Is the Toyota Highlander reliable?
61% of the 38 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 64/100 — it scores a little better than average.
38
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections64/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10061%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 53%Across 38 used Toyota Highlanders we inspected, this model scores a little better than average — average condition 64/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.
What we found
Most common faults
Oil leaks · Engine
50%
Cracked or torn suspension bushings · Suspension
45%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
34%
Leaking or worn shock absorbers · Suspension
32%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
29%
Share of inspected Toyota Highlanders where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 11%
Good 50%
Mediocre 39%
Poor 0%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
79%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
0%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
26%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 23%
More on Toyota
RAV4
52 cars · 71% good
Prius
60 cars · 59% good
Sienna
48 cars · 56% good
Tacoma
44 cars · 53% good
Corolla
106 cars · 51% good
Tundra
48 cars · 48% good
Camry
98 cars · 46% good
4Runner
65 cars · 46% good
Avalon
26 cars · 42% good
Other Toyota models we've inspected — or see the full Toyota profile.
Straight from recent Toyota Highlander reports
2019 Toyota Highlander · 75k mi — flagged: cracked or torn suspension bushings. Inspected Jun 11.
2019 Toyota Highlander · 88k mi — flagged: worn brake rotors, excessive pads wear, cracked or torn suspension bushings. Inspected Jun 10.
The bottom line
Oil leaks show up on half these Highlanders and suspension bushings are cracked on almost as many, so those are your first checks before anything else. Pair that with the 79 percent repaint rate and you know cosmetic work is common even without structural damage, which none had. Use the leaks and worn shocks to negotiate hard or walk away if the undercarriage looks neglected and error codes are active. Stick to examples that still score in the good range and you'll avoid the large mediocre group that just needs more work than they're worth.
FAQ
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What are the most common problems on a used Toyota Highlander?
The items we flag most often are oil leaks (50%), cracked or torn suspension bushings (45%), tires condition & wear (34%). Have these checked before buying.
?
Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 26% of these cars the ECU codes had been erased shortly before sale, which can hide active faults. Ask for a diagnostic scan and start the engine from cold.
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Based on 38 inspections · updated Aug 1, 2026
