Toyota Highlander — years to avoid
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.
2 model years to avoid, 5 to watch and 6 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.
Avoid2 years
Caution5 years
Best bets6 years
Complaint history
- Avoid
- Caution
- Recommended
- Not enough data
Every year, ranked
Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.
| Year | Ranking | Complaints | Compared with a typical year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ○ Not enough data | 1 | Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 2025 | ○ Not enough data | 9 | Only 9 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 2024 | ▲ Recommended | 42 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2023 | ● Recommended | 181 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2022 | ● Recommended | 257 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2021 | ■ Avoid | 527 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2020 | ◆ Caution | 317 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2019 | ■ Avoid | 490 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2018 | ● Recommended | 267 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2017 | ● Recommended | 269 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2016 | ▲ Recommended | 111 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2015 | ● Recommended | 192 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2014 | ▲ Recommended | 136 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2013 | ● Recommended | 207 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2012 | ● Recommended | 182 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2011 | ● Recommended | 181 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2010 | ● Recommended | 216 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2009 | ▲ Recommended | 134 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2008 | ◆ Caution | 403 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2007 | ▲ Recommended | 124 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2006 | ◆ Caution | 278 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2005 | ● Recommended | 224 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2004 | ◆ Caution | 286 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2003 | ● Recommended | 258 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2002 | ◆ Caution | 301 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2001 | ▲ Recommended | 137 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2000 | ○ Not enough data | 0 | Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 1999 | ○ Not enough data | 0 | Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 1998 | ○ Not enough data | 1 | Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 1997 | ○ Not enough data | 1 | Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
How the rankings work
Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.
- ▲ Recommended
At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.
- ● Recommended
Within 30% of the model’s typical year.
- ◆ Caution
30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.
- ■ Avoid
More than double the complaints of the typical year.
- ○ Not enough data
Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.
Recalls
54
recalls on file across every Toyota Highlander model year.
Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.