Toyota · Known Issues
2001-2025 Toyota Highlander Problems & Issues
2001-2025 model years · 4,230+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
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2001-2025 model years · 4,230+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
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According to Au7o's analysis of 4,230+ owner reports, the 2001-2025 Toyota Highlander has 51 documented known issues, with 20 rated critical. The most serious are 2GR-FE V6 Excessive Oil Consumption ($0-$4,000 repair), Hybrid Battery Pack Degradation and Failure ($1,500-$5,500 repair), 2.4L 2AZ-FE Head Gasket and Head Bolt Thread Failure ($2,500-$5,000 repair), 2GR-FE V6 Oil Leak (Timing Cover and Oil Cooler Line) ($300-$4,000 repair), Hybrid Inverter Coolant Pump Failure (Inverter Overheat) — P0A05 / P0A93 ($700-$1,100 repair), UA80 8-Speed Transmission Whine/Grind — Front Carrier Pinion Shaft Failure ($0-$12,000 repair), Radiator Internal Transmission-Cooler Failure — ATF/Coolant Cross-Contamination ("Strawberry Milkshake") ($400-$4,500 repair), Cluster Fails to Show Speedometer and Brake/Tire Pressure Warnings After Start (Recall 25V595000), Denso Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure Causing Engine Stalling (Recall 20V-012) ($0-$800 repair), Hybrid Brake Booster / ABS Actuator Assembly Failure (Accumulator Leak) — C1391 ($1,600-$3,500 repair), Electric Power Steering ECU Damaged in Manufacture — Sudden Loss of Steering Assist (Recall 15V144000) ($0-$1,800 repair), Second-Row Seat Back May Fail to Lock (Recall 26V-128) ($0-$0 repair), 2GR-FE VVT-i Oil Supply Hose Rupture — Sudden Oil Loss (Service Campaign LSC 90K) ($250-$900 repair), Incorrect Front Seat Trim Covers Block Seat-Mounted Side Air Bag Deployment (Recall 20V633000) ($0-$0 repair), Third-Row Center Seat Belt Roof Anchor Installed at the Wrong Angle (Recall 25V872000) ($0-$0 repair), Occupant Classification System (OCS) Sensor Short Circuit — Front Passenger Air Bag Will Not Deploy (Recall 23V865000) ($0-$1,300 repair), Steering Column Spiral Cable Weld Separation — Driver's Air Bag Deactivated (Recalls 23V480000 and 25V040000) ($0-$900 repair), V6 Engine Oil Sludge / Gelling (1MZ-FE / 3MZ-FE) — Oil Pump Pickup Starvation ($500-$6,000 repair), 1AR-FE 2.7L Four-Cylinder Excessive Oil Consumption (Low-Tension Ring / Carbon Buildup) ($200-$3,500 repair) and Hybrid Inverter Intelligent Power Module (IPM) Transistor Solder Failure — Hybrid System Shutdown/Stall (Recall 13V396000) ($0-$4,500 repair). The most commonly reported issue is 2GR-FE V6 Excessive Oil Consumption with 1,850 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $50 to $12,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
STEERING:COLUMN
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
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.
TIRES
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022-2024 model year Highlander L and Highlander LE vehicles equipped with the Blackout Package that includes 20" black alloy wheels and tires. The installed tires have an insufficient load rating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
TIRES
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander vehicles. The 20-inch accessory tires with an insufficient load rating for the vehicle's Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) were installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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."
+ 7 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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According to Au7o's analysis of 4,230+ owner reports, the 2001-2025 Toyota Highlander has 51 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 2GR-FE V6 Excessive Oil Consumption, Hybrid Battery Pack Degradation and Failure, 2.4L 2AZ-FE Head Gasket and Head Bolt Thread Failure. Of these, 20 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2001-2025 Toyota Highlander has 51 known issues documented across 4,230+ owner reports. 20 issues are rated critical: 2GR-FE V6 Excessive Oil Consumption and Hybrid Battery Pack Degradation and Failure and 2.4L 2AZ-FE Head Gasket and Head Bolt Thread Failure and 2GR-FE V6 Oil Leak (Timing Cover and Oil Cooler Line) and Hybrid Inverter Coolant Pump Failure (Inverter Overheat) — P0A05 / P0A93 and UA80 8-Speed Transmission Whine/Grind — Front Carrier Pinion Shaft Failure and Radiator Internal Transmission-Cooler Failure — ATF/Coolant Cross-Contamination ("Strawberry Milkshake") and Cluster Fails to Show Speedometer and Brake/Tire Pressure Warnings After Start (Recall 25V595000) and Denso Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure Causing Engine Stalling (Recall 20V-012) and Hybrid Brake Booster / ABS Actuator Assembly Failure (Accumulator Leak) — C1391 and Electric Power Steering ECU Damaged in Manufacture — Sudden Loss of Steering Assist (Recall 15V144000) and Second-Row Seat Back May Fail to Lock (Recall 26V-128) and 2GR-FE VVT-i Oil Supply Hose Rupture — Sudden Oil Loss (Service Campaign LSC 90K) and Incorrect Front Seat Trim Covers Block Seat-Mounted Side Air Bag Deployment (Recall 20V633000) and Third-Row Center Seat Belt Roof Anchor Installed at the Wrong Angle (Recall 25V872000) and Occupant Classification System (OCS) Sensor Short Circuit — Front Passenger Air Bag Will Not Deploy (Recall 23V865000) and Steering Column Spiral Cable Weld Separation — Driver's Air Bag Deactivated (Recalls 23V480000 and 25V040000) and V6 Engine Oil Sludge / Gelling (1MZ-FE / 3MZ-FE) — Oil Pump Pickup Starvation and 1AR-FE 2.7L Four-Cylinder Excessive Oil Consumption (Low-Tension Ring / Carbon Buildup) and Hybrid Inverter Intelligent Power Module (IPM) Transistor Solder Failure — Hybrid System Shutdown/Stall (Recall 13V396000). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Toyota Highlander issues range from $0 to $12,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, 2GR-FE V6 Excessive Oil Consumption, typically costs $0-$4,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Reliability varies across model years of the Toyota Highlander. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2001-2025 Toyota Highlander with 51 documented issues documented across 4,230+ owner reports.
The 3.5L 2GR-FE V6 in 2nd-gen Highlanders consumes oil excessively, often 1 quart per 1,000-2,000 miles. The root cause is piston ring design allowing oil past the rings into the combustion chamber. Repairs typically run $0-$4,000. Severity: high.
Highlander Hybrid NiMH battery packs degrade over time, with individual cells failing after 8-12 years or 150,000+ miles. Failed cells cause reduced fuel economy, loss of hybrid assist, and eventual inability to start the vehicle. Repairs typically run $1,500-$5,500. Severity: high.
The 2001-2007 Highlander with the 2.4L 2AZ-FE 4-cylinder engine suffers from a design flaw where the aluminum head bolt threads strip out of the engine block. The plastic intake manifold traps heat against the block, causing thermal fatigue of the aluminum threads. This leads to… Repairs typically run $2,500-$5,000. Severity: high.
The 3.5L 2GR-FE V6 in the 2008-2013 Highlander develops two significant oil leak patterns. The timing cover sealant fails over time, causing a slow but persistent oil leak from the front of the engine that worsens progressively. More critically, the rubber oil cooler hose can rup… Repairs typically run $300-$4,000. Severity: high.
The Highlander Hybrid uses a dedicated electric water pump to circulate coolant through the power inverter/converter, which runs separately from the engine cooling system. The electric pump wears out and stops circulating coolant, allowing the inverter and hybrid electronics to o… Repairs typically run $700-$1,100. Severity: high.
The UA80E/UA80F 8-speed automatic in V6 Highlanders can develop a whine or grind noise traced to defective front carrier assembly pinion shafts/bearings. As the bearings delaminate they shed metal debris through the fluid, which can progressively damage the torque converter and t… Repairs typically run $0-$12,000. Severity: high.
Automatic-transmission Highlanders route ATF through a cooler integrated into the main radiator end tank. When the internal separator corrodes/cracks, engine coolant and transmission fluid mix, producing a pink 'strawberry milkshake' emulsion. Coolant in the ATF destroys the clut… Repairs typically run $400-$4,500. Severity: high.
2023-2025 Highlanders are among the vehicles named in NHTSA recall 25V595000. Toyota reports an error in the instrument panel software that occurs at vehicle startup; when it happens, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed along with the brake system and tire pres… Severity: high.
Certain Highlanders are part of Toyota's large Denso low-pressure fuel pump recall (NHTSA 20V-012). The pump's resin impeller can absorb fuel, swell, and crack, causing the pump to seize. This leads to rough running, hard starting, and engine stalling — potentially at speed and w… Repairs typically run $0-$800. Severity: high.
The regenerative-braking brake actuator (the integrated ABS/booster/accumulator pump module) is a known weak spot on the Highlander Hybrid. The accumulator develops an internal leak and the pump runs constantly, triggering a loud, repetitive whirring/buzzing and warning lights; i… Repairs typically run $1,600-$3,500. Severity: high.
A component inside the electric power steering ECU on certain 2015 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles was damaged during the manufacturing process. The damage progresses over time and can end in outright failure of the EPS system, meaning the driver loses power assist with… Repairs typically run $0-$1,800. Severity: high.
Toyota recalled approximately 550,007 model-year 2021-2024 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVs (NHTSA 26V-128) because the second-row seat-back recliner teeth may not fully engage when the seat back is adjusted, due to a supplier design change to the recliner guide/ratchet comb… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
On 2GR-FE 3.5L V6 engines (built up through roughly April 2008), the rubber center section of the oil supply hose that feeds the VVT-i actuator degrades from exposure to corrosive PCV gases. A pinhole forms and expands, then the hose bursts, dumping engine oil rapidly. Owners rep… Repairs typically run $250-$900. Severity: high.
Approximately 3,121 model-year 2020 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles were built with incorrect trim covers on one or both front seats. The seat-mounted side air bag deploys through a tear seam in the seat trim; a cover without the correct seam construction can suffocate… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
On certain 2024-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles the roof anchor for the third-row center seat belt was installed at an incorrect angle during assembly. A shoulder-belt anchor that sits at the wrong angle can let the webbing load improperly in a crash, so the belt m… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
The front passenger seat on 2020-2022 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles carries an Occupant Classification System sensor mat that weighs the occupant and tells the air bag control module whether — and how hard — to fire the passenger air bag. Improperly manufactured senso… Repairs typically run $0-$1,300. Severity: high.
An electrical connection inside the steering-column spiral cable (clock spring) assembly on certain 2023 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles was insufficiently welded at the supplier. Over time and with normal steering-wheel rotation the connection can separate, breaking th… Repairs typically run $0-$900. Severity: high.
The early Highlander 3.0L 1MZ-FE (and successor 3.3L 3MZ-FE) V6 is prone to engine oil sludge/gelling. Blow-by gases and moisture that fail to burn off (aggravated by short-trip driving, extended oil intervals and a PCV valve that clogs) turn the oil to a gel that coats the valve… Repairs typically run $500-$6,000. Severity: high.
The four-cylinder 1AR-FE 2.7L offered on the base second-gen Highlander is notorious for burning oil, especially when owners follow Toyota's 10,000-mile oil-change interval. The engine uses low-tension piston rings for fuel economy, and carbon buildup clogs the oil-control ring g… Repairs typically run $200-$3,500. Severity: high.
On the first- and second-generation Highlander Hybrid (2GR-FXE / 3MZ-FE hybrid), the Intelligent Power Module inside the hybrid inverter assembly carries control-board transistors whose operating temperature can exceed what the solder beneath them tolerates. The solder degrades,… Repairs typically run $0-$4,500. Severity: high.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.