Which Toyota Highlander years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023 as the Highlander years with the most reported problems, relative to other Highlander years. 2021 has the highest complaint index at 100, with 517 complaints, led by Transmission & Powertrain issues.

Which Honda Pilot years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2025 as the Pilot years to avoid relative to other Pilot years. 2016 stands out with 1,703 complaints and a complaint index of 100, mostly tied to the Engine.

Which has more complaints, the Highlander or the Pilot?

The Pilot has 6,573 total complaints across 16 model years (411 per model year on average) versus the Highlander's 3,549 total complaints (222 per model year). NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these totals are not normalized per vehicle sold.

How do fuel economy figures compare?

The Highlander averages 22 mpg combined across its model years versus 20.9 mpg combined for the Pilot, based on EPA data.

Do either the Highlander or Pilot have more recalls?

The Honda Pilot has 43 total recall campaigns across its 16 model years, slightly more than the Toyota Highlander's 39 recall campaigns.

Toyota Highlander vs Honda Pilot: Which Years to Avoid

Toyota Highlander years to avoid are 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023, with 2021 the worst (complaint index 100). Honda Pilot years to avoid are 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2025, with 2016 the worst (complaint index 100, 1,703 complaints). Highlander logs 3,549 total complaints across 16 model years versus Pilot's 6,573; totals are not sales-normalized.

Head to head

Toyota Highlander

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 3,549
Per model year: 222
Recall campaigns: 39
Years to avoid: 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
Best years: 2011, 2014, 2016, 2025
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 22.0
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.8 ★

Honda Pilot

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 6,573
Per model year: 411
Recall campaigns: 43
Years to avoid: 2016, 2017, 2019, 2025
Best years: 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 20.9
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Highlander				Pilot
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Good	214	10	20	Best	110	10	18.5
2011	Best	181	5	20	Caution	293	11	18.5
2012	Good	182	2	20	Best	171	9	20
2013	Caution	207	3	20	Good	271	6	20
2014	Best	135	4	21	Best	116	3	20
2015	Good	192	1	21	Best	109	4	20
2016	Best	110	2	21	Avoid	1,703	8	22
2017	Caution	267	3	22.5	Avoid	924	4	22
2018	Caution	265	4	22.5	Caution	440	7	22
2019	Avoid	482	3	22.5	Avoid	904	13	22
2020	Caution	315	4	23	Caution	487	11	22
2021	Avoid	517	4	23	Caution	433	10	22.5
2022	Avoid	249	5	23	Good	156	5	22
2023	Avoid	181	9	24	Good	142	5	21
2024	Good	42	7	24	Good	113	6	21
2025	Best	10	4	24	Avoid	201	4	21

Complaint Index by year

Toyota Highlander

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Honda Pilot

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which Toyota Highlander years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023 as the Highlander years with the most reported problems, relative to other Highlander years. 2021 has the highest complaint index at 100, with 517 complaints, led by Transmission & Powertrain issues.
Which Honda Pilot years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2025 as the Pilot years to avoid relative to other Pilot years. 2016 stands out with 1,703 complaints and a complaint index of 100, mostly tied to the Engine.
Which has more complaints, the Highlander or the Pilot?: The Pilot has 6,573 total complaints across 16 model years (411 per model year on average) versus the Highlander's 3,549 total complaints (222 per model year). NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these totals are not normalized per vehicle sold.
How do fuel economy figures compare?: The Highlander averages 22 mpg combined across its model years versus 20.9 mpg combined for the Pilot, based on EPA data.
Do either the Highlander or Pilot have more recalls?: The Honda Pilot has 43 total recall campaigns across its 16 model years, slightly more than the Toyota Highlander's 39 recall campaigns.