2nd gen Toyota Highlander 2008–2013

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

Bigger, with a 270 hp 3.5L V6 as standard and seats for seven, a 2.7L four from 2009, and a Hybrid on the new body.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

Rattle from the V6 at cold start 2008

What to check: Start it from cold and listen for a knock or rattle in the first seconds.

Seven owners of 2008s on one CarComplaints.com page report a knock or rattle at start-up. Two put it down to the variable valve timing parts, and the page lists new cam actuators as a fix.

Sources ^1,2
Power rear hatch faults All years One source so far

What to check: Open and close the power hatch several times from the key and the switch.

Edmunds' 2011 page says some owners report problems with the power rear hatch.

Sources ³

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Sought after: High-mileage V6 trucks that were maintained All years One source so far

In one BITOG thread on a 2011 V6 with 120,000 miles, three members speak well of it, and one says they are good for 300,000 miles if maintained well.⁴
Avoid: 2008 2008 Less sought after One source so far

SlashGear lists the 2008 among the years to avoid, for the number of complaints and recalls against both the gas and Hybrid models.⁵
Avoid: 2010 2010 Less sought after One source so far

SlashGear lists the 2010 among the years to avoid, for electrical and brake complaints and investigations into the steering column.⁵

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.