Toyota Highlander years to avoid (and the best years)
3,524 NHTSA owner complaints and 40 recalls across 15 model years, 2010 to 2024. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
Compared with: Honda Pilot, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota RAV4
- 3,524complaints
- 40recalls
- 236reported crashes
- 22reported fires
- 216reported injuries
- 2reported deaths
Which Toyota Highlander years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Toyota Highlander years to avoid are 2021 and 2019. The typical Toyota Highlander year has 206 complaints on file.
- 2021: 512 complaints, 2.5 times the typical year. Most complaints name the transmission and drivetrain (43% of complaints) and the brakes (13% of complaints).
- 2019: 480 complaints, 2.3 times the typical year. Most complaints name the transmission and drivetrain (40% of complaints) and the fuel system (22% of complaints).
What are the best Toyota Highlander years?
The Toyota Highlander years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2023 (180), 2011 (181) and 2012 (182). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 42 | 0.2× | 7 | 4 | 5 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2023 | 180 | 0.9× | 9 | 12 | 12 | Few red flags | Body and structure |
| 2022 | 245 | 1.2× | 5 | 16 | 13 | Some concerns to check | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2021 | 512 | 2.5× | 4 | 16 | 18 | Approach with caution | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2020 | 314 | 1.5× | 4 | 15 | 20 | Some concerns to check | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2019 | 480 | 2.3× | 3 | 22 | 18 | Approach with caution | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2018 | 265 | 1.3× | 5 | 23 | 25 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2017 | 265 | 1.3× | 4 | 18 | 26 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2016 | 110 | 0.5× | 3 | 14 | 10 | Some concerns to check | Brakes |
| 2015 | 191 | 0.9× | 2 | 17 | 16 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2014 | 135 | 0.7× | 5 | 5 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2013 | 206 | 1.0× | 3 | 26 | 12 | Some concerns to check | Steering |
| 2012 | 182 | 0.9× | 2 | 16 | 13 | Few red flags | Steering |
| 2011 | 181 | 0.9× | 5 | 14 | 8 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2010 | 216 | 1.0× | 10 | 18 | 14 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 1,697 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain620 (37%)
- Structure & body360 (21%)
- Brakes195 (11%)
- Other systems147 (9%)
- Electrical & infotainment135 (8%)
Recalls (40)
Safety · 26V128000 · Mar 2026 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Seat belts · 25V872000 · Dec 2025 · model year 2024
A seat belt that does not properly restrain an occupant increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Safety · 25V744000 · Oct 2025 · model years 2023, 2024
A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 25V595000 · Sep 2025 · model years 2023, 2024
An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Steering · 25V040000 · Jan 2025 · model year 2023
A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Safety · 24V548000 · Jul 2024 · model years 2023, 2024
A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Tires · 24V452000 · Jun 2024 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tires · 24V419000 · Jun 2024 · model years 2022, 2023, 2024
Tires with an insufficient load rating may be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 23V865000 · Dec 2023 · model years 2020, 2021
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Structure · 23V720000 · Oct 2023 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 23V480000 · Jul 2023 · model year 2023
A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Safety · 22V310000 · May 2022 · model year 2022
An illegible label may allow the vehicle to be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 20V682000 · Nov 2020 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 20V633000 · Oct 2020 · model year 2020
Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fuel system · 20V162000 · Mar 2020 · model year 2020
Improper fuel supply programming can result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 20V012000 · Jan 2020 · model years 2018, 2019
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 19V244000 · Mar 2019 · model year 2019
If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 18E107000 · Nov 2018 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 18V211000 · Apr 2018 · model year 2018
A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 17V831000 · Dec 2017 · model year 2018
An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 17V520000 · Aug 2017 · model year 2017
The roof rails may loosen and possibly detach from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Tires · 17V295000 · May 2017 · model year 2017
A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 16V775000 · Oct 2016 · model year 2016
If the brake fluid level is low and is not detected, the braking performance may be decreased, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 16V420000 · Jun 2016 · model year 2016
An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 16V396000 · Jun 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Body & glass · 15V689000 · Oct 2015 · model years 2010, 2011
If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Steering · 15V144000 · Mar 2015 · model year 2015
An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 14V743000 · Nov 2014 · model years 2010, 2011
Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Fuel system · 14V576000 · Sep 2014 · model year 2014
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Electrical system · 14V272000 · May 2014 · model year 2014
In the event of a crash, a larger front passenger seat occupant may not be properly restrained and be at an increased risk of injury.
Safety · 14V274000 · May 2014 · model year 2014
If the seat does not fully lock into the inboard seat track, the seat could move, increasing the risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.
Airbags · 14V168000 · Apr 2014 · model year 2010
If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.
Safety · 14V148000 · Mar 2014 · model year 2013
If the seat does not lock into the seat track, there may be an increased risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.
Seat belts · 14V051000 · Feb 2014 · model year 2014
A seat belt that is not properly secured to its anchorage could increase the risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.
Safety · 13V123000 · Apr 2013 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Airbags · 13V014000 · Jan 2013 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Safety · 10V035000 · Feb 2010 · model year 2010
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Safety · 10V036000 · Feb 2010 · model year 2010
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Safety · 10V023000 · Jan 2010 · model year 2010
A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Safety · 10V017000 · Jan 2010 · model year 2010
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.