Is the Toyota Highlander reliable?
64% of the 41 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 67/100 — it scores noticeably better than the typical used car we inspect.
41
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections67/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10064%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%Across 41 used Toyota Highlanders we inspected, this model scores noticeably better than the typical used car we inspect — average condition 67/100 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
54%
Cracked or torn suspension bushings · Suspension
46%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
39%
Leaking or worn shock absorbers · Suspension
34%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
27%
Share of inspected Toyota Highlanders where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 37%
Good 27%
Mediocre 27%
Poor 10%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
76%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
0%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
27%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 24%
More on Toyota
RAV4
54 cars · 79% good
Prius
61 cars · 67% good
Tacoma
52 cars · 65% good
Corolla
113 cars · 61% good
Sienna
48 cars · 56% good
Tundra
56 cars · 55% good
Camry
110 cars · 53% good
Avalon
28 cars · 50% good
4Runner
70 cars · 47% good
Other Toyota models we've inspected — or see the full Toyota profile.
Straight from recent Toyota Highlander reports
2013 Toyota Highlander · 152k mi — flagged: oil leaks, worn brake rotors, excessive pads wear. Inspected Sep 15.
2012 Toyota Highlander · 120k mi — flagged: oil leaks, battery condition, engine control module. Inspected Aug 21.
The bottom line
Oil leaks show up on more than half of these Highlanders, so the first move is a cold-engine look underneath for seepage, then a hard look at bushings and shocks because those fail almost as often. Worn tires and live error codes pile on, so budget a scan and a tire inspection before you negotiate. Fresh paint is typical and none showed structural repair, so a respray by itself is not a deal-breaker. Walk if the engine is wet and the codes are live, or use the leak-plus-suspension combo to knock the price down.
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 (54%), cracked or torn suspension bushings (46%), tires condition & wear (39%). Have these checked before buying.
?
Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 27% 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 41 inspections · updated Oct 1, 2026
