The Highlander is a solid three-row SUV with a few V6 habits worth knowing. Look for the VVT-i oil hose fix on 2008 models, listen for a cold-start rattle on 2008-2016 V6s, check 2017-2019 trucks for the fuel pump recall, and drive any 2017 hard enough to judge the eight-speed. V6 plugs and water pumps cost noticeably more than on a Camry.
Families in Parkland and west Boca buy Highlanders for the same reason they keep them for ten years: three rows, a strong V6 or a hybrid that gets sedan-like mileage, and very few nasty surprises. RepairPal rates it 4.0 out of 5, seventh of 26 midsize SUVs, at about $489 a year in unscheduled repairs. The chance of a severe repair in any year is 13 percent, right at the midsize SUV average.
The higher-than-Camry repair bill comes from size and layout. On the transverse V6, the rear spark plugs sit under the intake plenum and the water pump is a cramped, labor-heavy job, so bills run high. The 2023 switch from the V6 to a 2.4-liter turbo four also means two very different engines are in Highlanders on the road now.
Toyota Highlander generations
Fourth generation (XU70)
2020-2026The turbo four replaced the V6 for 2023 with 30 hp less but more torque. Hybrid became AWD-only for 2025, and every 2026 Highlander is AWD. The larger Grand Highlander is a separate model.
Third generation (XU50)
2014-2019The 2017 refresh brought the eight-speed and the D-4S injection V6. The 2017-2019 trucks are in the fuel pump recall.
Second generation (XU40)
2008-2013All Highlander Hybrids of this generation are AWD. Restyled for 2011. 2008 V6 models are covered by the VVT-i oil hose campaign.
Known Toyota Highlander problems by year
VVT-i oil hose that can burst
Toyota included certain 2008 Highlanders in Limited Service Campaign 90K because the rubber portion of the VVT-i oil feed hose can degrade and leak. The result is abnormal engine noise, an oil pressure light and, if you keep driving, a ruined engine. The free campaign ended on December 31, 2021. On a 2008 that never got the new all-metal line, replace it now; it is a few hundred dollars against an engine.
Guide: Oil pressure light came on while driving: what to do right nowRattle for a second or two on cold start
Engine knock or rattle on cold startup is one of the top 2008 Highlander complaints on CarComplaints, at about 88,000 miles and roughly $1,800 to fix on average. On this V6 a short grinding rattle right after a cold start is commonly traced to the variable valve timing actuator on the camshaft. The same engine powers Highlanders through 2016, so listen on any of them. It is a known wear item rather than an emergency, but the noise should stop within a couple of seconds. A rattle that continues once warm is a different and more serious problem.
Guide: What is that knocking noise coming from my engine?Water pump and coolant seepage on the V6
The V6 water pump is a wear part that usually starts weeping between 90,000 and 120,000 miles. RepairPal's national range for the job on a Highlander is $942-$1,260, well above a Camry, mostly because of the labor. Look for dried pink coolant below the pump pulley and a reservoir that drops between oil changes.
Guide: Sweet smell from my car, like maple syrup: is it a coolant leak?Eight-speed transmission complaints
Transmission failure is the worst-rated 2017 Highlander problem on CarComplaints, averaging about $8,600 at 57,000 miles, though the number of reports is small. On a test drive, accelerate gently from a stop and then firmly from 30 mph to see whether it shifts cleanly.
Guide: Why does my car shift hard or late?Fuel pump failure
Covered by recall 20V-682, the in-tank low-pressure pump can fail and stall the engine while driving. In a 4,500-pound SUV full of kids on I-95, that is a real hazard. The replacement is free and quick at the dealer.
Guide: Check engine light on but the car drives fine: what does it mean?Windshield cracks and replacement glass problems
Windshield complaints show up among the 2017 Highlander top problems on CarComplaints, with owners reporting cracks at low mileage and replacement costs of $1,400-$1,800. A separate equipment recall, 18E-107, covered certain aftermarket replacement windshields for 2014-2018 Highlanders whose attached wiring could let water leak in and damage the engine control module. If yours had glass replaced, ask who made it.
Guide: Windshield chip or crack: can it be repaired or does the glass need replacing?Stall during stop and restart
Recall 20V-162 corrected an engine computer programming error that could interrupt fuel during the engine stop-and-start cycle, causing a stall. The fix is a software update at the dealer.
Notable recalls
- 20V-682 (2017-2019): In-tank low-pressure fuel pump may fail, stalling the engine while driving. Free pump replacement.
- 20V-162 (2020): V6 models only. An engine control programming error can cut fuel supply during stop-and-restart and stall the engine.
- 15V-144 (2015): A component in the electric power steering control unit may have been damaged during manufacturing, which can lead to loss of power steering assist.
- 23V-720 (2020-2023): The front lower bumper cover can loosen or come off after a minor impact, creating a road hazard.
- 14V-168 (2008-2010): A flexible flat cable in the steering column can be damaged as the wheel turns, disabling the driver's frontal airbag.
- 26V-128 (2021-2025): Second-row seatbacks may not lock into position after they are adjusted.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised Toyota dealer. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, since this list is not complete.
Maintenance that matters
| Every 5,000 miles | Rotate tires. A heavy three-row SUV wears its front tires quickly in parking-lot turning, and the sidewalls take a beating from curbs. |
| Every 10,000 miles | Synthetic oil change at the grade on the filler cap. The turbo four especially benefits from shorter intervals in hot, short-trip use. |
| Every 30,000 miles | Engine and cabin air filters; check rear A/C operation and drain on three-row models, since the rear evaporator has its own drain. |
| Every 60,000 miles | Transmission fluid drain-and-fill, transfer case and rear differential fluid on AWD models, brake fluid flush. |
| Around 100,000 miles | First coolant change. On the V6, inspect the water pump and the timing cover area for seepage while the cooling system is drained. |
| Every 120,000 miles | Spark plugs. On the V6, plan on intake plenum removal for the rear bank, and replace the plenum gasket while it is off. |
Confirm against your owner's manual or maintenance minder for your exact year and engine.
Typical Toyota Highlander repair costs
| Job | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Synthetic oil change | $80-$130 | |
| Front brake pads | $310-$430 | With rotors, $550-$800. |
| Water pump, 3.5-liter V6 | $950-$1,350 | |
| Spark plugs, V6 | $500-$780 | RepairPal's national range is $496-$758. |
| A/C compressor | $1,500-$2,400 | Rear A/C lines or the rear evaporator add more. |
| Alternator | $980-$1,350 | |
| Transmission fluid drain-and-fill | $280-$380 | |
| VVT-i cam actuator, cold-start rattle | $1,200-$2,000 | Varies with how much of the front of the engine has to come apart. |
Typical South Florida ranges for parts and labor, for budgeting only. Your quote depends on the vehicle and the shop.
Buying a used Toyota Highlander
- The 2014-2016 Highlander with the 2GR-FE V6 and six-speed automatic is a strong used value. It has a long track record, no fuel pump recall, and fewer complaints than the 2017. Listen to a cold start and ask whether the water pump has been done past 100,000 miles.
- The 2017-2019 refresh is quicker and more efficient, but confirm recall 20V-682 is complete and drive the eight-speed in traffic before you commit. The hybrid of these years is excellent for Boca driving if a hybrid health check comes back clean.
- On a 2020-2022 model, the V6 and hybrid are both good picks; check the 2020 V6 stall software update. The 2023 and later turbo four is still building a track record, so a factory certified car with remaining warranty is the safer way to buy one.
- For a 2008-2013 truck, demand proof the 2008 VVT-i oil line was replaced, look for coolant seepage, and check that the airbag cable recall 14V-168 was done. The 2.7-liter four is adequate but slow with a full load.
The Florida factor
A three-row Highlander here usually runs two A/C systems, front and rear, from June through October. The rear evaporator has its own condensate drain, and when it clogs, water ends up soaking the third-row carpet or dripping inside the rear quarter panel. If the back of the cabin smells damp or the rear vents blow weaker than the front, check that drain before blaming the refrigerant.
Windshield glass takes a beating from heat cycling on this SUV: a black dash at 150 degrees in a Publix parking lot, then a blast of cold A/C at highway speed, is how a small chip becomes a long crack. Fix chips early. When the glass does need replacing, ask for OEM-quality glass and a camera calibration, since the lane-keeping camera behind the mirror depends on it.
A Highlander is also the car many families use to evacuate during hurricane season, loaded to the roof and stuck in slow traffic on the Turnpike with the A/C on. Before June, check coolant level and condition, the radiator fans, the tires including the spare, and the 12-volt battery. Overheating in a contraflow lane is not where you want to discover a weak water pump.
Repair shops near Boca Raton
- Boca Auto Fix4301 Oak Circle, Boca Raton, FL, 33431
- Element, Pickup trucks and trailer repair3120D Northwest 16th Terrace, Pompano Beach, FL, 33064
- Europen Auto Service CentreParkland, FL
- Ferrari of Boca Raton6403 W Rogers Cir, Boca Raton, FL, 33487
- FirestonePompano Beach, FL
- Firestone1259 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL, 33432
Toyota Highlander FAQ
Which Highlander year is the most reliable?
Our shortlist is the 2014-2016 V6 with its proven six-speed and the 2020-2022 V6 or hybrid. The 2017 is generally fine but has the transmission failure reports, and 2008 V6 trucks need their oil hose campaign checked.
Is the 2023 and newer turbo four as durable as the V6?
It is too early to say with confidence. The 2.4-liter turbo makes more torque than the old V6 and is cleaner, but turbo engines are more sensitive to oil quality and change intervals. If you buy one used, keep the oil changes short in Florida heat.
How much does it cost to replace Highlander spark plugs?
On a V6, roughly $500-$780 at an independent shop, because the intake plenum has to come off to reach the rear three plugs. Four-cylinder and hybrid models cost far less. The interval is about 120,000 miles.
My Highlander rattles for a second when I start it in the morning. Is that serious?
On the 3.5-liter V6 a brief rattle on cold start is a known wear sign in the cam timing system. It is not an emergency, but it tends to get longer over time. If the noise lasts more than a few seconds or continues once warm, have it diagnosed promptly.
Guides for Toyota Highlander owners
More for Toyota owners: Toyota owner's guide
- Toyota LSC 90K extension bulletin: 2GR-FE VVT-i oil hose, including 2008 Highlander
- NHTSA recall 20V-162: 2020 Highlander V6 stop and restart stall
- CarComplaints: 2008 Toyota Highlander problems
- CarComplaints: 2017 Toyota Highlander problems
- RepairPal: Highlander water pump replacement cost
General information, not a diagnosis. A car problem can have causes a guide cannot see, so have anything safety-related inspected in person. Read our editorial policy.