Shifterati

Toyota

Toyota Highlander 2001–2028

This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.

On a 2001–2007 with the 2.4L four, look hard for coolant loss at the back of the head, where owners report stripped head bolt threads. Make sure a 2006–2010 Hybrid's inverter recalls were done. SlashGear's picks are 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Learn

Generations

Timeline

  1. 1st gen 2001–2007

    What changed, year by year (5)
    1. 2001 New model, with a 2.4L four or a 220 hp V6 and front- or all-wheel drive.7,8
    2. 2002 No changes.9
    3. 2004 A 3.3L V6 of 230 hp replaces the 3.0L, the four gains 5 hp, and a fold-flat third row is optional on the Base and standard on the Limited. New seat fabric and dash and door trim.10
    4. 2005 A roof rack with cross bars, keyless entry and a cargo cover become standard, and a windshield wiper de-icer is standard on the Limited and optional on the base.11
    5. 2006 The Hybrid arrives, a V6 with electric motors and 268 hp combined. Toyota calls it the first hybrid SUV in its class.12,13

  2. 2nd gen 2008–2013

    What changed, year by year (3)
    1. 2008 A full redesign, with the 3.5L V6 as the only engine, a 5-speed automatic and seats for seven. The Hybrid is redesigned too.14,15
    2. 2009 A 2.7L four-cylinder, by Wikipedia.6
    3. 2011 New styling at both ends, a 50/50 split third row and rear climate controls on the base and SE, and the Sport dropped. The Hybrid moves to a 3.5L V6 with 280 hp combined.16,17

  3. 3rd gen 2014–2019

    What changed, year by year (4)
    1. 2014 A full redesign, with seats for up to eight, a height-adjustable power liftgate and a 6-speed automatic for the V6. The Hybrid comes in Limited grades only.18,19
    2. 2015 Essentially unchanged.20
    3. 2016 Essentially unchanged, with a tow package on every V6.21
    4. 2017 A new 295 hp V6 with an 8-speed automatic, Toyota Safety Sense on every trim, and a new SE. The Hybrid rises to 306 hp and gains two cheaper grades.22,23

  4. 4th gen 2020–2026

    What changed, year by year (6)
    1. 2020 A full redesign on the TNGA-K platform, with the 295 hp V6 and an 8-speed automatic, and a 2.5L four-cylinder Hybrid of 243 hp. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto added.13,24
    2. 2022 The Hybrid Bronze Edition and Wind Chill Pearl paint are new.25
    3. 2023 A 265 hp 2.4L turbo four takes the V6's place, with 12.3-inch screens on the Limited and Platinum and a 7-inch gauge screen on the L and LE.26
    4. 2024 The Hybrid Nightshade is new, and the hands-free power liftgate is standard on every XLE and the gas XSE.27
    5. 2025 All-wheel drive is standard on the Hybrid, Heavy Metal paint arrives, and the Hybrid 25th Edition is limited to 2,500 for the US.28
    6. 2026 All-wheel drive is standard on gas models too, and the grades are cut to XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum, with the Hybrid in XLE, Limited and Platinum.29

  5. 5th gen 2028

    What changed, year by year (1)
    1. 2028 Toyota's fifth generation, battery-electric only. The XLE and Limited with the larger battery are due in early 2027, the XLE with front-wheel drive in mid-2027.30

Buy

Rare catches

Rare options, colors and interiors to look out for, and whether finding one is good news.

  • Rare 25th Edition Trim · 4th gen

    A limited edition for 202528

    2,500 built for the US31

  • Good find Portobello Interior · 4th gen

    25th Edition only28

    Why it is a good find: CarPro's reviewer calls the Portobello leather, a first for the Highlander, a great colour.31

Recalls 39
  • 01V228000 2001

    The brake fluid reservoir cap can let air in, lengthening the pedal travel and the stopping distance.32

  • 02V208000 2001–2002

    In a hard frontal crash a fuel vapour hose clamp can break a valve nozzle, which could leak fuel in a rollover.32,33

  • 04V181000 2001–2004

    A hard slam can knock a rear door's child lock off, so the door could open from inside while moving.32,33,34,35

  • 06V253000 2004–2006

    Loose clips on the console cover by the driver's leg can let it stop the accelerator pedal returning to idle.35,36,37

  • 08V181000 2008

    Third-row seat belts can leave their locking mode too soon, so a rear-facing child seat may not stay secure.38,39

  • 09V223000 2006–2009

    The load capacity label may be missing or wrong.40,38,41,37,39,42

  • 10V017000 2010

    A worn friction lever and condensation can make the accelerator pedal stiff, slow to return or stuck partly down.43

  • 10V023000 2008–2010

    A loose or wrong floor mat can trap the accelerator pedal wide open. Pedals are modified or replaced. An expansion of an earlier campaign.38,41,43

  • 10V499000 2004–2006

    Brake fluid short of certain polymers can dry out a master cylinder seal and let fluid leak into the booster, weakening the brakes.35,36,40

  • 11V112000 2004–2006

    A loose floor carpet cover can catch the accelerator pedal and hold it partly down.35,36,40

  • 11V245000 2008

    Faulty roll-angle sensors can fire the curtain airbags and seat belt pretensioners when they should not.38,39

  • 11V342000 2006–2007

    Poorly soldered inverter transistors can overheat under high load, lighting warnings and possibly shutting the hybrid system down.37

  • 11V539000 2004–2006

    Too little adhesive in the crankshaft pulley can let the power steering belt come off, losing power assist.35,36,37

  • 12V491000 2008

    The power window master switch may be unevenly greased and can overheat, melt or catch fire.38,39

  • 13V396000 2006–2010

    Transistors in the inverter's power module can be damaged by heat, causing limp-home mode or the hybrid system to shut down while driving. The module is replaced.37,39,42,44

  • 14V051000 2014

    The third-row middle seat belt may not be fixed to its floor anchor.45

  • 14V148000 2013

    The left second-row seat may not lock into its track.46

  • 14V168000 2008–2010

    A flat cable in the steering column can be damaged as the wheel turns, disabling the driver's airbag.38,41,43

  • 14V274000 2014

    The right second-row seat may not lock into its track.45

  • 14V272000 2014

    Airbag software may use the small-occupant belt setting for every front passenger.45,47

  • 14V576000 2014

    A fuel delivery pipe in the engine bay may leak, a fire risk.45

  • 15V144000 2015

    A manufacturing defect in the electric power steering control unit can make the power assist fail.48

  • 15V689000 2008–2011

    The power window master switch may be unevenly greased, letting dirt and moisture short it, overheat it and possibly start a fire.38,41,43,49,39,42,44,50

  • 16V775000 2016

    The brake fluid level sensor may not be plugged in, so low fluid would go unwarned.51

  • 17V831000 2018

    The load capacity label may be wrong.52

  • 18V211000 2018

    A faulty rotor in the brake booster's vacuum pump can cause a sudden loss of brake assist.52

  • 20V012000 2018–2019

    The low-pressure fuel pump in the tank may fail and stall the engine.52,53

  • 20V162000 2020

    An engine control programming error can cut fuel during stop-and-start driving, and the engine may stall.54

  • 20V633000 2020

    Wrong front seat covers can stop the seat-mounted side airbag deploying properly.54,55

  • 20V682000 2017–2019

    The low-pressure fuel pump in the tank may fail and stall the engine. An expansion of 20V012000.56,52,53

  • 22V239000 2020–2022

    Stability control may stay off after a restart if the driver had turned it off. The software is updated.55,57,58

  • 23V480000 2023

    A weld inside the steering column's spiral cable can fail and disable the driver's airbag.59,60

  • 23V720000 2020–2023

    The front lower bumper cover can come loose or fall off after a minor knock.54,61,62,59,55,57,58,60

  • 23V865000 2020–2021

    A short circuit in the passenger occupant sensor can stop the passenger airbag deploying.54,61,55,57

  • 25V040000 2023

    Vehicles not repaired properly under 23V480000 may still have the spiral cable fault that can disable the driver's airbag.59,60

  • 25V595000 2023–2025

    A software fault at start-up can stop the instrument panel showing speed and the brake and tire pressure warning lights.59,63,64

  • 25V744000 2023–2025

    A software error can freeze the camera image or leave the screen blank in reverse.59,63,64,60,65,66

  • 25V872000 2024–2025

    The third-row centre seat belt's roof anchor may be fitted at the wrong angle. It is refitted with a new bolt.63,64,65,66

  • 26V128000 2021–2025

    Second-row seatbacks may not lock in place when adjusted. The recliner return springs are replaced.61,62,59,63,64,57,58,60,65,66

Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.

Before you pay

A buyer's checklist for each generation: every warning and recall, with a box to tick.

Sources

The specs and year changes here are facts from Toyota, Edmunds and NHTSA, with colours from Edmunds' and Cars.com's specs pages for single model years and the chassis codes from Wikipedia alone. The claims and issues are reputation, from SlashGear, Edmunds, a complaints site and a trade magazine, and none is measured against sale prices yet. Recalls are Toyota's own, from NHTSA's records, checked for every model year.

  1. CarComplaints (Highlander)
  2. CarComplaints 2003
  3. CarComplaints 2003 head bolts
  4. CarComplaints 2002 engine failure
  5. Engine Builder (2AZFE coolant loss)
  6. Wikipedia (Highlander)
  7. Edmunds 2001 review
  8. Toyota Newsroom (1st gen gallery)
  9. Edmunds 2002 review
  10. Edmunds 2004 review
  11. Edmunds 2005 review
  12. Edmunds 2006 Hybrid review
  13. Toyota Newsroom (2020 Highlander)
  14. Edmunds 2008 review
  15. Edmunds 2008 Hybrid review
  16. Edmunds 2011 review
  17. Edmunds 2011 Hybrid review
  18. Edmunds 2014 review
  19. Edmunds 2014 Hybrid review
  20. Edmunds 2015 review
  21. Edmunds 2016 review
  22. Edmunds 2017 review
  23. Edmunds 2017 Hybrid review
  24. Edmunds 2020 review
  25. Toyota Newsroom (Bronze Edition)
  26. Toyota Newsroom (2023 Highlander)
  27. Toyota Newsroom (Hybrid Nightshade)
  28. Toyota Newsroom (25th Edition)
  29. Toyota Newsroom (2026 Highlander)
  30. Toyota Newsroom (5th gen)
  31. CarPro (25th Edition)
  32. NHTSA recalls (2001 Highlander)
  33. NHTSA recalls (2002 Highlander)
  34. NHTSA recalls (2003 Highlander)
  35. NHTSA recalls (2004 Highlander)
  36. NHTSA recalls (2005 Highlander)
  37. NHTSA recalls (2007 Highlander Hybrid)
  38. NHTSA recalls (2008 Highlander)
  39. NHTSA recalls (2008 Highlander Hybrid)
  40. NHTSA recalls (2006 Highlander)
  41. NHTSA recalls (2009 Highlander)
  42. NHTSA recalls (2009 Highlander Hybrid)
  43. NHTSA recalls (2010 Highlander)
  44. NHTSA recalls (2010 Highlander Hybrid)
  45. NHTSA recalls (2014 Highlander)
  46. NHTSA recalls (2013 Highlander)
  47. NHTSA recalls (2014 Highlander Hybrid)
  48. NHTSA recalls (2015 Highlander)
  49. NHTSA recalls (2011 Highlander)
  50. NHTSA recalls (2011 Highlander Hybrid)
  51. NHTSA recalls (2016 Highlander)
  52. NHTSA recalls (2018 Highlander)
  53. NHTSA recalls (2019 Highlander)
  54. NHTSA recalls (2020 Highlander)
  55. NHTSA recalls (2020 Highlander Hybrid)
  56. NHTSA recalls (2017 Highlander)
  57. NHTSA recalls (2021 Highlander Hybrid)
  58. NHTSA recalls (2022 Highlander Hybrid)
  59. NHTSA recalls (2023 Highlander)
  60. NHTSA recalls (2023 Highlander Hybrid)
  61. NHTSA recalls (2021 Highlander)
  62. NHTSA recalls (2022 Highlander)
  63. NHTSA recalls (2024 Highlander)
  64. NHTSA recalls (2025 Highlander)
  65. NHTSA recalls (2024 Highlander Hybrid)
  66. NHTSA recalls (2025 Highlander Hybrid)
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