2015–2026 · 12 model years · 50 recalls
No Toyota Highlander year we rate stands out as one to avoid: every one scores at least 25 out of 100. The best years to buy are 2015, 2016 and 2024; the weakest is the 2021 (38/100).
None of the years we rate score below 25 out of 100, so there's no clear year to avoid. The lowest-scoring is the 2021 (38/100).
Well above average for its class. Expected repairs: $1,218 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $530 over 5 years. 3 recalls, 111 owner complaints.
Well above average for its class. Expected repairs: $1,425 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $549 over 5 years. 2 recalls, 192 owner complaints.
Well above average for its class. Expected repairs: $1,241 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $410 over 5 years. 7 recalls, 43 owner complaints.
| Generation | Years | Average score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| XU50 | 2015–2019 | 83/100 | Well above average |
| XU70 | 2020–2024 | 67/100 | Above average |
| Model year | Reliability | Complaints | Recalls | Best mpg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Highlander | Not rated yet | 6 | 0 | 24 |
| 2025 Highlander | Not rated yet | 15 | 4 | 25 |
| 2024 Highlander | 87/100 · Well above average | 43 | 7 | 25 |
| 2023 Highlander | 68/100 · Above average | 189 | 9 | 25 |
| 2022 Highlander | 71/100 · Above average | 266 | 5 | 24 |
| 2021 Highlander | 38/100 · Below average | 533 | 4 | 24 |
| 2020 Highlander | 73/100 · Above average | 322 | 4 | 24 |
| 2019 Highlander | 58/100 · About average | 508 | 3 | 23 |
| 2018 Highlander | 83/100 · Well above average | 273 | 5 | 23 |
| 2017 Highlander | 84/100 · Well above average | 271 | 4 | 23 |
| 2016 Highlander | 97/100 · Well above average | 111 | 3 | 22 |
| 2015 Highlander | 92/100 · Well above average | 192 | 2 | 22 |
Reliability compares each year with similar cars from 2015 to 2024, using owner complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold. Complaint counts on their own aren't a score: popular cars get more of them.
No Toyota Highlander year we rate stands out as one to avoid: every one scores at least 25 out of 100. The best years to buy are 2015, 2016 and 2024; the weakest is the 2021 (38/100).
The 2016 scores best for reliability (97/100) of the years we rate.
The 2023, with 9 recalls on record with NHTSA.