Toyota HIGHLANDER — Years to Avoid
Which model years have the most problems and which are safe to buy.
Avoid These Years
2019 Toyota HIGHLANDER
612 complaints (225% of segment average)
Main issue: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAMER TOYOTA (11041 SEPULVEDA BLVD, MISSION HILLS, CA 91345), BUT THE CAUSE O
2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER
580 complaints (213% of segment average)
Main issue: The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated his wife pulled into a parking spot and turned off the engine while the vehicle was in reverse. The vehicle then switched gears to neutral on its own, started reversing, and slightly crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The warning m
2017 Toyota HIGHLANDER
364 complaints (134% of segment average)
Main issue: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE FORWARD AND ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE SHAFT SUPPORT BEARING RETAINING RING FAILED AND CAUSED THE AXLE TO SEPARA
2020 Toyota HIGHLANDER
345 complaints (127% of segment average)
Main issue: THIS VEHICLE WILL LET YOU SHUT THE ENGINE OFF IN DRIVE WITHOUT SHIFTING TO PARK. IF YOU DO THIS AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, IT WILL ROLL AWAY AND YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET BACK TO IT AND INTO IT IN TIME TO GET YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THEN SHIFT IT INTO PARK. THIS SHOULD NOT BE ALL
2018 Toyota HIGHLANDER
340 complaints (125% of segment average)
Main issue: I WAS RECENTLY IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN MY 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM. THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM WAS WORKING WELL THROUGH OUT OUR TRIP BUT UNFORTUNATELY DID NOT WORK WHEN IT WAS MOST NEEDED. WE WERE INVOLVED IN A PILE UP ON INTERSTATE I-5 GOING AT LEAST 45MPH AND NOTICED THA
2022 Toyota HIGHLANDER
289 complaints (106% of segment average)
Main issue: When I'm cruising about 35 mph, let off the gas and decelerate, then give a slight bit of gas, I feel a "bump" in the drive train. It's more like slop in the transmission....sounds like a metal To metal noise...this happens after car is driving more then 30 min or 45 min.
Safe to Buy
2025 Toyota HIGHLANDER
9 complaints — well below segment average
2024 Toyota HIGHLANDER
54 complaints — well below segment average
2016 Toyota HIGHLANDER
137 complaints — well below segment average
2014 Toyota HIGHLANDER
158 complaints — well below segment average
2023 Toyota HIGHLANDER
219 complaints — well below segment average