?
One or more 2020 Highlander and Highlander hybrid vehicles are being recalled by Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota). The seat-mounted side air bag may not deploy properly if the wrong seat trim covers are used on one or both of the front seats.