2008-2013 Toyota Highlander: reported problems, pros and cons, photos

The Toyota Highlander is a dependable family hauler. It offers a very smooth and quiet ride, roomy interior and a strong V6. The Highlander comes as a 5 or 7-seater, with front- or all-wheel drive. Engine choices include a 2.7L 4-cylinder (FWD only) or 3.5L V6. The hybrid model has a 3.3L V6.

With ample cargo space and up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity, the Highlander is one of the best road trip cars. What are the reported problems to watch out for?

Toyota Highlander problems: Oil leaks from the oil cooler hoses are quite common in the 3.5L V6. When it starts leaking, you might notice oil drops on the driveway under the engine and possibly a smell of oil coming from under the hood. The oil cooler assembly must be replaced. The updated part is made entirely out of metal. Watch these videos to see the part and the repair. We would even advise to have this part checked during a regular oil change and replace it if it looks bad as a precaution. The repair may cost from $250 to $350. According to the service bulletin T-SB-0047-10, the Check Engine light with codes P0351 - P0356 Ignition Coil Primary/Secondary Circuit) in the 2GR-FE engine could be caused by a bad ignition coil. The affected ignition coil must be replaced with an updated part. Front ignition coils (Bank 2) are easy to replace. Replacing one of the rear ignition coils (Bank 1) will cost up to 2.5 hours of labor plus the part. When replacing a bad coil, we would also recommend replacing all spark plugs if they are old. We found several videos on this subject.

Problems with u-joints in the intermediate steering shaft can cause various issues with the steering, including a rattling or clunking noise, looseness or occasional stiffness. Replacing an intermediate shaft costs from $380 to $640; it's not a very difficult job. Watch these videos describing the problem and the repair.

The Toyota service bulletin (TSB) 0348-09 for the 2008-2009 Highlander mentions the problem where a faulty neutral start switch can cause the engine to start in Neutral but not in Park. A revised neutral start switch assembly is available to solve this problem, according to the bulletin.

The TSB-0184-09 describes an issue with the throttle body that can cause the code P0505 in the 2GR-FE engine. According to the bulletin, the PCV hose connections and air induction system must be inspected for leaks. If no leaks are found, the throttle body must be replaced.

A faulty hood latch switch can cause the alarm to go off sporadically, although the hood switch is not the only possible cause of this problem. We found this YouTube video describing the problem with the hood switch.

There were some issues with leaking water pumps in earlier models. Replacing a water pump costs $320-$580 in a 4-cylinder engine and $750-$1,100 in a V6, as reported by Highlander owners.
Since various oil and coolant leaks are mentioned, it's a good idea to keep all the fluids topped up and check the vehicle for leaks regularly. Drops of oil on the driveway are an early sign.

Engines: The most common engine choice is a 270-hp 3.5L V6, model 2GR-FE; it's one of the best V6 engines on the market. A 187-hp 2.7L 4-cylinder engine, model 1AR-FE is available only with front wheel drive. Both are solid, reliable engines. The 2008-2010 Highlander Hybrid comes with a 3.3L V6, model 3MZ-FE mated to a hybrid drive. The 2011-plus Highlander Hybrid has a 3.5L V6.

Timing belt or chain: Both the 2.7L 4-cylinder 1AR-FE and the 3.5L V6 2GR-FE engines have a timing chain; however, the 3MZ-FE engine in the 2008-2010 Highlander Hybrid does have a timing belt. According to the Warranty and Maintenance Guide for the 2010 Highlander Hybrid, a timing belt must be replaced every 90,000 miles or 108 months.

Fuel Consumption

Toyota Highlander EPA Fuel Economy:	mpg city/hwy	L/100 km city/hwy
2011-2013 3.5L V6 AWD hybrid	28/28	8.4/8.4
2008-2010 3.3L V6 AWD hybrid	27/25	8.7/9.4
2009-2010 4-cyl FWD	20/27	11.8/8.7
2011-2013 4-cyl FWD	20/25	11.8/9.4
2008-2013 3.5L V6 FWD	18/24	13.1/9.8
2008-2010 3.5L V6 AWD	17/23	13.8/10.2
2011-2013 3.5L V6 AWD	17/22	13.8/10.7

Fuel Economy: The 2008-2010 V6 all-wheel drive Highlander gets 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (13.8/10.2 L/100 km). The 2011-2013 V6 AWD Highlander is rated at 17/22 mpg (13.8/10.7 L/100 km) on regular gasoline. In our test drive, the 2013 V6 AWD Highlander got 20.5 mpg combined (11.5 L/100 km) in mostly highway use. See EPA ratings in the table.

Pros: Reliable, strong V6 engine, roomy interior, easy to use controls, comfortable ride, good visibility, available third-row seating, liftgate glass opens separately, cargo capacity, ground clearance, towing capacity.

Cons: Interior materials, 3.5L V6 is thirsty, limited cargo space with the third-row seat up, the second-row middle seat is small and not very comfortable.

Overall: The Toyota Highlander is not only comfortable to drive, but is one of the most reliable mid-size SUVs. As of December 2021, Consumer Reports marks all model years of this generation as 'Recommended'. We looked through hundreds of Toyota Highlander owner reviews, and the majority are positive. Many owners praise roominess, second-row space and car-like handling. Nearly all mentioned a comfortable and quiet ride. Complaints include things like real-world mpg, material quality (some interior plastics feel hard) and cargo space with the third-row in use.

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Toyota Highlander 2001-2007
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Handling and Ride: The Highlander is a pleasure to take on a long road trip; the ride is smooth and quiet. The soft suspension soaks bumps and road imperfections well. The steering feels light. Overall, it's a very comfortable vehicle to drive, whether around town, or on the highway.

Interior: In a 7-seat configuration, the 40/20/40 split second-row seat has a small "Center Stow" middle seat that can be removed and stored in the driver's centre console. The third-row is more suitable for kids. The liftgate glass opens separately in all but base models; a power liftgate is available in top trims.

Photos:
What to look for when buying a used Toyota Highlander: It might be a good idea to opt for a 2009 or newer Highlander, as first-year models always have more issues. Avoid the car if the engine rattles when started cold. Watch out for coolant/oil leaks in the engine compartment and under the car. Check if all the windows go up and down smoothly. Test the rear-passenger climate controls to see if the rear heater and air conditioner work properly. There should be no clunks or rattle felt in the steering when driving slowly on a rough road. During the test drive, watch out for drivetrain noises; see if the transmission shifts smoothly. Have the vehicle properly inspected by an independent mechanic or used car inspector before buying; it can save you a lot of money. Read also: What mileage is OK for a used car?

AWD System Maintenance: The Highlander AWD system has two major components: the transfer case and the rear differential. We checked the maintenance schedule for the 2013 non-hybrid Highlander and it recommends inspecting the fluids in the transfer case and rear differential every 15,000 miles, but changing the fluids for normal driving conditions is not mentioned. However, when "Driving while towing, using a car-top carrier, or heavy vehicle loading" the fluids must be changed every 15,000 miles, according to the schedule. We would recommend changing the rear differential and transfer case fluids at least every 60,000 miles, even when driving in normal conditions. These components also need to be inspected regularly for leaks. Using only the same-size tires and having them inflated to the recommended pressure is also important for the AWD system's health.