Toyota Highlander Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Toyota Highlander model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2016 drew the fewest (111) and the 2021 the most (527).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
2 | 0 | Back over prevention | 5★ | 24–35 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
10 | 4 | Vehicle speed control | 5★ | 24–35 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
42 | 7 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 24–35 |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
111 | 2 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 20–28 |
| 2007 Among the fewest complaints |
123 | 4 | Service brakes | — | 19–22 |
| 2009 Among the fewest complaints |
134 | 9 | Service brakes | — | 19–22 |
| 2014 | 136 | 4 | Electrical system | 5★ | 20–28 |
| 2011 | 181 | 5 | Steering | 4★ | 19–22 |
| 2012 | 182 | 2 | Steering | 4★ | 19–22 |
| 2023 | 182 | 9 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 24–35 |
| 2015 | 192 | 1 | Electrical system | 5★ | 20–28 |
| 2013 | 207 | 3 | Steering | 4★ | 19–22 |
| 2010 | 216 | 10 | Electrical system | — | 19–22 |
| 2022 | 259 | 5 | Power train | 5★ | 23–35 |
| 2017 | 268 | 3 | Power train | 5★ | 22–29 |
| 2018 | 268 | 4 | Power train | 5★ | 22–29 |
| 2020 | 319 | 4 | Power train | 5★ | 23–35 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
404 | 11 | Service brakes | — | 19–20 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
490 | 3 | Power train | 5★ | 22–29 |
| 2021 Among the most complaints |
527 | 4 | Power train | 5★ | 23–35 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Toyota Highlander years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2021 Toyota Highlander: 527 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 225 (43%); Service brakes 67 (13%); Structure 52 (10%).
Reports mention 16 crashes, 4 fires, 18 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 20,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Toyota Highlander: 490 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 202 (41%); Fuel/propulsion system 87 (18%); Engine 69 (14%).
Reports mention 22 crashes, 1 fire, 18 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 12,500 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Toyota Highlander: 404 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 81 (20%); Engine 58 (14%); Air bags 57 (14%).
Reports mention 44 crashes, 14 fires, 42 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 77,900 miles. 11 recall campaigns listed.
The Toyota Highlander years with the fewest complaints
2016 Toyota Highlander: 111 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 19 (17%); Electrical system 14 (13%); Air bags 10 (9%).
Reports mention 14 crashes, 1 fire, 11 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 25,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Toyota Highlander: 123 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 35 (28%); Electrical system 23 (19%); Vehicle speed control 16 (13%).
Reports mention 11 crashes, 1 fire, 7 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 60,500 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Toyota Highlander: 134 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 26 (19%); Engine 23 (17%); Electrical system 20 (15%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 5 fires, 9 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 60,000 miles. 9 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Toyota Highlander owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 42 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 182 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 34,125 |
| 2022 | 259 | 17 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 30,000 |
| 2021 | 527 | 16 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2020 | 319 | 16 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 21,000 |
| 2019 | 490 | 22 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 12,500 |
| 2018 | 268 | 23 | 1 | 25 | 0 | 16,500 |
| 2017 | 268 | 18 | 2 | 26 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2016 | 111 | 14 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 25,000 |
| 2015 | 192 | 17 | 6 | 16 | 0 | 30,800 |
| 2014 | 136 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 36,700 |
| 2013 | 207 | 26 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 35,000 |
| 2012 | 182 | 16 | 3 | 13 | 0 | 51,000 |
| 2011 | 181 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2010 | 216 | 18 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 54,000 |
| 2009 | 134 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2008 | 404 | 44 | 14 | 42 | 2 | 77,900 |
| 2007 | 123 | 11 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 60,500 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Toyota Highlander recalls
- Power Window Master Switch may Melt (2008 model year; 2,519,424 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2012; 12V491000)
- STICKING ACCELERATOR PEDAL (2010 model year; 2,230,661 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2010; 10V017000)
- Fuel Pump May Fail (2018–2019 model years; 1,830,752 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2020; 20V012000)
- Power Window Master Switch may Melt (2008–2011 model years; 1,814,284 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2015; 15V689000)
- Fuel Pump May Fail (2017–2019 model years; 1,525,742 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2020; 20V682000)
All 51 Toyota Highlander recall campaigns · Toyota Highlander problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Toyota Highlander years FAQ
Which Toyota Highlander year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2016 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (111). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Toyota Highlander years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2021, 2019 and 2008 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Toyota Highlander problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (863 of 4,253 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Toyota Highlander have?
NHTSA lists 51 recall campaigns covering the Toyota Highlander. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Toyota Highlander recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.