Toyota Highlander: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
5,802 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Toyota Highlander, model years 2001 to 2026. 10 model years stand out for the engine or transmission: 2021 (transmission 23×); 2019 (transmission 22×); 2008 (engine 5.4×); 2020 (transmission 13×). Quietest mature years by complaint count: 2016, 2007, 2009. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 HighlanderFEW REPORTS | 137 | quiet: 5 of 19 | 3 | |
| 2002 Highlander | 301 | — | 2 | |
| 2003 Highlander | 258 | engine 6.1× | 2 | |
| 2004 Highlander | 286 | transmission 5.8× | 5 | |
| 2005 Highlander | 224 | transmission 5.1× | 6 | |
| 2006 Highlander | 278 | — | 7 | |
| 2007 HighlanderFEW REPORTS | 124 | quiet: 2 of 19 | 4 | |
| 2008 Highlander | 405 | engine 5.4× | 13 | |
| 2009 HighlanderFEW REPORTS | 134 | quiet: 3 of 19 | 9 | |
| 2010 Highlander | 216 | — | 10 | |
| 2011 Highlander | 182 | quiet: 6 of 19 | 5 | |
| 2012 Highlander | 182 | quiet: 7 of 19 | 2 | |
| 2013 Highlander | 207 | — | 3 | |
| 2014 HighlanderFEW REPORTS | 136 | quiet: 4 of 19 | 5 | |
| 2015 Highlander | 193 | — | 2 | |
| 2016 HighlanderFEW REPORTS | 111 | quiet: 1 of 19 | 3 | |
| 2017 Highlander | 272 | transmission 7.8× | 4 | |
| 2018 Highlander | 275 | transmission 7.4× | 5 | |
| 2019 Highlander | 509 | transmission 22× | 3 | |
| 2020 Highlander | 323 | transmission 13× | 4 | |
| 2021 Highlander | 537 | transmission 23× | 4 | |
| 2022 Highlander | 264 | transmission 5.3× | 5 | |
| 2023 Highlander | 190 | — | 9 | |
| 2024 HighlanderFEW REPORTS | 43 | — | 7 | |
| 2025 HighlanderFEW REPORTS | 11 | — | 4 | |
| 2026 HighlanderFEW REPORTS | 4 | — | 0 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
Check your Highlander at your mileage
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Other Toyota models
Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 200220032004200520062008201020112012201320152017201820192020202120222023