VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Toyota Highlander2001–2026
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Toyota Highlander
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Toyota Highlander Years to Avoid
12 recalls · 424 complaints
36 reported injuries
Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES
7 recalls · 387 complaints
25 reported injuries
Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES
4 recalls · 292 complaints
14 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Toyota Highlander — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 100 | 40 | 79 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 88 | 55 | 76 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 6 | 21 | — | — | 49 | 68 | 56 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 7 | 97 | 7 | — | 32 | 78 | 48 | Good |
| 2022 | 4 | 117 | — | — | 50 | 85 | 62 | Good |
| 2021 | 4 | 292 | 14 | — | 43 | 88 | 59 | Caution |
| 2020 | 2 | 165 | 17 | — | 52 | 87 | 64 | Caution |
| 2019 | 2 | 263 | 15 | — | 53 | 83 | 64 | Caution |
| 2018 | 3 | 175 | 21 | — | 45 | 77 | 56 | Caution |
| 2017 | 4 | 176 | 24 | — | 40 | 70 | 51 | Caution |
| 2016 | 2 | 87 | 11 | — | 55 | 63 | 58 | Good |
| 2015 | 2 | 133 | 11 | — | 55 | 56 | 55 | Good |
| 2014 | 4 | 79 | 3 | 1 | 41 | 50 | 44 | Good |
| 2013 | 2 | 142 | 9 | — | 56 | 45 | 52 | Good |
| 2012 | 2 | 115 | 6 | — | 57 | 41 | 51 | Good |
| 2011 | 5 | 130 | 8 | — | 41 | 38 | 40 | Good |
| 2010 | 9 | 150 | 9 | — | 21 | 38 | 27 | Caution |
| 2009 | 8 | 117 | 9 | — | 26 | 38 | 30 | Good |
| 2008 | 12 | 424 | 36 | 1 | 0 | 38 | 13 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 5 | 141 | 6 | — | 42 | 38 | 41 | Good |
| 2006 | 7 | 387 | 25 | 3 | 1 | 38 | 14 | Avoid |
| 2005 | 3 | 148 | 25 | — | 45 | 38 | 43 | Caution |
| 2004 | 2 | 161 | 14 | — | 53 | 38 | 48 | Caution |
| 2003 | 1 | 147 | 7 | — | 62 | 38 | 54 | Good |
| 2002 | 1 | 179 | 11 | — | 60 | 38 | 52 | Caution |
| 2001 | 2 | 88 | 5 | — | 58 | 38 | 51 | Good |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Toyota Highlander Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Highlander compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2026 (Buyer Score 79).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2016 (Buyer Score 58).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Highlander to buy?+
The 2025 Toyota Highlander scores highest on our Buyer Score (76/100) — combining a reliability score of 88/100 with a value score of 55/100. It has 2 recalls and 2 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Highlander years have the most problems?+
The 2008, 2006, 2021 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2008 Highlander leads with 12 recalls and 424 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Highlander problems?+
The most frequently reported Toyota Highlander issues involve: SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.