The Lemon IndexToyota Highlander.
The best Toyota Highlander years are 2014, 2016, 2017. Years to avoid: 2008. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 58, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2001 to 2025.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2014.
Compare the Toyota Highlander.
vs Toyota RAV4 · vs Honda CR-V · vs Nissan Rogue · vs Ford Escape · vs Chevrolet Equinox · vs Jeep Grand Cherokee · vs Ford Explorer · vs Jeep Wrangler
Quick answers.
Is the Toyota Highlander a good car?
Yes, it draws fewer complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 58; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2014 and the worst is 2008.
What are the best Toyota Highlander years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2014, 2016, 2017.
What Toyota Highlander years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2008.
How many recalls does the Toyota Highlander have?
134 safety recalls across the 25 model years we track. Most: 2008 (14), 2006 (11), 2009 (10). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Toyota Highlander problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name transmission & drivetrain, brakes and speed control most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 71 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 65 | service brakes, hydraulic (23%) | 3 | — | 18–22 |
| 2002 | 47 | 2.1× fewer complaints than average | 54 | visibility (20%) | 2 | — | 18–22 |
| 2003 | 52 | 1.9× fewer complaints than average | 51 | service brakes, hydraulic (22%) | 2 | — | 18–22 |
| 2004 | 100 | about average | 114 | transmission & drivetrain (38%) | 5 | — | 19–22 |
| 2005 | 65 | 1.5× fewer complaints than average | 62 | transmission & drivetrain (42%) | 6 | — | 19–22 |
| 2006 | 79 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 71 | steering (21%) | 11 | — | 19–27 |
| 2007 | 61 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 69 | speed control (23%) | 6 | — | 19–26 |
| 2008 | 158 | 1.6× the average car's complaints | 164 | speed control (24%) | 14 | — | 19–26 |
| 2009 | 77 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 52 | speed control (25%) | 10 | — | 19–26 |
| 2010 | 71 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 72 | speed control (24%) | 10 | — | 19–26 |
| 2011 | 64 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 75 | wipers & visibility (21%) | 5 | ★★★★☆ | 19–28 |
| 2012 | 49 | 2× fewer complaints than average | 64 | speed control (17%) | 2 | ★★★★☆ | 19–28 |
| 2013 | 62 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 96 | speed control (29%) | 3 | ★★★★☆ | 19–28 |
| 2014 | 33 | 3× fewer complaints than average | 52 | body structure (25%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 20–28 |
| 2015 | 65 | 1.5× fewer complaints than average | 101 | electrical (20%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | 20–28 |
| 2016 | 37 | 2.7× fewer complaints than average | 71 | brakes (24%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 20–28 |
| 2017 | 46 | 2.2× fewer complaints than average | 105 | engine (20%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 22–29 |
| 2018 | 52 | 1.9× fewer complaints than average | 128 | brakes (19%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 22–29 |
| 2019 | 72 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 176 | fuel or EV drive system (39%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 22–29 |
| 2020 | 47 | 2.1× fewer complaints than average | 94 | brakes (21%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 23–36 |
| 2021 | 86 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 220 | brakes (21%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 23–36 |
| 2022 | 62 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 173 | brakes (20%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 23–36 |
| 2023 | 85 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 195 | body structure (18%) | 9 | ★★★★★ | 24–36 |
| 2024 | 42 | 2.4× fewer complaints than average | 43 | brakes (19%) | 7 | ★★★★★ | 24–36 |
| 2025 | – | too few complaints to score | 10 | automatic emergency braking (30%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 24–35 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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