Last updated: 2026-04-20
2026 Toyota Highlander Reliability Report
The 2026 Toyota Highlander scores 84/100 ("Excellent") with a complaint rate below the segment average. Data shows a dependable ownership experience across 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints.
Recalls
0
Complaints
0
Complaint Rate
0per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$489
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,500
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Strong reliability record — a solid choice for buyers.
Generation & Refresh (US)
2026 is the last model year of the Fourth generation (XU70).
- Final-year models are typically the most refined version of a generation.
- 4th generation Highlander (US).
What this means for buyers
Final-year models are usually the most polished version of a generation, but resale value may dip as buyers anticipate the next redesign.
2020: Fourth generation (XU70) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2026: This Model Year
2026 is the last model year of the Fourth generation (XU70).
Should You Buy the 2026 Toyota Highlander?
The 2026 Toyota Highlander earns an Excellent 84/100 reliability score. 2026 is the last model year of the Fourth generation (XU70).
At 0 per 10,000 vehicles sold, its complaint rate sits below the SUV segment average, and most owners report a trouble-free ownership experience.
A solid choice for buyers prioritizing dependability, new or used.
See also the 2025 Toyota Highlander for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Strong reliability score
- +$84 cheaper to maintain than avg midsize SUVs
- +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- +Low major repair risk (13%)
- +No recalls issued
Cons
No recurring complaint themes yet.
Compare 2026 Toyota Highlander With
2026 Volkswagen Atlas
Reliability: 64/100
2026 Mazda CX-90
Reliability: 72/100
2026 Nissan Pathfinder
Reliability: 82/100
2026 Hyundai Palisade
Reliability: 72/100
2026 Hyundai Santa-FE
Reliability: 75/100
Recall Overview
0
recalls on record
No recalls are on record for the 2026 Toyota Highlander — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
0
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 4.6
Safety Incidents
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
Buying a used 2026 Toyota Highlander? Check its history first
Every 2026 Toyota Highlander has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2026 Toyota Highlander NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas / HEV Powertrain
Rollover risk: 16.4%
Safety Technologies
Toyota HighlanderRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$489
vs $573 avg for midsize SUVs
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.3
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
13%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
Toyota Highlander Resale Value
The Toyota Highlander is estimated to retain about 71.1% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
This benchmark covers the Toyota Highlander model overall and is not specific to the 2026 model year.
- Value Retained
- 71.1%
- Depreciation
- 28.9%
- Listings Analyzed
- 720
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.
Explore Toyota Highlander depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comMPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
24 MPG
Running cost: $3,000/yr
Fuel + repair
21 city / 28 hwy MPG
Hybrid
35 MPG
Running cost: $2,200/yr
Fuel + repair
35 city / 34–35 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2026 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander AWD 2.4L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,500 |
Hybrid trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander Hybrid AWD 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 35 | 35 | 35 | $1,700 |
| Highlander Hybrid AWD LTD/PLAT 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 35 | 34 | 35 | $1,700 |
Best & Worst Toyota Highlander Years
Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.
Best Toyota Highlander Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe best Toyota Highlander year is 2026 with a reliability score of 84/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2025 (76/100) and 2022 (74/100).
2026
(Current Model)
2025
2022
Toyota Highlander Years to Avoid
The worst Toyota Highlander year is 2024 with a score of 67/100, primarily due to unknown or other (43) issues.
Toyota Highlander Reliability Score Trend
Toyota Highlander reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 73/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| 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 |
| 2026 | 84/100 | Excellent |
Toyota Highlander Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2026 Toyota Highlander reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2026 Toyota Highlander?
How many recalls does the 2026 Toyota Highlander have?
Is the 2026 Toyota Highlander expensive to maintain?
Don’t buy a 2026 Toyota Highlander without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
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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.
Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Toyota Highlander.
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