Toyota Highlander hybrid problems
The Toyota Highlander, also known as the Toyota Kluger (Japanese: トヨタ・クルーガー, Hepburn: Toyota Kurūgā), is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating produced by Toyota since 2000.
Announced in April 2000 at the New York International Auto Show and arriving in late 2000 in Japan and January 2001 in North America, the Highlander became one of the first car-based mid-size SUV or mid-size crossovers. The Highlander is the crossover counterpart to the more rugged, truck-based mid-size 4Runner and became Toyota's best-selling SUV before being surpassed by the smaller RAV4 in 2006.
The first-generation model was sold in Japan as the Kluger, which was exclusive to dealership network called Toyota Netz as a larger alternative to the RAV4. The Kluger nameplate is also used in Australia because "Highlander" is a trademarked trim line name owned by Hyundai. The name is derived from the German word klug, which means smart or clever (Klüger – with diacritics – means "someone who is smarter than another" in German).
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Toyota Highlander hybrid model years
Common Toyota Highlander hybrid problems
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a popular choice among consumers looking for a reliable and fuel-efficient SUV. However, there have been some reported issues with certain model years, particularly the 2006 and 2008 models.
One of the most significant problems with the 2006 and 2008 Highlander Hybrid models is faulty brakes. According to CarComplaints, the NHTSA has received 165 complaints about brake problems in the 2006 model and 142 complaints in the 2008 model.
Another reported problem with the 2008 Highlander Hybrid is the check brake alert, which can also lead to braking issues. The average cost to repair this problem is around $4,000, with an average mileage of 128,000 miles.
It's worth noting that these issues tend to develop at higher mileage, with the average mileage when these problems occurred being around 119,800 for the 2006 model and 128,000 for the 2008 model.
However, it's important to note that these issues are not widespread, and the majority of Highlander Hybrid owners have reported a positive experience with the vehicle. The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, for example, has received positive reviews from consumers, with many praising its outstanding fuel efficiency, spacious interior, and updated technology.
In conclusion, while there have been some reported issues with certain model years of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the majority of owners have reported a positive experience with the vehicle. If you're considering purchasing a Highlander Hybrid, it's essential to research the specific model year and be aware of any potential issues. However, with proper maintenance and care, the Highlander Hybrid can provide a reliable and fuel-efficient driving experience.
Does the Toyota Highlander Hybrid have issues?
Toyota Highlander Hybrid Reliability Problems. Highlander Hybrid owners have made 122 complaints over 15 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 25th in overall reliability out of 33 Toyota models , with real brakes and engine concerns.
What is the most common problem with the Toyota Highlander?
Engine failure, more generally, is also one of the more significant issues with Toyota Highlanders. Those failures are probably related to the engine bolts being stripped and causing overheating issues, but other problems can also lead to engine failure.
How long do Toyota Highlander hybrid last?
Toyota Avalon, with a potential lifespan of 245,710 miles. Toyota Highlander Hybrid, with a potential lifespan of 244,994 miles.
How much does it cost to replace the battery in a Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
between $6,462 and $6,531
The average cost for a Toyota Highlander Hybrid High Voltage Battery Replacement is between $6,462 and $6,531. Labor costs are estimated between $264 and $333 while parts are typically priced around $6,198.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Toyota Highlander hybrid years
We have researched Toyota problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Toyota Highlander hybrid cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Toyota Highlander hybrid model years:
- Toyota Highlander hybrid 2006
- Toyota Highlander hybrid 2008
- Toyota Highlander hybrid 2010
- Toyota Highlander hybrid 2007
- Toyota Highlander hybrid 2017
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Toyota Highlander hybrid model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Toyota Highlander hybrid years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Toyota Highlander hybrid car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Toyota Highlander hybrid , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Service brakes problems
- Electrical system problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Engine problems
- Unknown or other problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Toyota Highlander hybrid vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Highlander hybrid model years
A total of 207 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Highlander hybrid model years
There were a total of 48 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Highlander hybrid model years
There were a total of 166 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Highlander hybrid model years
There were a total of 5 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 2382 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Toyota Highlander hybrid . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Toyota Highlander hybrid vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Toyota Highlander hybrid 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-16
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-23
- VIN: 5TDEBRCH3MS
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Toyota Highlander hybrid 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-14
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-22
- VIN: JTEEW44A882
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: In June 2019, Toyota issued a recall for ABS malfunction, diagnostic code C1391 - brake actuator and accumulator. New parts were issued by Toyota in 2019 as part of the recall. My vehicle experienced ABS malfunction, diagnostic code C1391 in March 2022 and was repaired by Toyota with the new and improved parts issued as part of the recall. As of October 14, 2024, my vehicle is experiencing the same issue again - ABS brake malfunction diagnostic code C1391, with the brake system light, master warning light, abs light and ABS Malfunction warning noted on the screen. The vehicle can be inspected. Toyota has inspected and confirmed it is the same issue again. The new and improved parts from 2019 should not fail within 20,000 miles. Toyota did confirm that they used the new parts issued as part of the recall and cannot explain why they failed faster than the original parts causing dangerous braking issues.
Toyota Highlander hybrid 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-18
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-21
- VIN: 5TDXBRCH3NS
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact's wife owns 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle shut off with the "Maintenance Required Visit Your Dealer" message displayed. The contact’s wife restarted the vehicle and immediately pulled over to the shoulder. Despite the failure, the contact's wife was able to drive back to the residence. The contact stated that prior to the failure, a similar warning light illuminated and disrupted the contact's ability to use the GPS feature. The contact called the local dealer and scheduled an appointment. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
Toyota Highlander hybrid 2009
- Date Of Incident: 2022-12-10
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-20
- VIN: JTEDS41A992
- Components: AIR BAGS,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: My airbag light came on and I don't understand why the airbag light came on. I took it to a auto shop and they said I would have to take it to a Toyato dealer. Also, my emergency brake is all the way to the floor and it has never released. It will not release at all. It has been that way ever since I bought the vehicle.
Toyota Highlander hybrid 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-14
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-14
- VIN: 5TDDZRFH6HS
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: As the electronic back hitch was closing, I pressed the Start Engine button and the vehicle dashboard lit up but would not start. Then I pressed the button again and it said the Ignition is On. Pressed again to shut off. Vehicle made a bunch of clicking noises but would not start. Disconnected battery to “re boot” electrical system… but a charger on battery and then the vehicle started. BUT the ! And Check Engine light was now on… saying take to your dealer… Check AWD. Drove vehicle at lunch time… and warning light and check engine light just went off! So weird!
Toyota Highlander hybrid 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2022-10-10
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-10
- VIN: 5TDGBRCH9NS
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated while the brake pedal was depressed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on several different occasions to be diagnosed; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
Toyota Highlander hybrid 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-20
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-10
- VIN: 5TDHBRCH1MS
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Toyota Highlander hybrid 2015
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-28
- VIN: 5TDDKRFH1FS
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: BSM works when it want to and sometimes not at all
Toyota Highlander hybrid 2015
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-20
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-26
- VIN: 5TDZARFH8FS
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The check engine warning light and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after 45 minutes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and charged a fee for diagnostic testing. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18E107000 (Electrical System, Visibility); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 193,000.
Toyota Highlander hybrid 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-19
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-19
- VIN: 5TDHARAH0MS
- Components: AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V720000 (Structure) and 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Toyota Highlander hybrid 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-07
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-17
- VIN: 5TDGBRCH7NS
- Components: STRUCTURE,ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the driver’s side of the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and became aware that the front lower bumper had detached on the driver's side and was dragging on the road. The bumper was attached by one screw. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V72000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired under the recall. The dealer informed the contact that the grill shutter had been damaged and needed to be repaired. The contact stated that after retrieving the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was informed that the grill shutter had not been repaired correctly causing the check engine warning light to be illuminated. The dealer repaired the vehicle again. The contact stated that after repairing the vehicle, while driving approximately 40 miles down the road, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that underneath the grill shutter had not been repaired. The dealer had been contacted and informed that the failure had reoccurred. The vehicle had not been returned to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the repair would be up to the dealer to repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Toyota Highlander hybrid 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2022-09-03
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-12
- VIN: 5TDHBRCH4MS
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: The contact's mother owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH out of town, another driver informed the contact that the front bumper had detached. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The contact continued driving to the destination. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was referred to an autobody repair shop. The vehicle was taken to the autobody repair shop, where the repair was performed ineffectively. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair was performed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and denied reimbursement for the repairs performed by the autobody repair shop because the failure occurred prior to the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 27,300.
Toyota Highlander hybrid 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-06
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-11
- VIN: JTEEW41A082
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: We were driving at about 40 MPH and approached our turn. When I depressed the brakes, they felt spongy and I had trouble slowing quickly. The yellow triangle illuminated on the dash and a long warning beep sounded. I was able to get safely parked in a parking lot, and my son came and took a look as well. We had the car towed to a shop, who diagnosed the problem, stating that we needed to replace the brake booster pump and actuator assembly. A family member noted that Toyota had issued a recall for vehicles with the same year/make/model for the braking system, so we had it towed to our local Toyota dealership to verify that they had no open recalls on the brakes and complete a full inspection otherwise. They validated that the brake booster pump and actuator assembly needed to be replaced. I am left wondering why my vehicle was not included in Toyota's recall.
Toyota Highlander hybrid 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-04
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-07
- VIN: 5TDDGRFH7HS
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Several weeks ago my wife noticed that the vehicle skids when accelerating and she told me about the situation. I hardly drive the vehicle because I was not aware of the situation, but today I drove it and realized what is happening. I am not a mechanic to give a diagnosis of the situation. For me it could be the transmission and it only has 85K. I'm going to do the next oil change at the dealer. Right now I do them at Firestone, it's close to my house and for me it's more convenient.
Toyota Highlander hybrid 2023
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-29
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-29
- VIN: 5TDXBRCHXP
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle surged forward and accelerated before coming to a stop. The failure occurred intermittently; however, the failure seemed most pronounced while decelerating from highway speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was informed of the failure; however, the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.
Latest 5 recalls Toyota Highlander hybrid
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 42 recalls for different components of the Toyota Highlander hybrid.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Toyota Highlander hybrid 2023
- Report Received Date: 2024-07-23
- Manufacturer: Gulf States Toyota, Inc.
- Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
- Summary: Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia Hybrid, Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, Venza Hybrid, 2023-2025 Crown, and 2025 Camry Hybrid vehicles equipped with GST accessories. The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
- Consequence: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: GST will mail new labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R2.
- Model: Toyota Highlander hybrid 2021
- Report Received Date: 2023-12-20
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
- Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
- Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed February 2, 2024. A second notice will be mailed once the remedy is available. Multiple phases are planned through 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
- Model: Toyota Highlander hybrid 2020
- Report Received Date: 2023-12-20
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
- Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
- Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed February 2, 2024. A second notice will be mailed once the remedy is available. Multiple phases are planned through 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
- Model: Toyota Highlander hybrid 2020
- Report Received Date: 2023-10-26
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
- Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.
- Consequence: A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 22, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.
- Model: Toyota Highlander hybrid 2021
- Report Received Date: 2023-10-26
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
- Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.
- Consequence: A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 22, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.
Latest negative Toyota Highlander hybrid car reviews
Latest positive Toyota Highlander hybrid car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2009
I was a bit hesitant about purchasing a used hybrid, but in March 2021, I found a great deal on a 2008 Highlander Hybrid with below average miles. It's a Limited model, fully loaded with leather seats, and a Nav system (which is a bit outdated, but it still looks alright I guess. I usually just use Google Maps on my phone). The car is black with beige leather, silver roof rack, running boards, towing hitch, and it still looks good for its age (although it's obviously nothing compared to the current generation). It's now October 2021, and I can honestly say that I don't regret my decision. I did have to replace the 12v battery, which wasn't as straightforward on this hybrid because the idle speed control had to be reset. However, it only cost me less than 200 bucks. One thing I learned relatively quickly is that this vehicle will respond to your driving style, which will determine whether you get below EPA estimated mileage or above. I was getting the former. In order to maximize fuel economy, I had to learn how to drive a hybrid (from YouTube videos). The techniques I found most effective include using ECON mode and coasting to stop signs or red lights about a quarter of a mile in advance, which shuts off the gas engine (anything longer will irritate drivers behind me, and I'd end up crawling). Another technique is when I want to enable cruise control, I'll go about 5 mph above my intended cruising speed, coast down those extra 5 mph, and then engage the cruise. This is most effective when cruising around 50 mph or lower, and I only do it if no one is on my tail. When warmed up and the hybrid battery is fully charged (it maxes out at 80% charge and drops no lower than 20% before recharging to extend the hybrid battery life), this 4500 lbs. bad boy will cruise at 40 mph in full EV mode for about 1.5 miles before the battery gets down to 20%, and the gas engine kicks back on! I will say this caveat: that's the max when the weather is nice out and the AC is off.I live in the Houston area and I noticed that on the hottest days this past summer, the hybrid battery wasn’t charging as much and it seemed to run more on the gas engine. This is a fail-safe because of the heat, which is understandable. However, the difference wasn’t too drastic and I would imagine that extreme cold would affect it more. All in all, I average about 25 mpg in highway driving, which is the EPA estimated average, and slightly above EPA estimates in the city at around 28 mpg. When I purposely use the techniques I mentioned, I can easily average around 30 mpg (city of course) and on one 10-mile city trip, the computer had me at 35 mpg, which is the best it’s recorded! Not bad at all. I will say this: regular short trips will kill fuel economy on this hybrid just like on any other vehicle. I work less than a mile from home (I know, lucky me, don’t hate!) and when I’m driving there and on other short trips like the grocery store, etc., I average about 18 mpg! But I also will say this: those same trips on my wife’s 2007 CR-V with a 4 cyl. gas engine will average about 16 mpg. Another factor to be aware of is that when cruising over 70 mph, you won’t get much benefit from the hybrid system and that’s about the point where fuel economy will begin to drop below the 25 mpg highway EPA estimate. Overall though, driving this Highlander is a pleasure. It handles well enough considering its weight, it’s smooth and quiet, the interior is comfortable and roomy, I love the stow-away middle seat in the 2nd row for “captains” chairs, my young daughter loves the 3rd row and yes, the storage space behind the 3rd row is very minimal. I love the fuel economy of the hybrid, but when you need this baby to go, it’s got plenty of power! I definitely recommend it.
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Vehicle year: 2008
I'm really happy with my SUV's gas mileage, which is 24-32 mpg. It's important to drive carefully to achieve this, avoiding fast acceleration and so on. The car handles really well, even for those who aren't used to sports cars. It's comfortable and easy to drive, with plenty of room for passengers. The third row might be a bit tight for someone who is 6-2, but it's still more spacious than the backseat of any small car I've been in. The base model has good standard features, but I opted for the popular plus package, which came with more features than I expected. Overall, I found this vehicle to be the best option after researching and test driving several others.
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Vehicle year: 2013
I've been driving my 2013 Highlander Limited for about 6 weeks now and I'm really enjoying it. Despite the cold weather (25-35F), I'm still getting close to 28 mpg after driving 3-5 miles, which is acceptable. The handling is great and all the features work well together. The upright seat position is very comfortable too. The only downside is that the upgraded JBL audio system doesn't display any of the hybrid operations or MPG records on the large screen, only on a small one. I was disappointed to find out that the 2013 owners manual claims to have these great displays, including minute-to-minute graphs of MPG, but a call to Toyota confirmed that these features are not available. They did, however, confirm that the manual needs to be updated.
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Vehicle year: 2019
What's everyone complaining about? Gas is over $3.50 a gallon, but I'm happy to get 24mph in town and 30 on the highway with my hybrid Highlander. I do agree that the 3rd row seat is a bit tight, but my advice is to get smaller friends. I drive around 50 miles a day on average and only need to fill up about 3 times a month. No kindling! Sorry, I'll stick to Toyota SUVs forever. 👍
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Vehicle year: 2021
I've been driving my Highlander Hybrid XLE for two weeks now and I absolutely love it! The car has all the features I was looking for, rides smoothly, and I'm getting over 40 mpg in mostly suburban driving. When I first drove off the dealership, I noticed that the car had only 6 miles on the odometer and the gas gauge was slightly over the Full mark. However, the dashboard read 392 miles to empty instead of the almost 600 miles per tank that the car is rated for. After driving 100 miles, the distance to Empty is 342 but the gas gauge still shows Full. I did some research online and found out that many Highlander Hybrid owners are experiencing the same issue. Although their tanks are rated for 17.1 gallon capacity, they can only put about 12 gallons in their tanks, which limits their driving distance. This is far less than what Toyota advertises and a lawsuit has been filed in California. However, I still think this is an outstanding vehicle and would give it a strong 5-star rating if this issue wasn't present.
Are you having problems with your Toyota Highlander hybrid?
Ricky Lang 2025-10-23
Vehicle year: 2009
It's great to hear from you! I wanted to let you know that Toyota currently doesn't have an alert system for the hybrid battery, which can be a bit of a concern. Unfortunately, if the compartment fills with water, it can ruin the hybrid battery, which can be a costly repair bill of $5k-$8k. I'm not sure why they wouldn't have an alert for such a critical and expensive piece of the hybrid auto, but I hope they consider adding one in the future.
Matteo Schmidt 2025-10-22
Vehicle year: 2019
Hello! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're sorry to hear that you've been having some trouble with your vehicle. We understand how frustrating it can be when technology doesn't work as expected. We would like to help you resolve these issues as soon as possible. Please let us know if there's anything we can do to assist you further.
Rocio Lynch 2025-10-21
Vehicle year: 2006
I have been a Toyota fan for 20 years, but unfortunately my 4-year-old Highlander Hybrid has stopped working. The diagnosis is that the inverter and transaxle need to be replaced, and the parts alone cost $13,000, not including labor. While the cost of repair is high, I am confident in my decision to purchase a new car rather than repair the Highlander. Thank you, Toyota, for the many years of reliable service.
Torey Kirlin 2025-10-16
Vehicle year: 2006
The fuel economy of the car falls 22-25% below the sticker numbers. Under full throttle at 15 mph, the car experiences uncontrollable torque steer, pulling to the right and then back to the left. The dealer has mentioned that this is the nature of the car. The motor thuds when it comes on and is not as seamless as one would expect. Additionally, the lift gate squeaks and the driver's side passenger door rattles. However, the suspension does absorb pot holes well. While driving with the windows down, the brakes will squeal and the motor whines noticeably. The wind buffeting is also quite noticeable. The vehicle is hard to control in turns and uncontrollable if accelerating hard in a turn. The AC vents are poor for 2nd row passengers. Lastly, the captain's chair armrests and stereo are not of the highest quality.
Jett Bailey 2025-10-09
Vehicle year: 2019
Hi there! We've been driving our car for about a month now and we've noticed that we're only getting around 23.5 MPG no matter what we do. We've tried different drivers and even tried Eco Mode, but we still can't seem to improve our mileage. We bought a hybrid car specifically for the fuel efficiency, so we're feeling a bit disappointed. Do you have any suggestions or tips that could help us improve our mileage? Thank you!