Last updated: 2026-03-04
Toyota Highlander Reliability by Year
The Toyota Highlander averages 72/100 across 8 model years, rated good.
Toyota Highlander Reliability Overview
Covering model years 2018 to 2026, the Toyota Highlander receives an average reliability score of 84/100, categorized as excellent, with repair costs estimated at $489 annually, below the midsize SUV average. Common issues reported by owners include power train problems, particularly in model years 2018 through 2024, and structural concerns noted in 2022 and 2023 models, while the 2026 model shows no complaints or recalls. With a reliability rating of 4/5, the Highlander is well-suited for those prioritizing long-term dependability with moderate repair expenses.
Current generation: 5th gen (2027–present).
Best & Worst Toyota Highlander Years
Best Toyota Highlander Years to Buy
The best Toyota Highlander year is 2025 with a reliability score of 76/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2022 (74/100) and 2023 (73/100).
Toyota Highlander Years to Avoid
No Toyota Highlander years are statistical outliers in our data — all years score consistently.
See full Toyota Highlander years-to-avoid analysis →Toyota Highlander Reliability Score Trend
Toyota Highlander reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 72/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 67/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 76/100 | Good |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Toyota Highlander
0 recalls · 0 complaints
The 2026 Toyota Highlander has excellent reliability. There are 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Toyota Highlander.
2025 Toyota Highlander
8 recalls · 40 complaints
The 2025 Toyota Highlander has good reliability. There are 8 recalls and 40 owner complaints on file for the 2025 Toyota Highlander. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Unknown Or Other (11), Power Train (9), Structure (4).
2024 Toyota Highlander
16 recalls · 198 complaints
The 2024 Toyota Highlander has good reliability. There are 16 recalls and 198 owner complaints on file for the 2024 Toyota Highlander. Severity signals include 5 crash-related complaints and 1 fire-related complaint. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Unknown Or Other (43), Power Train (27), Air Bags (27).
2023 Toyota Highlander
13 recalls · 140 complaints
The 2023 Toyota Highlander has good reliability. There are 13 recalls and 140 owner complaints on file for the 2023 Toyota Highlander. Severity signals include 8 crash-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Structure (30), Unknown Or Other (29), Power Train (12).
2022 Toyota Highlander
7 recalls · 186 complaints
The 2022 Toyota Highlander has good reliability. There are 7 recalls and 186 owner complaints on file for the 2022 Toyota Highlander. Severity signals include 12 crash-related complaints and 1 fire-related complaint. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Power Train (30), Structure (30), Service Brakes (29).
2021 Toyota Highlander
6 recalls · 403 complaints
The 2021 Toyota Highlander has good reliability. There are 6 recalls and 403 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Toyota Highlander. Severity signals include 16 crash-related complaints and 2 fire-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Power Train (127), Service Brakes (45), Air Bags (43).
2020 Toyota Highlander
8 recalls · 269 complaints
The 2020 Toyota Highlander has good reliability. There are 8 recalls and 269 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Toyota Highlander. Severity signals include 10 crash-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Power Train (90), Air Bags (35), Unknown Or Other (28).
2019 Toyota Highlander
3 recalls · 414 complaints
The 2019 Toyota Highlander has good reliability. There are 3 recalls and 414 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Toyota Highlander. Severity signals include 22 crash-related complaints and 1 fire-related complaint. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Power Train (145), Unknown Or Other (53), Electrical System (45).
2018 Toyota Highlander
5 recalls · 242 complaints
The 2018 Toyota Highlander has good reliability. There are 5 recalls and 242 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Toyota Highlander. Severity signals include 21 crash-related complaints and 2 fire-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Power Train (44), Service Brakes (40), Unknown Or Other (29).
Toyota Highlander Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
4/5
Annual Repair Cost
$489
Repair Frequency
0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk
13%
$84 below the midsize SUVs average of $573/yr.
Ranked #7 of 26 among midsize SUVs.
Toyota Highlander Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Toyota Models
Compare all Toyota models by reliability
Compare Toyota Highlander With Similar SUVs
The Toyota Highlander competes with other midsize suvs such as Volkswagen Atlas, Mazda CX-90, and Nissan Pathfinder.
Volkswagen Atlas reliability
9 years tracked · 2107 complaints
Mazda CX-90 reliability
3 years tracked · 280 complaints
Nissan Pathfinder reliability
8 years tracked · 457 complaints
Hyundai Palisade reliability
7 years tracked · 1908 complaints
Toyota Grand Highlander reliability
3 years tracked · 204 complaints
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Toyota Highlander reliable?
- The Toyota Highlander has good reliability with an average score of 72/100. Some model years are stronger than others — check individual years before buying.
- What is the best year for the Toyota Highlander?
- The best year for the Toyota Highlander is 2025 with a reliability score of 76/100, rated good. It has 8 recalls and 40 owner complaints on record. See full 2025 Toyota Highlander analysis →
- What are the Toyota Highlander years to avoid?
- No Toyota Highlander years in our database are statistical outliers — all tracked model years score consistently within the model average. See full years-to-avoid analysis →
- How much does it cost to maintain a Toyota Highlander?
- The Toyota Highlander has an estimated annual repair cost of $489, which is $84 below the midsize SUVs average of $573. This includes both scheduled maintenance and unscheduled repairs based on independent repair data.
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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