Is the Toyota Highlander Reliable?
2001–2026 defect & recall-risk analysis from citable NHTSA data.
The score ranks this model's recall intensity against other suvs — plus systemic-defect concentration and any open federal investigations. It measures defect and recall risk, not long-term mechanical durability, and is deliberately not skewed by how many were sold.
Reliability Score
Own a Toyota Highlander? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Toyota Highlander Reliability by Year
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — | — | Not enough data | |
| 2025 | 2 | 8 | 1 | — | 61 | Good |
| 2024 | 4 | 29 | — | — | 61 | Good |
| 2023 | 5 | 122 | 7 | — | 56 | Fair |
| 2022 | 4 | 176 | 3 | — | 51 | Fair |
| 2021 | 3 | 365 | 15 | — | 36 | Poor |
| 2020 | 3 | 203 | 36 | — | 42 | Poor |
| 2019 | 2 | 298 | 15 | — | 37 | Poor |
| 2018 | 4 | 187 | 22 | — | 46 | Fair |
| 2017 | 3 | 191 | 24 | — | 46 | Fair |
Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.
How the Highlander Compares to Similar Vehicles
The Highlander scores 18 points below the average suv. Consider checking years with lower complaint volumes.
Known Toyota Highlander Reliability Issues
The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:
Based on 1579 owner complaints across recent model years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Toyota Highlander reliable?+
The Toyota Highlander scores 51/100 on our reliability index — rated "Fair." Across 10 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 30 recall campaigns and 1579 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.
What year Highlander is most reliable?+
Among the years analyzed, the 2025 Highlander achieved the highest reliability score of 61/100 with 2 recalls and 8 complaints.
How many miles does a Highlander last?+
With consistent maintenance, most Toyota Highlander owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used Highlander will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.
More Toyota Highlander Research
Check a Specific Toyota Highlander VIN
Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.
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