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: 2007
I just had to have a 3rd row for the little ones. It's a bit snug for adults, but perfect for the kids. On a flat road surface, I was able to reach speeds of 50 mph on electric power. It takes a bit of time to get up to that speed, but it's worth the wait. The radio could use an upgrade, as I'm not getting many stations, but the ride and fuel economy are worth more than you can imagine.
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Vehicle year: 2006
I traded my 1999 Subaru Impreza for the Highlander and I'm getting better mileage than the little 4 cylinder. The combination of four cylinder economy and V8 power is great. My overall average fuel consumption for 10 months of mixed driving (mostly in Michigan) is 26 mpg. The best I got was 28 mpg for local driving (no freeways) and the worst was 23 mpg on 10% methanol in Iowa on I80 at 80 mph. This car is fun and comfortable to drive, although not as quiet as my wife's Avalon, but it's close. It is stable in the snow at freeway speeds and climbs snowy slopes with ease. I have even driven it on beach sand with no problems. The high torque at low speed works well in these circumstances, almost like a low range on a conventional 4wd.
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Vehicle year: 2011
Congratulations on your new HH Limited 2011! It's been about 6 weeks since you bought it and it's great to hear that it drives very well. Even though the mileage is 8K millage just9L/100KM, which is not what the book says, I'm sure it will improve over time. I understand that you're disappointed with some of the interior design, especially since you've owned 2 Prius before. It's a shame that some of the steering controls are a bit of a stretch away from the driver, but I'm glad to hear that the sound system is excellent. While the cargo space is good, I understand that some small features are absent, such as a lock button on the rear liftgate. Overall, I hope you're enjoying your new car and please let me know if there's anything else I can help you with!
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Vehicle year: 2012
After conducting some research, I decided to go with the HH Limited due to its impressive gas mileage (better than my 4cyl. 2008 Accord), spacious and comfortable interior, and reputation for reliability (based on customer feedback, Consumer Reports recommendations, and car magazine editors). The ride is incredibly smooth and the vehicle boasts some great features, which is to be expected from a car that costs $44k. I also test drove the Lexus RX Hybrid and Caddy SRX, both of which were equally smooth, but ultimately chose the HH Limited for its roominess and good value, especially since Toyota is working hard to regain customer trust. It's worth noting that at the time of writing, Toyota is offering 0% financing for non-Hybrid models only. While my Credit Union offered a lower rate, Toyota was willing to match it and even go lower when we started negotiating.
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Vehicle year: 2017
I traded in my 2008 Highlander Hybrid with 200K miles for this new one and I couldn't be happier. The reliability of my previous vehicle was outstanding, with no repairs needed beyond routine maintenance. I was hoping for the same level of reliability with this new one and so far, it has not disappointed. The 2016 model is not drastically different from the 2008, but it does feel a bit more solid and is noticeably quieter. The gas mileage is about the same, but there have been some nice improvements in features, such as the one-button memory for seat and mirror positions. The third row is a bit tight for adults, but it's perfect for kids. After owning this vehicle for a year, I can confidently say that it has exceeded my expectations. The blindspot detection feature has been a game-changer and has given me extra peace of mind while driving. It also handles well in snow and has good traction. However, I do have a minor issue with Toyota's maintenance policy. While they agreed to pay for service up to 25,000 miles, they only cover oil changes every 10,000 miles, despite the maintenance manual recommending them every 5,000 miles. Additionally, dealers often try to sell unnecessary extras like tire balance and alignments. Despite this, I still highly recommend this vehicle.
Are you having problems with your Toyota Highlander hybrid?
Guillermo D'Amore 2025-08-22
Vehicle year: 2006
Hey there! As a loyal Toyota fan, I was excited to purchase the Highlander Hybrid. While it looks great and gets decent gas mileage (24-26), I have to admit that the ride can be a bit herky-jerky and the seats aren't very comfortable. When I brought these concerns to Toyota, their factory rep explained that this is just how the car is. In my opinion, Toyota could make some improvements to make the ride smoother before I would feel comfortable recommending it to others. Sorry to be honest, Toyota, but I know you value feedback from your customers.
Gerald Schultz 2025-08-16
Vehicle year: 2009
With 116,000 miles on the car, we are currently getting 23mpg, which is a decrease from the 28 to 30 mpg we got when we first purchased the Hylander new. Despite keeping the car in ENCON mode all the time and driving cautiously, the drop in mpgs is concerning. However, based on my expertise, I believe there could be several reasons for this decrease, and I would be happy to explore them with you further.
Terrance Corkery 2025-08-13
Vehicle year: 2007
The inverter of my 2007 Highlander Hybrid SUV failed just after the 100,000 mile warranty, which was quite disappointing. Unfortunately, the part costs close to $7000 and it is a sealed part, which means no customer maintenance is required. It is not something that should fail so soon. Despite Toyota Customer Care saying it's my problem, my internet research shows that this is a bigger and more widespread problem than Toyota is willing to admit. Moreover, the car completely stalled out while I was driving at about 40 miles per hour, which was a harrowing experience. This is a dangerous problem that needs to be addressed. I am considering getting rid of this car, and I would be hesitant to recommend a Toyota hybrid of any sort.
Alvah Wuckert 2025-08-04
Vehicle year: 2008
I recently got a Highlander and I find it to be a great SUV for my family of 5. Although the driving position is not as comfortable as I would like, I appreciate the DVD system with wireless headsets that allows me to listen to my music while the kids watch their cartoons. The navigation system works okay, but it can be a bit confusing at times. The second row configuration is what sold me on this SUV as it provides similar functionality to a minivan. However, the cargo space behind the third row is limited and can only fit a folded Combi single stroller. Nonetheless, the Highlander makes up for it by having better MPG than a minivan, albeit at a higher cost.
Ralph Feil 2025-07-18
Vehicle year: 2020
My fourth Highlander has been a bit disappointing. Although it has excellent gas mileage and is dependable with 53k miles, there are some areas that could be improved. The cabin can be a bit noisy and the seat backs rattle. Additionally, some cost-cutting measures like the fake leather and the removal of the opening back window are a bit disappointing. However, overall it is still an efficient and dependable vehicle. I will definitely consider other options next time.