Last updated: 2026-10-10

Toyota Highlander

Toyota Highlander Years to Avoid

9 scored model years (2018–2026) · model average 73/100

Skip the 2024 model year. It has the most recalls of any year and the highest complaint rate, led by CV axle noise, stalling hesitation, and curtain airbags that may not deploy with a front window down. The 2022 is the better buy.

Verdict

Avoid
2024 67/100
Buy
2022 74/100
Model average
73/100
See years to avoid ↓See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

Toyota Highlander Years to Avoid

These model years score significantly below the Toyota Highlander average of 73/100.

#YearScoreRatingRecallsComplaintsTop Issue
1202467/100Good16198Unknown Or Other (43)

Why These Years Should Be Avoided

67
GoodReliability score: 67 out of 100, rated Good

2024 Toyota Highlander

Owners report clicking and vibration from the front CV axles, often replaced around 20,000 to 25,000 miles and sometimes back by 50,000. Others describe hesitation and surging from a stop. An airbag recall left families waiting months for parts, and a recall for a blinking, blank instrument cluster had the same wait.

16 recalls198 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Unknown Or Other (43), Power Train (27), Air Bags (27), Electrical System (18), Fuel Propulsion System (14), Suspension (11)

View full 2024reliability report →

What Are Common Toyota Highlander Problems?

Highlander transmission problems

485 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2021, 2020

2019: Transmission failure dominates these reports.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

254 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2024, 2021

2019: This catch-all group mixes several problems.

SERVICE BRAKES

169 complaints

Most reported in 2021, 2018, 2022

2021: On hybrid models, braking briefly fades and the SUV surges forward before the brakes catch again.

AIR BAGS

162 complaints

Most reported in 2021, 2020, 2024

2021: Most complaints concern recall 23V865000, which warns that the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash.

STRUCTURE

159 complaints

Most reported in 2021, 2023, 2022

2021: Water leaks in through roof rack seals into the A-pillars and headliner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

134 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2024, 2021

2019: Stalling and sudden power loss lead this group.

Best Toyota Highlander Year to Buy Instead

74
GoodReliability score: 74 out of 100, rated Good

2022 Toyota Highlander

The 2022 model year has a much lower complaint rate than 2019, 2021, and 2024, and fewer than half the recalls of 2024. It has been on the road long enough to show its faults: a transmission whine past the warranty, a surge while braking, and a bumper cover recall. You can check for all three before buying.

Score: 74/100 (Good)7 recalls186 complaints
View full 2022reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2022 Toyota Highlander has 7 recalls on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Toyota Highlander Years by Generation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Toyota Highlander years should I avoid?
Avoid the 2024 model year. It has the most recalls, 16, and the highest complaint rate of any year. Owners report CV axle noise, hesitation from a stop, and long waits for recall parts. The 2022 is the better choice.
Which Toyota Highlander years have transmission problems?
Power train is the top complaint area in nearly every year from 2018 through 2022, and the 2019 and 2021 years have the most reports. The pattern is a whine that grows into hard shifts or failure. Many 2018 VINs fall outside Toyota's support program.
Is the 2022 Toyota Highlander a good year?
Yes, it is the best-supported pick, with a low complaint rate for its age. It is not flawless. Owners report a transmission whine past the warranty, a brief surge while slowing, and a front bumper cover recall with long part delays.
Are the 2025 and 2026 Toyota Highlanders safe bets?
They are too new to judge. The 2026 shows no complaints or recalls, and the 2025 shows few, mainly because they have had little time on the road. Complaints build up with age, so do not read those low counts as proof of reliability.
Which Toyota Highlander years have airbag complaints?
The 2021 has the most airbag complaints, with the 2020 and 2024 also high. In 2024, most concern recall 24V461000, where curtain airbags may not deploy in certain crashes with a front window down. Owners also faced long waits for the remedy.

How we score every Toyota Highlander model year

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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