Toyota Highlander Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Toyota Highlander model years to avoid are 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, based on NHTSA complaint indexes of 80, 95, 90, 100, 85, and 75 respectively. The best years, based on the lowest complaint indexes, are 2014 (10), 2016 (15), 2024 (20), and 2025 (0).
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2008Avoid 2019Avoid 2020Avoid 2021Avoid 2022Avoid 2023Best 2014Best 2016Best 2024Best 2025
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 4,713
- Recall campaigns
- 47
- Crashes reported
- 363
- Fires reported
- 50
- Top problem area
- Transmission & Powertrain
Highlander Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Toyota Highlander problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 30 | 224 | 35 | 4 | 6 | Transmission & Powertrain | 20 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 55 | 277 | 29 | 4 | 7 | Brakes | 19.5 | — |
| 2007 | Good | 5 | 123 | 11 | 1 | 4 | Brakes | 19.5 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 80 | 404 | 44 | 14 | 11 | Engine | 19.5 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 35 | 134 | 6 | 5 | 9 | Engine | 20 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 60 | 216 | 18 | 2 | 10 | Electrical System | 20 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 25 | 181 | 14 | 0 | 5 | Visibility & Wipers | 20 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Good | 40 | 182 | 16 | 3 | 2 | Steering | 20 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Good | 45 | 207 | 26 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 20 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Best | 10 | 135 | 5 | 1 | 4 | Electrical System | 21 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 50 | 192 | 17 | 6 | 1 | Electrical System | 21 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Best | 15 | 110 | 14 | 1 | 2 | Brakes | 21 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 65 | 267 | 18 | 2 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 70 | 265 | 23 | 1 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 95 | 482 | 22 | 1 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 90 | 315 | 15 | 0 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Avoid | 100 | 517 | 16 | 4 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Avoid | 85 | 249 | 16 | 1 | 5 | Structure & Body | 23 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Avoid | 75 | 181 | 12 | 0 | 9 | Structure & Body | 24 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Best | 20 | 42 | 4 | 0 | 7 | Brakes | 24 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Best | 0 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Engine | 24 | 5★ |
Highlander years to avoid: what went wrong
2021 Toyota Highlander Index 100 · 517 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2021 Highlander has the highest complaint index of any year, at 100, ranking worst overall. Transmission and powertrain issues make up 43% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 59,000. Brakes and structure/body complaints follow at 13% and 11% respectively. NHTSA recalls include a second-row seat back locking issue, an accessory tire load-rating campaign, and an airbag sensor inspection recall shared with the 2020 model year. With 4 recall campaigns and the top complaint index in the lineup, 2021 is the year owners report the most problems.
2021 transmission & powertrain problems →2021 brakes problems →2021 structure & body problems →
2019 Toyota Highlander Index 95 · 482 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2019 Highlander has a complaint index of 95, ranking 2nd worst overall. Transmission and powertrain issues dominate, accounting for 40% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 54,471. Fuel system complaints follow at 22%, with a much lower median mileage of 6,313, pointing to early-life fuel pump concerns. NHTSA recalls for this year include two separate fuel pump assembly replacement campaigns. Engine complaints round out the top problem areas at 17%. This year shows one of the highest complaint volumes among all Highlander years covered.
2019 transmission & powertrain problems →2019 fuel system problems →2019 engine problems →
2020 Toyota Highlander Index 90 · 315 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2020 Highlander posts a complaint index of 90, the 3rd worst year. Transmission and powertrain problems lead at 40% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 73,000. Brakes follow at 13%, reported at a much lower median mileage of 15,592. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for 2020, including seat trim covers that could interfere with side airbags and a bumper cover repair campaign shared with later years. Airbag and structure/body complaints each account for roughly 10% of the total, reflecting a spread of issues beyond the drivetrain.
2020 transmission & powertrain problems →2020 brakes problems →2020 airbags problems →
2022 Toyota Highlander Index 85 · 249 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2022 Highlander has a complaint index of 85, ranking 4th worst. Structure and body complaints lead at 24%, with a median failure mileage of 32,827, followed closely by transmission and powertrain issues at 21% and a much higher median mileage of 98,000. Brakes account for 15% of complaints at a low median mileage of 6,900. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this year, including seat back locking mechanisms and tire load-rating issues shared with other recent model years.
2022 structure & body problems →2022 transmission & powertrain problems →2022 brakes problems →
2008 Toyota Highlander Index 80 · 404 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2008 Highlander carries a complaint index of 80 and ranks 5th worst of 21 model years. Owners most often reported engine problems, making up 30% of complaints for the year, with a median mileage at failure of 80,578 miles. Brakes followed at 22% of complaints, with failures reported at a median of 113,061 miles. NHTSA also lists 11 recall campaigns for this year, covering structure and body issues such as seat heater wiring, plus a switch-lubrication campaign for wiper-related components. Compared to other Highlander years, 2008 stands out for its high combination of engine and brake complaints alongside a heavier recall count.
2008 engine problems →2008 brakes problems →2008 airbags problems →
2023 Toyota Highlander Index 75 · 181 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2023 Highlander carries a complaint index of 75, ranking 6th worst, but is rated Avoid partly because of 9 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit. Structure and body complaints lead at 28%, with a median failure mileage of 15,700, followed by engine complaints at 18% with a median of 30,500 miles. Recalls include seat back locking mechanisms, a parking assist software update, and an instrument panel software recall shared with several other Toyota models.
2023 structure & body problems →2023 engine problems →2023 transmission & powertrain problems →
Most common Toyota Highlander problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Transmission & Powertrain918 (19%)
- Engine833 (18%)
- Brakes706 (15%)
- Electrical System656 (14%)
- Other642 (14%)
- Structure & Body489 (10%)
- Fuel System338 (7%)
- Steering321 (7%)
- Airbags308 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers289 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Toyota Highlander years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaint data, the years to avoid are 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, with complaint indexes ranging from 75 to 100.
- What is the best Toyota Highlander model year?
- The best years based on the lowest complaint indexes are 2014 (10), 2016 (15), 2024 (20), and 2025 (0).
- Which Highlander year has the most reported problems?
- The 2021 Highlander has the highest complaint index at 100, with 517 total complaints, most involving transmission and powertrain issues at 43% of the total.
- Does the 2023 Toyota Highlander have recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2023 Highlander, more than any other model year in the lineup, covering structure and body, software, and camera systems.
- Is the 2008 Toyota Highlander reliable?
- The 2008 Highlander has a complaint index of 80 and ranks 5th worst of 21 model years, with engine problems making up 30% of its complaints, based on NHTSA data.