How many miles can a Toyota Highlander last?
After proving its mettle over several decades now, Toyota is easily the brand you think of whenever we factor reliability into the mix. And, while they started by building small efficient hatchbacks, the company has also mastered SUVs over the years, creating some of the most capable and reliable options on the market, starting with the legendary Land Cruiser which was built to take on the original Land Rover.
Compared to the Land Cruiser, the Toyota Highlander was launched back in 2000 as a family-friendly SUV that can still hit the trails with ease. Because of its reliability, plenty of these first-generation models can still be found on the roads, and there are plenty of used Toyota Highlanders for sale despite their age.
How long can a Toyota Highlander last?
According to several reports, a Toyota Highlander can easily last well over 200,000 miles with basic maintenance, and some even crossed the 300,000-mile mark. Since many of the first-generation models are still registered today, we can also safely say that the Toyota Highlander can easily cross the 20-year threshold. A recent survey also revealed that a lot of owners keep the Highlander for over 15 years, which is significantly higher than the average SUV lifespan of 10 years.
However, there are some issues reported over the years, most of which can be traced back to a couple of model years. According to Consumer Reports, the most problematic year for the Highlander is 2003 which saw cases of faulty brakes and engine block issues that were traced back to the bolts used. Fortunately, as is the norm with Toyota, all these issues were addressed by the company and the owners were compensated with repair costs.
Even today, the Highlander remains one of the best-selling SUVs on the market, taking the second spot behind the Jeep Grand Cherokee as of 2021. Being a mid-size SUV, the Highlander is ideal for the average family, offering comfortable seating for up to 8 passengers with the bench seat option. You also get a long list of creature comforts and safety features as standard including advanced driver assistance features.
The Highlander has gone through several generations over the years, and every single one of them has topped the reliability charts right down to the fourth generation Highlander which launched back in 2019. The fourth-generation model also skyrocketed sales for Toyota, shifting more than a quarter of a million units in 2021, out of which more than 65,000 were hybrids.
Outstanding reliability scores
Like most other Toyota’s on the market, the Highlander also received above-average reliability scores, scoring 4.5 out of 5 according to Consumer Reports. RepairPal also gave it a score of 4 out of 5, higher than the segment average of 3.5.
Another survey also revealed that the Highlander beat its own stablemates like the 4Runner, Tundra, and even the popular Tacoma if we consider long-lasting reliability.
Model years to avoid
Despite its stellar dependability and reliability ratings over the years, some model years have slipped through the net with some issues. Fortunately, most of these were from the first generation, making them easier to avoid in the used market.
The 2002 and 2003 model years top the list as the worst model years of the Highlander. Many of the SUVs sold during these years were susceptible to severe engine issues, most notable of which are the threads of the engine bolts getting stripped, leading to a hefty repair bill of more than $3,000. Failure to repair this, and some other issues have also caused several engines to lock up completely, leading to a bill of $6,400.
As with all old SUVs, rust was also a major issue with the Highlander and its stablemates, which can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 to repair depending on the severity. So, with all these in mind, if you come across a 2002 model, avoid it for something newer. The 2003 models, while not as bad, should also still be avoided for the engine bolt stripping issues.
The second-generation model which was launched in 2008 also had several issues for the launch year, although they were not as severe as the first generation. The engine was still the culprit with issues like knocks and rattles when cold, faulty oil lines, oil leakage, and more.
As if on cue, the launch of the third-generation model later in 2015 also brought with it several issues, and has the most complaints reported so far. Ranking from trivial issues like interior accessories malfunctioning to excessive wind noise, it’s best to avoid a 2015 Highlander if you want peace of mind.
Which model years should you look out for?
Model years with the highest ratings so far are 2017 and 2018, going near the end of the third-generation model. Both these model years performed well on the reliability front, earning a score of 5 out of 5 from consumer reports. However, the low performance on fuel efficiency brought down the overall owner satisfaction score. While both these model years are excellent options in the used market, being Toyotas, they can get expensive, especially since they’re just a few years old.
If you have a tighter budget, the 2007 model year is next on the list, with just a handful of complaints reported over the years.
Average repair costs of a Toyota Highlander
If we gloss over reliability and take a look at annual repair costs, the Toyota Highlander still undercuts rivals with an average of just $489 per year. By far, the most common repair for the Highlander is to treat rust. Driving in the snow and salt especially can accelerate rust formation, rendering the car unusable if not taken care of. Rusting usually starts around the doors, tailgate, and exterior door handles, so watch out for these areas and keep them clean.
Other than rust, the rest of the repair and running costs are minimal like in most Toyotas. Consumables like brake pads will generally last around 50,000 miles and will only cost a few hundred dollars to replace. Likewise, the tires also last a long while, especially if you drive with a light foot. All the major mechanical components like the engine and transmission will last more than 200,000 miles without any repairs, provided they are maintained properly.
So, in conclusion, the Toyota Highlander is one of the most dependable SUVs yet, and we can expect one to last well over 200,000 miles with proper maintenance and care.
