Toyota Highlander: common problems & condition

Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections

68/100

Average conditionall cars we check: 61/100

63%

In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%

Across 40 used Toyota Highlanders we inspected, this model scores noticeably better than the typical used car we inspect — average condition 68/100 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.

Most common faults

Oil leaks · Engine

53%

Cracked or torn suspension bushings · Suspension

45%

Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires

38%

Leaking or worn shock absorbers · Suspension

33%

Active error codes · Electronic equipment

28%

Share of inspected Toyota Highlanders where each item was flagged.

How they score

Excellent 38% Good 25% Mediocre 28% Poor 10%

Hidden history

What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.

78%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%

0%showed structural repairall cars: 4%

28%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 23%

What else does ~$17k buy? A used Toyota Highlander typically sells for around $17,097 — compare the odds of getting a good SUV across every make at that budget. Compare →

RAV4 53 cars · 79% good Prius 61 cars · 67% good Tacoma 45 cars · 63% good Corolla 110 cars · 61% good Sienna 48 cars · 56% good Tundra 48 cars · 56% good Camry 100 cars · 53% good Avalon 27 cars · 51% good 4Runner 67 cars · 46% good

Other Toyota models we've inspected — or see the full Toyota profile.

Straight from recent Toyota Highlander reports

2012 Toyota Highlander · 120k mi — flagged: oil leaks, battery condition, engine control module. Inspected Aug 21.

2016 Toyota Highlander · 154k mi — flagged: oil leaks, fault codes recently cleared, tires condition & wear. Inspected Aug 12.

Highlander shoppers should treat every example as a potential oil-leaker with tired suspension until proven otherwise. The frequent panel resprays are mostly cosmetic and the complete absence of structural repairs is reassuring, but that does not cancel out the engine and chassis wear. First thing, look for oil seepage around the engine, then inspect the bushings and shock absorbers yourself or have a mechanic do it, and demand a code scan. Those two issues together give you real leverage to walk or knock the price down; skip any car that already has both plus worn tires.

Is the Toyota Highlander reliable?

63% of the 40 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 68/100 — it scores noticeably better than the typical used car we inspect.

What are the most common problems on a used Toyota Highlander?

The items we flag most often are oil leaks (53%), cracked or torn suspension bushings (45%), tires condition & wear (38%). Have these checked before buying.

Should I worry about cleared fault codes?

On 28% 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.

Thinking of buying a Toyota Highlander? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.

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Based on 40 inspections · updated Aug 22, 2026