The Toyota Highlander is one of the longest-lasting seven-seater SUVs on the market, both new and used.

Toyota’s popular midsize crossover, the Highlander, entered the market in 2000. Some might be shocked to find out this roomy, seven-seater family hauler is built on the same platform as the Camry. The 2022 Toyota Highlander is an eye-catching SUV with excellent fuel economy and a distinctive design. However, the Highlander’s previous model years are still popular options on the used market for buyers on a budget.

If you’re in the market for a used Toyota Highlander, you should avoid some model years like the plague due to their widespread engine problems. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the Highlander’s worst years, its reliability and longevity, and everything you need to know before buying one.

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Based on the owner reports registered to the Car Complaints website, 2003 was The Toyota Highlander’s worst year due to costly problems occurring at lower mileage. Over 30 owners have complained about the threats of engine bolts tearing and leading to engine failure. On average, this issue surfaces at around 123,000 miles and made owners spend over $3,000 for a new engine.

Another common problem with the 2003 Highlander pertains to the ABS brakes speed sensor.

“The part is prone to collect dirt on […] These parts obviously are very inexpensive to make, but each Sensor (4 on a four-wheel-drive) costs between $160 to $220 each for the part from parts stores and more from Toyota parts department,” quoted one owner in their post on Car Complaints.

The 2008 model is also plagued with various problems, sometimes requiring a severe engine overhaul. Several owners dealt with engine rattle noise when starting the SUV. The problem comes from the seal on the motor leaking when they age, and the oil doesn’t get to crucial engine parts such as the camshaft and the tensioners. If not taken care of, this issue can ruin the powertrain, leaving no choice for owners but having to swap the engine for a new one.

Another widespread issue with the 2008 Toyota Highlander is the alarm system going off intermittently. One owner said, "my alarm goes off unprovoked. I have told the dealer, and they can't do a thing unless it happens there. When I go to my son's baseball games, it goes off, and everyone knows it's my car!"

The 2015 Highlander has the most overall complaints on the Car Complaints website. The most common issue concerns the seats being extremely uncomfortable. Some owners quoted having back pains after driving their SUV around the city for only 20 minutes.

Last but not least, several 2015 Highlander owners have complained about the transmission system slipping out of gear and shaking. Most owners posting about this issue had the problem after only driving for a couple of hundred miles.

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According to various reliable automobile sources on the internet, the Toyota Highlander can effortlessly reach 300,000 miles on the odometer with regular maintenance. The average driver in the US drives for around 14,000 miles in a year. So, assuming the typical mileage, you can expect over 21 years of service out of a Toyota Highlander.

However, if you’re the third or the fourth owner of a Highlander, expect costly engine and transmission problems to pop up after 250,000 miles.

Following the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance routine is critical to keeping your Highlander up and running. Some essential services include:

According to the RepairPal website, a Toyota Highlander would cost $489 to maintain in a year. That’s about $100 lower than the average for all midsize SUVs. However, the prices can differ depending on the model year you own.

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Used Toyota Highlanders can offer great value for their price tag in the midsize crossover segment. However, it would be a safer bet to avoid some model years due to their widespread problems.

2003, 2008, and 2015 Toyota Highlander models are among the most problematic due to their engine, transmission, and interior accessories problems.

Hamed is a literature student, writer, musician, and car enthusiast. His favorite topics to write about are cars, tech, and gaming. When he's not writing, he's either playing music or listening to it.