Toyota Highlander Years to Avoid: Problems by Year (2014-2026)

The 2014-2019 Toyota Highlanders are plagued by engine oil leaks, stripped bolts, and rough shifts. The 2020-2023 models see an uptick in powertrain issues.

The short version

2014-2019 — proceed with caution

The 2014-2019 Toyota Highlander models come with a significant number of reported issues that warrant caution for potential buyers and owners. Over these six years, there were 1,456 complaints registered on NHTSA’s database, highlighting several critical problems. The power train emerged as the top complaint category, accounting for 339 reports or 23.3% of all complaints.

Recalls also indicate specific issues within this generation. Recall campaign 20V682000 covers the low-pressure fuel pump on 2017-2019 Highlanders, and earlier campaigns addressed fuel lines and fittings (14V576000) and labeling (16V420000). A recall is a manufacturer-acknowledged defect, so these are the issues Toyota itself accepted responsibility for.

One standout issue is the frequent reporting of cabin water leaks in 2014-2015 models, often due to faulty roof-rail bolts or sunroof seals rather than clogged drain tubes. This problem can lead to extensive damage, including mold growth and compromised airbags. Additionally, engine oil leaks, stripped bolts, rough shifts, and premature brake wear are common complaints for the 2014 and 2015 years.

One filed complaint from this era describes a 2018 Highlander whose airbags did not deploy in a collision, with injuries resulting — a reminder that these reports are individual accounts of real incidents, not aggregate defect rates.

Given these factors, potential buyers should proceed with caution and thoroughly inspect any used model from this period for signs of the noted problems before making a purchase decision.

2020-2023 — proceed with caution

The Toyota Highlander from 2020 to 2023 has seen a significant number of complaints and recalls, totaling 1,246 reports across all years with notable spikes in 2021 and 2022. Power train issues dominate the problem list, accounting for 390 complaints or 31.3% of the total, despite changes to the vehicle’s platform. This high incidence suggests that while Toyota may have made adjustments to address previous power train concerns, they did not fully resolve them.

In addition to power train woes, service brakes and structural issues are also common, with 161 brake-related complaints (12.9%) and 160 structural problems reported (12.8%). Recalls for these years include multiple campaigns addressing various components such as seats, electronic systems, steering columns, and airbags, indicating a range of critical safety concerns.

Notably, recall 25V744000 addresses the Panoramic View Monitor system in certain models from 2022 to 2026, while another major recall (26V128000) involves second-row seat backs that may fail to lock properly. These recalls highlight ongoing issues with critical vehicle systems and components.

Owner complaints also reflect these concerns, with one report detailing a crash where the airbags did not deploy as expected, raising further safety questions about this generation of Highlanders. Given the high number of reported issues and multiple manufacturer-acknowledged defects, driving caution is advised when considering purchasing or owning a 2020–2023 Toyota Highlander.

2024-2026 — too new to judge

The 2024-2026 Toyota Highlanders are too new to judge reliably based on owner complaints and recalls alone. With just 50 total reports filed as of now, any conclusions would be premature. The most notable issues reported involve the service brakes with nine complaints (18% of all reports), followed by electrical system problems with seven complaints (14%). Additionally, there are five fuel/propulsion system complaints and four structure-related concerns.

The recall that reaches into these years is 26V128000, covering 2021-2024 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid models whose second-row seat backs may fail to lock. A separate December 2025 campaign covers the third-row center seat belt roof anchor, which may be improperly installed or missing.

One owner reported a steering issue while making a left turn at an intersection: “Partway through the turn, the steering became unresponsive.” This highlights potential concerns with vehicle control systems in these models. Overall, given the limited data available, it’s too early to draw definitive conclusions about reliability issues for 2024-2026 Highlanders.

If you’re shopping used

When shopping a used Highlander from either generation, two things deserve most of your attention: water leaks and transmission behavior. For the earlier generation (2014-2015), inspect for signs of dampness under the carpeting, moldy smells, or corrosion around airbags, as these indicate a potential leak from the roof gutter area. In later years, while water leakage is still an issue, owners also report transmission problems such as hesitation and harsh shifts. Ensure service records show regular maintenance and no red flags for expensive repairs.

During your pre-purchase inspection, ask the mechanic to pay special attention to both the roof structure around A-pillars and the transmission fluid condition. The inspector should look closely at any evidence of past leaks or corrosion and test drive the vehicle to notice unusual behavior in shifting gears.