What year of highlander to stay away from?

There isn’t a single Highlander model year that’s universally to be avoided. Reliability depends on maintenance and individual vehicle history, but certain generations have drawn more frequent owner complaints and recall activity. This guide outlines which years are commonly scrutinized and how to shop smarter.

Model-year clusters and issues

First generation: 2001–2007

Owners and reviewers have noted that the earliest Highlanders can be more prone to wear-and-tear issues as they age, especially if maintenance hasn’t kept up. Key concerns in some markets include suspension wear, potential rust, and transmission aging. If you’re considering a 2001–2007 Highlander, a thorough pre-purchase inspection and complete service history are essential, with extra scrutiny given to rust and drive-train components.

Before evaluating a unit in this range, it is important to understand that many of these vehicles are entering or have passed middle age for a SUV, so the odds of non-routine maintenance items rising are higher than for newer models.

Third generation: 2014–2016

Some 2014–2016 Highlanders equipped with the 3.5L V6 have been associated with higher oil consumption in owner reports. This has led to more frequent oil checks and, in some cases, related maintenance. If you’re eyeing a mid-2010s Highlander, pay close attention to whether oil levels have been monitored and whether any related service campaigns or recalls were completed.

As with any used vehicle, a solid maintenance history and evidence of timely fixes are better predictors of long-term reliability than the model year alone.

In practice, reliability varies by individual vehicle, maintenance, and driving conditions. Use this as a framework to guide inspections and negotiations rather than a hard rule about which years to avoid.

How to evaluate a used Highlander

Before you decide, use a structured checklist to minimize risk. The following list helps you focus on what tends to matter most for Highlanders across model years.

• Check the full maintenance history and service records, especially oil changes, transmission service, and any recalls that were completed.


• Verify recall status for the VIN through official sites (NHTSA and Toyota Recall Center) and confirm that all open campaigns have been addressed.


• Inspect the engine and transmission for signs of wear, leaks, or abnormal noises if you can’t get a full service history.


• Look for rust in common trouble spots (underbody, wheel arches, and frame rails, depending on climate) and ensure body/frame integrity.


• Test drive to check for smooth acceleration, clean shifting, braking feel, and absence of unusual vibrations at highway speeds.


• Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, including a compression test if you’re considering an older model.

The prior two lists focus on years to flag and practical steps to evaluate. A proactive inspection and verifiable maintenance history can significantly reduce risk when buying a used Highlander.

Recalls, warranties, and how to protect yourself

recalls are issued to address safety and reliability concerns and are generally repaired at no cost to the owner. Always verify recall work via VIN-based portals from national safety agencies and Toyota’s recall database, and ensure that any related warranties or service campaigns are honored. If you’re buying from a dealer, ask for documentation showing all recalls have been serviced and that the vehicle has a clean bill of health from a shop you trust.

Additionally, consider a vehicle history report to catch any accident history, prior rental status, or odometer discrepancies. While model-year trends can be informative, they don’t replace a personalized due-diligence process for the exact Highlander you’re considering.

Summary

There isn’t a single Highlander year to universally avoid. The most prudent approach is to focus on maintenance history, recall completion, and a thorough pre-purchase inspection rather than relying solely on model-year generalizations. Model years 2001–2007 (first generation) and 2014–2016 (early third generation) are sometimes cited in owner data as higher-risk windows, mainly due to aging components and reports of oil consumption in some engines. Regardless of year, a well-documented service history and a clean bill of health from a qualified mechanic are your best protections when buying a used Highlander.

Which Toyota Highlander to stay away from?

You should avoid the 2003, 2008, 2014, and 2015 model years of the Toyota Highlander due to common issues like engine problems in the 2003, and transmission glitches in the 2008 and 2015 models. Other years to be cautious with are 2009, 2010, and 2020, which had a higher number of recalls or transmission and software issues.
 
This video discusses common problems with Toyota Highlanders from 2020 to 2025: 54sCarnivautoYouTube · Feb 11, 2025
Years to avoid

• 2003: Engine overheating and the possibility of needing a costly engine block swap. 
• 2008: Significant issues with the braking system and a high number of recalls and complaints. 
• 2009 and 2010: A high number of recalls and complaints, particularly concerning the braking system. 
• 2014 and 2015: These years had early issues with transmission glitches and technology problems. 
• 2020: This model year experienced some transmission and software problems. 

Other considerations

• 2021: Reports of transmission failures. 
• 2023: In the non-hybrid, the turbocharged engine had issues with acceleration and the infotainment system could be unreliable. 
• 2024: Reports of issues with the infotainment system, a noisy engine, and hesitation. 

What year to avoid Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

The primary Toyota Highlander Hybrid years to avoid are 2014-2016, due to transmission hesitation, infotainment lag, and uneven throttle response, and 2017-2019, due to increased oil leaks and some electrical and water leak issues. Other problematic model years include 2003 (transmission and brake issues) and 2015 (costly repairs). 
This video explains the Toyota Highlander's years to avoid and the best model years: 59sCar MavenYouTube · Feb 16, 2025
Problematic years for the Highlander Hybrid 

• 2014-2016: These models can have issues with transmission hesitation, lagging infotainment screens, and uneven throttle response. 
• 2017-2019: The third-generation models from these years, with the updated V6 engine, are more prone to oil leaks compared to the earlier 2014-2016 versions. Some models also had issues with water leaks and electrical faults. 
• 2020: This year had some first-year bugs for the new generation, including touchscreen freezing and HVAC glitches. 

Other problematic years to consider

• 2003: The first generation had significant issues, including transmission wear, brake problems, and early safety technology limitations.
• 2015: This model year was particularly expensive to maintain, with owners spending an average of around $1,000$ 1 comma 000$1,000 per year to keep it running. 

What is the best year of Highlander to buy?

The best years for the Toyota Highlander are generally considered to be 2006-2007, 2009-2013, 2017-2019, and 2020-present, as these generations are praised for reliability and features. Specific standout model years include 2007, 2016, and 2018-2019 due to high reliability scores and positive consumer reviews. 
This video discusses the best and worst Toyota Highlander models based on their generation: 59sCar MavenYouTube · Feb 16, 2025
Best model years by generation 

• 1st Generation (2001-2007): The 2006-2007 models are often cited as the best years. The 2007 model is specifically recognized for its high reliability score. 
• 2nd Generation (2008-2013): The 2009-2013 range is frequently recommended for its reliability and value. 
• 3rd Generation (2014-2019): This generation is highly regarded, with 2017-2019 being a strong recommendation. The 2016 model is noted for receiving awards for value and ownership costs, while the 2018 model is praised for reliability and safety features. 
• 4th Generation (2020-present): The models from 2020 onwards are also considered reliable. However, some 2020 and later models may have a delayed throttle response that can be improved with a software update from the dealer, notes this YouTube video. 

What to consider when buying a used Highlander

• Reliability: Toyota Highlanders are known for long-term reliability, so even models outside the top recommended years can be good choices if well-maintained. 
• Cost: While reliable, they can sometimes cost more than rival SUVs. 
• Common issues: Some years have specific issues to be aware of, such as potential transmission problems in older models and software-related acceleration delays in some newer models. 
• Maintenance: A well-maintained Highlander can last for over 200,000 miles. 

What is the most common problem with a Toyota Highlander?

Common Toyota Highlander Problems Explained (and How to Fix Them)

• Engine Troubles From Stripped Bolts to Oil Leaks.
• Transmission Hesitation and Whining.
• Brake System Concerns.
• Electrical and Infotainment Glitches.
• Paint Peeling and Structural Issues.