Is the 2023 Toyota HIGHLANDER reliable?

The 2023 Toyota HIGHLANDER has 219 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: OTHER problems.

What are common problems with the 2023 Toyota HIGHLANDER?

Top problems: OTHER (39 complaints, avg repair $500); BODY/STRUCTURE (30 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (27 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2023 Toyota HIGHLANDER?

Yes, there are 9 recall(s): STEERING:COLUMN, STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS, TIRES, TIRES, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, STEERING:COLUMN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION, SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY:RECLINER. Contact any Toyota dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2023 Toyota HIGHLANDER?

The 2023 Toyota HIGHLANDER gets 25 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1920. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2023 Toyota HIGHLANDER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2023 Toyota HIGHLANDER is approximately $1,735/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2023 Toyota HIGHLANDER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2023 Toyota HIGHLANDER has 219 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 272. The most common issue is other problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: the vehicle brakes stop working suddenly requiring lift the pedal and slam the brakes to make it work correctly. i almost have a bad accident for this problem. i did my research and learned this is a problem that toyota need to fix. the situation was very scary.. There are 9 recalls issued for this model year.

11 crash reports 8 injuries

219

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

OTHER

39 complaints

18%

• The vehicle brakes stop working suddenly requiring lift the pedal and slam the brakes to make it work correctly. I almost have a bad accident for this problem. I did my research and learned this is a problem that Toyota need to fix. The situation was very scary.
• This car when I’m driving it has a loud wind noise I went to dealer couple time but they told me that they can’t hear any noise but I have evidence and video about the noise when I’m driving 45 mph. It is still loud noise.
• I bought toyota 2023 highlander in january. But I found water damage on roof of interior. so I went to dealership service center ( Midland toyota ). and they told to me . sun roof glass angle had wrong angle. and fixed it. ater 3 monthes same problem was appeared in this morning. so I went to Jim hu

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“The vehicle brakes stop working suddenly requiring lift the pedal and slam the brakes to make it work correctly. I almost have a bad accident for this problem. I did my research and learned this is a problem that Toyota need to fix. The situation was very scary.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2023 Toyota HIGHLANDER

Based on 22 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 32K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 120K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred. This vehicle is under 5 years old, so most of the fleet hasn't accumulated high mileage yet — low-mileage peaks reflect fleet age, not necessarily premature failure.

Recalls (9)

STEERING:COLUMN12/07/2023

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TA08. Lexus' number for this recall is 23LA02.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2023 Toyota HIGHLANDER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,920

Per month

$160

Per mile

16.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,286/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,656/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2023 Toyota HIGHLANDER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,735

Full coverage / month

$145

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

+4%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$1735

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota HIGHLANDER Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

Estimated Repair Costs

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 219 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: The vehicle brakes stop working suddenly requiring lift the pedal and slam the brakes to make it work correctly. I almost have a bad accident for this problem. I did my research and learned this is a problem that Toyota need to fix. The situation was very scary.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: When I hit the gas the car doesn’t go anywhere and almost got into an accident. Turbo lag maybe or something really really wrong. This is going to cause a huge accident
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: The vehicle brakes stop working suddenly requiring lift the pedal and slam the brakes to make it work correctly. I almost have a bad accident for this problem. I did my research and learned this is a problem that Toyota need to fix. The situation was very scary.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 9 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)