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
8 recalls · 424 complaints
36 reported injuries
Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES
8 recalls · 391 complaints
25 reported injuries
Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES
3 recalls · 365 complaints
15 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 4 past investigations into the Highlander became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
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 | — | — | 69 | 36 | 57 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 1 | 8 | 1 | — | 69 | 51 | 63 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 2 | 29 | — | — | 69 | 64 | 67 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 4 | 122 | 7 | — | 64 | 74 | 68 | Good |
| 2022 | 3 | 179 | 6 | — | 59 | 81 | 67 | Caution |
| 2021 | 3 | 365 | 15 | — | 44 | 84 | 58 | Avoid |
| 2020 | 5 | 203 | 36 | — | 50 | 83 | 62 | Caution |
| 2019 | 3 | 302 | 15 | — | 45 | 79 | 57 | Caution |
| 2018 | 3 | 187 | 22 | — | 55 | 73 | 61 | Caution |
| 2017 | 3 | 191 | 24 | — | 54 | 66 | 58 | Caution |
| 2016 | 2 | 88 | 12 | — | 67 | 59 | 64 | Good |
| 2015 | 2 | 138 | 11 | — | 62 | 52 | 59 | Good |
| 2014 | 1 | 82 | 3 | 1 | 69 | 46 | 61 | Good |
| 2013 | 2 | 142 | 9 | — | 62 | 41 | 55 | Good |
| 2012 | 2 | 115 | 6 | — | 66 | 37 | 56 | Good |
| 2011 | 4 | 131 | 8 | — | 63 | 34 | 53 | Good |
| 2010 | 6 | 150 | 9 | — | 60 | 34 | 51 | Caution |
| 2009 | 6 | 117 | 9 | — | 64 | 34 | 54 | Good |
| 2008 | 8 | 424 | 36 | 1 | 44 | 34 | 41 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 4 | 141 | 6 | — | 63 | 34 | 53 | Good |
| 2006 | 8 | 391 | 25 | 3 | 44 | 34 | 41 | Avoid |
| 2005 | 4 | 148 | 25 | — | 58 | 34 | 50 | Caution |
| 2004 | 4 | 161 | 14 | — | 59 | 34 | 50 | Caution |
| 2003 | 1 | 147 | 7 | — | 63 | 34 | 53 | Good |
| 2002 | 1 | 179 | 11 | — | 59 | 34 | 50 | Caution |
| 2001 | 1 | 88 | 5 | — | 69 | 34 | 57 | 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: 2023 (Buyer Score 68).
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 64).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Highlander to buy?+
The 2023 Toyota Highlander scores highest on our Buyer Score (68/100) — combining a reliability score of 64/100 with a value score of 74/100. It has 4 recalls and 122 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 8 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: POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, 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.