Last updated: 2026-03-04
2026 Toyota Highlander Reliability Score & Common Problems
The 2026 Toyota Highlander has a predicted reliability score of 72/100 based on prior model year data. Early data shows 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints.
2026 is the last model year of the Fourth generation (XU70).
Recalls
0
Complaints
0
Complaint Rate
0
per 10k sold
Below avgEst. Annual Cost
$489
Below avgMajor Repair Risk
13%
NHTSA Rating
5/5
Based on historical reliability patterns, predicted to score 72/100 — worth considering.
No reported issues yet.
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.
Fourth generation (XU70)
Should You Buy the 2026 Toyota Highlander?
The 2026 Toyota Highlander has a predicted reliability score of 72/100 ("Good") based on prior model year performance. This prediction is based on Fourth generation (XU70) reliability data.
So far: 0 recalls, 0 owner complaints. No owner-reported issues on file yet.
Prior model years suggest dependable ownership. Confirm all recall repairs are completed, and consider a pre-purchase inspection for used examples.
See also the 2025 Toyota Highlander for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- Acceptable predicted reliability based on prior model years
- $84 cheaper to maintain than avg midsize SUVs
- Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- Low major repair risk (13%)
Cons
- Score is a prediction — real-world data still developing
Compare 2026 Toyota Highlander With
2026 Volkswagen Atlas
Predicted: 59/100
2026 Mazda CX-90
Predicted: 51/100
2026 Nissan Pathfinder
Predicted: 75/100
2026 Hyundai Palisade
Predicted: 65/100
2026 Hyundai Santa-FE
Predicted: 73/100
Recall Overview
0
recalls on record
The 2026 Toyota Highlander has no recalls on record, which is uncommon and a positive indicator of manufacturing quality.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
0
per 10k soldSegment avg: 6.3
Safety Incidents
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
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 Highlander Repair 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.
Check Any 2026 Toyota Highlander's History Before You Buy
Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2026 Highlander in general — but every car has its own story. Uncover past accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and service records for a specific Toyota Highlander with a free VIN lookup.
Powered by VINExposed.com — free vehicle history reports using public title and safety data.
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. 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 |
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?
How is the predicted score calculated?
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.
Browse More Toyota Models
Browse More 2026 Vehicles
2026 Honda HR-V
Predicted: 81/100
2026 Lexus RX
Predicted: 84/100
2026 Mazda CX-5
Predicted: 73/100
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
Predicted: 79/100
2026 Subaru Crosstrek
Predicted: 78/100
2026 Hyundai Elantra
Predicted: 82/100
2026 Honda Civic
Predicted: 80/100
2026 Toyota Corolla
Predicted: 79/100
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