Toyota Highlander Years to Avoid

Why 2008 made the avoid list

2008 Toyota Highlander

AvoidTop issue: speed control · 23% of complaints · median 21,000 miles

Owners describe air bag warning lights traced to failing spiral cables, air bags that did not deploy in crashes, and brakes that hesitate or lose function, often tied to costly ABS actuator or pump repairs. Some also report sudden unexpected acceleration while parking or braking.

Full 2008 report ›

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints on NHTSA's site and checked against them; the counts and mileages come from our data.

Best Toyota Highlander years to buy

2014 Toyota Highlander

Best betTop issue: body and structure · 22% of complaints · median 23,000 miles

Owners filed 69 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Highlander in its first five years, about 49 for every 100,000 sold: 0.6× the rate of a typical Highlander year. 22% of them involve the body and structure, at a median of 23,000 miles.

Full 2014 report ›

A best bet drew 0.6× the complaint rate of a typical Highlander year or less in its first five years on the road. How we rate

1. Brakes15% of complaints · 364 complaints · median 8,000–30,000 miles by year · worst years: 2008, 2021 and 2022
2. Powertrain12% of complaints · 294 complaints · median 5,000–73,000 miles by year · worst years: 2017, 2021 and 2022
3. Electrical11% of complaints · 261 complaints · median 4,000–75,000 miles by year · worst years: 2015, 2019 and 2022
4. Fuel and propulsion11% of complaints · 255 complaints · median 1,000–26,000 miles by year · worst years: 2018, 2019 and 2021
5. Engine11% of complaints · 251 complaints · median 3,000–56,000 miles by year · worst years: 2017, 2019 and 2021

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA in each model year's first five years on the road, all years combined. A complaint can name more than one area. Worst years are the rated years with the most complaints about that area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

Questions owners ask

Which Toyota Highlander years should you avoid?

Counting complaints owners filed with NHTSA in each year's first five years on the road, per vehicle sold, the 2008 Highlander drew the most: each more than twice the rate of a typical Highlander year, spread across more than one problem area. The 2010, 2013, 2021 and 2022 also ran above average; use caution with them.

What is the best year for a used Toyota Highlander?

The best bets are the 2014 Highlander, which drew far fewer complaints per vehicle sold than a typical Highlander year. The 2014 drew the fewest for its time on the road (0.6× the rate of a typical Highlander year). Years from 2023 on haven't had five years on the road, so they aren't rated yet.

What is the most common problem with the Toyota Highlander?

Across every year, the problem area owners report most is the brakes (15% of complaints), followed by the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (12%) and the electrical system (11%). A complaint can name more than one area.

Has the Toyota Highlander been recalled?

Yes. NHTSA lists 45 recall campaigns covering Highlander model years 2008 to 2027, the most recent in March 2026. Enter a vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether its repairs were done.